Cornerstone Academy of Clarinet

Dr. Elizabeth Aleksander is currently Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at Midland Lutheran College, a position she has held for three years. She recently presented two master classes and several concerts at the Universidad de Michoacan San Nicolas de Hidalgo in Morelia, Mexico. In addition, she received her Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2008; this degree culminated with her doctoral document entitled, “Gustav Jenner’s Clarinet Sonata in G Major, opus 5: An Analysis and Performance Guide with Stylistic Comparison to the Clarinet Sonatas, opus 120 of His Teacher, Johannes Brahms.”

Dr. Aleksander is very active in the worldwide clarinet community having recently participated in the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest®, the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, and Midwest ClariFest. In addition to students in her private studio and at Midland Luthern College, she has worked with clarinetists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln Southeast High School, Eastwood High School, Coconino High School, Northern Arizona University (NAU) Summer Music Camp, NAU Preparatory School, and Athens Community Music School. She maintains active memberships with the International Clarinet Association, College Music Society, Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society, and Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity.

Prior to receiving her DMA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dr. Aleksander received a Master Music degree from Northern Arizona University and Bachelor of Music from Ohio University-Athens. She has received Honorable Mention in several competitions sponsored by the Music Teachers’ National Association and was selected as a finalist for NAU’s concerto competition. Dr. Aleksander’s clarinet teachers include Drs. Diane Barger, Michael Sullivan, Rebecca Rischin, and Professor Kevin Schempf.

Janet Hildebrand

Janet Hildebrand is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in clarinet performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studies with Dr. Barger and serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Before moving to Lincoln, Ms. Hildebrand completed her Bachelor’s degree in clarinet performance at Florida State University (FSU) where she was a student of Drs. Deborah Bish and Frank Kowalsky. She has also studied clarinet with Dr. Kristina Belisle at the University of Akron. While attending school at Florida State, Ms. Hildebrand performed with various ensembles including the University Philharmonia and the FSU Wind Orchestra. She was principal clarinet of the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra in Oberlin, Ohio for two years and was selected to perform with the 2005 Florida Music Educators Association Intercollegiate Band. In addition to playing clarinet, Ms. Hildebrand is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity for women.

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While pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Clarinet Performance, Joshua Mietz serves as a private clarinet instructor in Lincoln, Nebraska. He enjoys a diverse career as a clarinetist and has performed with both the Missoula Symphony Orchestra as principal bass/E-flat clarinetist and the Missoula Children’s Theater as the assistant principal clarinetist. He also performs in numerous chamber ensembles throughout Colorado, Montana, and Nebraska. Recent honors include publication in the September 2007 International Clarinet Association’s quarterly journal, The Clarinet; election to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society; and an Honorable Mention Award at the 2006 University of Montana’s Concerto/Aria Competition.

Before studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with Dr. Diane Barger, Mr. Mietz earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Montana and studied with Drs. Maxine Ramey and Mary-Ann Jacobson. While in Montana he also worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant teaching Applied Clarinet, Clarinet Choir, and the Language of Music. As a secondary emphasis, Mr. Mietz studied conducting with Drs. Steven Bolstad, Luis Millan, and Kevin Griggs.

Prior to his study at the University of Montana, Mr. Mietz taught junior high and high school band and orchestra in public schools in Colorado as well as performed with the Denver Pops Orchestra under the baton of Zina Richardson. Mr. Mietz received a Bachelor of Music in clarinet performance in 2001 from the University of Colorado-Boulder and studied with Professor Daniel Silver, Bil Jackson of the Colorado Symphony, Dr. Phillip Aaholm, and Professor Allan McMurray (conducting).

David Woods is completing his Senior year as a clarinet major in the Bachelor of Music Education program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) studying with Dr. Diane Barger. He has regularly performed as a member of the UNL Symphony Orchestra, UNL Wind Ensemble, and principal clarinet with the UNL Symphonic Band. During his academic career, Mr. Woods won the Nebraska Music Teachers Association (NMTA) Collegiate Woodwind Competition and participated in several master classes with renowned clarinet pedagogues Drs. Frank Kowalsky, Robert Spring, and Nathan Williams and internationally acclaimed clarinet soloist Jose Franch-Ballester. Mr. Woods was a member of the Liquid Velvet Woodwind Quintet for the 2007-2008 season where he performed for several UNL events, toured throughout Kansas City, Missouri, achieved first place in the Nebraska State MTNA Chamber Music Competition, and won the Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music Competition. Mr. Woods enjoys making music and is excited to share his joy and passion with others!

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Meet Our Instructors