Michael McKenzie
Founder, Artistic Director, and Conductor
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Michael is currently a senior Choral and Instrumental Music Education double major at Gustavus Adolphus College. He is a Björling scholarship and music award recipient. He studies Horn and Voice at Gustavus with Melissa Morey and Dr. David Kozisek. Michael is an active student conductor at Gustavus.
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This year Michael will continue to sing in the Gustavus Choir and studying voice while student teaching at Eastview High School with Gregory Douma as well as serving as the intern for the Cantanti Choir under the direction of Philip Brown.
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As a Horn player Michael has played in the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Vasa Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Horn Choir, and Gustavus Brass Choir.
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While not active as a Percussion student, Michael has studied Percussion with Paul Hill and has played with the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Encore Wind Ensemble, Vasa Wind Orchestra, Percussion ensemble, Gustavus Philharmonic Orchestra, Choir of Christ Chapel, and was most recently featured as a percussion soloist with the Gustavus Choir
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As a singer Michael sings Bass II and has served as a section leader in the Gustavus Choir. He is also a singer in Legacy A Cappella, and has previously sung in the Gustavus Choir of Christ Chapel and the Gustavus Jazz Choir.
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While dabbling in composition, Michael was recently awarded as a finalist in the 2016 Gustavus Music for Peace Composition Contest.
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As a conductor Michael has lead performances with the Belchertown High School Symphony Band, the Vasa Wind Orchestra, Choir of Christ Chapel, various chamber choirs and instrumental groups at Gustavus, and the Gustavus Choir. Michael also serves as the director of the Sanctuary Choir at First Presbyterian Church in Mankato, MN. This past year Michael became founder and Artistic Director of the Gustavus Social Justice Choir. The group's first performance, Afraid, Uncertain, We Sing as Love, garnered much attention for Michael and cemented the ensemble at Gustavus. The group will have one final year under his direction before becoming a full-time performing ensemble at Gustavus under the direction of the Gustavus choral faculty.
Name, Title
Duncan Matthew
Assistant Conductor and GSJC Member
Duncan Matthew is a senior vocal music education major at Gustavus Adolphus College. Originally from Pueblo, Colorado, he was drawn to Gustavus and Minnesota for the rich environment of music that they provide. He studies voice with Dr. Michael Jorgensen and is a Björling Scholarships and music award recipient.
As a baritone, Duncan currently sings in the Gustavus Choir and Legacy A Cappella. He sang previously in the Choir of Christ Chapel and the Gustavus Jazz Choir.
Under the tutelage of the Gustavus Music Department, Duncan grew to have a stronger passion for music through his own singing, knowledge of theory and conducting. This reinforced his decision to add an education major so that he can educate younger generations on the beauty of music.
After graduation, Duncan intends to teach at the high school level. His future goal is to obtain his doctorate in conducting and music education in order for him to teach higher education as well as lead various ensembles. Duncan’s other interests include running and fitness, dogs (corgis in particular), and musical theatre.
Dr. Brandon Dean
Advisor and Mentor
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Dr. Brandon Dean serves as Associate Professor of Music and conductor of the Choir of Christ Chapel (120-voice mixed choir) and Lucia Singers (80-voice women's choir). In the fall of 2019 Dr. Dean will take over as the Jon and Anita Young Distinguished Endowed Chair in Music and conductor of the Gustavus Choir. In addition to his conducting duties, he also teaches courses in choral music education. Dr. Dean received the 2014 Swenson-Bunn Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence. Prior to his appointment at Gustavus, Dr. Dean completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
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Frequently appearing as a clinician and adjudicator, Dr. Dean served on the international panel of adjudicators for the 2012 World Choir Games. Recent guest conducting engagements include the National Conducting Symposium with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Midwest American Honor Choir, the Dakota Valley Choral Festival, Missota Choral Festival, and all-state music camps for the Iowa Choral Director’s Association. Dr. Dean is a past winner of the Nebraska Choral Director’s Association Graduate Scholarship in Choral Conducting and prepared the University of Nebraska opera chorus for The Bohemian Girl, which won the Best Choral Presentation Award at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. Under his direction, the Choir of Christ Chapel performed at the 2013 Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) annual conference, which was the first conference appearance for the choir. The choir returned for a second appearance at MMEA in 2016.
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Dr. Dean is actively involved in several professional choral organizations and has served as the Chair of Youth and Student Activities for the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota and has held the same position for the North Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association. He holds professional affiliations with the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO), National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), and Chorus America.
In addition to the DMA degree in conducting from CCM, Dr. Dean holds the MM degree in choral conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the BM degree in vocal music education from Luther College. He has studied conducting with Weston Noble, Tim Peter, Sandra Peter, Peter Eklund, Earl Rivers, Brett Scott and Elmer Thomas. After receiving the MM degree, he was the Director of Choral Activities at Ankeny High School (Iowa) from 2003-2008.
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