Scott Blasco (2000) Music Theory/Composition & Music History
Scott Blasco graduated in 2000 with a degree in Music Theory and Composition and Music History. He was a percussionist in the Calvin Band and the Calvin Orchestra and won the concerto competition in 1999 performing a timpani concerto. Scott went on to graduate school, earning a Master of Music in Composition from Western Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Music Composition at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Holly Okkema Israels (2004) Music Education
Holly Okkema Israels graduated from Calvin in 2004 with a degree in Music Education. While at Calvin, she studied piano and voice and was a member of the Women's Chorale, Capella, Lyric Singers, and Campus Choir. She was also chaiperson of the Gospel Choir. Holly currently teaches 8th through 12th grade choir and musical theatre classes at Hamilton High School in Hamilton, MI. She is also attending Boston University in an on-line masters program in music education, which she will complete in May 2009.
Sean Ivory (1992) Music Education
Sean Ivory graduated from Calvin in 1992 with a degree in Music Education and he also holds a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University. Sean has been teaching vocal music at Forest Hills Central High School (Grand Rapids, MI) since 1992 and he also conducts the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus. Mr. Ivory has arranged and composed several published works including Go Where I Send Thee, Ani Ma'Amin, John the Revelator, and Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down. Mr. Ivory's music is published by Earthsongs, GIA and Alliance.
Helen Karsten (2006) Trumpet Performance & Music Education
Helen Karsten graduated from Calvin in 2006 with a degree in music education and trumpet performance. During her years at Calvin, she was a member of the Calvin Band and the Calvin Orchestra. She graduated from Western Michigan University in 2008 with a Masters in Trumpet Performance with a cognate in Music Education. She is currently working as a social worker for the State of Michigan and also is an active freelancer in the West Michigan area.
Erin Westmaas (2005) Music Theory/Composition
Erin Westmaas graduated from Calvin in 2005 with a BA in Music Theory/Composition. During her years at Calvin, Erin took composition lessons from Dr. Fuentes, piano with Dr. Kim and did a joint piano/composition recital. She also sang in the Women's Chorale and Capella. In addition, Erin worked as a Worship Apprentice and for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
After graduating from Calvin, Erin went on to do a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the Yale School of Music, with a certification from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. While there she studied with Marguerite Brooks and Simon Carrington, and sang in the Yale Schola Cantorum. Following her degree, she worked for a year as the Director of Music for the Yale University Church and a lecturer in the Yale Music Department. She also conducted a community ensemble called "The Shoreline Chorale." She also was a member of a professional chorale ensemble based in Philadelphia called "The Crossing", conducted by Donald Nally. Erin is currently teaching choral music at the Darlington School in Rome, Georgia and looking forward to creating new musical opportunities in this community!
Christine Witte (2007) Viola Performance & Music Education
Christine Witte graduated from Calvin in 2007 with a degree in viola performance and music education. She was the first violinist in the string quartet "Rogouwi" for three years, a three-year concertmaster of the Calvin Orchestra and picked up the viola in her final year to sit Principal Viola. Christine is now a scholarship graduate student at DePaul University in Chicago.
John Witvliet (1990) Vocal Performance
In addition to his music degree from Calvin, John Witvliet also holds graduate degrees in theology from Calvin Theology Seminary, in choral music from the University of Illinois, and the Ph.D. in liturgical studies and theology from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Witvliet serves as director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship as well as professor of music at Calvin College and professor of worship at Calvin Theological Seminary.
He is the author of The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Introduction and Guide to Resources (Eerdmans, 2007), co-editor of The Worship Sourcebook (Faith Alive & Baker Books, 2004), Worship Seeking Understanding: Windows into Christian Practice (Baker Academic, 2003), co-editor of Worship in Medieval and Early Modern Europe: Change and Continuity in Religious Practice (University of Notre Dame Press, 2004), and editor of A Child Shall Lead: Children in Worship (Choristers Guild, 1999). He serves as editor for two series of books-the “Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies Series” (Eerdmans) and “Vital Worship, Healthy Congregations” (Alban Institute)-as well as co-editor, with Pearl Shangkuan, of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Music Series (GIA).
