Jordan Kowalski is a lifelong student of music who has studied and performed across the United States and internationally. His versatile playing finds home in styles ranging from avant-garde contemporary music to blues and deeply rooted aural traditions. Recently, Mr. Kowalski performed with Ghostflower and singer Louis Amanti of Miami. Since relocating to Madison, he has composed a suite of concert band music for the Mosinee Community Symphonic Band and plays with several bands including Co.Mingle and Dicot. Mr. Kowalski holds music degrees from the Frost school of music at the University of Miami, and the University of Wisconsin.
Jordan Kowalski
Jazz Band Director | Email Mr. Kowalski |
Ms. Kramar is an undergraduate student at UW-Madison studying music composition. Originally from the Milwaukee area, she started her composition journey through the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s John Downey Creation Project. Since then, Isabelle has received several awards and recognitions at an international, national, and regional level, including Finalist in the 2020-21 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards, Finalist in the 2019 National Young Composer’s Challenge, and Recipient of the 2023 Mullen Prize for Sacred Music. In addition to composition, Ms. Kramar is a cellist in the the UW Symphony Orchestra, a student audio engineer for the Mead Witter School of Music, and double majoring in Data Science.
Isabelle Kramar
Composition Instructor | Email Ms. Kramar |
Flutist and educator Ricky Medina is a recent transplant to the Madison area from Southern California where he held a flourishing career as an instrumental music teacher. His career has led him to teach all levels from elementary to high school, experience that he happily brings to the Midwest as he looks to continue refining his practice. He holds degrees in music performance and instrumental music education from California State University, Long Beach and is currently working toward a Master of Music degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison. In his spare time Mr. Medina loves studying the French language, finding the next great
cup of coffee, going to museums, and exploring the local eats wherever he finds himself.
Ricky Medina
Flute Specialist | Email Mr. Medina |
Mr. Morgan is a percussionist with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. He has played in the orchestra since 1979. He studied music privately and at the Ohio State University. Mr. Morgan has been the volunteer Director for the Memorial Percussion Ensemble since 1996. He started when his oldest son was in the Memorial band and has continued since. His goal is to improve the playing level of the musicians and provide the percussionist with an exposure to all types of percussion music and instruments not available in the normal band literature. From playing Bach Quartets on keyboard percussion instruments to playing trash cans and everything in between, students get a broad exposure to music and cultures while having fun.
Rick Morgan
Percussion Ensemble Director | Email Mr. Morgan |
Dexter is a percussionist who recently graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in history education.He has a background with piano, close to nine years of formal education with percussion, and has been teaching him self guitar for a couple years. He was the lead percussionist in the university band at Whitewater, and has been a folk musician for the past three summers. When he's not taking a road trip halfway across the country, he spends his time reading, hiking, rock climbing, and playing far too much Skyrim and Pokémon.
Dexter Neustadt
Percussion Instructor | Email Mr. Neustadt |
Kate graduated summa cum laude from UW–Madison in 2022 with a Bachelor's Degree of Music Composition and Philosophy. While a student, she composed a 15-minute orchestral suite that was read by the UW-Madison student orchestra and won the Mullen prize for sacred music in May of 2022. She also composed a piano trio, jazz standards and several classical piano works during her time at Madison. Kate enjoys learning about the music and instruments from different cultures and time periods, as well as experimenting with unique approaches to composing. Since graduating, Kate has worked at Madison Youth Choirs and stays active in the Madison music community. In her free time, Kate enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Kate Paape
Composition Instructor | Email Ms. Paape |
Maliq Veal's journey with the trombone began in sixth grade and has been a passion ever since. Music has taken him across three different countries and throughout the U.S. In the summer of 2023, he had the distinct honor of being a fellow with the National Symphony Orchestra, located at the renowned Kennedy Center in Washington DC, as part of their prestigious Summer Music Institute. As a member of the fellow orchestra, he received guidance from NSO and Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra members, as well as studying with members of the President’s Own Marine Band. Currently, Mr. Veal is pursuing his undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education at UW-Madison, while studying trombone under the esteemed Professor Mark Hetzler.