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MUSICIAN BIOS

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 PeshekCharlie 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.