Faculty

Ms. Carrie J. Backman arrived as Director of Instrumental Music at Edgewood High School in the fall of 2005. Her responsibilities include conducting the EHS Concert Bands, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble, teaching all instrumental music lessons, music independent study, and coordinating the pep band, drumline, percussion ensemble, fiddle band, ukulele band, various chamber ensembles, and pit orchestra. Ms. Backman is also the moderator for the Key Club, chair of the Music Department, chair of the Fine Art's Day Committee, and is involved with the Mass Band. Backman is a brass specialist and has taught euphonium at Edgewood College. She is an active performer on trombone, euphonium, and piano in the Madison area. She has presented at the Wisconsin Music Educator’s Convention and Minnesota Music Educator's Association Mid-Winter Clinic on topics such as intonation, athletics/music relations, and comprehensive musicianship. Ms. Backman is a founding member of and Organizational Facilitator and executive board member for Winds of Wisconsin, a premier high school youth wind ensemble on the UW-Madison Campus. Prior to her appointment at EHS, Ms. Backman taught grade 5-12 band for one year in Southwestern Minnesota. Ms. Backman received her B.M. in Music Education, magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, her Masters of Music Education, summa cum laude, from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL, and is a 1999 graduate of Edgewood High School. Her professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Wisconsin School Music Association, Wisconsin Music Educator's Association, Minnesota Music Educator's Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, National Catholic Education Association, American String Teacher's Association, the National Catholic Band Association, the National Pastoral Musician's Association, the Minnesota Band Directors Association, and the National Band Association. 
Contact:
608-257-1023 x. 148
backcar@edgewood.k12.wi.us

Mr. Dennis R. McKinley has considerable experience at Edgewood where he has worked and taught for over 41 years, in addition to being an Edgewood alumnus. He received his Bachelor of Music degree and his Master of Science in Education and Music from the UW-Madison. Mr. McKinley was Edgewood's first recipient of the Norman Bassett Foundation Teaching Award. He has also received the Diocese of Madison Catholic Charities Catholic Leadership Award,  the Edgewood High School Mazzuchelli Award for Service to Christian Education, and was a 2006 inductee to the Edgewood High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Wisconsin School Music Association, Music Educators National Conference, Wisconsin Music Educators Association, Wisconsin Choral Directors Association, American Choral Directors Association, National Catholic Education Association, and National Pastoral Musicians Association. During his tenure at Edgewood he has taught band, orchestra, choir, music history, music theory and conducting, and peer ministry, and has served Edgewood as an Associate Principal, Director of Admissions, Director of Alumni Relations, Director of the Annual Fund and, during the 2001-2002 school year, Interim President. His current responsibilities include teaching Edgewood Chorus, Concert Choirs, Crusaders Singers Show Choir, History of American Popular Music and team teaching Peer Ministry. Mr. McKinley is also the director of the Mass Band for Liturgies/Prayer Services and vocal director for the school musicals. His other responsibilities include being an ambassador for the EHS Presdient’s Office, Liturgy Coordinator, and  co-chair of the Music Department.
Contact:
608-257-1023 x. 146
mckiden@edgewood.k12.wi.us

Mrs. Ann K. Nelson graduated from UW-Madison with a bachelors degree in music.  She has also done graduate work at Edgewood College, UW-Madison, VanderCook School of Music (Chicago) and Mankato State in MN.   Mrs. Nelson was honored by First Baptist Church for 30 years of directing Childrens' Choirs. She was honored with a reception, a plaque and a $1000.00 gift.   She belongs to Music Educators National Conference, Wisconsin Music Educators Conference, Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians, AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers) and  National Catholic Education Association.  Courses she teaches are the Handbell Choirs and Piano Classes (Levels 1-4.)  She has also taught Concert Choir, Freshman Choir, and Crusaders Singers Show Choir. She  is a member of the Fine Arts Committee, and  the Writing Across the Curriculum Committee. Mrs. Nelson is the recipient of the Alumni Appreciation Award and the EHS Fine Arts Hall of Fame Award.
Contact:
608-257-1023 x. 137
nelsann@edgewood.k12.wi.us