Our vision
Every one of you, regardless of major or minor, can be involved in music. Those of you wishing to simply participate in performance ensembles, applied music studies (private tutoring), and personal enrichment coursework are always welcome to become a part of the music department community. You will be exposed to a comprehensive musical performance (in genres of band, orchestra, choral, and handbell) and study time which will be a life-changing and transformational venture. This experience will be accomplished by working under the tutelage of our internationally-acclaimed faculty, as well as the forming new relationships with student colleagues.
Mrs. Johanna Anderson
Mrs. Johanna Anderson's primary responsibilities include directing the University Band and the Falcon Pep Band and Drumline, as well as teaching woodwind techniques. Preparing, advising, and mentoring future music educators is an important part of her teaching philosophy. She also chairs the music scholarship committee and works with the admissions department to recruit students to the music program. Mrs. Anderson graduated from CUW in 2013 with a B.A. in K-12 Music Education and Spanish Education, and she received her Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University in 2018. Mrs. Anderson has taught at CUW since 2015; previously, she taught band and orchestra at Perry A. Tipler Middle School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. From 2016-2021, she served as principal oboist of the Kettle Moraine Symphony Orchestra.
She also maintains a private oboe studio and performs professionally in the greater Milwaukee area and at local churches. Mrs. Anderson serves as an adjudicator for the WSMA and other festivals, and is a frequent guest clinician in area schools. Since 2021, Mrs.Anderson has served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Lakeshore Symphonic Band, a community band based in Cedarburg, WI. She is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education through Boston University.
Email: Johanna.Anderson@cuw.edu
Phone: 262-243-4265
Dr. Louis Menchaca
Spring 2026 concludes a celebrated 34-year career for Dr. Louis A Menchaca, Professor of Music. Since 1992 he has coordinated all aspects of the instrumental music division: recruiting, conducting, instruction and administration. Described by professional colleagues as the “future model for music education,” he actively engages in teaching, conducting, and performance of wind band, orchestral and jazz ensembles.
As leader of a CUW ensemble, “Dr. M” has led concert, tours and scholarly presentations in 38 states as well as Ireland, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece and Spain. His ensembles have been featured in local, state, regional and international media outlets, including telecasts, radio, print, webcasts and professional music associations. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra, under Dr. Menchaca’s leadership, have recorded 7 CD projects; all of which are available on Spotify, You Tube and I Tunes.
Dr. Menchaca has presented scholarly research and guest conducted in a variety of forums, e.g., the National Endowment for the Arts; Kansas State University; University of California Los Angeles; Eastman School of Music; University of South Carolina; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; University of Nebraska (Omaha); University of Louisville; Los Medanos College (CA); Saddleback College (CA) to name a few. He has been a regular contributor to Teaching Music Journal, The Instrumentalist, College Orchestra Directors Association and Wisconsin Concert Band Association. Additionally, Dr. Menchaca served as music director of the Lakeshore Symphonic Band from 1997-2006 in Ozaukee County; Northshore Symphony Orchestra (Ozaukee County) from 2002-2006.
Locally, Dr. Menchaca has been named one of Milwaukee Northshore Lifestyle’s Favorite Musicians as well as Ozaukee County’s People to Watch numerous times. He was named Faculty Laureate for outstanding teaching by his academic colleagues in his 10th year of service at Concordia University Wisconsin.
Email: Louis.Menchaca@cuw.edu
Phone: 262-243-4235
Dr. Alexa Doebele
Dr. Alexa Doebele is professor of music, director of choral activities, and director of graduate church music at Concordia University Wisconsin, where she conducts Kammerchor and Selah, in addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, conducting, and choral literature, as well as serving as Interim Department Chair for the 2025-26 school year. She joined the CUW faculty in 2009, having taught previously at the University of Wyoming, the University of Colorado, and Front Range Community College. In addition to her work at Concordia, she also serves as the Adult Choir director at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She is a ten-year veteran of K-12 music education, most recently at Iver C. Ranum High School in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, and is active as an editor of choral music. She is also active as both a solo and choral singer, having appeared with the Milwaukee Chamber Choir, Vox Antiqua, the Milwaukee Choral Artists, the Colorado Conductors’ Chorus, the Ars Nova Singers, St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, the Boulder Chorale, the Littleton Chorale, and the Colorado Symphony Chorus. She completed a bachelor’s degree (double major in vocal performance and German language and literature) at Washington University in St. Louis and her Master of Music Education and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the University of Colorado.
Email: Alexa.Doebele@cuw.edu
Phone: 262-243-4241
Dr. J. Craig Sproat
Originally from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Craig Sproat holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance from the University of Oklahoma. He also studied at Concordia University Wisconsin (B.M.A.) and Indiana University (M.M.) where his teachers included James Freese, John Behnke, and John Schwandt. Dr. Sproat's responsibilities at CUW include directing Chapel Choir and Alleluia Ringers, teaching organ, serving as University Organist, and directing the Director of Church Music program. From 2011 to 2015 he was an Instructor in the American Organ Institute at the University of Oklahoma, teaching private lessons and courses in organ and church music. From 2015 to 2022 he was a lecturer in the University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre, where he accompanied classes, did some vocal coaching, and music directed, conducted, and/or accompanied numerous productions. In 2022 he was appointed Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Church Music at CUW, teaching organ lessons and overseeing the undergraduate church music program. In addition to his work at Concordia, he also serves as Kantor at Luther Memorial Chapel in Shorewood.
Email: Joel.Sproat@cuw.edu
Phone: 262-243-4245