Music Department Coordinator
Biography
Olivia Sletteland is a percussionist, arts administrator, and music educator based in the Greater Twin Cities Area of Minnesota with a passion for new music. In pursuing her passion for new music, Olivia has performed at the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention on the New Music/Research Committee Concert Series and the Mizzou International Composers Festival and has premiered over 30 works by composers including David Crowell, José Halac, Maria Disandro, and Kevin Day among others. She is also a founding member of a percussion duo alongside Mary Emmons which has a mission to promote, commission, and perform new works especially that of underrepresented composers. Olivia has performed with many ensembles in the Midwest, including the Missouri Symphony, 9th Street Philharmonic, Columbia Civic Orchestra, La Crosse Symphony, Chippewa Valley Symphony, and Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra.
In addition to performing, Olivia works as an arts administrator in multiple capacities. She works as the music department coordinator at The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University and is an intern with the New Works Project. She has previously been the music librarian for the Columbia Civic Orchestra, the percussion coordinator for the Mizzou International Composer’s Festival and the Chippewa Valley Symphony, and the administrative intern with Wontanara, an African drum and dance group based in Columbia, MO. As an educator, Olivia has previously maintained a private percussion studio, was a lesson teacher for the Mizzou Community Music Program, and was the percussion coach and percussion ensemble director with the Missouri Symphony’s Youth Conservatory. She has also worked as a percussion instructor and director for multiple front ensembles and drumlines including Cumberland High School, Saint Croix Falls High School, and Baldwin High School.
Olivia received her Master’s of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia with Dr. Megan Arns and Dr. Julia Gaines where she was a graduate assistant for the Mizzou New Music Initiative and percussion studio and a performing member of the Mizzou New Music Ensemble. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Percussion Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she studied with Dr. Jeffery Crowell. Outside of her formal studies Olivia has studied at the Neif Norf summer new music festival and worked with master musicians including Musekiwa Chingodza, Othnell Moyo, and Fodé Bangoura.
In her free time, Olivia loves to hike and explore the outdoors with her partner.
Education
- B.M., University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
- M.M., University of Missouri – Columbia
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phones: CSB (320)-363-5796 / SJU (320)-363-3371
Offices: CSB BAC A116 / SJU Music 110