UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Alumni Association Elections

The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Alumni Association proposed slate of candidates to serve as directors for 2008-2009. Your vote is important. Please let us know that you endorse this slate by September 15, 2008. You can vote on our website http://conservatory.umkc.edu

Officers Slate

President - James Jordan – James has been Ballet Master at the Kansas City Ballet for 18 years. He trained at North Carolina School of the Arts and received his B.F.A in Dance from the Conservatory in 2000. He also stages the works of both Antony Tudor and Todd Bolender around the country. He is a current member of the UMKC Alumni Association and a Friend of the Conservatory.

Vice President – Membership Emily Ballentine – Emily received her B.F.A in Music (organ) from the Conservatory in 1981. She is an Emeriti Board member of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in addition to her work with the Conservatory. She served on the Conservatory’s Centennial Celebration committee and is a current member of the UMKC Alumni Association.

Secretary - Tamara Carson - Tamara received her B.A. in Dance from the Conservatory in 1978. She works as an administrative assistant in the School of Dentistry. She is a current member of the UMKC Alumni Association.

Board of Directors Slate

Annette Adams (MA 1986, BME-MT 1978 UMKC, North Texas and Juilliard) Taught and conducted choirs in Spring Hill, Kansas for 17 years and continues teaching privately.

Janet R. Allen (MA Music 1984) Janet has completed her first year on the board of directors and also serves on the Conservatory Women's Committee. She is married to Mr. Tandy Allen. Janet is the Music Coordinator at John Knox Village.

Bonnie Chaney (MM-Education 1996) – Bonnie recently retired from a career as vocal music instructor for the Lee’s Summit School District. She is completing her second term as a board member and chaired the Student Auditions “green room” committee. She serves on the Conservatory’s Women’s Committee and is the 2009 Chairman of Scholarship fundraising. Bonnie also gives her time to the Music Education Department by working with student teachers.

Ian Corbett (2005 DMA Music Composition) Ian is currently coordinator of the Audio Engineering Program and Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Audio Recording at Kansas City, Kansas Community College. He is an author, electronic, audio and technical engineer for music festivals in Chicago and KC and serves as a member of Audio Engineering Society’s Education Committee. Ian received a Fellowship Diploma from London College of Music and a MM degree from Emporia State University. He has works released on Mark Records and Miso Records labels. He has received many honors including Honorable Mention in 2002 ASCAP Morton Gould competition, first prize in the 2002 Musica Viva Electroacoustic competition, first prize 1999 Penfield Music Commission Project Composition and in 1999 Ian was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study Jazz at Indiana University.

Janet Fetterman (1999 MM Piano Performance DMA in 2004) In 1999, Janet received the Women’s Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year. She was also awarded the prestigious NFMC Ellis Duo award for piano duet with her partner Nathan Smith. She is currently teaching private piano lessons and is adjunct faculty at Kansas City Community College and UMKC.

Nathan Granner (1996 BM-Voice Performance) In 2004, Nathan was honored with the UMKC’s Alumni Association Achievement Award for the Conservatory. Nathan is an accomplished tenor who has performed in many prestigious venues. He has the distinct honor of being named as one of the American Tenors. He is currently performing across the US including Kansas City. He lives in Kansas City with his wife Laurie Arbore, also an alumna of the Conservatory.

Marvin Gruenbaum (1978 BA-Music/1981 MM-Viola Performance) Marvin studied exclusively with Prof. Hugh Brown. Served as a "Ford Fellow" during graduate school, performing and as a clinician with a graduate string quartet. Marvin is a member of Kansas City Symphony, 1982 to present, as a member of the viola section. He is an adept jazz, swing and bluegrass fiddler, as well as a private violin/viola/fiddle teacher since 1981.

Janet Howard (1985 MA-Music) Janet currently teaches private piano lessons. She is completing her second year as a member of the Conservatory Alumni Association. Janet serves as the board liaison with the Conservatory Student Association. She is a member of KCM74 and serves on their board of Federated Teachers of Music and Fine Arts Greater Kansas City

Chris Munce (2006 MM-Conducting BME) Chris has been involved in local choral ensembles for almost two decades. He is a member of Kansas City Chorale and Armonia Early Music Ensemble. He spent two years with the Lee's Summit Community Boys choir as a soprano and was a tenor section leader at Unity Temple on the Plaza from 1999-2007. He spent three years singing in Heritage Chorale under the direction of Dr. Eph Ely and Dr. Charles Robinson and four years studying voice with Professor Michael Cousins. As Director of Choirs at Belton High School, the choral enrollment tripled and the choir earned the first "Superior" rating in five years. He also served at the Blue River Community College as a Professor of Voice. Chris is now teaching at Lee's Summit High School as the Associate Director of Choral Music and currently teaches privately and at the Music-Arts Institute in Independence.

Brian Steele (1973 MM in Voice Performance) Brian recently completed his second year on the Conservatory Alumni Board of Directors. He was honored by receiving the Conservatory’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2003. He is the Director of Congregational Life at United Methodist Church in Olathe, KS where he resides with his wife Dian. Brian’s professional career as a classical tenor has taken him around the world.

Melody Stroth (1981 MM-Piano Performance) In 2004 Melody was the first recipient of the National Federation of Music Clubs Quida Keck Award. She is the owner of Classical Melodys, Inc. and teaches private piano lessons. Melody has chaired the 2009 Alumni Awards selection committee and made presentations of candidates to the Community wide selection committee. She is completing her second year on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Patricia M. Thompson (1987 MA-Music) Pat has served as President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and has served as chair of the nominating committee. She also serves on the Conservatory Women’s Committee Board, Women’s Club and is currently teach private piano lessons. Pat’s family just endowed a piano scholarship in her name at the Conservatory.