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Grace University - Academics
Click on the links below to e-mail our full-time faculty for more information, or to contact a specific intructor.
– Professor of Music, Director of the Music Program
Dr. Zielke began teaching at Grace University in 1991. He directs the Grace Chorale, the Community Chorus, and the Women’s Choir. In addition, he teaches conducting, choral methods, church music, and private voice. Grace choirs have performed across America and twice taken concert tours to Australia. They have also performed with Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum, the Clarion Chorale, and Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Zielke has been conductor and Artistic Director for the Omaha Symphonic Chorus since their 2002-03 concert season. During this time he has prepared the chorus for performances of Haydn’s Mass in Time of War, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, the Mass in B minor by Bach, and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.
Dr. Zielke received the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (BA) from Tabor College, the Master of Music Education (MME) from Wichita State University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting (DMA) from the University Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). His conducting teachers include Dr. Harrison Boughton and Dr. Eph Ehly. He is a member of NATS and NMEA and serves as chair of the Repertoire & Standards Committee for Music and Worship for the Nebraska ACDA. Dr. Zielke enjoys conducting choral festivals, adjudicating music contests, and leading workshops on music and worship. He serves as Director of Music and Worship at Community Bible Church in Omaha.
His two daughters are active with choral music and music theatre. His wife Tamara is an elementary music specialist for Millard Public Schools.
– Director of Bands
Mr. James is an Associate Professor of Music, and has been at Grace since 1994.. Mr. James graduated from the University of Nebraska (B.M.E. in 1978 and M.M. in 1991). He taught high school instrumental music at Yutan Public Schools and later middle school music at Aurora public Schools. The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association has presented Mr. James with the Jack R. Snider Outstanding Young Band Director Award. He is also a recipient of the Outstanding Young Nebraska Band Director, Junior High Division presented by the American School Band Directors Association.
Mr. James teaches music theory, conducting, instrumental methods classes, arranging, applied low brass, and directs Concert Band. He also oversees all other instrumental ensembles, such as the Clarinet Quartet, Brass Ensemble, and Brass Trio.
Mr. James has 30 arrangements published, mostly with Mid-America Music Publishers and some with Light of the World Music. He serves as deacon chairman at Grace Baptist church in Omaha.
Jeff and his wife Pat have four children.
Kenneth Soh – Piano
Mr. Soh teaches our piano majors. He is an arranger, performer and teacher, and has produced three CD’s of his own solo piano music. He also has produced a number of CD’s for Christian Worldwide Ministries. He is founder and president of CWWW. He is owner and piano instructor at New Bright Future music school.
Staff Sergeant Kim T. Miller - Clarinet
Mrs. Miller has taught clarinet at Grace University since the fall of 2005. She is a member of the US Air Force Heartland of America Band stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska where she has performed with the Concert Band, Winds of Freedom woodwind quintet and the Clarinet Quartet since 1998. She received the Master of Music degree in clarinet performance from Arizona State University in 1998 and Bachelor of Music degree in education from Western Kentucky University in 1996. She has studied with Robert Spring, Todd Kerstetter and Joseph Brooks.
Rachael Means – Cello, Sightsinging and Ear Training, Strings
Mrs. Means is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony, and teaches privately with New Bright Future music school. She is director of the Omaha Home School Orchestras.
Don Swaggard – Horn
Mr Swaggard is retired from the Omaha Symphony and the Air Force Band, and remains active in Omaha brass groups and orchestras.
Steve Erickson – Trumpet
Mr. Erickson is principal trumpet of the Omaha Symphony and teaches privately.
Roger Nye – Bassoon
Mr. Nye is a bassoonist with the Omaha Symphony, currently on sabbatical while he is playing with the Boston Philharmonic.
Chris Saub – Guitar
Mr Saug has his own band, the Chris Saub Band, and is active in worship music in the Omaha area.
Paul Koenig – Voice
Mr. Koenig is minister of music at Dundee Presbyterian Church and is an experienced school music educator.
Joyce Reimer – Organ, Piano
Mrs. Reimer is organist and musician at First Presbyterian Church in Omaha. She has a large studio of private piano and organ students.
Kevin Maret – Percussion
Senior Airman Kevin H. Maret has been a member of the Heartland of America Band since October 2002. He currently performs as percussionist for the Concert Band, the Noteables Jazz Ensemble and Ceremonial Band.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Airman Maret graduated from Northwest Missouri State University, where he received the Bachelor of Science degree in music education in 1996. While there, he was recognized by Who’s Who among College Students and selected to the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra on Timpani. He also attended the University of Missouri Kansas City, where he received the Master of Music education degree in 2002.
Airman Maret has taught music in the St. Joseph and Kearney Missouri School districts. He has performed with the St. Joseph Symphony Concert Band and is principal percussionist with the Sioux City Symphony. Airman Maret has studied with Al Sergel, Dr. James Snell, and Ken Yoshida.
Mary Bircher – Harp
Mrs. Bircher is a harpist with theOmaha Symphony and teaches privately.
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