Director of Bands

Phone: 406-728-2402

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

B.M. Music Ed & Performance - Lawrence University M.M. Performance - University of Illinois

Mr. Jesse Dochnahl

I passionately believe that music education is important to all people. Band students learn the skills needed to perform an instrument, learn about life through music (knowledge) and their feelings/ideas/concepts about it (affect). My goal is to help every student become self-directed, self-assessing, life-long learners and leaders, AND to find out how much joy there is in making music with others.

If you have any questions, please email. If you can volunteer with our band boosters or donate to our program, please visit the Band Parent Page. Thank you!

– Mr. Dochnahl, your band teacher-conductor

Jesse Dochnahl is deeply honored to begin his first year as the Director of Bands for Hellgate High School and his 14th year of teaching music.
 
An active chamber musician, clinician, and conductor, Mr. Dochnahl has worked with young musicians across Montana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Prior to his appointment at Hellgate, he taught the wind band, percussion, jazz, and music technology at Big Sky High School for six years, where he led students in performance tours and volunteer services in Honolulu, New Orleans, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He taught instrumental music at C.S. Porter Middle School for three years and Sheboygan Falls High School (WI) (2007-2010). He served on the faculty at the University of Montana teaching saxophone in 2018. In the 2012-13 academic year, he served as Instructor of Saxophone and Freshman Studies at Lawrence University.
 
Mr. Dochnahl was awarded First Prize in the MTNA Woodwind Young Artist (2005) and Chamber Music (2012) National Competitions, and was the winner of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. He has performed as concert soloist with the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra and the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra and in recitals at the NASA 2012 National Conference, SEAMUS 2012 National Conference, 13th World Saxophone Congress, the 2005 & 2012 MTNA National Conferences, and the U.S. Navy International Saxophone Symposium. Dochnahl has performed with Sinfonia da Camera Chamber Orchestra, Eugene Symphony, Green Bay Civic Orchestra, Sheboygan Symphony, Missoula Symphony, and Helena Symphony. A staunch advocate of new music, especially by underrepresented artists, Dochnahl has presented world premieres of music by Javier Arau, Ming-Ching Chiu, Andrew Seager Cole, Joanne Metcalf, Asha Srinivasan, Scott Unrein, Stephen Wood, Naomi Siegel, and Carl Wittrock, among many others. He serves on the board of directors for the Montana Area Music Association, as well as the University of Montana Jazz Advisory Board.
 
Mr. Dochnahl holds a Master of Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studied with Debra Richtmeyer. He graduated magna cum laude from Lawrence University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education and Music Performance, and studied saxophone with Steven Jordheim. Doc paid for college working ten seasons as a trails technician with the Forest Service near Ennis, MT, his hometown. He resides in Missoula with his wife, Caitlin Cisler, their cat Finn, and a garage full of bikes and skis.
 
More info and noise can be found at www.jessedochnahl.com

Assistant Directors and Instructors

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Mrs. Rory Genazzi - Assistant Director, Horn Instructor

Hi, I'm Rory Genazzi, the general music and band teacher at Franklin Elementary, and an assistant band director at Hellgate High School. I instruct pep band, color guard, brass sectionals, and private lessons.

I graduated from the University of Montana (go Griz!) with a Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music Education and a certificate in Entertainment Management. I am passionate about building leaders, creative thinkers and collaborators through music. I'm looking forward to getting to know every student, being a part of a supportive community, and making some wonderful music!

Outside of teaching, I coach swim team at the Missoula YMCA and enjoy spending time with my husband, friends, family, and exploring Missoula and the great Montana outdoors.

randerson@mcpsmt.org

(406) 542-4020 ext 2214

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Ms. Lexi Vine - Assistant Director, Percussion/Low Brass

Lexi Vine is the K-5 General Music teacher at Paxson Elementary School, and the Assistant Band Director at Hellgate High School. She instructs low brass and percussion students where she provides individual lessons and rehearses the drumline. Previously, she has worked with the Big Sky High School Bands since 2015. As a trombonist, she performs with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, Ed Norton Big Band, and the Missoula Jazz Orchestra. In 2020, she co-founded the University of Montana Alumni Quintet as a euphoniumist and arranger. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Montana in 2019. When not in school, Lexi enjoys solving twisty puzzles, juggling, and spending time outdoors.

Email: lvine@mcpsmt.org
Phone: (406) 728-2400 ex. 4558

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Mr. Nick Barr - Brass & Guitar Instructor

Nick Barr is a brass, jazz, and composition coach for the Hellgate Bands, where he teaches sectionals, chamber groups, private lessons in all brass instruments and guitar. Based in Missoula, MT, Nick graduated with degrees in Music Performance and Music Composition from the University of Montana. Nick studied trumpet with Dr. James Smart, John Driscoll, and Dr. Brendan McGlynn. Nick performed numerous times with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, playing works such as Beethoven's 7th Symphony, Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Michael Torke's Javelin, and more. Nick also plays trumpet with the Ed Norton Big Band, a local swing band that plays at various venues and events. Through 2020, Nick was able to perform in numerous live-streams and pre-recorded concerts due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Nick frequently plays at the Missoula Community Theatre, playing both trumpet and guitar.

When he's not performing, Nick spends his time writing, recording, and producing soundtracks, as well as serving as chief audio engineer for the Peer Connection Network (KPCN) at the University of Montana.

Email:  nickbarr96@gmail.com

Hear Mr. Barr's music

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Mrs. Cassidy McCollum - Flute Instructor

I am Cassidy McCollum and I graduated from the University of Montana in 2022 with my Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology. I played in the UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble for 4 years, was vice president of the UM Flute Choir for 2 years, and enjoyed playing in a range of settings, including pit orchestras, chamber groups, and masterclasses. Teaching flute in the Missoula community is my passion and I have had the privilege of working with students of a wide range of skills and ages. I am looking forward to this coming year continuing to work with students privately and in schools, as well as being co-director of Zootown Flutes, the Missoula community flute ensemble.

Email:  cassmccoll@gmail.com