Joey Gulizia

Joey Gulizia is an internationally recognized percussionist and educator who has been performing professionally since childhood. A drummer from an early age, he was playing regularly with his family by age 10 and has since built a career spanning concerts, cruises, and tours across all 50 states and around the world. A versatile musician, Gulizia performs on drum set, percussion, and a wide range of world instruments, and has appeared with groups including Mannheim Steamroller, the Omaha Symphony, and the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra. With more than 30 years in music education, he has led hundreds of residencies, workshops, and clinics for students of all ages, earning honors such as induction into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education.

Andy Hall

Andy Hall, a professional bassist on both the acoustic and electric bass, is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. He is currently the jazz bass instructor at The University of Nebraska Omaha. Andy’s favorite style of music, “Jazz,” he finds most challenging, yet most rewarding. For many years, Hall has played bass with the nationally known jazz vocalist, Marilyn Maye. He has many other credits to his name, including playing with Chuck Berry, The Four Freshman, The Headliners, Count Basie Orchestra, Peter Nero, Rosemary Clooney and Doc Severinson just to name a few. In addition to performing, he spends a great deal of time teaching in jazz workshops, camps, and artist-in-residence programs as well as serving as an adjudicator for jazz festivals.

Jeff Jenkins

Omaha-based jazz pianist, composer, and educator Jeff Jenkins has recently worked as a professor of music in the Thompson Jazz Studies Program at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Grounded in a wide range of jazz styles, he has released seven original CDs in the last 15 years, while appearing as a featured player on dozens more. Throughout his career Jenkins has appeared locally, nationally and internationally in festivals and clubs with his eponymous ensembles, or as a guest artist with jazz greats including Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Harris, Clark Terry, The New York Voices, Bobby Hutcherson, and John Abercrombie, among others. A product of the acclaimed jazz program at the University of North Texas, Jenkins continued his piano studies in the New York City studios of Fred Hirsch, Richie Beirach, and Kenny Barron. Based in Manhattan in the 1980s, Jenkins performed in noted jazz venues throughout the city, and appeared as principal pianist for several Broadway musicals. A gifted bandleader and in-demand sideman across Nebraska, Colorado, and the western region, Jenkins also mixes and music professionally in his Mixdown Sound recording studio, and produces music videos for his YouTube channel “allkeyspro”. He was the pianist-keyboardist for the 1st National tours of Little Shop of Horrors, and The Who’s Tommy.

Once merely a parking lot, the new Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center cuts a stunning silhouette across the skyline, boasting lovely architecture melded with artistic functionality that will host generations of entertainment. 

In 2016, a bond approved by the residents of the five counties served by Iowa Lakes Community College, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, and Palo Alto, helped fund the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center.

The completion of this major construction project has reinvigorated music and performing arts on the Estherville Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College and in the local community. 

500-SEAT THEATRE

The centerpiece of the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center is a 500-seat theater with an open mezzanine that accommodates up to 105 people for a seated meal, or more for standing cocktails or intermission snacks. The performing arts center also includes a box office and area for concessions. 

“The line of sight from the seats to the stage is incredible. There are no bad seats in the house! We are beyond excited for the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center to open, so we can begin sharing concerts, musicals, state-wide events, and more in a place with permanent sound and lighting.” 

Carol Ayres-Stueven, Former Instrumental Music Professor

BACKSTAGE, COSTUMES, LIGHTING & SOUND

Backstage, instead of the standard green room, Iowa Lakes opted to create a blue-note space for performers and speakers to await their cues and to host small private events. Additionally, a new costume area provides plenty of space to sew, launder, and store costumes. The theater also incorporates a state-of-the art theatrical rigging system and an advanced lighting and sound system.