Miriam Altman

University School of Milwaukee 2100 W Fairy Chasm rd
Milwaukee WI 53217
S-414-352-6000
W-414-540-3230
email

Miriam Altman knew from the beginning of her career that her passion lay in working with young adolescents. She teaches middle school students at University School of Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI. Her curricular offerings include six choruses, West African and Latin American drumming, and class guitar. CMP has been a significant influence in her teaching for over fifteen years. Her interests in non-Western musical traditions led her to study drumming and vocal music at the Dagbe Cultural Institute in Ghana, West Africa in 2010 and 2011. She is also a member of the Wisconsin Advocates for Music Education where she teams with other educators, school board members, and business owners to spearhead music education advocacy efforts throughout the state. Ms. Altman presents regularly at state and regional conferences, including the Wisconsin State Music Conference and American Choral Directors Association – North Central Division Conference. Her students have been invited to perform at a number of select venues, including the 2011 Wisconsin Choral Directors’ Association Convention.

Special Interests within CMP:

• CMP and Non-Western Music – What makes an arrangement “authentic”? Why does authenticity matter? How can educators teach music and culture in such a way that respects the traditions it originates from?
• Choosing Quality Repertoire – The music we choose implicitly carries a message of value to our students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. How can we find great music of all styles, cultures, and time periods, which is also appealing to our students and worth our time?
• Student-Centered Pedagogy – How can we create more opportunities for students to experiment, lead, take risks, think, and engage within the ensemble setting? Just as importantly, how can we do this in such a way that adds to ensemble quality and excellence?
• CMP and Popular Music Styles – How can we foster student involvement in musical pursuits outside of the traditional band, orchestra, and choral ensembles? What are the best ways to help foster great musicianship skills in our kids who play and sing in rock/pop styles?

Kathy Bartling graduated from U-W Steven Point with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She began her teaching career in Amherst, WI where she taught HS chorus, MS chorus and K-8 general music for 3 years.  She is currently teaching elementary music and 6^th grade chorus at Waunakee Intermediate School where she has enjoyed working with music students since 1977.  In Waunakee, Kathy writes the script for her elementary musical each year.  She directs, costumes and rehearses the musical that involves 300 5^th grade students and 3 different performances. 

She has served as Vice-President (South Central) of the WMEA and been involved in a variety of WMEA committees.  She has presented sessions at the WMEA convention in Madison on elementary music technology, assessment, and CMP.  Her students have participated as demo students for the Peripole Co, and other elementary clinicians.  Kathy was awarded the Kohl Award for teaching excellence in 2000.

Kathy has been a member of the CMP committee since 2005.

Special Interests within CMP:

• General Music – How does CMP apply to a general music classroom?  It’s not just for performance groups!
• Concerts That Teach – How does CMP help us enrich our elementary concerts and inform our parents about the great music education that their students receive?
• Creativity – How do we nurture and encourage creativity, composing and improvisation among our youngest students?
• Great Literature for young kids – What are the best songs that every elementary student should sing?  What are some of the best listening experiences, dances, and instrument playing experiences for K-6?

Rick Bjella

Texas Tech University 

806-742-2270x254 

email

David Bowman

Manitowoc Lincoln High School

1433 S 8th St

Manitowoc WI 54220

S-920-683-4861

W-920-683-4861x6128     

email

Karen Bruno

Lawrence Academy of Music
711 E Boldt Way SPC 4
Appleton WI 54911
920-832-6635
email

• Finding (and using, and “selling” to students) quality choral music
• Aesthetic education (inquiry-based)
• The talent myth and its implications in public school settings
• Advocating the use of CMP – an administrator’s view

Bruce Clawson

Al Behrman Elementary School 

400 Mulberry St

Baraboo WI 53913

608-355-3910x6115

email

Chris Gleason

Patrick Marsh Middle School

1351 Columbus St

Sun Prairie WI 53590

608-834-7625

email

Chris Gleason is the current chair of the Wisconsin CMP Committee. He teaches band at Patrick Marsh Middle School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. He has been a member of the CMP Committee since 2003. He earned his BME at UW-Eau Claire and his Masters Degree from UW-LaCrosse. The Patrick Marsh Middle School Band has commissioned composers such as Samuel R. Hazo (Blue and Green Music -2009), Brian Balmages (Sun Cycles –2012), and Michael Sweeney (in progress 2012-2013). He has performed professionally at Disneyland and has been a guest conductor of numerous camps and festivals. Mr. Gleason is the founder and organizer of the Band Festival at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells which has grown in six years to include over forty middle school bands. Mr. Gleason is the current chair of the Wisconsin State Middle Level Honors Band. He has taught CMP Workshops at VanderCook College of Music, the Los Angeles Unified School District, numerous school districts in the Midwest, and recently in Hong Kong. 

Special Interests within CMP:

• Assessment and Grading – What motivates students? How do we assess student learning? Applying the writing/research of Pink, Kohn, and Zander.
• Technology and CMP – The advance of technology is one of the most important changes we face. How can technology enhance and not get in the way of great teaching?
• Concerts That Teach – How can we transform our performances into informances? 
• Creativity and CMP – How can we use the concepts shared by Sir Ken Robinson, Daniel Pink and others in our classrooms? What is the role of creativity in music?
• Music, Talent and the Brain – How does the research of Daniel Coyle, Eric Jensen and others impact our teaching of skill? What does the science suggest?
• Questioning Strategies – Our most used (and often neglected strategy). Ways to improve what we do most.

Carrie Gray

Appleton East High School

2121 E Emmers Dr

Appleton WI 54915

920-832-6212

email

Carrie Lane (Gruselle) Gray teaches high school, middle, and elementary school strings for the Appleton Area School District in Appleton, Wisconsin. She is a published composer and arranger of music for string orchestra and is currently string editor for FJH Music Company Inc.

She is actively involved with the Wisconsin Music Educators Association where she has served as Orchestra Chair, and is a member of the CMP (Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance) Project. She is a past orchestra chair for the Wisconsin School Music Association Middle Level Honors Project, and is currently president of the Wisconsin chapter of ASTA (American String Teachers Association).

Ms. Gruselle is also Lead Teacher for the ASTA String Project at Appleton’s Lawrence University

Glenn Hayes

UW-Whitewater Music Dept

800 W Main St

Whitewater WI 53190

262-472-1337

email

Jerry Hrovat

WSMA1005 Quinn Dr

Waunakee WI 53597

608-850-3566

800-589-9762

Fax 608-850-3515

email

Margaret Jenks

Van Hise Elementary School

Madison WI

email

• Outcome Writing--why writing outcomes matters, writing affective outcomes, CMP outcomes and the Common Core Standards
• Repertoire Selection and CMP for the younger classes/choirs (MS-Early HS and younger)
• Issues with teaching creativity, fostering curiosity and helping communities see the relevance of a quality music education

Julie Palkowski

Fine Arts & Creativity Education Consultant

DPI

125 S Webster St

Madison WI 53707

608-261-7494 

email

Julie Palkowski is the Fine Arts and Creativity Education Consultant for the State of Wisconsin- Department of Public Instruction.  She has served previously as an arts administrator with school districts in Rockford, Illinois and Madison, Wisconsin.  Prior to these positions, Dr. Palkowski has worked as an Instructional Supervisor, a K4-8th Grade Principal, Music Teacher, and Summer Enrichment Coordinator.  

For additional information, please visit the DPI Fine Arts and Creativity Education website.  You may contact Julie Palkowski with questions about this article and with ideas to support the continued development of arts education in Wisconsin.

Marcy Russell

Platteville Middle School

40 E Madison St

Platteville WI 53818

S-608-342-4010

W-608-342-4010x2332 

email

Marcy Russell teaches choral and general music at Platteville Middle School (grades 4-8). She is a graduate of Lawrence University and is pursuing a Masters of Music Degree in Music Education from Kent State University. Marcy is an active volunteer in the Wisconsin School Music Association’s (WSMA) Honors project, having served as section coach and choir coordinator for 12 years. In addition to teaching at Platteville, she directs auditioned choirs with the Platteville Children’s Choir and the Madison Youth Choirs. Marcy is an active clinician for local middle school choirs and is an adjudicator for WSMA festivals. She is a member of NAfME, ACDA and the VoiceCare Network.

Marcy has been a member of the CMP committee since 2007.

Special Interests in CMP

• Affective Assessment of Middle School Students: Do we REALLY want to know what they think and feel?
• Teaching Strategies for Middle Level and Children’s Choirs: The Creative Playground
• CMP in your Musical Production: Most of us have to direct a musical. Why not make it comprehensive?

Leyla Sanyer

Oregon High School

456 N Perry Pkwy

Oregon WI 53575

608-835-4403

email

Leyla Sanyer has taught for 35 years in Wisconsin public schools and is presently high school orchestra teacher in the Oregon Schools.  

She has been chair of the CMP committee, on the Wisconsin Challenging Content Standards Task Force, WSMA State Honors Music Project orchestra coordinator, and Orchestra Chair for WMEA.  She is president of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association.  A 27 year CMP committee member, she has taught at workshops in Iowa, Los Angeles and Wisconsin.  

Sanyer has been published in the Wisconsin School Musician, American String Teacher and the MENC Spotlight on Assessment.  She was a contributor to the book Shaping Sound Musicians.  She has assisted in the effort to revise the Wisconsin State Music Curriculum Guide.  She is the violinist in the Oakwood Chamber Players.

Recipient of the 1980 Manitowoc Teacher of the Year Award, 2001 Lawrence University Excellence in Secondary Teaching Award, the 2004 Elizabeth A.H. Green Award from ASTA and the 2011 Crystal Apple Award, Sanyer’s students have gone on to become teachers, composers and performers.

Special interest areas within CMP:

• Student ownership – how do we encourage students to own their own learning, through music analysis, intrinsic motivation, self-assessment?
• Concerts That Teach – how do we share the classroom environment with families?
• Music Composition – how do we allow students to experience the joy of writing music by better understanding how music is constructed?
• Chamber music – whether through classical, folk, jazz or rock music for small ensemble,  how do we write grants and share the joy of making music from analysis through assessment in student generated work?

Patty Schlafer

Mount Horeb Middle School

900 E Garfield St

Mount Horeb WI 53572

608-437-2400x3298

email

Patty Schlafer has been teaching middle level music in Wisconsin’s private and public schools for over thirty years.  Ms. Schlafer’s interests are varied and have led to an active professional life as both teacher and performer. A UW-Madison graduate, her formative years of teaching began in the Madison Area Catholic Band Program and under the mentorship of Jan Tweed for the Waunakee Summer Band Program.  She currently teaches music at Mount Horeb Middle School and has been a member of a collaborative team of music teachers there since 1989.  Ms. Schlafer has a master’s degree in Curriculum Theory and Design where her research included a study of musical tastes of the adolescent band student.  She joined the CMP committee in 1993.     

She has been guest conductor and horn instructor at numerous summer music camps throughout Wisconsin. As a horn player, she is a retired member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and Artemis Horn Quartet. She currently performs with the Madison Wind Ensemble and Acme Brass.   Ms. Schlafer also serves as one of the orchestra conductors for the Verona Area Community Theater.  

Special Interests within CMP

• Differentiation in a music classroom
• Inclusion of pop music in a band classroom and the connection to student culture 
• Student centered classrooms

Laura Sindberg

University of Minnesota School of Music,

Ferguson Hall  

2106 South 4th St

Minneapolis MN 55455 

email

Maggie Steele

Olson Elementary School

801 Redan Dr

Verona WI 53593

608-442-2600

email

Randy Swiggum

608-443-6551 (cell) email

Richard Tengowski

Kohler High School

333 Upper Rd

Kohler WI 53044

S-920-459-2920

W-920-803-7266

email

Cornelia Watkins

9734 Railton St

Houston TX 77080

713-895-7758  

Cell 713-253-7709 

email

Cornelia Watkins has been on the CMP committee since 2005 and considers herself an honorary Wisconsinite, although she lives and works in Houston, Texas. She is a Lecturer in Music Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, teaches cello in the preparatory program, coaches youth orchestra sectionals and chamber music, and freelances in the Houston area. She also regularly speaks at music teaching conferences across the country. Corky has written two books, Rosindust: Teaching, Learning, and Life from a Cellists Perspective and From the Stage to the Studio: How Fine Musicians Become Great Teachers which she co-authored with Laurie Scott. She is married to cellist Max Dyer, and they have three strapping boys, Danny, Jeremy, and Michael. 

Special Interests within CMP:

• Helping teachers discover how applicable and valuable CMP is in one-on-one lessons.  
• Exploring the synergy between knowledge, technique, and expression, and helping students understand the connection.
• Student-centered approaches musical excellence, such as discovering why good technique is good technique or exploring musical expression though personal experiences, rather than just doing what is expected.
• Teaching technique by approaching it through the affect.                                                                                                                                                                 
• Understanding the brain, the ability to focus, the value of trust, the significance of expectations, and the way these elements work together in the learning process.

Rebecca Winnie

Homestead High School

5000 W Mequon Rd

Mequon WI 53092

S-262-238-5900

W-262-238-5845

email

Rebecca Renee Winnie is the Choir Director at Homestead High School where she directs the three curricular choirs and a co-curricular ensemble. Before coming to the Mequon-Thiensville School District in 1988, Ms. Winnie taught high school choral music in three suburban Chicago communities: Highland Park, Evanston, and Chicago Heights. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Choral and Instrumental Music Education and completed her Master's Degree in Choral Conducting at the same institution in 1999. Ms. Winnie has served as the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association in a variety of capacities including guest conducting, chairing special projects, serving as coordinator of Honor Choirs, creating state repertoire lists, writing articles, self-publishing performing editions of historical choral music, and presenting state and division convention sessions. Ms. Winnie was awarded the 2002 Civic Music Association of Milwaukee Certificate of Excellence in Choral Music Instruction, the 2003 Mequon-Thiensville Outstanding Educator Award, and the 2004 Herb Kohl Fellowship Award.

Gary Wolfman

email

        Coming Soon!