MBDA Northeast Region (NEMBDA)

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

NEMBDA Mission:
To strengthen and support band communities in greater northeastern Minnesota, NEMBDA creates musical and social connections by providing opportunities for students, directors, and supporters.

Northeast Region Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events

Information coming soon.

Northeast Region Board of Directors

Ben Paro - President

Ben Paro (Finnish, Grand Portage Ojibwe) is a music educator based in Cambridge, MN, where he lives with his spouse Catherine. Ben has taught band and general music at the middle and high school levels in Faribault (2014 - 2018) and North Branch (2021 - present) after graduating from St. Olaf College in 2013 with a B.M. in Instrumental Music Education. For most of 2018-2020 he and Catherine lived in Bremen, Germany, where she worked at Jacobs University Bremen while Ben worked part-time and performed with local community ensembles. In the summer of 2023, Ben graduated from VanderCook College of Music with a MMEd after completing coursework and a Master’s project entitled Incorporating the Perspectives of Indigenous People in Music Instruction, which he presented at the 2024 MMEA Midwinter Convention. In addition to teaching in North Branch, Ben serves as the American Indian Education Program Coordinator, is the Membership Chair for his local union, performs with the North Suburban Concert Band and the East Central Grad Band, and is a member of the Cambridge Curling Club.

Karl Kubiak - Secretary

Karl is the 3-5 general music and 5-12 band director in Ely. Prior to his position in Ely, Karl was the band director at North Woods school in Cook. He earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota - Duluth, and his Master's degree from Montclair State University in New Jersey. Karl is an active bassoonist and contrabassoonist, playing in Northeastern Minnesota orchestras such as the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, and substitute playing in other orchestras. Karl lives just outside of Ely, where he enjoys soaking up nature and the local arts scene, taking an active role on the Northern Lakes Arts Association board of directors. He also enjoys skiing and partaking in everything winter-related.

Noah Koep - Treasurer

Noah teaches K-3 General Music, 5-6 Beginning Band, 7-8 Band, 9-12 Band, and Jazz Band at Cromwell-Wright Schools in Cromwell, MN. He is currently in his third year of teaching. He graduated in 2022 from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with his Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education. When not teaching, he performs on Horn and many other brass instruments in various community ensembles such as the Twin Ports Wind Orchestra, Lake Superior Low Brass Ensemble, Minnesota Brass, and sings in the choir at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Outside of making music, he enjoys disc golfing, board games, and hiking and camping up the north shore and around Minnesota.

Carolyn Mikel - Pre-Service Teacher Liaison

Carolyn Mikel is a student at the College of St. Scholastica pursuing instrumental and vocal education. She is currently student teaching at Superior High School in Superior, Wisconsin. She works for the Lake Superior Youth Chorus as an intern and cantors for the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. She participates in ensembles as a vocalist and percussionist in the Duluth community including Borealis Chamber Artists, Lake Superior Low Brass Ensemble, and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.

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.