Randall Davidson (General Director) is active as a composer, producer, teacher, arts administrator, and cellist. His catalogue of works has enjoyed hundreds of performances throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has composed dozens of choral works, a church opera, four ballets, a comic oratorio and a work for orchestra for Garrison Keillor, a guitar concert with big band orchestra, chamber works, three orchestral works that have received over 200 performances, television commercials (including four NIKE operas), incidental music for theater and puppets, a major sound installation to inaugurate the Minnesota Children’s Museum, and music for jazz and wind ensembles. More information is available at www.boysartmusic.com.

Randall can help you with questions about writing for film and the Live Music Silent Films opportunity, the Teachers Clinic, and questions about any aspect of the Junior Composers program. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Seth Custer (Program Director) is a native of East Grand Forks, MN, where he grew up studying the saxophone and piano. He received his B.M. (2004) in saxophone performance from the University of North Dakota, where he studied saxophone with Elizabeth Rheude and composition with Michael Wittgraf. He received his M.M. (2006) in composition from Central Michigan University, studying with composers David Gillingham and Jose Luis Maurtua. He received his Ph.D. in composition and theory at the University of Iowa, where he studied with composer David Gompper and served as a teaching assistant in composition. Seth remains active as a performer and teacher. Recent commissions include works for saxophone/tape, youth orchestra, and saxophone/string quartet.  More information is available at www.custermusic.com.

Seth can help you with questions about music instruction (music theory, ear-training and composition lessons), compositions lessons and performances at Junior Composers, writing for film, and questions about Junior Composers Studio. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Linda Tutas Haugen (Institute faculty) earned a B.A. degree in music from St. Olaf College and an M.A. in Music Composition and Theory from the University of Minnesota where she studied with Dominick Argento and Paul Fetler. Her music has been described as “music of character and genuine beauty” (Minneapolis Star Tribune) and “a strangely wonderful sound” (Grand Forks Herald). She has received support from Jerome Foundation, the American Composers Forum, and Meet the Composer. Her catalogue includes opera, works for orchestra, choir, and chamber music. Her inspiration comes from a variety of literary and ethnic sources and her music has used non-traditional sounds from traditional instruments like the Native American flute and other “folk” instruments. Linda has taught piano and composition for more than 20 years. More information is available at her website.

Linda can help you with questions about her approach to private composition, music theory instruction, and Junior Composers Institute. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Karen Bourne (Administrative Director) is a graduate of Indiana University School of Music and has a Master’s degree from Western Illinois University. She is MTNA- and Guild-certified as a private music teacher and is a member of ACDA, MENC, MTNA, Orff, Federation and the Guild. Karen teaches full-time in the Sioux City public schools as a music specialist and is a nationally board-certified in elementary vocal music. She is currently the Regional Composition Chair of the NCR and has held the festival chair of the Iowa Federation Music Clubs.

Karen can help you with questions about the daily schedule at Junior Composers, special events happening during the Institute, general questions about the Junior Composers program, and business matters. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pat Steege (Registrar, Assistant Administrative Director) is First Vice President of the Minnesota Federation of Music Clubs and Junior Composer chairman for the state. Pat is a piano teacher and lives in Farmington, Minnesota.

Pat can help you with questions about your enrollment in Junior Composers, taking and submitting the music theory tests, payments, and travel or check-in arrangements when you arrive at Junior Composers. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sharon Wesbrook (Music Theory coordinator) is past president of the North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs and currently serves as ND Junior Composers chair and National Federation of Music Clubs sacred music chair. Sharon mentored JCI students at JCI 1, JCI 3 and JCI 5. She has a masters degree from the University of North Dakota in piano pedagogy. She was ND Music Teacher of the Year in 1994 and was named NMTA Fellow in 2007. She lives in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Sharon can be very helpful as you prepare to take your music theory placement tests. You can write her with questions about the tests and you should send your tests to her when you have completed them (more information in the "PREPARE/APPLY" page of the website). Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .