Laura has been with this program in some capacity for 10 years. Laura has taught all levels of music, pre k – 12th grade. She has ample experience with teaching all levels of band but she has also taught general music and choir.

She is deeply passionate about bringing music education to all students and families and her favorite part of teaching is seeing the “lightbulb” moments students have when learning a new instrument.

Laura teaches at the Northfield Homeschool Band, St. Michael’s Catholic School, and Faith Christian Home Educators.

Neil Baumgartner has been a band and music teacher in the Twin Cities since 2010. He has held teaching positions with the St. Paul and Mounds View school districts, private schools, and homeschool programs. In addition to teaching music, Neil is an avid trumpet performer and he is a member of the Kenwood Symphony, Century Brass, and the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble where he is also on the board of directors. Neil currently lives in Roseville with his wife and two kids. In his free time he likes to play trumpet, play board games, and go on walks to the park with his family.

Neil teaches at Holy Spirit Catholic School, Burnsville Homeschool Band, and North Heights Christian Academy.

Dr. Emily Brewer is a saxophonist and educator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Norbert College, and a Master of Music/Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Emily is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education, and new music. She has also joined commissioning projects to promote underrepresented composers within classical music. She has performed in various ensembles affiliated with the National Band Director Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the American Saxophone Academy, and the Minnesota Music Educators Association.

As an educator, she has taught Woodwind Techniques at the University of Minnesota and currently maintains a studio of private lesson students in the greater Twin Cities area. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, and her dog, Duke.

Emily co teaches at Holy Spirit Catholic School, St. John’s Lutheran School, and Faith Christian Home Educators. She will also be teaching at the West Metro Homeschool Band, Holy Trinity Lutheran Academy, and North Metro Flex Academy.

Nelson Penserga is a band director and percussionist based in Saint Michael, Minnesota. Mr. Penserga currently teaches part time in the St. Michael Albertville district, but also teaches for Encore Ensembles in the mornings. From 2002 to 2017 he taught middle school and high school band in the Fairfax County Public Schools system, located in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. He has also taught band in Delaware and Kansas.

A native of Delaware, Mr. Penserga earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Syracuse University. He earned his Master’s Degree in Music from Kansas State University.

Outside of music, Mr. Penserga loves playing with technology, working in the yard and spending lots of time with his wife Jen; his children Maren, Annie, Steven and Rosie; and his two dogs Callie and Marsie.

Mr. Penserga teaches at St. John’s Lutheran School, Salem Lutheran School, and St. Michael Catholic School, located in St. Michael.

Sean Prichard is in his 11th year teaching and his 6th year with Encore Ensembles. Before joining Encore Ensembles he was a middle school orchestra and band director in the Minneapolis school district. Though his main instrument is percussion, he does his best to be on par with a “solidly above-average 8th grader” at the rest of the instruments.

In addition to teaching he coaches ultimate frisbee and often teaches swing dance lessons. He tries to learn education techniques from a variety of sources so that he can implement them into his teaching.

Sean is currently our substitute teacher in Encore Ensembles.

Nicole is an accountant and billing specialist who recently relocated in Indianapolis. With Encore Ensembles, she is responsible for all the billing “behind the scenes”.

Nicole is also a musician! She holds a music degree with piano and percussion from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Please feel free to reach out directly to Nicole with any specific questions you have about payment.