Faculty

Gary Gratz
ggratz@mcnallysmith.edu
Chair, Music Studies; Department Head, Keyboards
Primary Department: Keyboard
Secondary Department: Music Theory
Formal Education:B.A. in Music from Augsburg College; completing a Masters degree in Music Education at Boston University

Professional Experience: Gary has been a professional musician for 30+ years, working throughout the industry as a performer, composer, arranger and programmer. He studied with Lorna Michelson, Herb Wigley, Manfredo Fest and Jill Dawe. Gary has performed with Tony Sandler, Marilyn McCoo, and Othello Molineaux, Brian Duncan and the Minnesota Vikings Band. He continues to perform regularly with Marv Dahlgren, Yolanda Bruce, the Sevilles and others. As a composer/synthesist with Herb Pilhofer Music, Gary composed music and designed sounds for numerous national TV ads including spots for Coca Cola, Discover Card, Target, and Porsche. He also performed on the soundtrack for the movie "Beautiful Girls" and coached the lead actor, Timothy Hutton, in piano technique.

Linda Chacholiades
lchacholiades@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2007
Primary Department: Music Theory
Secondary Department: Keyboard
Formal Education:M.M. Cleveland Institute of Music and a B.M. University of Georgia.

Professional Experience: Linda Chacholiades studied at the University of Georgia, Mozarteum Conservatory, Salzburg, Austria, and holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Cleveland Institute of Music. She has performed in several piano competitions including the 1998 Gerschefski Competition where she was awarded honorable mention, a finalist in both the 2001 Greek Women’s University Club Music Competition, Chicago, IL, and in the 2001 Ludmilla Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition, Bathurst, Canada. Ms. Chacholiades formerly served on the faculty of Berkshire Community College, Georgia Perimeter College, and Gainesville State College where she was in demand as an accompanist and chamber musician as well as a solo pianist.

Lori Dokken
ldokken@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2001
Primary Department: Voice
Secondary Department: Keyboard
Formal Education: Concordia College, Moorhead; University of Minnesota, Morris and Minneapolis; Augsburg College; MacPhail Center for the Arts; and The Voice Center.

Professional Experience: Lori Dokken has played and appealed to the patrons of every major and minor music venue in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The “Beloved Twin Cities singer and pianist” (Minneapolis StarTribune, June ‘96) entertains with an eccentric charm, talent and wit that embraces an audience like an old friend. Writer and Publishing Member of ASCAP. Wrote two songs recorded on “The Girls.” Vocal Arranger for Three Hits And A Miss 2002 CD . Musical Director and Arranger for hit cabaret shows. Executive Producer and Producer of 2001 CD release - “The Girls.”  Producer, Musical Director, and Arranger for six RSVP Cruise Vacations Main stage Productions. Headliner for two RSVP Cruise Vacations Main Stage Productions. Executive Producer, Vocalist & Pianist for 2 CD releases in 2005:  Worked with or opened for Bobby McFerrin, Jane Oliver, Beatrice Arthur, Jennifer Holiday, Lucie Arnaz, Sally Struthers, Sandy Duncan, Eartha Kitt, Carole King and Tony Bennett. Self-employed vocalist, pianist, arranger, performance coach and producer for the past 27 years. Other teaching experience: Adjunct Professor - Teaching Specialist - University of Minnesota – 1996; Music Director at Minnehaha U.C.C. (1998 - 2006);  Co-teaches Monday Night Vocal Performance Workshop with Judi Donaghy;  Independent Vocal and Performance Coach.

Sarah Hohenstein Burk
Faculty Member Since: 1994
Primary Department: Keyboard
Secondary Department: Music Theory
Formal Education: Bachelor of Music, University of Minnesota, emphasis in Theory/Composition and a minor in Jazz Studies, Master of Liberal Studies (in progress)

Professional Experience: A performer and recording artist on keyboards, vocals and violin, Sarah has toured the U.S., Europe and the Middle East with a variety of ensembles and theatre troupes, and has performed on National Public Radio with Salsa Del Soul.  Other endeavors keep her active in African and international dance music, jazz, R&B, gospel, big band, classical chamber music and variety ensembles. She has been involved in more than 30 theatre productions in Europe and America serving in roles of music director, conductor, composer, pianist, violinist and arranger. Other Training: Salsa and Latin Jazz Studies with Nachito Herrera.

Liz Kuivinen
lkuivinen@mcnallysmith.edu
Primary Department: Keyboard
Secondary Department: Music Theory

Professional Experience: Liz began her career as a professional musician in New York City, performing with artists Patti LaBelle, Loretta Devine (star of the hit Broadway musical Dreamgirls), Maurice Hines, Andy Warhol, John Sex, Pete Morgan’s Big Band, Sandra Caldwell, L.E. Howell, and Tina Cinero.  Liz has also performed at such famed Manhattan venues as the Palladium, Studio 54, the Cat Club, and Dancetaria.  While in New York, Liz also worked in theater, scored a feature film (“Czechs and Balances”), and operated her own production company.

Kristin Sponcia
Faculty Member Since: 2005
Primary Department: Keyboard
Secondary Department: Music Theory
Formal Education: M.M. Roosevelt University in Chicago, B.A. University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

Professional Experience: Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Kristin Sponcia has played with R&B band Big Poppa Boogie, oldies band Amy and the Cruisers, Dixieland band River City Six, and big bands Bay City Swing, the Super Band, and Swing Nouveau. She has also played piano for jazz ensembles featuring jazz masters such as Ingrid Jensen, David Liebman, Todd Buffa, Melton Mustafa, and Bryan Lynch. She was selected to perform at master classes by Eric Reed, Kenny Werner and Michelle Weir. In 2003, she was a featured performer in Milwaukee’s Third Ward Jazz Festival. She is currently playing with the Nancy Harms Trio at local jazz venues such as Rossi’s Blue Star Room in Minneapolis.  Kristin also plays keyboard for contemporary Christian services at City Church in Minneapolis. Other training: Studied with Christine and John Salerno, Arthur Cohrs, Jim Trompeter, Mike Molloy, and Laurence Hobgood.

Mary Cay Stone
Faculty Member Since: 2000
Primary Department: Voice
Secondary Department: Keyboard
Formal Education: B.S. in Music Education University of Minnesota; Graduate study in Voice and Theatre, University of North Dakota. Certifications: K-12 Vocal/General Music State of Minnesota

Professional Experience: Theater Musician, Music Director and Actor, Touring Musician, Singer with Pete Corum Band, and the Sherwin Linton Band. Mary Cay Stone is an accomplished singer, composer and educator. Some of her favorite experiences include singing with Bluegrass Bass legend Pete Corum, playing keyboards for Chicago’s Schoolhouse Rock Live!, and composing songs about Kate Shelley for Iowa’s Old Creamery Theater.  She currently performs as a singer and keyboardist all over the Twin Cities, most notably with T.C. award-winning band “Soulvation” and as an improvisational keyboardist for Comedy Sportz. Other Teaching experience: K-12 Music Teacher Blackduck School, Blackduck MN, Lead Teacher Climb Theatre, Music/Voice Teacher Youth Performance Company and Steppingstone Youth Theatre, Substitute Teacher Grand Forks Public Schools, Private Voice, Piano and Violin Teacher. Memberships: Women In Music Minnesota, Minnesota Teachers’ Retirement Association, MMEA.

Sean Turner
sturner@mcnallysmith.edu
Primary Department: Keyboard

Professional Experience: Sean began his professional music career performing as a vocal soloist with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera. He also performed in the world premier of twentieth century composer George Crumb's Ancient Voices of Children.