KATHLEEN ACHTERBERG
Mrs. Achterberg is a native of southwest Iowa. She and her husband, Dr. Robert Achterberg, moved to Austin in 1990. In 1993 she began serving St. Paul Lutheran Church as the Minister of Music, a role in which she served faithfully until 2018 when she retired. She holds a degree in Education from Concordia University Nebraska and a Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University Chicago. Prior to moving to Austin, she served as a piano teacher, teacher, band director, music director and organist for congregations in Michigan and Illinois. In her years serving the Lord’s church here in Austin, and our Lutheran schools, she also helped organize and direct many bands, ensembles, madrigals, choirs, consorts, reviews, workshops, festivals, concerts, and recitals. We are thankful to have Mrs. Achterberg teaching piano, organ, and trumpet for the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy. A church member for over 33 years, Kathy also serves as a substitute organist, accompanist, and handbell player and is a member of the Parish Choir and Early Music Consort. In her free time, she enjoys participating in the musical activities of St. Paul, attending Bible Study, serving with our Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, sewing, and attending concerts.
Mrs. Achterberg’s favorite verse:
“For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” – Romans 14:8
ROBERT ACHTERBERG
Dr. Achterberg is a native of south-central Nebraska. After serving and teaching in the Chicago and Detroit areas he moved to Austin in 1990 to teach at Concordia University Austin and Concordia High School. He holds a degree in Education from Concordia University Nebraska, a master’s degree in Church Music from Concordia University Chicago, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin. Dr. Achterberg has dedicated his career to teaching, leading, and encouraging future generations of musicians in our Lutheran school system. While forming award-winning programs, he influenced hundreds of students in the art of music and performance. He holds a special love for Early Music and the recorder family of instruments. Dr. Achterberg joins the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy as a vocal technique and instrumental instructor. A church member of over 33 years, he is also involved in our Parish Choir and Brass Choir, a regular guest woodwind instrumentalist, and founder and performing director of the St. Paul Early Music Consort. He feels music is a great exercise of Christian stewardship and enjoys the gratification of seeing people develop their musical skills to use in worship services, as well as outside the church. In his spare time, he studies the interaction of Christianity and culture, WWII history, serves on church boards and committees, and enjoys woodworking and gardening.
Dr. Achterberg’s favorite verse:
“Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3
GRACE EINKAUF
Ms. Grace Einkauf was born and raised right here in Austin, Texas. She studied Urban Design and Real Estate at the University of Texas and is currently studying Choral Conducting. She is a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church where she directs their children’s choir program. Grace also attends St. Paul’s on Wednesday evenings and is happy to join the teaching staff at St. Paul’s Fine Arts Academy as one of our voice instructors. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cycling, and learning new things.
Ms. Einkauf’s favorite verses:
“Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.
Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who equip yourselves with burning torches!” – Isaiah 50:10-11
SYDNEY GLYNN
Mrs. Sydney Glynn was born in Cary, North Carolina but has lived in Austin since she was two years old. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Concordia University, Texas which is also where she met her husband. Sydney has been trained in classical ballet including the Cecchetti method along with some Vaganova influence. She has both studied and taught in various Austin area schools of ballet including Ballet Arts of Austin. She will be teaching our beginning ballet classes here at the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy. After graduating Sydney spent a few years working as a postpartum nurse, but now dedicates her time to raising her growing family. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her family, drawing, reading, and dancing any chance she gets.
Mrs. Glynn’s favorite verse:
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10
ELOIESE KRABBENHOFT
Mrs. Krabbenhoft was born in Houston, Texas and raised in the Midwest. She and her husband moved to Austin in 1975 and shortly after joined St. Paul Lutheran Church. She has a BS in Education from Concordia Teacher’s College in Nebraska as well as a Master of Arts degree in Art Education from the University of Texas. Eloiese taught several decades as an adjunct professor at Texas State University in San Marcos, and in her summers taught workshops in drawing, clay sculpture, watercolor on yupo, and drawing on an iPad. She enjoys helping people discover and develop new abilities and is looking forward to doing that with the students in the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy as one of our group art instructors. In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their children and spouses and their four adult grandchildren.
To see some of her work in watercolor, bronze, clay, and stone, please visit: https://ekrabbenhoft2.wp.txstate.edu/bronze-head-and-hands/
Mrs. Krabbenhoft’s favorite verse:
““Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalms 46:10
JONATHAN MUELLER
Mr. Mueller was born in Yankton, South Dakota. He moved with his family to Austin in 2019 to serve as the Director of Music here at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Jonathan holds a degree in both Education and Sacred Music from Concordia University in Nebraska, as well as a master’s degree in Organ Performance from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. As a talented organist and musician, Jonathan has been serving the Lord’s church for over 32 years. Jonathan enjoys working with students and seeing them grow, develop, learn, and overcome challenges. In addition to being the Director of Music and head of the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy, he will also be teaching our First Steps in Music course for infants and toddlers, and piano lessons. Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife, Dawn, and their children and grandchildren, working in the yard, and putting together 3,000+ pieces puzzles.
Mr. Mueller’s favorite verse:
“So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12
STEVE SCHWOLERT
Mr. Schwolert grew up in north Texas but has also lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He and his wife, Darla, settled in Austin in 1998 and have two children, Tea and Soren. He holds a Fine Arts degree concentrating on Sculpture, as well as a master’s degree in Theology. He has worked in the fields of portraiture, illustration, film and video production, graphic design, history exhibits and has also studied ceramics, painting, photography and sculpture. Steve will be teaching private art classes, various group classes, and Sloyd woodworking classes for the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy. Steve is on the board of Elder’s here at St. Paul and is also involved with the men’s group Sons of Solomon. In his free time, he enjoys writing long letters to friends, reading – especially the Psalms, conversation and swimming.
Mr. Schwolert’s favorite verse:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the [a]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:8-10
EMMA WEIDE
Mrs. Weide was born and raised near Clarkston, Michigan. She and her husband, Ben, moved to Austin in 2021 to teach at Valor South Austin. Emma holds a degree in English and Classical Education from Hillsdale College. Emma will be joining the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy as one of our ballet teachers. Emma is accomplished as a dancer spending six years on a pre-professional track, has taught Cecchetti classes for younger children, and performed with the Hillsdale “Tower Dancers.” She is excited to share her joy in movement and ballet with little girls and boys experiencing dance for the first time. Emma spends her days caring for her daughter Evelyn, but in her free time she enjoys reading and baking anything sweet.
Mrs. Weide’s favorite verses:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-6
KERI WOLFMUELLER
Mrs. Keri Wolfmueller was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She and her husband, Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, moved with their four children to Austin in 2019 after serving a congregation in Aurora, Colorado for 14 years. She holds a degree in Music Education from the University of New Mexico, as well as a certification in Early Childhood Development. She has been teaching piano lessons since she was 17 years old and will be one of our piano instructors here at the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy. Keri has also taught elementary music and early childhood. She loves working with children one on one and discovering their unique learning styles. Keri also enjoys spending time with family and friends, dancing, sports, theology and cooking.
Mrs. Wolfmueller’s favorite verses:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
REBEKAH WOLFMUELLER
Mrs. Rebekah Wolfmueller was born in Virginia. Her father was in the army, so she has also lived in Kansas and Germany before her family settled in Georgetown, Texas in 2021. She attends Concordia University in Austin and is majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Music. Rebekah loves attending St. Paul, especially since this is where she met her husband, Andrew. She has been playing the violin since she was four years old and is excited to join the St. Paul Fine Arts Academy as one of our string instructors. She is looking forward to spreading the word of God in and out of the classroom. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, doing crafts, cooking, baking, playing sports, and hiking.
Mrs. Wolfmueller’s favorite verses:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
