Hi! My name is Kate Huffman and I’m so proud to be a board member for the Waverly Chamber Music Series. I currently live in Boston, MA, making me the board’s only current long-distance member! I work in marketing for a music educational travel organization and am a clarinet player. I graduated from Wartburg College in 2015 with a degree in music. I also have an MA in arts administration and cultural policy from Goldsmiths, University of London. While at Wartburg, I was so lucky to have been taught by wonderful music teachers (some of whom also serve on the WCMS board!) who provided me with opportunities to see and listen to professional musicians. Being able to interact with high-quality musicians and know what I might sound like one day if I kept practicing and working hard was incredibly inspiring.
During summer 2015, I worked for the City of Waverly as a cultural planner. I was fortunate to be able to help organize the Gentlemen of the Road stopover in June of that year and had a blast getting to know all of the other cultural organizers in the Cedar Valley area. I’m so excited to be part of the WCMS, an organization that is adding amazing cultural opportunities for people in Waverly and the Cedar Valley.
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Dr. Eric Wachmann was one of the original founding members of the organization and currently serves as the WCMS’ Artistic Director. Eric is a Professor of Music at Wartburg College where he teaches Clarinet, Shakuhachi, and Music Theory. He and his family have lived in Waverly for the past 24 years.
Eric had this to say about his involvement and excitement about the WCMS, “As a musician, and avid chamber performer, I have a unique interest in having a chamber series in the Waverly community. A chamber series focused on engaging the Waverly and Cedar Valley community will add greatly to the arts offerings already in place.” About what he is most looking forward to in the upcoming WCMS season, Eric said, “I am most excited about having The WolfGang perform. They are a baroque ensemble from St. Paul, MN and this will be the first time that I can remember any performance of baroque music or baroque instruments taking place in the Cedar Valley!” Finally, about his favorite piece of chamber music to perform or listen to, Eric said, “The Mozart Clarinet Quintet. Cliche, yes. But also beautiful music!” Hi my name is Chuck Kepford and I’m the treasurer for the Waverly Chamber Music Board. I’m currently the Finance Manager for Bossard North America, which includes our locations in the US, Canada and Mexico. I moved to Waverly with my family back in 2005 when Bossard consolidated its North America Administration operations in Cedar Falls. We chose Waverly because it was my wife's home town and a great place to raise kids.
I have joined the board as treasurer after being asked by my neighbor who is one of the founding members of the WCMS. I don’t have a musical background, but with 30 years in accounting I enjoy helping with treasury. I don’t have a favorite piece of chamber music that I would like to listen to but I do enjoy listening to all types of music. If I had to pick some music to listen to it would have to be a little Jimmy Buffett or Bob Marley. I looking forward to the new WCMS because of the learning experience of listening to different types of music I would not normally be exposed to. Dr. Penni Pier is the WCMS’ board Secretary and also teaches a variety of communication courses at Wartburg College where she also serves at the Grant L. Price Endowed Department Chair. Penni and her family have lived in Waverly since fall 2000.
“I love music, though am not very musically talented myself,” said Penni. “I love the idea that the WCMS is making music accessible to everyone and anyone in the community who would like to attend.” Penni loves to help organize and brainstorm ideas for making the WCMS successful and to help inform the Waverly community of these opportunities to enjoy chamber music. When asked her favorite piece of chamber music, she said she couldn’t pick a favorite if she tried! Though she does have a fondness for strings. When asked why she believes the WCMS will be a fabulous addition to the cultural offerings of Waverly and the Cedar Valley, Penni said, “I am really looking forward to reaching out to the youth in our community and sharing the [WCMS] experience with them. We have such talent and dedication in our public schools with regard to music and I think this will be a great addition to their education.” Travis Toliver is the Vice Chair of the Waverly Chamber Music Board. Currently serving as Executive Director for the Waverly Chamber of Commerce and the Waverly Main Street program, Travis uses his almost 20 years of hotel hospitality experience to help better the Waverly business community and the Cedar Valley of Northeast Iowa. As a lifelong singer, Travis is no stranger to the stage having performed multiple major operatic and musical theatre roles throughout his singing career. He is a highly sought after vocal soloist, motivational speaker, narrator and voice-over artist. Travis can be heard narrating the “Voice of God” each year at Wartburg College’s annual Christmas with Wartburg production. In addition to the WCMS, Travis proudly serves on the board of directors for the Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives, Waverly Area Development Fund, Waverly Economic Development Commission and Waverly's Sister City organization which helps to foster and maintain relations between Waverly, Iowa and Eisenach, Germany.
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