Summer Brackhan
Summer began violin at the age of six by means of the Suzuki method. She has been fortunate to have Nancy Jackson, a highly acclaimed Suzuki teacher, and Mathais Tacke of the world renowned Vermeer Quartet as two of her many great instructors. Summer holds degrees in music and sociology from Augsburg College and a Masters in violin performance from Northern Illinois University. She furthered her graduate studies while at NIU to obtain a Performers Certificate in violin.
While in the Chicago area Summer worked as a freelance musician and was a member of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. From 2005-2007 she lived in Wisconsin performing with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra and leading the preparatory arts Suzuki violin program at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. In 2006, Summer was a guest soloist with the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra. Summer joined Lincoln's Symphony in 2007 and also performs with the Omaha Symphony, the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, Abendmusik and Indigo Strings.
As a sociologist, performer, music teacher and mentor to youth, Summer brings a unique background into teaching from a child development perspective of how music can strengthen students in all areas of their lives. She lives in Lincoln with her husband Jeff and their twin boys and also owns Nourishing Souls.
While in the Chicago area Summer worked as a freelance musician and was a member of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. From 2005-2007 she lived in Wisconsin performing with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra and leading the preparatory arts Suzuki violin program at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. In 2006, Summer was a guest soloist with the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra. Summer joined Lincoln's Symphony in 2007 and also performs with the Omaha Symphony, the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, Abendmusik and Indigo Strings.
As a sociologist, performer, music teacher and mentor to youth, Summer brings a unique background into teaching from a child development perspective of how music can strengthen students in all areas of their lives. She lives in Lincoln with her husband Jeff and their twin boys and also owns Nourishing Souls.
Jeff Brackhan
Jeff is a 1997 graduate of Columbus High. Jeff performed one year with the UNL Marching drumline before transferring schools to finish his percussion Jazz Studies / Performance degree from Northern Illinois University.
After graduation he worked as a free lance performer and instructor in the Chicago area. Jeff's past work includes piano instruction at Stu's Studio, contract work with Naperville North and Waubonsie HIgh Schools in the western Chicago suburbs, as well judging the percussion festivals in Geneva.
Jeff's theater work includes the DeKalb and Lincoln's Children Theater and well as performances with the Pioneer's Park Musicals. The Jeff Brackhan jazz trio was established in 1998 and began performing in Chicago at the same time he was working as a sideman with several funk and rock groups.
Jeff performs in Lincoln & Omaha with several music groups spanning the styles from electro-pop to experimental jazz.. He has had the opportunity to perform with James Valentine (Maroon5), Dan Nimmer (pianist with Wynton Marsalis) and Leslie Hunt (American Idol Semi-finalist).
After graduation he worked as a free lance performer and instructor in the Chicago area. Jeff's past work includes piano instruction at Stu's Studio, contract work with Naperville North and Waubonsie HIgh Schools in the western Chicago suburbs, as well judging the percussion festivals in Geneva.
Jeff's theater work includes the DeKalb and Lincoln's Children Theater and well as performances with the Pioneer's Park Musicals. The Jeff Brackhan jazz trio was established in 1998 and began performing in Chicago at the same time he was working as a sideman with several funk and rock groups.
Jeff performs in Lincoln & Omaha with several music groups spanning the styles from electro-pop to experimental jazz.. He has had the opportunity to perform with James Valentine (Maroon5), Dan Nimmer (pianist with Wynton Marsalis) and Leslie Hunt (American Idol Semi-finalist).
Kari Spicer
For Kari Spicer’s third birthday her Suzuki Pedagogue Grandmother gave her a violin and she has been making music ever since! During junior high and high school she tutored many Suzuki Violin students and has had her own private studio for seven years. She loves to make music, and especially loves helping young children learn the power that music can have in their lives. In May 2011 Kari graduated with a BM in Violin Performance at Utah State University studying with members of the internationally known Fry Street Quartet. While there, she was a faculty member of the Utah State String Academy. Her students have won many awards and competitions. Each summer growing up Kari attended Suzuki String Institutes as a student and continues to do so now as a teacher trainer. She is a certified Suzuki teacher and attends Suzuki Institutes to study with renowned Suzuki Pedagogues. In August 2011, Kari moved to Columbus, Nebraska and is excited to share her love of music with the community there.
