Meet Neuqua Valley Choral Music Staff
Mrs. Kasprzak akasprzak72@yahoo.com
Anne Kasprzak received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education with high honors from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1994. While at Saint Mary’s College, she received the top department awards in both Music and Education. She most recently graduated from VanderCook College of Music with a Master’s Degree in Music Education. Mrs. Kasprzak will be working with the Neuqua Valley Chamber Singers. Prior to working with students at Neuqua, Mrs. Kasprzak was the choral director at Crone Middle School for seven years. During that time, she directed a choral program of over 350 kids in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. While at Crone, she also directed the Honor Chorus, the school musicals, and she took numerous students to solo and ensemble festivals each year. Mrs. Kasprzak has also taught elementary vocal music in District 204. During her time as a teacher in District 204, she has been named a “Most Influential Teacher” by several students. Mrs. Kasprzak is a member of the artistic staff for the Young Naperville Singers where she directs the Concert Singers. She has been a member of the New Classic Singers at the College of DuPage and serves as a piano accompanist at Holy Spirit Catholic Community in Naperville, Illinois. She is also an active soloist at churches in the Chicagoland area. Mrs. Kasprzak is a member of both the American Choral Directors’ Association (ACDA) and the Music Educators National Conference. (MENC). Outside of her musical endeavors, Mrs. Kasprzak dedicates all of her time to her husband, Derek, their son, Timothy, and their newborn daughter, Sarah.
Mr. Rimington Ryan_Rimington@ipsd.org 630.428.6672
J. Ryan Rimington is a National Board Certified Teacher, conducts curricular choirs, teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory, directs WildScats Blue, facilitates the music technology computer lab, and serves as co-Auditorium Manager. As an educator in the Indian Prairie School District, multiple students have recognized Mr. Rimington as their “Most Influential Educator.” While earning degrees from the University of Illinois School of Music, Mr. Rimington was honored as the Most Outstanding Student in Music Education and recognized with highest academic honors by being named onto the Bronze Tablet. In 1999, he earned 2nd place in the American Choral Director’s Association National Conducting Competition. Mr. Rimington is also a published composer and arranger of several choral works, and frequently receives commissions from midwestern choral ensembles and festivals. Outside of his musical endeavors, Mr. Rimington dedicates his time to his wife, Molly, and children, Jack and Kate, while rooting on the Chicago Cubs!
Mr. Kellner Jay_Kellner@ipsd.org 630.428.6672
Jay Kellner had the honor of opening Neuqua, starting its vocal program, and is in his 25th year teaching, having previously taught at Elgin High School ('83-'94) and Granger MS ('94-'97). Mr. Kellner is also the Founder/Music Director of the Elgin Children’s Chorus, a 4-choir, 220 member organization centered at Elgin Community College and currently celebrating its 22th year. Mr. Kellner’s ensembles have toured Europe on nine occasions, performed with Donny Osmond in a seven month run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Chicago Theatre, sung at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and twice at famed Carnegie Hall in New York. Mr. Kellner and his students have also led Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the Cubs 7th Inning Stretch at Wrigley Field. Choirs under his direction have enjoyed private clinics with Chanticleer, Alice Parker, Kitka, Henry Leck, Nick Page, David Flood and Western Wind. In 2005 Mr. Kellner had the honor of conducting the Vienna Boy's Choir in concert in Vienna. Mr. Kellner earned a Bachelor of Music from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music ('83) and a Masters of Music Education from Northwestern University ('92). All of his spare time is dedicated to his lovely wife Sue, a special education teacher in Streamwood, and their children, Molly (14) and Ryan (17). Coaching travel baseball is Mr. Kellner’s most pleasurable diversion (Go Bartlett Silverhawks…and, of course…Go Cubs!).
Mr. Spears Reid_Spears@ipsd.org 630.428.36672
Reid Spears received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Indiana University in December, 1991, and has had the privilege of working as a full-time professional musician ever since. He has played on the cruise ships at Navy Pier since 1992, including a long tenure on the Spirit of Chicago (1992-2001), where, in addition to performing, he also functioned at times as bandleader and assistant music director, and then later on the Odyssey (2001-present). Since 1996, he has led his own band, Inside Out, which performs for private parties, corporate events, and country club functions. He has also been the pianist with the Chicago Skyliners Big Band since 1998, and performs approximately 20 concerts with them every summer at parks and festivals throughout the Chicagoland area, as well as many other performances throughout the year. Over the course of his career, he has had the honor of performing with many well-known artists, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members The Drifters, Peter Frampton, and members of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Dells, and the Phil Collins and Barry Manilow touring bands. He spent some time performing in the contemporary Christian music industry, releasing his own CD entitled A Vision in Mind in 1996. He has also worked frequently as an accompanist, including auditions
for the Broadway and touring productions of The Lion King and Aida. In 2001, he became a permanent accompanist with the Elgin Children’s Chorus, as well as the choral department of Neuqua Valley, while continuing his extensive performing schedule with his own and several other Chicagoland bands. He loves spending his spare time with his wonderful wife, Stacey, and their daughter, Jaidyn, as well as cheering on his favorite teams, the Cubs and the Blackhawks.
Mr. Bramstedt nathan_bramstedt@ipsd.org 630.428.7177
Nathan Bramstedt directs the choral program at Crone Middle School in Indian Prairie School District 204. At Crone, he conducts the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choirs as well as the Honor Chorus. Mr. Bramstedt also conducts the Neuqua Valley High School World Voices, an ensemble dedicated to performing music and movement from across the globe. He has been recognized by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation as a "Most Influential Educator." Mr. Bramstedt received a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the Pennsylvania State University where he taught courses and conducted various choral ensembles. Prior to his fellowship assignment at Penn State, Mr. Bramstedt taught high school choir and band in Warrensburg, Illinois. With a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, he has directed and performed in numerous musical theatre and opera productions, church choirs, the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, the Chicago Master Singers, and choral tours to Italy and Austria. Mr. Bramstedt has served on the conducting staff of the Young Naperville Singers and was honored to serve as Guest Conductor for the Elgin Children's Chorus. In July, 2006 he and his wife Carol celebrated the birth of their son Paul.
Mr. DeGroot john_degroot@ipsd.org 630.428.6439
John DeGroot secured his Bachelors degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University and his Master of Music degree from Northern Illinois University. He served as Director of Choral Music at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, IL from 1976 until 2005. Retiring from full-time teaching in June of that year, John now serves as adjunct faculty on the staff of Millikin and Northern Illinois universities, supervising student teachers in music education. In addition to guest conducting choral festivals, and adjudicating for I.H.S.A. and I.G.S.M.A., he is Director of Music at Plainfield United Methodist Church, and directs the Chancel Choir there. Director of the Greater Chicago Youth Choral in six European Chorale tours, Mr. DeGroot has served on the American Choral Directors’ Association Executive Board as the Repertory and Standards Chair for that organization from 1997 – 2005, and is past President and Choral Division Chair of the Fox Valley Music Educators Association. In addition, he was Choral Division Chair for District VII and District IX of the Illinois Music Educator’s Association (I.M.E.A.). He remains actively involved in the I.M.E.A. Mr DeGroot has been repeatedly honored as “Most Influential Educator” by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation. John has lived in Plainfield, Illinois for the past 32 years. He and his wife Debby recently celebrated their 35th anniversary, and have raised three now-adult “children”.
