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Brass Staff
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Ricardo Brown
Ricardo T. Brown is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia. He was selected to All District Band, All-State Band, and Virginia Honor Band as well as the Governors School of the Performing Arts in high school. His teaching journey began in 2005 as the Assistant Director at Princess Anne High School and includes work as the graduate assistant for the Norfolk State University Spartan Legion band program and the Associate Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University.
Currently, Ricardo Brown serves as the Associate Director of Bands and Interim Wind Ensemble Director at the University of Connecticut, responsible for show design and music ensemble direction for the “Pride of Connecticut Marching Band” as well as directing the UCONN Pep Band. He also serves on the university music faculty, teaching music education courses, serving on multiple committees, and arranging for the university big band and all athletic ensembles. He helped lead the UCMB to being a Sudler Trophy Finalist in 2018.
Mr. Brown is an active clinician, adjudicator, and performer and has worked with multiple programs across the country, developing quality musicianship and performance practices. His passion is to impart his knowledge of band performance onto students while also instilling a love of music. He has also performed with numerous ensembles including the Virginia Symphony, Virginia Beach Symphony, Fancy Pants Productions, The Right on Band, numerous churches, NASCAR, Houston Symphony, Ballet Afrique Cotton Club, and New London Big Band.
Mr. Brown began his DCI marching experience with the Crossmen in 1999 as a lead soprano. He moved to the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 2001 and after aging out served as the Cadets’ trumpet instructor, administrative team member, and coordinator of the “Music is Cool” clinics working with thousands of students nationwide. He joined the Bluecoats Brass Team in 2014 and was later promoted to lead trumpet tech and then assistant brass caption head in 2021.
From Norfolk State University, Mr. Brown received his B.S. degree in Music Education and his Masters in Trumpet Performance. He anticipates completing his Doctorate (DMA) degree in Conducting from the University of Connecticut in May 2022.
Mr. Brown is an avid technology lover and connoisseur of great music regardless of genre. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Tiff any, and their dog, Hooch. Rick states, “It is truly my honor and privilege to be joining the Mandarins family and I promise that any student that chooses to join us will receive a musical experience that is second to none while also having the time of their lives. Together we will build upon the great legacy that has been established here at the Mandarins and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
RICARDO BROWN
Co-Caption Head
Bryen Warfield
Bryen Warfield is currently the Director of Bands and Orchestra at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, IN. The Homestead Band and Orchestra program supports over 300 students through the Spartan Alliance Band,three concert bands, two jazz bands, Anonymous Blue, and the Homestead Symphony Orchestra. Ensembles under Bryen’s direction have received honors and distinctions from contests at national and local events including being named a Featured Ensemble at the 2020 Indiana Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference, two-time Bands of America Grand National Finalist, 2019 & 2017 Bands of America Toldeo Regional & Class Champion, 2017 ISSMA Class A State Champion, and Gold Ratings ‘With Distinction’ at ISSMA Organizational Contests. Prior to his tenure at Homestead, Bryen was the Assistant Director of Bands at Whiteland Community High School in Whiteland, IN where he helped oversee four concert bands, three jazz bands, Whiteland Marching Warriors, and taught music theory.
Bryen received his Bachelors of Music in Tuba Performance from the University of Louisville where he studied with John Jones, Darryl Johnson, and Kimcherie Lloyd. Bryen received his Masters of Music in Wind Conducting from Ohio State University, where he studied with Dr. Russel Mikkelson and Dr. Scott A. Jones. He served as a graduate conducting associate with the band department, taught courses in conducting, and was a Graduate Assistant Director with the Ohio State University Marching Band. Bryen has participated in conducting master classes, workshops, and festivals around the country with many esteemed conducting teachers such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Hugh Wolff , Donald Thulean, Kevin Sedatole, Kevin Noe, John Lynch, and Robert Ambrose.
Bryen was a performing member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps for three seasons and later served as a brass educator for Cincinnati Tradition, Columbus Saints, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Bluecoats. Bryen is an active performer, adjudicator, clinician, and conductor throughout the United States. He serves as the Associate Conductor and tubist with the Old Crown Brass Band of Fort Wayne, IN.
Bryen maintains affiliations with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Conductor’s Guild, NAfME, and ASTA.
BRYEN WARFIELD
Co-Caption Head
Trevor Bailey
Trevor Bailey serves as the Assistant Professor of Music/Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. Mr. Bailey previously served as Director of Bands at the University of Pikeville (UPike). While at UPike, Mr. Bailey started the first marching band program in school history and helped cement the band program into the school’s rich Appalachian culture. He also served as the advisor for the Black Student Union and Faculty in Residence for the University of Pikeville’s Honors Program during his tenure. Mr. Bailey was awarded the 2020 KMEA College Band Director of the Year for District 9.
Mr. Bailey recently completed his graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Alabama where he studied under the guidance of Kenneth B. Ozzello, assisting in the daily operations of the band program, supervising the 400 students of the Million Dollar Band, and aiding in the planning and execution of the Crimson Cavalcade of Bands, Alabama Honor Bands, and Summer Crimson Music Camps. In addition, he served as the conductor of the University Band and doctoral conducting associate for the Alabama Wind Ensemble. He will be completing his D.M.A. in Wind Conducting later this year.
Before his time in Tuscaloosa, Mr. Bailey earned a Masters in Music Education degree from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) where he served as a graduate teaching assistant with the band program. During his tenure at UNR, he studied under the guidance of Mack McGrannahan, Kate Pollard, William J. Plenk, and R. Reed Chamberlin. Furthermore, he was a member of the music department’s recruiting team, assisted in hosting the College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern and American Bandmasters Association conferences. He also instructed undergraduate Conducting and Marching Band Techniques courses.
Mr. Bailey received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from Northwestern State University where he studied under the guidance of William E. Brent, Jeff Mathews, and Masahito Kuroda. Throughout his time in Natchitoches, he was a member of the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and served as the baritone section leader for The Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band.
Outside of his education, in 2007 Mr. Bailey began serving as a brass instructor and recruiting coordinator for The Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps and played a vital role in helping the corps return to the 2009 Drum Corps International Finals after a 23-year absence. He has also served as a brass instructor with the Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, and The Cadets. In 2012, Mr. Bailey served as a clinician and judge for Yamaha Music of Asia, mentoring several bands in Thailand and Malaysia, including the Horwang Marching Band from Bangkok, Thailand. They achieved their second consecutive Silver Medal placing during Thailand’s 2012 Indoor Marching Band Championships under his leadership.
Mr. Bailey holds memberships with Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity, National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association and North Carolina Music Educators Association
Trevor Bailey
Low Brass Coordinator
Clark Hunt
Clark Hunt is currently the Assistant Professor of Trumpet/Assistant Director of Bands at Campbellsville University. Clark is also a Doctoral Candidate at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in trumpet performance. Clark received his Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University, where he was the recipient of the Graduate Assistantship. Before his graduate studies, Clark received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University. Clark formerly served as the trumpet teacher at Reinhardt University in Waleska, Georgia, and Visiting Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz Studies at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, New York.
Clark is active in the Marching Arts as well, having taught DCA’s Atlanta CV from 2011-13, Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps 2011-13 as the High Brass Coordinator and 2016-17 as the Co-Brass Caption Supervisor, and has been serving as a Brass Technician with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps since 2014. Clark has been a clinician, instructor, adjudicator, and guest artist all over the Southeast and Midwest.
Clark has performed with many jazz greats, such as Joe Lovano, Gregory Porter, Wycliffe Gordon, Carl Fischer, Terrell Stafford, Alex Iles, Paquito D’ Rivera, Jerry Weldon, Kenny Werner, Eddie Daniels, Duffy Jackson, and Vince Gardner. Clark is the band leader for the Drive-By Big Band, founded in Atlanta, GA. He has also performed with many groups around the country, such as Salsa great, Orquesta MaCuba, the Joe Gransden Big Band, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Buselli-Wallarb Jazz Orchestra, Macon Pops Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Clark Hunt
High Brass Coordinator
Aaron Christianson
Aaron Christianson is a Milwaukee based trumpet player and drummer.
Aaron Christianson
Brass Logistics/ Brass Technician
Kristen Eck
Kristen Eck earned her degree in Music Education from University of Houston, and began her professional career as a freelance trumpeter, while teaching private lessons and marching band at several competitive Houston area band programs, including Clear Creek, North Shore, Pearland, Clements, and The Woodlands. She has since served as an elementary music teacher in Spring, TX and then continued as an assistant band director at Morton Ranch High School in Katy, TX. While at Morton Ranch, she led the jazz history & improv class, the MRHS Jazz Band, the marching visual program, and her ensembles consistently received superior ratings in both UIL marching and concert band contests.
Kristen taught on the brass instructional team at the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from 2016-2022, specializing in mellophone, and served in an additional brass caption coordination role from 2021-2022. Kristen is humbled and honored to help build another fabulous brass program with the Mandarins staff and students.
Outside of music Kristen lives in Dayton, OH with her husband Joe and dachshund Lily, and works in commercial and residential real estate. She enjoys all things yoga, food, travel, and helping people.
Kristen Eck
Brass Technician
Shawn Murphy
Shawn Murphy is serving concurrently as the Director of Fine Arts for Liberty Hill ISD in the north Austin, TX area and Director of Bands at Liberty Hill High School, positions he began in 2021. Prior to Liberty Hill, Mr. Murphy served as Director of Bands at Burleson Centennial High School in the DFW metroplex, where under his leadership, the band program and it’s auxiliary units grew to state and national prominence. A trumpet player, he earned his Bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas. Mr. Murphy is a proud alumnus of Drum Corps International, and has since served on various world class drum corps brass staffs over the years. He is thrilled to be reunited with several former students and colleagues on staff at Mandarins and is excited to begin working with the members and contribute to what will most certainly be a very special year for drum corps. Mr. Murphy has been married to his beautiful wife Kim Murphy since 2002, and has two amazing sons, Mason & Hayden.
Shawn Murphy
Brass Technician
Dr. Dakota Corbliss
Dr. Dakota Corbliss currently serves as the Visiting Assistant Professor of French Horn at Appalachian State University. He has earned degrees from the University of South Carolina (DMA), University of Miami (MM), and Virginia Tech (BA).
As an ensemble performer, Corbliss is the Third Horn in the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and plays with many other regional orchestras including the North Carolina Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Virginia Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, and Long Bay Symphony. In the past, he has performed with the likes of New World Symphony, Miami City Ballet, South Florida Philharmonic, New River Valley Symphony, the United States Navy Band Southwest, the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band, and many others.
He is an avid chamber musician, helping found Vice City Brass, a collective of brass and electronic musicians aiming to bridge the generational gap between the past, present, and future. Corbliss is also the co-founder of a new group called PIVOT, a horn and saxophone duo dedicated to promoting perspective shifts among their audience.
In an administrative role, Corbliss is currently the Chief Operations Officer for the Brass Institutes of America, a series of brass chamber music festivals that take place primarily in the summer. He has also managed logistics on many projects including the Savvy Arts Venture Challenge and the College Music Society Summit.
Dakota Corbliss
Brass Technician
Joshua Jenkins (JJ)
Joshua Jenkins (JJ) is a performer and educator from Fairfield, New Jersey. He has been involved in drum corps since 2008. From 2008-2012, JJ was a marching member of the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps and in 2013 and 2014 he was a member of Carolina Crown. After he aged out, he returned to the Caballeros. In 2019, JJ took over the brass program as the brass caption head which he still is to this day. During his time as brass caption head, he and his team brought the Cabs Brass section to top 3 status each year and helped the Caballeros in securing the 2021 DCA World Championship title.
JJ is a graduate of Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. During his time at Ithaca College, he studied french horn with Professor Alexander Shuhan. JJ is an active performer in north Jersey and is a member of the New Jersey Wind Symphony, one of New Jersey’s premier community ensembles, and is a member of the Sussex County Brass Quintet.
Currently, JJ is the Director of Bands at Ramsey High School in Ramsey, New Jersey. His responsibilities include directing the Ramsey “Big Blue” marching band, the Ramsey Wind Ensemble, and teaches instrumental lessons for grades 9-12. JJ also coordinates for the Ramsey Winter Guard and the Ramsey Indoor Percussion. This is JJ’s first year on the Mandarins staff and is excited to be a part of the team!
Joshua Jenkins
Brass Technician
Ben Horne
Benjamin Horne is a composer/arranger, low brass performer, and music educator residing in Bloomington, Indiana. He is currently pursuing his Masters degree at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He earned his Bachelor’s at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University (GA) with degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, and a Certificate in Music Composition.
Horne studied composition with Dr. James Ogburn, Dr. Don Freund, and Dr. Sky Macklay. His works and arrangements span various styles. Horne’s works and arrangements have received many honors and have been performed around the world including at the Latzsch Trombone Festival in Germany, as well as performances at other events such as the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference and the International Trombone Festival. Mr. Horne has collaborated on works with several renowned classical artists such as Demondrae Thurman and Charles Vernon.
Horne’s primary instrument is the euphonium, having studied with Dr. Adam Frey, Dr. Martin Cochran, Andrew Miller, Dr. Ian McCollum, Bernard Flythe, and Dr. Demondrae Thurman. Horne is a past winner of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference Solo Artist Competition. He has also been a finalist in the South Eastern Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference Solo Artist Competition and the International Euphonium Tuba Festival Solo Artist Division. Horne was a member of the Columbus State University Trombone Choir under the direction of Dr. Bradley Palmer. He was among the ensemble members on the Choir’s 2017 CD, Full Tilt. Horne was a member of the Teal Sound and Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps including the latter’s 2016 Drum Corps International World Championship corps. He currently performs as a member of the Sequence Euphonium Quartet (where he is their composer-in-residence) and with the Albireo New Music Collective as principal euphonium and trombone.
Mr. Horne’s conducting mentors include Dr. Jamie Nix, Paul Hostetter, Dr. Jason Nam, Dr. Eric Smedley, and Dr. Rodney Dorsey. He has worked with various ensembles as a conductor and educator including the Georgia Brass Band. At Indiana University, Horne is an associate conductor for the IU Brass Choir and Brass Band.
As an educator, Mr. Horne served as a middle and high school assistant band director at Holcomb Bridge Middle School and Centennial High School in Roswell, Georgia where he also led the jazz program. He has also worked as an instructor and clinician across the United States teaching sectionals, private lessons, masterclasses, and marching band at all levels from beginners to university students.
Ben Horne
Brass Technician
Amanda Stevenson
Amanda Stevenson is the Director of Bands at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, TX. Throughout her career she has instructed various students in music ranging from beginners to collegiate members. Her instructional experience extends throughout Texas including Texas State University, William H. Taft High School, Georgetown High School, James Bowie High School and Harlingen High School. Ms. Stevenson has been with the Winston Churchill High School music program as Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Director of Jazz Studies, Director of the Charger Marching Band and instructor of Instrumental Ensembles since Fall 2019. Prior to her time at Churchill, Amanda was the Director of Bands at Taft High School since 2015 and Associate Band Director at Georgetown High School since 2007.
Amanda has a strong affiliation with Drum Corps International (DCI). She is currently the Baritone Instructor for the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps and a Brass Consultant for Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. She has also served on Brass Staff for the Troopers, Crossmen and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and was a Visual Staff Instructor with Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps. Though her primary instrument is Saxophone, Ms. Stevenson played Euphonium with Capital Regiment and started her corps career on Baritone with Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps. Through these experiences, she has worked with many top educators throughout the country.
Ms. Stevenson received her Bachelor Degree in All-Level Music Education from Texas State University in 2007. She studied Wind Conducting with John Stansberry, Howard Hudiburg and Dr. Rod Schueller. Amanda has continued a close relationship with the School of Music as the Texas State Summer Band Camp Coordinator for about a decade.
Since her time at Texas State, Ms. Stevenson has had continued success with Superior Ratings at the University Interscholastic League Concert, Sightreading and Marching Contests as well as top performances at Bands of America, Jazz Festivals, and National Wind Ensemble showcases. She has been a Texas Music Educator Association Clinician, has had her Wind Ensemble selected as convention performance groups, has been the recipient of numerous grants for her programs and has achieved the Mark of Excellence in National Jazz Honors Award.
Ms. Stevenson is an active clinician, performer and adjudicator in the United States. Her professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota. Amanda currently lives in San Antonio, Texas where she continues to educate and instruct students of all levels.
Amanda Stevenson
Brass Technician
Aaron Owens
Aaron Owens was born and raised in Austin, Texas. While a student at James Bowie HS, he was an all-state french horn player, section leader, and brass captain.
Mr. Owens is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Music Studies – Instrumental Education Emphasis. While a student at UT, he performed with the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Graduate Brass Quintet, Horn Choir, Longhorn Marching Band, and more. He has performed with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, serving as a substitute for the 2022 season.
Mr. Owens has an extensive career with Drum and Bugle Corps, touring the country and sharing his love of the activity with the Bluecoats from 2019-2022. During his time with the Bluecoats, he served as the horn sergeant for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Aaron Owens
Brass Technician
Justin Daly
Justin is an active music educator, trumpet performer, and clinician from Connecticut. He is currently a middle school band director in southeastern Connecticut and is looking forward to a phenomenal season with the 2023 Mandarins!
Justin’s drum corps experience includes performing as a lead trumpet player and flugelhorn soloist with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2019. As well as teaching with the 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps during the past two years.
Justin earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Music Education, from the University of Connecticut. As a graduate student at UConn, he assisted the band program as a Director Intern of the UConn Marching Band, Graduate Director of the Hockey and Basketball Pep Bands, and as a conducting assistant with the Concert Band.
He has studied trumpet with renowned performers and brass pedagogues including Dr. Louis Hanzlik, Derek Gipson, Ricardo Brown, Andrew Sorg, Kenneth Bell, and Dave Negri.
He can be seen assisting various marching and concert bands throughout Connecticut, performing in local ensembles, as well as adjudicating for the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) festival auditions.
Justin Daly
Brass Technician
Key Poulan IV
Key Poulan, IV is a trombone and euphonium player from Fresno, California. He has 14 years of experience on trombone, his primary instrument, and 8 on euphonium. He is scheduled to complete his BA in music education in Spring 2023.
Key marched with the Sacramento Mandarins from 2017-2019, was contracted with the Santa Clara Vanguard for 2020/2021, and returned to the Mandarins as the trombone soloist in 2021 for his concurrent age-out with the two corps. He returned as a baritone and trombone technician for 2022 for the Mandarins.
Key runs the brass and visual program for the marching band at Clovis North Educational Center, coaches the trombone section for the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra of Fresno, and instructs privately.
Key firmly believes in instilling the attitude, skills, and knowledge required to inspire students to be great on and off the field.
Outside of music, Key is a reef and freshwater aquarist, LEGO enthusiast, and content creator with over 300K followers on TikTok.
Key Poulan IV
Brass Technician
Jibri Houston
Jibri Houston is a Louisiana based music educator, trumpet player, and singer/songwriter.
He has served as Director of bands at Red River High School in Coushatta, LA after
receiving his Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps. Houston
was stationed at Marine Barracks Washington 8th & I Streets in Washington D.C.
where he served with The Commandant’s Own, The United States Marine Drum &
Bugle Corps.
Initially enlisted as a Baritone bugler, Jibri later served as a Soprano Bugler and
featured soloist with the unit. While on active duty, Houston’s most honorable
service was as a United States Marine Funeral Bugler, where he regularly performed
Taps at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Jibri is a native of Austin, Texas. His roots in music go back to his grandfather Leon
Polk, a pioneer in mainstreaming gospel music, who sang with gospel quartet, The
Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Jibri received his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Euphonium Performance from
Northwestern State University where he studied with Dr. Masahito Kuroda, Dr. J.
Mark Thompson, and Galindo Rodriguez. His introduction to DCI came while
attending a Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps rehearsal on a scorching hot day in San
Antonio, TX in summer 2002. He auditioned later that year and became a Cavalier in
2003. During his graduate studies, he performed with the Northwestern State
University Jazz Orchestra on trombone. He was the 2006 Music Teachers National
Association Louisiana Euphonium/Brass, Winner.
Outside of music Jibri collaborates with local artists and professionals as an advocate
for mental health and suicide prevention. He enjoys playing soccer, coaching high
school track, traveling the world’s best beaches.
Jibri Houston
Brass Technician
Derrell Wallace
Derrell Wallace grew up in Terrell, Texas. In 2014, he graduated from Texas A&M University – Commerce with a degree in Music Education. While a student, he participated in the university’s wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, various chamber ensembles, and marched with The Cavaliers (2010 2011). Upon the completion of his degree, he attended Oklahoma City University where he received his Master’s in Tuba Performance (2016). Derrell is now in his 7th year of teaching middle school band and assisting with other programs as his schedule allows. In his leisure, he enjoys taking his kayak out, fishing, and long walks with the family. This is 6th year of teaching drum corps and 1st with the Sacramento Mandarins.
The most valuable thing we can offer in life, to both ourselves and others, is our time.
Derrell Wallace
Brass Technician
Jimmy Steele
Jimmy has had an extensive career as a brass/visual instructor in both DCA and DCI. Jim has been a member of the Rochester Crusaders (‘87, ‘88) and also the Empire Statesmen from 1991-1999, 2007-2013. During those years with the Statesmen, Jimmy was on the brass and visual staff from 1993-1996. In 1997 Jimmy took over the Brass Caption Head position. During his 12 years with the corps he was honored to be part of 4 DCA World Championship Corps (’91, ’94, ’97 and ‘98). Jimmy was also a member of the hornline as a marching member for all the years that he has been with the Statesmen. He left the Statesmen at the end of the 1999 season to begin working in the DCI ranks. From 2000-2005, he was the Brass Caption Head of Spirit of JSU. During those years, Spirit re-entered the top 12 for the first time in many years. The corps earned finalist status in 2002, 2004 and 2005. In 2006 Jim joined the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps as the Brass Caption Head. After 2006 Jimmy came off the road and re-entered the senior drum corps activity in 2007-2013 to work again with the Empire Statesmen and to start his family. He lives in Brockport NY with his wife Terry and his 2 children Robert and Kailey.
Outside of drum corps Jimmy has been a major contributor to many marching, jazz and concert band programs throughout the country. Jimmy has been a band director in the Medina Central School District for the past 30 years and was involved with the Medina Mustang Band for their New York State Championships in ’95, ’97, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, 13’, 19’ and again in 2021. He has won the 2nd most championships (12) as a director, in the history of the NYSFBC. His concert and jazz bands are award winning and have performed both on the local and national level. Jimmy has worked with numerous band programs throughout the Northeast and has also been a judge in the National Judges Association. He has been a guest conductor at numerous festivals and also enjoys judging concert and jazz competitions.
Professionally Jimmy is a freelance trumpet player. He is currently a member of Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk Big Band. In addition to that he has played in numerous pit orchestras and has also played with professionally with and for Randy Brecker, Mic Gilette (Tower Of Power), Tom Politzer (Tower Of Power) Wycliff Gordon, and Alan Vizutti.
Jimmy Steele
Brass Consultant
Errick Prince
Errick is currently the Fine Arts Department Chair at McCollum High School in San Antonio, Texas; in addition to serving as the Choir Director and Music Theory Teacher he works with the Band, Theater, Mariachi, Art, JROTC, and Dance Studio programs.
He has worked as a Band Director in Texas and Georgia in addition to serving as a High School Marching/Concert/Symphonic Band Judge in Connecticut, Colorado, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Florida.
Errick also works as a music professor at both Randolph/Lackland Air Force Bases. He was awarded a trumpet assignment in the US Air Force Reserve Band prior to being selected to serve as a Commissioned Officer. He performed as a Ceremonial Trumpeter/Honor Guard Bugler at several assigned duty stations. He also worked as a contractor for Air Force Entertainment primarily as a “Tops In Blue” Music Ensemble Specialist. He has experience as a Studio Musician for multiple recorded projects.
Errick was the Music Captionhead for the famous “Marching Southerners” of Jacksonville State University during his tenure as a Graduate Assistant under Dr. Ken Bodiford. He taught Jazz Band III and performed/assisted with Jazz I under Dr. Chip Crotts. For 2 years he was the Trumpet instructor for the US Army All-American Marching Band under Dr. Bodiford’s leadership.
Errick was a marching member and soloist for the Spirit of Atlanta and the Bluecoats. He has been on the Brass Staffs of The Cadets, Bluecoats, Santa Clara Vanguard, Spirit of Atlanta, and has served as the Brass Co-Captionhead for the Spirit of Atlanta along with being a Consultant for many Drum Corps.
Errick is a graduate of Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA where he was a trumpet student under Dr. Kenneth Kirk. He is a Charter Member of the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Music Sinfonia Fraternity. He currently resides in San Antonio, TX.
Errick Prince
Brass Consultant
Frank Williams III
Frank Williams currently serves as the Coordinator of Jazz Education for Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Marcia P. Hoffman Fine Arts Institute. Frank Williams also serves as the education consultant for the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. Mr. Williams holds a B.S. degree in Music Education from Florida A & M University and a Master of Music degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia. During his long career as a music educator Mr. Williams held many district and state offices and received many teacher of the year awards.
Mr. Williams has served as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for many high school, college, and honors ensembles in the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Frank Williams has worked with drum and bugle corps since the late 70’s including Suncoast Sound, the Cadets, the Glassmen, the Empire Statesmen (DCA) and many others. He was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in August of 2009. He was inducted into the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Hall of Fame in October of 2009 and was awarded the Sonny Award in honor of Sonny LaRosa by the Suncoast Jazz Society in 2013. Mr. Williams continues to work as a freelance composer, arranger, consultant, and clinician.
Carl Fischer Music recently published Mr. Williams’ method book – Chops: The Ultimate Guide to Building Tone, Technique and Flexibility which is available for trumpet and trombone.
