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Donald (Dee) McAfee - Eb Soprano Cornet
Dee attended
Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida and received his Bachelor of
Arts degree in trumpet performance in 1986. His teachers include Billy Rousch
of the Glen Gray Orchestra, William Hill from the New England Conservatory of
Music, Larry Black with the Atlanta Symphony and Brian Goff at Florida State
University.
Dee
is considered to be one of the preeminent soprano cornet players in the United
States today.
In October of
2007, Dee was invited by
conductor Russell Gray
to perform as
Soprano Cornet with the world-famous Leyland Band at the
2007 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS OF
GREAT BRITAIN at London's Royal Albert Hall. Dee has been
featured with such jazz and soul artists as Marcus Roberts, Freddie Hubbard, and
the Temptations. He has also played as principal trumpet in the Seaside
Music Theatre in Daytona Beach, Florida and the Lite Beer "World's Toughest
Rodeo". Dee also performs at Walt Disney World as a
musician, primarily in the Fanfare Trumpet unit. He was also a featured
performer, notably as flugelhorn soloist on "Silent Night" on the CD "Sounds of
Christmas" from the St. Margaret Mary Church. Dee also performs frequently with "Uptown", Orlando's favorite
funk band.
In
addition to being a busy freelance musician, Dee is a Police Officer in Central
Florida and is the father of 5 children.
Dee is a founding member of the
BBCF.
Dee
plays a Schilke Eb cornet with a Sparx 4E mouthpiece.
Bob Hinckley - Solo Cornet
(Principal)
 Bob
is a native Floridian and spent most of his youth growing up in the Orlando area
before pursuing a career in music. After studying with Don Yaxley at
Stetson University, he began his undergraduate work at Florida State University.
There he studied with Bryan Goff before transferring to Stetson University in
DeLand, Florida and completing his Bachelor of Music Education degree under
trumpet professor, Jim Ault. Bob then accepted an assistantship at
Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and completed his Master of Music
degree in trumpet performance. While at SMU he studied with Tom Booth –
trumpet professor and member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
After graduate school, Bob
was the band director at Colonial High School in Orlando, Florida for four years
before entering into full-time Music Ministry. He is currently the Music
Director of the LifePoint Community Church in DeLand, Florida. Bob lives
in DeLand with his wife and four children.
Bob has also studied with
Bob Wolpe - Houston Symphony Orchestra, Vincent Cichowicz
–
Chicago Symphony Orchestra,
Arnold Jacobs –
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
and Tom Wohlwender –
Cleveland Symphony
Orchestra.
Bob currently is a member of
the Stetson University Faculty Brass Quintet and on-call trumpet with the
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Southwest Florida Symphony. He has
performed with the Sarasota Opera, Dallas Opera, Roman Festival Orchestra, Ocala
Symphony Orchestra, Bach Festival Orchestra, Seaside Music Theatre, Walt Disney
World Entertainment and recording studio session work in the central
Florida area.
Bob plays a Kanstul 1531 ZKC
cornet with a Warburton 3 BC mouthpiece.
John Whipple - Solo Cornet
 John Whipple earned his Bachelor's Degree in Trumpet
Performance from Stetson University. He began his trumpet career during high
school performing with the Atlanta Youth Symphony. While at Stetson he
performed at Disney World and the Summer Music Theatre in Daytona Beach.
Since graduation from Stetson in 1984, he has performed
with the Toby Tyler Circus, the United States Air Force Band, Tacoma Symphony,
Tacoma Pierce County Opera, Ocala Symphony and Melbourne Symphony.
John has taught as band director at Colonial High School
and also through Florida as a teacher and Clinician for local schools.
Recently he participated in the Florida Baptist Orchestra
performing in Australia and Malaysia. A highlight of this trip was performing
in the Sydney Opera House.
John currently lives in Umatilla, Florida and works as a
freelance musician in a variety of groups throughout the state.
Dustin Burgess - Solo Cornet
Dustin was born in Erie, Pennsylvania
and grew up in the Orlando area. He attended Colonial High School in
Orlando and earned college trumpet scholarships from Walt Disney World, the
Florida Citrus Sports Organization and the Central Florida Jazz Society.
In his first several years of college he performed in the Christmas events at
Walt Disney World.
He has studied trumpet and music
education at Seminole Community College in Sanford, Florida, Valencia Community
College in Orlando, Florida, Appalachian State University in Boone, North
Carolina and accelerated out of the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk,
Virginia. Dustin received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from
Appalachian State University and has studied with Wally Gilmour, Joe Phelps,
Charles Gottschalk, and John Almeida. He is currently working on his
Master's Degree at the Vander Cook School of Music studying trumpet with
Dr. Leah Schuman.
Dustin was a member of the 82nd
Airborne Division Band and the Eighth United States Army Band performing
throughout the United States, South Korea, England and France. During his
four years in the Army bands, he performed as the section leader in the
Ceremonial Band, Concert Band, Brass Quintet, Big Band, and Variety Rock Band.
Dustin currently performs with the Southern Winds and has also performed with
the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre and the
Southwest Florida Symphony.
Dustin has also taught middle and high
school band programs in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida and has served
as a mentor for the Erie Youth Symphony Orchestra. He is currently
teaching band at River Springs Middle School in Deltona, Florida.
Dustin plays on a Marcinkiewicz Custom
Rembrandt Cornet with a GR mouthpiece.
To view Dustin's trumpet web site,
click here.
Rick Perez - Solo Cornet and Youth Band Music
Director
 Rick
Perez serves as musical director of the Youth Brass Band of Central Florida as well as front row cornetist for the
BBCF. Though a well-respected banking
executive by day, the musical director for the Youth Brass Band of
Central Florida is also an accomplished musician and educator. With over
20 years of musical performance, conducting, and brass band training
experience, Rick brings a superior musical and
educational offering to the direction to both the BBCF and the YBBCF.
Rick Perez began his
musical journey as a teenager by participating in the Salvation Army
music summer camp programs in Keystone Heights, Florida. By the age of
17 he was conducting his first brass band ensemble as bandmaster of the
Hialeah Corps Band. His formal music education continued at Miami-Dade
Community College and as a private student of famed trumpet virtuoso and
master teacher, Gilbert Johnson (Philadelphia Orchestra, Curtis
Institute of Music and University Of Miami.)
Conducting and brass
studies continued via various Salvation Army music programs with notable
educators and performers including James Curnow (Asbury College),
William Himes (Salvation Army Central Territory Musical Director),
Stephen Bulla (President’s Own Marine Band), and Mark Ridenour (Chicago
Symphony), to name just a few wonderful teachers and mentors that have
influenced his musical career.
As a performer and
conductor, Rick has appeared and performed with numerous
groups including the Florida Philharmonic, Florida Southern College
Brass Quintet, King’s Brass, Sunshine Brass, Southeastern University
Wind Orchestra, the Florida Divisional Band, and the Southern
Territorial Staff Band of the Salvation Army. In addition to conducting
and performing with various ensembles around the country, Mr. Perez has
been a regular clinician, conductor, and educator at the Salvation
Army’s annual Florida Music Institute (FMI) in
Starke,
Florida.
Rick currently performs with the Brass
Band of Central Florida, the founding and parent organization of the
Youth Brass Band of Central Florida. When not leading a top banking organization or
contributing to the musical arts, Mr. Perez spends his time with his
lovely wife and two wonderful daughters in
Lake Mary,
Florida.
Rick plays a Smith-Watkins TO cornet
with a Warburton 4 MBC mouthpiece.
Charlie Peshek – Repiano Cornet
 Charlie
is the CEO/owner of the
Orlando Talent Group
with clients including Daytona International Speedway, Electronic Arts-Tiberon, Nickelodeon, Siemens,
SeaWorld Orlando, Super Bowl, TEK Productions, Toys "R" Us,
Universal Orlando,
Warner Brothers and the Walt Disney Company.
Prior to opening
Orlando Talent Group, Charlie worked for Walt Disney World
as
a
musician and band leader in the theme parks,
special events
and conventions and
then in Disney's Talent Casting and Booking Department where he
was in charge of talent for
conventions and special events.
As a musician, Charlie has performed
with the Lansing Symphony
Orchestra as 2nd trumpet,
the Florida Symphony
Orchestra, national and international tours with the Mantovani Orchestra
as co-principal trumpet,
local
and national recording sessions, convention bands and orchestras as well as star
talent including Liberace, Maureen McGovern, Chita Rivera, Rich Little, The
Smothers Brothers, Vic Damone, Diahann Carroll, The Four Tops and many others.
He has taught trumpet at the
Michigan State University
Summer Youth Music Program, Talent Exploration Brasses at the Interlochen Summer
Arts Camp and privately in Michigan and Orlando.
Charlie
received his Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in
Trumpet Performance from Michigan State University studying with Professor Byron Autrey. Trumpet teachers have also included Leon Rapier -
Louisville Symphony Orchestra and Tom Wohlwender -
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.
Charlie plays a Smith-Watkins K2 cornet with a
Denis Wick RW 3B mouthpiece.
Bob Fayard - 2nd Cornet
 Bob
is the Director of Bands at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida.
Bob plays a Besson
Prestige cornet with a GR mouthpiece.
Brad Gillet - 2nd Cornet
 Brad
was born and raised in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and attended the University of
Miami where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. While there he
studied under Gilbert Johnson, noted trumpet professor and former Principal
Trumpet with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Brad was a member of U of M’s Marching
Band, Band of the Hour, and in his senior year was the trumpet section leader.
After earning his degree, he became the high school Band Director in Clewiston,
Florida. Three years later, he moved to Atlantic High School in Port Orange,
Florida where he taught for four years, while he earned his Master’s Degree in
Music Education from the University of Central Florida.
Currently, Brad is teaching instrumental music for the Paul Effman Music
Service. He provides band programs for five different private schools in the
Volusia County area, which include Father Lopez HS, the Basilica School of St.
Paul, St. Brendan HS, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, and Bet Sefer
Heritage School, as well as one school in St. Cloud, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic
School. He is also teaching privately.
Brad plays a Yamaha 6335 HS cornet with a GR mouthpiece.
Gary Ulrich -
3rd
Cornet
 Gary
began playing the trumpet in 7th grade and studied with John Almeida throughout
high school. Gary attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with
a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While at the University of Central
Florida, he studied privately with Jim Ault.
Following graduation, Gary began
his teaching career at Osceola High School in Kissimmee where he taught for
fifteen years. Gary is currently the Band Director at Tuskawilla Middle
School in Oviedo.
Gary
is married and has one son who is also a trumpet
player.
Gary plays a Getzen Eterna cornet
with a Warburton 3 MD mouthpiece.
Alexandra Bravo
- 3rd cornet
 Alexandra was born in the Ukraine and grew up in
Westchester, New York. She moved to Oviedo, Florida in 2001 where she
attended Tuskawilla Middle School and received her High School diploma from
Lake Howell High School.
She is currently attending the University of Central
Florida where she is pursuing a Pre-Med Bachelor's degree in Micro-Molecular
Biology. Among her many activities, Alexandra is a student and teacher in
Tae-Kwon-Do and holds a black belt. She has competed in this sport nation
wide and was a gold medal winner for the state of Florida for two
consecutive years. In addition she held the title of National Grand Champion
in Weapons Sparring for three years.
Alexandra began playing trumpet, among several other
instruments, since elementary school. She has been studying trumpet with
John Almeida for several years. Through out high school Alexandra lead the
trumpet section and was privileged to perform as lead trumpet in the Disney
holiday celebration. She began playing with the Brass Band of Central
Florida over a year ago and continues to be inspired by each performance.
Alexandra plays a Fides cornet with a Warburton
mouthpiece.
Alvin Bernard
- 3rd cornet
 Alvin attended Asbury Park, New Jersey public schools and
was a
Music major
at the University of Florida, completing the
requirements for a trumpet performance certificate studying with professor Joyce
Davis. Teachers have included
Robert E. Foster, Gilbert Johnson (former Philadelphia Orchestra principal
trumpet) Joyce Davis and James Ault.
Mr. Bernard
was the runner-up at the 2005 and 2007 NABBA cornet solo competition.
Alvin is founding member of the BBCF and plays a Yamaha
cornet with a Denis Wick 4B mouthpiece.
Elmer James -
Cornet
Emeritus (LIFETIME MEMBER)
Elmer
was born and raised in Kingston, Pennsylvania where he began playing cornet at
age 10. He earned
a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education
from Ithaca College and after a two year
stint with the 89th Army Field Band at Fort Sill, Oklahoma during the Korean
War, he returned to Ithaca College to pursue a BA degree in Trumpet Performance.
This was cut short by a growing family that needed some gainful employment from
their leader.
Elmer was the band director and taught
instrumental music for ten years at Toaz Junior High School and three years at
Huntington High School. While in the Huntington area he performed with the
Huntington Symphony, the Huntington Community Band, conducted the Huntington
Baroque Ensemble and was Music Director for the Huntington Theatre Group.
He also earned his Master's Degree in Music Education from Columbia University.
In 1970 he took the position of Director of Music for the public schools in
Potsdam, New York and held the position until his retirement in 1987. After retirement he
devoted his time to performing with his own six-piece traditional jazz group,
the "North Country Preservation Jazz Band".
Elmer has since moved back to Syracuse to be closer to his family.
John Copella
- Flugelhorn
John Copella
is an active free-lance musician and performs regularly with numerous
ensembles throughout Central Florida. He has performed with the Southwest
Florida Symphony, Brevard Symphony, Sarasota Opera, Central Florida Lyric
Opera, Orlando Chorale, Southern Winds, and the Bach Festival Orchestra of
Winter Park.
Mr.
Copella received his Bachelor's degree in Music from Indiana University in
1988 and his Master's Degree in Computer Science from the Florida Institute
of Technology in 1993. He is a technical manager for a software company in
Maitland, Florida and is also the owner of a software
development and consulting business.
John
plays a Smith-Watkins flugelhorn
with a GR
67FL
mouthpiece.
 Juan Berrios - Solo Tenor Horn
Juan M. Berrios is currently a third year music
student at the University of Central Florida. He is a French Horn player and an
aspiring Conductor pursuing degrees in Music Education and Horn Performance.
Mr. Berrios is a Music Scholarship recipient and has received several awards in
the past few years from the UCF Music Department including the Gale Sperry
Memorial Scholarship (2007) and the Presser Scholarship (2008), which is the
most prestigious award given by the UCF Music Department.
Born in Bayamon, Puerto
Rico, Mr. Berrios began his musical education at Kissimmee Middle School in
Kissimmee, FL. He seriously started to pursue his career as a musician after
his first year of high school when he realized how much music had impacted his
life.
Throughout his high school
years at Osceola High School, Juan performed regularly on French Horn and
Trumpet. He participated in District, State, and Tri-State Honor Bands
including the, the 25th Annual Tri-State Band Festival "All-Star" Band held at
Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL under the direction of Dr. James
Croft (2005) and the 11th-12th Grade Florida All-State Symphonic Band under the
Direction of Colonel Timothy W. Foley of the "President's Own" U.S. Marine Band
(2006) held at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, FL. Mr. Berrios also held
the Principal Horn Chair in the Osceola County All-District Honor Band for three
years. He has earned many Superior and Superior with Distinction ratings in
District and State Solo and Ensemble events as a Horn Soloist, Trumpet Soloist,
Brass Quintet/Brass Ensemble member, and as a Student Conductor. Mr. Berrios
was the recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (2003) as well as the
prestigious John Phillip Sousa Band Award (2006). He also won various
scholarships based on performance including the Florida Marching Band Coalition
Scholarship in 2005 and the Arts Alive Scholarship for Most Outstanding
Instrumental Performance in 2006.
Juan has had many
memorable performances, such as master classes with Kendall Betts, Phil Myers,
Richard Chenoweth, the members of the American Horn Quartet (Charles Putnam,
David Johnson, Geoffrey Winter, and Kerry Turner), and the Boston Brass. Mr.
Berrios also participated in the First Annual American Horn Quartet Summer
Workshop in 2006. His primary teachers include Ms. Pamela Titus and Dr. Johnny
Pherigo at the University of Central Florida.
Mr. Berrios is an active performer and student
at the University of Central Florida. He has performed as Principal Horn with
the UCF Symphony Orchestra, UCF Chamber Orchestra, UCF Wind Ensemble, UCF Brass
Quintet, and UCF Brass Ensemble since 2006.
Juan holds professional memberships to the Music
Educators' National Conference (MENC), the Florida Music Educators' Association
(FMEA), and the International Horn Society (IHS).
Juan plays a Yamaha tenor horn.
Nicole Kline - 1st Tenor Horn
 Nicole
Kline got her start in instrumental music while growing up in her hometown of
Fernandina Beach, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education Degree
from Florida State University where she studied the French horn under Michelle
Stebleton.
Miss Kline is the Music Specialist
for the students of Lake George Elementary School in Orlando, Florida.
Nicole's tenor horn career started in September of 2000 when she walked into her
first BBCF rehearsal. Since her humble beginnings with the tenor horn she has
soloed with the BBCF and has twice placed in solo competitions at NABBA.
In 2004 she won first place in the “Low Brass Lyrical Solo” competition.
In 2005 Nicole was invited to be a
member of the all women’s Athena Brass Band. With the ABB she has had the
opportunity to perform at the Great American Brass Band Festival and the
International Women’s Brass Conference.
Although Nicole devotes much of her
time to playing the tenor horn, she still finds time to teach and play French
horn for performances throughout Central Florida.
Nicole resides in Orlando where she
enjoys decorating her home, playing the piano, running, spending time with
friends, shopping and traveling to exotic locations.
Nicole plays a Besson Sovereign tenor
horn with a Denis Wick mouthpiece.
Brian Sullivan - 2nd Tenor Horn
Brian Sullivan earned
the Bachelor of Music Education degree at the University of Florida and the
Master of Music (Conducting) at the Florida State University. As a student
at UF, he served as Principal Clarinet of the University Band and Symphony
Orchestra and was a Field Assistant with the Gator Marching Band. At FSU
he served as Assistant Conductor of University Orchestras, was a three-time
recipient of the prestigious University Fellowship and taught undergraduate
conducting and music theory.
He began his teaching
career in Brevard County serving as Band Director at Cocoa High School from 1981
to 1986. For 14 years, Brian was the Band Director at Kissimmee Middle
School. Under his direction, the KMS band established itself as one
of Central Florida's finest, earning the highest ratings at the FBA Band
Festivals. Brian is the Band Director at Glenridge Middle School in
Orlando.
He also has
considerable experience leading orchestras, serving as Music Director of the
Okaloosa Symphony Orchestra, the University of Central Florida Orchestra, the
Gulf Coast Community Orchestra, the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra, the Brevard
Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Somerset Music Festival Youth Orchestra.
He has appeared as Guest Conductor with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and the
Brevard Symphony Orchestra and studied with Paul Vermeil at the Aspen Music
Festival and with Gunther Schuller at the Festival at Sandpoint.
Mr. Sullivan
conducted the Florida All-State 7th and 8th grade Honor Band in 1997 and has
conducted all-county high school and middle school bands in Hillsborough,
Orange, Polk, Brevard, Okaloosa and Gilchrist counties. He serves as
adjudicator for the Florida Bandmaster's Association and the Florida Orchestra
Association and is the author of a solfege-based beginning band method. He
plays the clarinet with the Southern Winds Concert Band.
His wife Jennifer is
the music teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Kissimmee and they have
two children, Kerry and Daniel. His hobbies include basketball, hiking and
reptile keeping.
Brian plays a Besson
tenor horn with a Denis Wick mouthpiece.
Gail Robertson - Solo Euphonium
Originally from Pompano Beach,
Florida, Gail Robertson began her music studies at the University of
Central Florida. She was then awarded a full-scholarship as graduate assistant
to Harvey G. Phillips at Indiana University and completed her Masters Degree in
Euphonium performance and earned a Performer's Certificate. Ms. Robertson then
began the DMA in euphonium performance at the University of Maryland with Dr.
Brian L. Bowman. Two months later, she was relocated back to Orlando to become
one of the founding members of Walt Disney World's “Tubafours,” a professional
tuba and euphonium quartet. She later became the leader and chief arranger for
the group and produced a CD called “Tubas Under the Boardwalk.”
Robertson is currently Instructor of Euphonium and Tuba at the University of
Central Florida. She has taught on the faculties of Bethune-Cookman College,
Valencia and Seminole Community Colleges, and the University of Florida. As an
artist-performer at these colleges, Gail has hosted many guest artists
including; Brian Bowman, Steven Mead, Marty Erickson, John Mueller, Dave Zerkel,
Robert and David Childs, John Griffiths, Neal Corwell, Jay Hunsberger, Earle
Louder, Laura Lineberger, Kevin Stees, Dan Sipes, and many others. Additionally,
she has served as an adjudicator for national and international music
competitions including the Leonard Falcone Tuba and Euphonium Competition,
International Tuba and Euphonium Conference Solo Artist Competition, and the
Florida Bandmasters Association (District and State). Robertson is currently the
President of the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC) and on the IWBC’s
board of directors, serves on the Board of Directors of the International Tuba
and Euphonium Association (ITEA). She has also served as the “Euphonium and
Membership Coordinator” of the ITEA, and the President and Vice President of the
Brass Band of Central Florida. In 2006, Gail was one of the Conference hosts at
the International Women’s Brass Conference held at Illinois State University.
An in demand free-lance artist, Gail tours the U.S. and Japan with Keith Brion’s
“New Sousa Band” as soloist and Stage Manager, is a member of the Brass Band of
Battle Creek, the Athena Brass Band, the Brass Band of Central Florida, and has
toured with the River City Brass Band. She has also been featured soloist,
along with Laura Lineberger, with the Brass Band of Columbus. Robertson has
appeared frequently as a soloist and clinician for the U.S. Army Band Tuba and
Euphonium Conference, the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference (ITEC),
and the International Women’s Brass Conference. Other soloist and clinician
appearances include the Georgia Honors Low Brass Conference, the Red Cedar
Festival of Community Bands, the Howard Hovey Tuba Day, the International
Euphonium Institute, the Great American Brass Band Festival, and the “Harvey
Phillips Big Brass Bash” in Seattle, Washington. Gail is also a member of
“Euphoniums Unlimited” and “Symphonia,” two of America’s premier Tuba/Euphonium
Ensembles.
In 2005, Tennessee Tech University invited Gail to be a featured artist and she
wrote custom arrangements for the famous Tennessee Tech Tuba and Euphonium
Ensemble. Last summer, Gail performed with "Euphoniums Unlimited" in Denver,
Colorado at the ITEC and with the Monarch Brass at the International Trumpet
Guild Conference. In the Jazz Genre, Gail has played with Lionel Hampton, Andréa
Rowlison, Wycliffe Gordon, Della Reese, Marty Erickson, and DIVA. She has also
performed with the Florida West Coast Symphony, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, and
other Florida orchestras. In January 2007, Gail played tuba for “Annie” and
euphonium with the Key West Symphony Orchestra. She can also be heard on
recordings with the Brass Band of Battle Creek, the Brass Band of Central
Florida, the University of Florida Wind Symphony and the Walt Disney World
Company.
As a composer, Gail was commissioned to compose “Psychedelic Dances” for the
Tuba-Euphonium Quartet of the USAF Reserve and was commissioned to compose “A
Euphers Dream,” for the 2006 International Women’s Brass Conference. Several of
Gail’s tuba and euphonium ensemble arrangements are published by the Tuba and
Euphonium Press. She has also arranged for The University of Florida Gator
Marching Band and Valdosta State University Blazin' Brigade and other Florida
high schools. She is also the founder and coordinator of the Orlando TUBAMANIA,
and the co-coordinator of the Orlando TUBACHRISTMAS.
Gail has recently become a York
International Artist. She performs on a York Eminence with a Dillon M2B
mouthpiece. York brass is distributed by Sonaré Winds.
Matt Fail - Euphonium
Matt
was born and raised in Gainesville Florida. He started playing
euphonium in 6th grade and has never looked back. Matt
attended Fort Clarke Middle School, Buchholz High School and the University
of Florida.
Matt’s accomplishments include 1999 semi-finalist at
Leonard Falcone competition (student division) and 2001 semi-finalist at
International Tuba Euphonium Conference solo competition (Artist division).
In addition, Matt performed on three CDs with the University of Florida Wind
Symphony.
Matt’s proudest accomplishment was winning the
1999-2000 Buchholz High School Band S.U.D.A. award. SUDA is an acronym
used by the band which means
Spirit - Unity - Discipline - Attitude. This
award is voted on by the students of the band and this award is important to
Matt because SUDA means so much more than being a great musician. It
stands for the values that he and anyone else who has been a part of the
Buchholz High School band program would like to live by.
Matt plays a
Besson Euphonium.
Steve
Hewitt-1st Baritone
 Steve
grew up in Central Florida graduating from Winter Park High School and Stetson
University. While at Stetson, Steve was a trombone student of Don Yaxley
and in 1980 completed his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education.
In 1980 Steve began performing as a euphonium player in the twelve
piece circus band at the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey’s theme park -
Circus World. In 1984 Steve started working at Disney's theme parks as an
on-call musician, doubling on trombone and euphonium with the Magic Kingdom's
World Band, Future Corps at EPCOT, the TubaFours and
Hollywood Brass at the Disney-MGM Studios. Steve has played in the
orchestra at the First Baptist Church of Orlando for the past 20 years as well.
Steve currently creates custom
cabinets and fine finish carpentry in southwest Orlando. He is a founding
member of the BBCF.
Steve plays a Kanstul baritone with a custom Warburton mouthpiece.
David Rodriguez - 2nd Baritone
 David has been playing the euphonium for 13 years
and studied under Jay Hunsberger at the University of South Florida for 5 years.
David took part of the International Bands of America European tour in 2000.
Other hobbies include Winterguard
where he marched the USF Winterguard for four years and Northeast
Independent for one year.
Kerry Couch - 1st Trombone
 Kerry Couch is presently the Director of Bands at South Seminole Middle School
in Casselberry, Florida. Ms. Couch is a graduate of Stetson University
where she received her Bachelor of Music Education degree Magna Cum Laude
studying trombone with David Schmidt.
Her professional affiliations include Pi Kappa Lambda, MENC, and FBA.
Although teaching is her passion, she enjoys performing with the Southern Winds,
Seaside Music Theater and the Brass Band of Central Florida. In addition,
Ms. Couch is active as a clinician and private instructor throughout the metro
Orlando area.
Rick Mizell - 2nd
Trombone and Assistant Conductor
After completing his
Master's Degree in Trombone Performance at Ball State University, Rick joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and toured extensively for
several years in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and England. In 1982,
Rick settled in Orlando freelancing and then accepted a full time position as a
trombonist with Walt Disney World. Rick also served as assistant conductor
of the Magic Kingdom's Walt Disney World Band, Stage Manager at Epcot, and in
Disney's Talent Casting and Booking Department.
Rick is an active and
prolific arranger specializing in the brass ensemble medium. His arrangements
have been performed by numerous brass ensembles nationally and internationally.
As a conductor, Rick has appeared with Doc Severinsen, Disney's Mariachi
Cobre and the Phoenix, Minnesota, Milwaukee and Las Vegas Symphony
orchestras.
In addition to the
support and love from his wife Bonnie, son John, two step daughters and five
grandchildren, Rick credits his experiences at the Interlochen Center for the
Arts as being a profound influence upon the direction of his life’s journey.
Currently, Rick is
Music Director for Walt Disney Entertainment and is the Assistant Conductor of
the BBCF.
Dale Edwards - Bass Trombone
Dale is an
active professional trombone / bass trombone player in, and around Central
Florida. He has served on the board, and is one of the original founding members
of the BBCF. Dale grew up in Indiana and began playing the trombone in middle
school. He graduated from Anderson University with a Bachelors degree in
Trombone Performance / Applied Music. Dale is also an inducted member in the
academic / music society, Pi Kappa Lambda.
After moving
to Orlando in 1990, Dale began freelancing in a wide range of musical idioms
from Orchestral to Big Bands, and from Latin jazz to Broadway shows. He has
performed at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Bush Gardens.
He has traveled overseas and performed with various groups in England, Germany,
Austria, Switzerland and Hungary. Dale has performed with many artists such as,
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Benny Goodman/Terry
Meyers Orchestra, the Michael Andrew Atomic Big Band, and the Sam Rivers Jazz
Orchestra. Dale has also either served a position, or performed with, the
Anderson University Symphony (Anderson, IN) Okaloosa Symphony Orchestra (Ft
Walton Beach, FL), University of Central Florida Orchestra, Bach Festival
Orchestra of Winter Park, Walt Disney World Orchestra (Epcot Candlelight
Processional), Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (Ft Myers, FL), Florida West
Coast Symphony (Sarasota, FL), and the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra (Lake
County, FL).
Dale
currently holds the Bass Trombone chair with the Florida Lakes Symphony
Orchestra, under the direction of Michael J. Garasi. He is also performing
regularly with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, a 16 piece contemporary big band in
the Central Florida area.
Dale’s
teachers include, Dr. James Rountree, retired Trombone professor, Anderson
University, Harold Van Schaik, Bass Trombone, Florida Orchestra, Mike Roylance,
Principal Tuba, Boston Symphony, and Chester Schmitz, retired Principal Tuba,
Boston Pops / Boston Symphony.
Dale plays
S.E. Shires Trombones with Ferguson-Jeff Reynolds and Warburton mouthpieces.
John-Mark Hemphill -
Eb Tuba
 John-Mark is a Senior at the
University of Central Florida
with a double major in Music and Computer Science.
Bob Tucker - Bb Tuba (Principal)
Bob received his Bachelor of Music Education
degree from The Ohio State University, studying with Robert T. LeBlanc and James
M. Akins. From there, Bob began a lengthy career at Walt Disney World where he
founded and was leader of the first professional tuba quartet, the Tubafours.
Currently an Entertainment Manager for Walt
Disney World, Bob also keeps very busy with Major/minor Projects LLC, an
instrument repair business specializing in brass repair which he started from a
hobby.
He remains active in his spare time performing
with various ensembles in the
Central Florida
area, including being a founding member of the brass quintet, Tapestry Brass.
Bob plays on a Besson Sovereign 993 Tuba with a
Giddings & Webster “Bayamo” mouthpiece.
Jonathan Cruz
 Jonathan is a freelance musician in
Central Florida.
Karl
Riecken - Percussion (Principal)
 Karl is a recent
graduate of Rollins College where he received a Bachelor's degree in Percussion
Performance and in Anthropology. Currently, Karl is a music teacher and
performer in the Central Florida area. He can be seen playing the Bach
Festival Orchestra, the Florida Lakes Orchestra, the Brass Band of Central
Florida, and his own pop-rock group Fairweather Friend.
He is pursuing a Master's Degree at
the University of Central Florida in what is his other passion, Sports and Fitness.
Melinda Leoce -
Percussion
Melinda is a
percussionist with over 11 years of experience. Her percussion career has taken
her all over the United States and abroad in London, Belgium, and Lithuania.
She has studied with Jeff Moore and Kirk Gay and has participated in various
master classes with performers such as Tom Freer, Gordon Stout, Andy Harnsberger,
Chris Coleman, and Third Coast Percussion.
Melinda has
marching experience with both the Magic Drum and Bugle Corps (2004) and Carolina
Crown (2005-2006) where she marched in the snare line and placed within the top
8 internationally for two years.
Melinda has
composed and arranged pieces for Seminole High School and UCFʼs steel band,
Black Steel. Currently, her time is divided between teaching various high
schools and a small private studio, completing her Music Education degree at UCF,
and performing in the Central Florida area.
Jonathan Cooper -
Percussion
 Jonathan Cooper has been playing and performing percussion instruments for
thirteen years. He is currently an undergraduate at the University of Central
Florida, majoring in Music Education. As a percussionist, he has performed many
of the classic Broadway shows such as The Music Man, Camelot, Oklahoma!, and
West Side Story. In addition, he has performed with the Boston Crusaders Drum
and Bugle Corps. Jonathan has also performed in various musical ensembles for
the Walt Disney World Resort.
Current
and former teachers include Jeffrey Moore, Kirk Gay, Tom Freer, Gregg Bissonette,
and Marty Morell.
Jonathan now performs in several areas of the Walt Disney World Entertainment
Department. He is also the 2008 Percussion Instructor and Arranger for
Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, Florida.
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