WHS Visual & Performing Arts Instructors
Julie Baker-Anderson
Vocal Music
Teacher Since: 1995
Hometown: Ericson, NE
Bachelors: University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Masters: "I don't have that one yet . . . maybe someday . . . I
have been too busy with my M.O.M. degree!"
Favorite
Books
Favorite
Movies
"I have so
many favorites! I love musicals of course, all of the Star Wars and
Indiana Jones movies, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Color Purple
and Titanic. OK, and I am not afraid to admit that I had an
obsession with E.T. when I was in jr. high. I saw it in the theatre
six times!!"
Interesting
Facts: There are
only 100 people in my hometown. I was raised on a farm/ranch and
actually used to rodeo. I can roller skate faster backwards than
forwards. I started singing when I was five, sang in my first band
when I was fifteen, was a member of the Scarlet and Cream Singers
during college, played the main character for a Willa Cather
Special on NETV, recorded a radio commercial for a bank, and am the
voice you hear on the YouTube video of 'Beautiful Nebraska.'
I
once volunteered to go onstage at an Omaha Symphony concert at the
Holland Performing Arts Center and was told I had to conduct a
song. They were shocked when I came up onstage and told them I was
a music teacher, so it worked out well! They were doing songs by
Led Zeppelin that evening, and I conducted the song 'Dancing Days.'
It was an amazing experience, and probably was my
once-in-a-lifetime chance to ever conduct a symphony. I received a
standing ovation. I currently sing in the classic rock
band Crossroads. My husband Joel and I have five children, and
everyone’s name in our family starts with a 'J.'"
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Kim Brigham
Art I, II, III, IV
Teacher Since: 1998
Hometown: Wahoo
Bachelors: Peru State College
Masters: Doane College (Crete, NE)
Favorite Books
"I enjoy Danielle Steel books"
Favorite
Movies
"Pretty Woman"
"Dumb and Dumber"
Interesting Facts: "I have 5 children!"
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Diane Reece
Speech & Drama
Teacher Since: 1973
Hometown: "I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and moved to Grand
Island when I was in high school."
Bachelors: 1972, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Masters: n/a (27 graduate hours completed at UNL)
Favorite Book
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamont
Favorite
Movies
"Any movie with Tom Hanks."
Interesting Facts: "I love live theatre, reading and graphic design
(desktop publishing), and am passionate about creativity!!!"
Favorite Quote: "Life is not a dress rehearsal - we should always
give our best performances!"
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Tim Rischling
Instrumental Music
Teacher Since: 2009
Hometown: Alliance, NE
Bachelors: 2009, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Masters: n/a
Favorite
Movies
"Indiana Jones, The Rock, Forrest Gump, We Were Soldiers, Crimson
Tide, Heartbreak Ridge, Braveheart, Dumb and Dumber, Tommy Boy,
Happy Gilmore, Gran Torino, The Last Castle."
Interesting Facts: "I grew up in a family of music educators. My
grandfather, who was a band director, had 12 children. Eight of the
12 became music educators, including my father, who is the band
director at Alliance High School. I have a brother who teaches band
in Grand Island, along with his wife who teaches orchestra. I have
another brother who works for BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) in
Nashville. Finally I have a younger sister who will graduate from
UNL and become a band director as well. I also was married this
past summer on June 27, 2009 to a wonderful girl named
Jenny."
