Talent

Expressed as having finesse and a lyrical tone, Kelsey Klopfenstein is an emerging soloist and chamber violinist, both in the classical and jazz traditions. Ms. Klopfenstein currently holds the Graduate Violin Assistantship at Illinois State University and studies with Dr. Sarah Gentry. In addition to studying with award winning violinists such as Dr. Scott Conklin (University of Iowa), Marcia Henry Liebenow (Bradley University), and Elizabeth Rust (formerly of the Western Illinois University), Ms. Klopfenstein studied conducting privately as an undergraduate. She began her conducting under the tutelage of Brian Dollinger (Muscatine Symphony Orchestra) and studied at summer festivals with pedagogues such as Donald Portnoy (University of South Carolina) and Apo Hsu (Bard College). Currently in pursuit of a Masters of Music in Performance, Ms. Klopfenstein holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance degree from Bradley University (2012). Ms. Klopfenstein, a dedicated teacher, volunteered for a year at L’ecole Musique Sainte Trinite in Port-au-Prinice, Haiti as a violin teacher, orchestra conductor and theory tutor. This year marks her tenth year of private violin teaching.

Carmen grew up in central Illinois and earned her high school nickname of “Clucking Canary” because she was always singing!  Early on, her parents taught her and her three younger brothers to appreciate a wide variety of music styles – and that stuck with Carmen as she has experience in a wide variety of music and singing styles.  She currently sings with the band JC and the Redemption, an 11-piece band that plays soul, funk and stax.  She’s also performed in local community theatre since she was 16, and has extensive experience singing in groups that include styles such as classical and vocal jazz and was also
a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 2002-2006.  In 2012 she sang with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra with Ashley Brown, Broadway’s original Mary Poppins.  Her experience with several music genres and her strong work ethic makes her a welcomed addition to the MuziqueBaux talent bench!

A band with a smooth and sophisticated sound, Soft Spoken performs several styles of music, including Funk, Traditional Jazz, R&B, Contemporary Jazz, Neo Soul and originals. They have a strategic blend of professional musicians which include a very versatile vocalist who does everything from gospel and jazz, to pop and musical theatre! Being formed in 1996, Soft Spoken continues to be the top Contemporary Jazz band in Central Illinois! MuziqueBaux is proud to have this band as part of their talent bench!