A variety of topics and formats are available for all attendees. Look for sessions such as Composition for Students, Feature Highlights for SmartMusic and Finale, Choral and Instrumental Reading Sessions, and much more! You’ll be able to attend live sessions or curate your own selection of pre-recorded sessions so that the information is always relevant to you.
Friday, June 24, 12:00-5:00pm CST Saturday, June 25, 10:00am-3:00pm CST
View the Summit agenda here.
The summit platform will have discussion boards for a variety of topics during the event. You will be able to chat with fellow teachers, administrators, and MakeMusic representatives on a variety of topics such as SmartMusic hacks, Finale Top Tips, Social Emotional Learning, Music Ed Advocacy, and much more!
Our publishing partners are the key to getting you the content your classroom needs. Check out their pages for reading sessions and handouts. And let your voice be heard: attendees will be able to submit requests for pieces in SmartMusic!
Attendees of the live event on June 24-25 will have the opportunity to win one of several prizes that include:
Dr. Matthew Arau, author of Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness and Leadership in Music Education and Beyond and founder of Upbeat Global is an Associate Professor of Music and the Chair of the Music Education Department and Symphonic Band Conductor at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. In addition, Dr. Arau serves as a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician and is on the graduate conducting faculty of the American Band College of Central Washington University and graduate music education faculty at VanderCook College of Music.
Dr. Arau has guest conducted and presented on student leadership, mindfulness, growth mindset, rehearsal techniques, and creating positive cultures in person in over 25 states and 4 continents in person. He has presented at the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Western International Band Clinic, the NAfME National Conference, numerous State and Regional Music Education Association Conferences, and the Conn-Selmer Institute. In addition to being in demand as a keynote speaker, Dr. Arau has conducted honor bands in Australia, Greece, Cyprus, and Malaysia, and All-State honor bands across the United States. Dr. Arau draws on a deep reservoir of fifteen years of experience as a successful middle school and high school band director in Loveland, Colorado, where he led his bands at Walt Clark Middle School and Loveland High School to numerous honor performances and championships and pioneered the Leadership Symposium. More information about Dr. Arau and free resources can be found at www.upbeatglobal.com.
Brian Balmages (b. 1975) is an award-winning composer and conductor. His music has been performed throughout the world with commissions ranging from elementary schools to professional orchestras and chamber ensembles. World premieres include the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” United States Coast Guard Band, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Boston Brass, and more. His music was also performed as part of the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, which was attended by both President Obama and Vice President Biden. He is a recipient of the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest with his work Love and Light, and was awarded the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts. In the same year, he was commissioned by his other alma mater, the University of Miami, to compose music for the inauguration of the institution’s 6th president, Dr. Julio Frenk.
As a conductor, Mr. Balmages enjoys regular engagements with all-state and region bands and orchestras through the United States, as well as with university and professional ensembles throughout the world. Notable guest conducting appearances have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, College Band Directors Conference, American School Band Directors Association National Conference, numerous state American String Teachers Association conferences and others. Additional conducting appearances have included venues such as the Kennedy Center and Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, as well as band and orchestra engagements in Australia, Canada and Italy. Currently, he is Director of Digital Education and MakeMusic Publications for Alfred Music.
Jay Berger is the Manager of the Licensing and Copyright Department at both Carl Fischer Music and the Theodore Presser Company. Jay earned a BA from the State University of New York at Binghamton and his Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Since graduating law school in 1988, Jay has worked in the music industry representing a far range of clients from music publishers and record labels to diverse recording artists and songwriters ranging from doo wop artists of the 50’s, disco kings and queens from the 70’s to the old school pioneer hip-hop artists. Jay is a frequent copyright lecturer who has spoken at regional and nation music industry conventions.
Dr. Clark is in his 24th year in education and his 10th year as the Director of Performing and Visual Arts for the Spring Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Prior to administration, Dr. Clark served as a band director in several schools in Spring ISD as well as in Industrial ISD. While in these positions, his ensembles have placed in the State finals, received “Best-in-Class” at concert band and jazz festivals and Sweepstakes at UIL. While at Spring High School, he co-directed Midwest performances in 2008, 2009 and led the Spring High School Jazz Ensemble at the 2010 Midwest Clinic.
As a strong advocate of the fine arts and arts integration, Dr. Clark remains active as a clinician, guest lecturer and mentor for young teachers as well as an active UIL adjudicator. He is also proud to currently serve as the Past-President of the Texas Music Administrators Conference (TMAC).
Dr. Clark earned his B.M. in music and his M.M. in conduction from Sam Houston State University; and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. Dr. Clark is a proud member of Phi Beta Mu (Alpha Chapter), Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, TMEA, TBA, and TMAA. Joe and his wife Heather – who is also a Music Teacher – reside in Spring, Texas with their 6-year-old daughter, Darcy Anne Clark whose favorite color is pink and who just put two hands together in her last piano recital!!!
Larry Clark is the President of Excelcia Music Publishing, Wingert-Jones Publications and RBC Publications. He draws on his 25+ years of experience in the music publishing business to lead all three publishing brands under the Excelcia Music Publishing umbrella. He strives to focus all three companies on representing composers first and publishing high quality educational music. Excelcia Music Publishing is the fulfillment of a long time dream of founder, composer, author, and publisher. His music is some of the most popular and most performed by concert bands and string orchestras of all ability levels. Larry is equally adept at writing music for beginners as he is for high school and college ensembles. His music is tuneful, contains a fresh harmonic perspective, is well scored and stretches the musicianship of the performers. He prides himself on producing music that is not only intriguing to performers and audiences alike but also contains a playability that comes from a keen understanding of the technical difficulties inherent in all instruments. His pieces have been performed internationally and appear on numerous contest/festival performance required music lists.
Stephanie Doctor is a Senior Product Manager at MakeMusic. She holds a BM in Instrumental Music Education and an MM in Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy. Before joining MakeMusic in 2015, she taught band, orchestra, choir, and general music in public schools in Illinois. Stephanie also has over a decade of private teaching experience. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and 2 dogs. When she’s not busy working, she enjoys skiing, backpacking, cooking, and gardening.
Anne Fennell is the K-12 Music Program Manager for San Diego Unified School District in San Diego, CA, President of California Music Educators Association, and the Immediate Past Chair for the National Association for Music Education’s Innovation Council. She holds a bachelor’s in music education, a master’s in educational leadership studies, and Orff-Schulwerk Levels: I-II-III. Her experiences include 35 years in education, 32 of those teaching music composition and steel drum ensembles (grades 9-12), Kindergarten-Grade 8 music through Orff-Schulwerk, and leading vocal and instrumental ensembles in civic, professional, and national performances. Anne is a published author and presents nationally and internationally. She has received numerous awards, including the 2020 Technology in Music Education National Teacher of the Year, 2017 MSA National Teacher of the Year, and top 10 GRAMMY Music Educator, 2016.
Joe Gershin is in his 6th year working as a Performing Arts Director in the Albuquerque Public Schools. Before becoming an Administrator he was an elementary music teacher for almost eight years. As both a teacher and administrator he works to attend as much PD as possible to ensure he is a lifelong learner. Making music with other people has been a part of his life from the very beginning and as a teacher and administrator he works to ensure all students receive a high-quality music education.
He has been fortunate to be a part of a dynamic Fine Arts administrative team and department. The collaboration and cooperation of the Fine Arts administrative team helps to ensure the students remain at the core of everything that is done. This starts by seeing students and teachers in classrooms for observations and evaluations and continues through targeted PD that meets the needs that arise. He knows that quality mentorship is the best way to impact a teacher’s instruction and is always seeking out innovative ways to help his teachers more successfully reach their students.
Joe also serves on the board of the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program (AYSP) and the Community Advisory Board for the local classical radio station (KHFM). He has held multiple officer positions in his local chapter of the American Orff Schelwerk Association and has attended and presented at workshops.
When Joe is not at work he enjoys spending time with his family and woodworking in the garage. Both music and woodworking are rooted in creating something from nothing or in bringing multiple pieces together to create something that would not be possible without each piece playing its part.
Krista Hart is a former music educator with a passion for choral music. She attended Wichita State University and taught middle school music in the public schools. Following her teaching years, she spent nearly a decade assisting directors in choosing literature for their own choirs, and curating selections for dozens for choral reading sessions and clinics at Senseney Music in Wichita, KS. Additionally, she directed church choirs, performed with local choirs, and served on the boards of choral organizations. She continues to help people experience the joy of making music now by working for the Marketing and Editorial teams at Alfred Music, and performing with the Pasadena Master Chorale. The author of Music-Go-Round: 100 Puzzle Pages for Young Musicians, Krista’s newest publication is A Music Teacher’s Gratitude Journal: Creative Prompts to Nurture Joy, Reduce Stress, and Reflect on Your Teaching.
Michael Kamuf enjoys a multifaceted music career as an active educator, composer, arranger, and performer. Michael has taught instrumental music for Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools (MCPS) since the fall of 1992. He has been in his current teaching position since 1995 as the Director of Bands and Orchestras and Music Department Chairperson at John T. Baker Middle School (Damascus, MD). Under his direction, the Baker ensembles consistently receive high ratings at music festivals and have commissioned numerous works for both young concert bands and orchestras. In 2007, Mike received the MCPS Superintendent’s Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Award for his efforts in involving students in the commissioning process and has directed MCPS’ Senior Honors Jazz Band, Junior Honors Band, and All County Junior Band as well as honors ensembles throughout many states including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Ohio, and California. He has been a jazz faculty member at Youngstown State University and Montgomery College (Rockville, MD). Mike has served on the faculty the Maryland Summer Jazz Consortium for over twenty-five years. He has presented music education workshops for teachers at numerous state professional development conferences as well as The Midwest Clinic and The Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference.
Michael is an exclusive composer and arranger for the Belwin Division of Alfred Music with titles in the jazz, string orchestra, and concert band catalogs. He also has compositions for jazz ensemble published by UNC Jazz Press, the Neil A. Kjos Music, and the FJH Music Company. Several of Michael’s arrangements have been featured in the educational textbook series Teaching Music Through Performance in Jazz (GIA Publications). Michael’s compositions and arrangements have been performed by numerous jazz artists and ensembles including the Woody Herman and Glenn Miller Orchestras, the USAF Airmen of Note, the US Navy Commodores, James Moody, Eddie Daniels, Sean Jones, Terell Stafford, Bill Watrous, and Nick Brignola to name a few.
Michael has performed with the Woody Herman and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras as well as the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra. He served as assistant principal trumpet of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra under Maestro David Effron and has been a freelance trumpet player in the Baltimore/Washington DC area for three decades. Currently, Mike leads his own jazz octet, the Little Big Band, comprised of some of the region’s most outstanding jazz musicians.
Michael holds Bachelor of Music degrees in both Jazz Performance and Music Education from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University (Youngstown, OH) and a Master of Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University (Fairfax, VA). His professional affiliations include the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); the National Association for Music Education (NAfME); Jazz Education Network (JEN); and the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composer (ISJAC).
Please visit Michael’s website at: www.mikekamuf.com.
Sean Kemp is a veteran music educator whose twenty-two year career has included band, orchestra, and choir at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. He has earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Colorado Boulder, and is proud to be part of the staff of Flagstaff Academy which is one of four schools currently recognized as a Trailblazer School To Watch by the Colorado Association of Middle-Level Education. Mr. Kemp was honored as Flagstaff Academy’s Teacher of the Year by the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation in 2019 and again in 2021, a significant achievement in a year when elective classes were entirely asynchronous due to COVID. Additionally, he served as the Wind Ensemble Director within the Longmont Youth Symphony organization from 2014-2019.
Megan Lewin is the Director of Bands at Westminster High School where she conducts the WHS Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Laboratory, Marching Band, Pit Orchestra, and oversees the Athletic Bands.
Mrs. Lewin received her Bachelor of Music Education Instrumental Emphasis from The Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut summa cum laude and Master of Music Education with a Cognate in Conducting from the University of Colorado Boulder. A passionate educator, Mrs. Lewin maintains an active private flute studio, acts as Woodwind Tech for local marching bands, and presents at national and international conferences. She is also the Colorado State Chair for Women Band Directors International and Band Chair for the Adams County Honor Festival. She is delighted to work with the amazing students, staff, and community at Westminster High School and loves every day with her Westy family!
Mrs. Lewin’s professional affiliations include the Colorado Bandmasters Association, the Colorado Music Education Association, the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, the Colorado Flute Association, the National Flute Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.
Kevin Mead has recently retired after thirty-five years as a public-school music teacher. His high school ensembles have won several awards and honors including “Superior” ratings, first place performances throughout the east coast. His Wind Ensemble received the “Rochester Rocs” award for Best School Band and was invited to perform at the New York State Music Conference. Mr. Mead has been honored with several individual awards, among them being twice named his school’s National Honor Society Teacher of the Year, the Monroe County Legislature 2017 Willie Lightfoot Youth Advocate of the Year, and was named the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra 2018 Band Music Educator of the Year. Kevin has been a certified MakeMusic clinician for over 10 years, training teachers throughout the country.
John Nieto is the Mariachi Director of Brackenridge HS in San Antonio, Texas. He has held this position since 1990. He also holds the position of Lead Mariachi Instructor for the San Antonio ISD.
He is a graduate of Jefferson HS in San Antonio. John studied trumpet at UT Austin with Raymond Crisara and conducting with Paula Crider and Glenn Richter. He was a member of the Longhorn Band and was principal trumpet of the Symphonic Band and played 1st trumpet in the Wind Ensemble.
His groups have placed in various competitions including Ft. Worth Mariachi Spectacular, San Diego Vaquero Fest, Hebbronville Mariachi Contest, Roma Mariachi Contest, UTPA Festiba Contest, Corazon De San Antonio Contest, Eagle Pass Mariachi Contest and MariachiFest in Orlando Florida. His group, Mariachi Aguila has also advanced to the MASBA (TAME) State Mariachi contest in the 4A/5A division from 2012-2018. His students have also won numerous medals at the SAISD Orchestra/Mariachi Solo & Ensemble Contest, UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest and State Solo & Ensemble Contest. They also earned a 1st division and Outstanding Ensemble at the State Solo & ensemble contest. Mariachi Aguila also advanced to the State UIL Mariachi Festival from 2016-2021. Several of his trumpet players have also earned a spot in the All State band, the last one being his son John Jr.
John is also a member of ASCAP for his compositions and arrangements that have been published including: Mariachi Philharmonic, Mariachi Christmas, Dominique’s Dance and Mi Caballito and Festival De Cuerdas.
In the past years he has not only arranged hundreds of pieces for all levels, but also created resources for all levels including music theory exercises and a beginner method. He also has composed music for beginner mariachi which require as few as five notes to perform.
John’s mariachi journey began when he was taken against his will by his parents to rehearsals of Mariachi Infantil Guadalupano. In the span of 40 years, he has performed in Europe, Asia, Mexico and all over the US. John can be heard on several recordings of Little Joe Hernandez and Grupo Mazz.
He is proud of the adventures that his students have been able to enjoy serving as ambassadors for their school, community and families. His school group often performs for organizations that cater to the elderly and underserved citizens of San Antonio.
His greatest joy comes from his God and his family which includes his wife Margaret, son John Jr., daughter Margaret, son Raymond and daughter Dominique.
Soon Hee Newbold was born in Seoul, Korea and adopted as an infant by the Newbold family. She spent her childhood, along with two sisters, in Frederick, Maryland.
Soon Hee began playing piano at age five and violin at age seven. She won many prestigious competitions and performed as a concert artist at an early age. As a soloist and in professional orchestras throughout the world, Ms. Newbold has appeared in venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Disney World, Aspen, and Tanglewood and in countries like Scotland, England, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.
In high school, Soon Hee’s interests included science, languages, and drama. She studied German, French, and Russian and completed an internship in AIDS and Cancer research at the National Institute of Health in Ft. Detrick, Maryland. Ms. Newbold received her Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University where she concentrated on film scoring, orchestration, and audio production.
Upon graduation, Soon Hee worked in entertainment for Walt Disney World as a contractor, stage manager, and professional musician as well as performing in the various symphonies in Florida. She also produced albums and wrote for many recording projects and ensembles. As an actress, Soon Hee expanded her experiences to film and television. She got her first break in the film, “The Waterboy,” starring Adam Sandler, and first television role in the family comedy, “Camp Tanglefoot.”
Sadly, Ms. Newbold’s mother was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, a terminal, devastating genetic neurological illness for which there is little treatment and no cure. Soon Hee wrote the popular song “Endless Dreams,” and dedicated it to those affected by Huntington’s to spread awareness and hope.
Soon Hee Newbold currently works in Southern California with her husband. She is involved in many film, television, and commercial projects as a producer, actress, composer, and musician. Published through the FJH Music Company, Soon Hee’s compositions can be heard around the world in film, orchestras, and other performing groups. Outside of work, Ms. Newbold enjoys martial arts and weapons training and has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Kigumdo.
Dr. Glenn Pohland began teaching at Loras College in 2009, serving as associate professor in the communication and fine arts division. Dr. Pohland conducts the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and chamber groups. He also teaches courses in music education, orchestration, instrumental techniques, music in the movies, and instrumental conducting. Dr. Pohland received his BA in music education from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, his MMEd from the University of Minnesota, and his DMA in instrumental music education and conducting from Arizona State University. Prior to his appointment at Loras, Dr. Pohland taught two years at the University of MN and before that spent 24 years as the director of bands in Glencoe, MN. During his time at Glencoe, Dr. Pohland was the recipient of the superintendent’s award for outstanding leadership to the district and was also awarded the ASBDA Stanbury Award for outstanding young band director in the Senior High Division. Dr. Pohland is also the conductor of the newly formed Dubuque Youth Wind Ensemble and the New Horizons Band of Dubuque.
Dr. Pohland and his wife of 35 years (Joanne) currently reside in Peosta, Iowa and have four children: John, band director at Waconia, MN High School, Joy Janssen, who works as a development specialist in Minneapolis, Joel, band director at Pierz-Healy HS, and Jillian who is currently student teaching in Iowa. He is also the proud grandfather of Louis Janssen of Minneapolis.
Peggy Rakas is a lifelong educator who taught instrumental music in the North Merrick Schools on Long Island and is now an adjunct professor of music education at Hofstra University. She is the founder of Teaching Positivity – an organization that provides positive psychology workshops for educators across Long Island. She is a certified Optimize Life Coach specializing in positive psychology.
Ms. Rakas is a long-time fan of SmartMusic and is passionate about sharing her love of SmartMusic with others.
During her career, Ms. Rakas was honored with a nomination for the New York State Teacher of the Year and the Disney Teacher Award. She was awarded the SCOPE Teacher Service Award and was twice selected as the Merrick Kiwanis Club – Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Rakas is the associate principal flute and past president of the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra. She also performs with the Concert Pops of Long Island, the Orchestra Long Island, the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Plainview Music Ministry, and the Sonevole Flute Quartet.
Ted Scalzo is a music educator, having conducted wind ensembles, jazz and marching bands, instrumental lessons and advanced music composition. Throughout his career in the public schools, he has been an advocate of using technology to enhance and improve student and teacher instructional needs. Mr. Scalzo and his students were featured on the cover of School Band & Orchestra magazine and the accompanying article outlined how he employed technology both in the classroom and in the concert arena. He is now retired from Bay Shore Schools and Hofstra University. Ted is currently an Education Specialist and clinician for MakeMusic, living in San Antonio Texas performing with several big bands in the area.
Robert Sheldon is one of the most performed composers of wind band music today. He is also the lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band. A recipient of numerous awards from the American School Band Director’s Association, Phi Beta Mu and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, his compositions embody a level of expression that resonates with ensembles and audiences alike. His music is performed around the world and appears on many international concert and contest lists. Mr. Sheldon regularly accepts commissions for new works, and produces numerous publications for concert band each year.
Sheldon’s schedule includes many appearances as guest conductor for All-State and Regional Honor Bands. He also frequently appears as a Music Education clinician, and has presented sessions and seminars at numerous colleges and universities as well as state Music Education Association conferences. He has served as a conductor and clinician throughout the United States, as well as Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia and China, and has conducted performances of his works in New York’s Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall, The Syndey Opera House and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. Robert Sheldon received a honorary doctorate from VanderCook College of Music in July 2020.
Lynn Tuttle, CAE, serves as Executive Director and CEO of the American String Teachers Association, the nation’s premiere service organization for string educators in schools, in private studios, and in higher education.
Prior to coming to ASTA in June 2021, she served as the Director of Public Policy, Research, and Professional Development for the National Association for Music Education (2015-2021), overseeing all in-person and virtual professional development, the creation and dissemination of six publications, and the association’s federal grants portfolio. She also led the association’s policy work at the federal and state levels.
Ms. Tuttle has also served as the Director of Arts Education for the Arizona Department of Education (2003-2015) and is a founding member of the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE). She co-led the creation of the 2014 National Core Arts Standards, and is the guest-editor for the Arts Education Policy Review focused on COVID-19 and K-12 arts education.
Ms. Tuttle holds a Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music (valedictorian), Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in the humanities and world history from the Johns Hopkins University (Phi Beta Kappa), and an MBA from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. She continues to teach, study, and perform as a flutist and singer, and is the mother of two young musicians, Peterson (violinist and euphonium player) and Landon (musical theatre). She currently serves on the board of the National Dance Education Organization and the Advisory Council of the Arts Education Partnership.
With 20 plus years in the music publishing industry, Mendy Varga is currently the Director of Royalties and Distribution for Alfred Music/MakeMusic. She holds a bachelor degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University at Albany (NY). She is a frequent speaker on copyright and music business and was presented an Alumni of Distinction award from the Crane Institute for Music Business in 2011. Mendy has served on the board of directors for the Music Publishers Association of the United States since 2015.
James (Jamie) Vilseck is an eclectic percussion educator, performer, and composer. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX where he is the Percussion Coordinator and Percussion Arranger for the Lumberjack Marching Band, director of the “Jacks of Steel” steel drum ensemble, and instructs private lessons and percussion methods classes. He is also Adjunct Professor at Angelina College in Lufkin, TX and previously held the position of Adjunct Professor at Morehead State University. An international performer with appearances in China and Ireland as well as Carnegie Hall in New York City, James is an active soloist and ensemble member. He has written about percussion pedagogy, marching percussion, and health and wellness practices. Active in the Percussive Arts Society, James is a member of the Health and Wellness Committee, published writings with the Rhythm! Scene blog, and has presented at the PASIC.
One of the primary influences on James’ musical career has remained marching percussion. Serendipity led James to his first drum corps show in 2007 and he was immediately hooked. Spending his high school years in Dayton, OH, he was always near many celebrated indoor percussion ensembles and was able to attend many WGI and DCI championships. James was a marching member of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps (Dubuque, IA) and the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (Madison, WI). He also performed with WGI Ensembles including Tates Creek Indoor Ensemble (Lexington, KY) and Matrix (Akron, OH). James continues to work as a designer, arranger, and instructor for competitive ensembles throughout the region. Most recently, he served on staff with both battery and front ensemble sections with various groups, including Tates Creek Indoor Ensemble (Lexington, KY), Cincinnati Tradition (Cincinnati, OH) and Matrix Open (Akron, OH). He currently arranges percussion and electronics for high school bands in multiple states, the Lumberjack Marching Band at SFA, and previously the Wildcat Marching Band at the University of Kentucky.
In his free time, he loves to travel, spend time with his wife, and play video games while eating great food and experimenting with new recipes. You can find out more information and contact James Vilseck at jamesvilseck.com.
Jason Wick is the director of the product development team for MakeMusic. Equipped with a degree in jazz studies, he began his career as a performer, composer, arranger, and educator. Writing music for video games led first to a quality assurance role at LucasArts and evolved into a decade of experience in QA, automation, and engineering. Joining MakeMusic in 2014, his passion is to manage and guide the Finale team to higher performance. Jason lives in Colorado with his wife, two children, Fancy the dog, and Bobby the guinea pig.
Michael Worden is the Manager of Business Affairs at Alfred Music. He holds a B.A. in Music Performance from Oneonta State and an M.A. from Vermont College. He is classically trained vocalist and musician who has composed and produced music for various independent films, theatrical productions, web series and podcasts, while also serving as a music supervisor on numerous film and theatre projects. As an actor/performer he has appeared in two national tours (Into the Woods; Footloose) and multiple national commercials. Michael has recently relocated from Los Angeles to New Jersey where he lives with his wife and two beautiful children.