Dr. Jeremy Brekke has been an associate professor of trumpet at NDSU since 2008, teaching high brass, chamber groups, jazz lab band, and jazz combo. Jeremy was the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Loyola University in New Orleans from 2002-2008. Jeremy earned a BS in Music Education from NDSU and a MM and DA from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO.
Matthew Tinjum started playing drums at the age of five and has played with artists such as Kris Kristofferson, rock violinist Mark Wood, national touring group 32 Below, and national touring vocal group The Diamonds. He has also previously performed with Act Up Theater’s Spring Awakening at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world. Matthew completed his Bachelor of Music at Minnesota State University Moorhead where he played for the Straw Hat Players, jazz combos, commercial ensemble, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble, symphony orchestra, and spent plenty of time in the studio. Currently, Matthew is tracking drums and percussion for numerous artists, freelancing gigs with numerous groups, and teaching. Matthew has been teaching drums and percussion publicly and privately for twelve years; He currently manages the teaching studio at Drummer’s Journey in Moorhead, MN and is also an adjunct professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Most recently, with the Kicks Band of Fargo Moorhead, he can be heard on their album, Big Band Originals 2025 and is honored to be involved with this historic organization.
John DiFiore holds a BM in clarinet performance from the Manhattan School of Music. John taught saxophone at Valley City State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead until retiring in 2011. John has extensive professional performance experience most notably touring with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Glenn Miller Orchestra, MAME a national Broadway show touring company, FM Jazz Arts Group, and Mike and the Monsters.
Eric Dill holds a Bachelor of Science in Music from North Dakota State University and currently works as the woodwind specialist and lessons coordinator at Schmitt Music in Fargo. Besides the Kicks band, he has performed with the Dempsey’s Big Band, NDSU Jazz Combos, and as a substitute with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, as well as several pit orchestras in the FM area.
Keith Eider is currently a band director with Fargo Public Schools and maintains a private trumpet studio. Keith holds a MM degree in Music Education from NDSU. Keith holds the lead trumpet position in the Lake Agassiz Concert Band and enjoys performing with various area groups.
Bruce Geske studied music performance at Indiana University and played professionally in the Indianapolis area for 5 years. Bruce worked overseas serving as a Thailand missionary for 25 years before returning to the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Race Hoglund holds a BM from Concordia College and currently teaches jazz and music composition at Fargo South High School. Race performed with notable musicians such as Don Braden, Peter Erskine, Terell Stafford, Chad Lefkowitz Brown, Dick Oatts, Danny Seraphine, Benny Benack III, and Bernie Dresel. Race is a composer/arranger for his jazz combo the Jazz Committee.
Amy Johnson earned her M.M. Degree from North Dakota State University and her B.S. Degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Amy performs regularly with a variety of music groups in the area. Amy is currently a band director at Liberty Middle School in West Fargo.
Paul Liversage has been a music educator in Minnesota since 1984. Paul is an alumnus of NDSU and received his master’s degree in music education from Florida State University. Paul is an inaugural member of the Lake Agassiz Concert Band, Hard Bop Saxophone Quartet, and the Jazz Arts Big Band.
Jon Lucht is currently a band director at Discovery Middle School in Fargo. Jon graduated from UND with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education. Jon has performed in several area groups as far back as 1980, including Large Olive, The Wurst Band, Dick King, Shrine Circus Band, Myra Jazz Band, and the Jazz Arts Group. Jon also directs the orchestra at Bethel Church.
Josh Mathern studied bass trombone at DePaul University in Chicago. Josh is a Fargo South graduate, studying bass trombone with Ed Huttlin. Josh enjoys performing with a wide range of professional and amateur ensembles in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Doug Neill is currently an adjunct bass and tuba instructor at NDSU, MSUM, and Concordia College. Doug recently retired after 34 years of teaching band, choir, orchestra, and general music in the Moorhead school system. Neill has been the principal tubist with the FM Symphony since 1981. Doug earned his master’s degree in Music Education from MSUM and has performed with the Jazz Arts Group, the Dick King Band, Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome, and many other professional groups.
Joey Pettit is a freelance musician and software developer from the Fargo Moorhead area. A native of Fergus Falls, he completed degrees in music performance from UW-Steven’s Point and received his Master’s from Arizona State University, where he studied with renowned bassist Catalin Rotaru. Pettit served as principal bassist of La Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional del Ecuador prior to becoming an instructor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he taught until 2021. He now lives in Moorhead with his girlfriend and poodle.
Matthew Salzer received a BS in Instrumental Music Education from NDSU and a Master’s in Music from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. He has been a band teacher in Minnesota and North Dakota. Currently, Matthew teaches band, jazz band, and woodwind and trombone sectionals at Discovery Middle School in Fargo, ND.
Steve received a Bachelor of Music from Minnesota State University Moorhead, majoring in Music Performance and Music for Film and TV. He owns River Wall Studio, producing audio for ads and musicians. Attended five International Trombone Festivals and mentored by a NYC studio musician. A member of ND All State Band, UND Honor Band, FM Youth Symphony, International Music Camp, and Trollwood Performing Arts School. Performed with The Temptations, Wayne Newton, Michael Feinstein & Carnegie Hall Big Band, and with musicians from Top 40 bands. Engineerd a VO for a Food Network series and TV spots for Blue Cross, Essentia, Alerus, Shooting Star, and many more. Steve does PT stadium audio for RedHawks baseball; worked at Prairie Public TV; and then for a decade at Media Productions/FlintGroup.
Keith Wander He received a Bachelor of Music from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota and a Master of Science in Music Education from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Keith is the Past President of the Northwest Region Of the Minnesota Band Directors Association and has been the Director of Bands at Hawley High School since 1983. He was the Minnesota representative of 50 Band Directors That Make A Difference in School Band and Orchestra Magazine in 2013. Keith was also nominated as Director of The Year in 2014 for Schmitt Music Centers in Brooklyn Park, MN. Keith teaches music theory, theater arts, and performance at Hawley High School.
