MBDA Central Region (CMBDA)

1. Calendar
2. Documents
3. Board of Directors
4. Schools

Central Region Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events

9/10, 6/8 Honor Band - January 18, 2025 (Elk River High School)
Middle Level Festival (Middle School) - February 27, 2025 (Providence Academy)
Honor Jazz Band - March 8, 2025 (Pierz High School)
Beginning Band/Second Year Honor Band - May 3, 2025 (Zimmerman High School)

Central Region Board of Directors

President: Justin J. Frerich

Justin J. Frerich is the 9-12 Band Director at Becker High School in Becker, Minnesota. In Becker he teaches three bands, a jazz band, marching band, pep band, class guitar, and two music history courses. He advocates for all students to have access to music in their education, and encourages musical growth for all his students. Prior to his position in Becker, he was the 5-12 Band Director at Kimball Area Public Schools, as well as the 5-12 Band Director in the Renville County West School District. He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from St. Cloud State University in 2017. He received his Master of Music in Music Education from the American Band College of Central Washington University in 2023.

Vice President/President Elect: Caitlin Becks

Caitlin Becks is the band director for grades 5-12 at the New London Spicer School District in New London, MN. She also serves as the director for the MN FFA State Honor Band annually at the MN State FFA Convention. Caitlin grew up in Paynesville, MN, and recently moved back to the area.

Prior to obtaining her position with the NLS school district, Caitlin taught music in Crookston MN, Pembina ND, St. Paul MN, and Grand Forks ND. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, and a Masters of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music, Chicago. In addition to teaching, Caitlin enjoys spending time with her

Past-President: Kristine Schuldt

Secretary: Britta Bauer

Britta has worked at Rockford Middle School - Center for Environmental Studies since 2018 where she teaches band and general music. Britta also directs the RMS-CES jazz band and is the assistant director for the Rockford Marching Band. Britta has been teaching middle school band and classroom music since 2013. Prior to teaching at Rockford Middle School, she taught at Kasson-Mantorville Middle School and Saint Francis Middle School. Britta graduated from the University of MN - Twin Cities with her Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2012.

Treasurer: Todd Peterson

Todd is in his 7th year of teaching at Little Falls Community High School, where he leads the Wind Symphony, Concert Band and Jazz program. He received his Bachelors from the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!) and his Master in Music Education at Northern State University. In his spare time, Todd enjoys playing music with friends, hiking, camping, learning new board games, playing golf and spending time with his wife Jessica and their 1 year old son, Oliver.

Membership: Jerald Ferdig

Mr. Ferdig is the director of bands for grades 8-12 at Rockford Schools. Mr. Ferdig received his undergraduate degree from Bemidji State University in 1999 and his master's degree in music education from the University of Minnesota in the twin cities. After student teaching in the Becker School District, Mr. Ferdig received his first job at Butterfield-Odin Public Schools where he taught 5-12 band for 6 years. This is Mr. Ferdig’s 19th year at Rockford Schools. Mr. Ferdig also conducts the high school pep band, summer marching band, the pit orchestra for the high school musical, and 2 high school jazz bands. Mr. Ferdig also serves as a board member for the Bemidji State University Music Camp.

9-10 Honor Band Chair: Peter Gepson

Peter Gepson is in his twenty-fifth year of teaching and his thirteenth with the Glencoe-Silver Lake Public Schools. He has previously served in the Minnesota school districts of Virginia, Triton (Dodge Center), and Albert Lea. He holds a B.A in Economics from Northwestern College (Orange City, IA) and a B.M.E from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and an M.M degree in Euphonium Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At all three institutions, he was a featured soloist on concerts and tours. In 2015, he earned a certificate in Inclusive Classroom Teaching from the University of La Verne (CA).

Mr. Gepson has served as a section coach on nearly all instruments at regional and state honor bands--including the 2000 and 2001 Minnesota All-State Bands. He is a frequent adjudicator at Minnesota State High School League Solo/Ensemble and Large Group Contests. He has been the guest conductor of the CMBDA Jazz Honor Band and has twice led the Bethany Lutheran College Fall Festival Band.

6-8 Honor Band Chair: Carina Belford

Carina Belford is currently the Elementary Band Director at Milaca Public Schools. She has been there for the past four years out of the four years of her teaching career. At Milaca she is in charge of the 5th-7th grade concert bands, weekly small group lessons for grades 5-7, as well as 5th Grade Marching Band and Jr. High Marching Marching Band (grades 6-7) at Milaca. Prior to teaching in Milaca Carina taught as a long and short term substitute for the school districts of ISD 728, St. Cloud, and Sartell for a year. Carina holds a Bachelor’s degree in teaching K-12 Instrumental and General Music from St. Cloud State University as well as a minor in Special Education.

Jazz Honor Band Chair: Miles Otstot

Miles is currently the 8-12 band director at Watertown-Mayer public schools. Miles holds an undergraduate degree from Concordia College and a masters degree from the University of St. Thomas. At Watertown-Mayer, Miles teaches an 8th grade band, 9th grade band, and combined 10-12 grade Symphonic Band. He also leads extracurricular groups such as pep band, jazz band and pit orchestra. Miles is currently in his third year at Watertown-Mayer and previously taught at NRHEG public schools for 5 years.

BBFestival Chair: Carl Mathwig

Carl has been teaching middle school band in Pierz MN since 2018. Carl currently holds a Masters in Music Education from Northern State University. Carl is very active in teaching the marching arts and enjoys working with various groups. Apart from teaching, Carl is an active performer and member of various ensembles including the Central Lakes College Wind Symphony, Little Falls St. Francis Brass Choir, and various brass/jazz ensembles. His primary instruments are saxophone, euphonium, trumpet, and trombone.

SYFestival Chair: Annie Nyholm

Annie Nyholm is in her 9th year as a music educator, currently teaching in the Glencoe Silver-Lake Public School District. She teaches 5th and 6th grade band, along with 5th and 6th grade general music classes at Lakeside Elementary. Prior to GSL, Nyholm taught 6-12 band and Kindergarten General Music at Dawson-Boyd Public Schools for three years. She graduated with her Bachelors in Music Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 2016 and is currently working on her Masters in Music Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. Her primary instrument is clarinet. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and doing all things fiber arts, including knitting, crocheting and sewing.

MS Large Group Festival: Nicole Clark

Nicole is currently in her 22nd year as Band Director and Music Teacher at Providence Academy. Since her arrival in 2003, the band program has gone through exponential growth from 55 members to 185 members. Under her direction the Symphonic (Upper School) Band at the academy started its superior ratings at both the MSHSL Large Group and Solo/Ensemble competitions. Besides implementing a full 5-12 grade instrumental program for the academy she started the school’s jazz band and has participated in numerous pit-orchestras for the school’s musicals. In addition to directing bands at the academy Mrs. Clark has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 6th grade, and 7th grade general music as well as Middle School Choir. She has also formally directed the Middle School Chapel Choir, trained cantors, and coordinated and accompanied music the Middle School liturgy weekly. Currently she is the director of the Cadet (5th grade) and Concert (Middle School) Bands. as well as the MS chapel choir. She is involved in NAfME, MMEA, and CMBDA.

A diverse background in music education is what led Mrs. Clark to teaching at Providence Academy. She graduated with the highest honors from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with concentrations in both instrumental and vocal music. Her performance background includes recitals in alto saxophone, piano and voice. She had an internship in Middle School Band, Jazz Band, and High School Choir in Rice Lake, WI. She taught Middle School and High School Choir, Chamber Choir, General Music, and all of the school’s woodwind lessons in Spring Grove, MN. Before coming to Providence Academy she served as the Middle School Concert Band director, assistant High School Marching Band director, and Middle School General Music teacher in Lake City, MN.

In addition to teaching, Mrs. Clark has served as a music director and cantor at the Newman Center Parish in La Crosse, and a cantor at numerous parishes in the Twin Cities.

 Schools

For logistical purposes, this roster contains high school, college, and university institutions. The regional assignment for elementary and middle schools is currently identified by the name of the HIGH SCHOOL that serves your student population.

January 7, 2012