Faculty

Judi Donaghy
jdonaghy@mcnallysmith.edu
Department Head, Voice
Primary Department: Voice
Formal Education:BM in Vocal Performance University of Nebraska-Lincoln , Masters candidate, Education, Music Emphasis University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Professional Experience: Judi has worked in opera, musical theater, jazz, folk, country, gospel, pop, and R&B. She currently works with Voicestra (Bobby McFerrin), Urbanstride, the Girls, the Wolverine's Classic Jazz Orchestra, JazzMN Big Band, and Judi, Cliff 'n' Daves. She has also worked with Yo Yo Ma, Carole King, Janis Siegel, Rhiannon, Garrison Keillor, Marilyn McCoo, the Plymouth Ensemble, Metro Jam, Northrop Opera, Mixed Blood Theater, Cricket Theater, and Moore by Four. Other credits include award-winning singer/songwriter (JAZZIZ Magazine), on-air talent, jingle singer/writer/producer, and vocal jazz clinician. Judi has sung on more than 30 CDs to date, two of which are her own productions: “Sink or Swing”, and “Ballads and Bossas.”  Judi has given vocal master classes and clinics with Bobby McFerrin at the Omega Institute and the Stimmen Voice Festival in Basel, Switzerland.  She recently completed her 4th European tour with Voicestra.

Jill Marie Diem
Faculty Member Since: 2006
Primary Department: Voice
Formal Education: B.A. College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University, St. Joseph, Minnesota, Artist Diploma McNally Smith College

Professional Experience: Since completing study at McNally Smith in 2003, Jill Marie has been singing, acting, and music directing at several venues around the Twin Cities. Most recently she has been seen in Les Miserable'at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Other acting credits include Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Starting Gate Productions, Ashland Productions, Theatre La Vie, and Bloomington Civic Theatre. Jill Marie has performed with Clay Aiken in his 2005 Joyful Noise Tour, has toured nationally with "Three Hits and a Miss," and sang with the Minnesota Zephyr Cabaret. She works as a soloist for several area churches and has recorded with Augsburg Fortress. Other teaching credits include private coaching and theatre workshops.

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.

Debbie Duncan
Faculty Member Since: 1996
Primary Department: Voice
Formal Education: Wayne State University, Detroit

Professional Experience: Debbie Duncan has 14 years of vocal training, including four years at Wayne State University-Detroit and a background steeped in jazz, gospel and Motown. Debbie is often called the “Working-est Singer in the Twin Cities.” Her opening concerts for Herbie Hancock, Stephane Grapelli and Miles Davis received rave reviews. She has also performed with Bob Seger, Mitch Ryder, Bobby Watson (Horizon), Mark Murphy, Von Freeman, Marlena Shaw, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Joe Henderson, Jimmy McGriff, John Hendricks, and more. After 10 years working the LA nightclub circuit, Debbie moved to Minneapolis and has since worked with Rupert’s Orchestra, Synergy, The T.C. Jammers, Back to You gospel group, The Girls, and she regularly sings in all of the top local jazz venues. Debbie has 4 solo CDs to date: Nice one for Boo, Live at the Dakota, It Must be Christmas, and her latest, Traveling at the Speed of Love. Other teaching experience: Jazz clinician. Awards and Honors: After receiving numerous Minnesota Music Awards, Debbie was the first recipient of the “Perpetually Outstanding Performer” award. Memberships: Twin Cities Jazz Society.

Steve Faison
sfaison@mcnallysmith.edu
Assistant Department Head, Ensembles; Director of Outreach
Primary Department: Ensemble
Secondary Department: Voice

Professional Experience: Steve is one of the most versatile performers in the Twin Cities, working as an instrumentalist, guitar, bass, percussion, vocalist, producer, arranger, and recording engineer in sessions and live performances. Steve has performed locally, nationally, and internationally, and is best known for his vocal work with Samoa and Moore by Four. He has studied under such notables as Fran Colby, Ed Shaughnessy, Owen Clark, and Ron Keezer.

Peggy Larson
plarson@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2005
Primary Department: Voice
Secondary Department: Ensemble
Formal Education: Concordia College, Moorhead

Professional Experience: Peggy Larson is known in the Netherlands as a leader in choral music: she founded the improvising jazz choir Tamam to perform contemporary compositions and combine music and theater, and her group Peggy Angels was very popular for their outstanding performances of jazz and world music. Here in the Twin Cities she teaches private and group lessons, works for MCTC and the Compleat Scholar, and leads several choirs. She returns to the Netherlands every year to teach and perform. Other teaching experience: Peggy taught voice and vocal pedagogy at the Arnhem and Rotterdam conservatories for many years.

Erin Schwab
eschwab@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2001
Primary Department: Voice
Formal Education: B.S. in theater, Minnesota State University at Mankato; A.A.S. from Waldorf College, Forrest City IA

Professional Experience: Erin is an accomplished vocalist and musical theatre performer with credits that span the globe from cruise ships and amusement parks to professional theatres throughout the Twin Cities. As a musical theatre performer, Erin portrayed Tina in Hey City Theater’s long-running production of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding and was in the first national tour of School House Rock Live!.  Erin performed in a new production at the Ordway Center’s McKnight Theatre. Erin also performs with The Girls, The Bellcats, the Wolverines and Metro Jam at a number of Twin Cities music venues, including The Times Bar & Café, Jitters and The Dakota. Other teaching experience: workshops in various secondary schools. Other training: studied with Cora Scholz.

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.