Biographies2015

Winners of the 2014-2015 Concerto/Aria Competition

David Nelson

David Nelson is a sophomore baritone from Woodbury, Minnesota, double majoring in Music Performance and Mathematics. He began singing at the age of seven in the Minnesota Boychoir, and attributes much of his growth to his ten years in the choir under the direction of Mark Johnson. Throughout his career, he has performed with many organizations including the Minnesota Opera and Minnesota Orchestra, and has had the opportunity to sing across the world, including at the Sydney Opera House, St. Peter's Basilica, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Notre Dame. In 2013, he was a featured round artist in Minnesota Public Radio's Minnesota Varsity competition. At Gustavus, he studies with Dr. Seth Keeton, and sings in the Gustavus Choir. He also plays violin in the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and Gustavus Philharmonic Orchestra, and plays Baritone Saxophone in the Adolphus Jazz Ensemble. This summer, he will be performing in Mill City Opera's production of The Daughter of the Regiment.

Rebecca Ihnen

Rebecca Ihnen is a junior music major with arts administration and strategic communication minors from West Des Moines, Iowa. She is a Bjorling Scholar and Gustavus Music Award winner. During her time at Gustavus, she has been a member of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, the Gustavus Chamber Winds, Choir of Christ Chapel, and the Wildcards Oboe Trio. She has studied and played the oboe for twelve years and currently studies with Gustavus professor Sarah Erickson-Lume. This summer, Rebecca will be an intern with the Des Moines Symphony's Marketing Department and perform in Amy Beth Kirsten's chamber opera, "Ophelia Forever",for Omaha Under the Radar and Des Moines Under the Radar.

Jamie Lichy

Jamie Lichy is a senior Psychological Science major from Champlin Minnesota. She started playing flute at the age of nine and has participated in numerous honors ensembles including Minnesota All-State band 2010 and 2011 where she was principal chair, Minnesota Youth Symphony Orchestra, the All-American honors performance band, and was the three time winner of the North Suburban Scholarship competition. At Gustavus, Jamie is a Bjorling scholarship recipient and takes private lessons with Barbara Leibundguth. Within the music department she is a member of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, High Five Quintet, and flute section leader of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra. Following graduation, Jamie will be pursuing her masters degree in counseling and student personnel psychology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.