Cynthia Krause

Cynthia Krause is a Project Advisor and MECA (Continuing Education) Instructor at VanderCook College of Music. She has served as a teaching assistant for Introduction to Graduate Study since 2018 and has advised master’s projects at VanderCook since 2008. Her academic background includes a BMEd from Illinois Wesleyan University and an MMEd from VanderCook College of Music (2000).

• Affiliations: VanderCook College of Music (current roles: Project Advisor, MECA Instructor)

Her professional career includes 26 years as a band and strings teacher (Grades 4-8) in Elmhurst CUSD205 (1995–2021), where she founded the district’s first middle school jazz band at Churchville MS. She also has extensive experience accompanying students at solo festivals since 1994, a role she continues today.

Research interests revolve around music education, particularly in band instruction, jazz program development, and archival preservation. Her master’s project (2000) focused on establishing VanderCook’s archives. She maintains a strong connection to the institution, having participated in its band camps as a student in the 1970s under notable mentors like H.E. Nutt and Vic Zajec.

Awards/Grants: None explicitly listed in the text.

Advising & Contributions: Advised multiple master’s projects at VanderCook since 2008. Played a pivotal role in launching the college’s archives. Active in community music initiatives, including the One City Community Music Program.