Art Braendel, Jr. - Guitar
Art was born and raised in Eagle River and has been involved in music since early childhood. He got his first guitar in 1964 and has been playing ever since. He played in rock and roll bands in the 1960's, and has worked in church music programs and served as interim music director. He attained an Associate of Arts degree from UAA with emphasis in vocal performance and an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Science. He has performed in many church seasonal presentations as both cast member and vocal performer. He performs in music and theater productions at the academy.  Art also works on sets, sound, lighting and construction. He is currently President of the Board of Directors of the Alaska Fine Arts Academy. He is an Army veteran, and retired senior fire officer with the Anchorage Fire Department. Art presently runs a small excavation and landscaping business.
"I want to pass on to others the skills, vision, and joy of performance of the Arts"

Don Curry - Brass

An Alaskan by birth, Mr. Curry has taught brass students for twenty years, having had private studios in Michigan, Texas, and Alaska. He holds degrees in Instrumental Music Education from Michigan State University and Library Science from University of North Texas, and was a band director in Texas for fourteen years. Mr. Curry is an accomplished trombonist, having held positions in the Midland Symphony Orchestra (MI) and the South Texas Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has performed with the Lansing and Jackson Symphony Orchestras, Michigan State Trombone Quartet, Rio Grande Valley Trombone Quartet, South Texas Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet, and the West Circle Brass Quintet (MI) where he appeared on Michigan Public Television. Mr. Curry has also performed with numerous brass and mixed ensembles, and can be heard on recordings of the South Texas Symphony Orchestra. His primary teachers were Thane Curry, John Duff, and Curtis Olson.

Erik Chronister – Percussion & Pipes and Drums

Erik is a JR at the University of Alaska Anchorage where he is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Music Education with an emphasis in percussion. Involved in a number of performance and educational groups around town, Erik is currently the Drum Sergeant of the Crow Creek Pipe and Drum Corps and the drummer for UAA's 4:30 Jazz Combo. Recently Erik was elected the Alaska Chapter President of the Percussive Arts Society. The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) is an international non profit organization whose mission is to promote percussion performance and education worldwide. Erik as been teaching private and group drum lessons for the past seven years.

Krystal DeJesus - Theater

Lisa Martin – Violin

Marco Gutierrez - Photography

Mary Scoresby- Piano

Michael Smith - Voice & Piano

Nansi Freeman - Art

Rachel Finley - Voice

Rachel has been an Alaskan for sixteen years and an EagleRiver resident for thirteen years. She is an alumni of Eagle River Elementary, Gruening Middle School, Chugiak High School and Armstrong Atlantic State University. She has sung in several local choirs including CHS Concert Choir and SSA madrigal, Anchorage Concert Choir and the St. Andrew's Youth Choir and Celebration Choir. She has also sung professionally with choirs in Savannah, Georgia including I Cantori, St. John's Episcopal Adult Choir, St. John's Episcopal Men, Boys and Girls choir, and at Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church. Rachel has a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus in vocal music from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia. There at Armstrong she was taught the Doscher method of singing by Dr. Lucinda Schultz. Rachel was also the soprano section leader for the AASU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers for four years, the AASU Choral Librarian for three years, and the AASU Choir President for one year. Currently, Rachel is taking instruction from the famous Peggy Monaghan at the Turnagain Arts Center.
Rachel currently teaches voice at the Alaska Fine Arts Academy, cantors for the Celebration Choir at St. Andrew's Catholic Church and works as a massage therapist at Studio 49.
 

Rebecca See - Flute

Rebecca See is currently a full-time student at the University of Alaska, Anchorage majoring in Flute Performance and Music Education. She studies with Dr. Laura Koenig and Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Sinfonia, and Flute Ensemble. She is also an active member of the Alaska Flute Studies Center, the UAA Collegiate Chapter of the National Association of Music Educators (CMENC), and the National Flute Association. In 2006, she was invited through the Alaska Flute Studies Center to tour New Zealand with the Arctic Wind Flute Choir as a flute mentor. She was also chosen to solo on piccolo in the 2007 Symphony of Sounds, UAA's most prestigious annual concert event. Rebecca has been playing the flute since she was in the fifth grade. She graduated with Honors from Service High School
in 2003, where she occupied first chair flute in the Wind Ensemble and played piccolo with the Symphonic Band. Upon graduating, she was presented with the Band Director's Award from Darrel Kincade for her commitment and enthusiasm for the flute. Rebecca has been teaching independently in the Anchorage area for three years and has recently extended her sights to Eagle River with the Alaska Fine Arts Academy. Her future goals are to continue her work with UAA and its flute community before attending graduate school.