Council 2023-2024

Abby Petersen – President

Abby Petersen is a fifth-year music education student at Brandon University in the instrumental stream. This will be Abby’s fourth year on BUSMEA council, and her second year as BUSMEA President. She plays the oboe, loves to travel and read, and is very excited to bring some great professional development opportunities to BU students this
year.

Faith Colobong – Vice-President

Faith is currently a fifth-year Music Education student majoring on the trombone. Her teachable minor is in English and cites Vladimir Nabokov, James Baldwin, Allen Ginsberg, and Sylvia Plath as some of her favourite writers/poets. This is her fourth year serving on the BUSMEA council and is excited to enter another in-person (yay!) school year.

Leeanne Gerry – Secretary

Leeanne Gerry is a third year Music Education student in the instrumental stream. She plays the clarinet and is studying chemistry as her second teachable subject area. Aside from her obvious love of music, she loves to read and practically lives off coffee. 2023-2024 marks Leeanne’s second year on council, and her second year serving as BUSMEA’s secretary. Leeanne is very excited to provide valuable contributions to the school this year as a member of BUSMEA.  

Mya Kristjanson – Treasurer

Mya Kristjanson is a third year music education student in the elementary stream. This is Mya’s first year on BUSMEA council as the treasurer. She plays the alto saxophone. She loves to spend time with her family and friends, and she is a huge fan of Taylor Swift. She is very excited to become a teacher, it has been her dream job since elementary school. Mya is really looking forward to her very first year on BUSMEA council.  

Kendra Martinussen – Corresponding Officer

Kendra is a fourth year Music Education student in the instrumental stream. She studies jazz saxophone and loves to relax with a cup of coffee and a vinyl playing. This is Kendra’s second year on the BUSMEA council as the Corresponding Officer and she is very excited to bring you the weekly BUSMEA eNews! 

Janina Macalalad – Co-Media Relations Officer

Janina is a fifth-year Music Education student with a teachable minor in Psychology. She is a jazz bass major and this is her fourth year on council. Her favourite music genres are R&B and neo-soul, and she enjoys making bead jewelry. Janina is eager to be back on campus for another fun year and she is excited to contribute as Co-Media Relations Officer!

Kendalyn Penner – Co-Media Relations Officer

Kendalyn is a third year Music Education student who loves to take part in and teach choirShe is a voice major and is super excited to conduct choirs one day.Kendalyn enjoys baking pastries and has more plants than any one person should ownThis is Kendalyn’s first year on the BUSMEA council as Co-Media Relations Officer and she can’t wait to bring more choral education opportunities to Brandon University School of Music.

Avery Walker – Fundraising Chair

Avery (AJ) is a Music Education student in her 5th year of studies. She is in the instrumental stream and plays the saxophone. In her free time, AJ loves to listen to music, hang out with her guinea pigs, and read. This is AJ’s first year on the BUSMEA council as the Fundraising Chair. She is looking forward to making the 2023/2024 school year hip and fun for all BU music students!  

McKenna Thenhaus – Fifth Year Representative

McKenna is a fifth-year Music education student studying in the instrumental stream. She is a Bari sax player who tries playing flute every once in a while. She loves spending time outside and with friends. This is her first year on the BUSMEA council and she is excited to see what her final year at BU has to bring!