Sue Klute: (piano, organ) Not accepting new students at this time.
Susan Klute started piano at the age of 5, educated by her mother who was a church organist and her
father who was the choir director. Later in high school she took piano lessons from Mrs. Vandrey in
Truman who had a music degree from Carlton College. She attended Bethany College where she took
organ lessons under Arlene Hilding, accompanied the choir, and earned a two-year liberal arts degree.
She then transferred to Mankato State College studying organ under Dr. Kim Kasling and piano under
Professor Epple graduated with a Bachelor of Music. Taking a music director position in a church in
Saline, MI, studied organ under Robert Clark and received a Master of Music in church music,
concentration organ. Susan is organist at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and enjoys working with
students to glorify God with their gift of music.
Judd Schultz (trumpet)
God has given Judd a wonderful gift of music and he enjoys sharing his gift with others. He has been playing trumpet for 50 years. Judd played trumpet though college and continued with some community groups. Now he plays with the Our Savior Lutheran brass group. He has given lessons to beginners and most recently worked with two high school aged brothers. He believes playing an instrument can be a lifelong activity and can bring great joy. Judd also has sung for many years in church choirs and is currently the director of the vocal choir at Our Savior Lutheran Church.
Brittany Koopman (voice)
Mezzo-soprano Brittany Koopman is an accomplished performer and dedicated voice instructor
known for her versatility across classical, choral, operatic, and musical theatre repertoire. She
holds a B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance from Concordia University,
Seward, Nebraska. During her training, she studied under Paul Grizzell, Linda Ogden-Hagen,
and Adrienne Dickson, and performed at Carnegie Hall under the baton of Z. Randall Stroope.
As a soloist, Brittany has been featured in numerous recitals, liturgical settings, and community
events. She has collaborated with ensembles such as the Concordia Theological Seminary
Schola Cantorum, the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus, and the Minnesota Valley Chorale.
Highlights of her solo work include serving as the featured soprano soloist for the Bismarck
production of Handel’s Messiah.
Her choral credits include the Concordia University A Cappella Choir, Schola Cantorum, the
Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus, the Minnesota Valley Chorale, and the Mankato Symphony
Orchestra Chorus, with whom she will be performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Brittany also made
her opera debut in the chorus of Verdi’s Falstaff and has performed musical theatre roles in
productions such as Crazy for You and The Pirates of Penzance.
As a vocal instructor, Brittany takes an integrated pedagogical approach that combines vocal
technique, music theory, and healthy, evidence-based voice instruction to develop well-rounded,
confident singers.
Kristen Flathers (voice, flute)
Music has always played an important role in Kristen’s life. She began singing solos in church at an early age, often being asked to join the adult choir when they needed a younger voice. Once she was old enough, she started to learn the flute, adding the piccolo and piano to her studies. She has performed on many stages with many different ensembles. She went on to study music at Luther College in Decorah, where she studied musical performance (flute and voice), conducting, music theory, ear training, education, and communication. Kristen has directed bell choirs and the adult choir at a previous church. She is looking forward to sharing the love of music with the next generation.
Joe Gangi (strings, trombone, piano)
Suzie Gangi (piano, flute)
Suzie started taking piano lessons when she in second grade and started playing the flute when she was in fourth grade. In seventh grade she started playing piano in church, first just a hymn, then for the Christmas program and pre-service music. After her freshman year of high school, she was playing for the entire church service. Suzie has a degree in elementary education and a minor in music from Concordia University in St. Paul and also a master’s degree in education from UW-Stout. She’s been music coordinator at Our Savior Lutheran Church since 2017.
Joel Maunula (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto clarinet, soprano clarinet, alto, tenor or bass saxophone, piano, and ocarina)
Joel has been surrounded with music since he was born. He took piano lessons his entire life up until college, was active in choir, pep band, concert band, and jazz band throughout school, and remained dedicated to his instrument through college.
Joel attended honor bands, took individual lessons and solo recitals, and participated in competitions throughout his musical career, specializing in the Bass Clarinet. He graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in 2021, and with a Minor in Music focused on music theory and the music of the Church during the Lutheran Reformation.
Joel accompanies Our Savior’s Summer Matins on the piano, has a deep appreciation for liturgical music, and otherwise loves to write, bake bread, and speak at length on the finer points of Theology with his pastors.
Angelica Maunula (flute)
Angelica has been playing flute since she was 10, participating in school ensembles, honor bands, competitions, and music camps, then continued to further her musical talents throughout her time in Bethany Lutheran College–from which she graduated in 2020. Through lessons and recitals in College, she focused on individual technique, tone, and phrasing, and in larger ensembles like jazz band, concert band, and other collegiate groups, Angelica focused on blending and part-based listening skills.
In her spare time, Angelica loves to knit and sew, and enjoys gardening, cooking and baking.
Kris Bjornstad (classical guitar)
Kristian Bjornstad began his guitar studies as a young child and continued classical guitar studies through high school and university, graduating with a music minor. Thirty years later he still enjoys playing classical music as a personal hobby and keeps his “banger” guitar at the ready to accompany any songs and hymns as part of his pastoring in the church setting. Pastor Bjornstad would love to teach classical guitar or folk guitar to any interested students.