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MUSICIAN BIOS

Donald (Dee) McAfee - Eb Soprano Cornet

Dee attended the 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 Orchestra and Brian Goff at Florida State University.

Considered to be one of the preeminent soprano cornet players in the United States today, in October 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’s services are also in demand in the United States, as he assisted the Fountain City Brass Band (Missouri) in winning a third North American Brass Band Championship Section title in 2009. 

Dee is currently a member of the world famous Herald Trumpets at the EPCOT resort at Walt Disney World. Dee also performs with Uptown, Orlando's favorite funk band, and at St. Margaret-Mary Church in Winter Park, where he is a frequent featured performer, notably as flugelhorn soloist on "Silent Night" on the CD "Sounds of Christmas" from St. Margaret Mary Church. This cd has sold thousands of copies and is a liturgical favorite in the Orlando church scene. Dee has been featured with such jazz and soul artists as Marcus Roberts, Rex Richardson, Freddie Hubbard, the Temptations, Vinnie Di Martino, Dick Oates, Ira Sullivan, Ray McKinley, and Larry Elgart Big Band.  He has also performed as first trumpet at the Seaside Music Theatre in Daytona Beach, the Lite Beer "World's Toughest Rodeo" and with the Clyde Beatty/Cole Brothers Circus.

In addition to being a busy freelance musician, Dee is the Director of Bands at the St. Margaret-Mary Catholic School in Winter Park, and is the father of 5 great children, three of them trumpet players. 

Dee is a founding member of the BBCF.

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.  At FSU 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, Brevard Symphony, 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 Fayard - Solo Cornet

Bob is the Director of Bands at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida. 

Bob received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rick Perez – Solo Cornet/YBBCF Conductor and Music Director

Though a respected Florida banking executive by day, Rick is also an accomplished musician and educator. With over 20 years of musical performance, conducting, and brass band training experience, the conductor of the YBBCF brings a superior musical and educational offering to the direction of this all star ensemble.

Rick 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), 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.

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.

Charlie Peshek – Repiano Cornet

Charlie is the owner of the Orlando Talent Group and produces talent and events for corporate clients including Universal Orlando, Universal Japan, SeaWorld Orlando, Daytona International Speedway, Electronic Arts-Tiberon, Mercury Marine, Nestles, the National Football League, Nickelodeon, Orlando Magic, Panasonic, Siemens, Toys "R" Us, Warner Brothers, Walt Disney Company, and many other clients.

 Prior to opening Orlando Talent Group, Charlie worked for Walt Disney World for twenty-one years, both in management at Disney's Talent Casting and Booking Department where he was in charge of professional and guest talent for theme park and hotel conventions, and as a musician/band leader.

Charlie has performed with the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra, Florida Symphony Orchestra, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, national and international tours with the Mantovani Orchestra, local and national recording sessions, Broadway touring and stock shows, convention bands and orchestras as well as backing up star talent acts.

Charlie received his Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from Michigan State University.  Trumpet teachers have included Byron Autrey - Michigan State University, Leon Rapier - Louisville Symphony Orchestra, Tom Wohlwender - Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and Gerald Mattern - St. Norbert College (WI).  Charlie was teaching assistant at Michigan State University and 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.

Dustin Burgess - Second 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, his Master's Degree in Music Education at the VanderCook College of Music and has studied trumpet with Joe Phelps, Charles Gottschalk, John Almeida and Dr. Leah Schuman.  He is currently working on his doctorate in conducting at the University of Florida.

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 has performed with the Southern Winds Wind Symphony, Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Chicago Brass Band and Sunshine Brass Band.  He has 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.

Brad Gillet - 3rd 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 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 also teaches General Music at some of these private schools.

Alvin Bernard - 3rd cornet

Alvin Bernard attended Asbury Park, New Jersey public schools and graduated from the University of Florida, completing the requirements for a trumpet performance certificate.

Teachers have included Robert E. Foster, Gilbert Johnson (former Philadelphia Orchestra principal trumpet) Joyce Davis and James Ault.

Alvin was the runner-up at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 NABBA cornet solo competition. 

Alvin is founding member of the BBCF.

 

 

 

 

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 spent two years with the 89th Army Field Band at Fort Sill, Oklahoma during the Korean War.

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".

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.

 

 

 

 

Warren Kus - Solo Tenor Horn

Warren completed his Master's degree at the University of Central Florida majoring in Trumpet Performance in 2010.  In May of 2008, he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of North Florida in Jazz Studies. 

He has shared the stage with many renowned artists such as Terance Blanchard, Slide Hampton, Benny Green, Mike Stern, Kurt Elling, Bill Watrous, Bunky Green, and many more.  He has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Ancient City Brass, Space Coast Oratorio Society, and is a current member of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.

Kevin Cramer - 1st Tenor Horn

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.

Jeremiah Hemphill - Solo Euphonium

Jeremiah completed his Bachelor's degree in Euphonium performance from the Eastman School of Music.

Yannick Innis - Euphonium

Yannick completed his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida and currently is the Band Director at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Nick Rosaci - Euphonium/Baritone

Nick graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Music from the University of North Florida.

 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 Orlando and is a founding member of the BBCF.

 

 

Sam Douglass - Euphonium/Baritone

Sam is a free-lance musician in the Central Florida area.

Chris Simons - Euphonium/Baritone

Kerry Couch - 1st Trombone

Kerry Couch is Director of Bands at Rock Lake Middle School in Longwood, Florida.

Ms. Couch received the Bachelor of Music Education Degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Stetson University. Prior to Rock Lake, Ms. Couch was the Director of Bands at South Seminole Middle School, where she focused on expanding the curriculum, increasing student involvement, and raising the standard of performance to consistent Superior ratings in annual Music Performance Assessments.

Other teaching experiences include serving on the faculty of Stetson University's Summer Brass Camp. Passionate about teaching young musicians, Ms. Couch is not only an active member of MENC, FMEA and FBA but is also committed to the value of one-on-one instruction and maintains a private teaching studio in the area.
 

 

 

Rick Mizell - 2nd Trombone/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.  Currently, Rick is Music Director for Walt Disney Entertainment and is the Assistant Conductor of the BBCF.

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.

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 and he performs regularly with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra.

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.

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.

Bob 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Cruz - Bb Tuba

Jonathan is a freelance musician in Central Florida.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rich Sweat - Percussion

Having had years of experience as a freelance musician in Florida and California, Rich has performed in night clubs, jazz clubs, jazz festivals and recording studios.  He has performed with noted musicians and artists including Barry and Andy Gibb, Cab Calloway, The Smothers Brothers, Della Reese, The Drifters, Kathy Lee Gifford, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Ron Hendricks, Eddie Harris, the Del Baroni Orchestra and the Peter Graves Orchestra.  As a classical percussionist he has performed with the Ft. Lauderdale Symphony Orchestra, Miami Opera, Broward Symphony Orchestra, Palm Beach Orchestra, Palm Beach Opera, Miami Dade Orchestra, Florida Chamber Orchestra, Miami Percussion Ensemble and Festival Chorus and Orchestra.  Rich was also a staff drummer and conductor at Disneyland and has years of experience instructing drum line in South Florida as well as touring schools with an instructional performance group.  He is currently an active member of the Percussive Arts Society. 

 

Karen Sweat - Percussion

Karen has been performing and instructing percussion for 25 years. She studied percussion performance at Florida State University School of Music and she is a former student of Gary Werdesheim, Faye Kokkeler and Bill Pollard.  She is currently an instructor and percussion clinician for High School and Middle School drum line and percussion ensembles in Brevard County. Karen was also the creator and director of BingBang!, a novelty percussion performance group dedicated to raising money for percussion instruments for schools and Kitchen Krash, a novelty percussion ensemble created for the Celebrity Culinary event, Charlotte Shout.  She was in various show bands, the Broward Symphony Orchestra, the Broward Percussion Ensemble and was a stand-in percussionist for the Sunrise Musical Theater.

She has instructed the drum line for the University of Miami Marching Camps and performed with the Keene Chamber Orchestra in New Hampshire. Karen is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and continues to clinic with master percussionists every chance she gets.

Jonathan Katz - Percussion

Jonathan Katz has been an avid percussionist since picking up his first set of drumsticks at age 5.  He is a Senior in the Magnet Program at Edgewater High School and the drummer for the school's jazz band.  Jonathan was a percussionist for all the bands at Maitland Middle School, winning the prestigious "Louis Armstrong Award" in 8th grade.  Since 2006 he has performed with the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and currently performs as Principal Percussionist for the Symphonic Orchestra. 

Jonathan has performed extensively in Central Florida, including musical theater as the drummer for the Winter Park Playhouse production of "Little Shop of Horrors", as a timpanist for holiday concerts conducted by Maestro Andrew Lane, and as the percussionist for the annual "Tuba Christmas" concert in Winter Park, Florida.