DIRECTOR

Richard Moses has been a member of the esteemed faculty of Onalaska High School since 2012 and has the privilege of conducting three OHS Choirs and two Show Choirs. Mr. Moses' group earn top awards at competitions and are ranked nationally.  Mr. Moses holds a master's degree in music composition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received his teacher certification from UW-Milwaukee.  For 17 years, he directed choral activities in the Altoona School District, where he rehearsed and conducted all choral groups (grades 5-12) and provided voice lessons to the high-school choral students.

Mr. Moses has been active in the community by conducting and/or participating in several groups including The Eau Claire Male Chorus (1997-2002), Master Singers (1995-2000), First Congregational Church Choir (2005-2012), adjunct faulty at UW-Eau Claire (2009-2012) and various Eau Claire Children's Theater Productions. He received the WKBT Top Notch Teacher Award in October 2018. He has been selected six times by students for the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce "Excellence in Education" Award, named a 2008 Cocoa-Cola Educator of Distinction by the Cocoa-Cola Scholarship Foundation, cited in the Who's Who Among American Educators Journal several times and awarded the WCATY (Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth) Certification of Excellence.

DIRECTOR

Jennifer (Munn) Saner is a graduate of Onalaska High School, and was a member of Concert Choir and Hilltopper Show Choir! She received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Luther College (Decorah, IA) and her Master's Degree in Music Education from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL). She started her teaching career in January 1990 as the choir director at Onalaska Middle School. In 1999, Jenny transferred to Eagle Bluff Elementary, where she spent 17 years making elementary music magic! In 2016, she joined the choral faculty of OHS, where she enjoy directing Bel Canto, teaching lessons, and co-directing both show choirs.

Jenny and her husband Todd live in Onalaska, and have two  daughters, Abby and Meredith, who are both graduates of the Onalaska Choral Program.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Jarad Voss is a 1998 Onalaska alumni that we are happy to welcome back as choreographer.

Jarad is currently based out of Indianapolis, Indiana.  He is a graduate of the University or Wisconsin-Madison. Jarad has been a professional choreographer and teacher since 2004.

Most of Jarad's year includes creating, staging, instructing, and motivating high school students through competitive show choir. The creation of friendships and the unique ability to bring together a community are the foundations of his commitment to kids and schools.

Instruction at non-competitive festivals include: Show Choir Camps of America Illinois, Show Choir Camps of America Ohio, Show Choir Camp Europe, University of Nebraska Show Choir Camp, and Hal Leonard workshops.

Jarad would like to thank Paul Gulsvig, Dwight Jordam, and Kye Brackett for teaching him more than music.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Lexi Robson Buglewicz is originally from Ankeny, Iowa. She began dancing at the age of 3 and has lived and performed in Oklahoma City, Dallas, Chicago, and New York City, but currently resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lexi attended Oklahoma City University on scholarship where she graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance.

Since graduation, Lexi has completed two contracts with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line dancing through the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas on the Navigator of the Seas and as the Dance Captain on the Enchantment of the Seas.

Lexi is a full-time freelance choreographer, clinician, and adjudicator working with many high school and college show choirs across the country and teaching at many performing arts camps.

After growing up intensly training and studying the art of dance, Lexi is thrilled to share her passion and knowledge with equally passionate kids and directors all over the country.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Braxton Carr is a freelance choreographer based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Originally from Omaha, Braxton has unwavering passions for music and dance that were molded through years of impactful educational experiences in numerous vocal, instrumental, and theatrical ensembles.

After attending University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Glenn Korff School of Music - where he studied music education along with classical voice and musical theatre under Professor Alisa Belflower - Braxton turned his focus to freelancing as a show choir choreographer, clinician, and adjudicator. Since 2015, he has partnered with more than 30 high school programs, designing and choreographing  shows, and earning several accolades for choreographic and visual production along the way.

Between 2016 and 2020, Braxton dedicated a portion of his time to directing Intensity, the mixed prep show choir ensemble at Millard North High School. Under his direction, the choir achieved numerous 1st place results, as well as caption acknowledgements in the 'best choreography' and 'best band' categories. Since then, he's broadened his reach to collaborate with as many programs as possible.

When he's not in the show choir season, Braxton teaches at several performing arts camps in the Midwest, and focuses on his continued professional development with annual trips to Los Angeles for dance training. Lucky for Braxton, show choir season is here; and he's overjoyed to be engaged in such positive, enriching musical experiences everywhere he works.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Damon Brown is a freelance choreographer, songwriter and show designer out of Carmel, Indiana.  He is a graduate of Ball State University.  Since 1983, Damon has worked with over 70,000 students across the USA, and into Canada, England and Switzerland.

During his time as choreographer, his groups have won over 300 grand championships and 400 best choreography/show design awards. 

Damon's original music has been performed by more than 10,000 students. His latest venture comes through judging the Canadian National Show Choir Championships in Toronto and starting a co-writing venture with England's Rachel Walker.

Through his work and advocacy with Thirst Project (thirstproject.org), and beginning his Random Acts of Kindness Initiatives, Damon is attempting to influence students to impact their world in positive and affirming ways, breaking down negative stereotypes of today's teen population.

CLINICIAN

The Hilltoppers are honored to work with the legendary Paul Gulsvig as a guest clinician. He started in 1979 and taught thousands of students in his 28 years as a choral director.

Paul Gulsvig transformed a small swing choir into a sensational show choir at Onalaska High School and quickly set the bar with the Hilltoppers' nationally recognized level of performance.

From 1985 - 2006, the Hilltoppers competed in 140 competitions, won grand championships in 16 cities and 7 states, won national championships in 2004 and 2006, and made the finals in all but two of the competitions in the 21-year period.

He started the Onalaska Show Choir Classic in 1987, and the event quickly attracted some of the best show choirs in the Midwest.

CLINICIAN

Dr. Andrew Last is an Associate Professor of Music at Luther College where he conducts the Nordic Choir and teaches conducting. He also serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Luther and as Director of Dorian Summer Camps.  Dr. Last is part of a vibrant choral program at Luther College that includes four choral faculty and over 500 singers in six choral ensembles. Luther choirs participate in the annual Christmas at Luther celebration, perform in biennial oratorios, and are featured at regional and national American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conventions.

A frequent clinician and guest conductor around the United States and abroad (leading choirs in Namibia, South Africa, and Guam). Last is a member of the American Choral Directors Association.

HEAD COSTUMER