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TORI BRINDIS (Friday/Saturday) is a full-time freelance choreographer living in Portland, OR. Throughout her life she has participated in many shows and musicals as well as studied many different styles of dance. After receiving a BA in Spanish Language with a minor in dance, she moved out to Los Angeles and was signed by Clear Talent Agency and began to dance professionally. She trained at some of the top studios in Los Angeles and had the opportunity to work on many different shows, music videos, and live performances for things like LA Fashion Week, ABC's Mixology, Tokyo Disney's Little Mermaid attraction and much more. She has been choreographing and adjudicating show choirs full time since 2012. She has had the opportunity to work with and clinic for many amazing programs, All State Show Choirs, and groups in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Indiana, South Dakota, Ohio, Nebraska, Illinois, Arizona, California, West Virginia, and Texas . She is honored to be here, thanks everyone for the hospitality, and wishes everyone competing the best of luck!!

 

KALEIGH CHRIST (Friday) received her music education degree from Millikin University in 2010. While at Millikin, she sang with the flagship ensemble, the University Choir, traveling to China and being a featured soloist on their recorded album “Hearts All Whole.” Kaleigh served as the director of the Pekin Community High School choral department and show choirs from 2010-2015. She then moved to Metamora, IL, where she taught Vocal Music and Choir at Metamora Grade School. Kaleigh now resides in Metamora with her husband, three children, and their family pup. She teaches private voice and piano, as well as serving the Pekin Community as the director of their community choral ensemble "Friends in Harmony." She is so thrilled to be here today at Glenwood and wishes everyone an incredible weekend of music!

 

BEN EKLUND (Friday/Saturday) is a freelance choreographer residing in Omaha, Nebraska. Grow up in nationally recognized choral environments sparked his passion for working in the show choir industry. After graduating from Lincoln Southwest High School, he went on to study Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Currently, Ben designs shows, choreographs, and clinics for number of schools across the country. These schools have earned finals appearances, best vocals, best choreography, and grand champion honors. In past summers, Ben was given the privilege to choreograph a group at the Nebraska Show Choir Camp. He has also had the opportunity to choreograph for the Missouri, Illinois and South Dakota All-State Show Choirs. When choreography season slows down, Ben often spends his time with his 2 kids August and Indie, and attending NBA games with his wife Melissa when able. He feels truly blessed to work with such talented directors and fine young performers. Ben would like to thank all, especially his wife Melissa, who has supported and aided his growth as a choreographer and educator.

 

DR. PETE EKLUND (Friday/Saturday) is the President of the University of Nebraska Faculty, a position he assumed this past May. Last January, via prestigious invitation, he took 124 of his University of Nebraska singers via a charter jet to sing at the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda performing with the “Presidents Own” Marine Corps Band. He has headed the large choral department at the University for over two decades where he built a comprehensive, nationally-recognized, and honored program. His curricular choirs have been invited to perform on 46 conventions of music educators and choral directors. He has conducted over two dozen All-State choirs, many on more than one occasion. One of the most active and versatile international conductors today, Dr. Eklund possesses a unique ability to work effectively with musicians at all levels of performing capability and experience. His concertizing/clinician schedule averages 60 national and international concerts annually and includes a wide array of professional, orchestral, collegiate, liturgical, festival, and youth/student ensembles throughout North America and Europe. Trained as a classical pianist and organist in the finest traditions of Western historical music, he now is also a strong advocate for ethnic, contemporary, and world music spanning all genres. His expertise in show choir includes directing high school choirs where they were awarded grand champion status over 95% of the time. He started the University contemporary choral ensemble, Big Red Singers, to provide a platform for students who enjoy the show choir environment and/or enjoy learning how to direct show ensembles at a high level. He frequently also directs high school All-State Show Choirs and just this past fall, directed the Illinois All-State Show Choir. He is excited to return to Illinois.

 

MARTY LINDVAHL (Friday/Saturday), an esteemed Eastern Illinois University graduate, has dedicated thirty-four years to music education in Indiana and Illinois, with a significant impact during her nine years at Danville High School. Her extensive experience as a contest adjudicator and clinician, along with her role as a guest conductor at Midwest festivals, showcases her profound influence in shaping aspiring musicians. Marty's engagement extends into her community through leading the Danville Men’s Barbershop Chorus and participating in the jazz/pop ensemble, Doc Ashton and the Root Canals. Her dedication is also evident in her service roles within her church, where she contributes to the music program and volunteers at the monthly Food Pantry. Marty along with her son in law Aaron is the co-founder of Judge's Assistant, a premiere dictation software for adjudication in all the pageantry arts. The idea was simple yet revolutionary—develop a tool that would make it easy for judges to provide insightful, real-time feedback without the hassle. Designed with user-friendliness at its core, Judge's Assistant allows judges to focus wholly on the performance, ensuring no detail or nuance deserving feedback is missed all through a clear, organized memo. In addition to her vocal and choral achievements, Marty's musical versatility shines through her performance with the Danville Municipal Band, her involvement on the board of the Danville Symphony Orchestra and her work with the DLO Musical Theatre. Outside her professional pursuits, Marty cherishes family life with her husband, Mark Lindvahl, and their children and grandchildren. Her legacy is marked by a passion for music and community service, enriching countless lives through her commitment and talent.

 

AARON ZART (Saturday) is in his tenth year as a high school vocal music educator. After earning his degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he started his career teaching at Troy Buchanan High School in Troy, MO before returning to teach at his alma mater, Lincoln East High School in Lincoln, NE. Currently, he works with students at Pattonville High School in St. Louis, MO. Over his career, Zart has worked with concert choirs, show choirs, chamber choirs, and a cappella groups. His students have had opportunities to perform in beautiful venues all over the country and have been recipients of many awards and accolades. Students and ensembles under his direction have participated in All-State chorus, been named Grand Champions at numerous show choir competitions, and earned superior ratings at district and state level solo, small ensemble, and large ensemble events. Zart is often called upon to serve as a clinician, judge, or coach for many choirs and vocal groups across various genres. He is also an award-winning arranger. He writes and arranges for show choirs, a cappella groups, and barbershop ensembles across the country. Outside of teaching, Zart’s passion is barbershop harmony. He most recently served as co-director of the Lincoln Continentals Barbershop Chorus in addition to being the founder and director of Lincoln’s first ever youth barbershop chorus, The Good Life Chorus in 2013. He has performed with many groups throughout his barbershop career as a lead singer at the international level. Most recently, he competed in Cleveland, OH at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International contest with his quartet, Fleet Street, earning 14th place in the world. He has also competed with the Ambassadors of Harmony who were crowned International Chorus Champions for the fifth time in 2023. In addition to singing and performing barbershop music, Zart also loves bringing the artform to young singers. He has served in many different roles at a cappella camps and workshops all over the country, but most notably Harmony Explosion in Lincoln, NE and UMSL’s Acappellooza Summer in St. Louis, MO. When he isn’t making music, Zart enjoys spending time with his incredible wife, Jacqueline, and their three dogs - Meeko, Penny, and Roland. He also loves quality time with his family and friends, hiking in National Parks, watching hockey, and rooting for a very challenging Husker football team. He is extremely honored to join everybody at The EVENT, and is looking forward to a fun day of amazing performances!

 

BILL MITCHELL (Saturday Combos) is an accomplished trombonist and educator currently residing in the Springfield area. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Bill has earned a Bachelors of Music Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Masters in Trombone Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has performed with just about every type of ensemble imaginable. Most notably he has performed with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Lake Shore Symphony, The Chicago Trombone Authority, various big bands throughout the Chicagoland area, and even a few brass bands and polka bands. Bill is currently the Director of Bands at Glenwood High School in Chatham, IL. He also serves as the Band Director and Jazz Band Director at the University of Illinois-Springfield.

 

SETH JOHNSON (Solo Competition) is a tenor with a passion for both opera and education. Hailing from Illinois, he is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. During his time in Peoria, his interest in opera was piqued through his work with arts organizations such as Opera Illinois and Bradley Opera Youth Outreach. Shortly after graduating, Seth moved from Illinois to Ohio where he began work with the local arts scene. He has worked with many local arts organizations in several capacities, including as a performer in various roles with Toledo Opera and Detroit Opera, soloist with Masterworks Chorale, performer for Toledo Symphony Orchestra, both house manager and resident artist at Ohio Light Opera, and education administrator at Great Lakes Light Opera. Johnson works with many of these companies regularly, being cast in supporting roles of various sizes including Vanderdendur in Candide, Pritschitsch in The Merry Widow, Giuseppe in La Traviata, Le Petit Veillard and L'Horloge comtoise in L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, Von Marambot in Cloclo, Magus in Gift of the Magi, Pop in The Pajama Game, and the Purser in Anything Goes. His work in supporting roles does not preclude Mr. Johnson from commanding the stage as a leading man. Throughout his time on the stage, Johnson has also performed such roles as Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, L’amante in Amelia al ballo, Archibald Grosvenor in Patience, and Gabriel von Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus. In 2021, Seth completed his Master’s in Vocal Performance at the University of Toledo, where he began his collegiate teaching experience as a Teaching Assistant for vocal pedagogy and repertoire, chamber singers, music theory/aural skills, and opera workshop. Now, Mr. Johnson can be found teaching an array of classes at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, OH including voice lessons, piano lessons, class piano, music theory, aural skills, professions of music, and music business. Johnson also manages his own private voice and piano studio.

 

HALLE BROCKAMP (Best Performer) is based in the Peoria, Illinois area. She is a graduate of Millikin University where she received a Bachelors of Music in Music Business with a vocal emphasis. Ms. Brockamp serves as the director of the Titan Flame Show Choir while also lending a hand to the rest of the show choir program. When she’s not working with the students at Glenwood, Halle works as a Service Center Quality Control Specialist for Busey Bank. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with her friends and family. Halle is excited to see all of the wonderful performers at The EVENT!​​

 

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