Faculty Bios

Administrative Staff
Karen Liegl, Symphony School Coordinator Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rockwell College, with 6-12 teacher certification. She oversees all operational and logistical aspects of the Symphony School and Orchestra Iowa outreach activities including school newsletter composition and distribution, teacher/ student placement, registration processing and facilitation of communication between School faculty and families and the Orchestra Iowa staff. Karen has served as the Symphony School Coordinator since 1999.

String Faculty
Jessica Altfilisch, violin/viola A doctoral student in viola performance at the University of Iowa, Jessica has fifteen years teaching experience with all age groups, including students with special needs. Locally she has worked in many public and private schools offering All-State coaching, chamber music rehearsals, summer camps and music appreciation. Jessica earned her Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the University of Kansas and completed the Teacher Education Program at the University of Iowa. Suzuki Training: Every Child Can!, Viola Books 1A, 1B, 2, and 3
Carey Bostian, cello Carey has been conductor of the Iowa City Community String Orchestra since 1998. Born and raised in Granville, Ohio, he came to study at the University of Iowa in 1993. He holds a MFA in orchestral conducting as the last student of James Dixon, and a DMA in cello as a student of Charles Wendt. Carey is currently principal cellist of Orchestra Iowa and cellist with its String Quartet. In addition, he performs regularly with Red Cedar Chamber Music, and teaches cello at the Symphony School and privately in Iowa City. He is a member of the conducting faculty at the Preucil School of Music, and has served as conductor at Coe College and Lawrence University. Carey is an active clinician as both conductor and cellist and is on the Iowa Arts Council's Teaching and Performing Artists rosters. Carey lives in Iowa City with his wife, Miera Kim, a violinist, and their two sons, Oliver and Adrian.
Brenda Cerwick, violin Working towards her bachelor’s degree in music education, Brenda has studied violin pedagogy under Beth Hoffman at Coe College and Kirkwood Community College. She has over five years of experience teaching students from preschool through adult in traditional and Suzuki lessons in public school, group and private settings. Suzuki Training: Violin: Every Child Can, Book 1-2
Alla Cross, violin/viola Alla Cross was raised in Russia. A violinist since the age of six, she received her bachelor's and master's degrees at a music conservatory in Novosibirsk, Russia. As principal of the Violin II section of the Krasnoyarsk Symphony she toured in Russia, Germany, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. She worked as a professional musician for several years before moving to the United States in 1999. Currently Alla is in her final year of study for a doctoral degree at the University of Iowa. Alla has led the University of Iowa Symphony and chamber orchestras and has been a member of Orchestra Iowa since 1999.
Chrystal Faltis, string outreach Chrystal Faltis earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Augustana College, Rock Island, and an elementary education endorsement from the University of Iowa, with additional postgraduate study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Chrystal has taught strings in many Cedar Rapids schools and at Coe College. In addition she has judged music contests in Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Waterloo. She plays viola regularly with the Coe College Orchestra, the Iowa City Community String Orchestra and at the Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival.
John Hall, Bass/Bass Ensemble John Hall is orchestra director at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids. He has taught as an adjunct instructor and clinician at Cornell College, the University of Northern Iowa and Augustana College. He holds a Master of Music degree in bass performance from the University of Georgia, and he is completing a doctor of musical arts degree at the University of Memphis. John is a bassist in Orchestra Iowa. He was the 2009 recipient of the Iowa String Teacher Association "Studio Teacher of the Year" award.
Mike Hall, Violin/Viola/String Outreach Mike Hall holds a Master of Music degree in Violin and Suzuki Pedagogy from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has done Suzuki training with Michele George, as well as additional training with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, Doris Preucil, Alice Joy Lewis, Barbara Barber, Carrie Reuning, and Eleanor Allen. He is an alumnus of Encore School for Strings and the Meadowmount School. He has taught in the Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory program and with the Toledo Suzuki Institute. He played with the National Repertory Orchestra and the Toledo Symphony before joining Orchestra Iowa in 1992. Mike teaches Suzuki and traditional violin and viola lessons and is also a teacher in the Symphony School’s String Outreach Programs. Suzuki Training: Every Child Can!, Violin Foundation 1A & 1B, Violin Books 2-10 Supplementary Training: Violin Supplementary Literature
Takuya Horiuchi, Violin Taki, as he is more commonly known to his students, received his Bachelor of Music degree from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, and his Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School of Music. He has been concertmaster of Orchestra Iowa since 1997 and is first violin in its String Quartet. He teaches private traditional violin lessons.
Cheryl Krewer, String Outreach Lead Teacher Cheryl Krewer has a bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in bass performance from the University of Iowa. Her teaching experience includes public school strings, fourteen years at the college level, thirty years of private teaching, and with the Symphony School since 1986. She has performed with Orchestra Iowa since 1985 and currently is the lead teacher for the Symphony School’s String Outreach Programs. Suzuki training: Every Child Can!, Violin Books 1 - 3, Cello Books 1 – 6.
Kelly Moritz, Violin/Viola/String Outreach Kelly Moritz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from the University of Northern Iowa. She has studied Suzuki pedagogy with Doris Preucil, Kimberly Meier-Sims and Sonja Zeithamel. She was a Suzuki parent accompanying her sons to several Suzuki institutes at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Aside from teaching privately with the Symphony School, Kelly teaches Fifth Grade Fiddles at Johnson Elementary School and is the orchestra teacher at Taft Middle School. She was awarded the Bruce Eilers Award for the Iowa Classroom String Teacher of the Year at the Iowa String Teachers Association convention in May 2006.
Barbara Owen, Cello Barbara Owen earned dual degrees in cello performance and music education from Oberlin College. She is a long time member of the Orchestra Iowa cello section, and she has been a Suzuki trained cello instructor for the Symphony School for more than 15 years. Barb is currently accepting traditional cello students of all ages.
Amy Phelps, Cello Amy Phelps was born in Iowa City. In 1989 she obtained a double degree (B.A., B.M.) in Cello Performance and French Literature from Oberlin College and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. After her undergraduate education, Amy’s multiple interests led her to continue her musical education in France, where she obtained unanimous Gold Medals in both cello performance and chamber music at the Conservatoire National de Région de Marseille in 1992. Amy worked as a free-lance artist in Marseille for ten years where she frequently played with the Philharmonique de Marseille. In 2004 she earned a Masters in Music from the University of Iowa. She is currently finished with her coursework for her D.M.A. in Cello Performance at the University of Iowa. In addition to teaching at the Symphony School, Amy Phelps is Adjunct Professor of Cello at Coe College and Instructor of Cello at Bradley College in Peoria, Illinois. She is a member of both Orchestra Iowa (Assistant Principal) and the Quad Cities Symphony.
Jennifer Sterner, Viola/Violin Jenny Sterner graduated from Coe College, studying viola with Michael Kimber. She was a student of the Suzuki Method as a child and teen and has participated in Suzuki institutes for viola and violin at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Jenny teaches traditional and Suzuki lessons for the violin and viola. Suzuki Training:Every Child Can!, Violin Foundation 1A & 1B, Violin Books 2 & 3 Supplementary Training:Violin Supplementary Literature

Wind & Brass Faculty
Charles "Andy" Harris, Horn Andy Harris has been a member of Orchestra Iowa since 1995, serving as principal horn since 1998. He performs with its brass and woodwind quintets and teaches horn at Kirkwood, Coe and Wartburg Colleges as well as at the Symphony School. He has also lived in Monterrey, Mexico, where he worked for the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL) as Solo/Principal Horn in the symphony, and as horn instructor. Andy received his Bachelor of Music at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his master’s from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.
Lynne Hart, Clarinet Lynne Hart holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in woodwind performance from the University of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Music degree in theory/composition from the University of Minnesota. Lynne has been teaching clarinet for 23 years and her studio averages eight All-Staters per year. Her performance experience includes Orchestra Iowa (pops series), the Dubuque Symphony, and the Duluth Symphony. Numerous Broadway touring productions including: My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, The Full Monty, State Fair, Chicago, City of Angels, Grand Hotel, Sugar Babies, Peter Pan, and several others. She has also performed in the orchestra for several Cedar Rapids Community Theatre productions, most recently Gypsy and Fiddler on the Roof.
Peter Hart, Saxophone Peter Hart holds a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance from Eastman School of Music, Rochester, N.Y. Peter played for three years on the S/S Norway luxury cruise ship in the Caribbean. He has played professionally with Ray Charles, The Temptations, The Supremes, 5th Dimension, Clark Terry, Louis Belson, T.S. Monk, Carla Bley, Diane Carroll, Vic Damone, Natalie Cole, Buddy DeFranco and many touring Broadway shows. Peter is the shop foreman repairing band instruments for West Music in Marion.
Alan Naylor, Trumpet Alan Naylor is the trumpet instructor at Coe College. He earned a master’s degree in music education with an emphasis on trumpet from the University of Northern Iowa. Al has thirty years of experience as an instrumental music teacher in Eastern Iowa. He has performed professionally in a wide variety of settings, and he was principal trumpet for the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band for ten years. Al serves as an adjudicator for the Iowa High School Music Association, where he judges All-State auditions, solo/ensemble festivals, jazz bands, and concert bands.
Jennifer Wagaman, Flute Jennifer Wagaman received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in flute performance and music management. In December 2006, she received her Master of Music degree in flute performance from the University of Northern Iowa. At Luther and UNI she was a member of the symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, chamber ensembles and flute choir. In addition to teaching at the Symphony School, Jennifer is a flute instructor at the UNI Suzuki School in Cedar Falls and the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City. She has taught flute and piano lessons for over five years to a range of ages. Suzuki training: Flute Books 1 – 3
Jacqueline Wilson, Double Reed Jacqui Wilson teaches Music Appreciation at Kirkwood locations in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. A doctoral student at the University of Iowa, she is originally from Kennewick, WA. Jacqui is a graduate of Boston University's College of Fine Arts where she received her Masters Degree in Bassoon Performance.

Piano Faculty
Leah Anderson, Piano An undergraduate piano performance major at the University of Iowa, Leah Anderson studies with respected pianist Rene Lecuona. Leah has completed the Every Child Can course in Suzuki training; in addition, she completed Book One training from Caroline Frasier at the Suzuki Institute at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. In addition to an active career in performance and teaching, Leah plans to attend graduate school in piano performance at the University of Iowa. Leah has been teaching at the Symphony School for six years, and she has been playing the piano for more than twenty years. Leah teaches both Suzuki and traditional lessons. Suzuki Training: Every Child Can!, Piano Book 1
Catherine Sowder, Piano Catherine Sowder, a student of the piano for fifteen years, received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from The University of Iowa, where she studied with Dr. Alan Huckleberry. In her hometown of Williamsburg, Iowa, she has maintained a piano studio for six years where she encourages her students to be involved in outreach performances at churches and care centers in the community as well as participating in IMTA auditions and other festivals and competitions. Catherine is an active chamber musician, accompanist, performer and teacher in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area.
Melinda Westphalen, Piano Melinda Westphalen is an active piano teacher and accompanist. Currently an applied music associate at Grinnell College, Dr. Westphalen has previously taught in Iowa City and at the Conservatory of Piano in Worthington, Ohio. She received both her doctorate and master’s degrees in piano performance from the University of Iowa, where she studied with Rene Lecuona.
Jennifer Woodard, Piano Jenni received her Bachelor of Music Education and Elementary Education degrees with an emphasis in piano and early childhood development from the University of Northern Iowa. She has received additional training from Yamaha in piano technology and keyboard encounters. For the past 16 years, she has taught private piano lessons with students ranging in age from 3 year-olds to adult. She taught in a Pre-Kindergarten classroom at Summit Schools, implementing an annual class musical at that facility, and has worked in several different preschool settings since, most recently for Little Lambs preschool in Hiawatha. Outside of the classroom, Jenni performs for dinner parties, corporate events, weddings, church services and competitions. She offers presentations for music and early childhood conferences and judges for local piano contests.

Harp Faculty
Gretchen Brumwell, Harp Gretchen Brumwell is principal harpist of Orchestra Iowa, and she teaches harp and harp ensemble for the Symphony School. She is the harp instructor at the University of Northern Iowa and the director of the Northern Iowa Summer Harp Workshop at UNI. Gretchen received her Master of Music degree from Rice University.
Pamela Weest-Carrasco, Harp Pam Weest-Carrasco plays second harp for Orchestra Iowa and the Quad City Symphony. She is a frequent performer with the University of Iowa ensembles, including University Symphony, Center for New Music, Symphony and Concert Bands and Percussion Ensemble. Before moving to Iowa City in 1990, she free-lanced in the Washington, D.C. area, playing with the Arlington Symphony and at Ford's Theatre. Her free-lancing has included concerts with Julio Iglesias, Lainie Kazan, Jack Jones, Toni Tenille, Mark O'Connor, the Moody Blues and Josh Groban. She received her music degrees from Indiana University, and has been a Suzuki harp teacher for 17 years. Suzuki Training: Every Child Can!, Harp Books 1A, 1B, 2, and 3.

Music Together® & Music Therapy
Teri Stuckey, Music Together® Teri Stuckey graduated from Mount Mercy College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education specializing in early childhood. She has taught first grade and pre-kindergarten classes, where she was able to incorporate music activities into the curriculum. Teri completed the training to become a registered Music Together® teacher in the summer of 2004.
Amy Maurer, Music Therapy & Music Together® Amy Maurer, MT-BC, is a graduate of Wartburg College with a Bachelors of Music Education and Music Therapy with an emphasis in clarinet. During college she toured with vocal and instrumental ensembles across the United States, Europe, South Africa, and Japan. She completed her music therapy internship at the Kardon Institute for Arts Therapy in Philadelphia, PA where she worked with clients of varying ability ranging from age 3-100. Amy earned her music therapy board certification in August 2008 and completed her Music Together teacher training in July 2009.

Choral Ensembles
Damon Cole, Discovery Chorus Director Damon Cole received his Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance and music education from Cornell College along with his general education endorsement. Damon has worked in the Cedar Rapids public schools for almost forty years, most recently as Arts Facilitator for Johnson School of the Arts. His community arts involvements include Music/Artistic Director for The Follies and occasional Music Director for Theatre Cedar Rapids. Damon is the choral director for First Presbyterian church in Mount Vernon, a position he has held since he was in college way back in the seventies. Damon has worked with Orchestra Iowa on several occasions as Pops Talent Coordinator and programming assistant. He is looking forward to working with the talented boys and girls in the Summer Discovery Chorus for their upcoming performance in “Burana at Brucemore" in September.
Amy Hanisch, Discovery Chorus Director Amy Hanisch received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Iowa. For the past twenty years, she has served as a music specialist in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. She is in her eleventh year as director of the Discovery Chorus. Amy has directed many honor choirs for the Iowa Choral Directors Association, as well as all-city choral festivals for the Dubuque, Cedar Falls and Des Moines school districts and the 1997 Opus Fifth-Sixth Grade Select Honor Choir. Amy was a director for the Kirkwood College Young People’s Performing Arts Camp for many years and has taught vocal technique, chorus, movement and composition classes at Theatre Cedar Rapids.
Keri Worden, Odyssey Chorus Director Keri Worden received her Bachelor of Music degree from Coe College. She taught general and vocal music for four years before becoming a professional accompanist. She plays piano for Roosevelt Middle School's show choir and many local musicals, contests and recitals. She served as accompanist for the Odyssey Chorus for four seasons and is now in her fourth year as director of this ensemble.