The Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra has been fortunate to be joined by numerous incredible musicians from all areas of the state. Here are our current and most recent members:
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Jennifer Tiede - Saxophone
Jennifer Tiede is an Iowa native, saxophonist, and music educator in Marion, Iowa. She is co-director of instrumental music at Linn-Mar High School where she co-directs the Marching Lions, and directs Symphony Band, Studio Jazz Band, and the Colton Center Jazz Ensemble. Jennifer attended the University of Northern Iowa earning a Bachelor’s of Music Education with a Jazz Studies minor, in addition to a Master of Arts at the University of St. Thomas. Jennifer loves performing with the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra and wholeheartedly supports it’s mission. She is also a member on alto saxophone for the Iowa Jazz Composer’s Orchestra and can often be seen playing saxophone at her church. Jennifer continues her mission of jazz education as a board member on the Jazz Educators of Iowa executive board. Jennifer resides in Marion with her husband Dave, and two children Isla and Jack. Lynne Hart - Saxophone & Clarinet
Lynne Postudensek Hart teaches music at Luther College. She has performed and recorded with jazz trio "Roots of Rhythm", whose Winter Jazz CD was KCCK radio album of the month in December 2018. Lynne has played with The Temptations, The Four Tops, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Ray Charles, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Buddy DeFranco, and in pit orchestras for numerous touring Broadway productions including Hello Dolly, Motown, Kinky Boots, Book of Mormon, Chicago, My Fair Lady, and many others. Jennifer Williams - Saxophone
Stella Hart - Saxophone
Stella Hart's hometown is Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She studied saxophone and clarinet with her mom and dad, Peter and Lynne, and performed in the Revolutionists Jazz Band and Wind Symphony at Washington High School before graduating in 2008. Stella studied saxophone with Dr. James Romain at Drake University, where she performed with the Drake Jazz Band, Wind Symphony, and various saxophone quartets. Stella earned her degree in English and music at Drake in 2011 and her master's degree in strategic communications from the University of Iowa in 2017. Today, she works as a healthcare content strategist and writer at Geonetric in Cedar Rapids and lives with her husband, Addison, and their dogs in Iowa City. Toni LeFebvre - Trumpet, Founder, & Co-Manager
Toni LeFebvre, originally from Bettendorf, IA, is an active trumpet player and music educator. She completed her BM in Music Education at the University of Northern Iowa in 2014 and MA in Music Education at the University of Iowa in 2019. Toni is currently the band director at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids, IA. She has performed with many big bands, pit orchestras, and other musical ensembles throughout the state of Iowa and beyond and also serves as a co-chair of the Iowa Jazz Championships. Kelli Swehla - Trumpet & Co-Manager
A native of Cedar Rapids and graduate of Prairie High School, Kelli Swehla has received degrees from the University of Northern Iowa (BM) and Kansas State University (MM). She is Director of Bands at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids where her groups frequently perform at top levels. Kelli plays trumpet regularly with several groups including the Heartland Brass Quintet, the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, the Revival Theatre and Theatre Cedar Rapids pit orchestras and of course, the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra. Kelli is President-Elect of Jazz Educators of Iowa (JEI), has served northeast Iowa as District Jazz Chair, is a member of the Board of Directors for the Iowa Jazz Championships and is a Commissioner of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. Leah Schmidt - Trumpet
Leah Schmidt is the high school band director at Williamsburg High School. She received her bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Northern Iowa in 2014 and is currently working on her master's through Vandercook College of Music in Chicago. As a trumpet player, Leah enjoys subbing with the Des Moines Big Band, playing the occasional musical and, of course, playing with the many talented musicians of the Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra! Emma Cryer - Trumpet
Emma Cryer is a trumpet player originally from Cedar Falls, Iowa. She graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 2020 and is currently attending the University of Iowa, majoring in Trumpet Performance. She has participated in many ensembles in the past, but currently she is playing lead in jazz band as well as performing in many classical chamber groups. Kayla Crann - Trombone
Kiersten Truax - Trombone
Kiersten Truax is originally from Parkersburg, Iowa. She graduated from the Univeristy of Iowa with a degree in Music Education and Trombone Performance. Kiersten is the band director at Jesup Community Schools. Kiersten has performed with the Sugar Daddy's Jazz Band, University of Iowa Symphony Band, Orchestra, and Johnson County Landmark. Maggie Cremers - Trombone
Maggie is from Iowa City and is currently majoring in Music Education at UNI where she plays in jazz band as well as the Jazz Slides, a trombone jazz group. She also performs in other classical and chamber groups. Elly Hofmaier - Vocals
Elly Hofmaier is an artist and marketing professional from Norwalk, Iowa and currently based in Iowa City. She fronts an indie rock band under the monkier Penny Peach and provides feature and backing vocals for the Anthony Worden and Elizabeth Moen bands. Before joining the Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra, Elly sang with the Johnson County Landmark jazz ensemble and Dave Thaker Quartet. When shes not performing, Elly acts as the marketing engagement coordintor for the Englert Theatre. Gail Williams - Piano
Gail Williams received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. While at Northwestern, she studied with local jazz pianist Alan Swain. She worked as a professional classical and jazz musician in the Chicago area for 2 years. Gail then attended graduate school at Northern Illinois University and received a Master of Science in Computer Science. She worked as a Software Engineer and is now retired. Gail plays piano in local jazz groups, accompanies singers and instrumentalists, and plays piano for services at her church. Ana Koch - Guitar
Native to Iowa City, Ana Koch is currently a senior at Iowa City High School. After graduating in 2021, she plans to continue pursuing music at The University of Iowa while majoring in nursing and minoring in Spanish. Ana also enjoys singing while she plays guitar. She has participated in ensembles such as The Corridor Quintet, The Vivian Shanely and Ana Koch Duo, her high school big band, and several other small groups in and out of school. Crystal Rebone - Bass
New to Iowa City, bassist Dr. Crystal Rebone is a prominent performer and educator in the Midwest area. Crystal completed her doctorate in jazz performance with cognate in classical bass from the University of Illinois and focused on gaining the perspective of female students in secondary jazz ensembles for her dissertation. She has been on the jazz faculty for summer jazz camps at Western Illinois, the University of Illinois, and the University of Iowa as well as teaching at a Jazz Girls Day event in Bloomington, Indiana. She has toured and performed with Monika Herzig’s Sheroes 2020 East Coast Tour, Marshall Gilkes, John Fedchock, Jim Pugh, Chip McNeill, Larry Gray, and many others. Farren Johnson - Drums
Farren Johnson, originally from Harlan, IA, is an elementary art teacher in Grinnell. She went to college at Iowa Western Community College and then to the University in Northern Iowa earning her BA in art education. She played percussion and drums in various ensembles at both colleges. Farren continues to play in different small jazz ensembles as well as the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra. |