Prairie Winds Orff Board Members 2026 - 2027

President - Rachel Frank

Rachel Frank currently teaches K-5 music at Mary Stark Elementary in Mandan, ND. She previously taught PreK-12 music at Underwood Public School and taught 5-12 Band/7-12 Choir at Divide County Schools. Rachel studied music education at Minnesota State University Moorhead and was the founding president of the university’s collegiate NAfME chapter. She completed her Orff-Schulwerk certification in 2024 and has taken World Music Drumming Level 1. Rachel is a member of NAfME, ACDA, NBA, PWO, and AOSA, and has served as the West Region General Music Representative for NDMEA. She has also been teaching private guitar students for 20 years. Rachel and husband Tim have two little girls, Eleanor and Emmelin.

President Elect - ​Krista Jacobson

​Krista Jacobson has taught at Bismarck Public Schools for 14 years as an Elementary Music Teacher for grades K-5 in multiple schools. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental and General Music Education in 2011. The Prairie Winds Orff Chapter has been a big part of Krista’s life as she was growing up. She would participate in Chapter meetings and Workshops at a young age with her mom, who was an active member. Krista is currently an active member of Prairie Winds Orff, serving as the current President Elect and Instrumentarium Coordinator. In the past, she has also served as Secretary for the Chapter. In addition to completing all 3 Orff-Schulwerk levels at the University of Mary, Krista has also completed Level 1 in World Music Drumming. She is a clarinetist in the Bismarck-Mandan Wind Ensemble and teaches private piano and clarinet lessons.
Krista’s favorite way to pass the time is spending any available moments with her family. She loves playing with her 4 kids and supporting them in their many sport activities. When the weather is warm, Krista likes to take walks with her husband and kids.

Treasurer - ​Alisha Wohl

Alisha teaches K-5 music at Sunrise Elementary in Bismarck, ND. This is her 21st year with the Bismarck School District. She received Bachelor of Science Degrees in Elementary Education, Secondary Vocal/Instrumental Music Education, and Elementary Music Education from the University of Mary in 2003. She earned her Orff Levels Training (I, II, III) from the University of Mary in 2016-2018. She recently finished the MME (Master of Music Education) program through Northern State University, Aberdeen SD.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and having coffee dates with friends. She has been married for 20 years to Fred and they have 3 beautiful children: Annabelle (16), Brady (13), and Calista (11). She also loves visiting family and traveling back to the family farm near Eureka, SD.

​Alisha holds a membership with American Orff Schulwerk Association, Prairie Winds Orff, GIML (Gordon Institute of Musical Learning), North Dakota United, and Bismarck Education Association. She has received scholarships for Orff Levels training from AOSA, as well as scholarships for her MME program.

Secretary - ​Renae Mosbrucker

Program Chair - Kailee Wyman

Hello! My name is Mrs. Kailee Wyman. I am a graduate from the University of Mary with a bachelor's degree in music education and am currently working on getting my master's in music education with an emphasis in Orff-Schulwerk at St. Thomas University. I currently teach K-12 music at Turtle Lake-Mercer public school and am going into my fourth year of teaching. I am originally from Wahpeton, ND. Music has been a passion of mine since 3rd grade when I started playing piano. In middle school, I started playing the clarinet and never stopped. I am also passionate about choir, musical theatre, dance, and above all, my students. I strive to provide a positive environment where every student feels successful. When I am not busy playing music, you can find me with my family and friends. I enjoy the summer and spending my time outside in the sun. I like to swim, go for walks with my dog, and be on the water. During the winter I enjoy getting cozy with my cat and watching movies, reading, doing puzzles, and playing board/card games with my husband.

Assistant Program Chair - ​Amy Dewitt

Past President - Niki Bernier

Niki Bernier, currently teaches elementary music at Fort Lincoln Elementary School in Mandan, ND. In addition, she serves as the instructor for Elementary Music Methods and is the Orff-Schulwerk/Kodály levels course director at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. She is an active member of the Prairie Winds Orff Chapter having served as the program chair, secretary, vice president, and is the current president. She has also been an active member of the Northern Plains Kodály Chapter having served on their board for six years as their ‘Public Relations-Member at Large.’ She was on the middle school choral staff at International Music Camp from 2013-2019 and teaches pedagogy and folk song analysis/collection in the University of Mary's Kodaly course.
 
Passionate about active music making that merges the Kodály method and the Orff-Schulwerk process, Niki creates an active classroom that focuses on singing, classroom instruments, composition, movement, and creativity. Niki is a Kodály and Orff-Schulwerk certified elementary music specialist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education and a bachelor’s degree in Audio Production from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She graduated with a Master of Arts degree from The University of Iowa in 2011. She earned her Kodály levels certification from Minnesota State University Moorhead and Orff-Schulwerk certification from the University of St. Thomas.

Prairie Winds Orff Members at Large 2026 - 2027

Instrumentarium Coordinator - Krista Jacobson