BANDS | STRINGS | PERCUSSION | GUITAR
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SELECT BAND DIRECTOR
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NOVICE BAND DIRECTOR
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Woodwind Private Instruction
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JAZZ BAND DIRECTOR
Marty Magnini
Marty Magnini studied clarinet performance and conducting at the University of Illinois in Champaign, and Roosevelt University in Chicago. His teachers included Walter Wollwage of the Chicago Symphony and Melvin Warner of the St. Louis Symphony. As a performer, Marty has played clarinet and bass clarinet with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Lyric Opera Orchestras. After 15 years of performing, Marty graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University.
Marty has also completed a Master’s Degree in Education from North Central College, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Kent State University. After graduation, Marty taught at Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Illinois for 27 years, where his concert and jazz ensembles won acclaim throughout the midwest. While at Cary-Grove, Marty also taught music theory, A.P. music theory, percussion ensemble, marching band, college level music appreciation, and music technology. In addition, Marty was the music director for the Crystal Lake Community Band in Crystal Lake, Illinois from 2003 to 2022. Marty recently moved to the Nashville area with his wife Julie, and is currently the Associate Director for the Nashville Community Concert Band.
Marty has worked with all levels of music students, from beginners to college music majors, and loves to share his passion for music with students of every age and ability.
NOVICE BAND ASSISTANT DIRECTORS:
Olivia Estrada (see bio under Choral Section)
Sholeen Wuest (see bio under Administration Section)
Because Novice Band can consist of a wide range of skills not yet ready for the challenges of Select Band, NB students will likely separate into 2 groups. If this is required, the assistant directors who have directed NN bands for several years, will assist to better enable students to develop their skillset.
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PERCUSSION DIRECTOR
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Percussion Private Instruction
Chris Nelsen chris.n@nashvillenotes.org
Mr. Nelsen began his percussion studies at the age of eight. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance, both from the University of Colorado where he performed with the Colorado Springs Symphony. Mr. Nelsen holds a master’s degree in percussion performance from Austin Peay State University, with honors, and has done graduate work at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Mr. Nelsen is a frequent guest percussionist and timpanist with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, as well as several other orchestras throughout the southeast. He is a member of the Nashville Opera Orchestra and the timpanist for The Nashville Praise Symphony, and has worked with a diverse range of artists including Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Louise Bellson, Glen Campbell, Pink Martinis, Bernadette Peters, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Peter Noone, and Jose Feliciano to name a few.
Teaching privately and in class settings for more than 30 years has been one of his greatest joys. Chris taught class percussion at Pope John Paul ll High school for 11 years and serves as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Lipscomb University, where he has taught for 12 years now. He is Visiting Assistant Professor of Percussion at The University of the South in Sewanee. He also teaches drum set and percussion at Sam Ash Music. Many of his former students enjoy careers in the music industry.
A resident of Nashville, Mr. Nelsen’s hobbies include crossword puzzles, home renovation, and gold panning.
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STRING ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR
Shawn Reed shawn.r@nashvillenotes.org
Shawn Reed received her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Colorado Mesa University in her early twenties and recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting. She spent the time in-between her collegiate studies teaching music at various institutions, running worship departments, serving as a youth pastor, writing songs, recording albums, teaching private lessons, raising a family, and traveling extensively with her husband as worship leaders and worship team consultants.
As a result, Mrs. Reed brings a wealth of musical, leadership, ministry, and life experience to her position at Nashville Notes. Her passion for developing the God-given gifts in people is contagious and her love for music creates a fun and vibrant atmosphere where students flourish.
Shawn Reed is also currently serving as the Orchestra Director at New College Franklin and as the conductor of the Centerville Community Orchestra.
She lives in Franklin with her husband, Steve, and their two sons, Taylor and Michael.
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PRELUDE STRINGS DIRECTOR
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ANDANTE STRINGS DIRECTOR
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Violin & Viola Private Instruction
Kristi Strohwig kristi.s@nashvillenotes.org
Kristi Strohwig is a Nashville violinist and violist, podcast producer, educator, and entrepreneur. A New Jersey native, Kristi began playing the violin at the age of 7 and graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Instrumental Music Education.
Throughout her career, Kristi has recorded and performed all over the United States with notable names in various musical genres such as Michael Bublé, Tasha Layton, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and The Vigil Project. Kristi regularly performs at weddings and special events with Southern Strings, a musical group she co-founded in 2021, as well as with the Orchestra of Kentucky, the Paducah Symphhony Orchestra, and many other ensembles.
With a passion for music education, Kristi currently teaches 15 private violin and viola students in the greater Nashville area. She believes music is the greatest gift God has given her and she is delighted to join the team at Nashville Notes as the director of Prelude Strings!