NABBA Board Members

Officers

President – Tony Granados
Vice-President – Pat Herak
Secretary – VACANT
Treasurer – Alex Schnautz

Term Ending 1 July 2023

Jason Collier
Jason has been a lifelong brass band enthusiast, having played in the horn sections of The Salvation Army’s New York Staff Band, National Capital Band, and Pendel Brass. He has also been a member of Atlantic Brass Band, Princeton Brass Band, and Brass of the Potomac, currently playing with Brass Band of Northern Virginia. He has had the privilege of performing and conducting in venues ranging from school cafeterias to some of the world’s most famous concert halls. Any opportunity to make good music with good people is a good opportunity! He currently serves as the Director of Contemporary Worship and Communications for St. John’s Lutheran of Sweet Air and enjoys all of the various opportunities that come with that role.

Tony Granados – President
Tony Granados is the Artistic Director for the Triangle Brass Band based in Cary, NC, a position he has held since 2008. Tony was Director of the Triangle Youth Brass Band from 2001-2013, and got his start brass banding in the Lexington Brass Band in Kentucky. Currently working as a freelance tuba player in central NC, performing with the NC Opera, Boylan Brass, teaching a private studio and working with high school marching bands.

Jon Heaver
Jon Heaver is the Director of Music & Gospel Arts for The Salvation Army’s Kansas & Western Missouri Division, and is based in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Jon received his formal training through involvement in Salvation Army brass bands from a young age through to the collegiate level. Jon received his Bachelors of Music Education degree from the University of Kansas in 2016 and his Masters of Music Education degree from the University of Florida in 2020. Jon has been a member of the Fountain City Brass Band on B-flat and E-flat bass since 2011, competing in numerous NABBA Championships, U.S. Open Championships, two Brass is Concert Championships, and one Scottish Open Championships. Jon is also the Founder and former Artistic Director of the Free State Brass Band, based in Lawrence, Kansas. Jon created the band in 2014 and conducted the band at their debut NABBA Championships in 2018. Jon has served on the NABBA Board of Directors since 2017.

Dr. Patrick Herak – Vice 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.

Alex Schnautz
Alex has been a NABBA member since 2008, currently playing solo horn with River Brass. In 2019, Alex spearheaded the formation River Brass Youth Band. Alex is an engineer with Three I Design, and on the weekends, he is the music director for Saint Wendel Catholic Church.

Mark Taylor
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
Director of Music & Gospel Arts in Eastern Michigan for The Salvation Army
Music Director- Five Lakes Silver Band
Music Director- Eastern Michigan Divisional Band & Chorus
New York Staff Band- 1995-2018
Eb Soprano Cornet Soloist- 2008-2018
Brass Band of Battle Creek- 2018- present

Anita McAlister
Anita McAlister received a BMUS in Performance from the University of Toronto and a MMus in Solo Performance and Literature from the University of Western Ontario. An active freelancer in the Toronto area, Anita has an interesting and varied career performing with the Toronto Symphony, the National Ballet Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company, the Hamilton Philharmonic and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Anita is a member of the Esprit Orchestra, the ARRAYMUSIC Ensemble and the Hannaford Street Silver Band, and has been a contracted member of the Kitchener- Waterloo Symphony and the Stratford Festival. She has toured as Principal Trumpet of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Orchestra, and performed with a number of theatre productions such as Phantom of the Opera. As a student, Anita studied with the Canadian Brass in Banff and went on to be a member of the Great Lakes Brass Quintet, the Composers Brass, and for many years performed with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Brass Quintet. As a soloist, Anita won the National Competitive Festival of Music at age 18, and has since performed as a soloist with a number of orchestras and in recital. Anita has taught at Interprovincial Music Camp, the Scarborough Board of Education Music Camp, the Mount Allison Summer Music Program, and is on faculty at the National Music Camp of Canada. Anita is an active adjudicator and clinician, has taught for the Royal Conservatory, was on trumpet faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University for 11 years, and is presently on Faculty at the University of Toronto as Brass Area Chair, teaching trumpet and orchestral studies, coaching chamber music and teaching music education classes. Dedicated to the development of brass education, Anita is the Director of the Hannaford Youth Program and conducts the Junior, Community and Youth Bands as well as the Hannaford Youth Virtual Brass Camp which includes masterclasses from internationally renowned brass artists.
www.hannafordyouth.ca
www.hannafordyouthbrasscamp.com

Andrew Harms

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.

Sal Scarpa

Douglas Lindsey
Dr. Doug Lindsey has played as principal trumpet of the Memphis Symphony, section trumpet with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, on tour with the Mirari Brass Quintet, and the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, as solo cornet in the Fountain City Brass Band, as President and Principal cornet with the Georgia Brass Band, and frequently tours with pianists and friends, Judy Cole and Kristy Olefsky. He joined the faculty at Kennesaw State University in the fall of 2012, and has been a featured artist with the Atlanta Wind Symphony, at the International Trumpet Guild conference, at the Atlanta Trumpet Festival, at the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast, with the Kennesaw State Orchestra, the Kennesaw State Wind Ensemble, and the Georgia Brass Band.

Jesse Rackley

Term Ending 1 July 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.

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.

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.

Jennifer Wagner

Dr. Jennifer Wagner is the Principal Timpanist of the Fountain City Brass Band. Along with FCBB, she is also a new member of the Athena Brass Band and can be heard on Brass Band of the Potomac’s most recent album, “Firestorm.” She received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance and has performed with artists such as Amy Grant, Joe Alessi, Michael W. Smith, Brett Baker, Lee Harrelson, and David King. Currently, Jennifer is substitute timpani and section percussion in the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Front Ensemble Tech for the Blue Valley High School Tiger Marching Band. Dr. Wagner is also the Percussion Specialist for the Fountain City Youth Academy and McIntire Studios. In her free time she enjoys fishing for redfish, snook, and trout on Florida’s Nature Coast.

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 first 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