EIU Department of Music

Administrators 

Rebecca Johnson, Director

Flutist Rebecca Johnson is the newly appointed Assistant Professor of Flute at Eastern Illinois University, where she has taught since 2007, and is 2^nd flutist of the orchestra Sinfonia da Camera. Dr. Johnson enjoys national prominence as performer and teacher through her work on numerous guest artist recital series, master classes, festivals and orchestras. Internationally, she has regularly performed and taught at the Convención Internacionál de las Flautistas in Quito, Ecuador, since 2009, and was a featured artist at the 2018 Festival Internacional de Flautistas in São Paulo, Brazil. She currently serves the National Flute Association as the Program Chair for the 2019 NFA convention.

 Dr. Johnson was a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England. She holds degrees from the University of Illinois (DMA), the University of Louisville (MM), the Royal Northern College of Music (PGDip, PPRNCM) and the University of Northern Iowa (BM).

Anna Cromwell, Associate Director

Anna Cromwell is Associate Professor of violin and viola at Eastern Illinois University. She has taught at Western Kentucky University, Minnesota State University, Bravo! Summer String and Keyboard Institute, and Tennessee Valley Music Festival. Cromwell can be heard performing in Duo XXI with cellist Dr. Mira Frisch on the CD, Quest: New Music for Violin and Cello, released in late 2010 by Albany Records. Duo XXI’s second CD, Metal Cicadas, was released by Albany Records in 2014. As an avid teacher and lecturer, Dr. Cromwell has given numerous presentations at state and national conferences such as the Music Teachers National Association Conference, the American String Teachers Association National Conference, and the Illinois Music Educators State Conference. In addition, Dr. Cromwell’s articles have appeared in the NCASTA online journal and the Illinois ASTA journal The Scroll.

Danelle Larson - Assistant Director

Danelle Larson is currently Eastern Music Camp Assistant Director, an Associate Professor of Music Education and Director of the Music Education Division at Eastern Illinois University.  Prior to her appointment at Eastern Illinois University, she earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music education from Arizona State University.  Dr. Larson holds a Master's degree in music education from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in music education with an emphasis in flute performance from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Larson has ten years of teaching experience in public school music programs, including instruction with beginning, middle, and high school levels of concert bands, chamber ensembles, marching bands, jazz bands, and orchestras.  She has also worked with K-8 general music and advanced placement music theory classes.  She taught music in public schools in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Georgia.

Deans

Dave "Davey" Mast - Head Dean

Dave "Davey" Mast has been a part of Eastern Music Camps for the past 20 years.  He joined the Eastern Music Camp staff as a counselor in the Summer of 1999, and has since held the positions of Assistant Dean, Assistant Director, Interim Co-Director and is currently Head Dean of Campers.  Prior to being on staff, he attended Eastern Music Camps as a camper from sixth grade through his senior year in high school participating in Jr./Sr. Band Camp and the Midwest Percussion Camp.  After being a camper for 7 years and spending one week at EIU summer after summer, it wasn't a hard decision for him to decide which university he would attend to pursue his teaching career.  Dave attended Eastern Illinois University where he received his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Elementary Education with the Middle Level Option. Shortly after beginning to teach he returned to Eastern Illinois University and completed his Masters Degree in Educational Administration. Currently, he lives in Savoy with his wife, Amanda and their two children, Tanner and Brynn.  He is an employee with the Champaign Unit 4 School District where he taught sixth grade science at Franklin STEAM Academy for 9 years and has been the Associate Principal at Franklin STEAM Academy for the past 6 years.  He is truly invested in Eastern Music Camps and returns this summer for his 21st year on staff with a passion to ensure all campers have the same amazing music camp experience he experiences year after year."

Charity Astrouski - Assistant Dean

Charity Astrouski has enjoyed being part of Eastern Music Camps for eleven years. Charity joined the camp staff in 2008, serving as a counselor and saxophone instructor. She now serves as Assistant Dean, a position she has held since 2012. From 2009 - 2014, Charity worked as director of instrumental music in Bement, IL. Before teaching in Bement, Charity studied saxophone at Eastern Illinois University where she earned Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Performance and Music Education. During the 2014/2015 school year, she was a substitute teacher in Wisconsin (Madison area), where she had the opportunity to work with huge music programs and ensembles including Orchestra, Choir, Band, and even ukulele classes. She is currently the band director in Shelbyville, IL. In her spare time, she enjoys playing softball with her brothers, caring for her turtle (Opal), spending time with her five nieces and nephews, and traveling with her husband. Originally from Flanagan, Illinois, Charity is the product of a small-school music program. For her, the opportunity to study and perform music was a blessing, and she enjoys helping campers at Eastern Music Camp form their own musical memories.

Bryan Chesi - Assistant Dean

Bryan Chesi has been a part of the staff at Eastern Music Camp for the past 15 years. He started as a counselor in the summer of 2004 and has since taught master classes, sectionals, and served as an Assistant Dean, a role he is still serving this summer. Prior to working with the camp, Bryan attended EMC as a jazz camper for four years. When Bryan decided to pursue a degree in Jazz Studies and Music Education, the experiences Bryan had with EIU faculty while attending camp helped him choose to attend Eastern Illinois University. After graduation, Bryan taught middle school in the Chicago area for five years and then returned to EIU to pursue a Master's Degree in Wind Conducting. After graduating with a Master's in Wind Conducting, Bryan made the move to Fresno California where he serves as the Director of Instrumental Music at Clovis West High School. Bryan is very invested in Eastern Music Camps and believes strongly in the excellent musical opportunities offered to campers, as well as the personal attention campers receive from EIU Music Department faculty.

Rose Cloud - Assistant Dean

Rose Cloud is the current 5th and 6th grade band director in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 in Downers Grove, Illinois. There she is responsible for beginning band instruction at four buildings as well as after school full ensembles and a middle school jazz improvisation workshop. She also teaches a private woodwind studio at the Music Makers Studio in Western Springs. Rose graduated from EIU in May of 2017 with a degree in Music Education and a minor in Spanish, and she participated in the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Saxophone Quartet, Panther Marching Band, and Jazz Combos as well as several local rock and jazz bands. She primarily plays the tenor saxophone but also enjoys flute and clarinet, since one of her favorite pastimes is performing in pit orchestras; she is occasionally known to appear on percussion, trombone, or jazz vocals for an extra adventure. Her other interests include Salsa dancing, origami, baking, biking, and reading. This is Rose's first year as an Assistant Dean at EMC, where she has enjoyed five years as a counselor and prior to that served on the logistics team. She attended Eastern's Concert Band Camp and Jazz Camp for three years in high school, and she is looking forward to another great summer with the wonderful team at EMC!

Counselors

Lindsey Alexander

Lindsey Alexander will be starting her seventh year at Eastern Music Camp this year. She started working with the Logistics Crew as well as teaching percussion sectionals in 2012 and became a counselor for Eastern Music Camp in the summer of 2013. Before she was on staff for Eastern Music Camp, Lindsey attended McKendree University where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Percussion Performance). After graduating from McKendree, Lindsey was excited to continue her passion of music by accepting a graduate assistantship at Eastern Illinois University, where she finished her Master of Arts in Music (Percussion Performance) in 2013. Between her time at McKendree and EIU, Lindsey married her husband, Jeremy, in the summer of 2011. They live in Charleston, IL, where Lindsey continues to practice music and work as a substitute teacher in Charleston and Mattoon. She spends much of her time at Monticello High School where she is the front ensemble instructor for the Sages and will be working with the St. Joseph Ogden Marching Band this summer. She recently finished her first season with Mater Dei Indoor Percussion and has previously worked for INov8 Winter Percussion in Indiana. Her love for teaching and instilling the love of music in younger generations grows each year and she is very excited to return to the staff of Eastern Music Camp!

Conor Baltz

Conor Baltz, originally from Millstadt, IL, was a camper in the EMC Jazz Camp for four years, and this will be his fourth summer as a counselor. Attending EMC made his college decision process very easy, and he started at Eastern Illinois in the fall of 2015. Conor graduated this past spring with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He was very involved with music throughout high school and college, where he was involved in EIU’s Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, and many other ensembles. He now works at EIU’s Doudna Fine Arts Center as the Assistant Technical Director, and also teaches private percussion and drum set lessons. Eastern Music Camp helped Conor to realize his passion for music, and he is excited to continue to help students have the same great experience that he had during his years at EMC.

Addie Bayer

Addie Bayer is a Charleston High School graduate and is an incoming junior at Eastern Illinois University. She studies piano performance with a focus in jazz studies. She enjoys playing diverse styles of music, as she has played for the EIU Jazz Ensemble, the Blue Note Quartet, and the Eastern Symphonic Orchestra. She also has experience with choral accompaniment, liturgical music, worship music, and various types of entertainment music performance. She is an active leader and worship band member at EIU’s Christian Campus House and is a regular pianist for the Newman Catholic Center—both religious student groups on campus. Addie also greatly enjoys teaching piano to students of all ages. She was an EMC camper for one year, and she is thrilled for the opportunity to return.

Teresa Coulton

Teresa Coulton just graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master's Degree in Flute Performance and also has an undergraduate degree in Music Education from EIU. This is Teresa's sixth year as an Eastern Music Camp counselor, and she is excited to be back to work with the campers. Teresa has experience working with students of all ages. She has recently substitute taught K-12, student taught at the middle and high school levels, and currently teaches flute to young beginners through high school seniors. Teresa enjoys playing flute and teaching her wonderful flute students. She is eager to begin her sixth year at EMC and hopes to help provide campers with an exciting and memorable week.

Christina Farley

Christina Farley is the 5th through 8th grade band director at Mayo Middle School and Carolyn-Wenz Elementary School in Paris, IL; she teaches jazz band, 5th grade beginning band, 6th grade concert band, percussion ensemble, and 7/8th grade bands (concert, pep, and parade). She is spending her sixth summer here at Eastern Music Camp. Christina started playing the saxophone at the age of 11 and as she went through school, she developed a love for music and a passion for helping others; this influenced her to devote her life to music education. She graduated from EIU in the Spring of 2017 and is delighted to have the opportunity to come back to campus to work with students one-on-one, helping them to develop both their abilities and her own. Christina's love for teaching and passion for music have led her to Eastern Music Camp. She couldn't be more excited to spend the week helping others experience music in a new way, and she is looking forward to helping students make the most of their camp experience.

Jackson Frosch

From Alton IL, Jackson Frosch is a recent EIU graduate where he earned a degree in Jazz Studies. At EIU, Jackson participated in a number of ensembles including the Panther Marching Band, the EIU Jazz Ensemble, and the EIU Jazz Combo. He has given guitar lessons for a number of years and spent the last four years giving lessons through Charleston's Community Music Program. Jackson is excited to return for his fourth summer as a counselor at Eastern Music Camp!

Laura Hanrahan

Laura Hanrahan, originally from Harrisburg, Illinois, will be returning for her fifth year as a counselor at Eastern Music Camp. Laura is the current music director at Laton Unified School District in Laton, California. There she is responsible for building a K-12 music program where one hasn’t existed in thirty years. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University in May of 2018 with a degree in Music Education and participated in the Wind Symphony, Woodwind Quintet, and Orchestra. Laura is very excited to be returning to EMC and looks forwards to another memorable week!

Kate Herder

Kate Herder, from Frankfort, IL, has been attending Eastern Music Camp since 2010 where she has spent five years as a camper, one year as an intern, and three years as a counselor. Kate recently graduated from Eastern Illinois University where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music with an Instrumental Concentration. Kate taught K-6 music and directed 5-12 band at Stewardson-Strasburg CUSD 5A for the 2018-2019 school year. When Kate is not teaching, she enjoys coaching the Windsor Stewardson-Strasburg High School Hatchet softball team and riding her bike. Kate is excited to return to EMC as a counselor to help further students' love of music and performing. Eastern Music Camp has provided Kate with many great opportunities She hopes to help other campers enjoy EMC as much as she has in hopes that they too can create great memories and experiences.

Alyssa Jacobucci

Alyssa Jacobucci, from Manteno, Illinois, has been involved with EMC since 2012 where she spent six years as a camper, one year as an intern, and is now excited to return as a counselor. She is entering her junior year as a student at Eastern and is pursuing a degree in performance. While at school, Alyssa performs in both the Wind Symphony and the Eastern Symphony Orchestra. For the past few summers, she has performed in a local municipal band and enjoys giving lessons to beginner oboists. It is Alyssa’s belief that EMC was one of the best musical experiences that she was offered, and it was one of the factors that helped her to choose Eastern. She is excited to return to camp and hopes that the campers this year will enjoy EMC as she had in the past.

Dan Matthews

Dan Matthews has worked with EMC for 11 summers in a number of roles.  He has been an instructor, counselor, and logistics manager.  Dan is an alum of the Eastern Illinois Music program graduating with a degree in saxophone performance.  After his time at Eastern, he went on to study Music Performance at the Eastman School of Music and Library and Information Sciences from Syracuse University. He is currently the Digital Services Librarian for Moraine Valley Community College.

Willie Morris

Willie, originally from Belleville, IL, attended Eastern Music Camp for 4 years prior to deciding to make Eastern Illinois University his new home. While at EIU, Willie performed in many groups including the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, and Saxophone Quartet. Aside from performance, Willie also took a great interest in education, participating as a two-time guest director at the Clark County Jazz, Festival, woodwind technician for multiple high schools, and instructor with the EIU Community Music Program. He has just concluded his studies at EIU earning bachelor’s degrees in both Music Education and Jazz Studies and will be continuing on to pursue his master’s degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School in New York City. Willie believes that Eastern Music Camp has been one of the greatest experiences of his life, which not only provided him with an extremely valuable musical experience, but also introduced him to some of his greatest friends. For this reason, he is ecstatic to return for his 5th summer as a counselor and pass on a wonderful EMC experience to all the campers!

John Wengerski

John Wengerski is approaching his third year with Eastern Music Camp and second year as a counselor. John is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor in Music - Teacher Licensure and Instrumental Concentration. As a Trombonist, he has enjoyed performing with the Eastern Illinois University Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, and a variety of chamber ensembles. He is also an avid conductor, having worked with the Eastern Illinois University Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra. He has recently completed his student teaching experience at Libertyville High School and Highland Middle School in Libertyville, Illinois where he worked with five Wind Bands ranging from 7th to 12th grade. John is eager to return to Eastern Music Camp and make many musical memories.

Interns 

Heidi Bletzinger

Heidi Bletzinger is in her junior year studying Music Education here at EIU. Her primary instrument is the trumpet, and she is originally from Mahomet Illinois. In the past year she has worked at some band festivals and helped lead sectionals and rehearsals. At EIU, she is a part of the Wind Symphony and Jazz Lab Band. In high school, she attended ISYM for a summer, and was later involved in various ensembles at Parkland College and the University of Illinois before finding her home at EIU. This is Heidi's first year working at EMC, and she is thrilled to be a part of the event!

Brianna Koerner

Brianna Koerner is from Chatsworth, Illinois, and she has just completed her sophomore year at Eastern Illinois University. She is pursuing double degrees in Music and Digital Media. Brianna has been involved in many of the ensembles here at EIU, playing trumpet in Wind Symphony, Orchestra, and the Panther Marching Band. Brianna is looking forward to being an EMC intern and helping campers have a great week.

Max Ruholl

Max Ruholl is from Teutopolis, Illinois, and will be entering his sophomore year at DePaul University as a Trumpet Performance Major. He had attended EMC for three years before returning this year as an intern. At DePaul, Max participates in the Wind Symphony and chamber music groups. In high school, he was a drum major and president of the band. In 2018, he was a member of the ILMEA All-State Band. Max is excited to return to EMC this year as an intern.