(full performer biographies/photos below)

saxophone
*+Jake DeBacher (alto 1), Madison, Wis.
Kristina Nienhaus (alto 2), Ft. Atkinson, Iowa
Evan Mattsen (tenor 1), Apple Valley, Minn.
Joy Harris (tenor 2), Rochester, Minn.,
Alexander Kalal, (baritone) Apple Valley, Minn.

trumpet
*Elliott Ostrowski, Kenilworth, Ill.
Mike Schultz, Genoa City, Wis.
Flint Angeroth Franks, Des Moines, Iowa
Allison Bluhm, Cambridge, Wis.,
Jacob McCoy, Muskego, Wis.,

trombone
+Rosie Bluhm, Cambridge, Wis.
*Joel Anderson, Lombard, Ill.
+Marty Kramlinger, Mankato, Minn.
Ethan Scholl, Owatonna, Minn.

rhythm
*Gavin Colahan (guitar), Brookfield, Wis.
Stephen Uhl (piano), Bensenville, Ill.
Maxfield Elliott (bass), Mendota Heights, Minn.
Andrew Withers (drum set), Waverly, Iowa
Casey Tecklenburg (drum set), Dysart, Iowa

violin
Karla Dietmeyer, Peachtree City, Ga.,

*section leader
+officer

Performer Biographies

saxophones

Jake DeBacher (lead alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, section leader, secretary) is a senior Music Theory/Composition Major and Religion Minor from Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to jazz saxophone, Jake plays classical piano. When not listening to, playing, teaching, or composing music, Jake enjoys reading, writing, and experimenting in the kitchen. Although he has no definite plans for next year, Jake hopes to find work somewhere that will provide him with an outlet for his creative inclinations.

Kristina Nienhaus (second alto saxophone, soprano saxophone) is a senior with a Music Major, and Religion Minor from Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Along with playing saxophone in Jazz Orchestra, Kristina enjoys composing music, playing the piano, organ, violin, and singing. Alongside studying and being with friends, Kristina enjoys performing with Luther's comedic improv troupe, Top Banana. She is currently a youth minister and church accompanist, and will begin working at St. Jude Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as the Director of Music and Liturgy and Pastoral Associate.

Evan Mattsen (lead tenor saxophone, clarinet) is a sophomore at Luther now in the Jazz Orchestra family for his second year. Evan is from Apple Valley, Minnesota. He is a Philosophy Major, with a Minor in Sociology and Religion. Evan is involved with a few groups on campus such as Focus, a student-led worship service, and other Bible studies. He excitedly awaits his unpredictable future as he embraces the endless possibilities regarding where he will end up in life.

Joy Harris (second tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute) is a first-year biology major from Rochester, Minnesota. Along with being in the Jazz Orchestra, she is also taking piano lessons and singing with Aurora, a first-year women's choir. She has thoroughly enjoyed her involvement in these ensembles, and plans to continue participating in music for the rest of her time at Luther. Although she can usually be found studying, in her free time Joy likes to make crafts and hang out with her family and friends. She loves photography, being outdoors, eating muffins, and attending Focus, a student-led worship service on Sunday nights.

Alexander Kalal (baritone saxophone) is a junior Mathematics and Statistics Major and Spanish Minor from Apple Valley, MN. In addition to being a proud member of the Jazz Orchestra, Alexander is also involved in the Math Club and serves as Secretary for Zeta Tau Psi, a Luther College fraternity. Alexander hopes to become involved with Statistical careers, wherever that may take him and hopes to continue his musical passion after college. Jazz Orchestra is the most treasured time of Alex's days, as it gives him a time to play the music he loves with a group of superb musicians.

trumpets

Elliott Ostrowski (lead trumpet, flugelhorn, section leader, music librarian) is a senior at Luther College from Kenilworth, Illinois. He is a Sociology Major, but he also enjoys playing in the Luther College Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combo. This past summer, he toured in Brazil with the Jazz Orchestra and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. The experience was one of the most eye-opening and profoundly moving he has ever been fortunate enough to share in. Playing and listening to jazz music has become a great passion for him, as well as listening to music in general, cinema, and travel. After Luther, Elliott hopes to study and work to find ways to improve struggling urban areas.

Mike Schultz (lead trumpet, flugelhorn) is a junior Music Major from Genoa City, Wisconsin.  Along with being in the Jazz Orchestra, Mike is also a member of the Luther College Concert Band.  Besides music, Mike's interests include philosophy, computers, and board games.  After graduating Luther, Mike hopes to move to the Twin Cities area and teach trumpet lessons.

Flint Angeroth Franks (second trumpet, flugelhorn) is a sophomore Music Education Major from Des Moines, Iowa. Flint is also a member of the Luther College Track and Field team specializing in the Javelin and the 400 meter dash. When not at practice or in the practice room, he volunteers at the college radio station, KWLC as a jazz DJ. Flint hopes to direct high school bands, and eventually teach trumpet at the collegiate level.

Allison Bluhm (third trumpet, flugelhorn) is a senior Biology Major from Cambridge, Wisconsin.  Playing in the Jazz Orchestra for the past three years and being involved in music has been the highlight of her time at Luther College. Aside from music and biology, she enjoys spending time with friends and being outside.  She hopes to continue playing music throughout her life.  Allie also has plans of pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy after graduating from Luther.

Jacob McCoy (fourth trumpet, flugelhorn) is a sophomore Biology Major and Music Minor from Muskego, Wisconsin. He is active in music at Luther, participating in Concert Band and brass quintet as well as Jazz Orchestra. He hopes to be a veterinarian or zoologist some day, but he also hopes to continue to play the trumpet for the rest of his life.

trombones

Rosie Bluhm (lead trombone, president) is a senior Biology Major and Chemistry Minor from Cambridge, Wisconsin. She also plays trombone in the Luther College Trombone Choir. Rehearsing with the Jazz Orchestra is the most energizing part of her day, and while not in rehearsal, Rosie can usually be found in the library or spending time with her friends. After graduating from Luther in May, Rosie hopes to attend pharmacy school.

Joel Anderson (second trombone, section leader) is a senior Computer Science Major and music minor from Lombard, Illinois. He studied with Linda Yeo in high school before coming to college. He studied with Dr. Michael Smith until this year and he is currently studying with Benjamin Yates. Joel is interested in all types of music, but especially jazz, as well as the semi-inner workings of the internet and computers. Along with the Jazz Orchestra, he plays in the Luther College Jazz sextet and the Trombone Choir at Luther. Joel is excited to see what the future holds for him after Luther.

Marty Kramlinger (third trombone, vice president) is a senior from Mankato, Minnesota and a four year veteran of the Jazz Orchestra.  He studies religion and music and hopes to teach English in Spain next year.  Marty also spends a lot of time working for the Luther College Secular Student Society as one of its co-presidents.  He spends all of his free time with friends either goofing around, cooking, or trying to have a nice discussion.

Ethan Scholl (bass trombone) is a senior Music Major from Owatonna, Minnesota. When he is not playing trombone, Ethan can be found reading, playing tennis or socializing. Next year, Ethan will be attending the University of Illinois- Champaign- Urbana where he will be pursuing his Masters of Music in performance and literature.

rhythm

Gavin Colahan (Guitar) is a senior from Brookfield, Wisconsin and a four year member of the Luther College Jazz Orchestra. He will be receiving his Bachelors degree in Music this May and completing his Education Minor this fall. He hopes to someday to have an orchestra and band of his own. Playing in the Jazz Orchestra has been one of the best parts of Gavin's Luther journey and he will be sad to leave it behind.

Stephen Uhl (piano) is a senior from Bensenville, Illinois majoring in Piano Performance. He studies voice, classical and jazz piano. He enjoys collaborating with singers and instrumentalists, and playing chamber music. This is his third year singing Bass II in the Luther College Nordic Choir in which he is a section leader. He is the Liturgical Ensemble Coordinator for Campus Ministries, and leads the band that performs with the Luther College Gospel Choir. He is the winner of the 2011 Lucille Stansberry Rosholt Distinction in Accompanying and Collaborative Keyboard Performance Award. During his freshmen year, he competed on the cross-country and track teams.

Maxfield Elliott (bass) is a first year Vocal Performance and Theater Major from Mendota Heights, Minnesota. He has dabbled in tuba, alto saxophone, and drums, but feels most comfortable with a bass or a microphone. When he is not practicing music, Maxfield enjoys dancing, reading short stories, and participating in theater productions. Looking to the future, Maxfield would enjoy nothing more than to perform opera or musical theater for the rest of his life. Maxfield looks forward to Jazz Orchestra daily and hopes he will "groove" with this ensemble for years to come.

Andrew Withers (drum set, vibraphone, pandeiro), a sophomore from Waverly, Iowa, is in his second year in the Luther College Jazz Orchestra as one of the percussionists. He also pitches on the baseball team for the Norse. A Middle School Education Major, Andrew aspires to teach 7/8th grade math or history, coach high school baseball, and continue his love for jazz on the side somewhere in the Midwest. In his free time, Andrew enjoys being a movie-buff and spending time on Lake Okoboji. He is the son of Dr. Bill and Linda Withers (brother of Emma), and is originally from Waverly, Iowa.

Casey Tecklenburg (drum set, auxiliary percussion) is a first year student studying Music Education. He is from Dysart, Iowa. He enjoys playing and singing in the Jazz Orchestra, and participates vocally and instrumentally in many other ways on campus. He drums for the campus Gospel Choir and one of the Jazz combos. He also sings in the first-year men's choir, Norsemen. Casey also volunteers for many musical opportunities within campus ministries. In his free time, he enjoys reading, singing with his friends in an amateur a capella group, and hanging out with his friends.

violin

Karla Dietmeyer (violin) is a senior at Luther College from Peachtree City, Georgia, studying music and communication studies. She currently holds the concertmaster position of the Luther College Symphony Orchestra and the Luther College Chamber Orchestra, and enjoys being a member and featured soloist of the Luther College Jazz Orchestra. Her experimentations with other genres such as bluegrass and folk have ignited her dream to be a freelance musician in all genres, from classical to jazz, fiddle to rock and roll. Karla plans to continue her education with a graduate degree in Jazz Studies or Musicology.