CAMP CRESCENDO - Key Persons

is a music education major at the University of Utah. Amy is in A Cappela Choir and Flute Choir at the University. She plays the piano and has also had many years of dance. This is her second year at Camp Crescendo. ANDREA SOUZA has a bachelor's degree from Northwest Nazarene University in Music Education and Music, with emphases in Piano and Music Theory. She has taught music at Eagle Elementary School for three years, as well as one year of elementary orchestra. She loves to dance, sing, play piano, and hike. This will be her second summer at Camp Crescendo as a Super Mega Counselor.

BECKA LAING is attending Boise State University with a major in mathematics and secondary education. She is currently on the BSU Flag Corps and led the Boise High color guard and dance team as well. This is Becka's fourth year at Camp Crescendo.

BENJAMIN TYLER SIMMONDS has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Linfield College in Music Performance and a Bachelor of Music degree from Boise State University in music education. Benji taught elementary music for four years in California and Idaho and is currently the choir director at Capital High in Boise, Idaho. Benji has been at camp since it began in 1990 and is now the Assistant Director of Camp Crescendo. J.J. DION - Is an award-winning composer-entertainer, toured & recorded in Europe, and is an accomplished guitar, piano and bass instructor. A former Boise Arts Community "fixture", JJ relocated in ‘06 to be closer to his family in the Coeur d'Alene-Spokane area, where he performs at Retirement Homes, schools & churches. J.J. has never missed a session at Camp Crescendo. His recordings are available through his website: www.jjdion.com. He also has several videos on "youtube"!

CAROLYN STOVALL received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education from San Jose State. Carolyn recently retired after a 36 year career as a P.E. teacher. Carolyn is the Camp Crescendo Activities Director and it will be her eleventh year at camp.

GENE CHIN hails from Penang, Malaysia and is completing his doctoral studies in Vocal Music Performance and Music History from the University of Oregon. Gene is also teaching private voice at the University. He received his master's from the "U of O" in 2004 and his bachelor's degree from Linfield College, in 2001. This is Gene's sixth year at Camp Crescendo.

attends Covenant College in Georgia. He is majoring in sociology as well as working on a minor in music performance. He has been at Camp Crescendo for thirteen years as a camper, and as a Jr. and Sr. counselor. This is his second year as a Super Mega Counselor. JEFFREY PETERSEN is a graduate of Albertson's College. He is currently in Eugene working on his masters at the University of Oregon. This is Jeff's third year as a Super Mega Counselor.

Job Titles:

• Student at the University of Oregon

JEREMIAH BUAL is a student at the University of Oregon. He is on the pre- med track majoring in Biology with a minor in Vocal Performance. He is a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity as well as University Singers an auditioned choir at the U of O. Jeremiah has been at camp as a Jr. and Sr. Counselor, and now for a second year as a Super Mega.

JOIE GRATTON received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and Spanish at Willamette University. She received her master's degree in music performance and was a graduate teaching assistant working with pre-student teachers at BSU. She is currently the choir director at Skyview High School in Nampa. This is Joie's eleventh year at Camp Crescendo.

JOSH OWEN is attending Idaho State University. He has been a percussionist for many years performing in bands, orchestra ensembles, and many percussion ensembles. This is Josh's third year as a Camp Crescendo counselor.

JULIA GROVER is attending St. Olaf College where she is majoring in Music and Theatre, but hopes to go on to elementary education. She is in Chapel Choir, one of the top collegiate choirs, a Residence Life staff member, and actively participates in departmental and student produced theatre on campus. This is Julia's fourteenth year at Camp and her third as a Super Mega counselor.

Job Titles:

• Student at Linfield College

KELSEY LANGE is a student at Linfield College. She is majoring in elementary education and music. She is actively involved in choir at Linfield as well as private vocal instruction. Kelsey has attended Camp Crescendo for many years as a camper, and as a Jr. and Sr. Counselor. This is her tenth year at camp and second year as a Super Mega Counselor.

MICHELLE SIMMONDS is a first grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary in Nampa and has been teaching there for the past 6 years. Before coming to Nampa and meeting the man of her dreams, she was teaching Pre-school for Easter Seals in Missoula, Montana. This is her second year at Camp Crescendo.

NATALIE STRONG is attending the University of Idaho. She is a Marketing, Fashion, and Textiles Major and hopes to own her own clothing store one day. She started playing the flute when she was in the 6th grade and continued to play for most of her high school career. Natalie loves music, but what she's most passionate about is theatre. This will be Natalie's third year at Camp Crescendo.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Founder
• Music Camp Director

PAMELA LINK is the founder and director of Camp Crescendo, a summer music camp for second to seventh graders. Camp Crescendo was created in 1990 as a way to encourage children to enjoy music in a new environment. Her experience teaching music comes from her sixteen years as an Elementary Music specialist for the Boise School District. During that time, Pamela wrote, produced and designed spring and winter programs, directed her choirs for many concerts and festivals, and encouraged students to gain confidence through performance. In 1999/2000 she was granted a yearlong sabbatical in New York City where she observed Arts Education Programs throughout the city and was employed by the Education Department of the New York Philharmonic. In addition, Pamela attended education classes at Juilliard School of Music where she was invited to be a guest lecturer. She attended the New York City Roundtable Arts Education Symposium, the Empire State Partnership Program, New York City Professional Development Day, Enact Guest Artist Workshops, and the Lincoln Center Institute Educators' Workshop. This adventure allowed Pamela to incorporate fresh ideas, music theory and innovative programs to her teaching, as well as offer new classes at the camp. Pamela is also involved in a number of her own musical endeavors. She was a member of "Sounds", an Idaho women's singing group. She has been the set designer and stage manager for Sounds productions. Pamela performed in One Moment in Time, a Fred Norman production at the Velma Morrison Center, and was featured on CBS Sunday Morning national TV for her participation in a Manhattan based "Singing Experience". Pamela received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Boise State University with a minor in music. She is the proud mother of three successful children, each with a background in music. Her youngest son is a graduate of Linfield College and is the choir director at Capital High School in Boise, Idaho. Her daughter is a graduate of Boise State University and and currently an RN at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho. Pamela's eldest son is a graduate of Portland State and is VP of Enterprise Search Marketing for the New York Times.

REBECCA HOMARD is from Des Moines Iowa. She is attending the University of Northern Iowa majoring in Music Education. She plays violin and viola and has worked with youth and music in a number of settings. This is her third year as a Super Mega at Camp Crescendo.