Dr. Natalie Boeyink is Associate Professor of Music in Jazz Studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. As a bassist, her interest in the educational experiences and careers of jazzwomen has launched a series of research projects, conference presentations and publications, including her dissertation, "An Analysis and Description of Female Jazz Instrumentalists." Boeyink served as Chair of JEN’s Women in Jazz Committee and helped to reestablish the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo Competition. Batuquê Trio is Boeyink’s seasoned collaboration with drummer Andy Smith and pianist Jamaal Baptiste. Fusing Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and Caribbean jazz, the trio frequently appears at jazz festivals. Their first CD, Transparency, was released in 2015, and a second album is forthcoming in 2025. Some of Boeyink’s notable performances include appearances with Tammy McCann, Ingrid Jensen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Christine Jensen, Jovino Santos Neto, Joe Piscopo, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Jon Hendricks, Jeff Coffin and David Liebman.
Jazz vocalist Rachel Caswell is adjunct lecturer of jazz voice at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she maintains an active studio serving jazz voice majors, jazz instrumental majors, and elective voice students. She has also taught courses in Jazz Theory, Jazz Improvisation, and Jazz History. As a performer, she is known for bringing a fresh approach to vocal improvisation and the interpretation of popular song. Her most recent recording, We’re All in the Dance (2018), features some of New York’s top performers including Dave Stryker, Fabian Almazan, Linda May Han Oh, Johnathan Blake, and Sara Caswell. Mark Sullivan of All About Jazz writes, “This is a great band….Caswell is the star, but she’s no diva. She is much better than that: a jazz musician in the company of other jazz musicians.”
Chelsea Hughey is a jazz drummer, percussionist, and educator. An Indianapolis native, she attended Butler University and received a B.A. in Music focusing on classical percussion and jazz studies. Chelsea relocated to Jersey City, NJ, and attended New Jersey City University where she completed her MM in Jazz Performance. Throughout her freelance jazz career, Chelsea has shared the stage with Indianapolis jazz legends Steve Allee, Rob Dixon, Frank Glover, and Frank Smith. She has also performed with notable NYC-based jazz musicians Walt Weiskopf, Bob Malach, Dave Douglas, Steve Davis, Steve Wilson, Jimmy Greene, Charles McPherson, and Bobby Sanabria. Chelsea is active in the Indianapolis jazz scene frequently appearing at the Chatterbox Jazz Club and The Jazz Kitchen with various local jazz musicians including Frank Glover, Monika Herzig, The Cohen-Rutkowski Project, and Erin Benedict, among others. In 2023 joined the faculty of Butler University as the Adjunct Professor of Drum Set, and in 2024 joined the faculty at Marian University as the Adjunct Professor of Percussion.
Dr. Lexie Signor earned her doctorate at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music in Trumpet performance. Her dissertation "The Practical Guide to Big Band Terminology and Symbols" is an excellent ready reference for all educators who share a passion for playing and teaching big band music at any level. Signor has played alongside several well-known artists across the country including Adele, Keith Urban, the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Rodney Marsalis and the Philly Big Brass as well as both major and regional Orchestras like the Marquette Symphony Orchestra and Missouri Symphony Orchestra. Signor keeps a full schedule of private lessons helping trumpeters across the country hone their craft for performances and auditions at all levels. Her students have gone on to win several different professional jobs and competitions as well as being placed in some of the most prestigious music programs in the country including the Oberlin Conservatory, The Westminster Choir College, and UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music.
