Faculty
Sharon North Jones - President & Executive Director
M.M.(Voice and Opera Performance), Northwestern University B.M.E., University of Nebraska at Omaha
President and Executive Director of SNJ Studio of Music, Sharon North Jones holds a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is cofounder and Executive Director of Performer's Edge Academy of Performing Arts and owner of Diva Productions, a music production company in Chicago, IL and Omaha. Sharon has served as the Director of Contests and for the Society of American Musicians and as a scholarship adjudicator for the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
An accomplished opera, concert and music theater singer, Sharon has performed throughout the United States in such roles as Lucia in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and Mrs. Nordstrom in Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Sharon has appeared with the Alabama Symphony, Opera di Cornetto, the Chicago Composer's Consortium, Opera Ensemble of Chicago and many others. She also presents concerts of opera scenes for such corporate clients as the Easter Seals Foundation, the Steinway Society, Insignia, ESG, and Harting, Inc. in Hamburg, Germany.
As a music educator, adjudicator and clinician, Sharon brings over 20 years of experience to students of all ages. In addition to teaching privately she has designed several programs for children and adults. Sharon also conducts vocal master classes and audition preparation clinics as well as producing and directing music theater and opera scenes workshops and children's theater productions.
Joel Johnston - Director of Ensembles, Voice
M.M., University of Nebraska at Lincoln, B.M.E., University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Joel Johnston is a free-lance conductor, presenter, choreographer and adjudicator, with 23 years of experience in music education. He has conducted more than 40 choral clinics and festivals in the Midwest. Joel is currently conductor of the Southwest Iowa Men's Chorus, as well as the SNJ Studio Singers, a select high school a cappella ensemble, and Center Stage, a middle school show choir. SNJ Singers and Center Stage rehearse at the Sharon North Jones Studio of Music in Omaha, where Joel also teaches 40 voice students.
Joel is co-founder of Performer's Edge, a performing arts academy designed to help students from Pre-K to grade 12 develop their skills as singers, actors, and dancers. In just two years, more than 400 students have participated in Performer's Edge academies, ensembles, and camps.
Joel is on staff at the Buena Vista Show Choir Camp in Storm Lake, Iowa, and ihas served on the faculty of Show Choir Omaha!, a three-day show choir camp at the Omaha Community Playhouse, as well as the Butler Community College Show Choir Showcase.
Joel served as President of the Nebraska Choral Directors Association, as well as Chair of Choral Affairs for the Nebraska Music Educators Association. He was named NMEA's Outstanding Music Educator of the Year in 2003. He served as Facilities Chairperson for the 2006 Regional American Choral Directors Convention in Omaha.
Doran Schmidt - Voice/Piano
B.F.A.(Music Theater), Missouri State University
Doran has performed professionally with Tent Theatre, Springfield Regional Opera, and Swan Repertory Company, and at various other locations, including Missouri State University. She studied voice with Paula Patterson at MSU from 2005-2009 with an emphasis in musical theatre repertoire, but was also trained technically and classically. Since graduating, she has been performing in Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan as Wendy Darling at the Mansion Theatre in Branson, MO. She also teaches musical theatre at the Omaha School of Music and is the pianist for Dietz United Methodist. A classically trained pianist since the age of four, she has accompanied dance, voice, and choral music at MSU and Central Middle School, and taught private piano lessons for three years. She was the musical director for the Performing Arts Institute at Missouri State University, and choreographed for the MSU Opera workshop as well as Central Middle School's swing choir for three years.
Elizabeth Pettinger - Voice
M.A., Univeristy of Nebraska at Lincoln, B.A., Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA
M.A. candidate, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Liz is an active
soloist in the Omaha Metro. Liz began her classical training at age 12
but has been performing since age 5. Since then, Liz has been featured
vocally in a variety of performances ranging from live bands, Operas,
Musicals as well as with several jazz bands. In college, Liz was
featured as Mrs. Peterson in Bye, Bye Birdie, the second Lady in
Mozart's The Magic Flute as well as part of the cast for Tales of
Hoffman, The Mikado, and the musical Grease.
In 2009 Liz placed 2nd in the Galaxy of the Stars competition at the
Nebraska State Fair for her country performance. Locally she has also
performed at the The Men's College World Series, (2009 & 2010) UNO
Mavericks Hockey, the Omaha Lancers and even a Monster Truck Rally!
She is also a featured vocalist in local Omaha band, Pink Kaddilac.
You may also hear Liz singing occasionally on local radio jingles!
Erinn Machacek - Voice
M.M., University of Nebraska at Linclon B.M.E., Doane College
Additional studies, Dorian Opera apprentice program. Director of Vocal Music, Bryan High School, Omaha.Director of Vocal Activities, Lutheran Church of the Master. Member of Omaha Chamber Singers under the direction of David Batter. Featured vocalist for the Lou Arnold Orchestra.
Jessie Cotton - Voice
M.M., University of Nebraska at Lincoln B.M.E., Simpson College
Jessie Cotton received her M.M. in vocal performance from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. While there she enjoyed performing the roles of Emily in Ned Rorem's Our Town, Valentina Sarcella in John Musto's Later the Same Evening, Peaseblossom in Benjamin Britten's Midsummer Night's Dream , as well as a soloist in the choral production of Mendelssohn's Elijah. This past spring Jessie played Genevieve in the musical theatre reading of Adam Gwon and Julia Jordan's Bernice Bobs her Hair. During the summer of 2009, Jessie studied opera in Novafeltria, Italy performing in opera scenes and other concerts while taking Italian language classes. Jessie received her B.M. in Music Education from Simpson College in Indianola, IA.
Marilyn Ingram - Voice
B.A., California State University
Graduate of California State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music (voice.) California State University, Northridge, CA, Secondary Teaching Credential (Music, English) (Lifetime Teaching Credential –
K-12 - in Music), Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year.
Church choir director and worship leader (California); Show Choir coach and adjudicator (Nebraska.) Performances include: Chalice, Joey Hamby Trio, Cantare Chamber Ensemble, Clarion Chamber Chorale. Recordings: Chalice on Maranatha label, Studio back-up singer for Christian artists.
Drew Neneman - Voice
B.M., University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Drew Neneman, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is currently giving instruction in Choir, Liturgy, Voice and General Music at the Blessed Sacrament and St. Phillip Neri preparatory schools in urban North Omaha. An Omaha native he is thrilled to return to his roots to teach. A sought after young singer, he as appeared as a soloist throughout the Omaha Arch Diocese, as well as alongside the University of Nebraska University Singers, he performed the National Anthem at the 2009 College World Series and was even invited to sing at a UNL alumni concert this winter. At the University of Nebraska Drew was featured as a soloist in four musical theatre show cases, with the Varsity Mens' Chorus, the University Chamber Singers and portrayed the roll of Benoit in the 2007 production of La Boheme. A passionate theatre musician, Drew has a long and rich relationship with show choirs from around the Midwest as a clinician and consultant. A member of Big Red Singers from 2005-2008 he began working as a clinician and consultant right out of high school for show choirs from Nebraska to Texas. Drew is an aspiring Jazz singer and hopes one day to see his name billed after the words "music and lyrics by..."
Elizabeth Bennett - Voice
M.M., University of Missouri , B.M., University of South Dakota
Elizabeth Bennett, native of Sioux City, Iowa is thrilled to be performing with Opera Omaha this Fall as the Mother in Hansel and Gretel. She has recently been seen onstage with Kansas City Concert Opera as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana and with Opera Fort Collins and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra in the title role of Puccini's Turandot. She held the Middle America - Soprano Apprenticeship with the Kansas City Lyric Opera where she made her Kansas City debut in La Cenerentola. She also appeared on the Kansas City Lyric stage as Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw and with the Kansas City Puccini Festival singing the title roles in Suor Angelica, Il tabarro and Turandot. Additional roles to her credit include Ariadne (Ariadne auf Naxos), New Prioress (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Erste Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Mimi (La Boheme) and Lucy Brown (Three Penny Opera) to name a few.
Paul Horsely, classical music critic for the Kansas City Star, stated "One of my picks for 'Best of the Year' in local classical and dance was the Puccini Festival's performance of Turandot, with Elizabeth Bennett in the title role and 200 singers and instrumentalists." Elizabeth has also been a young artist/apprentice with Opera Theatre St. Louis, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera in the Ozarks and Seagle Music Colony. "Her soprano is big and beautiful, with those honey-glazed top notes, and it's immensely pleasurable to hear….. a voice like hers can't be created by any teaching program." FWWeekly Online
Elizabeth has been named winner of the Naftsger Young Artist Vocal Competition, regional finalist for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards and a national finalist in the Fort Worth Opera McCammon Competition. She has been teaching voice for eight years and is honored to be part of SNJ Studio of Music.
Elizabeth received her master of music degree in vocal performance from University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory and her bachelor of music degree from the University of South Dakota.
Dr. LeAnne Foust Ragan - Voice
D.M.A., Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, University of Iowa
B.M. E., Vocal Music, Arkansas State University
LeAnne Foust Ragan is a small-town girl from Forrest City, Arkansas whose parents recall she sang before she talked. She graduated from Arkansas State University (ASU) in 1990 as Bachelor of Musical Education in Vocal Music. While there, she was president of the ASU chapter of the international music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota.
She taught in the Forrest City School system for two years before going to University of Iowa to continue her musical education. There she pursued her Master of Arts degree and went on to complete her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy in 2003. While at Iowa, Dr. Foust Ragan studied voice under Stephen Swanson and was coached by Darlene Lawrence, Richard Boldery, Beaumont Glass and John Muriello.
Dr. Foust Ragan has been a featured soloist with the Omaha Chamber Singers and with the University of Iowa Choirs and Symphony. She was honored as a Young Artist on a Simon Estes recital, after which she received laudatory praise for the poise and skill she displayed in front of such a knowledgeable and demanding audience.
While at the University of Iowa, Dr. Foust Ragan held the title role of "Sister Angelica" in Puccini's Suor Angelica and commanded the stage as "Lady Billows" in Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring. In 2009 Dr. Foust Ragan was appointed to the Associate Roster of Conspirare, a professional chamber choral group based in Austin, TX under the direction of Craig Hella Johnson.
Dr. Foust Ragan loves teaching and has maintained a private voice studio since 1991. She was Adjunct Voice Instructor at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for seven years, where she taught private voice lessons, taught several music courses, and served as a vocal and dialect coach for productions. While there, she directed a Kirkwood Community College production of Into the Woods, performed as a soloist with the Kirkwood Chorale, and was guest conductor of the Kirkwood Chorale. She also served as Assistant Professor of Voice (Interim) at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where she held a private voice studio and developed new courses for the curriculum.
In addition to performing and teaching, Dr. Foust Ragan enjoys developing new courses, assisting professors with course content, advising students on course curriculum, and providing career counseling.
A passionate advocate for animal rights, she supports multiple animal shelters and is a founding board member of Lucky Dog Rescue Flights. She is "mom" to two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Bacio and Bedde.
Donovan Johnson - Piano
A.A., Waldorf College
Additional studies, University of Nebraska at Omaha. Cofounder, Prairie Desert Music Co., Omaha. Author, Adult Piano Method In The New Age Style. Composed and recorded three albums: Pieces of Life, Midwestern Landscapes, Gallery. Performances include concert tour for UUSC tsunami relief effort, appearances on NBC television, performance with national recording artist, Lalomi Washburn and a concert tour of England in the fall of 2009.
Doran Schmidt - Voice/Piano
B.F.A.(Music Theater), Missouri State University
Doran has performed professionally with Tent Theatre, Springfield Regional Opera, and Swan Repertory Company, and at various other locations, including Missouri State University. She studied voice with Paula Patterson at MSU from 2005-2009 with an emphasis in musical theatre repertoire, but was also trained technically and classically. Since graduating, she has been performing in Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan as Wendy Darling at the Mansion Theatre in Branson, MO. She also teaches musical theatre at the Omaha School of Music and is the pianist for Dietz United Methodist. A classically trained pianist since the age of four, she has accompanied dance, voice, and choral music at MSU and Central Middle School, and taught private piano lessons for three years. She was the musical director for the Performing Arts Institute at Missouri State University, and choreographed for the MSU Opera workshop as well as Central Middle School's swing choir for three years.
Andres Silva - Piano
B.M., University of Nebraska at Omaha
Concert pianist with degree in piano performance. Spanish language liaison for Omaha Public School and director of the Dual Language Choir at Beverage Middle School.
Katie Silva - Piano
B.M., University of Nebraska at Omaha
Earned dual degree in music composition and Spanish language. Professional pianist and accompanist in Omaha area. Teaches for OPS in the Dual Language Program at Crestridge Magnet Center.
Darren Mill - Guitar
Certification: Guitar Institute of Technology
Darren Mill has performed and taught professionally for over 35 years.He has been featured on five CD's and has performed with numerous bands including The Mob (later named Queensryche), and has opened for such national artists as Heart, Street Heart, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Jeanie C. Riley. Darren is a member of the Christian Heavy Metal band Midnight Hour and has toured with Whitcross, White Hearts, Bride, Guardian, and Bloodgood. He is also a recording engineer and has recently joined the Doc James Band.
Willie Karpf - Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone
M.M., University of Nebraska at Omaha
B.M., Lamont School of Music, University of Colorado
Willie Karpf is an Omaha native and an Omaha Public Schools alumnus. Following graduation from Omaha Central High School, Willie earned a scholarship to the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver where he began his rigorous studies of flute and clarinet with members of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He continued to play Saxophone in various jazz combos and big bands, as well as the saxophone quartet, which was the winner of the 2002 Lamont School of Music Chamber Music Competition. Upon completion of his Multi-Woodwind Performance degree in Denver, he moved back to Omaha where he attended graduate school at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, earning his Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance. While in graduate school, Mr. Karpf was named winner of the 2005 Concerto Competition and was also selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City as a member of the 2006 National Wind Ensemble. After his time at UNO, Willie then moved to New York City and spent three years there honing his knowledge of woodwind sound production with some of New York's finest recording and performing artists.
Willie's teachers include Christine Beard and Darren Pettit of the UNO faculty, Elizabeth Buck and Joseph Wytko of ASU, Douglas Masek of UCLA, Pamela Endsley and Abbey Raymond of the Colorado Symphony, Andrew Sterman of the Philip Glass Ensemble, and Branford Marsalis.
