SERTEC ARTIST ROSTER
JUSTIN BENAVIDEZ, SERTEC HOST
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Dr. Justin Benavidez, "well-known on the American brass scene" (Fred Child, Performance Today), leads an active career as a performer and educator. He is the Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Florida State University and previously held a similar professorship at the Ithaca College School of Music. Benavidez is the Tuba-Artist Faculty at the Round Top Summer Music Festival and is the Principal Tuba of the Syracuse Symphoria Orchestra. Benavidez is a B&S/Meinl Weston artist and clinician.
JOSEPH ALVAREZ​
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Joseph Alvarez is the Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of South Florida and principal tubist with the Imperial Symphony in Lakeland. Before that, he served as principal tubist of Sinfonia da camera in Urbana, IL during his doctoral studies. Joseph holds degrees from the University of South Florida, Northwestern University, and is a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois. He has studied with Jay Hunsberger, Rex Martin, Mark Moore, Mark Lawrence, and Ralph Sauer.
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DOUGLAS BLACK​
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Dr. Douglas Black, Jr is the Tuba and Euphonium Faculty at Winthrop University and the University of South Carolina here he teaches applied tuba and euphonium, directs the Winthrop University Tuba-Euphonium Choir, coaches brass chamber music, and teaches music education courses. Doug is also an active freelance musician and teacher in North and South Carolina. Doug is a Buffet Crampon USA Artist performing exclusively on B&S Tubas.
AARON CAMPBELL​
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Aaron Campbell is an active freelance euphonium and trombone performer in the Tampa Bay area. Currently, Aaron is Solo Euphonium with the Brass Band of Central Florida and also performs regularly with various ensembles including the Florida Wind Band (Tampa, FL) and the Florida Wind Symphony (Boca Raton, FL). Aaron also performs frequently as a solo, chamber, and musical theater musician.
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DANNY CHAPA
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Dr. Danny Chapa earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the University of North Texas under the instruction of Dr. Brian Bowman. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Louisiana State University in 2008, and in 2010 he received his Masters of Music in Euphonium Performance degree from UNT. Dr. Chapa currently serves as the adjunct professor of low brass at Stephen F. Austin State University and is also a member of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, principal trombonist of the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra, a member of the Founders Tuba Euphonium Quartet and the North Texas Euphonium Quartet which frequently preforms guest artists recitals throughout the country.
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JOEL COLLIER
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Joel is presently based in Louisville, KY as the Divisional Music Director for The Salvation Army's Kentucky-Tennessee Division. He is also the Vice President of the North American Brass Band Association. After receiving a Bachelors degree in Music Industry from Drexel University, Joel moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia to pursue a Masters degree in Euphonium Performance. Joel has continued his studies, and in 2016 completed his doctorate in Euphonium Performance, Pedagogy, and Literature. His teachers have included Aaron VanderWeele, Barry McCommon, Bob Gale, and Kevin Stees. Joel is a Besson performing artist, and performs on a Besson Prestige, BE2052 Euphonium.
RICHARD DEMY
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Dr. Richard Demy is an international award-winning musician. He performed a solo recital at the Kennedy Center as well as with wind bands across the United States and Europe. He has performed with symphonies and given over 100 recitals and master classes in many states in the USA. In 2012 Richard won the Leonard Falcone Euphonium Artist Solo Competition. He was a finalist in the National Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, the International Tuba Euphonium Conference Euphonium Artist Division, and many others. Richard is a Willson performing artist and plays exclusively on a WILLSON 2900TA Euphonium.
MARC DICKMAN
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Dr. Marc Dickman, from Valdosta, Georgia, is a founding member of the acclaimed jazz studies program at the University of North Florida. Dr. Dickman earned degrees from Troy State University, McNeese State University, and the University of North Texas. His versatility on euphonium, trombone, bass-trombone, and tuba in the classical and jazz styles places him in
much demand in the United States. At UNF he teaches applied low brass and jazz ensemble. He is a winner of the artist division of the International Leonard Falcone Competition. His students have won awards in the jazz and classical areas. Dr. Dickman is a founding member of the groundbreaking jazz ensemble, the Modern Jazz Tuba Project. Dr. Marc Dickman is a Besson performing artist.
PAUL EBBERS​
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Paul Ebbers, former Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Florida State University, recently retired after 38 years of university teaching. Mr. Ebbers studied with Arnold Jacobs, world renowned wind pedagogue. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master of Music Degree from Northwestern University, and pursued doctoral study at Indiana University. Mr. Ebbers has performed with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Pensacola Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra, and Florida Philharmonic. He has toured the United States, Italy, and Germany with the Florida State Brass Quintet, performing in such venues as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
ADAM FREY
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Adam Frey has soloed with orchestras and bands the world over, including the world famous Boston Pops, Cheju Symphony Orchestra (South Korea), US Army Orchestra (Washington DC), Harvard Pops (MA), Fort Collins (CO), Indian Hill (MA), the Vaasa Symphony Orchestra (Finland), Atlanta Philharmonic (GA), Camerata Eleutheria (Argentina), Cascade (WA), Greensboro (NC), Clemson (SC), LaGrange (GA), Minot (ND), Bellevue Philharmonic (WA), and Northeastern (MA) Symphony Orchestras. Dr. Frey is Assistant Professor of Low Brass the University of North Georgia where he teaches trombone, euphonium, tuba, and directs the Brass Choir and the Low Brass Collective. His website, www.euphonium.com, contains sound files, performance schedules, photos from his world travels, and his recordings and publications. Adam Frey is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Guest Clinician.
STEPHANIE FRYE-CLARK
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Stephanie Frye-Clark is an active educator, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer across the country. She is currently on faculty at East Tennessee State University, and previously held positions at University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Concordia University Wisconsin. During the summer, Stephanie is the low brass instructor at Lutheran Summer Music. She is a member of multiple chamber groups, including trombone-tuba duo Bell(e) Collective and the nationally touring Mirari Brass Quintet, and and has performed with orchestras throughout the country. Stephanie received the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Tuba Performance from UW-Madison in 2013. Stephanie is a Miraphone Performing Artist.
JOANNA ROSS HERSEY
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A native Vermonter, tuba and euphonium soloist Joanna Ross Hersey studied with Dan Perantoni at Arizona State University, received a Master of Music in Tuba Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music studying with Chester Schmitz, and earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Tuba Performance from the Hartt School. As Principal Tubist with the United States Coast Guard Band, Joanna performed throughout the country as a soloist and clinician after winning the position at the age of nineteen. Joanna is President of the International Women’s Brass Conference, Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a Yamaha and Parker Mouthpiece Performing Artist.
WILLIAM HESS
William Hess is the Euphonium Instructor at Loyola University, trombonist with the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, and a freelance musician in his hometown of New Orleans, LA. Before moving back to NOLA, Hess graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music and Dance, then started his Master of Music degree at the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music before being hired as the Adjunct Professor of Euphonium at Montclair State University, where his responsibilities included teaching performance practicum, conducting the Tuba Ensemble, and teaching private lessons.
MATT HIGHTOWER
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Dr. Matt Hightower is Assistant Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Prior to teaching at TAMUK, Hightower held positions at Murray State University and The University of Texas at Austin, respectively. He has been a prizewinner and finalist in international solo competitions that include the Leonard Falcone Tuba Artist Competition and various International Tuba/Euphonium Association sanctioned competitions. In addition to performing, Dr. Hightower is an award-winning composer.
VINCE KENNEY​
Vince Kenney is Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Low Brass at Drake University, where he teaches low brass and conducts the Drake University Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Bulldog Brass. Prior to his work at Drake, Kenney served as the Director of Instrumental Music at North Central Texas College in Gainesville, Texas where he founded the NCTC Wind Ensemble.
JASON LADD / NICHOLLS BRASS DUO
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The Nicholls Brass Duo is a collaboration between trumpeter Matthew Swihart and tubist Jason S. Ladd who are both in their third year on the faculty at Nicholls State University. Over the past few years they have performed works featuring trumpet and tuba composed by Sean O’Loughlin and Arthur Frackenpohl as well as adapted compositions for this instrumentation by Eric Ewazen, W. A. Mozart, and Giuseppe Verdi. Among their world premieres include A Cautionary Tale for Trumpet, Tuba, and Percussion by Kimberly Archer, Sojourner Truth by Stanley Friedman (for soprano, clarinet, trumpet, tuba, piano, and drum set) and A Sterling Suite by Hwaen Ch’uqi.
JEREMY MCBRIDE
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Jeremy McBride, a native of San Antonio, Texas, is a member of the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own". Jeremy has appeared as a featured soloist with The United States Army Concert Band, The United States Army Orchestra, The University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra, and The Baylor University Wind Ensemble. He has also been a frequent invited performer for both regional and international tuba and euphonium conferences across the country.
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IAN MCCOLLUM
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Ian McCollum currently serves as the tuba and euphonium teaching assistant at Florida State University where he balances active composing and performance activity in conjunction with his doctoral studies. Ian holds a Masters of Music from Columbus State University and a Bachelors of Music from the University of North Alabama. His primary teachers include Martin Cochran, Andrew Miller, Paul Ebbers, and Justin Benavidez.
MATTHEW MIRELES
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Dr. Matthew Mireles is the Director of Bands at St. Mary’s University, in San Antonio, TX, and is highly active as a conductor, performer, clinician, educator, and adjudicator around the United States and internationally. At. St. Mary’s, Dr. Mireles conducts the Wind Ensemble and Rattler Band, while also teaching courses in music education and euphonium performance. As a euphonium soloist, Dr. Mireles was the winner of the 2008 Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition, the 2007 Mid-Texas Symphony Young Artist Competition, the 2007 University of Alabama Concerto-Aria Competition, and the 2008 International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEA) Chamber Music Competition. His solo album is titled “Prometheus,” and is released on the Potenza Music record label.
BETH MITCHELL
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Beth Mitchell enjoys an active freelance career in Los Angeles. She performs with the local orchestras and in the film studios, plays solo and chamber recitals around town, and regularly tours nationally and internationally, playing recitals and teaching around the world. She is part of the Israeli/American combo TubaChique, is a subbing member of the Disneyland Band, and is currently on the faculties of Pasadena City College, Biola University, Cerritos College, and Master’s University.
PATRICK NYREN
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Sergeant Patrick Nyren is currently serving as the euphonium section leader in the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band at Fort Benning, Georgia. He joined the US Army in 2013 after earning his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music Degrees in euphonium performance from the University of North Texas under the guidance of Dr. Brian L. Bowman. Previously, he received his Bachelors of Music Degree in Music Education at the University of Southern Maine, where he began his college education at the early age of 16 and studied with Michael S. Milnarik.
BILL PRITCHARD
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Bill Pritchard has a project of free improvisations with amplified tuba with effects and loops called Amplituba. He has played as Amplituba at regional and international brass festivals, rock and released a self-titled album. In addition to his performance schedule, Mr. Pritchard is a dedicated teacher of his craft, giving private lessons and master classes on euphonium and trombone, as well as the Low Brass professor at Georgia College and State University and Lee University. Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music management from William Paterson University and a Master of Arts in classical performance from the Eastman School of Music. Bill is an Artist for the Eastman Music Company and Parker Mouthpieces.
IRVING RAY​
Dr. Irving Ray, of Arlington, Virginia, is a euphonium player in the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C. Irving completed his Bachelor of Music Education at Sam Houston State University and both a Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Euphonium Performance with a minor in Music Theory at the University of North Texas. Irving is a Willson Performing Artist and performs exclusively on a Willson 2900TA.
DANIEL ROWLAND
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Daniel Rowland is an active educator and performer. Currently, Dr. Rowland is Lecturer of Tuba Euphonium at Valdosta State University and is Principal Tuba with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Philharmonic, Coastal Symphony of Georgia, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and Albany Symphony Orchestra.
CALE SELF
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Cale Self is Associate Professor of Music, Assistant Director of Bands, and Instructor of Euphonium & Tuba at the University of West Georgia in beautiful Carrollton, GA. Also serving as the Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Self directs “The Sound That Lights the South” Marching Band and the “Wolfgang” Basketball Pep Band. He also conducts the UWG Symphonic Band, Brass Ensemble, and Tuba Ensemble.
COREY SHERMAN​
Mr. Sherman currently serves the Atlanta Metro area as a tuba performer, clinician, and private instructor and currently serves as Principal Eb Bass of the Georgia Brass Band. He also recently served as Interim Instructor of Tuba at Columbus State University. His primary teachers are Andrew Miller, Demondrae Thurman, and Joel Mason, with additional instruction from Sam Pilafian, David Zerkel, and Eric Bubacz.
ROBIN SISK
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Robin Sisk is currently serving as Visiting Assistant Professor of Tuba & Euphonium at the University of Florida, Principal Tuba for the Gainesville Orchestra, and a musician for the Magic Kingdom's Main Street Philharmonic. Previous to her appointment to the UF music faculty in 2017, Dr. Sisk served on the faculty at Missouri Southern State University and an
adjunct professor for the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College, and Seminole State College.
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ANDREW SMITH​
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Andrew Smith's musical journey has taken him all over the world in a wide array of musical genres. Currently, Andrew is the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Low Brass at Campbell University. He is also Principal Tuba in the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and maintains an active career as a low brass educator and performer. He has presented recitals and masterclasses all across the world, and has presented at numerous international, regional, and state conferences.
RYAN SORENSON
Ryan Sorenson, a native Central Floridian, comes from a long line of musicians and began playing the tuba at age 12. He conducted his undergraduate studies at Stetson University and the University of South Florida, then went on to receive a master’s degree in tuba performance from Northwestern University. He currently serves as the professor of tuba at Stetson University and Seminole State College, and previously taught at Rollins College, Bethune Cookman University, and Eastern Florida State College. His teachers and mentors include, Rex Martin, Jay Hunsberger, Russ Ward, and Tom Waid.
CHRIS VIVIO
Dr. Christopher Vivio is the Assistant Professor of Low Brass at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. He has previously held positions at Belmont University, Tennessee State University and Austin Peay State University. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University, a Master of Music in Tuba Performance degree from Penn State University and a Doctor of the Musical Arts degree from of the University of Memphis.
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
The Florida State University Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble is comprised of students attending Florida State University from across the southeast region of the United States. The ensemble is under the direction of Professor Justin Benavidez and graduate assistants Ian McCollum and Jesse McConnell. This ensemble maintains an active performance schedule each semester and enjoys entertaining audiences through transcriptions and original music for tuba and euphonium.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
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THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
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The University of Southern Mississippi Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, under the direction of Richard Perry, currently consists of sixteen members and includes talented players from across the Southeast. The current roster includes students from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, and Texas.
The ensemble performs the highest quality literature available for tuba/euphonium ensemble, ranging from transcriptions of early music to contemporary literature and jazz. Many of the pieces are composed or arranged by the members of the ensemble.
UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA
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VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY​
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The VSU Tuba Euphonium Ensemble is comprised of VSU music students of all varieties: music majors, minors, secondary students, and more. The studio is currently 16 strong including undergraduate and graduate students majoring in performance, music education, and general music. Current students regularly perform musically satisfying and entertaining recitals, advance and compete in regional competitions, and advance in the local Valdosta Symphony Concerto Competition.