Melissa
Nakata Williams
Melissa Williams is a lifelong musician. She earned a B. A. in Vocal Performance through Northwestern College, now University of Northwestern-St. Paul. She also holds two M.M. degrees from Minnesota State University, Mankato in both Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting. She has directed choirs and taught voice at Free Lutheran Bible School/Seminary in Plymouth, MN and Finlandia University,
Hancock, MI. She currently teaches voice at MSU-Mankato and Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN. She has held several Music Minister positions in both traditional and contemporary music, where she has been a worship leader, pianist, soloist, handbell director and choir director for all ages. She is thrilled to work with the Straight River Youth in making music and harmony in an all too unharmonious
world.
Amelia
Harthan
A native of Oak Grove, MN, Amelia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. As a vocalist and pianist, she enjoys a busy performance and coaching career throughout Steele, Mower, Dodge, and Olmsted counties. She has held several Director of Worship Arts positions, her professional work in theater spans from large-scale pit orchestra performances at Northwestern College in the Twin Cities, as well as the Riverland Theater in Austin and the Blooming Prairie High School theatrical programs. Owatonna audiences will recognize her from her recent work at Our Savior's Lutheran in Owatonna as collaborative pianist with Maureen Armstrong and the OSLC Adult Choir. Her greatest sense of accomplishment as a collaborative pianist comes from her unique connection with student and professional musicians alike as she sets a confident, sensitive, and grounded framework in her playing. Shaping the sound and the experience of performance for both soloist/ensemble and audience brings new joy with each performance.
Heidi
BRasher
Coming from a long-standing tradition of faith, family, and music, Heidi Brasher earned her Bachelor of Music Education Vocal and Classroom from Northwestern College (now University of Northwestern-St.Paul) in 2002. Since then, Heidi has been employed as an elementary music teacher, choral director (elementary and high school), musical theater director, children’s church program director, worship leader, accompanist, and soloist. Currently, her private music studio (where she specializes in piano, guitar, and voice) is in its 20th year and she is enjoying co-leading and accompanying worship services alongside her husband. While expecting musical excellence, mutual respect, and hard work in rehearsals, Heidi also hopes to make joy-filled memories that will spur children on to become life-long musicians!
