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 & 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 and 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) Erik is a SR 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.

Lisa McLaughlin (violin)

Terri Schimmack (piano) Terri has been teaching private piano lessons for several years in the Chugiak-Eagle River area. She studied piano at the University of Minnesota and the University of Alaska Fairbanks and holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education (K-12). She is currently the Music Director at the Chugiak United Methodist Church where she also plays piano and directs the adult choir.