Board of Directors
The North Suburban Concert Band is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors which is elected on a rotating biannual schedule by the general membership in accordance with our Bylaws. The Board is comprised of 11 members, each with a specific set of responsibilities. Our Music Director is an advisory, non-voting member of the Board. Board meetings are open to the public and meeting minutes are available for review here. Use the Contact Us form to submit a request to be invited to the next Board meeting.
Ashley Gilbert
President
[email protected]
Clarinet
Ashley joined the North Suburban Concert Band in 2014 and is serving on the board for the first time in 2023.
Her journey into the world of music began in her hometown in Pennsylvania, where she began playing the clarinet in 5th grade. Throughout her academic years, Ashley pursued her musical interests in parallel with her education, continuing to play the clarinet during her undergraduate years at Shippensburg University.
Ashley’s professional path took an intriguing turn when she transitioned from being an elementary school teacher to becoming an entrepreneur. After obtaining her Master’s Degree from Hamline University, she was better able to recognize the unique challenges faced by young learners who have reading and spelling struggles and those affected by Dyslexia. She has now dedicated herself to helping these students learn the skills they need to have a brighter future.
Outside of her musical and professional commitments, Ashley finds joy in various activities. She is an avid reader, always exploring new worlds and ideas through the pages of books. Additionally, she and her partner, Dylan, share their life with many pets - a pitbull named Bellatrix, a cat named Goose, a turtle named Leonardo, and three tarantulas (perhaps they’ll get names someday).
Her journey into the world of music began in her hometown in Pennsylvania, where she began playing the clarinet in 5th grade. Throughout her academic years, Ashley pursued her musical interests in parallel with her education, continuing to play the clarinet during her undergraduate years at Shippensburg University.
Ashley’s professional path took an intriguing turn when she transitioned from being an elementary school teacher to becoming an entrepreneur. After obtaining her Master’s Degree from Hamline University, she was better able to recognize the unique challenges faced by young learners who have reading and spelling struggles and those affected by Dyslexia. She has now dedicated herself to helping these students learn the skills they need to have a brighter future.
Outside of her musical and professional commitments, Ashley finds joy in various activities. She is an avid reader, always exploring new worlds and ideas through the pages of books. Additionally, she and her partner, Dylan, share their life with many pets - a pitbull named Bellatrix, a cat named Goose, a turtle named Leonardo, and three tarantulas (perhaps they’ll get names someday).
Cindy Stanaway
Vice President
[email protected]
Soprano/Alto Saxophone
Cindy has been a member of the North Suburban Concert Band for 15+ years and joined the Board in 2022.
Music is her passion!
Music is her passion!
Dave VenHuizen
Secretary
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Clarinet
Shirley Paroczai
Treasurer
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Percussion/Bass Clarinet
Jean Sorensen
Membership
[email protected]
Flute
Jean first joined the band in 2001, serving on the Board of Directors as a member-at-large. After taking a break for motherhood, she is continuing her service to the band as Membership Coordinator on the Board of Directors.
Jean is a graduate of Fred Moore Junior High and Anoka High School, where she played flute with Peter Dahlstrom, Gordy Nielson, John Lace, and Mike Hiatt on the podium. Following high school she attended St. Olaf College to study Biology & Environmental Studies. At St. Olaf she also played flute and piccolo in the world-renowned St. Olaf Band for four years, under the batons of Miles "Mity" Johnson and Timothy Mahr. Jean also holds a master's degree from Bethel University in Curriculum & Instruction, and an education specialist (post-master's) degree from the University of St. Thomas in Educational Leadership.
Jean is proud to return to her hometown as a science teacher at Anoka Middle School for the Arts (Fred Moore Campus), where she can teach science while also supporting her students in the arts.
In addition to NSCB, Jean can regularly be heard playing flute at St. Stephen's Church in downtown Anoka. In her free time, she enjoys birdwatching, reading historical fiction, digital scrapbooking, and volunteering with animal rescue groups. She shares her home with two busy teenagers and four rescue mutts.
Jean is a graduate of Fred Moore Junior High and Anoka High School, where she played flute with Peter Dahlstrom, Gordy Nielson, John Lace, and Mike Hiatt on the podium. Following high school she attended St. Olaf College to study Biology & Environmental Studies. At St. Olaf she also played flute and piccolo in the world-renowned St. Olaf Band for four years, under the batons of Miles "Mity" Johnson and Timothy Mahr. Jean also holds a master's degree from Bethel University in Curriculum & Instruction, and an education specialist (post-master's) degree from the University of St. Thomas in Educational Leadership.
Jean is proud to return to her hometown as a science teacher at Anoka Middle School for the Arts (Fred Moore Campus), where she can teach science while also supporting her students in the arts.
In addition to NSCB, Jean can regularly be heard playing flute at St. Stephen's Church in downtown Anoka. In her free time, she enjoys birdwatching, reading historical fiction, digital scrapbooking, and volunteering with animal rescue groups. She shares her home with two busy teenagers and four rescue mutts.
Mark Kvamme
Equipment Manager
[email protected]
Trumpet
Lexi Mahlum
Librarian
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Trumpet
Maureen Zeleny
Public Relations
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Percussion
Jason St. Aubin
Member At Large
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Contrabass Clarinet
Jason joined the North Suburban Concert Band in 2020 and is serving on the board for the first time in 2023.
A musician in one form or another for most of his life, whether singing, or playing clarinet, tuba, baritone, or even bassoon at one point, Jason now plays contrabass clarinet in the band, and also sings with the North Suburban Christmas Chorale and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
An avid Star Wars fan and Lego enthusiast, Jason enjoys spending his spare time outside of band with his family, announcing for his daughter’s gymnastics team, and woodworking in the garage among many other pursuits and hobbies.
A musician in one form or another for most of his life, whether singing, or playing clarinet, tuba, baritone, or even bassoon at one point, Jason now plays contrabass clarinet in the band, and also sings with the North Suburban Christmas Chorale and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
An avid Star Wars fan and Lego enthusiast, Jason enjoys spending his spare time outside of band with his family, announcing for his daughter’s gymnastics team, and woodworking in the garage among many other pursuits and hobbies.
Pat Capistran
Member At Large
[email protected]
Clarinet
Pat joined the North Suburban Concert Band in 2012 after learning to play the clarinet as an adult.
She worked as a registered nurse in Cardiac Care for 42-1/2 years and retired in 2016.
Pat is also a volunteer with the Encore Wind Ensemble. Her duties there include greeting guests, handing out programs, and taking collections at their concerts. She also serves on their Board of Directors as Secretary.
In her spare time, Pat enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, walking outside, and diamond art crafting.
She worked as a registered nurse in Cardiac Care for 42-1/2 years and retired in 2016.
Pat is also a volunteer with the Encore Wind Ensemble. Her duties there include greeting guests, handing out programs, and taking collections at their concerts. She also serves on their Board of Directors as Secretary.
In her spare time, Pat enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, walking outside, and diamond art crafting.
Rachael Kent
Webmaster
[email protected]
Tenor Saxophone
Rachael first joined NSCB in 2013. After a few years of playing in the band, she decided to get more involved. First, volunteering to create the band's concert posters and programs in 2019 and then taking on the role of Webmaster in 2021. Rachael also manages the band's Google Workspace account, as well as assists with social media accounts and other online and technological needs.
Rachael attended Wilson Elementary, Fred Moore Middle School, and graduated from Anoka High School, where she played Bass Clarinet, Contra Alto Clarinet, and Tenor Saxophone with John Lace and Andrew Richter on the podium.
Rachael is a full-time Accounts Payable Coordinator and shares a home with her partner, four spirited kids, an 80 pound "lap" dog, and two playful cats. She volunteers as one of her daughter's Girl Scout Troop Leaders and Troop Cookie Manager, as well as, plays chauffeur for all of her kids' other activities.
Outside of NSCB, Rachael can be heard playing with a group formed by present and former NSCB members called Fourth Degree. In her "spare" time, she enjoys crocheting, card making, diamond painting, and has her own handmade craft business.
Rachael attended Wilson Elementary, Fred Moore Middle School, and graduated from Anoka High School, where she played Bass Clarinet, Contra Alto Clarinet, and Tenor Saxophone with John Lace and Andrew Richter on the podium.
Rachael is a full-time Accounts Payable Coordinator and shares a home with her partner, four spirited kids, an 80 pound "lap" dog, and two playful cats. She volunteers as one of her daughter's Girl Scout Troop Leaders and Troop Cookie Manager, as well as, plays chauffeur for all of her kids' other activities.
Outside of NSCB, Rachael can be heard playing with a group formed by present and former NSCB members called Fourth Degree. In her "spare" time, she enjoys crocheting, card making, diamond painting, and has her own handmade craft business.