JIM JOHNSON, Trumpet
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Dr. Jim Johnson currently serves as Associate Professor of Trumpet at the University of Akron. Dr. Johnson grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before joining the faculty at the University of Akron, he served as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Kansas State University. He earned his D.M. in Trumpet Performance from The Florida State University under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Moore. He received his M.M., in Trumpet Performance, from Kansas State University with Dr. Gary Mortenson and his B.S. in Music Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Kevin Eisensmith.
As an active performer, Dr. Johnson plays with the University of Akron Faculty Brass Quintet and Principal Trumpet of the Cleveland Repertory Orchestra, and Akron Symphonic Winds. He previously served as Principal Trumpet of the Salina Symphony Orchestra (Salina, KS) with recent performances with the Lima Symphony, Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Grand Opera, Tallahassee Symphony (FL), Albany Symphony (GA), and Sinfonia Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Johnson is also an accomplished arranger, having his music performed at the National Trumpet Competition, the Kansas Music Educators Association All-State Conference, and at the Haus Marteau Brass Chamber Workshop in Lichtenberg, Germany. In his free time Jim enjoys watching superhero movies, cooking new dishes with his wife, Kiirsi, and walking their corgi mix, Meechum. |
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KIIRSI MAUNULA JOHNSON, Horn
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Canadian hornist, Dr. Kiirsi Maunula Johnson is the horn professor at the University of Akron, where she was recently the recipient of the 2023 'Outstanding Teaching' award, from the University of Akron - College of Arts & Sciences. She is also currently serving as Guest Lecturer of Horn at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM).
An active clinician, soloist, and chamber musicians, she has performed and presented on the national and international stage. She was featured as a soloist in the premiere of Michael Conway Baker’s Remembrances for the Memorial University Brass Ensemble in Newfoundland, Canada. Recent masterclasses and workshops include lectures on 'How-to Build Your Horn Section', ‘Real-world Freelancing,’ ‘Canadian Solo Horn Repertoire,’ and ‘Performance Preparation.' In 2009, she took part in a historic DVD project with Frank Battisti, Donald Hunsberger and H. Robert Reynolds. The production included a performance at the International Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and a CD/DVD recording. As an in-demand performer, Kiirsi is a regular substitute with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Mobile Symphony, and Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Kiirsi graduated with her Doctorate of Music from the Florida State University. She holds her Master of Music degree with a cognate in Arts Administration from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and her Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from the University of Western Ontario. Her primary horn teachers include Michelle Stebleton, Randy Gardner, Derek Conrod, Ron George, Jeff Gibson, Duane Dugger and Neil Deland. Kiirsi is also on faculty at the College of Wooster and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She previously served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Horn at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam), and on faculty at Troy University (AL), and Florida A&M University. |
AMANDA ARRINGTON, Piano
Amanda Arrington serves as faculty collaborative pianist at the Kansas State University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. She maintains an active performing career collaborating with faculty artists, guest artists, and students in over 70 concerts each year. Amanda has performed concerts and premieres nationally and internationally with her colleagues at the Canadian Flute Convention (Toronto, Canada 2015), North American Saxophone Alliance Conference (Champaign-Urbana, Illinois 2014), ClarinetFest (Assisi, Italy 2013), the International Double Reed Society Conference (Redlands, California 2013), the World Saxophone Congress (St. Andrews, Scotland 2012) and the National Association of Composers, USA-Summer Fest (NYC, New York 2010). As a piano soloist, she has enjoyed performances with K-State’s Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and the Wabash City Brass. Amanda has also served as pianist for many local engagements, including the K-State Summer Choral Institute, the Hale Library Concert Series, Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department Summer Musicals, Kansas State University's Young People's Concerts, Manhattan's Summer Chorus, and an annual Messiah Sing-Along for community members.
RANDALL FRYE, OrganRandall Frye is in his fourth year as the Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Lawrence High School. At Lawrence High School, Randy works directly with 5 choirs (283 students) during the day and is the founding director of ROAR, Lawrence High School’s vocal pop a cappella ensemble. Other duties include working with the theater director on the musical, training staff and administration on LGBTQIA+ equity work, and being a coordinator for Link Crew, which guides freshmen to discover how to be a successful student in high school.
Hailing from Polk, Pennsylvania, Randy completed a Master’s degree in vocal performance at Kansas State University in 2014. His music education degree (Fall 2011) comes from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, PA where he studied voice, organ, piano, and musical theater and was an active member and officer of Delta Omicron. While attending IUP, Randy was fortunate enough to receive scholarship support from the Carol Teti Memorial Organ Scholarship. Randy is an active member of Kansas Choral Director’s Association, Kansas Music Educator’s Association, American Choral Director’s Association, and the National Association for Music Education. Randy is involved in the Lawrence community as an active accompanist and organist. Randy also sings with Te Deum chamber choir in Kansas City, Missouri. Currently, Randy is the organist at First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS, which houses a 2014 Reuter instrument. He makes his home in Lawrence, with his cat, Tiberius. |
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