DixieFest Student All-Star Band

Erik Jolivette-Trumpet
Micheala Huebsch-Clarinet
Brittany Benton-Sax
Erika Pohlman-Trombone
Michael Betz-Piano
Katie Gourley-Tuba
Zach Petersburg-Banjo
Vince Hartogh-Drums

The DixieFest Student All-Star Band is sponsored in part by Kephart Music Stores.

One of the goals of the Lakeside DixieFest has been to help preserve what has been called  "America's only original art-form", traditional jazz music. If this music that is revered by so many is going to survive, we feel it is necessary to expose and directly involve our younger generations in traditional jazz.

Ken Schneider, a former public school band director and one of our festival's founding directors, spearheaded this educational project, working with a musician selection committee and putting together music and rehearsals . 

ERIK JOLIVETTE: Trumpet. Erik is a 2009 graduate of Garner-Hayfield High School where he was involved in concert band, jazz band, marching band, choir, jazz choir and was a two-year All-Stater on trumpet. He began playing trumpet in the 5^th grade. In addition to his busy musical schedule, he participated in basketball, baseball, cross country, and track. This fall, Erik will attend Wartburg College where he will play in the band and run track and cross country.

MICHEALA HUEBSCH: Clarinet. Micheala is a 2009 graduate of Osage High School where she participated in concert band, marching band and jazz band. She was a two-year All-Stater on clarinet and is currently playing ith the Mason City Municipal Band. Micheala was a member of the National Honor Society, and this fall will be attending Waldorf College where she will play in the band.

BRITTANY BENTON: Tenor Sax. Brittany will be senior at the Clear Lake High School this fall. She started playing sax in the 5^th grade, and is now involved in concert band, jazz band, marching band where she is a drum major, and was in the Kansas State Honor Band. Other music activities include concert choir and chamber singers. In addition, Brittany also plays flute, participates in volley ball and went to state in track her sophomore year.

ERIKA POHLMAN: Trombone. Erika is a 2009 graduate of Mason City High School where she was a member of the symphonic band and jazz band, as well as various groups with the concert choir. She was a two-year vocal All-Stater and was selected for the NCIBA Honor Band. She has been playing trombone for 8 years. This fall, Erika will be attending Luther College where she will be majoring in communications.

MICHAEL BETZ: Piano. Michael will be a junior at Mason City High School where he participates in symphonic band, jazz band I, pep band, and sings bass in the concert choir. He has been a Division I soloist in both percussion and vocal and this past year was an All-State percussionist. In addition he plays violin and guitar. This summer, Michael is serving as accompanist for the Mason City Community Theater production of "Godspell". This is his second year with the DixieFest Student All-Stars.

ZACH PETERSBURG: Tenor Banjo. Zach will be a junior at Ventura High School where he plays in the concert band, jazz band, and mixed group choir. Zach plays saxophone, started playing guitar 3 years ago, and took up the bass and banjo this past year.

KATIE GOURLEY: Tuba. Katie is a 2009 graduate of Central Springs High School where she performed with the concert band, marching band and pep band. She was an All-Stater on tuba, and was selected for numerous honor bands. She has been playing tuba since the 8^th grade. Katie's other activities include basketball, volleyball, track and cross-country. This fall, she will be attending the University of Northern Iowa, majoring in music. This is Katie's second year with the DixieFest Student All-Stars.

VINCE HARTOGH: Drums. Vince will be a junior at Osage High School where he plays in the concert band, marching band, and jazz band. He also provides percussion for his church choir. Vince has been playing percussion since the 4^th grade, and the drum set since the 8^th grade, In addition to his music activities, he participates in track and cross-country.