Musicians

Stephanie Vinger - Piano

Born in Malaysia, Stephanie started her first piano lesson in kindergarten and completed her Pianoforte diploma from the Associated Board of The United Kingdom Royal Schools of Music in 1986.

Growing up in an environment where everyone in the family was active in local community activities allowed her to experience public performances at a young age, including participating in various local concerts, charity functions, radio and TV shows at the local station where her mother worked as a news anchor for many years. She was also very active all through elementary and high school in most, if not all music related activities. By age 13, she was the piano accompanist for 3 choirs and was member for 4 music ensembles in town. At age 16, she traveled across thousands of miles, and arrived at Minnesota to continue her education at Mankato State University.

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"Although I have enjoyed playing the piano for many years, I have always known that I do not have the technical skills required to be an accomplished concert pianist. I came to realize that there is no room for a pianist who is the second best in an orchestra."

So, after one semester of Piano Performance at Mankato State University, she decided to change her major to pursue a career in the engineering field, and treat piano playing as an extra curricular activity instead. She obtained a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1992, and has been working in the technical industry since.

For the past decade, she has never given up her passion for music. She continues to perform, record and teach during her spare time. Today, on top of having a full time career as an engineer, she spends an average of 20 hours per week on the piano bench. She plays at weddings, dinner functions and receptions regularly. She gives private piano lessons, and does recording work. She has produced 3 piano albums in the past 2 years.

Although classically trained at a young age, Stephanie's piano playing style today is far from any classical form. She believes all those music activities she has done over the years had provided her with a good training ground to become a well rounded contemporary pianist today.

Stephanie also enjoys playing traditional Chinese music instruments, and is currently the principal Yang Ching (hammered dulcimer) player for the Minnesota Chinese Music Ensemble. She has had several appearances at the MN Institute of Arts, the MN History Center, and has performed and recorded with accomplished Chinese composer Ying Zhang.

Stephanie established Rainforest Music in 2001. She currently resides in Burns Township, MN, with husband, Malcolm.

Julie O'Brien - Violin

Julie has been sharing her love for the violin since childhood in many different capacities. Most recently, she is playing for the "Holy Smoke" worship team at Grace Fellowship Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. She is also appearing in the "Heart of a Friend" concert series with local Christian artist Chris Atkins. In addition, her own group Middle Child shares their original music in churches and other venues in the Twin Cities. This is Julie’s first recording project with Stephanie.

Julie currently teaches at Oxbow Creek Elementary and enjoy giving private violin lessons during her spare time. She resides in Rogers, MN with her husband Andrew.

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Tim Burt - Drums, Percussion

Born in Minneapolis, MN, Tim began his musical study at age 10. He began with drums and soon learned to play the string bass in orchestra along with the piano. Tim lead the marching band drum corps in high school and won various first place solo and ensemble Minnesota state content awards.

Tim currently performs with the Windjammers Community Band in Prior Lake, MN. He also continues to teach private drum lessons.

Tim has a passion for airplanes and has a background in aeronautical engineering as well as high-tech marketing and sales. He is currently employed at as National Account Manager at PPT Vision in Eden Prairie, MN.

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Rob Rueckert - Trumpet

Born in Maplewood, Minnesota, Rob began his musical study at age 11, and is an accomplished lead instrumentalist with Minnesota Brass Incorporated, a senior drum and bugle corps in the mid west. Rob has performed with Minnesota Brass, Inc for 16 years. Once a lead soprano and baritone bugle player, he has participated and won various competitions in the Drum Corps Association Ensemble program, including first place in 1992 and 1999. Rob is also a current member of Brio Brass, a local brass ensemble in Minneapolis that performs regularly through out the city. This is the second year Rob has recorded with Stephanie, and has traveled with her group to Asia to participate in the EAST MEET WEST CONCERT held in March 2001.

Rob has an electronic background and is a field service technician for Xerox Corporation in Minneapolis. Rob and his wife Jodie reside in Andover, MN.

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Jodie Rueckert - French Horn

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jodie began her first piano lesson at age 8. She has proceeded to study various string and brass instruments since. In her high school years, Jodie won various medals at the Minnesota State Competitions on French Horn solo performance, including first place awards in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Jodie studied French Horn under Dr. William Stacey, a graduate of the Julliard School of Music when she attended the University of Wyoming and studied under Thomas Gilke, a lead horn player for the Minnesota St. Paul Chamber Orchestra when she attended University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. Jodie was a member of the UW Orchestra, UW Jazz Band, and the UW Concert Band. She completed her study at the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music in 1996.
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Jodie currently works in the Provider Relations Department at UCare MN, a nonprofit health maintenance organization in the State of Minnesota. She continues to stay active participating in various music related activities in the community during her spare time. She has performed with Minnesota Brass, Inc for 4 years. She is a current member of Brio Brass, and was also a member of the Roseville Community Band. Both groups are local music groups that perform regularly through out the Minneapolis community. This is Jodie's second year performing and recording with Stephanie, and has traveled with her group to Asia to participate in the EAST MEET WEST CONCERT held in March 2001.

Jodie and her husband Rob reside in Andover, MN.

	Chuck Kukura - Flute Born in Rockford, Illinois, Chuck began taking tenor saxophone lessons at age 9. He has since self taught himself to play more than 30 different musical instruments including flute, baritone, tuba, various horns, clarinet and trombone. He has played with the Salvation Army Brass Band, the Rockford Junior Symphony Orchestra, Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, Rockford East High Jazz Ensemble, MN Redwing Sheldon Brass Band and the Minnesota Brass Inc. Besides playing musical instruments, Chuck also enjoys music arrangement and orchestration. He has arranged various numbers for his church, where he was the music director for 5 years. Chuck is a big fan of a capella music, and is currently working with Glad and The Brethren on various arrangement and transcription projects. Chuck has been recording and performing with Stephanie for 3 years. He has traveled with her group to Asia and enjoys (at least I think he does) working on various arrangements for her recording projects.	Email Chuck

	Chuck resides in Durand, Wisconsin, with wife Angie and their 4 children, Alysha, Nathaniel, Ethan and Philip. He has a computer background and is a network administrator for the Durand School District in Wisconsin. He also teaches at the local community college, and is a certified emergency medical tech.


		Julie O'Brien - Violin Julie has been sharing her love for the violin since childhood in many different capacities. Most recently, she is playing for the "Holy Smoke" worship team at Grace Fellowship Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. She is also appearing in the "Heart of a Friend" concert series with local Christian artist Chris Atkins. In addition, her own group Middle Child shares their original music in churches and other venues in the Twin Cities. This is Julie’s first recording project with Stephanie. Julie currently teaches at Oxbow Creek Elementary and enjoy giving private violin lessons during her spare time. She resides in Rogers, MN with her husband Andrew.
	Email Julie


		Rob Rueckert - Trumpet Born in Maplewood, Minnesota, Rob began his musical study at age 11, and is an accomplished lead instrumentalist with Minnesota Brass Incorporated, a senior drum and bugle corps in the mid west. Rob has performed with Minnesota Brass, Inc for 16 years. Once a lead soprano and baritone bugle player, he has participated and won various competitions in the Drum Corps Association Ensemble program, including first place in 1992 and 1999. Rob is also a current member of Brio Brass, a local brass ensemble in Minneapolis that performs regularly through out the city. This is the second year Rob has recorded with Stephanie, and has traveled with her group to Asia to participate in the EAST MEET WEST CONCERT held in March 2001. Rob has an electronic background and is a field service technician for Xerox Corporation in Minneapolis. Rob and his wife Jodie reside in Andover, MN.
	Email Rob


	Jodie Rueckert - French Horn Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jodie began her first piano lesson at age 8. She has proceeded to study various string and brass instruments since. In her high school years, Jodie won various medals at the Minnesota State Competitions on French Horn solo performance, including first place awards in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Jodie studied French Horn under Dr. William Stacey, a graduate of the Julliard School of Music when she attended the University of Wyoming and studied under Thomas Gilke, a lead horn player for the Minnesota St. Paul Chamber Orchestra when she attended University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. Jodie was a member of the UW Orchestra, UW Jazz Band, and the UW Concert Band. She completed her study at the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music in 1996.	Email Jodie

	Jodie currently works in the Provider Relations Department at UCare MN, a nonprofit health maintenance organization in the State of Minnesota. She continues to stay active participating in various music related activities in the community during her spare time. She has performed with Minnesota Brass, Inc for 4 years. She is a current member of Brio Brass, and was also a member of the Roseville Community Band. Both groups are local music groups that perform regularly through out the Minneapolis community. This is Jodie's second year performing and recording with Stephanie, and has traveled with her group to Asia to participate in the EAST MEET WEST CONCERT held in March 2001. Jodie and her husband Rob reside in Andover, MN.