About
We love to play, and keep people playing.
Jazz HD provides professional jazz performances via four ensembles: Duals, Octets, and a full ‘Big-band’ experience.
Also offering clinics, consultations, and performances with KHS America XO Artist Jonathan Laflamme in both classical and jazz genres.
Jonathan Laflamme
Jonathan was inspired to start playing trumpet at age seven and continued studying under the direction and mentorship of Professor of trumpet Emeritus at St. Scholastica (MN) and the University of Wisconsin, Superior, Earl Salemink during his early formative years, Robert Baca at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire during his undergraduate experience, and finally with Dr. Allen Moore at St. Cloud State University during his graduate and post-graduate work. Jonathan used his trumpet as his primary teaching tool throughout his career as a high school band director. Jonathan’s concert, jazz, and sports bands received regional, state, and national recognition under his tutelage. Now as a college instructor, Jonathan works beyond his own classrooms in over thirty Minnesota high schools through the College in the Schools Program. Jonathan wrote and received accreditation for a new, open sourced, music degree at Central Lakes College. Jonathan also adjudicates their contests and acts as a clinician in their festivals. As Director of Instrumental Music at Central Lakes College, Jonathan directs four bands and teaches music education. Jonathan also works as an adjudicator/clinician nationally and abroad through Music Festivals and Tours Unlimited, all the while using his XO trumpet and Flugelhorn to teach and clinic for learners of all ages. Jonathan’s music education success has been recognized in the 2022 edition of Marquis Who’s Who in America and was selected to represent Minnesota in the National School Band & Orchestra Magazine’s annual 50 Directors from 50 States Who Make a Difference in 2019. In 2022, Jonathan was signed as a Level A artist with KHS-America Incorporated on their professional line of Brass ‘XO’ Trumpets. Jonathan is also sponsored by Hercules Stands. Jonathan maintains an active performance schedule in three jazz groups and as a freelance classical, symphonic, and liturgical soloist and singer.
Jonathan has also partnered with KHS America and Eckroth Music to combine a Step-Up Instrument Event For Schools with a Jazz or classical Guest Soloist, or to Bring in The Jazz Authority, Rhapsody Jazz, Jazz Sophisticate, or The Lakes Big Band to School Band Programs and Pump up Music Education.
Lara M. Moline
Lara M. Moline is a graduate of the University of Wyoming. She received her Bachelor degree of Music Education, with a Vocal Emphasis in 2007. She continued her studies with the late Dr. Stephen Zegree at Western Michigan University, obtaining a Master degree of Vocal Performance, Jazz Studies in 2009. Lara has recently graduated with a Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado, in Choral Conducting, with an emphasis in Vocal Jazz and Music History. Her dissertation, Vocal Jazz in the Choral Classroom: A Pedagogical Study, discusses the need for the vocal jazz style within the choral classroom, introduces transitional elements that are accessible to choral directors of any level, and involves an observational curriculum study. Lara has since presented her dissertation research at the Jazz Educators Network Conference (2021), Wyoming Music Educators All State conventions (2021), Minnesota Music Educators Conference (2022), and Minnesota American Choral Directors Association Fall Conference (2022).
Lara has performed in Downbeat Award-winning ensembles such as Western Michigan University’s Gold Company and University of Northern Colorado’s Northern Colorado Voices and Vocal Lab. She has also performed with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Dontae Winslow, Roomful of Teeth, Darmon Meader, Gary Burton, the Chicago Pops Orchestra, and with Charice Pempengco on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Lara is a sought-after guest adjudicator, clinician, and conductor. She has worked primarily in Wyoming serving as the guest conductor of the Wyoming Southwest High School Honor Choir in 2016, guest choral conductor of the Yellowstone Summer Music Camp in 2018, and guest conductor for the Big Horn Basin District Honor Choir in November 2019. As an adjudicator and clinician, she has worked with students from middle school to college levels in solo voice, small voice ensembles, and large vocal ensembles in both traditional and vocal jazz idioms since 2014.
Lara is currently the Assistant Professor of Voice and Choral Music Education at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. She conducts all choral ensembles, teaches contemporary and classical voice lessons, and instructs music education courses. Lara regularly performs as a solo artist (jazz and popular styles) around the Central MN area and with groups Jazz Authority, Jazz Sophisticate, and Radio Nation.