Music Faculty & Staff

Laurie Blunsom received her Ph.D. in musicology at Brandeis University and also holds an M...

Laurie Blunsom received her Ph.D. in musicology at Brandeis University and also holds an MFA in musicology and women's studies from Brandeis and a master's degree from the New England Conservatory. Her principal interest is in the participation of women in music in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. She has presented several papers on women composers in 19th-century America at conferences such as the Society for American and Music, Feminist Theory and Music and the Women's History Network.

Benjamin James Druffel is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at ...

Benjamin James Druffel is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Minnesota State University Moorhead. His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble and teaching courses in Instrumental Music Education. Prior to his appointment at MSUM, Dr. Druffel held teaching positions at McMurry University, Abilene TX and Eastern Illinois University, Charleston IL. Dr. Druffel earned a DMA in Wind Band Conducting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. As a Wind Conducting Associate, he studied conducting with Dr. Kraig Alan Williams and regularly guest conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band and Concert Band. His duties also included serving as an instrumental instructor with the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights and leading performances of the Pep Band. In January of 2014, he was part of the instructional staff that prepared the marching band for a pre-game performance at Superbowl XLVIII. Dr. Druffel began his career abroad in Dubai, United Arab Emirates teaching music at an American/International school. Over his six-year tenure, his duties were varied from elementary general music to high school band to the International Baccalaureate Diploma music curriculum. A special benefit of this experience was the opportunity to work with a truly international student body including a high school concert band with representatives from six continents. He has also conducted and performed with ensembles in Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. Dr. Druffel is a member of the College Band Directors National Conference (CBDNA), The Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the music educators associations of Minnesota (MMEA), Texas (TMEA), and New Jersey (NJMEA). He is also an honorary member of the national band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi.

Dr. Jenny Dufault is a Professor who has taught applied voice, voice class, vocal pedagogy...

Dr. Jenny Dufault is a Professor who has taught applied voice, voice class, vocal pedagogy, song literature, opera workshop, and opera literature at Minnesota State University Moorhead for over a decade. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Music from SUNY Potsdam--the Crane School of Music. She has also completed graduate work at both Boston University and Indiana University. Prior to coming to MSUM, she worked with children and children’s voices for over fifteen years: this included teaching music in the St. Paul Public Schools and in the public schools of Maynard, MA.

Max Johnk is a bassist, composer and teacher. A native of the Fargo- Moorhead area, Max ea...

Max Johnk is a bassist, composer and teacher. A native of the Fargo- Moorhead area, Max earned his bachelor’s degree in music from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2011, and went on to earn his master’s degree in jazz studies from Northern Illinois University in 2014. While at NIU, he played in the nationally recognized NIU Jazz Ensemble and the Rosebud Foundation Jazztet. Max returned to the FM area in 2014. He currently teaches at MSUM, and at Amped School of Music in Fargo. An active performer on double bass and bass guitar, Max can be heard in a variety of freelance situations, and with increasing frequency as a bandleader. Allweather, his acoustic modern jazz quartet, released its self-titled debut in 2019. Division of Masters, a trio project blending underground rock music and free improvisation, released the album “Laid Across Your Path” in 2021.

Dr. Michael J. Johnson serves as Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Music Education a...

Dr. Michael J. Johnson serves as Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Music Education at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He directs the Concert Choir, University Choir, and Solfire while also teaching a range of choral and general music education courses. Previously, Dr. Johnson conducted choirs and taught conducting classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting with a Composition minor. While at the University of Wisconsin, his doctoral research centered on the modern choral music of social justice. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Luther College. Dr. Johnson has taught K-12 music and choir in Minnesota and within an array of community, collegiate, and church choirs around the country. Dr. Johnson was the recipient of the 2020 Mullen Prize for composition and took first place in the 2018 ACDA conducting competition in Oklahoma City. He studied with Stefan Parkman as a 2019 Conducting Fellow for the International Choral Conducting Masterclass at Baylor University and was named a 2019 University of Wisconsin-Madison Honored Instructor by his students. He spends his free time biking, composing, and enjoying life with his wife Kelsey, son Shea, daughter Summer, and French bulldog Dot.

Laura, Professor of Flute, graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Univers...

Laura, Professor of Flute, graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma. Her dissertation contains the first extended biography of composer and professor emeritus, Moonyeen Albrecht, as well as a performance guide to Albrecht's Four Psalms for Flute and Organ. Laura attended the prestigious Chautauqua Music Festival in New York two times, receiving scholarships to attend, and has performed in masterclasses for Walfrid Kujala, Gary Schocker, Marianne Gedigian, and David Buck. Laura's teachers include Richard Sherman, Christopher Chaffee, Valerie Watts, Amanda Blaikie, and Jeff Zook. Additionally, she took lessons and orchestral coachings over several summers with Detroit Symphony Orchestra flutist Sharon Sparrow. A lover of operetta and musical theater works, she has played six seasons with the Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, Ohio. Other opera pit experience includes performances with the Cimarron Opera, Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra, and opera productions at the University of Oklahoma and Wright State University. She has played flute and piccolo in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic (IN), South Bend Symphony Orchestra (IN), Fort Smith Symphony (AR), Jackson Symphony Orchestra (MI), the Lansing Symphony Orchestra (MI), Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra (MI), and the Salomon Chamber Orchestra (IN).

Mr. Jon Larson, Adjunct Violin Professor. Mr. Larson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Ed...

Mr. Jon Larson, Adjunct Violin Professor. Mr. Larson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Bethel College, St. Paul, Master of Music Education from the University of Minnesota, and further graduate studies at The Ohio State University, St. Cloud State University, and Hamline University. As a violinist, Mr. Larson is a member of the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra and has served as principal second violin in the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra. As a conductor, Mr. Larson has conducted high school orchestras in Moorhead, Bemidji and Minneapolis. He has also been conductor for the University Orchestra at MSUM and guest conducted the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, the Bethel University Orchestra, and the Fargo-Moorhead Youth Symphony.

Paul Liversage received his Masters of Music Education degree from Florida State Universit...

Paul Liversage received his Masters of Music Education degree from Florida State University and did his undergraduate studies at North Dakota State University. He has been a music educator in Minnesota since 1984. Paul performs with a number of local ensembles including Avalanche, Lake Agassiz Concert Band, and FM Kicks Jazz Band.

Amy Mercer earned her doctorate in piano performance at North Dakota State University, stu...

Amy Mercer earned her doctorate in piano performance at North Dakota State University, studying with Robert Groves, and her master’s degree in piano performance and pedagogy at Ohio University where her principal teacher was Richard Syracuse. She completed her undergraduate degree at Concordia College under David Worth. She also studied under Antoinette Perry at the Aspen Music Festival and School. She is a founding member of the Lyra Trio. Dr. Mercer is a nationally certified music teacher and is active in the National Federation of Music Clubs and Music Teachers’ National Association. From 2004 to 2006, she was Visiting Professor of Music at Centre College in Danville, KY and has taught at North Dakota State University and Concordia College. Currently, Amy is Professor of Piano at MSUM, maintains a private studio, and is an independent accompanist. She resides in Fargo with her husband Shane and their three children.

Alison Molony is a professional singer with almost 20 years of experience in the entertain...

Alison Molony is a professional singer with almost 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She first began as a singer/dancer for Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee, MN at the age of 18, and has since performed with numerous musical groups and variety acts throughout the United States. With a focus on commercial vocals, Alison specializes in pop, rock, R&B, country, and jazz. She currently fronts local band Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome, best known for their 6-piece horn section and tribute performances in the Fargo-Moorhead community. Alison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. At Minnesota State University Moorhead, Alison is thrilled to co-lead the Commercial Music Ensemble and teach private voice lessons. Alison resides in Fargo with her husband and two children.

Doug Neill is currently the adjunct bass and tuba instructor at MSUM. He has spent the pa...

Doug Neill is currently the adjunct bass and tuba instructor at MSUM. He has spent the past 32 years as a teacher in Minnesota public schools teaching band, choir, elementary music and orchestra. He is presently an orchestra teacher in the Moorhead public schools. Mr. Neill holds a degree in Music Education from North Dakota State University, and it was during his years there that he spent a summer in the Disney World All-American College Band. As the bass player in that group, he performed with various well-known artists such as Bobby Shew, Steve Houghton and Rob McConnell. During that same summer, he studied with Sam Pilafian on tuba as part of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In 2012 Mr. Neill earned his Masters Degree in Music Education from Minnesota State university Moorhead. Locally, he has performed as a bass player in the Fargo-Moorhead Jazz Arts Group, the Dick King Band, Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome and many other groups. Mr. Neill has also been the Principal Tubist with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony since 1981.

Dr. Tom Strait is has been a faculty member at MSUM since 2001. He teaches trumpet, trombo...

Dr. Tom Strait is has been a faculty member at MSUM since 2001. He teaches trumpet, trombone and euphonium, and serves as director of the MSUM Jazz Ensemble. He also teaches courses in aural skills, jazz improvisation, and music appreciation. He holds a Doctor of Arts degree in trumpet performance from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as degrees from the University of Texas and Henderson State University. Before coming to MSUM, he taught for several years at both the university and public school levels and served in the U.S. Air Force, performing with the USAF Academy Falconaires. He is currently Principal Trumpet with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and is an active free lance performer in the region. Tom Strait is a Yamaha Performing Artist.

Dr. Kelley Tracz is an adjunct Professor of Oboe at MSUM, and is very active as both a per...

Dr. Kelley Tracz is an adjunct Professor of Oboe at MSUM, and is very active as both a performer and educator in Minnesota and beyond. Dr. Tracz has performed with numerous orchestras across the country, including multiple appearances with the New World Symphony, Brevard Music Center Festival Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, Greensboro Symphony, Quad City Symphony, Temple Symphony Orchestra, Central Texas Philharmonic, Southwest Minnesota Orchestra, Brazos Valley Symphony, Topeka Ballet Orchestra, and more. Kelley has received fellowships to Hidden Valley Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, Bay View Music Festival, and the Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy. Kelley has been a featured soloist with the UNC Greensboro University Band, Austin Symphonic Band, Kansas State University Wind Ensemble, Packard Wind Band, and is also a past winner of the Midwest Double Reed Society Young Artist Competition. As a passionate and dedicated educator, Kelley has given masterclasses and served as a clinician to young oboists and fellow music educators in Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas. Students of Kelley’s have advanced to Region, Area, and All-State ensembles in Texas, and have also been accepted into various schools of music across the country, including The Eastman School of Music, UT Austin, UMKC Conservatory, and Southern Methodist University. Kelley has served as a faculty artist for the national double reed camp, Bocal Majority, and was the premier instructor for the 2017 camp in Austin, TX. She was the oboe instructor at Camp Bernstein of Blue Lakes Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, MI for three consecutive seasons and has served as the oboe instructor for the Kansas State University Music Camp for seven seasons. Kelley received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Oboe Performance and Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Ethnomusicology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During her time at UNCG, Kelley studied with Dr. Ashley Barret and served as the Teaching Assistant for the Oboe Studio. Kelley also served as a Teaching Assistant for the Ethnomusicology Department. Kelley holds her Masters of Music degree from the University of Minnesota, where she was a Berneking Fellow, serving as rotating principal oboist of many of the top ensembles in the School of Music, and was a member of the school’s graduate woodwind quintet. Here she studied with Principal Oboe of the Minnesota Orchestra, John Snow. She completed her Bachelors of Music degree at Kansas State University, studying with Nora Lewis. Kelley has also studied extensively with Andrew Parker. Outside of music, Kelley enjoys riding her Liv Avail road bike all over the Twin Cities, whipping up tasty plant-based meals, and hanging out with her number one pal and furry companion, Freddie the cat.

Dr. Kenyon Williams has worked throughout the United States as a professional performer, e...

Dr. Kenyon Williams has worked throughout the United States as a professional performer, educator, arranger, and clinician. A graduate of Abilene Christian University, the Hartt School of Music, and the University of Kentucky, he has performed as a guest soloist and section member for numerous orchestras, including the Abilene Philharmonic (TX), the Louisville Symphony (KY), the Lexington Philharmonic (KY), and currently serves as Principal Percussionist for the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. As an educator, he has taught at the secondary school level as well as at universities in Texas and Kentucky. Dr. Williams is currently the Director of Percussion Studies at Minnesota State University Moorhead where he maintains an active teaching and performing schedule and directs the acclaimed “Fuego Tropical” World Percussion Ensemble as well as hands-on world music ensembles in Trinidadian steel pan, Javanese gamelan, African drumming, Afro-Cuban salsa, and Brazilian samba. His interests have taken him abroad for extended studies in Ghana, Cuba, Brazil, Indonesia, and Trinidad, where he has performed with the legendary Invaders and Birdsong Steel Orchestras in Panorama. In the United States, he has taken his love for the music of the Caribbean to new levels by establishing, arranging, and performing for steel bands and Afro-Cuban ensembles in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Dakota and Texas. Dr. Williams is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorses Yamaha and Latin Percussion instruments, Innovative sticks and mallets, and Coyle Steel Drums, through which he has published numerous original arrangements and transcriptions. Dr. Williams is a member of the Board of Directors of the Percussive Arts Society, the largest professional body of percussionists in the world, and has served as a past chairman for the World Music Committee as well as Treasurer for the Minnesota Chapter of PAS. He also performs regularly with the “Varying Degrees” Percussion Trio and recently released a solo album of newly commissioned solo works for percussion entitled “Homage,” which is available on both iTunes and CDBaby.com.