Music Faculty 2022-2023
Brainerd High School
Nathan Herfindahl, Director of Choirs
Dr. Nathan Herfindahl is in his first year as Director of choirs at Brainerd High School. Prior to joining the music faculty at BHS, Dr. Herfindahl spend the last ten years as the Director of Choirs at Monticello High School. His teaching responsibilities include: A Cappella Choir, Windfall, Concert Chorale, and Bards. Choirs under the direction of Dr. Herfindahl have been featured in performance throughout the Midwest, including performances at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Clinic, the Cantus High School Residency, The Big Sing Festival at Saint Cloud State University, the University of Minnesota Duluth Honor Choir Festival, and were recently finalists in the American Prize Competition. Dr. Herfindahl holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education as well as a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Doctor of Music in Music Education from Liberty University where he graduated with High Distinction. Dr. Herfindahl is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Educator, the College Music Society, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and Omega Nu Lambda.
As an operatic baritone he is a former member of the prestigious Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera where he had the distinguished pleasure to work extensively with famed tenor, Plácido Domingo. Nathan’s many past engagements have included turns as Rigoletto (Rigoletto), Harlekin (Ariadne auf Naxos), Marcello (La Bohème), Ping (Turandot), Count di Luna (Il Trovatore), Guglielmo (Cosi fan tutte), Daniel Webster (The Devil and Daniel Webster), Prince Yamadori (Madama Butterfly), and Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi). Nathan has performed with The Metropolitan Opera, The Washington National Opera, Opera de Monte Carlo, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Minnesota Concert Opera, The National Symphony Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Duluth Festival Opera, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Keweenaw Symphony, the Buffalo Community Orchestra, and the Heartland Symphony Orchestra.
Apart from teaching and performing, Dr. Herfindahl is an avid outdoorsmen and also enjoys golfing, woodworking, home renovating, and spending time with his family. He recently moved to Baxter where he lives with his wife, Amy, and their three children Bella, Dewey, and Aleyna.
Brainerd High School
702 S 5th St.
Brainerd MN, 56401
(218) 454-6271
[email protected]
As an operatic baritone he is a former member of the prestigious Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera where he had the distinguished pleasure to work extensively with famed tenor, Plácido Domingo. Nathan’s many past engagements have included turns as Rigoletto (Rigoletto), Harlekin (Ariadne auf Naxos), Marcello (La Bohème), Ping (Turandot), Count di Luna (Il Trovatore), Guglielmo (Cosi fan tutte), Daniel Webster (The Devil and Daniel Webster), Prince Yamadori (Madama Butterfly), and Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi). Nathan has performed with The Metropolitan Opera, The Washington National Opera, Opera de Monte Carlo, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Minnesota Concert Opera, The National Symphony Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Duluth Festival Opera, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Keweenaw Symphony, the Buffalo Community Orchestra, and the Heartland Symphony Orchestra.
Apart from teaching and performing, Dr. Herfindahl is an avid outdoorsmen and also enjoys golfing, woodworking, home renovating, and spending time with his family. He recently moved to Baxter where he lives with his wife, Amy, and their three children Bella, Dewey, and Aleyna.
Brainerd High School
702 S 5th St.
Brainerd MN, 56401
(218) 454-6271
[email protected]
Christopher Fogderud, Director of Bands
Christopher Fogderud is currently in his 18th year as Director of Bands at Brainerd High School. His responsibilities include teaching the BHS Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles and AP Music Theory as well as the BHS Marching Band and Pep Bands. He received his B.A in Music Education from Gustavus Adolphus College and his Masters of Music with a concentration in conducting from The American Band College of Sam Houston State University. He has served as clinician and guest conductor for MSHSL music contests and MBDA honor bands. Mr. Fogderud holds memberships in NAfME, MMEA, MBDA, ASBDA, Phi Beta Mu and has served on the College Board's Instructional Design Team in AP Music Theory.
As a performer, Mr. Fogderud is an active musician in the community. He is assistant conductor and principal trumpet of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra and has also performed frequently with the Lakes Area Music Festival. He is the lead trumpet, composer and arranger for the Rusty Crayfish Brass Band whose debut album "Anywhere But Here" can be heard on all of the streaming platforms.
Apart from teaching and performing, Mr. Fogderud is an amazingly average woodworker, golfer and camper. He lives in Brainerd with his wife Sarah. They have two children: Harrison, a second grader and Grace, a Kindergartener.
Brainerd High School
702 S 5th St.
Brainerd MN, 56401
(218) 454-6253
[email protected]
As a performer, Mr. Fogderud is an active musician in the community. He is assistant conductor and principal trumpet of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra and has also performed frequently with the Lakes Area Music Festival. He is the lead trumpet, composer and arranger for the Rusty Crayfish Brass Band whose debut album "Anywhere But Here" can be heard on all of the streaming platforms.
Apart from teaching and performing, Mr. Fogderud is an amazingly average woodworker, golfer and camper. He lives in Brainerd with his wife Sarah. They have two children: Harrison, a second grader and Grace, a Kindergartener.
Brainerd High School
702 S 5th St.
Brainerd MN, 56401
(218) 454-6253
[email protected]
Michael Sommerness, Director of Bands
Michael Sommerness is currently in his 22nd year instructing bands in the Brainerd Lakes Area, having taught 17 years for the Pequot Lakes School District and now as the Associate Director of Bands at Brainerd High School. His responsibilities include teaching the BHS Symphonic Band, and 9th Grade varsity bands as well as co-teaching Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles, BHS Marching Band, Pep Bands and Acoustic Guitar. He received his B.S. in Instrumental Music Education from St. Cloud State University and his Masters of Science from Southwest Minnesota State University. Mr. Sommerness holds memberships in NAfME, and MMEA. As a performer, Mr. Sommerness is an active saxophonist in various jazz ensembles in the area including the Rusty Crayfish Brass Band, the Josh Duffee Big Band and the Lakes Jazz Authority and.
Apart from teaching and performing, Mr. Sommerness enjoys canoeing, camping, fishing and woodworking. He lives in Breezy Point with his wife, Jennifer and has two grown kiddos.
Brainerd High School
702 S 5th St.
Brainerd MN, 56401
(218) 454-6253
[email protected]
Apart from teaching and performing, Mr. Sommerness enjoys canoeing, camping, fishing and woodworking. He lives in Breezy Point with his wife, Jennifer and has two grown kiddos.
Brainerd High School
702 S 5th St.
Brainerd MN, 56401
(218) 454-6253
[email protected]
Leslie Zander, Director of 6th-12th Grade Orchestras
Leslie Zander has taught Orchestra in the Brainerd School District since the fall of 2000. She currently teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grades in the mornings at Forestview Middle School, followed by Sinfonia Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra in the afternoons at Brainerd High School.
Ms. Zander began her violin lessons at the age of three at the Aber Suzuki Center at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, where her teacher was Pat D’Ercole. She studied with Mark Bjork at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, earning a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental and Classroom Music. In 2016, Ms. Zander completed a Master of Science in Differentiated Instruction from Concordia University - St. Paul.
Ms. Zander has performed with the Heartland Symphony Orchestra’s first violin section since 2001 and as concertmaster since 2007. She has also played throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area with the Trillium String Trio, the Great River Strings Ensemble, the Legacy Chorale, and the Lakes Area Music Festival. Past summer engagements include the Sierra Summer Festival in Mammoth Lakes, CA, and the Lake Chelan Bach Fest in Chelan, WA. Ms. Zander has also served on the Board of Directors of the Lakes Area Music Festival and the Heartland Symphony Orchestra.
Forestview Middle School Brainerd High School
12149 Knollwood Drive 702 S. 5th St.
Baxter, MN 56425 Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6079 (218) 454-6287
[email protected]
Ms. Zander began her violin lessons at the age of three at the Aber Suzuki Center at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, where her teacher was Pat D’Ercole. She studied with Mark Bjork at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, earning a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental and Classroom Music. In 2016, Ms. Zander completed a Master of Science in Differentiated Instruction from Concordia University - St. Paul.
Ms. Zander has performed with the Heartland Symphony Orchestra’s first violin section since 2001 and as concertmaster since 2007. She has also played throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area with the Trillium String Trio, the Great River Strings Ensemble, the Legacy Chorale, and the Lakes Area Music Festival. Past summer engagements include the Sierra Summer Festival in Mammoth Lakes, CA, and the Lake Chelan Bach Fest in Chelan, WA. Ms. Zander has also served on the Board of Directors of the Lakes Area Music Festival and the Heartland Symphony Orchestra.
Forestview Middle School Brainerd High School
12149 Knollwood Drive 702 S. 5th St.
Baxter, MN 56425 Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6079 (218) 454-6287
[email protected]
Marcus Aulie, Director of 7th-9th Grade Choirs
Marcus Aulie has been directing choirs in Brainerd Public Schools since the Fall of 2003. Currently he is teaching 6th-9th Grade Choir for ISD 181. His mornings are spent team-teaching the 6th-8th Grade Choirs at Forestview Middle School with Mrs. Bingham, and his afternoons are spent teaching the Varsity Choirs at Brainerd High School. In addition to teaching these choirs during the school day, he also directs an extra-curricular chamber choir called, Encore, which is made up of 9th and 10th grade students from the choirs at Brainerd High School.
Outside of his responsibilities with ISD 181, Marcus is also the Sr. Choir Director at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Marcus received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocal Music Education from Bemidji State University in 2002, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall in 2010. Marcus lives in Brainerd with his two awesome kids, Landon and Sydney. Marcus also plays keyboards and sings background vocals in three different Brainerd Lakes Area bands. He also likes to spend as much time as he can on the golf course!
Forestview Middle School Brainerd High School
12149 Knollwood Dr. 702 South 5th St.
Baxter, MN 56425 Brainerd, MN 56401
218-454-6080 218-454-6237
[email protected]
Outside of his responsibilities with ISD 181, Marcus is also the Sr. Choir Director at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Marcus received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocal Music Education from Bemidji State University in 2002, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall in 2010. Marcus lives in Brainerd with his two awesome kids, Landon and Sydney. Marcus also plays keyboards and sings background vocals in three different Brainerd Lakes Area bands. He also likes to spend as much time as he can on the golf course!
Forestview Middle School Brainerd High School
12149 Knollwood Dr. 702 South 5th St.
Baxter, MN 56425 Brainerd, MN 56401
218-454-6080 218-454-6237
[email protected]
Forestview Middle School
Chuck Carlson, Director of Bands
Chuck Carlson directs 7th Grade Band, 7th Grade Jazz Band, teaches sectionals to 8th grade band students, team teaches 6th Grade Band with Mrs. Moats, and teaches 7th and 8th grade lessons. Together Mr. Carlson and Mrs. Moats have over 400 students involved in band at Forestview Middle School in grades 6-8!
Mr. Carlson has taught band in the Brainerd Schools for 24 years with 33 years of teaching experience overall. Prior to teaching in Brainerd, Mr. Carlson taught High School and Elementary Bands at Crosby-Ironton for 8 years as well as grades 5-12 Bands in Upsala, MN for one year.
Mr. Carlson really enjoys working with middle school band students and seeing the progress they make from their first day of playing their instrument through their third year of playing.
Mr. Carlson started playing the saxophone when he was in 4th grade while growing up in Pine River, MN. He has his Bachelor’s Degree from Bemidji State University and a Masters Degree from St. Scholastica. Mr. Carlson and his wife, Susan, enjoy living on the Mississippi River and adjacent to the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails in Riverton, MN where their favorite hobby is mountain biking. Their daughters, Elise (BHS 2013) and Sofie (BHS 2016), both played saxophone in the Brainerd Bands and now both live in the mountains of Montana.
Mr. Carlson is active with many community and trail organizations. He is the Communications Director for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew, Vice President of the Cuyuna Lakes Trail Association, and a Council Member for the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Advisory Council. Mr. Carlson performs in jazz groups and as a soloist when he has the opportunity.
Forestview Middle School
12149 Knollwood Dr
Baxter, MN 56425
218-454-6083
[email protected]
Mr. Carlson has taught band in the Brainerd Schools for 24 years with 33 years of teaching experience overall. Prior to teaching in Brainerd, Mr. Carlson taught High School and Elementary Bands at Crosby-Ironton for 8 years as well as grades 5-12 Bands in Upsala, MN for one year.
Mr. Carlson really enjoys working with middle school band students and seeing the progress they make from their first day of playing their instrument through their third year of playing.
Mr. Carlson started playing the saxophone when he was in 4th grade while growing up in Pine River, MN. He has his Bachelor’s Degree from Bemidji State University and a Masters Degree from St. Scholastica. Mr. Carlson and his wife, Susan, enjoy living on the Mississippi River and adjacent to the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails in Riverton, MN where their favorite hobby is mountain biking. Their daughters, Elise (BHS 2013) and Sofie (BHS 2016), both played saxophone in the Brainerd Bands and now both live in the mountains of Montana.
Mr. Carlson is active with many community and trail organizations. He is the Communications Director for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew, Vice President of the Cuyuna Lakes Trail Association, and a Council Member for the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Advisory Council. Mr. Carlson performs in jazz groups and as a soloist when he has the opportunity.
Forestview Middle School
12149 Knollwood Dr
Baxter, MN 56425
218-454-6083
[email protected]
Jessica Moats, Director of Bands
Jessica Moats directs 8th grade band, 8th grade jazz band, teaches sectionals to 7th grade band students, team teaches 6th grade band, and teaches 7th and 8th grade lessons.
Jessica graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in both Instrumental and Vocal Music Education. She is an active member of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist and has played with the Lakes Area Music Festival. She has also been a member of the Northern Symphony Orchestra based in Anoka, MN.
She has taught previously in the Anoka Hennepin School District where she taught K-5 classroom music and beginning band, orchestra, and choir at Lincoln Elementary. She has also taught at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine, MN where she was the 6-8 grade choral director and 7th grade orchestra teacher. Since the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year Jessica has been teaching middle level band at Forestview Middle School. She is passionate about inspiring EVERY student to have a lifelong love of music.
Jessica and her husband Joe both grew up in Brainerd and now live in Baxter, MN. They have 2 children, Logan and Landon, and a spunky dog named Zoey.
Forestview Middle School
12149 Knollwood Dr
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6082
[email protected]
Jessica graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in both Instrumental and Vocal Music Education. She is an active member of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist and has played with the Lakes Area Music Festival. She has also been a member of the Northern Symphony Orchestra based in Anoka, MN.
She has taught previously in the Anoka Hennepin School District where she taught K-5 classroom music and beginning band, orchestra, and choir at Lincoln Elementary. She has also taught at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine, MN where she was the 6-8 grade choral director and 7th grade orchestra teacher. Since the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year Jessica has been teaching middle level band at Forestview Middle School. She is passionate about inspiring EVERY student to have a lifelong love of music.
Jessica and her husband Joe both grew up in Brainerd and now live in Baxter, MN. They have 2 children, Logan and Landon, and a spunky dog named Zoey.
Forestview Middle School
12149 Knollwood Dr
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6082
[email protected]
Barbara Bingham, Director of 6th-8th Grade Choirs
Baxter Elementary
Jill Lee, music specialist
Cody Ewald, music specialist
Cody Ewald is the kindergarten music specialist at Baxter & Riverside Elementaries.
Mr. Ewald graduated from Saint John's University in May 2019 with a B.A. in Music Education K-12. His previous teaching experiences include student teaching at Becker Intermediate Elementary and Rocori Middle & High Schools. While in college, Mr. Ewald worked closely with The St. John's Boys' Choir, where he was also a member from 2007-2011, teaching voice, music theory, and piano lessons to 2nd-8th graders.
Mr. Ewald is an active performer throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area. But in his free time, he also enjoys the outdoors, baking, and reading. He is excited to grow in his education career in ISD 181.
Baxter Elementary School
12191 Jasperwood Drive
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6429
[email protected]
Mr. Ewald graduated from Saint John's University in May 2019 with a B.A. in Music Education K-12. His previous teaching experiences include student teaching at Becker Intermediate Elementary and Rocori Middle & High Schools. While in college, Mr. Ewald worked closely with The St. John's Boys' Choir, where he was also a member from 2007-2011, teaching voice, music theory, and piano lessons to 2nd-8th graders.
Mr. Ewald is an active performer throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area. But in his free time, he also enjoys the outdoors, baking, and reading. He is excited to grow in his education career in ISD 181.
Baxter Elementary School
12191 Jasperwood Drive
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6429
[email protected]
Garfield Elementary
Heather Larson, music specialist
Heather Larson is the music specialist at Garfield Elementary School where she teaches K-4 General Music. She is a veteran teacher of 27 years, serving the past 25 years for Brainerd Schools. A graduate of Brainerd High School, Heather attended the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis), where she earned a B.A. in Organ Performance, a B.M. in Music Education, and 6 years of marching with the University of Marching Band! She also holds a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership & Technology from Southwest State University in Marshall, MN.
She is an active member of First Baptist Church in Baxter where she has served as a church musician for over 40 years! Apart from teaching and performing, Heather also enjoys training and showing Arabian horses and spending time with her husband, Troy and their 3 children - Jonathan, Josh, & Gracia, on their farm in Pillager, MN.
Garfield Elementary School
1120 10th Ave. NE
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-454-6474
[email protected]
She is an active member of First Baptist Church in Baxter where she has served as a church musician for over 40 years! Apart from teaching and performing, Heather also enjoys training and showing Arabian horses and spending time with her husband, Troy and their 3 children - Jonathan, Josh, & Gracia, on their farm in Pillager, MN.
Garfield Elementary School
1120 10th Ave. NE
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-454-6474
[email protected]
Harrison Elementary
Jennifer Pelowski, Director of 6th Grade Choir and Harrison Elementary Music
Jennifer Pelowski is the music specialist at Harrison Elementary School where she teaches K-4 grade General Music. A graduate of Bemidji State University, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science degree in K-12 Vocal/General Music Education. She is a frequent performer in the Brainerd Lakes Area as a soloist as well as a member of the a cappella ensemble, Consensus.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband David and their three daughters, Maren, Abby and Riley. She loves traveling, reading, cooking and of course, singing!
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband David and their three daughters, Maren, Abby and Riley. She loves traveling, reading, cooking and of course, singing!
Lowell Elementary
Claire Horn, music specialist
Nisswa Elementary
Amber Kopp, Music Specialist
Before coming to Brainerd, Ms. Kopp taught a variety of music classes in St. Cloud ISD 742 including high school orchestra, beginning orchestra, beginning band, and general music. Ms. Kopp earned her B.A. in Music Education from St. Cloud State University.
An active musician, Ms. Kopp regularly performs with orchestras such as the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, the Heartland Symphony Orchestra and the CLC College Orchestra. She is also directing the Intermezzo Orchestra of the Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra based in Saint Joseph, MN. To remain engaged in the music community and to strengthen her own musicality and skill, Ms. Kopp is a member of NAfME, MMEA, ASTA, and MNSOTA.
Besides teaching and performing, Ms. Kopp enjoys reading, writing, and hanging out with family. She actively enjoying learning and playing new instruments from a wide variety of cultures.
Nisswa Elementary
5533 Lakers Ln
Nisswa, MN 56468
219-961-6860 Ext. 16884
[email protected]
An active musician, Ms. Kopp regularly performs with orchestras such as the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, the Heartland Symphony Orchestra and the CLC College Orchestra. She is also directing the Intermezzo Orchestra of the Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra based in Saint Joseph, MN. To remain engaged in the music community and to strengthen her own musicality and skill, Ms. Kopp is a member of NAfME, MMEA, ASTA, and MNSOTA.
Besides teaching and performing, Ms. Kopp enjoys reading, writing, and hanging out with family. She actively enjoying learning and playing new instruments from a wide variety of cultures.
Nisswa Elementary
5533 Lakers Ln
Nisswa, MN 56468
219-961-6860 Ext. 16884
[email protected]
Riverside Elementary
Stacy Podoll-Erdal, music specialist
Stacy Podoll-Erdal is a music specialist teaching general music to grades K-4 at Riverside Elementary. She is a veteran teacher having taught K-12 choral and general music previously in Montevideo, Sleepy Eye, Ada-Borup, Chokio-Alberta, and Morris, MN before joining the Brainerd music department fall of 2014. A graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, Stacy majored in voice and minored in piano, and percussion. As a director, Stacy has been both main director and music director for the musicals “Something’s Afoot”, “Lil Abner”, “Willie Wonka”, “Songs for a New World”, “Footloose”, and “Beauty and the Beast”. She has directed school and church singing choirs, handbell choirs, and percussion ensembles.
As a performer Stacy has sang and was a soloist with the National Lutheran Choir. She was also a soloist with the Billings Symphony. Previously Stacy played percussion with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony and the Billings Symphony, as well as various community groups in the Twin Cities. Ms Podoll-Erdal currently plays with the Heartland Symphony. Ms. Podoll-Erdal enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, two daughters, Lily and Claire, a cat Normandy, and 2 German Shepherd Mix dogs, Dakotah & Artemis. Mrs. Erdal has moved often and enjoys exploring the area. Family activities outdoor include camping, golfing, downhill skiing, and walks and indoor activities include concerts, plays, movies, reading, and baking.
Riverside Elementary School
220 NW 3rd Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-454-6824
[email protected]
As a performer Stacy has sang and was a soloist with the National Lutheran Choir. She was also a soloist with the Billings Symphony. Previously Stacy played percussion with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony and the Billings Symphony, as well as various community groups in the Twin Cities. Ms Podoll-Erdal currently plays with the Heartland Symphony. Ms. Podoll-Erdal enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, two daughters, Lily and Claire, a cat Normandy, and 2 German Shepherd Mix dogs, Dakotah & Artemis. Mrs. Erdal has moved often and enjoys exploring the area. Family activities outdoor include camping, golfing, downhill skiing, and walks and indoor activities include concerts, plays, movies, reading, and baking.
Riverside Elementary School
220 NW 3rd Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-454-6824
[email protected]