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 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.
Rachel
Finley (voice) Rachel
has been an Alaskan for sixteen years and an EagleRiver resident for thirteen years. She is an alumnus 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. Rachel has taken voice lessons from Peggy Monoghan and Dennis Goff and is currently taking lessons
from Kate Egan. Rachel currently teaches voice at the Alaska Fine Arts Academy, cantors for the Celebration Choir at
St. Andrew's Catholic Church.
Erika
Grant (piano)
Lisa McLaughlin (violin)
Mary Scoresby (piano)
Michael Smith (piano
& voice) Michael Smith was born and raised in Alaska. Growing up in Eagle River and then Homer, he moved
to Kodiak in High School where he spent several years directing school and church choir. Returning to Eagle River to attend
UAA as a Music Major, he is currently a Senior pursuing a Bachelors in Music Education. Michael began taking piano lessons
at a young age, but switched to voice in college to parallel his choral interests. Beside UAA, Michael sings in St. John Orthodox
Church Choir, also serving as assistant director.