Dale Gunderson - dgunderson@isd318.orgDale Gunderson began teaching at Grand Rapids in the fall of 1994. He is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education and an emphasis in Jazz Studies. He will complete his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration in the fall of 2010. As the Director of Bands at Grand Rapids, Mr. Gunderson is involved in every aspect of our comprehensive instrumental music program, including the Concert Bands, Jazz Ensembles, Marching Band, Pep Band, Pit Orchestra and the Theory and Composition classes. Mr. Gunderson is active as a clinician and performer throughout the Midwest. As director of the jazz program at Grand Rapids, he has brought in several world class clinicians including Rex Richardson, Wycliffe Gordon, Tom Brantley, Jeff Rupert, Bret Zvacek and Denis DiBlasio. Michael Thursby - mthursby@isd318.org
Anissa Grotjohn - agrotjohn@isd318.org
Anissa Grotjohn graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris, in 1996 with a B.A. in Music. As a flutist, Anissa performed with the UMM concert band, Wind Ensemble, Flute Choir, and Jazz Combos. Additionally, she played trombone in Cougar Jazz Ensemble. Mrs. Grotjohn has also enjoyed playing flute and trumpet with several local performing groups. Since moving to northern Minnesota in 1996, she has taught at Bigfork School, and Greenway’s Connor-Jasper Middle School. Most recently, Anissa taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade band at Virginia High School, and 7-12 grade band at Nashwauk Keewatin High School. She loves working with all ages, but especially enjoys working with middle school band students; their energy and enthusiasm makes every day a new adventure! Anissa teaches 6th grade band, 7th grade band, and lessons at RJEMS in Grand Rapids, MN.
Sarah Lynn Conlin - slconlin@gmail.comSarah Lynn Conlin began working with the Grand Rapids colorguard in the Fall of 2008. She began her colorguard experience performing with Chops Incorporated, a senior drum corps in Minneapolis in 2000. After 5 years, Sarah joined the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps and was named captain of the guard in her third and final year with the corps. To end her World Class marching career, Sarah auditioned for and aged-out with the Phantom Regiment Drum Corps in 2008, winning the World Championship title. Through her drum corps experience, she has also gone to college at the University of Minnesota Duluth and has received her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Teaching Communication Arts and Literature for the high school setting. Sarah loves teaching colorguard and has taught at UMD, Grand Rapids HS, Hibbing HS, St. Michael HS and Chops Incorporated. She plans to spin and teach as long as possible.
Eric Sundeen
Eric Sundeen is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a BM in percussion performance. He currently is the adjunct professor of percussion at Bemidji State University and is also the percussion coordinator at both Grand Rapids and Bemidji High Schools. Eric has performed internationally in Mexico, England, Scotland, Whales, Ireland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Russia. He has been a member of the Minneapolis based percussion ensemble CRASH since 1997. Eric was a member of the internationally acclaimed Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, and has performed and instructed Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps. Eric lives in Bemidji, Minnesota, with his wife and son and along with his teaching duties he runs drum circle clinics, teaches a preschool music class, maintains a private studio, plays in the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, Pelican Railroad, Rock Bottom and is also active as a freelance musician.
