THE BAND
Artistic Vision
Minnesota Winds embraces the rich history and tradition of the concert band art form, celebrates the diverse range of voices creating new band music today, and pushes the boundaries of our genre with new commissions and world class concert experiences.
We endeavor to create an inclusive artistic space that welcomes musicians, composers, students, and audiences from all backgrounds to connect and engage with the music and with each other.
KATHERINE BERGMAN,
CO-FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
First Season Finale
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Guest Conductor, Cynthia Johnston Turner
Cynthia Johnston Turner has taught generations of band conductors and musicians across the United States, Canada, and abroad, has championed and commissioned an adventurous catalog of new works that expand the concert band repertoire, and has appeared as a guest conductor with leading wind ensembles around the world.
Cynthia currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. She also oversees the Laurier Academy of Music and the Arts, a vibrant community-based school serving nearly 1,000 children and adults throughout the region.
Prior to joining Laurier, Cynthia was Director of Bands at the University of Georgia. There, she conducted the Hodgson Wind Ensemble, led the MM and DMA programs in conducting, was Artistic Director of the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, and directed all aspects of the band program, including the 400+ member Redcoat Marching Band.
She was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the Wellington Wind Symphony in 2023, and she is President-elect of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE).
Cynthia Johnston Turner will conduct the first season finale performance of Minnesota Winds on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Watch: Cynthia conducts the Budapest Winds »
Musicians
Performing on May 30, 2026 | Listed alphabetically
Piccolo
Roma Duncan
Flute
Adam Kuenzel
Hannah Peterson
Fei Wen
Oboe
Barbara Bishop
Julie Gramolini Williams
English Horn
Carrie Vecchione
Eb Clarinet
Karrin Meffert-Nelson
Bb Clarinet
Daniel Friberg
Jennifer Gerth
Olivia Hamilton
Burt Hara
Bass Clarinet
Paul Schimming
Contrabass Clarinet
Paul Schulz
Bassoon
Alexandra Berndt
Fei Xie
Contrabassoon
Ariel Detwiler
Soprano & Alto Saxophone
Preston Duncan
Alto Saxophone
Benjamin Cold
Tenor Saxophone
Russell Sweet
Baritone Saxophone
Sean Miller
Trumpet
Jonathan Brandt
Lynn Erickson
Manny Laureano
Amy Schendel
Horn
Alexander Henton
Jenna McBride-Harris
Patrick Pridemore
Matthew Renz
Trombone
Phillip Ostrander
Felix Regalado
Kirsten Warfield
Bass Trombone
Mason Donnohue
Euphonium
Jason Tanksley
John Tranter
Tuba
Sage Kiritschenko
Jason Tanksley
String Bass
Jason Wells
Piano
William Eddins
Harp
Sarah Grudem
Percussion
Robert Adney
Heather Barringer
Erik Barsness
Eri Isomura
Adam Rappel
Kevin Watkins
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Minnesota Winds First Season Finale
Past Guest Conductors
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Manny Laureano
FALL 2024
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William Eddins
FALL 2025
About the Ensemble
Minnesota Winds is bringing world-class concert band music to the main stage. Our values include creating community, engaging students, advocating for school band programs, and building an exciting, inclusive future for the concert band art form. Our repertoire includes a diverse selection of historical and contemporary works for concert band. Join our auditions email list if you’d like to be the first to hear about future audition opportunities.
