Nick Gaudette

Renegade bassist and musical maverick, Nick Gaudette is a low-end string slinging legend who seamlessly weaves conservatory-trained precision with unbridled creative chaos.

Nick holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Minnesota Mankato. Drawing on this background, he has developed a distinctive co-teaching curriculum that reimagines orchestral education for the 21st century. His model set on the traditional high school schedule weaves together upper and lower string technique, music theory, Dalcroze eurhythmics, all solidifying the foundation of the traditional ensemble rehearsal process creating to create cohesive and holistic learning experience.

Before teaching full-time, Nick was a staple of the Twin Cities music scene on upright bass, jazz clubs, rock venues, folk circles, tango nights, recording sessions. His genre-hopping resume includes everything from rock to Bach, pit orchestras to postmodern experiments and he can be seen performing across many established venues like Chanhassen Dinner Theater, The Children's Theater, and the Walker Arts Center. His current performing groups include the Orange Mighty Trio, Tamarack Stylites, Toni Wolf's Dream Wedding, and The Lake Minnetonka String Quintet.

Where Nick truly breaks the mold is in his collaborations with modern dance, particularly with choreographer and life partner Maggie Bergeron. Together, they co-created the Hear, Here! Live Music and Movement Festival, pairing composers with choreographers for new interdisciplinary premieres. His bass becomes both narrative instrument and kinetic prop within the context of movement and soundscapes.

Recognition includes: Minnesota State Arts Board recipient, Grammy Music Educator Quarter Finalist, Minnesota Teacher of the Year finalist, MMEA Wall of Honor inductee, and EdFund grant recipient. With four studio albums and countless film and commercial placements, Nick proves artistic integrity drives success across multiple genres.

When not attempting to revolutionize music education or push artistic boundaries, Nick lives in South Minneapolis with Maggie, children Gus and Lola, and their dog Fawkes—always ready to recharge in nature's symphony.

Jack Reynertson

Jack Reynertson is a music educator who brings an abiding love for young people and the arts to every aspect of his teaching. Jack currently leads the Repertory and Chamber Orchestras at Edina High School, and teaches 5th Grade Orchestra at Highlands Elementary School. Jack previously taught orchestra in Wisconsin, where he studied Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance; a teaching model which continues to inform his passionate advocacy for education that serves the entire person.

Jack is a driven musical leader, and has studied as a conducting fellow at the Conductor’s Institute of South Carolina and the Wintergreen Music Festival. A Graduate of St. Olaf College, Jack served as principal percussionist for the St. Olaf Band and St. Olaf Orchestra, and continues to play percussion with the Minnesota Symphonic Winds and Wayzata Symphony Orchestra. He lives in Minneapolis and enjoys visiting new places and spending time in nature with his friends and family.