2026 UMBAS Board of Directors Elections

It's time to let your voice be heard! Vote today for your 2026 UMBAS Board of Directors.

Please use the links below to view our candidates and vote for the board. Voting will remain open through December 17th at 8 PM CST.

Candidate bios below.

Ballot (Google Form): https://forms.gle/FHfKeLtcEGDYtXmW7

Please Note: You do not need to be a dues paying member of UMAA to vote in the election of the UMBAS board - any alumni of the University of Minnesota Band Program is eligible to vote.

If you have any issues with the ballot, or have additional questions, please reach out to President-Elect Laura Ziegelski at president-elect@skiumah.org

Brooke Linzmeier

President-Elect Candidate

Hello! I am looking forward to continuing to serve on the UMBAS board by running for the President-Elect position.

For the last two years, I've been on the board as a Member at Large and have served as the chair of the summer band committee and co-chair of the homecoming committee. I hope to step further into my leadership on the board through the role of President-Elect.

I was a member of the band program from 2016-2020. I played clarinet in the marching band, symphonic band, and wind ensemble and was also a student conductor in pep bands and the North Star campus band. Needless to say, being a musician has provided great growth and fulfillment in my life. I know that many alumni feel that being a musician has greatly contributed to their life and, as a member of the UMBAS board, I strive to create opportunities for alumni to continue on that path of growth and fulfillment.

One of my continued goals as a member of the board is to find unique and new ways to involve our alumni and current students while also maintaining our traditions.

There are events and activities that we do, such as summer band and homecoming, that will always be a core part of the alumni society. I like to look at these things and think about "how can we make these activities more accessible and interesting to all alumni to increase involvement?" so we can continue to grow our connections as an alumni society and stay true to our mission. It would be a great privilege to serve on the UMBAS Board as President-Elect and I appreciate your consideration.

Delonna Darsow

Secretary-Elect Candidate

I'm excited to be considered for Secretary of the University of Minnesota Band Alumni Society. Serving in this role for the past one and a half terms has been incredibly rewarding, and I’d love the opportunity to keep building momentum with the board and our alumni community.

My connection to the University of Minnesota Bands began during my undergraduate years, when I marched on the drumline and participated in concert ensembles and brass choir from 1983 to 1987, followed by a year on staff in 1988. Those years shaped me in lasting ways, and the friendships, mentors, and “band family” I found there remain an important part of my life.

UMBAS has been a wonderful way to stay connected to a community that means a great deal to me. I’m eager to help keep UMBAS strong and vibrant, ensuring it continues to welcome and engage both longtime members and new generations of alumni. Continuing as Secretary would allow me to support our communications, build engagement, and help carry forward the traditions that make this community so special. Ski-U-Mah!

Vacant

Treasurer-Elect Candidate

Elena VanDerWege

Director-At-Large Candidate

Hello! My name is Elena Van Der Wege. I marched with the band from 1987-1993 as a flag, and played in the pep and concert bands as clarinet. I continue to perform with the alumni band at assorted functions throughout the year, along with my trumpeter husband.

I have served the band alumni society on and off the board since 1998, as secretary, director at large, President (2022), and as a general helper when needed.

I am passionate about our society and what it provides for not just the alumni, but also the students that will one day become alums. There are many exciting events for socializing, performance, and fundraising and I’d like to help create new ones. The newest I did help with is the watch party tailgate band in conjunction with UMAA.

I would like to continue to concentrate on fundraising, which goes to continuing those events and to provide scholarships to current band students.

My love for this organization ensures my continued commitment to serve the alumni for as long as possible.

Thank you.

#bandisfamily

Kirsten Rasmussen-Kells

Director-At-Large Candidate

My name is Kirsten Rasmussen-Kells. I marched and played flute in gold concert band from 2013-2017. I have previously served as a member at large and secretary and just came off my run as President. I am running for a member at large to continue giving back to the band community and continue to support our many activities.

Ellen Sorenson

Director-At-Large Candidate

Ellen graduated in 1981 (Music and Computer Science). She played alto sax, mellophone, oboe, and percussion in the marching and concert bands, pep bands, and brass ensemble.

She has been active in UMBAS since 1976 playing in summer band, parades, pep fests and whatever, joining the board shortly after graduation. “UMBAS is a great group of people and I very much enjoy meeting members, getting to know them while supporting the current band.”