NABBA Board Members

Officers

President – Pat Herak
Vice-President – Mark Taylor
Secretary – Doug Lindsey
Treasurer – Bob Crook

 

Term Ending 30 June 2024

Dr. John Bell
Dr. John Bell is Professor of Music and Director of Bands Emeritus at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he conducted the Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, taught conducting and music education courses, and coordinated recruiting and auditions for the Department of Music. Prior to this present appointment, he served as Associate Director of Bands at the University of Northern Colorado, where he founded and directed the university’s marching band, the Pride of the Rockies and the UNC British Brass Band. In addition, he was appointed the music director and conductor of the Rocky Mountain Brassworks in Denver. He currently serves as Music Director of the St. Louis Brass Band, and has held this position since 2006. Dr. Bell was Brass Caption Head for The Cavaliers and Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and is listed as a Master Judge on the Marching Roundtable Judges Academy register. He has received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence and is a contributing author to the acclaimed series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. He earned Doctors and Masters degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Louisiana State University where he served on the LSU “Golden Band from Tigerland” staff. Dr. Bell is an elected member of both the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the American School Band Directors Association. He has adjudicated symphonic and pageantry events throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, and Thailand for Drum Corps International, Bands of America, US Bands and the World Music Festival, and has conducted honors and all-state bands in the Republic of China (Taiwan), Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Colorado and Nebraska.

 

Dr. Aaron Campbell
Aaron Campbell is an active freelance Euphonium, Trombone, and Tuba performer in the Tampa Bay area, and is the adjunct professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Tampa. Aaron is the founder, president, and solo euphonium of the Tampa Brass Band and serves as principal euphonium and low-brass section leader for the Florida Wind Band. Aaron regularly performs with other groups throughout Florida such as the Florida Orchestra, the Florida Wind Symphony, and the Brass Band of Central Florida. Aaron also performs frequently as a solo, chamber, and musical theater musician.

Aaron is a Besson performing artist and performs exclusively on a Besson BE 2051 Euphonium. He is also a Lefreque performing artist. Aaron holds a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance from James Madison University, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of South Florida. Primary teachers include Carlyl Webber (Army Field Band Euphonium, Retired), Jay Hunsberger (Former Principal Tuba, Sarasota Orchestra), and Kevin Stees (Tuba/Euphonium professor, James Madison University).

 

David Jones
David Jones grew up in South Bend, Indiana.  He received a BS in Music Education and American History from Ball State University. Master of Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Also served as Graduate Assistant of Bands while at EKU.

David has had a long career in music education. He taught band, orchestra and jazz band and social studies for 11 years in public schools in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. David retired in July 2020 after serving for 33 years as Senior Education Manager at Mynett Music (now Sweetwater Band and Orchestra) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Although technically retired, he teaches elementary music three days a week at 2 local parochial schools. This includes his passion, Beginning Band

David is an active euphonium and trombone performer and adjudicator in the Fort Wayne area. David is adjudicator for the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA). He played trombone in Conglomernotes big band from 1985-2016. David has been an active performer in the St. Joseph, Michigan Municipal band, Elkhart (IN) Municipal Band and the Bluffton (IN) Street Fair Band.

David is a founding member and President of Old Crown Brass Band in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He currently plays Baritone in the OCBB. David has served on the NABBA Board of Directors since 2014, and served as NABBA Secretary 2015-2019. He led the successful effort to have NABBA in Fort Wayne. David is married to Sally Gillette-Jones since 1982. She is a French Hornist (and tenor horn in the Brass Band), keyboardist and also a member of OCBB. They have two sons, Matthew and Andrew, who live in Fort Wayne. David and Sally live in Antwerp Ohio, just outside of Fort Wayne.

 

Dr. Anthony Walker

Dr. Anthony Walker holds a Doctoral degree of Musical Arts in Low Brass Performance from West Virginia University and a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance from Miami University. Currently, He is the Adjunct Low Brass Lecturer at Grand Rapids Community College in addition to being the Coordinator of Student Success and intercultural Relations at Spring Arbor University. Dr. Walker currently performs with the Motor City Brass Band, the 2022 Second Section winners of the North American Brass Band Competition as well as the winners of the 2022 Detroit Music Awards Outstanding Classical Small Ensemble award. He also is a founding board member of the Beer City Winds. Dr. Walker has recently been elected to the board of the North American Brass Band Association. During his tenure serving as a board member, Dr. Walker looks to pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the brass band community serving as the chairman of the DEI committee.

Dr. Walker formerly taught Applied Low Brass at Frostburg State University and has performed with the Fillmore Philharmonic Brass out of Cincinnati, OH. Additionally, he has toured through Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Vermont presenting educational outreach to grade-school and college students.

Dr. Walker’s research interests include brass pedagogy, brass bands, and film-musicology.

 

Matt Billock

Matt is a brass enthusiast that has performed with brass bands across the country. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Iowa State University, and a Master’s degree in Computer Graphics and Animation from DePaul University. He is currently solo tenor horn with the Chicago Brass Band, and has previously performed with the Milwaukee Festival Brass, Madison Brass Band, Illinois Brass Band, and the Pacific Brass Band.

In addition to his time in brass bands, Matt is an avid drum and bugle corps fan, having spent several years in both DCI and DCA as an instructor and performer. He has covered soprano, mellophone, baritone, and euphonium in addition to providing visual instruction and program coordination for multiple ensembles. He is also the brass caption head for Richmond-Burton High School in Richmond, IL.

Matt lives in Lindenhurst, IL with his wife Kiley and two children, Connor and Ella. In addition to his service on the NABBA board, he also serves on the Chicago Brass Band’s board of directors, and is excited to be able to give back to the activity that has given him so much.

 

Patrick Oliverio

 

Term Ending 30 June 2025

Michael Olefsky

 

Brad Vrooman

With a passion for brass music since the age of 12, Brad Vrooman holds a Bachelor of Music in technology from Capital University and received specialized training in audio engineering at the Recording Workshop. He has demonstrated dedication to the craft through numerous collegiate ensembles, and roles as a tenor horn and cornet player in the Dublin Silver Band, Dublin Cornet Band, Central Ohio Brass Band, and Chapel Brass, currently serving on second cornet with DSB.
 
Beyond musical performance, Brad extends his commitment to the band community through leadership roles. As a board member of NABBA and through active involvement in committees for the Dublin Silver Band, the Dublin Festival of Brass, and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Central Ohio Alumni Association, he strives to foster musical excellence and engagement in the local and broader communities.
 
In his professional life, Brad specializes in information security and infrastructure engineering. Residing in Blacklick, OH, with his wife, Suzette, and their canine companion, he finds fulfillment in balancing his musical pursuits with a dedicated focus on cybersecurity.
 

Bryen Warfield
Bryen Warfield is currently the Director of Bands and Orchestra at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, IN.  The Homestead Band and Orchestra program supports over 300 students through the Spartan Alliance Band, 3 concert bands, 2 jazz bands, Anonymous Blue, and the Homestead Symphony Orchestra.  Prior to his tenure at Homestead, Bryen was the Assistant Director of Bands at Whiteland Community High School in Whiteland, IN where he helped oversee 4 concert bands, 3 jazz bands, marching band, and taught music theory.  All ensembles under Bryen’s direction have received honors and distinctions from contests at national and local events including being named a Featured Ensemble at the 2020 Indiana Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference, two-time Bands of America Grand National Finalist, 2019 & 2017 Bands of America Toldeo Regional & Class Champion, 2017 ISSMA Class A State Champion, and Gold Ratings ‘With Distinction’ at ISSMA Organizational Contests.

​Bryen received his Bachelors of Music in Tuba Performance from the University of Louisville where he studied with John Jones, Darryl Johnson, and Kimcherie Lloyd.  Bryen received his Masters of Music in Wind Conducting from The Ohio State University where he studied with Dr. Russel Mikkelson and Dr. Scott A. Jones.  He served as a graduate conducting associate with the band department, taught courses in conducting, and was a Graduate Assistant Director with The Ohio State University Marching Band.  Bryen has participated in conducting masterclasses, workshops, and festivals around the country with many esteemed conducting teachers such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Hugh Wolff, Donald Thulean, Kevin Sedatole, Kevin Noe, John Lynch, and Robert Ambrose.

Bryen was a performing member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps for three seasons and later served as a brass educator for the Columbus Saints, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Bluecoats.  Bryen is an active performer, adjudicator, clinician, and conductor throughout the United States.  He serves as the Associate Conductor and tubist with the Old Crown Brass Band of Fort Wayne, IN.

​Bryen maintains affiliations with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Conductor’s Guild, NAfME, and ASTA.

 

Term Ending 30 June 2026

Tony Granados

Tony is a Producing Coordinator for Carolina Performing Arts and a freelance musician in central North Carolina, performing with the Carolina Opera, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle and Carolina Ballet.  Tony maintains a private studio of high school and middle school students, and was the Brass Supervisor for Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, winning the DCA – A Class Championship and high Brass in 2012, 2018 and 2019. Tony serves on the Board of Directors for the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA), including two terms as President from 2019 – 2023.  Tony was the Artistic Director for the Triangle Brass Band for 15 years, winning the 3rd section in 2022 and 2018 as well as runner up in 2019 at the NABBA Championships. Tony was the Director of the Triangle Youth Brass Band program for 13 years, building it from 17 students to over 70 in two bands and winning eight NABBA Youth Section Championships.

 

Dr. Patrick Herak – President

Dr. Herak has advanced degrees in Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Foreign, Second & Multilingual Education, and STEM Education. He is an accomplished musician having co-founded the Dublin Community Bands, Dublin Silver Band, Dublin Youth Brass Band, and Dublin Metro Brass. As an undergrad he was a member of The Ohio State University Marching Band for 5-years and can still be found playing with the TBDBITL Alumni Band.

Dr. Herak was a secondary science teacher for 18-years, primarily for Westerville City Schools. However, he did take a leave of absence to teach at Aldenham School near London (UK). He has developed curriculum for Westerville City Schools, Dublin City Schools, Ashland University, and The Ohio State University.

Dr. Herak has served as an adjunct professor at Central Ohio Technical College (Environmental Science), adjunct professor position at Ashland University – Columbus Branch (Science Education) and is currently a Senior Lecturer in the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University.

 

Mark Taylor – Vice President
Mark A. Taylor has been a member of NABBA since 2003, when he attended his first Championships as a percussionist with the then newly-formed Chicago Brass Band. In 2009-2011, as part of his doctoral studies in conducting at University of North Texas, Mark served as graduate assistant to Dr. Brian Bowman, euphonium professor and director of the UNT Brass Band. He also completed research for his dissertation, “British-Style Brass Bands in U.S. Colleges and Universities.” In 2012, Mark was named Music Director of Milwaukee Festival Brass, which has appeared annually at the Championships since 2014.

 

Christopher Ward

Christopher Ward became the Musical Director of the Five Lakes Silver Band in July of 2019. Under his
leadership, Five Lakes won the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships in 2022 and 2023, Dublin Festival of
Brass in 2022 and 2023, and the North American Brass Band Championships in 2023. Christopher was
just named a national finalist for The American Prize in Conducting a band/wind ensemble.
In March of 2018, Christopher and his family moved to Michigan, where he assumed the role of Senior
Director of Music and Gospel Arts for the Great Lakes Division of the Salvation Army. As part of his
responsibilities, he is the conductor of the Great Lakes Divisional Band and is the founder and conductor
of the Great Lakes Divisional Choir. Christopher also serves on the North American Brass Band
Association Board of Directors and is the chairman of the Great Lakes Brass Band Association. He is an
ambassador for Denis Wick Products, an artist for Work of Art Custom Batons and plays cornet with the
Brass Band of Battle Creek.

Prior to his appointment in Michigan, Christopher served as an Assistant Music Director for the Salvation
Army in Greater New York for 16 years, and concurrently served as conductor for several groups,
including the Greater New York Youth Band and the Hempstead Citadel Band. He was a member of the
New York Staff Band for 23 years, 11 of those as its Eb Soprano Cornet Soloist. Christopher has
performed or conducted in 23 different countries, and in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center,
Brooklyn Tabernacle, Royal Festival Hall, The Royal Albert Hall and Buckingham Palace. He has had the
privilege of performing with the New York Philharmonic, The Canadian Brass, The Kings Singers and Sir
Elton John.

Christopher received his formal music training at New York’s Mannes College of Music and The State
University of New York – Purchase, where he received degrees in Fine Arts of Music & Trumpet
Performance. In recent years, he has studied conducting privately with Professor David King.

 

Sal Scarpa

 

Douglas Lindsey – Secretary

Dr. Douglas Lindsey joined the faculty at the University of Oklahoma in the Fall of 2023. Prior to his time at OU, Dr. Lindsey was the Associate Professor of trumpet and brass area coordinator at Kennesaw State University.

As a soloist, he has performed many times each at the International Trumpet Guild conference, at the Atlanta Trumpet Festival, at the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast, in numerous faculty and guest soloist recitals across the country, and with many high school, community and college bands across the country. Recently, in collaboration with pianist Kristy Olefsky, Dr. Lindsey released his first solo album, Impressions of France. Alongside pianist Judy Cole, he has performed solo recitals all over the Southeast as a founding member of Duo Trompiano.

As an orchestral musician, he has performed as principal trumpet of the Memphis Symphony, as section trumpet with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, as principal trumpet of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, as section trumpet with the Macon Symphony, and spent two summers as an orchestral fellowship winner at the Aspen Music Festival.

His love of building community through music is highlighted by his leadership role in the Georgia Brass Band where he served as President and Principal Cornet for many years. This work culminated in the Georgia Brass Band earning their highest ever placement at NABBA. Recently in 2023 he was tapped to play principal cornet for the award-winning Fountain City Brass Band. In addition to a large variety of concerts in the United States, the band will also travel to England to compete alongside some of the world’s finest bands. In addition to brass bands, Dr. Lindsey has spent time on tour in the award-winning University of Wisconsin Brass Quintet and as a member of the Mirari Brass Quintet.

Previous to earning his DMA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Lindsey studied with Allan Dean at Yale, earning his Master of Music with the distinction of winning the John Swallow excellence in brass prize. Prior to Yale he studied with Ray Mase, Louis Ranger, Kevin Cobb, Scott Moore and Richard Rulli. Dr. Lindsey received his music performance and music education degrees magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Dr. Lindsey is a Mercer and Barker mouthpiece and Schilke trumpet artist.

Dr. Lindsey is a Schilke performing artist.

 

Jesse Rackley

 

Jarod Estrada

Jarod C. Estrada is the Director of Bands in Hiawatha, Kansas, where he teaches instrumental and general music. His responsibilities include conducting multiple concert bands, beginning bands, jazz band, modern music ensemble, and directing athletic bands.

Jarod’s musical journey began in the vibrant atmosphere of brass bands during his time at the Salvation Army’s summer music camps. Under the mentorship of Dr. Ron Holz, he discovered his passion for musical direction and conducting, inspiring him to pursue a career in music. He holds a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in business and entrepreneurship from Missouri Western State University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in secondary education from Pittsburg State University.

In addition to his role as an educator, Jarod is an accomplished percussionist, frequently performing with groups such as the Northwinds Symphonic Band, Fountain City Brass Band, and The Isom Jazz Trio, as well as contributing to musical theater productions and various recording projects. He can be heard with artists such as American Idol Top 200 selection Stephanie Gummelt, Andy Grooms, Brent Isom, and more. 

Outside of performance, Jarod is a dedicated advocate for music and the arts, maintaining active affiliations with organizations such as Freemasonry, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity, and Phi Boota Roota, where he founded the Delta Upsilon Tau Chapter. He also serves as the Northeast district representative for the Kansas Bandmasters Association and is known as “The Voice of KBA.”

As an educational artist, Jarod holds endorsements with Salyers Percussion, Encore Mallets, and Dream Cymbals and Gongs. 

Rebecca Barger Amato

 

Roger Oyster

 

Bob Crook – Treasurer

Owner of Small Business Solutions LLC, Bob Crook, Advanced Certified ProAdvisor (PA), QuickBooks Solution Provider (QSP) provides accounting technology solutions, including QuickBooks® and its vast ecosystem of integrated applications, for a wide range of small businesses—from retail to nonprofit organizations.  He loves helping his clients see the “Aha” moment when an account is cleaned up and the technology produces useful financial reports.    Visit:   https://biz-bob.com

Bob has been performing consulting projects for QuickBooks for several decades and is especially well-versed in accounting software. Bob has been a Certified QuickBooks® ProAdvisor since 1999.  He is also QuickBooks® Advanced and QuickBooks Online Certified. He offers setup, installations, conversions, cleanup, and support for QuickBooks users. 

Prior to owning Small Business Solutions LLC, Bob owned Padgett Business Services, an accounting and tax firm. Prior to owning Padgett, Bob was the Box Office & Accounting Manager for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra in Huntsville, Alabama.  Early in his career he worked for Fiscal Systems Inc developing accounting software. 

He is very active in his community, serving on the board of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra for over 12 years, currently Treasurer The Whole Backstage Theater, Brass Band of Huntsville, and North American Brass Band Association.  

Bob received a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and Minor in Music from Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama in 1985.  

When he is not working, you can find him out sailing, playing tuba in various community bands, travelling, or staying up to date on current events.