Current Baylor Trumpet Studio
Mark Schubert began teaching at Baylor in 2011. A founding member of the Honolulu Brass Quintet, which is a resident ensemble of Chamber Music Hawaii (CMH), Mark brings extensive orchestra and chamber music experience to the Baylor Brass and the trumpet studio. While Mark was chairman of the CMH board, he spearheaded the development of an extensive educational program, bringing chamber music performances and workshops to public and private schools in Hawaii. While in Hawaii he taught at the University of Hawaii and during the summer Mark serves on the faculty of the Brevard Music Festival and Institute. Mr. Schubert’s performance credits include appearances with such orchestras as the Boston Symphony and Pops Orchestras, the Filarmonica de las Americas (Mexico City), the Opera Company of Boston, the Boston Ballet, the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony, and the Plano Symphony. Mark is a member of Baylor Brass, the Waco Symphony and is Yamaha Artist/Clinician. He also coordinates outreach concerts for Baylor’s chamber music program.
Junior music education major, Ryan Neff, graduated from Taylor High School in Katy, Texas, where he served as a section leader during his junior and senior year of marching band. He also played in the Wind Ensemble, which made it to the state level of TMEA Honor Band judging in 2018, for three years as well as, the Taylor High School Symphony Orchestra, which was the runner up for TMEA Honor Orchestra in 2016. He performed in Taylor’s jazz band for all four years of high school, where they won countless awards at various competitions around the greater Houston area. Ryan performed in the Region 23 Wind Ensemble during his junior and senior years, along with the Region 23 Full Orchestra during his senior year. He also advanced to the area level of TMEA 6A All-State judging, where he was one spot away from advancing to compete at the state level. Ryan studied privately for five years with Wes Miller, a Baylor alum who was part of Wiff Rudd’s first freshman class at Baylor. He’s also taken lessons with various players throughout the city of Houston including Mark Hughes and John Parker, the Principle and Associate Principal Trumpets of the Houston Symphony, respectively. He now performs with the Symphonic Band and Baylor Jazz Ensemble and was a member of Baylor Green, the 3rd Prize winners of the National Trumpet Competition's Large Ensemble Division in 2019. Outside of music, Ryan enjoys playing basketball or football with friends, and eating good food. He was also a Boy Scout throughout his middle and high school career, and through it developed a love for outdoor activities such as backpacking and camping.
Adam Hunt is a sophomore music education major and a graduate of Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas. At MHS, he served as a trumpet section leader his junior year and senior year as well as brass captain his final year. He was a member of the wind ensemble and jazz band. From his sophomore through senior year he participated in his school’s pit orchestra. His senior year they put on a production of “Catch Me If You Can” where Adam played lead trumpet and the musical won best orchestra at the Dallas Summer Musical awards. During his senior year, he also received the John Philip Sousa award for his dedication to his school’s band program and his own pursuits.Throughout high school and late middle school, Adam studied with Jeffrey Norman, a freelance teacher and trumpeter in the DFW area. Adam made an all-region ensemble all four years while also advancing to area his final three. His junior and senior he made the top all-region jazz ensemble and advanced to area both years. Adam performs as a member of Baylor’s Golden Wave Band, the Wind Ensemble, and Concert Jazz Ensemble. He also works with the trumpet graduate assistant in maintaining and organizing the studio's equipment inventory. Other than music and teaching, Adam also enjoys sports, hiking, movies, and spending time with his friends and family.
Aaron Bouchard is a sophomore music education major at Baylor University. He graduated from Rouse High School where he played in the Wind Ensemble for all four years. Aaron is an avid marching band enthusiast and served as Drum Major at Rouse for three years, during which time the marching band advanced to the UIL State Finalist Competition and were 2A Class Champions at the BOA San Antonio Super-Regional competition for the first time in school history. Aaron studied under Baylor Alumnus and Austin Symphony member Dr. Kyle Koronka as well as the Grammy award-winning Gilbert Elorreaga. He currently performs with the Golden Wave Marching Band and the Symphonic Band. In High School, Aaron was the recipient of the SASi Leadership and Teaching Awards as well as the Spirit of Charlie Rouse Award. He was also a consistent participant at the Area level of the TMEA All-State Competition. Aaron will serve as a conductor for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum Corps in the summer of 2021. Outside the practice room, Aaron enjoys watching movies, playing basketball with friends, and cooking.
Alan Wemhoff is currently a junior music performance major at Baylor University. He attended Wakeland High School where he played in the Wind Ensemble for four years serving as principal for his last three years. Alan was a member of the Wakeland Jazz 1 Ensemble, served as principal trumpet for the Wakeland Theater’s Pit Orchestra for two years, and was a squad and section leader in the marching band his Junior and Senior year. He studied with Bert Truax a former Dallas Symphony member, Aaron Montoya a doctoral student at UNT, and Ben Hauser a member of the US Navy Band and Baylor Trumpet Studio alum. Alan was a member of the Golden Wave Marching Band his freshman year and currently performs in a brass quintet as well as the Baylor Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. He was slated to participate in the Vancouver Music Festival and the National Trumpet Competition as a soloist and with Baylor Green; both were canceled due to the pandemic. During his time in high school he participated in the GDYO Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Nick Williams as well as the GDYO Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Mr. James Frank. Alan also participated in the High School Trumpet Ensemble Division at the 2019 National Trumpet Competition. He also marched with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2018 season where they placed 5th overall.
Junior performance major, Mario Mojica, graduated from Rockwall-Heath High School in Rockwall, Texas, where he studied with Dr. Keith Karns and Cris Roman. He served as the trumpet section leader in the marching band for 3 years and a member of the Wind Ensemble and Jazz band. During his senior year, he played in the pit orchestra as lead trumpet in the school’s production of "Singin’ in the Rain," which was nominated for the Dallas Summer Musicals High School Award for Best Orchestra. Mario received the John Phillip Sousa Band Award for his musicianship and dedication to the Mighty Hawk Band. Throughout his time in high school, he was privileged to perform with many ensembles. He was a member of the 2018 6A All-State Symphonic Band and the 2019 6A All-State Philharmonic Orchestra. Other notable achievements include performing with the Region 25 Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, as well as the GDYO Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of James Frank. Mario is currently a member of the Baylor Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. Due to the pandemic, he was unable to perform and compete in the solo and ensemble divisions of the National Trumpet Competition (2020). Mario enjoys camping, traveling, and is a big fan of all things Marvel.
Alison Marseglia is a Junior Music Performance major at Baylor University studying with Wiff Rudd and Mark Schubert. Originally from Connecticut, Alison has relocated to Texas, where she enjoys teaching middle and high school trumpet students, and occasionally freelancing in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Waco. Alison was a finalist for Baylor’s 2021 Concerto Competition, where she played the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto. She was a semi-finalist at the 2022 National Trumpet Competition’s solo division, where she performed Gavotte de Concert by Heinrich Sutermeister. Alison also performed at NTC 2022 with Baylor Gold, a five-member small ensemble that made the quarterfinal round. In the summer of 2022, Alison attended the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina, where she studied with Chris Gekker and Judith Saxton. At Baylor, Alison is a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and the Lux Brass quintet. In 2022, Lux Brass was selected to be a featured group at Baylor’s 2022 Collage Concert. Alison received the Kenneth Gauntt Principal Trumpet Chair for the Baylor Symphony Orchestra. She occasionally performs with the Waco Symphony Orchestra as a student intern. This year, Alison is excited to continue taking professional auditions for military bands and symphony orchestras around the country. She is also looking forward to participating in TMEA’s performance showcase with Lux Brass. After Baylor, Alison hopes to pursue a master’s degree while continuing the audition journey. Alison has previously studied with Gino Villarreal (USCG Band and Baylor alum) and Greg Martin (USCG Band retired). She has performed in masterclasses conducted by Louis Hanzlik of the American Brass Quintet, Joseph Foley, Terry Everson, Ben Wright, David Krause, and Allen Vizzutti. She is deeply grateful for the influences of her current and past mentors.
Elizabeth Grahn is a music education major at Baylor and graduated from Klein Collins High School in Spring, Texas. In high school, she was section leader for her marching band, and a member of the wind ensemble, full orchestra, and pit orchestra. She studied with Jim Austin, former principal trumpet for the Houston Symphony. She was a member of two youth orchestras, the Virtuosi of Houston and the Houston Youth Symphony. In 2018, Elizabeth performed at the Kennedy Center for Senator Orrin Hatch’s retirement celebration. She has also performed at DisneyWorld and the Music For All National Festival in Indianapolis, IN. Elizabeth is currently a member of the Golden Wave Marching Band and the Symphonic Band.
Jadyn Doss is a Sophomore Music Education Major at Baylor University. She graduated from Tivy High School where she served as Drum Major for the marching band from 2018-2020 and as principal trumpet of the Hill Country Youth Orchestra’s Sinfonia. In 2019, the Tivy HS band attended the Texas State Marching Competition for the first time in 38 years. She enjoys marching very much and is hopeful to participate in Drum Corps in the future in order to gain more experience and teaching tips for her career. Jadyn studied under John Carroll, principal trumpet of the San Antonio Symphony, and enjoyed every lesson she had. She was a driven solo and ensemble state attendant, performing Andante et Allegro, Napoli, and Hindemith Sonata. She was the lead player in her Jazz Ensemble in high school, and sat as principal trumpet her last 3 years in the wind ensemble. Jadyn received the SASi Outstanding Conducting Award, and two Louis Armstrong awards as well as the John Philip Sousa Award from her band directors. She was also an active participant at the Area level of the TMEA Allstate audition process. In High School, Jadyn held the position of Special Event Coordinator in the National Honor Society Office, and helped to raise $700 for a friend in need of hospital care funding. Jadyn also was an active member in Student Council, and served her community well through special projects her group of friends created.
Joel Reaves graduated from Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, where he played in the Wind Symphony and Jazz Band all 4 years. During this time, the Lovejoy Wind Symphony performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, and the Jazz Band had joint performances with critically acclaimed jazz artists Delfeayo Marsalis and Sal Lozano. Joel also played with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony, directed by Jeremy Kondrat. He studied with Paul Heuer, Pete Clagett, and Don Burks. He was a Trumpet Section Leader for the Lovejoy Band and won 1st place in the Lovejoy ISD Concerto Competition. Joel is a crossover musician and at Baylor, performing in a variety of ensembles including: The Baylor Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and his chamber group. In 2021, he placed in the semi-finals for the NTC Solo Division. In addition to music, Joel enjoys playing sports, spending time with friends and family, and cars.
Johniel Najera graduated from Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, Texas. Throughout high school, he had the opportunity to perform with 6AAll-State orchestras for 3 years as well as other TMEA led ensembles. Johniel also had the privilege of performing as an accompanying soloist at various conventions such as the 2018 Midwest Clinic and the 2020 TMEA convention. His senior year, Johniel advanced to the live-rounds for the National Trumpet Competition in both the solo and ensemble divisions. As a Baylor student, Johniel has been a member of numerous ensembles such as the Golden Wave Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Baylor Jazz Ensemble, and Baylor Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, he has been a member of the Baylor Green trumpet ensemble which advanced to the live-rounds for NTC as well as Baylor Gold which performed at the 2022 TMEA convention. Johniel also advanced to the live-rounds in the solo division for NTC in 2022. Additionally, Johniel helped create the chamber ensemble Lux Brass. Lux Brass is a brass quintet which plays literature ranging from classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. In 2022 they were selected to perform as a featured chamber ensemble in the Centennial Collage Concert and were also invited to be featured in the Distinguished Scholars Day recital. Lastly, Lux Brass competed in the prestigious Semper Pro Musica chamber competition. When Johniel isn’t playing the trumpet, he loves spending time with his family: Paul Najera, Johjania Najera, Adiel Najera, and Mimi. Finally, he enjoys watching the best basketball team in the world, the San Antonio Spurs. Current and previous teachers include: Wiff Rudd, Mark Schubert, Tim Andersen, Justin Juarez.
Jacob Lira is currently a Freshman Music Education Major at Baylor University. He graduated from Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, Texas and has studied under Philip Scoles, Scott Copeland, Adam Miller, and Paul Nájera. During the marching season, he served as the section easer during his senior year. During the concert season he was a member of the Wind Symphony for 4 years and has also participated in other school ensembles, such as the Jazz Band and Pit Orchestra. Jacob has also been apart of ensembles outside of his school program. Jacob has been apart of multiple TMEA led ensembles such as the Symphonic Band, the Wind Ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra, and has also been apart of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble, which was led by Jeremy Kondrat. Along with being in these TMEA ensembles, Jacob was named as a 2021 1st Chair TMEA All-State member. Jacob has also been apart National Trumpet Competition high school division ensembles for multiple years. In 2020 his ensemble was accepted into the live rounds, but the competition was cancelled due to COVID-19. Following the next year, his ensemble was named the winner of the 2021 National Trumpet Competition Virtual High School Division. In addition to music, Jacob enjoys playing many different sports, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Camden Smith graduated from Frenship High School in Wolforth, Texas, where he was in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. At Frenship, he was a trumpet section leader in the marching band for his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years and also won first place in the concerto competition that took place his sophomore year. Throughout high school, he would make All State three times in the 6A division at TMEA, placing in the Symphonic Band and Philharmonic Orchestra. On the side, Camden was in the Youth Orchestra of Lubbock starting in 8th grade to get more time playing the trumpet. Camden is currently a member of the Golden Wave Band and is apart of the Baylor Wind Ensemble.
Paul Stancampiano graduated West Boca High School in Boca Raton, Florida, where he played in the wind ensemble and jazz band throughout his four years there. The West Boca Raton Wind Ensemble has performed in the National Concert Band Competition and has consistently earned high ratings in both district and state assessments, and the West Boca Raton Jazz Ensemble 1 has earned equally high praise. Paul is a five time All State trumpet player, performing in FMEA's High School Jazz Band, Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Symphonic Orchestra. Moreover, Paul has performed in both the Honor Band of America and the Honor Orchestra of America, and played under the baton of Gary Greene, Jerry Junkin, Larry Livingston, Steve Davis, and the like. Paul has studied with fellows of the New World Symphony, members of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed in the Florida Youth Orchestra's Principal Orchestra for three years. Outside of time spent playing music, Paul enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, and playing chess.
Eloy Trevino is a Music Education major from Carrollton, Texas. He has studied with Center Stage Brass founder Vernon Richter and Dallas Symphony Utility Trumpet Elmer Churampi. During his high school career, Eloy has served as the Principal Trumpet of the Hebron High School Wind Symphony for 3 years. He has performed and marched in ensembles at the 2017 Midwest Clinic, TMEA, the 2019 BOA Grand National Championship, and the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade. Eloy is a 3 time member of the TMEA All-State band. In 2021, Eloy received the Outstanding Performer Award at the UIL State Solo Contest. Additionally, he has won 1st place in the 2021 Texas Technology Student Association Contest for Music Production. Outside of high school, Eloy has served as Principal Trumpet in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra for 2 years under the direction of Richard Giangiulio. Additionally, he was a member of the Dallas Youth Trumpet Ensemble which won 1st place at the 2022 National Trumpet Competition. In 2021, Eloy competed as a Semifinalist in the NTC Highschool Solo Division. In his spare time, Eloy enjoys writing music, watching movies, collecting vinyls, and eating Oreos.
Mason Stokes is a music performance major and graduate from Wylie East High School in Wylie, Texas. While in high school, he performed at the 2019 Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington with the Wylie East Wind Symphony. In 2022, Mason qualified for and performed with the TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble II. Outside of school, he performed with the GDYO Wind Symphony (2020-21) and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (2021-22). He performed certain selections from Holst’s “The Planets” in the DSO & GDYO side by side concert. He was also a member of the Dallas Youth Trumpet Ensemble which competed and won 1st place in the High School Ensemble Division at NTC 2022. Mason currently plays in the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Baylor Jazz Ensemble, and the Baylor University Golden Wave Band.
Matthew is the studio’s graduate assistant and is a first year master’s student studying trumpet performance. Matthew is a Texas native, graduating from Flower Mound High School in 2018 before attending The University of Georgia. While in Georgia, Matthew studied with Philip Smith throughout his undergraduate degree before receiving his Bachelor’s in Trumpet Performance in 2022. Matthew was a Texas All-State member for several years and has performed at the National Trumpet Competition in the past. Matthew has performed with a variety of groups including the Athens Symphony, the Southern Territorial Band of the Salvation Army, the Hodgson Hills Brass Quintet, the Bulldog Brass Society, and UGA’s Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, and British Brass Band. Matthew began playing the cornet in brass bands at the age of 6 and has remained heavily involved in the Salvation Army’s brass band programs. He has had the opportunity to perform both as a soloist and ensemble member in numerous countries including England, France, Sweden, Mexico, and Canada. Apart from trumpet, Matthew is an avid piano player and a big Newcastle United soccer fan. He enjoys spending time with his family as well as watching the Dallas Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs. Sic’Em Dawgs! I mean..... Bears!
Recent Studio Awards
Current Baylor Trumpet Studio
Mark Schubert began teaching at Baylor in 2011. A founding member of the Honolulu Brass Quintet, which is a resident ensemble of Chamber Music Hawaii (CMH), Mark brings extensive orchestra and chamber music experience to the Baylor Brass and the trumpet studio. While Mark was chairman of the CMH board, he spearheaded the development of an extensive educational program, bringing chamber music performances and workshops to public and private schools in Hawaii. While in Hawaii he taught at the University of Hawaii and during the summer Mark serves on the faculty of the Brevard Music Festival and Institute. Mr. Schubert’s performance credits include appearances with such orchestras as the Boston Symphony and Pops Orchestras, the Filarmonica de las Americas (Mexico City), the Opera Company of Boston, the Boston Ballet, the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony, and the Plano Symphony. Mark is a member of Baylor Brass, the Waco Symphony and is Yamaha Artist/Clinician. He also coordinates outreach concerts for Baylor’s chamber music program.
Junior music education major, Ryan Neff, graduated from Taylor High School in Katy, Texas, where he served as a section leader during his junior and senior year of marching band. He also played in the Wind Ensemble, which made it to the state level of TMEA Honor Band judging in 2018, for three years as well as, the Taylor High School Symphony Orchestra, which was the runner up for TMEA Honor Orchestra in 2016. He performed in Taylor’s jazz band for all four years of high school, where they won countless awards at various competitions around the greater Houston area. Ryan performed in the Region 23 Wind Ensemble during his junior and senior years, along with the Region 23 Full Orchestra during his senior year. He also advanced to the area level of TMEA 6A All-State judging, where he was one spot away from advancing to compete at the state level. Ryan studied privately for five years with Wes Miller, a Baylor alum who was part of Wiff Rudd’s first freshman class at Baylor. He’s also taken lessons with various players throughout the city of Houston including Mark Hughes and John Parker, the Principle and Associate Principal Trumpets of the Houston Symphony, respectively. He now performs with the Symphonic Band and Baylor Jazz Ensemble and was a member of Baylor Green, the 3rd Prize winners of the National Trumpet Competition's Large Ensemble Division in 2019. Outside of music, Ryan enjoys playing basketball or football with friends, and eating good food. He was also a Boy Scout throughout his middle and high school career, and through it developed a love for outdoor activities such as backpacking and camping.
Adam Hunt is a sophomore music education major and a graduate of Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas. At MHS, he served as a trumpet section leader his junior year and senior year as well as brass captain his final year. He was a member of the wind ensemble and jazz band. From his sophomore through senior year he participated in his school’s pit orchestra. His senior year they put on a production of “Catch Me If You Can” where Adam played lead trumpet and the musical won best orchestra at the Dallas Summer Musical awards. During his senior year, he also received the John Philip Sousa award for his dedication to his school’s band program and his own pursuits.Throughout high school and late middle school, Adam studied with Jeffrey Norman, a freelance teacher and trumpeter in the DFW area. Adam made an all-region ensemble all four years while also advancing to area his final three. His junior and senior he made the top all-region jazz ensemble and advanced to area both years. Adam performs as a member of Baylor’s Golden Wave Band, the Wind Ensemble, and Concert Jazz Ensemble. He also works with the trumpet graduate assistant in maintaining and organizing the studio's equipment inventory. Other than music and teaching, Adam also enjoys sports, hiking, movies, and spending time with his friends and family.
Aaron Bouchard is a sophomore music education major at Baylor University. He graduated from Rouse High School where he played in the Wind Ensemble for all four years. Aaron is an avid marching band enthusiast and served as Drum Major at Rouse for three years, during which time the marching band advanced to the UIL State Finalist Competition and were 2A Class Champions at the BOA San Antonio Super-Regional competition for the first time in school history. Aaron studied under Baylor Alumnus and Austin Symphony member Dr. Kyle Koronka as well as the Grammy award-winning Gilbert Elorreaga. He currently performs with the Golden Wave Marching Band and the Symphonic Band. In High School, Aaron was the recipient of the SASi Leadership and Teaching Awards as well as the Spirit of Charlie Rouse Award. He was also a consistent participant at the Area level of the TMEA All-State Competition. Aaron will serve as a conductor for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum Corps in the summer of 2021. Outside the practice room, Aaron enjoys watching movies, playing basketball with friends, and cooking.
Alan Wemhoff is currently a junior music performance major at Baylor University. He attended Wakeland High School where he played in the Wind Ensemble for four years serving as principal for his last three years. Alan was a member of the Wakeland Jazz 1 Ensemble, served as principal trumpet for the Wakeland Theater’s Pit Orchestra for two years, and was a squad and section leader in the marching band his Junior and Senior year. He studied with Bert Truax a former Dallas Symphony member, Aaron Montoya a doctoral student at UNT, and Ben Hauser a member of the US Navy Band and Baylor Trumpet Studio alum. Alan was a member of the Golden Wave Marching Band his freshman year and currently performs in a brass quintet as well as the Baylor Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. He was slated to participate in the Vancouver Music Festival and the National Trumpet Competition as a soloist and with Baylor Green; both were canceled due to the pandemic. During his time in high school he participated in the GDYO Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Nick Williams as well as the GDYO Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Mr. James Frank. Alan also participated in the High School Trumpet Ensemble Division at the 2019 National Trumpet Competition. He also marched with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2018 season where they placed 5th overall.
Junior performance major, Mario Mojica, graduated from Rockwall-Heath High School in Rockwall, Texas, where he studied with Dr. Keith Karns and Cris Roman. He served as the trumpet section leader in the marching band for 3 years and a member of the Wind Ensemble and Jazz band. During his senior year, he played in the pit orchestra as lead trumpet in the school’s production of "Singin’ in the Rain," which was nominated for the Dallas Summer Musicals High School Award for Best Orchestra. Mario received the John Phillip Sousa Band Award for his musicianship and dedication to the Mighty Hawk Band. Throughout his time in high school, he was privileged to perform with many ensembles. He was a member of the 2018 6A All-State Symphonic Band and the 2019 6A All-State Philharmonic Orchestra. Other notable achievements include performing with the Region 25 Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, as well as the GDYO Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of James Frank. Mario is currently a member of the Baylor Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. Due to the pandemic, he was unable to perform and compete in the solo and ensemble divisions of the National Trumpet Competition (2020). Mario enjoys camping, traveling, and is a big fan of all things Marvel.
Alison Marseglia is a Junior Music Performance major at Baylor University studying with Wiff Rudd and Mark Schubert. Originally from Connecticut, Alison has relocated to Texas, where she enjoys teaching middle and high school trumpet students, and occasionally freelancing in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Waco. Alison was a finalist for Baylor’s 2021 Concerto Competition, where she played the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto. She was a semi-finalist at the 2022 National Trumpet Competition’s solo division, where she performed Gavotte de Concert by Heinrich Sutermeister. Alison also performed at NTC 2022 with Baylor Gold, a five-member small ensemble that made the quarterfinal round. In the summer of 2022, Alison attended the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina, where she studied with Chris Gekker and Judith Saxton. At Baylor, Alison is a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and the Lux Brass quintet. In 2022, Lux Brass was selected to be a featured group at Baylor’s 2022 Collage Concert. Alison received the Kenneth Gauntt Principal Trumpet Chair for the Baylor Symphony Orchestra. She occasionally performs with the Waco Symphony Orchestra as a student intern. This year, Alison is excited to continue taking professional auditions for military bands and symphony orchestras around the country. She is also looking forward to participating in TMEA’s performance showcase with Lux Brass. After Baylor, Alison hopes to pursue a master’s degree while continuing the audition journey. Alison has previously studied with Gino Villarreal (USCG Band and Baylor alum) and Greg Martin (USCG Band retired). She has performed in masterclasses conducted by Louis Hanzlik of the American Brass Quintet, Joseph Foley, Terry Everson, Ben Wright, David Krause, and Allen Vizzutti. She is deeply grateful for the influences of her current and past mentors.
Elizabeth Grahn is a music education major at Baylor and graduated from Klein Collins High School in Spring, Texas. In high school, she was section leader for her marching band, and a member of the wind ensemble, full orchestra, and pit orchestra. She studied with Jim Austin, former principal trumpet for the Houston Symphony. She was a member of two youth orchestras, the Virtuosi of Houston and the Houston Youth Symphony. In 2018, Elizabeth performed at the Kennedy Center for Senator Orrin Hatch’s retirement celebration. She has also performed at DisneyWorld and the Music For All National Festival in Indianapolis, IN. Elizabeth is currently a member of the Golden Wave Marching Band and the Symphonic Band.
Jadyn Doss is a Sophomore Music Education Major at Baylor University. She graduated from Tivy High School where she served as Drum Major for the marching band from 2018-2020 and as principal trumpet of the Hill Country Youth Orchestra’s Sinfonia. In 2019, the Tivy HS band attended the Texas State Marching Competition for the first time in 38 years. She enjoys marching very much and is hopeful to participate in Drum Corps in the future in order to gain more experience and teaching tips for her career. Jadyn studied under John Carroll, principal trumpet of the San Antonio Symphony, and enjoyed every lesson she had. She was a driven solo and ensemble state attendant, performing Andante et Allegro, Napoli, and Hindemith Sonata. She was the lead player in her Jazz Ensemble in high school, and sat as principal trumpet her last 3 years in the wind ensemble. Jadyn received the SASi Outstanding Conducting Award, and two Louis Armstrong awards as well as the John Philip Sousa Award from her band directors. She was also an active participant at the Area level of the TMEA Allstate audition process. In High School, Jadyn held the position of Special Event Coordinator in the National Honor Society Office, and helped to raise $700 for a friend in need of hospital care funding. Jadyn also was an active member in Student Council, and served her community well through special projects her group of friends created.
Joel Reaves graduated from Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, where he played in the Wind Symphony and Jazz Band all 4 years. During this time, the Lovejoy Wind Symphony performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, and the Jazz Band had joint performances with critically acclaimed jazz artists Delfeayo Marsalis and Sal Lozano. Joel also played with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony, directed by Jeremy Kondrat. He studied with Paul Heuer, Pete Clagett, and Don Burks. He was a Trumpet Section Leader for the Lovejoy Band and won 1st place in the Lovejoy ISD Concerto Competition. Joel is a crossover musician and at Baylor, performing in a variety of ensembles including: The Baylor Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and his chamber group. In 2021, he placed in the semi-finals for the NTC Solo Division. In addition to music, Joel enjoys playing sports, spending time with friends and family, and cars.
Johniel Najera graduated from Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, Texas. Throughout high school, he had the opportunity to perform with 6AAll-State orchestras for 3 years as well as other TMEA led ensembles. Johniel also had the privilege of performing as an accompanying soloist at various conventions such as the 2018 Midwest Clinic and the 2020 TMEA convention. His senior year, Johniel advanced to the live-rounds for the National Trumpet Competition in both the solo and ensemble divisions. As a Baylor student, Johniel has been a member of numerous ensembles such as the Golden Wave Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Baylor Jazz Ensemble, and Baylor Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, he has been a member of the Baylor Green trumpet ensemble which advanced to the live-rounds for NTC as well as Baylor Gold which performed at the 2022 TMEA convention. Johniel also advanced to the live-rounds in the solo division for NTC in 2022. Additionally, Johniel helped create the chamber ensemble Lux Brass. Lux Brass is a brass quintet which plays literature ranging from classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. In 2022 they were selected to perform as a featured chamber ensemble in the Centennial Collage Concert and were also invited to be featured in the Distinguished Scholars Day recital. Lastly, Lux Brass competed in the prestigious Semper Pro Musica chamber competition. When Johniel isn’t playing the trumpet, he loves spending time with his family: Paul Najera, Johjania Najera, Adiel Najera, and Mimi. Finally, he enjoys watching the best basketball team in the world, the San Antonio Spurs. Current and previous teachers include: Wiff Rudd, Mark Schubert, Tim Andersen, Justin Juarez.
Jacob Lira is currently a Freshman Music Education Major at Baylor University. He graduated from Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, Texas and has studied under Philip Scoles, Scott Copeland, Adam Miller, and Paul Nájera. During the marching season, he served as the section easer during his senior year. During the concert season he was a member of the Wind Symphony for 4 years and has also participated in other school ensembles, such as the Jazz Band and Pit Orchestra. Jacob has also been apart of ensembles outside of his school program. Jacob has been apart of multiple TMEA led ensembles such as the Symphonic Band, the Wind Ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra, and has also been apart of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble, which was led by Jeremy Kondrat. Along with being in these TMEA ensembles, Jacob was named as a 2021 1st Chair TMEA All-State member. Jacob has also been apart National Trumpet Competition high school division ensembles for multiple years. In 2020 his ensemble was accepted into the live rounds, but the competition was cancelled due to COVID-19. Following the next year, his ensemble was named the winner of the 2021 National Trumpet Competition Virtual High School Division. In addition to music, Jacob enjoys playing many different sports, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Camden Smith graduated from Frenship High School in Wolforth, Texas, where he was in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. At Frenship, he was a trumpet section leader in the marching band for his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years and also won first place in the concerto competition that took place his sophomore year. Throughout high school, he would make All State three times in the 6A division at TMEA, placing in the Symphonic Band and Philharmonic Orchestra. On the side, Camden was in the Youth Orchestra of Lubbock starting in 8th grade to get more time playing the trumpet. Camden is currently a member of the Golden Wave Band and is apart of the Baylor Wind Ensemble.
Paul Stancampiano graduated West Boca High School in Boca Raton, Florida, where he played in the wind ensemble and jazz band throughout his four years there. The West Boca Raton Wind Ensemble has performed in the National Concert Band Competition and has consistently earned high ratings in both district and state assessments, and the West Boca Raton Jazz Ensemble 1 has earned equally high praise. Paul is a five time All State trumpet player, performing in FMEA's High School Jazz Band, Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Symphonic Orchestra. Moreover, Paul has performed in both the Honor Band of America and the Honor Orchestra of America, and played under the baton of Gary Greene, Jerry Junkin, Larry Livingston, Steve Davis, and the like. Paul has studied with fellows of the New World Symphony, members of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed in the Florida Youth Orchestra's Principal Orchestra for three years. Outside of time spent playing music, Paul enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, and playing chess.
Eloy Trevino is a Music Education major from Carrollton, Texas. He has studied with Center Stage Brass founder Vernon Richter and Dallas Symphony Utility Trumpet Elmer Churampi. During his high school career, Eloy has served as the Principal Trumpet of the Hebron High School Wind Symphony for 3 years. He has performed and marched in ensembles at the 2017 Midwest Clinic, TMEA, the 2019 BOA Grand National Championship, and the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade. Eloy is a 3 time member of the TMEA All-State band. In 2021, Eloy received the Outstanding Performer Award at the UIL State Solo Contest. Additionally, he has won 1st place in the 2021 Texas Technology Student Association Contest for Music Production. Outside of high school, Eloy has served as Principal Trumpet in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra for 2 years under the direction of Richard Giangiulio. Additionally, he was a member of the Dallas Youth Trumpet Ensemble which won 1st place at the 2022 National Trumpet Competition. In 2021, Eloy competed as a Semifinalist in the NTC Highschool Solo Division. In his spare time, Eloy enjoys writing music, watching movies, collecting vinyls, and eating Oreos.
Mason Stokes is a music performance major and graduate from Wylie East High School in Wylie, Texas. While in high school, he performed at the 2019 Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington with the Wylie East Wind Symphony. In 2022, Mason qualified for and performed with the TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble II. Outside of school, he performed with the GDYO Wind Symphony (2020-21) and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (2021-22). He performed certain selections from Holst’s “The Planets” in the DSO & GDYO side by side concert. He was also a member of the Dallas Youth Trumpet Ensemble which competed and won 1st place in the High School Ensemble Division at NTC 2022. Mason currently plays in the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Baylor Jazz Ensemble, and the Baylor University Golden Wave Band.
Matthew is the studio’s graduate assistant and is a first year master’s student studying trumpet performance. Matthew is a Texas native, graduating from Flower Mound High School in 2018 before attending The University of Georgia. While in Georgia, Matthew studied with Philip Smith throughout his undergraduate degree before receiving his Bachelor’s in Trumpet Performance in 2022. Matthew was a Texas All-State member for several years and has performed at the National Trumpet Competition in the past. Matthew has performed with a variety of groups including the Athens Symphony, the Southern Territorial Band of the Salvation Army, the Hodgson Hills Brass Quintet, the Bulldog Brass Society, and UGA’s Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, and British Brass Band. Matthew began playing the cornet in brass bands at the age of 6 and has remained heavily involved in the Salvation Army’s brass band programs. He has had the opportunity to perform both as a soloist and ensemble member in numerous countries including England, France, Sweden, Mexico, and Canada. Apart from trumpet, Matthew is an avid piano player and a big Newcastle United soccer fan. He enjoys spending time with his family as well as watching the Dallas Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs. Sic’Em Dawgs! I mean..... Bears!
Recent Studio Awards
2020
2020darash.desai2020-09-28T15:09:00+00:00
Fall 2020
Ross Mitchell (BME 2019): Won position with United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Washington, D.C.
Tyler Moore (BM 2020): Finalist for the Ictus International Solo Competition
Spring 2020 (summer festivals canceled due to COVID-19)
Matt Ruwe (MM 2020), accepted to DMA program with scholarship to Indiana University
Ryan McArthur (BME 2020): accepted with assistantship to the Moores School of Music, University of Houston
Joey Tkach (BM 2020): accepted to the Colburn School for MM (fully funded); Camp of the Woods Orchestra; successfully auditioned for the substitute musician list for the Houston Symphony; finalist in the International Trumpet Guild’s Mock Orchestra and Mock Wind Band Auditions.
Tyler Moore (BM 2020): accepted with scholarship to the Frost School, University of Miami; accepted to Round Top and Texas Music Festivals
Cordelia DeDecker (Junior BM): Brevard Music Festival with Teaching Assistantship
Sig Stefansson (Junior BM): accepted Vancouver Music Festival
Alan Wemhoff (Freshman BM): accepted to the Vancouver Music Festival
Aaron Bouchard (Freshman BME): named drum major for Santa Clara Vanguard Drum Corps.
2019
2019 Awardsdarash.desai2020-09-11T22:31:10+00:00Summer 2019
International Trumpet Guild
Mock Orchestra Audition
Solo Competition
Ryan McArthur
Nathan Little
Abby Barto
03.02.19
02.10.19
01.20.19
Sig Stefansson
Tyler Moore
Cordelia DeDecker
03.19.19
03.16.19
03.05.19
Ross Mitchell
Hellcats” Audition
Baylor “Gold” Small Ens.
01.15.19
Summer 2019
Cordelia DeDecker
First Prize, Solo Trumpet Competition
(Category International Women’s Brass Conference)
International Trumpet Guild
Conference
Mock Wind Band Audition
1st Prize: Ross Mitchell
2nd Prize: Tyler Moore
2nd Prize: Stephen Spink (tie)
Mock Orchestra Audition
2nd Prize: Cordelia DeDecker
Solo Competition
3rd Prize: Tyler Moore
04.21.19
Summer 2019 Music Festival Acceptances
Joey Tkach
Brevard Music Festival
Chosen Vale Seminar
Ima Hogg Solo Competition
Ryan McArthur
Eastern Music Festival
Nathan Little
FOOSA
Abby Barto
Eastern Music Festival
Texas Music Festival
FOOSA
Berlin Opera Institute Orchestra
03.02.19
Tyler Moore
Finalist for Solo Competition
International Trumpet
Guild Confernence
(Miami, July 2019)
02.10.19
Nathan Little
Semper Pro Musica
Solo Division Winner
(NY Solo Debut, Weill Recital Hall, May 2019)
02.09.19
Tyler Moore
2019 Yamaha Young Performing Artist
Honorable Mention
01.20.19
National Trumpet Competition
Sig Stefansson
FOOSA
Vancouver Orchestral Institute
Tyler Moore
Chosen Vale Seminar
Hot Springs Music Festival
Cordelia DeDecker
Chosen Vale Seminar
National Music Festival
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (substitute musician) “Orchestral Conducting Workshop”
03.19.19
Ross Mitchell has accepted a Graduate Assistantship to Florida State University
03.16.19
National Trumpet Competition
(Univ of Kentucky)
1st Prize: Baylor “Gold”
3rd Prize: Baylor “Green”
NTC Solo Semifinalists:
Cordelia DeDecker
Stephen Spink
03.05.19
Cordelia DeDecker
Finalist for Mock Orchestra
Audition Competition
Ross Mitchell
Tyler Moore
Stephen Spink
Finalists for Mock Wind Band
Audition Competition
International Trumpet
Guild Conference
(Miami, July 2019)
Hellcats” Audition
(March 2019)
Quarter-Finalists Announced
Baylor “Gold” Small Ens.
Baylor “Green” Large Ens.
Soloists:
Abby Barto
Cordelia DeDecker
Jonah Kelly
Ryan McArthur
Ross Mitchell
Tyler Moore
Stephen Spink
Sig Stefansson
Josh Stegall
Joey Tkach
01.15.19
Ross Mitchell
invited to WestPoint
2018
2018 Awardsdarash.desai2020-09-11T22:37:47+00:0012.05.18
09.19.18
National Trumpet Competition
Miscellaneous
Nathan Little
Joey Tkach
Baylor “Gold”
Ictus International Trumpet
National Trumpet Competition
2018 Summer Festivals
Nathan Little
Ryan McArthur
Chris Boulais
Stephen Spink
Sig Stefansson
Tyler Moore & Cordi DeDecker
Miscellaneous
Nathan Little
2018 Summer Festivals
Nathan Little
Ryan McArthur
Chris Boulais
Stephen Spink
Sig Stefansson
Tyler Moore & Cordi DeDecker
2018
12.05.18
Stephen Spink
accepts a position
with the USAF Regional Bands
(winner of audition at
Lackland AFB in November)
11.22.18
Cordelia DeDecker
Tyler Moore
Joey Tkach
invited to the 2019 Fantini International Trumpet Competition in Rome
10.18.18
Stephen Spink
Advanced to live audition
for Air Force Band of the West
(San Antonio)
09.28.18
Ross Mitchell &
Stephen Spink
Advanced to live audition
for the USAF Concert Band
09.26.18
Nathan Little appointed Principal Trumpet
Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Spink advanced
to the finals.
09.19.18
Ross Mitchell advances to upcoming audition, US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
09.01.18
Joey Tkach, Winner
Ictus International Trumpet
Competition
National Trumpet Competition
Baylor Gold 1st Prize
Baylor Trumpets 2nd Prize
Cordelia DeDecker 3rd Prize
Joey Tkach 2nd Prize
Miscellaneous
Sally Tepper
United States Air Force Academy Band
Nathan Little
Semi-finalist Ft. Worth Symphony
Sub-list New World Symphony
Joey Tkach
Semi-finalist, Ima Hogg Competition
Winner, Ictus Music Competition
Winner, Semper Pro Solo Competition
Yamaha Young Performing Artist Award
Baylor “Gold”
Semper Pro Chamber Winner
(Weill Recital Hall)
Ictus International Trumpet
Competition
National Trumpet Competition
Baylor Gold 1st Prize
Baylor Trumpets 2nd Prize
Cordelia DeDecker 3rd Prize
Joey Tkach 2nd Prize
2018 Summer Festivals
Joey Tkach
Hot Springs Music Festival
Nathan Little
Brevard Music Festival
Ryan McArthur
Eastern Music Festival
Chris Boulais
Round Top Music Festival
Ross Mitchell Camp of the Woods
Stephen Spink
National Music Festival
Bay View Festival
Sig Stefansson
Harpa International Music Academy (Iceland)
Tyler Moore & Cordi DeDecker
Chosen Vale Trumpet Seminar
Miscellaneous
Sally Tepper
United States Air Force Academy Band
Nathan Little
Semi-finalist Ft. Worth Symphony
2018 Summer Festivals
Joey Tkach
Hot Springs Music Festival
Nathan Little
Brevard Music Festival
Ryan McArthur
Eastern Music Festival
Chris Boulais
Round Top Music Festival
Ross Mitchell Camp of the Woods
Stephen Spink
National Music Festival
Bay View Festival
Sig Stefansson
Harpa International Music Academy (Iceland)
Tyler Moore & Cordi DeDecker
Chosen Vale Trumpet Seminar
2020
2020darash.desai2020-09-28T15:09:00+00:00
Fall 2020
Ross Mitchell (BME 2019): Won position with United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Washington, D.C.
Tyler Moore (BM 2020): Finalist for the Ictus International Solo Competition
Spring 2020 (summer festivals canceled due to COVID-19)
Matt Ruwe (MM 2020), accepted to DMA program with scholarship to Indiana University
Ryan McArthur (BME 2020): accepted with assistantship to the Moores School of Music, University of Houston
Joey Tkach (BM 2020): accepted to the Colburn School for MM (fully funded); Camp of the Woods Orchestra; successfully auditioned for the substitute musician list for the Houston Symphony; finalist in the International Trumpet Guild’s Mock Orchestra and Mock Wind Band Auditions.
Tyler Moore (BM 2020): accepted with scholarship to the Frost School, University of Miami; accepted to Round Top and Texas Music Festivals
Cordelia DeDecker (Junior BM): Brevard Music Festival with Teaching Assistantship
Sig Stefansson (Junior BM): accepted Vancouver Music Festival
Alan Wemhoff (Freshman BM): accepted to the Vancouver Music Festival
Aaron Bouchard (Freshman BME): named drum major for Santa Clara Vanguard Drum Corps.
2019
2019 Awardsdarash.desai2020-09-11T22:31:10+00:00Summer 2019
International Trumpet Guild
Mock Orchestra Audition
Solo Competition
Ryan McArthur
Nathan Little
Abby Barto
03.02.19
02.10.19
01.20.19
Sig Stefansson
Tyler Moore
Cordelia DeDecker
03.19.19
03.16.19
03.05.19
Ross Mitchell
Hellcats” Audition
Baylor “Gold” Small Ens.
01.15.19
Summer 2019
Cordelia DeDecker
First Prize, Solo Trumpet Competition
(Category International Women’s Brass Conference)
International Trumpet Guild
Conference
Mock Wind Band Audition
1st Prize: Ross Mitchell
2nd Prize: Tyler Moore
2nd Prize: Stephen Spink (tie)
Mock Orchestra Audition
2nd Prize: Cordelia DeDecker
Solo Competition
3rd Prize: Tyler Moore
04.21.19
Summer 2019 Music Festival Acceptances
Joey Tkach
Brevard Music Festival
Chosen Vale Seminar
Ima Hogg Solo Competition
Ryan McArthur
Eastern Music Festival
Nathan Little
FOOSA
Abby Barto
Eastern Music Festival
Texas Music Festival
FOOSA
Berlin Opera Institute Orchestra
03.02.19
Tyler Moore
Finalist for Solo Competition
International Trumpet
Guild Confernence
(Miami, July 2019)
02.10.19
Nathan Little
Semper Pro Musica
Solo Division Winner
(NY Solo Debut, Weill Recital Hall, May 2019)
02.09.19
Tyler Moore
2019 Yamaha Young Performing Artist
Honorable Mention
01.20.19
National Trumpet Competition
Sig Stefansson
FOOSA
Vancouver Orchestral Institute
Tyler Moore
Chosen Vale Seminar
Hot Springs Music Festival
Cordelia DeDecker
Chosen Vale Seminar
National Music Festival
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (substitute musician) “Orchestral Conducting Workshop”
03.19.19
Ross Mitchell has accepted a Graduate Assistantship to Florida State University
03.16.19
National Trumpet Competition
(Univ of Kentucky)
1st Prize: Baylor “Gold”
3rd Prize: Baylor “Green”
NTC Solo Semifinalists:
Cordelia DeDecker
Stephen Spink
03.05.19
Cordelia DeDecker
Finalist for Mock Orchestra
Audition Competition
Ross Mitchell
Tyler Moore
Stephen Spink
Finalists for Mock Wind Band
Audition Competition
International Trumpet
Guild Conference
(Miami, July 2019)
Hellcats” Audition
(March 2019)
Quarter-Finalists Announced
Baylor “Gold” Small Ens.
Baylor “Green” Large Ens.
Soloists:
Abby Barto
Cordelia DeDecker
Jonah Kelly
Ryan McArthur
Ross Mitchell
Tyler Moore
Stephen Spink
Sig Stefansson
Josh Stegall
Joey Tkach
01.15.19
Ross Mitchell
invited to WestPoint
2018
2018 Awardsdarash.desai2020-09-11T22:37:47+00:0012.05.18
09.19.18
National Trumpet Competition
Miscellaneous
Nathan Little
Joey Tkach
Baylor “Gold”
Ictus International Trumpet
National Trumpet Competition
2018 Summer Festivals
Nathan Little
Ryan McArthur
Chris Boulais
Stephen Spink
Sig Stefansson
Tyler Moore & Cordi DeDecker
Miscellaneous
Nathan Little
2018 Summer Festivals
Nathan Little
Ryan McArthur
Chris Boulais
Stephen Spink
Sig Stefansson
Tyler Moore & Cordi DeDecker
2018
12.05.18
Stephen Spink
accepts a position
with the USAF Regional Bands
(winner of audition at
Lackland AFB in November)
11.22.18
Cordelia DeDecker
Tyler Moore
Joey Tkach
invited to the 2019 Fantini International Trumpet Competition in Rome
10.18.18
Stephen Spink
Advanced to live audition
for Air Force Band of the West
(San Antonio)
09.28.18
Ross Mitchell &
Stephen Spink
Advanced to live audition
for the USAF Concert Band
09.26.18
Nathan Little appointed Principal Trumpet
Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Spink advanced
to the finals.
09.19.18
Ross Mitchell advances to upcoming audition, US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
09.01.18
Joey Tkach, Winner
Ictus International Trumpet
Competition
National Trumpet Competition
Baylor Gold 1st Prize
Baylor Trumpets 2nd Prize
Cordelia DeDecker 3rd Prize
Joey Tkach 2nd Prize
Miscellaneous
Sally Tepper
United States Air Force Academy Band
Nathan Little
Semi-finalist Ft. Worth Symphony
Sub-list New World Symphony
Joey Tkach
Semi-finalist, Ima Hogg Competition
Winner, Ictus Music Competition
Winner, Semper Pro Solo Competition
Yamaha Young Performing Artist Award
Baylor “Gold”
Semper Pro Chamber Winner
(Weill Recital Hall)
Ictus International Trumpet
Competition
National Trumpet Competition
Baylor Gold 1st Prize
Baylor Trumpets 2nd Prize
Cordelia DeDecker 3rd Prize
Joey Tkach 2nd Prize
2018 Summer Festivals
Joey Tkach
Hot Springs Music Festival
Nathan Little
Brevard Music Festival
Ryan McArthur
Eastern Music Festival
Chris Boulais
Round Top Music Festival
Ross Mitchell Camp of the Woods
Stephen Spink
National Music Festival
Bay View Festival
Sig Stefansson
Harpa International Music Academy (Iceland)
Tyler Moore & Cordi DeDecker
Chosen Vale Trumpet Seminar
Miscellaneous
Sally Tepper
United States Air Force Academy Band
Nathan Little
Semi-finalist Ft. Worth Symphony
2018 Summer Festivals
Joey Tkach
Hot Springs Music Festival
Nathan Little
Brevard Music Festival
Ryan McArthur
Eastern Music Festival
Chris Boulais
Round Top Music Festival
Ross Mitchell Camp of the Woods
Stephen Spink
National Music Festival
Bay View Festival
Sig Stefansson
Harpa International Music Academy (Iceland)
Tyler Moore & Cordi DeDecker
Chosen Vale Trumpet Seminar
Former Members
Chris Clark was raised in Waco, TX, where he received a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a trumpet emphasis from Baylor University. Chris also earned a Master of Jazz Studies from DePaul University in Chicago where he studied Jazz Composition with Thomas Matta. Chris has also been fortunate enough to study trumpet with Barry, Hopper, Bob Lark, Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, Tim Coffman, Bob Palmieri, and Brent Turney. As a believer in that we should be life-long learners, Chris still contacts top composers for direction and tutelage. To name a few, he would like to thank Paul Baker, Fred Sturm, and Steve Wiest. Chris Clark started C3 Compositions in 2014 with the goal to provide great music that can be attained at all levels of development. C3 Compositions (named C3 to represent Chris’ initials of CCC) provides educators and musicians alike with swingin’ charts that will sound good regardless of the level of the ensemble! C3 charts can be heard being performed by the C3 Big Band, a professional jazz ensemble that Chris directs in Dallas. Chris has had many opportunities to perform in both the Dallas and Chicago areas. He has shared the stage with artists such as Bob Mintzer, Jon Faddis, Wycliffe Gordon, Jon Metzger, Nicholas Payton, Rufus Reid, and Maria Schneider, among others. Although Chris spends his days teaching middle school band for Plano ISD, he keeps a busy performing schedule in several groups around the Dallas area. Chris has had the opportunity to compose and arrange music for the Waco Jazz Orchestra, Baylor Jazz Ensemble, DePaul Jazz Orchestras, Dallas area jazz ensembles, several middle school and high school band programs, American Jazz Composers Orchestra and Grammy-Nominated Jazz Icon Phil Woods. Chris is currently the Director of Bands at Hendrick Middle School in Plano ISD. He lives in the Dallas area with his wife, Christiana, and beautiful children Abby and Noah. Chris is an Artist for XO Trumpets.
Brent graduated with his music education degree from Baylor in May of 2016 and has begun his teaching career as the assistant band director at Pierce High School in Richardson, Texas. While a student at Baylor, Brent was a member and fulfilled several leadership positions with the Golden Wave Band. He also performed principal and section roles in the Wind Ensemble and Baylor Symphony. Brent performed at the National Trumpet Competition as a solo and ensemble semi-finalist for four years and was a member of the ensemble finalist group, "Baylor Green" in 2014. You won't find a more avid San Antonio Spurs fan than Brent Smith!
Regan O’Connor was a Music Education major graduating in May of 2016 now pursuing a masters of trumpet performance at Southern Methodist University. He performed with many ensembles at Baylor such as The Baylor Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz band, Golden Wave Marching Band, and Courtside Players. Regan was a finalist with the group “Baylor Green” in the 2013 National Trumpet Competition and also qualified as a solo semi-finalist in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He spent the summer of 2015 performing and studying at the Brevard Music Festival with Mark Schubert (Baylor), Neil Berntsen (Pittsburgh Symphony), and Mark Hughes (Houston Symphony) and at the Eastern Music Festival in 2016, studying with Chris Gekker and Judith Saxton. He has been playing trumpet since 6th grade, and his director Tim Linley inspired him to pursue music. Regan has been a squad leader for the marching band and the music chair for Kappa Kappa Psi Beta Alpha. Aside from music, Regan enjoys sports such as basketball, traveling, and kicking back with friends. Regan is currently student teaching in Plano and will begin graduate school next fall.
Originally from High Springs, Florida, Tamara Vaughn is pursuing her DMA at the University of Texas, having completed her master's degree at Baylor University in Trumpet Performance and served as the trumpet graduate assistant. Tamara is a graduate of The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Trumpet Performance as well. While at Florida State, Tamara was involved with several organizations, including Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society, and Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, and graduated magna cum laude from the Florida State University Honors Program. Furthermore, Tamara also served as President of the Trumpet Guild of Florida State, and as Vice President of Ritual of the Beta Alpha chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Tamara has competed in several competitions, such as the Music Teacher's National Association Solo Competition, the International Trumpet Guild Conference Competition, and the National Trumpet Competition, where her arrangement of Rossini's Overture to The Barber of Seville for Trumpet Octet was premiered in the Trumpet Ensemble Division. She is a member of Baylor "Green," the first prize large ensemble at NTC 2015 and won second prize in the Graduate Solo Division in 2016. Tammy has also attended numerous summer music programs, including the Chosen Vale International Trumpet Seminar, Eastern Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, Bay View Music Festival, and the Disneyland All-American College Band, where she performed with Wayne Bergeron, John Clayton, Jiggs Whigham, and Ron Carter, among others. In addition to Disneyland, Tamara has performed all over the United States, such as the Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Tamara's primary instructors consist of Wiff Rudd, Christopher Moore, Mark Schubert and Ray Sasaki. In her spare time, Tamara enjoys teaching private lessons to younger trumpet students and working with middle and high school music programs.
Dr. Ross Ahlhorn currently holds the Second Trumpet position with the Arkansas Symphony and serves as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Central Arkansas. An international performing artist, Dr. Ahlhorn has performed in such places as Carnegie Hall, New York City, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Dr. Ahlhorn was a First Prize Winner in the “2018 Salzburg Grand Prize Virtuoso” and the “2018 Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competitions. Dr. Ahlhorn is the former principal trumpet of the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra and many other regional orchestras in Arizona, Texas, and Virginia. Dr. Ahlhorn was a soloist and principal trumpet at the 2014 Sulzbach-Rosenberg International Music Festival in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany, and 2nd trumpet with Orchestra Next, the orchestra in residence with the Eugene Ballet (Oregon). Dr. Ross Ahlhorn is proud to be an S.E. Shires Co. Performing Artist.
David Becker is currently in his sixth year as Assistant Band Director at Apollo Junior High in Richardson, TX. He directs both Symphonic Band II and the Intermediate Band, and assists with Symphonic Band I and the Concert Band. Under his direction, the Apollo Symphonic Band II has consistently earned Superior ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. David also teaches beginning brass classes at Big Springs and Yale Elementary schools. Prior to coming to Apollo, he served for four years as Assistant Band Director at Mesquite High School where he assisted with the Wind Ensemble and the Mighty Maroon Marching Band and led the Mesquite Jazz Ensemble. David graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music Education, studying conducting with Kevin Sedatole and Barry Kraus and trumpet with Wiff Rudd and Barry Hopper. While at Baylor, he played in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Band, was a two-time trumpet section leader of the Golden Wave Band, and in the fall of 2005 was one of two undergraduate staff assistants of the Golden Wave Band. David was fortunate to complete his student teaching assignment at Flower Mound High School with Rob Myers and Shadow Ridge Middle School with Mike Brown in Lewisville ISD. Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s degree in Music Education at Southern Methodist University. David loves spending time with his wife Heather, who is a band director at North Mesquite High School, and his son, Benjamin. He also enjoys traveling, reading, and listening to great music.
Simon Bosch joined the Aledo Middle School band staff in 2014, having previously worked as a freelance musician and teacher in the area. Originally from Colorado, Simon earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Baylor University and a Master’s degree in Trumpet Performance from Florida State University, where he also served as a graduate teaching assistant for the trumpet studio. Under his direction, Aledo Middle School bands have earned exclusively unanimous first division ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest, as well as numerous festivals across north Texas. A strong advocate for music education, Simon has worked with music students ranging in age from 4 years to college undergraduates throughout central Texas and northwest Florida as a private instructor, band director, adjudicator, and chamber coach. He also has 10 years of experience as a participant in the marching arts. Under his tutelage, Mr. Bosch’s students have been very successful in region band and solo contests. Performing with orchestras, wind bands, and jazz ensembles, Simon has performed at the TMEA, ABA, CBDNA, and ITG conferences. He has made regular appearances in the semifinals and finals of the National Trumpet Competition, including a first place finish as a member of the Baylor Trumpet Ensemble in 2011. He has received multiple commendations from the International Trumpet Guild including the Young Artist Award in 2006, and scholarships to national and international conferences. Simon has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with numerous acclaimed musicians including Barbara Butler, Ingrid Jensen, Terell Stafford, Joey Tartell, Peter Erskine, David Sanchez, Rufus Reid, and Michael Weiss. He has recorded on the Naxos label with the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra, and can be heard on iTunes with the FSU Wind Orchestra’s performance of High Wire by John Mackey. His playing can also be heard on the C3 Big Band’s debut album Personifications. In July, 2012 Mr. Bosch married his wife Stephanie, who is also a middle school band director, and teaches in Granbury ISD.
Dr. Zach Buie is Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Music History at Boise State University. Prior to accepting this position, Dr. Buie was on faculty at Western Wyoming College where he taught applied brass and directed the symphonic and jazz bands. Hailing from Hallsville, Texas, Dr. Buie has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Central America in various genres. He has performed with the Utah Symphony, Macao Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic, Helena Symphony, and is a former member of the Waco and Round Rock Symphonies. He has also performed with the Dallas Winds, Utah Festival Opera, Imperial Brass of Dallas, Opera Idaho, Brazos Valley Symphony, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, and several commercial groups. From 2010 to 2014, he toured with Soul Track Mind, a 7-piece original soul/funk band based in Austin. Featured on three of their albums as a trumpet player, arranger, and songwriter, Dr. Buie and the band were recognized by The New York Times as leaders in the resurgence of soul music. As a soloist, he has collaborated on commissions and performances of new works by Dr. Lynn Petersen, Dr. Anne Guzzo, Dr. Nathaniel Eschler, Dr. James David, and Everette Minchew. He champions new music by composers in the Mountain West and is active as a recitalist throughout the region. Recent solo appearances include performances with the Utah Philharmonia, Carroll College Jazz Ensemble, Sul Ross State University Wind Ensemble, and Boise State Symphony Orchestra. In recent years, Dr. Buie led a public-school band program including junior high and high school ensembles in Marfa, Texas. He has presented masterclasses at numerous institutions worldwide. He serves as a clinician and coordinator for the MusAid Organization, which supports El Sistema-inspired programs in several developing countries. Dr. Buie received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Austin, his Master of Music from Baylor University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Utah. His principal teachers include Travis Peterson, Tim Andersen, Dr. Chris Carrillo, Ray Sasaki, and Wiff Rudd. Dr. Buie is an endorsing artist for Conn-Selmer.
Staff Sergeant Andrew Fremder joined The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" Ceremonial Band in August of 2013. Recently appointed Third Trumpet with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Drew's musical beginnings are rooted in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. After receiving his Bachelors in Music Performance from Indiana University in 2011 as a Jacobs Scholar, Drew headed South and completed his Masters at Baylor University in the spring of 2013, receiving the Larry Vanlandingham Outstanding Graduate Student Award. As a chamber musician, Andrew and the Baylor University Trumpet Ensemble advanced to the National Trumpet Competition finals twice, earning 1st place in the Spring of 2013. An avid freelancer and passionate for studio work, Andrew has recorded on several A-list Christian records for Provident Label Group LLC, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, including Tenth Avenue North and Grammy Award winning artist, Chris Tomlin. While at Baylor University, Andrew performed with the Waco Symphony Orchestra, Imperial Brass, and the Dallas Wind Symphony and attended (as the teaching assistant) the Brevard Music Festival in 2012. His primary teachers include Mark Niehaus, John Rommel, Wiff Rudd, Mark Schubert, and Mark Hughes.
Beginning July 2016, Jacob Garcia serves as the Education Manager for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans, LA, where he oversees educational outreach programs from Early Explorers Concerts (where K-2 students play on their pre-recorders with the LPO), Young Peoples Concerts (for middle grades), and Band Together (where HS students perform alongside the LPO). The LPO, one of the first musician-run orchestras in the US, features an all-volunteer education committee made up of musicians who collaborate with Jacob for all educational events. From time to time he may have the opportunity to play with the orchestra for pieces requiring a large retinue of trumpets. Jacob previously worked with Tipitina's Foundation in New Orleans for 10 months, and he taught band, choir, and theatre for four years at Hillsboro ISD in Hillsboro, TX. He was humbled to be present when his HS students earned their first sweepstakes in nearly 40 years, and brought his JH students to UIL contest where they earned their first division I in nearly 20. Jacob studied trumpet with Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, and Mark Schubert at Baylor, where he was a member of the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensembles, and the Baylor University Golden Wave Band. He was active in the Beta Alpha chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, serving as Vice President in the Spring of 2010. Jacob is a member of St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, where he sings in the choir and occasionally plays the organ. Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Jacob studied trumpet with Larry Case and Jon Danté. He has been enjoying the wonderful musical and culinary culture of New Orleans, though he doesn't dare ask why crawfish are called "mudbugs."
Originally from San Ramon, Costa Rica, Oscar Garcia-Montoya joined the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra trumpet section in the 2008-09 season. Prior to coming to Fort Worth, he held a two-year position as principal trumpet with both the Florida Grand Opera Orchestra and Miami City Ballet Orchestra. He completed a prestigious three-year New World Symphony fellowship under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas in 2006. In recent years, he has also had engagements as guest principal trumpet with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Palm Beach Opera Orchestra. Oscar has participated in and performed at various summer music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, Cantieri Internazionale di Musica in Italy, American Wind Symphony, and Youth Orchestra of the Americas (FOSJA) in Puerto Rico. As a soloist, he has been featured with the New World Symphony Orchestra and Brampton Symphony Orchestra. He won first place at the National Trumpet Competition (ensemble category—Rice) and the Medalla de Oro Solo Competition in San Jose, Costa Rica. In addition to his orchestral work, Oscar has performed with the New World Symphony Brass Quintet and the Baylor Brass and is currently a member of the Brazos Brass. He has a master's degree from Rice University and a bachelor's degree from Baylor University. His notable teachers have included Armando Ghitalla, James Wilt, and Marie Speziale. Oscar studied with Barry Hopper while attending Baylor.
Adam Gautille is a Boston based genre-hopping musician with chamber groups in the classical, jazz and rock worlds. This multi-instrumentalist stays busy as a highly sought after freelance musician in New England playing trumpet, guitar and singing. He holds degrees from Baylor University and Boston University studying with Wiff Rudd and Terry Everson respectively. He has been fortunate to share the stage with Pete Townshend of The Who, Lionel Richie, Seth McFarland, Yuja Wang, Peter Erskine and many more. Adam’s most recent classical concerts have been with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops. As a trumpet soloist, Adam placed 3rd and won a cash prize in Atlantic Symphony’s concerto competition, along with placing in the finals of several national competitions. His chamber groups range from Trio Ardente and Back Bay Brass to a singer/songwriter duo and an incredibly active jazz quartet with Berklee faculty which will release their 3rd album in 2019. An active freelance musician, Adam has performed with the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Symphony, Springfield Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, the New Hampshire Bach Festival, The Handel Society and numerous other chamber and orchestral groups in New England. Committed to education, he maintains a private studio in Boston of trumpet, guitar and vocal students. Outside of the concert hall, Adam and his dog Ducati are active hikers, kayakers and campers.
Rachelle Isaacson is in her sixth year as a music educator and in her second year as assistant director of bands at Cinco Ranch Junior High School. Rachelle teaches all first year brass classes, conducts the CRJH Symphonic Band and assists with the CRJH Concert and Honors bands. Rachelle grew up in the Houston area and was a member of the Dulles Middle School and High School Band under the direction of Lisa Stiles, Joe Pruitt, and Bill Duggan. She credits her high school band director, Bill Duggan, for helping her become an 2003 All State Musician and encouraging her to pursue music education. Upon graduation, she began studying music education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she studied trumpet under Wiff Rudd and conducting with Dr. Eric Wilson. Rachelle was drum major of the Golden Wave Marching Band and a member of the jazz band for her entire time at Baylor. She was also a member of Mu Phi Epsilon. In 2008 she received the outstanding Music Educator award from the Baylor University School of Music. Prior to her appointment at CRJH, Rachelle taught band grades 6-12 in Stafford, Texas. Under her direction, the 2011 Stafford Middle School Symphonic Band achieved their first Texas U.I.L. Sweepstakes Award in school history and followed with another 2012. In joining the Cinco Ranch team, Rachelle has been blessed beyond belief and is overjoyed to be surrounded by the incredible staff, students, and parents and is eagerly looking forward to the future. Rachelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Matt, who she met years ago sitting in the middle school band sectionals. She is also a mother to the most incredible three year old son, Owen, and gave birth to their daughter Audrey on July 11, 2013 (husband Matt's birthday, too!)—amazing gifts from God.
Kyle Koronka enjoys a multifaceted career as a performer and music educator. In 2014, Kyle joined the Austin Symphony Orchestra as Second Trumpet. He is on the faculty of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas where he teaches Applied Trumpet. Prior to joining the faculty at Southwestern, he served on the faculty of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He has also instructed courses at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and at the University of Texas at Austin. Kyle Koronka is a Yamaha Performing Artist. Kyle has recently performed with the Round Rock Symphony, Waco Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic and Brazos Valley Symphony. He is a member of the Southwestern Faculty Brass Trio and Austin City Brass Quintet, through which he performs on numerous musical outreach concerts each year in local schools. Kyle is an active soloist and recitalist. In 2013, he appeared as soloist with the Trinity University Symphony Orchestra, performing Concerto for Trumpet by Alexander Arutunian. He also appeared as a soloist with the Trinity University Symphonic Wind Ensemble that year. Recently, Kyle collaborated with trombonist Martin McCain on his album Shades, performing Pastorale by Eric Ewazen. Shades is available on the Kairoi Music label. Other activities include performances with the San Antonio Brass, Austin Symphony Brass Quintet, University of Texas Faculty Brass Quintet, Baylor Brass Quintet, Peoria Symphony, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, and Waco Lyric Opera. He has attended the Brevard Music Center, Hot Springs Music Festival, and Haus Marteau Brass Festival in Lichtenberg, Germany. Kyle recorded orchestral works of Louis Moreau Gottschalk with the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra for the Naxos Label in 2006. He also performed as Principal Trumpet with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra for the PBS television production Christmas at Baylor. Kyle has completed a Bachelor of Music degree from Baylor University, where he received the Donald I. Moore Award for Outstanding Senior Instrumentalist. He earned a Master of Music degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he was recipient of the Armando Ghitalla Memorial Scholarship. At the University of Texas at Austin, he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, while serving as Graduate Teaching Assistant. His primary teachers include Ray Sasaki, Marie Speziale, Wiff Rudd, Dr. Michael Ewald and Barry Hopper. Kyle and his wife, Kathryn, live in Round Rock, Texas, with their daughter, Kaitlyn, and two dogs, Scout and Molly.
Thomas Madeja is an experienced director, performer, producer, composer, and teaching artist. After earning a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois and a Master of Music degree from Baylor University, he began his career in Philadelphia where he was soon in high demand both as a trumpet player and teaching artist. In the fall of 2010, Tom relocated to Chicago, where he joined the faculty of the People’s Music School. He recently held the position of Nucleo Director for the YOURS Project in Logan Square, a community youth orchestra program designed to affect positive social change. In the spring of 2013, Tom founded the Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project to address the growing need of social art and music programs in Chicago’s urban communities. ChiMOP provides several social and educational initiatives in the form of multifaceted community youth orchestra projects throughout the city. These projects are unique to the communities served and employ the exceptionally talented professional teaching artists living in these communities as faculty and staff. In addition to his work with ChiMOP, Tom is also the Executive Director of TJMadeja Music, LLC and the Artistic Director, trumpeter, and composer in residence of Nu Directions Chamber Brass. He continues to teach his private trumpet studio, tour with Nu Directions Chamber Brass, and perform regularly with his trio as well as other local jazz groups, chamber ensembles, and symphony orchestras.
Manuel (Manny) Muñoz is a freelance trumpeter and educator living in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with his wife Sarah. Manny earned his Bachelors of Music from Baylor University in 2013 where he studied under Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, and Mark Schubert. Manny grew up in Austin, Texas around great music and friends. He first learned to buzz a cornet mouthpiece and read music at his church, The Salvation Army. During middle school and high school Manny studied under Bernie Nero, the former Principal trumpet player of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. While at S.F. Austin High School, Manny placed into the Texas All-State Band and Jazz Bands for three years. He was greatly influenced by his teacher Tonia Mathews, who directed the Austin High Jazz Ensemble that competed at the Essentially Ellington Competition in New York City. Manny also briefly studied with Ray Sasaki at the University of Texas before beginning his college auditions. In 2009, Manny was accepted to Baylor University with academic and music scholarships. At Baylor, he performed with the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Brass Quintets, Jazz Quintet, and the Baylor Gold Trumpet Ensemble. Some highlights of his time at Baylor include winning the National Trumpet Competition Ensemble Division in 2011 and 2013, performing at the National CBDNA Conference in Greensboro, NC with the Baylor Wind Ensemble, touring across Texas with the “Presidents Own” Baylor Jazz Combo, performing alongside famous jazz artists like Terell Stafford, Ignacio Berroa, Rufus Reid, Joel Frahm, Jim Cullum, Joey Tartell, and Michael Weiss, and being a member of the Baylor Trumpet Studio. Manny is very active with Salvation Army music programs across the world. In Texas he was a often a featured soloist of the youth brass band ‘Texas Brass’ from 2004 to 2013. He is currently a member of the 'Southern Territorial Band', the premiere brass band of the Salvation Army USA South. His involvement with Salvation Army music programs has allowed him to travel as a performer and educator across the world to places such as Buenos Aires, Fiji, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico City, and across the U.S.
Chelsea Orr is a diverse trumpet player and teacher, currently finishing her DMA at the University of Texas at Austin, where she served as the teaching assistant. Chelsea also holds degrees from Baylor University (BM '11) and Southern Methodist University (MM '13, PD '15), with additional studies at the University of Colorado - Boulder. In May 2019, she won a position in The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Ceremonial Band and will be relocating to Washington, D.C. in Spring 2020 to begin work with the unit. Chelsea is also an active freelancer, having performed with Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Waco Symphony Orchestra, Austin Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Winds, in addition to playing for Adele, Ben Folds, and Idina Menzel. As a soloist, she has placed as a finalist at the National Trumpet Competition twice, earning 2nd place in 2015, as well as being selected as a semi-finalist multiple years in the undergraduate and graduate divisions. Chamber music has also featured prominently in her career – as member of Brazen Brass 5, Chelsea collaborated with the Dallas Symphony Brass Quintet, competed at the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in the May 2015, and held a two-week artist residency at the Shanghai American School (China) in December 2015. With her involvement with the Baylor and SMU trumpet studios, she has earned 1st, 2nd, and 4th at the National Trumpet Competition in the ensemble division. Chelsea's primary teachers include Wiff Rudd, Tom Booth, Ryan Anthony, Ray Sasaki, Marie Speziale, Billy Hunter, Michael Martin, and David Hickman.
A classically trained trumpet player and most recently a lyrical high note specialist and cross-over artist, Elizabeth enjoys performing and teaching in a variety of venues in the Lone Star State. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, Elizabeth grew up under the tutelage of artists in the premier military ensembles. Elizabeth began playing trumpet at the age of 13 and within two years was chosen to be a featured soloist with the Sound of America Honor Band and Chorus where she toured 13-countries. This elite group, composed of high school and college students chosen by competitive auditions across the U.S., boasts some of the most visible artists on today’s music scene. Within only 4-years of trumpet study, Elizabeth won all-state positions in the wind band and jazz fields respectively as well as garnering many awards and scholarships including the Washington Post Music and Dance Scholarship, and the Semper Fidelis Marine Band Award. Upon acceptance of the John Haynie trumpet scholarship, Elizabeth went on to pursue her undergraduate studies at the University of North Texas where she mentored with Professor John Holt. In addition to performing in UNTs top ensembles, Elizabeth distinguished herself as a soloist by performing Philip Sparks Manhattan with the UNT Brass Band under the direction of Dr. Brian Bowman. As a crowning achievement in 2009, Elizabeth was voted by UNT’s brass faculty to receive the award for Most Outstanding Undergraduate in Brass. Before graduation Elizabeth studied abroad for a semester in the Czech Republic at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno where she studied trumpet performance and orchestral repertoire. In addition, she researched and documented her “Peroutka” family history and along with her father was able to discover and visit the ancestral home of her great, great grandparents in a small village just outside of Prague. As a student of Wiff Rudd, Elizabeth went on to pursue her Master’s in Music at Baylor University where she further distinguished herself in chamber music studies by placing 1st and 3rd in the National Trumpet Competition, ensemble division in 2011 and 2012.
One of three brothers well established in professional music, Fernando began his masters degree with Wiff Rudd at the University of Arkansas, moving with Rudd to Baylor in 2002. He performed in all of Baylor's major ensembles and was featured with the Baylor Brass on the PBS special, Christmas at Baylor. Fernando is a performing artist affiliated with Yamaha Latino America and professor of trumpet at the District University of Bogotá. He is one of the co-founders and organizers of the prestigious Concurso y Festival Nacional Inter-Universitario de Trompeta which provides outstanding opportunities for Colombia's many talented young trumpeters and features renowned international trumpet artists. "Fercho" is a Yamaha Performing Artists and resides in Bogotá with his wife Diana and daughter Isabella.
John is beginning his ninth year of teaching and is currently in his fourth year at Clark Middle School in Frisco, TX. He is responsible for teaching the Concert Band, Beginner Bassoon, Beginner French Horn, Beginner Oboe, Beginner Trumpet and the jazz band. Under his direction, the Concert Band received straight Superior ratings from every judge at UIL concert and sightreading for the first time in its history and have continued to do so for three straight years. John grew up in Houston and attended all the North Shore schools (elementary, middle and high school). His main teacher, aside from his father, was Jesse Alexander. After graduating, he attended Howard Payne University to earn a duel degree in music education and trumpet performance. While there, he studied trumpet with Dr. Paul DeBoer and jazz with Stephen Goacher. He earned numerous awards while at HPU, but his greatest accomplishment was convincing his wife (then girlfriend) to marry him, but more on that later! After Howard Payne, they moved to Waco, Texas and John taught in the Waco school system for three years as a band director. Under his leadership, the band at Cesar Chavez Middle School grew from 17 students to 110. He then was given the opportunity to begin his masters degree at Baylor with Wiff Rudd. He also jumped at the chance to study jazz with Alex Parker and took as many jazz classes as the dean would allow him to take. As a graduate assistant, John taught non-major trumpet lessons, co-taught the trumpet methods class, was a student director of the Concert Jazz ensemble and was a member of the Baylor Brass for one year. John qualified as a solo division semi-finalist at the National Trumpet Competition in 2008 and one of his current private students, Christopher Stubblefield, placed 2nd in the competition's Junior Division in 2012. John has had the great honor of being married to his wife Emily for 10 years, whom he met during the first day of summer band in college. They have three wonderful sons, John Caleb ,David and Stephen and a very hyper dog named Eddie. John is an active member of Stonebriar Community Church and performs with the orchestra, wind symphony and brass choir. He still gets to play professionally, most recently with the Imperial Brass as a member of their large brass ensemble and is also in demand around Texas as a clinician and adjudicator.
Joey Tkach is a senior performance major at Baylor University studying classical trumpet as well as jazz and composition. Prior to Baylor, Joey attended the Interlochen Arts Camp as an Emerson and Orchestral Scholar, where he served as principal trumpet in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and was a recipient of the prestigious Maddy Summer Artist Award. While at Baylor, he has collaboratively won 1st prize in the large ensemble division of the National Trumpet Competition and twice in the small division, as well as 2nd prize in the undergraduate solo division. In addition, Joey made his Carnegie Hall debut as a winner of both the solo and chamber divisions of the Semper Pro Musica Competition in 2018. Joey is a two-time semi-finalist in the International Ima Hogg Concerto Competition and has been a finalist in the International Trumpet Guild’s Orchestral Excerpts Competition. Joey has been named a winner of the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition and the 1st prize winner of the Ictus International Trumpet Competition. He is also an avid composer and has had his music performed across the country. He currently teaches privately in Waco ISD and performs with the Sol Brass Quintet and periodically the Waco Symphony.
Abby Barto grew up in Midland, Texas where she studied trumpet with Michael Santorelli, formerly the co-principal trumpet with the Midland-Odessa Symphony. While in Midland, she attended Midland High School where she won numerous awards and performed with two 6A All-State Ensembles. Abby is currently a senior at Baylor University and will graduate in December, following her student teaching semester in Leander, TX. During her time at Baylor, Abby has performed with the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band. For the last four years, she has been a member of trumpet ensembles that have competed and won three 1st prizes at the National Trumpet Competition. She is was also a member of Sol Brass, a student quintet that performs regularly and participated twice with the Baylor Brass in the MountainLight Festival in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Abby is an animal rescuer and lover. In the future, she hopes to be both a performer and a teacher to anyone who is open and willing to learn about music.
Ryan graduated from Memorial High School in Houston, Texas where he was the trumpet section leader his junior year and brass captain his senior year. He was a member of the Region 27 Wind Ensemble for 3 years, the Region 27 Symphony Orchestra for 2 years, and the Texas 6A Symphonic band his senior year. Ryan also regularly competed in different solo competitions throughout the state and was awarded a first division at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in 2014. He also was awarded the Outstanding Boy Award his sophomore and junior year and the John Phillip Sousa award his senior year at his high school. Ryan studied with Nathan Monk. He is currently performing with the Symphonic Band and the Concert Jazz Ensemble here at Baylor. Ryan has won two prizes (1st and 2nd) as a member of Baylor “Green” in the National Trumpet Competition’s Large Ensemble Division. Ryan also teaches lessons at Music and Arts and in various schools in the area
Dalton grew up in Berryville, Arkansas and graduated from Berryville High School in 2013. He began learning trumpet in 2006 under the instruction of Julius Stevens and eventually began taking private lessons with Keith Wood and Clint “Pops” McLaughlin. Dalton graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 2018 where he studied with Dr. Gary Barrow and Dr. TJ Perry. During his time at ATU, he served as principal trumpet in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, played lead trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble, and held leadership roles in the athletic band. He also participated in choir while studying voice with Professor Holly Ruth Gale. Outside of school, Dalton was a founding member of a local Mariachi which performed throughout central Arkansas. During his time at Baylor, Dalton has had the opportunity to perform with the Wind Ensemble and the Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member of Baylor Green which won third place in the 2019 NTC Large-Ensemble division. Dalton will graduate in May of 2020.
Matt Ruwe is a graduate of Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he studied trumpet with Dr. William Stowman. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Matt also studied under James Rossetti, Dr. Stephen Hawk (Slippery Rock University/Pittsburgh CLO) and Chad Winkler (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra). While at Messiah, Matt had the privilege to perform with the Messiah College Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and played lead trumpet in the College’s Jazz One ensemble. Matt also held a position in the trumpet section of the Northern Appalachian Wind Symphony, based out of Williamsport, PA, and serves as the Director of Social Media and Development for the National Trumpet Competition. In his time at Messiah College, he enjoyed traveling and performing abroad in Aruba and Italy, being the private instructor of several area elementary-high school students, as well as freelancing in the Central PA area. Matt looks forward to continuing his education and teaching by pursuing a Master’s degree in trumpet performance at Baylor University, and is forever thankful to the many teachers, supporters, and mentors he’s had throughout his career.
Spencer is a senior performance major and a graduate of Clear Falls High School in League City, Texas, where he served as Brass Captain in marching band and principal trumpet in both the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. During his time in high school, Spencer studied with Roman Jakubas, a current member of the Houston Brass Band and the Galveston Symphony Orchestra. Spencer also played in the pit orchestra for Clear Falls’ productions of Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”, Monty Python’s “Spamalot”, and “Mary Poppins”. If asked, Spencer would tell you that “Playing in those shows is the most fun I’ve ever had playing the trumpet” and because of this, he aspires to one day play on Broadway, “or rather, under it”, he likes to say. Spencer’s journey to Baylor University began when he attended the 2016 Baylor High School Band and Orchestra Camp. He explains that his experience there “was like nothing I had previously been exposed to”. He claims that attending the camp sealed the deal for him to become a Baylor Bear and audition for the trumpet studio. Spencer says that now that he is in the studio as a current sophomore, he never is able to get complacent with his practicing because “When you’re in such a high-caliber studio and there is at least one person better than you at each discipline of music, that’s reason enough to practice”. Spencer was a member of Baylor Green, the 2019 3rd winners of the large ensemble division of the National Trumpet Competition. He currently performs with the Concert Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Band. He recently won a spot in the Marine Corps Musician and will enlist in the fall of 2021 following his graduation from Baylor. When Spencer isn’t holding a trumpet, he enjoys Mountain Biking and Road Cycling as well as arranging music for various ensembles. Spencer is involved with the Baylor Cycling Team and is planning to participate in triathlon events.
Cordelia DeDecker is entering her junior year at Baylor University. In 2019, she competed in the “Girolamo Fantini” International Trumpet Competition, won 1st place in the Category I trumpet division of the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC), and advanced to the semi-finals for Baylor University’s Semper Pro Musica Competition. At the National Trumpet Competition, she advanced to the semi-final round for the solo division. As a member of Baylor Gold, she and her peers won 1st place in the small ensemble division. In addition to her solo pursuits, she placed 2nd in the Mock Orchestral Competitions for both the IWBC and International Trumpet Guild. Her freshman year at Baylor University, Cordelia earned the title of 3rd Prize Winner at the National Trumpet Competition. Prior to her collegiate endeavors, she studied privately with Kyle Sherman at Marcus High School. She placed 3rd chair in the TMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra and performed as the Principal of the GDYO under Richard Giangiulio’s instruction. During her senior year, she won the GDYO’s Concerto Competition and performed the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto with the orchestra in the Meyerson. In the summer of 2019, she attended the National Music Festival in Chestertown, Maryland. For the past two summers, she has attended the intensive soloist festival Chosen Vale where she has studied with Thomas Hooten, Clement Saunier, Pacho Flores, and Edward Carroll. Prior to her freshman year, she attended Music in the Mountains Festival where she studied with Gregory Hustis and John Kitzman. While in high school, she attended the Tanglewood Institute’s two-week workshop where she studied with Terry Everson. Cordelia has been a member of Baylor “Green”, the Concert Jazz Ensemble, and has marched with the Baylor University Golden Wave Band. She currently performs with Baylor Gold, the Baylor Wind Ensemble, and the Baylor Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her performance duties, she currently teaches middle school and high school students in the Waco area.
Sigurjon “Sig” Stefansson attended Vista Ridge High School where he studied privately with famed trumpeter Gilbert Elorreaga and participated in All-State ensembles his senior year. He is a senior trumpet performance major and hopes to freelance around both Europe and the United States in the future. Sig is a native Texan, however both of his parents are immigrants to the United States (Iceland and Sri Lanka). In the summer of 2018 Sig officially obtained his Icelandic citizenship which will allow him to pursue performance opportunities in Europe. Sig has performed in Baylor’s Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Jazz Ensemble, jazz combos, and in the chamber music program. He also competed in the National Trumpet Competition’s Small Ensemble Division with Baylor “Green” in 2018 and with the same group, claimed 3rd prize in the 2019 competition. He performed in the Vancouver Music Festival in 2019 (and was accepted for 2020) and hopes to return to that venue next summer. Besides trumpet, Sig is a person of many passions. He enjoys mountain biking, hiking, fishing, climbing, and many other outdoor activities.
Tyler studied with Kevin Finamore and Jay Ellsmore during high school in Rockwall, TX. He played with many high school groups in the Dallas area including the Lone Star Youth Winds, GDYO Wind Symphony, and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. While at Baylor, Tyler has been apart of the Golden Wave Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has serves as the lead trumpet in the Wayne Fisher Jazz Program’s Jazz Ensemble. He also enjoys performing with his brass quintet, Merakai139, as well as playing in a jazz combo, cover band, and a brass haus trio. He also enjoys freelancing in the Dallas area. Tyler has been apart of many trumpet ensembles while at Baylor: Baylor Green won 1st prize at NTC 2017, Baylor University who got 2nd prize in 2018, and Baylor Gold won 1st prize in 2019. He has also attended the Chosen Vale Seminar in the summer of 2018 and 2019 where he got to play for and work with Allan Dean, Tom Hooten, Stephen Burns, Jeroen Berwaerts, and Gabriele Cassone. He also attended the Hot Springs Music Festival in the summer of 2019 and worked with Memphis Symphony Principal trumpet, Scott Moore. Additionally, he was also a quarterfinalist for the 2019 Girolamo Fantini International Trumpet Competition, 2nd prize winner in the 2019 ITG Wind Band Excerpt Competition, and placed 3rd in the 2019 ITG Solo Competition. He was also named honorable mention for the 2019 Yamaha Young Performing Artist competition. Aside from trumpet, Tyler enjoys watching movies, playing basketball, and bouldering/rock climbing with friends.
From Augusta, Maine, Brandon Emerson is a first year master's student studying trumpet performance. He serves as the studio’s graduate assistant, teaches secondary trumpet students, and team teaches Trumpet Methods with Mark Schubert. Brandon studied at the University of Maine with Dr. Jack Burt and graduated in May of 2020 with Bachelor degrees in music performance and music education. In his time at UMaine, Brandon was the principle of the symphonic band, orchestra, and played lead in the Jazz Ensemble. He also performed with a variety of groups in Maine including the Waterville Opera House, The Acadia Choral Society and Blue Hill Bach. Brandon plays lead in the Baylor Jazz Ensemble, is a member of the pool of players that serve the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, and performs in the Graduate Brass Quintet.
Originally from Manchester, NH, Matthew Otte is an established freelance musician and educator in the Dallas - Ft.Worth Metroplex. Matthew currently maintains an active studio of trumpet students and has performed with many professional ensembles in the DFW area. An experienced educator for students of all levels, Matthew has helped students succeed in local contests and college auditions. His students have placed in the TMEA All-State and Area bands and have consistently excelled in local solo competitions. Matthew has worked with students who have gone on to study at notable collegiate music programs such as The University of Colorado at Boulder, The University of Michigan, and The University of North Texas. In addition to his teaching experience, Matthew enjoys a multitude of performance opportunities. He has performed with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of New Spain, Allen Philharmonic, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, and several other ensembles. Matthew will be starting his MM with the Baylor University trumpet studio, studying with Wiff Rudd and Mark Schubert. He received his BM in music performance from the University of North Texas, where he was fortunate to study with Keith Johnson during his time at UNT. Matthew is grateful to his friends, family, and teachers for all of their support and kindness throughout the years.
Victor Davila, a junior music education major, graduated from North Shore Senior High in Houston, Texas. He was head trumpet section leader for two years and a member of the Wind Ensemble that performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago his senior year. He is a member Baylor Green (Large Ensemble), the 3rd Prize winners in the large ensemble category the 2019 National Trumpet Competition. Victor primarily studied with Amanda Dickson and Samuel Singeltary in high school and briefly studied with Jim Vassallo of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra. When not playing the trumpet, Victor enjoys the outdoors and playing sports. Victor is on the leadership staff of the Golden Wave Marching Band and is a member of the Symphonic Band and a brass quintet.
Former Members
Chris Clark was raised in Waco, TX, where he received a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a trumpet emphasis from Baylor University. Chris also earned a Master of Jazz Studies from DePaul University in Chicago where he studied Jazz Composition with Thomas Matta. Chris has also been fortunate enough to study trumpet with Barry, Hopper, Bob Lark, Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, Tim Coffman, Bob Palmieri, and Brent Turney. As a believer in that we should be life-long learners, Chris still contacts top composers for direction and tutelage. To name a few, he would like to thank Paul Baker, Fred Sturm, and Steve Wiest. Chris Clark started C3 Compositions in 2014 with the goal to provide great music that can be attained at all levels of development. C3 Compositions (named C3 to represent Chris’ initials of CCC) provides educators and musicians alike with swingin’ charts that will sound good regardless of the level of the ensemble! C3 charts can be heard being performed by the C3 Big Band, a professional jazz ensemble that Chris directs in Dallas. Chris has had many opportunities to perform in both the Dallas and Chicago areas. He has shared the stage with artists such as Bob Mintzer, Jon Faddis, Wycliffe Gordon, Jon Metzger, Nicholas Payton, Rufus Reid, and Maria Schneider, among others. Although Chris spends his days teaching middle school band for Plano ISD, he keeps a busy performing schedule in several groups around the Dallas area. Chris has had the opportunity to compose and arrange music for the Waco Jazz Orchestra, Baylor Jazz Ensemble, DePaul Jazz Orchestras, Dallas area jazz ensembles, several middle school and high school band programs, American Jazz Composers Orchestra and Grammy-Nominated Jazz Icon Phil Woods. Chris is currently the Director of Bands at Hendrick Middle School in Plano ISD. He lives in the Dallas area with his wife, Christiana, and beautiful children Abby and Noah. Chris is an Artist for XO Trumpets.
Brent graduated with his music education degree from Baylor in May of 2016 and has begun his teaching career as the assistant band director at Pierce High School in Richardson, Texas. While a student at Baylor, Brent was a member and fulfilled several leadership positions with the Golden Wave Band. He also performed principal and section roles in the Wind Ensemble and Baylor Symphony. Brent performed at the National Trumpet Competition as a solo and ensemble semi-finalist for four years and was a member of the ensemble finalist group, "Baylor Green" in 2014. You won't find a more avid San Antonio Spurs fan than Brent Smith!
Regan O’Connor was a Music Education major graduating in May of 2016 now pursuing a masters of trumpet performance at Southern Methodist University. He performed with many ensembles at Baylor such as The Baylor Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz band, Golden Wave Marching Band, and Courtside Players. Regan was a finalist with the group “Baylor Green” in the 2013 National Trumpet Competition and also qualified as a solo semi-finalist in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He spent the summer of 2015 performing and studying at the Brevard Music Festival with Mark Schubert (Baylor), Neil Berntsen (Pittsburgh Symphony), and Mark Hughes (Houston Symphony) and at the Eastern Music Festival in 2016, studying with Chris Gekker and Judith Saxton. He has been playing trumpet since 6th grade, and his director Tim Linley inspired him to pursue music. Regan has been a squad leader for the marching band and the music chair for Kappa Kappa Psi Beta Alpha. Aside from music, Regan enjoys sports such as basketball, traveling, and kicking back with friends. Regan is currently student teaching in Plano and will begin graduate school next fall.
Originally from High Springs, Florida, Tamara Vaughn is pursuing her DMA at the University of Texas, having completed her master's degree at Baylor University in Trumpet Performance and served as the trumpet graduate assistant. Tamara is a graduate of The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Trumpet Performance as well. While at Florida State, Tamara was involved with several organizations, including Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society, and Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, and graduated magna cum laude from the Florida State University Honors Program. Furthermore, Tamara also served as President of the Trumpet Guild of Florida State, and as Vice President of Ritual of the Beta Alpha chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Tamara has competed in several competitions, such as the Music Teacher's National Association Solo Competition, the International Trumpet Guild Conference Competition, and the National Trumpet Competition, where her arrangement of Rossini's Overture to The Barber of Seville for Trumpet Octet was premiered in the Trumpet Ensemble Division. She is a member of Baylor "Green," the first prize large ensemble at NTC 2015 and won second prize in the Graduate Solo Division in 2016. Tammy has also attended numerous summer music programs, including the Chosen Vale International Trumpet Seminar, Eastern Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, Bay View Music Festival, and the Disneyland All-American College Band, where she performed with Wayne Bergeron, John Clayton, Jiggs Whigham, and Ron Carter, among others. In addition to Disneyland, Tamara has performed all over the United States, such as the Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Tamara's primary instructors consist of Wiff Rudd, Christopher Moore, Mark Schubert and Ray Sasaki. In her spare time, Tamara enjoys teaching private lessons to younger trumpet students and working with middle and high school music programs.
Dr. Ross Ahlhorn currently holds the Second Trumpet position with the Arkansas Symphony and serves as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Central Arkansas. An international performing artist, Dr. Ahlhorn has performed in such places as Carnegie Hall, New York City, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Dr. Ahlhorn was a First Prize Winner in the “2018 Salzburg Grand Prize Virtuoso” and the “2018 Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competitions. Dr. Ahlhorn is the former principal trumpet of the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra and many other regional orchestras in Arizona, Texas, and Virginia. Dr. Ahlhorn was a soloist and principal trumpet at the 2014 Sulzbach-Rosenberg International Music Festival in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany, and 2nd trumpet with Orchestra Next, the orchestra in residence with the Eugene Ballet (Oregon). Dr. Ross Ahlhorn is proud to be an S.E. Shires Co. Performing Artist.
David Becker is currently in his sixth year as Assistant Band Director at Apollo Junior High in Richardson, TX. He directs both Symphonic Band II and the Intermediate Band, and assists with Symphonic Band I and the Concert Band. Under his direction, the Apollo Symphonic Band II has consistently earned Superior ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. David also teaches beginning brass classes at Big Springs and Yale Elementary schools. Prior to coming to Apollo, he served for four years as Assistant Band Director at Mesquite High School where he assisted with the Wind Ensemble and the Mighty Maroon Marching Band and led the Mesquite Jazz Ensemble. David graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music Education, studying conducting with Kevin Sedatole and Barry Kraus and trumpet with Wiff Rudd and Barry Hopper. While at Baylor, he played in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Band, was a two-time trumpet section leader of the Golden Wave Band, and in the fall of 2005 was one of two undergraduate staff assistants of the Golden Wave Band. David was fortunate to complete his student teaching assignment at Flower Mound High School with Rob Myers and Shadow Ridge Middle School with Mike Brown in Lewisville ISD. Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s degree in Music Education at Southern Methodist University. David loves spending time with his wife Heather, who is a band director at North Mesquite High School, and his son, Benjamin. He also enjoys traveling, reading, and listening to great music.
Simon Bosch joined the Aledo Middle School band staff in 2014, having previously worked as a freelance musician and teacher in the area. Originally from Colorado, Simon earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Baylor University and a Master’s degree in Trumpet Performance from Florida State University, where he also served as a graduate teaching assistant for the trumpet studio. Under his direction, Aledo Middle School bands have earned exclusively unanimous first division ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest, as well as numerous festivals across north Texas. A strong advocate for music education, Simon has worked with music students ranging in age from 4 years to college undergraduates throughout central Texas and northwest Florida as a private instructor, band director, adjudicator, and chamber coach. He also has 10 years of experience as a participant in the marching arts. Under his tutelage, Mr. Bosch’s students have been very successful in region band and solo contests. Performing with orchestras, wind bands, and jazz ensembles, Simon has performed at the TMEA, ABA, CBDNA, and ITG conferences. He has made regular appearances in the semifinals and finals of the National Trumpet Competition, including a first place finish as a member of the Baylor Trumpet Ensemble in 2011. He has received multiple commendations from the International Trumpet Guild including the Young Artist Award in 2006, and scholarships to national and international conferences. Simon has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with numerous acclaimed musicians including Barbara Butler, Ingrid Jensen, Terell Stafford, Joey Tartell, Peter Erskine, David Sanchez, Rufus Reid, and Michael Weiss. He has recorded on the Naxos label with the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra, and can be heard on iTunes with the FSU Wind Orchestra’s performance of High Wire by John Mackey. His playing can also be heard on the C3 Big Band’s debut album Personifications. In July, 2012 Mr. Bosch married his wife Stephanie, who is also a middle school band director, and teaches in Granbury ISD.
Dr. Zach Buie is Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Music History at Boise State University. Prior to accepting this position, Dr. Buie was on faculty at Western Wyoming College where he taught applied brass and directed the symphonic and jazz bands. Hailing from Hallsville, Texas, Dr. Buie has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Central America in various genres. He has performed with the Utah Symphony, Macao Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic, Helena Symphony, and is a former member of the Waco and Round Rock Symphonies. He has also performed with the Dallas Winds, Utah Festival Opera, Imperial Brass of Dallas, Opera Idaho, Brazos Valley Symphony, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, and several commercial groups. From 2010 to 2014, he toured with Soul Track Mind, a 7-piece original soul/funk band based in Austin. Featured on three of their albums as a trumpet player, arranger, and songwriter, Dr. Buie and the band were recognized by The New York Times as leaders in the resurgence of soul music. As a soloist, he has collaborated on commissions and performances of new works by Dr. Lynn Petersen, Dr. Anne Guzzo, Dr. Nathaniel Eschler, Dr. James David, and Everette Minchew. He champions new music by composers in the Mountain West and is active as a recitalist throughout the region. Recent solo appearances include performances with the Utah Philharmonia, Carroll College Jazz Ensemble, Sul Ross State University Wind Ensemble, and Boise State Symphony Orchestra. In recent years, Dr. Buie led a public-school band program including junior high and high school ensembles in Marfa, Texas. He has presented masterclasses at numerous institutions worldwide. He serves as a clinician and coordinator for the MusAid Organization, which supports El Sistema-inspired programs in several developing countries. Dr. Buie received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Austin, his Master of Music from Baylor University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Utah. His principal teachers include Travis Peterson, Tim Andersen, Dr. Chris Carrillo, Ray Sasaki, and Wiff Rudd. Dr. Buie is an endorsing artist for Conn-Selmer.
Staff Sergeant Andrew Fremder joined The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" Ceremonial Band in August of 2013. Recently appointed Third Trumpet with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Drew's musical beginnings are rooted in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. After receiving his Bachelors in Music Performance from Indiana University in 2011 as a Jacobs Scholar, Drew headed South and completed his Masters at Baylor University in the spring of 2013, receiving the Larry Vanlandingham Outstanding Graduate Student Award. As a chamber musician, Andrew and the Baylor University Trumpet Ensemble advanced to the National Trumpet Competition finals twice, earning 1st place in the Spring of 2013. An avid freelancer and passionate for studio work, Andrew has recorded on several A-list Christian records for Provident Label Group LLC, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, including Tenth Avenue North and Grammy Award winning artist, Chris Tomlin. While at Baylor University, Andrew performed with the Waco Symphony Orchestra, Imperial Brass, and the Dallas Wind Symphony and attended (as the teaching assistant) the Brevard Music Festival in 2012. His primary teachers include Mark Niehaus, John Rommel, Wiff Rudd, Mark Schubert, and Mark Hughes.
Beginning July 2016, Jacob Garcia serves as the Education Manager for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans, LA, where he oversees educational outreach programs from Early Explorers Concerts (where K-2 students play on their pre-recorders with the LPO), Young Peoples Concerts (for middle grades), and Band Together (where HS students perform alongside the LPO). The LPO, one of the first musician-run orchestras in the US, features an all-volunteer education committee made up of musicians who collaborate with Jacob for all educational events. From time to time he may have the opportunity to play with the orchestra for pieces requiring a large retinue of trumpets. Jacob previously worked with Tipitina's Foundation in New Orleans for 10 months, and he taught band, choir, and theatre for four years at Hillsboro ISD in Hillsboro, TX. He was humbled to be present when his HS students earned their first sweepstakes in nearly 40 years, and brought his JH students to UIL contest where they earned their first division I in nearly 20. Jacob studied trumpet with Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, and Mark Schubert at Baylor, where he was a member of the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensembles, and the Baylor University Golden Wave Band. He was active in the Beta Alpha chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, serving as Vice President in the Spring of 2010. Jacob is a member of St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, where he sings in the choir and occasionally plays the organ. Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Jacob studied trumpet with Larry Case and Jon Danté. He has been enjoying the wonderful musical and culinary culture of New Orleans, though he doesn't dare ask why crawfish are called "mudbugs."
Originally from San Ramon, Costa Rica, Oscar Garcia-Montoya joined the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra trumpet section in the 2008-09 season. Prior to coming to Fort Worth, he held a two-year position as principal trumpet with both the Florida Grand Opera Orchestra and Miami City Ballet Orchestra. He completed a prestigious three-year New World Symphony fellowship under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas in 2006. In recent years, he has also had engagements as guest principal trumpet with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Palm Beach Opera Orchestra. Oscar has participated in and performed at various summer music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, Cantieri Internazionale di Musica in Italy, American Wind Symphony, and Youth Orchestra of the Americas (FOSJA) in Puerto Rico. As a soloist, he has been featured with the New World Symphony Orchestra and Brampton Symphony Orchestra. He won first place at the National Trumpet Competition (ensemble category—Rice) and the Medalla de Oro Solo Competition in San Jose, Costa Rica. In addition to his orchestral work, Oscar has performed with the New World Symphony Brass Quintet and the Baylor Brass and is currently a member of the Brazos Brass. He has a master's degree from Rice University and a bachelor's degree from Baylor University. His notable teachers have included Armando Ghitalla, James Wilt, and Marie Speziale. Oscar studied with Barry Hopper while attending Baylor.
Adam Gautille is a Boston based genre-hopping musician with chamber groups in the classical, jazz and rock worlds. This multi-instrumentalist stays busy as a highly sought after freelance musician in New England playing trumpet, guitar and singing. He holds degrees from Baylor University and Boston University studying with Wiff Rudd and Terry Everson respectively. He has been fortunate to share the stage with Pete Townshend of The Who, Lionel Richie, Seth McFarland, Yuja Wang, Peter Erskine and many more. Adam’s most recent classical concerts have been with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops. As a trumpet soloist, Adam placed 3rd and won a cash prize in Atlantic Symphony’s concerto competition, along with placing in the finals of several national competitions. His chamber groups range from Trio Ardente and Back Bay Brass to a singer/songwriter duo and an incredibly active jazz quartet with Berklee faculty which will release their 3rd album in 2019. An active freelance musician, Adam has performed with the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Symphony, Springfield Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, the New Hampshire Bach Festival, The Handel Society and numerous other chamber and orchestral groups in New England. Committed to education, he maintains a private studio in Boston of trumpet, guitar and vocal students. Outside of the concert hall, Adam and his dog Ducati are active hikers, kayakers and campers.
Rachelle Isaacson is in her sixth year as a music educator and in her second year as assistant director of bands at Cinco Ranch Junior High School. Rachelle teaches all first year brass classes, conducts the CRJH Symphonic Band and assists with the CRJH Concert and Honors bands. Rachelle grew up in the Houston area and was a member of the Dulles Middle School and High School Band under the direction of Lisa Stiles, Joe Pruitt, and Bill Duggan. She credits her high school band director, Bill Duggan, for helping her become an 2003 All State Musician and encouraging her to pursue music education. Upon graduation, she began studying music education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she studied trumpet under Wiff Rudd and conducting with Dr. Eric Wilson. Rachelle was drum major of the Golden Wave Marching Band and a member of the jazz band for her entire time at Baylor. She was also a member of Mu Phi Epsilon. In 2008 she received the outstanding Music Educator award from the Baylor University School of Music. Prior to her appointment at CRJH, Rachelle taught band grades 6-12 in Stafford, Texas. Under her direction, the 2011 Stafford Middle School Symphonic Band achieved their first Texas U.I.L. Sweepstakes Award in school history and followed with another 2012. In joining the Cinco Ranch team, Rachelle has been blessed beyond belief and is overjoyed to be surrounded by the incredible staff, students, and parents and is eagerly looking forward to the future. Rachelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Matt, who she met years ago sitting in the middle school band sectionals. She is also a mother to the most incredible three year old son, Owen, and gave birth to their daughter Audrey on July 11, 2013 (husband Matt's birthday, too!)—amazing gifts from God.
Kyle Koronka enjoys a multifaceted career as a performer and music educator. In 2014, Kyle joined the Austin Symphony Orchestra as Second Trumpet. He is on the faculty of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas where he teaches Applied Trumpet. Prior to joining the faculty at Southwestern, he served on the faculty of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He has also instructed courses at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and at the University of Texas at Austin. Kyle Koronka is a Yamaha Performing Artist. Kyle has recently performed with the Round Rock Symphony, Waco Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic and Brazos Valley Symphony. He is a member of the Southwestern Faculty Brass Trio and Austin City Brass Quintet, through which he performs on numerous musical outreach concerts each year in local schools. Kyle is an active soloist and recitalist. In 2013, he appeared as soloist with the Trinity University Symphony Orchestra, performing Concerto for Trumpet by Alexander Arutunian. He also appeared as a soloist with the Trinity University Symphonic Wind Ensemble that year. Recently, Kyle collaborated with trombonist Martin McCain on his album Shades, performing Pastorale by Eric Ewazen. Shades is available on the Kairoi Music label. Other activities include performances with the San Antonio Brass, Austin Symphony Brass Quintet, University of Texas Faculty Brass Quintet, Baylor Brass Quintet, Peoria Symphony, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, and Waco Lyric Opera. He has attended the Brevard Music Center, Hot Springs Music Festival, and Haus Marteau Brass Festival in Lichtenberg, Germany. Kyle recorded orchestral works of Louis Moreau Gottschalk with the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra for the Naxos Label in 2006. He also performed as Principal Trumpet with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra for the PBS television production Christmas at Baylor. Kyle has completed a Bachelor of Music degree from Baylor University, where he received the Donald I. Moore Award for Outstanding Senior Instrumentalist. He earned a Master of Music degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he was recipient of the Armando Ghitalla Memorial Scholarship. At the University of Texas at Austin, he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, while serving as Graduate Teaching Assistant. His primary teachers include Ray Sasaki, Marie Speziale, Wiff Rudd, Dr. Michael Ewald and Barry Hopper. Kyle and his wife, Kathryn, live in Round Rock, Texas, with their daughter, Kaitlyn, and two dogs, Scout and Molly.
Thomas Madeja is an experienced director, performer, producer, composer, and teaching artist. After earning a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois and a Master of Music degree from Baylor University, he began his career in Philadelphia where he was soon in high demand both as a trumpet player and teaching artist. In the fall of 2010, Tom relocated to Chicago, where he joined the faculty of the People’s Music School. He recently held the position of Nucleo Director for the YOURS Project in Logan Square, a community youth orchestra program designed to affect positive social change. In the spring of 2013, Tom founded the Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project to address the growing need of social art and music programs in Chicago’s urban communities. ChiMOP provides several social and educational initiatives in the form of multifaceted community youth orchestra projects throughout the city. These projects are unique to the communities served and employ the exceptionally talented professional teaching artists living in these communities as faculty and staff. In addition to his work with ChiMOP, Tom is also the Executive Director of TJMadeja Music, LLC and the Artistic Director, trumpeter, and composer in residence of Nu Directions Chamber Brass. He continues to teach his private trumpet studio, tour with Nu Directions Chamber Brass, and perform regularly with his trio as well as other local jazz groups, chamber ensembles, and symphony orchestras.
Manuel (Manny) Muñoz is a freelance trumpeter and educator living in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with his wife Sarah. Manny earned his Bachelors of Music from Baylor University in 2013 where he studied under Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, and Mark Schubert. Manny grew up in Austin, Texas around great music and friends. He first learned to buzz a cornet mouthpiece and read music at his church, The Salvation Army. During middle school and high school Manny studied under Bernie Nero, the former Principal trumpet player of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. While at S.F. Austin High School, Manny placed into the Texas All-State Band and Jazz Bands for three years. He was greatly influenced by his teacher Tonia Mathews, who directed the Austin High Jazz Ensemble that competed at the Essentially Ellington Competition in New York City. Manny also briefly studied with Ray Sasaki at the University of Texas before beginning his college auditions. In 2009, Manny was accepted to Baylor University with academic and music scholarships. At Baylor, he performed with the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Brass Quintets, Jazz Quintet, and the Baylor Gold Trumpet Ensemble. Some highlights of his time at Baylor include winning the National Trumpet Competition Ensemble Division in 2011 and 2013, performing at the National CBDNA Conference in Greensboro, NC with the Baylor Wind Ensemble, touring across Texas with the “Presidents Own” Baylor Jazz Combo, performing alongside famous jazz artists like Terell Stafford, Ignacio Berroa, Rufus Reid, Joel Frahm, Jim Cullum, Joey Tartell, and Michael Weiss, and being a member of the Baylor Trumpet Studio. Manny is very active with Salvation Army music programs across the world. In Texas he was a often a featured soloist of the youth brass band ‘Texas Brass’ from 2004 to 2013. He is currently a member of the 'Southern Territorial Band', the premiere brass band of the Salvation Army USA South. His involvement with Salvation Army music programs has allowed him to travel as a performer and educator across the world to places such as Buenos Aires, Fiji, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico City, and across the U.S.
Chelsea Orr is a diverse trumpet player and teacher, currently finishing her DMA at the University of Texas at Austin, where she served as the teaching assistant. Chelsea also holds degrees from Baylor University (BM '11) and Southern Methodist University (MM '13, PD '15), with additional studies at the University of Colorado - Boulder. In May 2019, she won a position in The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Ceremonial Band and will be relocating to Washington, D.C. in Spring 2020 to begin work with the unit. Chelsea is also an active freelancer, having performed with Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Waco Symphony Orchestra, Austin Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Winds, in addition to playing for Adele, Ben Folds, and Idina Menzel. As a soloist, she has placed as a finalist at the National Trumpet Competition twice, earning 2nd place in 2015, as well as being selected as a semi-finalist multiple years in the undergraduate and graduate divisions. Chamber music has also featured prominently in her career – as member of Brazen Brass 5, Chelsea collaborated with the Dallas Symphony Brass Quintet, competed at the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in the May 2015, and held a two-week artist residency at the Shanghai American School (China) in December 2015. With her involvement with the Baylor and SMU trumpet studios, she has earned 1st, 2nd, and 4th at the National Trumpet Competition in the ensemble division. Chelsea's primary teachers include Wiff Rudd, Tom Booth, Ryan Anthony, Ray Sasaki, Marie Speziale, Billy Hunter, Michael Martin, and David Hickman.
A classically trained trumpet player and most recently a lyrical high note specialist and cross-over artist, Elizabeth enjoys performing and teaching in a variety of venues in the Lone Star State. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, Elizabeth grew up under the tutelage of artists in the premier military ensembles. Elizabeth began playing trumpet at the age of 13 and within two years was chosen to be a featured soloist with the Sound of America Honor Band and Chorus where she toured 13-countries. This elite group, composed of high school and college students chosen by competitive auditions across the U.S., boasts some of the most visible artists on today’s music scene. Within only 4-years of trumpet study, Elizabeth won all-state positions in the wind band and jazz fields respectively as well as garnering many awards and scholarships including the Washington Post Music and Dance Scholarship, and the Semper Fidelis Marine Band Award. Upon acceptance of the John Haynie trumpet scholarship, Elizabeth went on to pursue her undergraduate studies at the University of North Texas where she mentored with Professor John Holt. In addition to performing in UNTs top ensembles, Elizabeth distinguished herself as a soloist by performing Philip Sparks Manhattan with the UNT Brass Band under the direction of Dr. Brian Bowman. As a crowning achievement in 2009, Elizabeth was voted by UNT’s brass faculty to receive the award for Most Outstanding Undergraduate in Brass. Before graduation Elizabeth studied abroad for a semester in the Czech Republic at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno where she studied trumpet performance and orchestral repertoire. In addition, she researched and documented her “Peroutka” family history and along with her father was able to discover and visit the ancestral home of her great, great grandparents in a small village just outside of Prague. As a student of Wiff Rudd, Elizabeth went on to pursue her Master’s in Music at Baylor University where she further distinguished herself in chamber music studies by placing 1st and 3rd in the National Trumpet Competition, ensemble division in 2011 and 2012.
One of three brothers well established in professional music, Fernando began his masters degree with Wiff Rudd at the University of Arkansas, moving with Rudd to Baylor in 2002. He performed in all of Baylor's major ensembles and was featured with the Baylor Brass on the PBS special, Christmas at Baylor. Fernando is a performing artist affiliated with Yamaha Latino America and professor of trumpet at the District University of Bogotá. He is one of the co-founders and organizers of the prestigious Concurso y Festival Nacional Inter-Universitario de Trompeta which provides outstanding opportunities for Colombia's many talented young trumpeters and features renowned international trumpet artists. "Fercho" is a Yamaha Performing Artists and resides in Bogotá with his wife Diana and daughter Isabella.
John is beginning his ninth year of teaching and is currently in his fourth year at Clark Middle School in Frisco, TX. He is responsible for teaching the Concert Band, Beginner Bassoon, Beginner French Horn, Beginner Oboe, Beginner Trumpet and the jazz band. Under his direction, the Concert Band received straight Superior ratings from every judge at UIL concert and sightreading for the first time in its history and have continued to do so for three straight years. John grew up in Houston and attended all the North Shore schools (elementary, middle and high school). His main teacher, aside from his father, was Jesse Alexander. After graduating, he attended Howard Payne University to earn a duel degree in music education and trumpet performance. While there, he studied trumpet with Dr. Paul DeBoer and jazz with Stephen Goacher. He earned numerous awards while at HPU, but his greatest accomplishment was convincing his wife (then girlfriend) to marry him, but more on that later! After Howard Payne, they moved to Waco, Texas and John taught in the Waco school system for three years as a band director. Under his leadership, the band at Cesar Chavez Middle School grew from 17 students to 110. He then was given the opportunity to begin his masters degree at Baylor with Wiff Rudd. He also jumped at the chance to study jazz with Alex Parker and took as many jazz classes as the dean would allow him to take. As a graduate assistant, John taught non-major trumpet lessons, co-taught the trumpet methods class, was a student director of the Concert Jazz ensemble and was a member of the Baylor Brass for one year. John qualified as a solo division semi-finalist at the National Trumpet Competition in 2008 and one of his current private students, Christopher Stubblefield, placed 2nd in the competition's Junior Division in 2012. John has had the great honor of being married to his wife Emily for 10 years, whom he met during the first day of summer band in college. They have three wonderful sons, John Caleb ,David and Stephen and a very hyper dog named Eddie. John is an active member of Stonebriar Community Church and performs with the orchestra, wind symphony and brass choir. He still gets to play professionally, most recently with the Imperial Brass as a member of their large brass ensemble and is also in demand around Texas as a clinician and adjudicator.
Joey Tkach is a senior performance major at Baylor University studying classical trumpet as well as jazz and composition. Prior to Baylor, Joey attended the Interlochen Arts Camp as an Emerson and Orchestral Scholar, where he served as principal trumpet in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and was a recipient of the prestigious Maddy Summer Artist Award. While at Baylor, he has collaboratively won 1st prize in the large ensemble division of the National Trumpet Competition and twice in the small division, as well as 2nd prize in the undergraduate solo division. In addition, Joey made his Carnegie Hall debut as a winner of both the solo and chamber divisions of the Semper Pro Musica Competition in 2018. Joey is a two-time semi-finalist in the International Ima Hogg Concerto Competition and has been a finalist in the International Trumpet Guild’s Orchestral Excerpts Competition. Joey has been named a winner of the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition and the 1st prize winner of the Ictus International Trumpet Competition. He is also an avid composer and has had his music performed across the country. He currently teaches privately in Waco ISD and performs with the Sol Brass Quintet and periodically the Waco Symphony.
Abby Barto grew up in Midland, Texas where she studied trumpet with Michael Santorelli, formerly the co-principal trumpet with the Midland-Odessa Symphony. While in Midland, she attended Midland High School where she won numerous awards and performed with two 6A All-State Ensembles. Abby is currently a senior at Baylor University and will graduate in December, following her student teaching semester in Leander, TX. During her time at Baylor, Abby has performed with the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band. For the last four years, she has been a member of trumpet ensembles that have competed and won three 1st prizes at the National Trumpet Competition. She is was also a member of Sol Brass, a student quintet that performs regularly and participated twice with the Baylor Brass in the MountainLight Festival in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Abby is an animal rescuer and lover. In the future, she hopes to be both a performer and a teacher to anyone who is open and willing to learn about music.
Ryan graduated from Memorial High School in Houston, Texas where he was the trumpet section leader his junior year and brass captain his senior year. He was a member of the Region 27 Wind Ensemble for 3 years, the Region 27 Symphony Orchestra for 2 years, and the Texas 6A Symphonic band his senior year. Ryan also regularly competed in different solo competitions throughout the state and was awarded a first division at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in 2014. He also was awarded the Outstanding Boy Award his sophomore and junior year and the John Phillip Sousa award his senior year at his high school. Ryan studied with Nathan Monk. He is currently performing with the Symphonic Band and the Concert Jazz Ensemble here at Baylor. Ryan has won two prizes (1st and 2nd) as a member of Baylor “Green” in the National Trumpet Competition’s Large Ensemble Division. Ryan also teaches lessons at Music and Arts and in various schools in the area
Dalton grew up in Berryville, Arkansas and graduated from Berryville High School in 2013. He began learning trumpet in 2006 under the instruction of Julius Stevens and eventually began taking private lessons with Keith Wood and Clint “Pops” McLaughlin. Dalton graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 2018 where he studied with Dr. Gary Barrow and Dr. TJ Perry. During his time at ATU, he served as principal trumpet in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, played lead trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble, and held leadership roles in the athletic band. He also participated in choir while studying voice with Professor Holly Ruth Gale. Outside of school, Dalton was a founding member of a local Mariachi which performed throughout central Arkansas. During his time at Baylor, Dalton has had the opportunity to perform with the Wind Ensemble and the Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member of Baylor Green which won third place in the 2019 NTC Large-Ensemble division. Dalton will graduate in May of 2020.
Matt Ruwe is a graduate of Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he studied trumpet with Dr. William Stowman. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Matt also studied under James Rossetti, Dr. Stephen Hawk (Slippery Rock University/Pittsburgh CLO) and Chad Winkler (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra). While at Messiah, Matt had the privilege to perform with the Messiah College Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and played lead trumpet in the College’s Jazz One ensemble. Matt also held a position in the trumpet section of the Northern Appalachian Wind Symphony, based out of Williamsport, PA, and serves as the Director of Social Media and Development for the National Trumpet Competition. In his time at Messiah College, he enjoyed traveling and performing abroad in Aruba and Italy, being the private instructor of several area elementary-high school students, as well as freelancing in the Central PA area. Matt looks forward to continuing his education and teaching by pursuing a Master’s degree in trumpet performance at Baylor University, and is forever thankful to the many teachers, supporters, and mentors he’s had throughout his career.
Spencer is a senior performance major and a graduate of Clear Falls High School in League City, Texas, where he served as Brass Captain in marching band and principal trumpet in both the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. During his time in high school, Spencer studied with Roman Jakubas, a current member of the Houston Brass Band and the Galveston Symphony Orchestra. Spencer also played in the pit orchestra for Clear Falls’ productions of Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”, Monty Python’s “Spamalot”, and “Mary Poppins”. If asked, Spencer would tell you that “Playing in those shows is the most fun I’ve ever had playing the trumpet” and because of this, he aspires to one day play on Broadway, “or rather, under it”, he likes to say. Spencer’s journey to Baylor University began when he attended the 2016 Baylor High School Band and Orchestra Camp. He explains that his experience there “was like nothing I had previously been exposed to”. He claims that attending the camp sealed the deal for him to become a Baylor Bear and audition for the trumpet studio. Spencer says that now that he is in the studio as a current sophomore, he never is able to get complacent with his practicing because “When you’re in such a high-caliber studio and there is at least one person better than you at each discipline of music, that’s reason enough to practice”. Spencer was a member of Baylor Green, the 2019 3rd winners of the large ensemble division of the National Trumpet Competition. He currently performs with the Concert Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Band. He recently won a spot in the Marine Corps Musician and will enlist in the fall of 2021 following his graduation from Baylor. When Spencer isn’t holding a trumpet, he enjoys Mountain Biking and Road Cycling as well as arranging music for various ensembles. Spencer is involved with the Baylor Cycling Team and is planning to participate in triathlon events.
Cordelia DeDecker is entering her junior year at Baylor University. In 2019, she competed in the “Girolamo Fantini” International Trumpet Competition, won 1st place in the Category I trumpet division of the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC), and advanced to the semi-finals for Baylor University’s Semper Pro Musica Competition. At the National Trumpet Competition, she advanced to the semi-final round for the solo division. As a member of Baylor Gold, she and her peers won 1st place in the small ensemble division. In addition to her solo pursuits, she placed 2nd in the Mock Orchestral Competitions for both the IWBC and International Trumpet Guild. Her freshman year at Baylor University, Cordelia earned the title of 3rd Prize Winner at the National Trumpet Competition. Prior to her collegiate endeavors, she studied privately with Kyle Sherman at Marcus High School. She placed 3rd chair in the TMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra and performed as the Principal of the GDYO under Richard Giangiulio’s instruction. During her senior year, she won the GDYO’s Concerto Competition and performed the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto with the orchestra in the Meyerson. In the summer of 2019, she attended the National Music Festival in Chestertown, Maryland. For the past two summers, she has attended the intensive soloist festival Chosen Vale where she has studied with Thomas Hooten, Clement Saunier, Pacho Flores, and Edward Carroll. Prior to her freshman year, she attended Music in the Mountains Festival where she studied with Gregory Hustis and John Kitzman. While in high school, she attended the Tanglewood Institute’s two-week workshop where she studied with Terry Everson. Cordelia has been a member of Baylor “Green”, the Concert Jazz Ensemble, and has marched with the Baylor University Golden Wave Band. She currently performs with Baylor Gold, the Baylor Wind Ensemble, and the Baylor Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her performance duties, she currently teaches middle school and high school students in the Waco area.
Sigurjon “Sig” Stefansson attended Vista Ridge High School where he studied privately with famed trumpeter Gilbert Elorreaga and participated in All-State ensembles his senior year. He is a senior trumpet performance major and hopes to freelance around both Europe and the United States in the future. Sig is a native Texan, however both of his parents are immigrants to the United States (Iceland and Sri Lanka). In the summer of 2018 Sig officially obtained his Icelandic citizenship which will allow him to pursue performance opportunities in Europe. Sig has performed in Baylor’s Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Jazz Ensemble, jazz combos, and in the chamber music program. He also competed in the National Trumpet Competition’s Small Ensemble Division with Baylor “Green” in 2018 and with the same group, claimed 3rd prize in the 2019 competition. He performed in the Vancouver Music Festival in 2019 (and was accepted for 2020) and hopes to return to that venue next summer. Besides trumpet, Sig is a person of many passions. He enjoys mountain biking, hiking, fishing, climbing, and many other outdoor activities.
Tyler studied with Kevin Finamore and Jay Ellsmore during high school in Rockwall, TX. He played with many high school groups in the Dallas area including the Lone Star Youth Winds, GDYO Wind Symphony, and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. While at Baylor, Tyler has been apart of the Golden Wave Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has serves as the lead trumpet in the Wayne Fisher Jazz Program’s Jazz Ensemble. He also enjoys performing with his brass quintet, Merakai139, as well as playing in a jazz combo, cover band, and a brass haus trio. He also enjoys freelancing in the Dallas area. Tyler has been apart of many trumpet ensembles while at Baylor: Baylor Green won 1st prize at NTC 2017, Baylor University who got 2nd prize in 2018, and Baylor Gold won 1st prize in 2019. He has also attended the Chosen Vale Seminar in the summer of 2018 and 2019 where he got to play for and work with Allan Dean, Tom Hooten, Stephen Burns, Jeroen Berwaerts, and Gabriele Cassone. He also attended the Hot Springs Music Festival in the summer of 2019 and worked with Memphis Symphony Principal trumpet, Scott Moore. Additionally, he was also a quarterfinalist for the 2019 Girolamo Fantini International Trumpet Competition, 2nd prize winner in the 2019 ITG Wind Band Excerpt Competition, and placed 3rd in the 2019 ITG Solo Competition. He was also named honorable mention for the 2019 Yamaha Young Performing Artist competition. Aside from trumpet, Tyler enjoys watching movies, playing basketball, and bouldering/rock climbing with friends.
From Augusta, Maine, Brandon Emerson is a first year master's student studying trumpet performance. He serves as the studio’s graduate assistant, teaches secondary trumpet students, and team teaches Trumpet Methods with Mark Schubert. Brandon studied at the University of Maine with Dr. Jack Burt and graduated in May of 2020 with Bachelor degrees in music performance and music education. In his time at UMaine, Brandon was the principle of the symphonic band, orchestra, and played lead in the Jazz Ensemble. He also performed with a variety of groups in Maine including the Waterville Opera House, The Acadia Choral Society and Blue Hill Bach. Brandon plays lead in the Baylor Jazz Ensemble, is a member of the pool of players that serve the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, and performs in the Graduate Brass Quintet.
Originally from Manchester, NH, Matthew Otte is an established freelance musician and educator in the Dallas - Ft.Worth Metroplex. Matthew currently maintains an active studio of trumpet students and has performed with many professional ensembles in the DFW area. An experienced educator for students of all levels, Matthew has helped students succeed in local contests and college auditions. His students have placed in the TMEA All-State and Area bands and have consistently excelled in local solo competitions. Matthew has worked with students who have gone on to study at notable collegiate music programs such as The University of Colorado at Boulder, The University of Michigan, and The University of North Texas. In addition to his teaching experience, Matthew enjoys a multitude of performance opportunities. He has performed with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of New Spain, Allen Philharmonic, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, and several other ensembles. Matthew will be starting his MM with the Baylor University trumpet studio, studying with Wiff Rudd and Mark Schubert. He received his BM in music performance from the University of North Texas, where he was fortunate to study with Keith Johnson during his time at UNT. Matthew is grateful to his friends, family, and teachers for all of their support and kindness throughout the years.
Victor Davila, a junior music education major, graduated from North Shore Senior High in Houston, Texas. He was head trumpet section leader for two years and a member of the Wind Ensemble that performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago his senior year. He is a member Baylor Green (Large Ensemble), the 3rd Prize winners in the large ensemble category the 2019 National Trumpet Competition. Victor primarily studied with Amanda Dickson and Samuel Singeltary in high school and briefly studied with Jim Vassallo of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra. When not playing the trumpet, Victor enjoys the outdoors and playing sports. Victor is on the leadership staff of the Golden Wave Marching Band and is a member of the Symphonic Band and a brass quintet.
Brass Excellence Fund
The Brass Excellence Fund was established to provide funding for guest artists as well student research and performance activities. Gifts are tax deductible and facilitated through Baylor University’s website. If you wish to designate your online gift to a specific brass studio (Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba/Euphonium) please send a separate email to: wiff_rudd@baylor.edu
Thank you!
Brass Excellence Fund
The Brass Excellence Fund was established to provide funding for guest artists as well student research and performance activities. Gifts are tax deductible and facilitated through Baylor University’s website. If you wish to designate your online gift to a specific brass studio (Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba/Euphonium) please send a separate email to: wiff_rudd@baylor.edu
Thank you!
Always Remembering
Ryan Anthony
photo credit: Jeremy T Lock
If you would like to donate to Ryan’s foundation CancerBlows you can find information here.
Sally Tepper
Dear friends of Sally Tepper and the Tepper family:
Many have expressed their desire to honor Sally’s life in various ways; through new music, meaningful projects, and performances inspired by her spirit. In addition to these tributes, Baylor University has begun the process of establishing an Endowed Excellence Fund in Sally’s name. Though not officially named, the working title for the fund is:
The Sally Tepper Memorial Excellence Fund for Musician Wellness.
Donations (tax deductible) are currently being accepted for this new endowment. All donations will be held in the Daniel Sternberg Society Fund until the new account is activated. Gifts may be made online or by calling University Advancement. In all cases, donors will be able to designate their gifts in memory of Sally.
Online Gifts:
Give to Sally’s Fund
Call: University Advancement
(254) 710-2561 or 1-800-229-5678, option 4
Daniel Sternberg Society Fund
Account # 400-40105-124-2200432-101
Always Remembering
Ryan Anthony
photo credit: Jeremy T Lock
If you would like to donate to Ryan’s foundation CancerBlows you can find information here.
Sally Tepper