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. 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.
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.
Jessica Payne is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the University of Kansas where she studies tuba and euphonium with Dr. David Earll and Professor Scott Watson. Ms. Payne is very involved in the tradition of brass banding in North America. Currently, Ms. Payne performs with the Athena Brass Band, Fountain City Brass Band, and the Free State Brass Band. Before moving to Kansas, Jessica held positions in the Natural State Brass Band, the Brass Band of the Western Reserve, the Arkansas Musicworks Brass Band, and the Brass Band of Louisiana. Ms. Payne has been invited to solo with the Free State, Western Reserve, Musicworks, and Natural State bands. Ms. Payne has also served as a guest conductor for the Natural State Brass Band. Jessica attended the University of Central Arkansas where she earned her Masters Degree in Euphonium Performance where she served as the Euphonium Graduate Assistant to Dr. Gail Robertson and studied conducting with the Head Director of Bands, Dr. Michael Hancock. Ms. Payne earned her Bachelor of the Arts in Euphonium Performance from The University of Akron. As a performing artist, Jessica has toured with several brass bands, euphonium quartets, and as a soloist. In 2024, Ms. Payne performed a solo recital at the North West Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Eugene, Oregon. She also performed a recital at the Great Plains Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference with her duo, Galley Brass. Jessica is excited to start her term on the North American Brass Band Association board of directors.
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 performed with numerous collegiate ensembles and has participated on tenor horn and cornet with the Dublin Silver Band, Dublin Cornet Band, Central Ohio Brass Band, and Chapel Brass, currently serving on second cornet with DSB. Brad is deeply involved in the brass band community through both performance and leadership. He is in his second term on the board of the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA), chairs the Dublin Festival of Brass, and serves on the board of the Dublin Silver Band. He is also a past president and former secretary of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Central Ohio Alumni Association. Professionally, Brad works in information security and infrastructure engineering. He lives in Blacklick, Ohio, and balances a career in cybersecurity with ongoing work in music performance, nonprofit leadership, and arts advocacy.
Julia Taylor is currently the General Music Teacher at R. Dean Kilby Elementary School in Prince William County. Prior to accepting that position, she served as an interim Assistant Band Director at West Potomac High School in Fairfax County. She received her Bachelors of Music Education with a concentration on PreK-12 Instrumental Education from James Madison University, has studied under Dave Porter, Hank Attaway, and Kevin Stees, and will be receiving her certification in Level 1 Orff-Schulwerk in August 2024. Whilst at James Madison University, Julia had the opportunity to perform with the Marching Royal Dukes, JMU Wind Symphony, JMU Symphonic Band, and the JMU Brass Band. While in the JMU Brass Band, she had the opportunity to go and perform the world premier of Eric Guinivan’s “Matsuri” at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England and perform alongside world-famous Euphonium soloist David Childs. Unable to get enough brass band, she also participated in and performed solos with the Massanutten Youth Brass Band and the Massanutten Brass Band. Julia has presented sessions on the integration of technology in the music classroom entitled “Tinkering with Music Through Technology” at both the Illinois Music Educators Conference and the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference. When she’s not teaching or brass band-ing, she’s reading, writing, or thinking up potential arrangements of medleys from movies or video games for brass band.
David Jones is a native of South Bend, Indiana. A graduate of St. Joseph High School, Dave went on and received his Bachelor of Music Education and American History from Ball State University. While at Ball State, David was a member of many performing ensembles including four years in “the Pride of Mid- America”. David’s first teaching job was director of bands at his Alma Mater, St. Joseph High School. The band grew in numbers and quality while he taught at St. Joe. He is responsible for starting an award winning Jazz band at St. Joe. David left St. Joe to become Graduate Assistant director of Bands at Eastern Kentucky University where he received his Master of Music Education degree. At Eastern, he directed the marching band, pep band and symphonic band. After EKU, Mr. Jones served as director of Bands at Somerset, KY HS for one year and then director of bands at Antwerp (OH) High School for five years. In 1987, David accepted a job as Senior Education Representative for Mynett Music Company in Ft. Wayne, IN. Under his leadership the educational sales program grew exponentially. In 2015, Mynett Music became a Sweetwater Sound Company. Mr. Jones retired from Sweetwater in July, 2020. Since then, he has kept busy teaching elementary music and band part time at Holy Cross Catholic School in Defiance, Ohio. David is an active performer on trombone, euphonium and baritone. For about 25 years he was a member of the Conglomernotes Big Band. Mr. Jones continues to be an Indiana State School Music Association adjudicator. David is a very active advocate for brass banding. He has served on the Board of Directors for the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) since 2014 and was instrumental in securing the NABBA championships on Fort Wayne in 2015-19 and 2025-26. David is an original member of Old Crown Brass Band and has served as its president several terms. He currently plays baritone in OCBB. David and his wife Sally (also an OCBB member) reside in Antwerp, Ohio. They have two sons. Matthew and Andrew who live and work in Fort Wayne.
J. Joseph Peters is the founder and current director of the Steuben County Festival Choir. He is the co-conductor of the Old Crown Brass Band of Ft. Wayne, IN and the choir director at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Angola, IN. Mr. Peters has studied trombone, organ, piano, and conducting at the Interlochen Arts Academy, DePauw University, and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He has studied with world renowned performers such as trombonist Carl Lenthe of the Bavarian State Opera, organist Todd Wilson, conductor Gabriel Crouch of the King’s Singers, and conductor David Effron of the Cologne Opera. Mr. Peters was an Emerson Scholar at Interlochen Arts Academy where he earned his high school diploma while double majoring in trombone and organ. Mr. Peters earned a Bachelor of Music in trombone performance with a second major in computer science and a minor in organ from DePauw University, on full music merit scholarship while also becoming a certified Choir Master from the American Guild of Organists. He then earned a Master of Music from the Jacobs School of Music in bass trombone and conducting and has been named a Pressler Scholar. Mr. Peters currently works as Vice President of sales and marketing at Powerscreen Midwest in Chicago where he fulfills his childhood fascination with heavy equipment. He serves on the Steuben County Humanities Fund Board, the Board of Directors of the North American Brass Band Association, the Great Lakes Brass Band Association Board, and as President of the Indiana Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. As of 2018, Mr. Peters the most recent and youngest recipient of the Angola Mayor’s Arts and Humanities Award. Mr. Peters most recently was invested as a Knight of Magistral Grace in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the oldest religious Order in the Catholic Church.
Dr. John Bell is Professor of Music Emeritus from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he served as Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting and Music Education for 30 years. Previous appointments include Associate Director of Bands at the University of Northern Colorado, and band director at Willowbrook and Rolling Meadows High Schools in the Chicago suburbs. He currently is serving as the director of the Wind Ensemble at McKendree University, in Lebanon, Illinois, and the music and artistic director for the St. Louis Brass Band, in St. Louis, Missouri. His responsibilities as an elected member of the North American Brass Band Association board have been focused on developing a contemporary, empirically based adjudication system based on current assessment and perception research for their national and regional championships. Ensembles under his direction have been selected for performance at the international conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in Chiayi City, Taiwan; the national convention of the Music Educators National Conference (now NAfME); divisional conferences of the Southwest and North-Central College Band Directors National Association; the state conferences of the Illinois Music Educators and Colorado Music Educators; and twice in New York City’s Carnegie Hall. He has adjudicated symphonic and pageantry events throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, and Thailand. An elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the America School Band Directors Association, Dr. Bell has conducted all-state and honor bands in Europe, Taiwan (ROC), Washington, Colorado, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Nebraska, California, Wisconsin, and Georgia.
Dr. Doug Black is the Assistant Professor of Music Education and Low Brass at Alabama A&M University, Tuba Faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the Director of Education for the Brass Band of Huntsville. He teaches applied low brass, brass ensembles, music appreciation, and music education courses. Doug has previously served on the music faculty at Nottoway County Public Schools, Halifax Community College, Winthrop University, and the University of South Carolina. Doug has performed concertos with the Winthrop University Wind Symphony, Carolinas Wind Orchestra, and Peoria Municipal Band and given recitals in the Midwest United States, Southeast United States, and Canada. Doug is an active orchestral tubist; he was the principal tuba of the Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Union Symphony Orchestra, was the principal tuba and cimbasso of Opera Carolina, and has performed with the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Augusta Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, Aiken Symphony Orchestra, and the Tuscaloosa Symphony. Doug has also performed with the North Carolina Brass Band, Brass Band of Huntsville, Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band, Triangle Brass Band, and was the tubist with Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass. Douglas has performed and presented at numerous regional and international conferences. Doug received a Bachelor’s degree in Music in Music Education from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance from Illinois State University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Doug is an Eastman Tuba Artist.
Daisey Kludt is the Professor of Low Brass at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia. She is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Euphonium Performance at James Madison University, where performs with the JMU Brass Band and Massanutten Brass Band under the direction of Professor Kevin Stees. Daisey received a BM in Music Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She earned a Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance and Music Theory from the University of Florida. Daisey is an active member of the tuba euphonium community and has performed at numerous regional and international conferences. Daisey continues to teach and perform in Harrisonburg, Virginia and is excited to give back to the medium that has given her her most fulfilling musical experiences.
Philip Jones grew up in Flower Mound, Texas, and graduated from the University of North Texas with a Music Education degree. He is currently a member of the Dallas Brass Band, a championship level brass band based in Dallas, Texas. Philip marched Drum Corps International with Carolina Crown. He has taught with the Crossmen, Guardians, Legends, and also System Blue leadership camps in the summers. Philip was also a marching band tech at Flower Mound High School and student-taught at Wakeland High School in Frisco. Currently, Philip is a band director at Southlake Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas. Since joining the staff, the band has recently made Texas UIL 6A State Finals, BOA Grand National Finals, and been named a Sudler Shield recipient. Prior to Southlake, Philip previously taught at Centennial High School in Burleson, Texas. Philip is a member of Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmaster’s Association. Philip also sits on the North Texas Colorguard Association Board and Dallas Brass Band Board. During his free time, Philip enjoys time with his dogs Bosco and Sully and playing video games with his friends.
Robert Miller has established himself as one of Canada's leading euphonium soloists, and has held positions as Principal Euphonium and soloist with Intrada Brass, the Hamilton Temple Band, and the Canadian Staff Band. He has maintained a busy private euphonium studio for many years. Currently the Solo Euphonium with Canada's premier professional brass band, the Hannaford Street Silver Band, Mr. Miller is also Principal Euphonium of the Salvation Army Mississauga Temple Band, and the Weston Silver Band, of which he is Associate Conductor. He is honoured to have been a member of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music as Euphonium Instructor since 2007.
Elizabeth Taylor-McMullen (Liz) is a musician who recently earned a second bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Central Arkansas. She previously completed a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance at the University of Central Arkansas, studying under Dr. Gail Robertson. Liz also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education from the University of Arkansas, where she studied with Dr. Benjamin Pierce. Since 2009, Liz has served as principal euphonium with the Little Rock Wind Symphony. She joined the Natural State Brass Band in 2023, where she plays second baritone. She is also a founding member of the Toad Suck Tuba Quartet. Expanding her musical horizons internationally, Liz spent three consecutive summers performing in Bolivia on tuba and euphonium with the Filarmónica de Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Most recently, she returned to Bolivia to perform with a brand-new orchestra for their inaugural concert in the city of Cochabamba. Outside of music, Liz holds a first-degree black belt in taekwondo.
Jacob Shaw is a compliance engineer by day and musician by night. Originally raised in New York City, Jacob moved to Cleveland, OH to pursue a B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering and Master's in Engineering and Management from Case Western Reserve University. While there, he also became heavily involved with their music program, guest conducting the Symphonic Winds as their composer-in-residence, serving as the drum major for the Spartan Marching Band for two seasons, and forming and directing the CWRU Clarinet Choir and CWRU Brass Ensembles. After graduating, Jacob entered the compliance engineering field, focusing on fire safety compliance for grid-scale battery energy storage systems. He is still very actively involved in the Cleveland/Akron music scene, serving as the Principal Percussionist for Brass Band of the Western Reserve and contrabassoonist for the Cleveland Winds; he also can regularly be found subbing with various community bands and orchestras in the area.
Mrs. Olivia Dumouchelle is a freelance music educator based in Northern Virginia, specializing in high brass instruction at both the middle and high school levels. She pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance at the James Madison University School of Music, where she performed in a variety of ensembles including the 2024 NABBA-winning Brass Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and the Marching Royal Dukes. From 2021 to 2023, Olivia was a featured soloist with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, a 10-time DCI World Champion organization. Following her age-out, she continued her passion for the marching arts by joining the instructional staff at the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps in 2024, and she is currently on the brass staff with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. Her teaching experience includes visual and music instruction with several competitive high school programs, including Lightridge High School, Stone Bridge High School, and her current role at George C. Marshall High School in Fairfax, VA. Olivia is passionate about fostering excellence, ensemble cohesion, and musicality in the marching arts and is honored to serve as a visual ensemble adjudicator.
"Robert ""Bob"" Munson has played Bb and Eb bass with the Dublin Silver Band since 2017 and was named Best Featured Soloist at the 2018 U.S. Open Brass Band Championships while performing with the band. He is also a member of Lower Expectations, a tuba quartet that took first prize in the 2026 NABBA Ensemble Competition. He is Principal Tubist with the Westerville Symphony and stays busy in community musical groups throughout Central Ohio alongside his musical family. Bob earned his Bachelor of Music in Performance from Kent State University, studying with Dick Jacoby, Dave Borsvold, and Ron Bishop. By day he is Operations Manager of American Heritage Homes Corporation, a Central Ohio custom home builder he has helped lead for more than twenty-six years. A software developer as well, he builds organizational tools for businesses and nonprofits, including NABBA's mobile app, which debuted at the 2026 Championships with live results, schedules, and fan engagement. A composing enthusiast, Bob had a work performed at the 2025 NABBA Championships. He lives in Westerville, Ohio, where he enjoys his garage shop and restoring old Land Rovers."
Originally from Bristol, VA, Britney Bennett (she/her) is a board-certified music therapist currently based out of Dallas, TX where she has been an active performer with the Dallas Brass Band since 2022. Britney has also served as Treasurer for the Dallas Brass Band beginning in 2024. Britney received her masters degree from Texas Woman’s University and her bachelors degree from James Madison University. While at JMU, Britney performed with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Brass Band, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, and Pep Band. While performing with the JMU Brass Band, Britney had the opportunity to travel with the band to Kerkrade, NL to compete at the World Music Contest. During her free time, Britney enjoys actives such as reading, rock climbing, and drinking coffee.
Dr. Matthew Mireles is Chair of the Department of Music and Theatre Arts at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX, and also serves as Director of Bands, and Professor of Euphonium, and Tuba. Internationally recognized as a conductor and performer, Dr. Mireles has conducted and performed with groups including the United States Army Field Band, The Tutti World Music Festival Band in Beijing, China, The Military Wind Band of Upper Austria, The World Adult Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria, the San Antonio Symphony, the Backburner Tuba-Euphonium Collective, and numerous Honor Bands, and institutions in the United States. As a euphonium soloist, Dr. Mireles was the Gold Medal Winner of the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition. He was also the winner of the Mid-Texas Symphony Young Artist Competition, the University of Alabama Concerto-Aria Competition, and the International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEC) Chamber Music Competition. His solo album “Prometheus,” is released on the Potenza Music record label, and includes works for euphonium with strings, wind ensemble and piano. Dr. Mireles has given solo recitals at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference, the United States Army Band Tuba Euphonium Workshop, the National Band Director Association convention, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Bandmasters conventions, and at numerous universities and conferences around the country. Dr. Mireles is also the Musical Director and Conductor of the San Antonio Brass Band. The ensemble regularly competes at the North American Brass Band Association Championships, the Texas Brass Festival, and United States Invitational. Also an active chamber musician, Dr. Mireles plays euphonium with the internationally renowned Boreas Quartet. Their album, “The Serpent’s Kiss,” was the winner of the ITEA Roger Bobo Award for Recording Excellence. Dr. Mireles also teaches one of the most successful euphonium and tuba studios in the country. His students have been previous winners and medalists at the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival, the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference, ITEA Regional Conferences, and have earned prestigious graduate school assistantships and fellowships. He has also taught numerous high school students that have earned All-State honors in Texas and around the country. Dr. Mireles earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Music degree from the University of Alabama, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with Teacher Certification from St. Mary’s University.
Dylan Toombs is an arranger, educator, performer, and brass specialist whose work spans brass bands, wind ensembles, chamber ensembles, and the marching arts. He currently serves as Assistant Brass Caption Head for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, following previous instructional and leadership roles with The Cavaliers and Carolina Crown. His teaching and design contributions have helped earn six Jim Ott High Brass Awards and two Drum Corps International World Championships. As a composer and arranger, Dylan's music has been performed by ensembles throughout the United States. He is the Music Designer and Caption Manager for Legacy Winds out of Miami, Florida and has served as a design and instructional consultant for numerous nationally recognized organizations, including Spirit of Atlanta, Pacific Crest, and the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. He is also the co-founder of Collective Marching Designs, a creative team dedicated to creating innovative, educationally focused productions for ensembles of all levels. A native Texan who now splits his time between North Texas and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Dylan enjoys bringing together musical perspectives from across the country. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Euphonium Performance from the University of North Texas, where he studied with Dr. Brian Bowman and developed a lifelong passion for brass performance, education, and leadership. As a performer, Dylan serves as co-principal euphonium of the Dallas Brass Band and has appeared with the Dallas Winds. His lifelong involvement in brass banding – as a performer, educator, arranger, and advocate – has given him a deep appreciation for the traditions of the movement and a strong belief in its future. He is honored to serve on the NABBA Board and is committed to supporting member organizations, expanding educational opportunities, and helping strengthen the brass band community throughout North America.