Elective classes are a great way to learn something new about music!
You may choose one of these electives:
- Wind, String, or Percussion Chamber Ensembles
- Jazz Band (audition required; read more on the “Jazz Band Auditions” page)
- Music Theory I
- Conducting
- Composition
- Leadership
2024 Elective Faculty
Lissa May, Jazz Band
Kevin Watson, Jazz Band
Jen Bollero-Erickson, Percussion Ensemble
Katelyn Helms, Music Theory
Christopher Nelson, Conducting
Suzanne Charney, Leadership
Benjamin Taylor, Composition
Lissa May is associate dean at the IU Jacobs School of Music. She served as Jazz Band director at Oakland University (MI) and fine arts supervisor for the Waterford School District. She was a faculty member in jazz studies at Purdue University and directed the Purdue Jazz Band.
Kevin Watson is an Associate Professor of Music Education at Western University, where he directs the Western University Jazz Ensemble and Young Winds program. He regularly serves as a music festival adjudicator and clinician. Dr. Watson is an IU Jacobs School of Music graduate and the Berklee College of Music.
Jennifer Bollero Erickson is a percussionist and proud IU graduate. She holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education and a Master of Music in Wind Conducting. Mrs. Erickson has taught for nine years in Indiana schools and currently serves as the Director of Bands at South Knox Middle/High School.
Katelyn Helms is the band director and co-elementary music teacher for Bloomfield Schools in Bloomfield, IN. She earned her bachelors of music education from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music in 2016 and her masters in music education from Ball State University in 2022.
Christopher Nelson is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he serves as an Associate Instructor in the Department of Bands. He has directed high school bands for seven years in the Salem-Keizer, and Alpine School Districts in Oregon and Utah.
Tess Jones is pursuing the Doctor of Music degree in Wind Conducting and serves as an Associate Instructor at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. A native of Abilene, TX, she has worked as a band director in the Texas schools for several years. Tess also is a staff member and teaches leadership classes for the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy in the summers.
Benjamin Dean Taylor grew up performing jazz, rock, ska, country, band, choral, and orchestral music. He is driven to write music that highlights the strengths of each performing ensemble. His catalog of over 100 works covers genres including orchestra, wind band, opera, choir, jazz band, gamelan, chamber ensembles, and soloists with live electronics.
