Laura has been with this program in some capacity for 10 years. Laura has taught all levels of music, pre k – 12th grade. She has ample experience with teaching all levels of band but she has also taught general music and choir.

She is deeply passionate about bringing music education to all students and families and her favorite part of teaching is seeing the “lightbulb” moments students have when learning a new instrument.

Laura teaches at the Northfield Homeschool Band, St. Michael’s Catholic School, and Faith Christian Home Educators.

Neil Baumgartner has been a band and music teacher in the Twin Cities since 2010. He has held teaching positions with the St. Paul and Mounds View school districts, private schools, and homeschool programs. In addition to teaching music, Neil is an avid trumpet performer and he is a member of the Kenwood Symphony, Century Brass, and the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble where he is also on the board of directors. Neil currently lives in Roseville with his wife and two kids. In his free time he likes to play trumpet, play board games, and go on walks to the park with his family.

Neil teaches at Holy Spirit Catholic School, Burnsville Homeschool Band, and North Heights Christian Academy.

Sam Gidenko graduated with a degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Northwestern Saint Paul. Sam was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he started playing clarinet in the 4th grade and has loved band ever since. He has also grown to love the orchestra and choir. Some of Sam’s favorite genres of music include jazz and classical music. Sam’s hobbies include disc golf and fantasy football and he loves to be outdoors with his wife, Annika, and being together with his family in the Twin Cities.

Sam co teaches at Holy Spirit Catholic School, St. John’s Lutheran School, and Faith Christian Home Educators. He will also be teaching at Holy Trinity Lutheran Academy, and North Metro Flex Academy.

Nelson Penserga is a band director and percussionist based in Saint Michael, Minnesota. Mr. Penserga currently teaches part time in the St. Michael Albertville district, but also teaches for Encore Ensembles in the mornings. From 2002 to 2017 he taught middle school and high school band in the Fairfax County Public Schools system, located in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. He has also taught band in Delaware and Kansas.

A native of Delaware, Mr. Penserga earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Syracuse University. He earned his Master’s Degree in Music from Kansas State University.

Outside of music, Mr. Penserga loves playing with technology, working in the yard and spending lots of time with his wife Jen; his children Maren, Annie, Steven and Rosie; and his dog Marsie.

Mr. Penserga teaches at St. John’s Lutheran School, and St. Michael Catholic School, located in St. Michael.

Sean Prichard is in his 11th year teaching and his 6th year with Encore Ensembles. Before joining Encore Ensembles he was a middle school orchestra and band director in the Minneapolis school district. Though his main instrument is percussion, he does his best to be on par with a “solidly above-average 8th grader” at the rest of the instruments.

In addition to teaching he coaches ultimate frisbee and often teaches swing dance lessons. He tries to learn education techniques from a variety of sources so that he can implement them into his teaching.

Sean is currently our substitute teacher in Encore Ensembles.

Nicole is an accountant and billing specialist who recently relocated in Indianapolis. With Encore Ensembles, she is responsible for all the billing “behind the scenes”.

Nicole is also a musician! She holds a music degree with piano and percussion from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Please feel free to reach out directly to Nicole with any specific questions you have about payment.