Victory Park Brass Biographies

Victory Park Brass
Music for your special occasion

	RICHARD PERKINS has been a music educator for more than forty years and has been on the music faculty at Anoka-Ramsey Community College since 1973. He has an MA degree in trumpet performance from the U of Iowa and also has a BME degree from the U of Wisconsin-River Falls. Ric has backed up performers such as Melissa Manchester, Joel Grey, Tony Orlando, and The Lettermen. He has also worked with jazz artists such as Ernie Watts, Ellis Marsalis, Clark Terry, Richie Cole and Ross Tompkins. He is in high demand as a wedding soloist in the Twin Cities area. Ric is also a founding member of the Lake Wobegon® Brass Band. Richard J. Perkins completed his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, with a BME degree. Mr. Perkins began his music educator career teach in the Amery, WI, Public School System. In 1973 he joined the music faculty at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, after completing his MA in trumpet performance at the University of Iowa. Mr. Perkins presently teaches Music Theory at Anoka-Ramsey, performs as a trumpet soloist and presents trumpet clinics throughout the Mid-west. Professor Perkins is a member of the International Trumpet Guild, Education Minnesota, Twin Cities Musicians Union, and NABBA. He is also a founding member of the North Metropolitan Brass Quintet and the Lake Wobegon® Brass Band.
	DON HAKALA is a businessman and musician and is a member of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with the Finnish Brass Septet, Ameriikan Poijat (Boys of America), which performs at ethnic festivals and music conferences around the region. He played trumpet at the University of Minnesota and also as a military musician in the U.S. Air Force. Don is a well-known and active freelance musician in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. He also plays summer concerts with the Lake Harriet Pops Orchestra and the Como Park Orchestra.
	VICKI WHEELER, French Horn is a graduate of Luther College and an active freelance musician. She is a member of the Victory Park Brass, Ruby Trio, and the Lake Wobegon® Brass Band. Vicki performs frequently with her horn trio, Trio Brava, and has performed with several other professional groups including the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Sinfonia, and Harmonia Mundi. She also plays the Swiss alphorn and performs as a soloist and as a member of several alphorn ensembles. Vicki teaches private horn lessons in her home in Minneapolis.
	JOHN OLSON is a University of Minnesota graduate with bachelor and masters degrees in music education. John studied trombone with Ron Ricketts, former trombonist with the Minnesota Orchestra. He also did post graduate work at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. John is an active freelance musician in classical and jazz styles and plays with The Wolverines Big Band, The Bella Gala Big Band, Minneapolis Trombone Choir, Plymouth Trombones, and the Lake Wobegon® Brass Band. John is a band director in the Osseo School District.
	DAVID LARS PETERSON did his undergraduate work at the U of Minnesota–Duluth and received his Masters degree in Wind Instruments from the U of Michigan in 1970. Since 1972 he has been a band director in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, teaching all levels of instrumental music. David also teaches in the Moundsview School District summer program and has developed many new materials and techniques for instrumental music advancement and has contributed many innovative teaching methods that are valuable to the profession. He regularly performs with the Minnesota Symphonic Winds and is considered to be a superior tubist. David is frequently called upon to clinic and adjudicate bands and does many special tuba workshops throughout Minnesota. David is also a founding member of the Lake Wobegon® Brass Band. (Rev 2009) David Peterson recently retired from the Anoka-Hennepin Schools after 43 years as a band director. He graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, with an undergratuate degree in music education, and the University of Michigan with a degree in conducting anbd performance. His career as a music educator has found him at all levels of instrumental teaching, including elementary through college. He performs regularly with the Lake Wobegon Brass Band (founding member), the Minnesota Symphonic Winds, and the Victory Park Brass. David is Minnesota State High School League adjucator and coaches low brass for the Minnesota All-State Band.

Please Call (612) 522-5448 or email alph...@comcast.net with inquiries or to schedule Victroy Park Brass. A quintet demo recording is available upon request.