Adrian Izquierdo Ayala is a Mexican conductor, arranger, tubist, pedagogue, and composer. He completed graduate studies in Italy and the United States. He served as a Graduate Assistant Instructor at the UTRGV School of Music in Texas and received the Graduate School Fellowship from the University of Wisconsin. He was also distinguished by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree at the Conservatorio “Claudio Monteverdi” in Bolzano.

He has been awarded prizes in several competitions in Mexico and Europe, and has performed in concerts and tours throughout Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France, Sweden, and the United States. He has presented recitals at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference (ITEC) and has appeared at Arizona State University and Bowling Green State University (Ohio).

Committed to contemporary creation, he has promoted and premiered more than a dozen new works, actively contributing to the expansion of the repertoire for brass and orchestra. He currently serves as Principal Conductor of the Orquesta Universitaria de Música Popular at the Universidad Veracruzana, where he leads projects that integrate popular music, technological innovation, and artistic creativity.

Danny Vinson is former euphoniumist and soloist with the U.S. Coast Guard Band (1984-2006). Currently he is a free lance musician in East Texas and plays with local jazz/swing bands and the Longview Symphony Orchestra (on trombone). He has been a member of the euphonium-tuba quartet Alchemy for forty-two years. He has performed with countless other symphony orchestras and concert bands, chamber ensembles, British style brass bands, Civil War era reproduction bands, polka bands, rodeo and circus bands, klezmer bands, swing bands, praise bands, and Dixieland jazz bands.

He is currently “officially” retired as a teacher. Previously, he has taught part-time at many universities including the University of Connecticut, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Tyler, East Texas Baptist University, Blinn College, Kilgore College, Tyler Jr. College and as a teaching fellow at the University of North Texas. For nineteen years he was on the faculty of the annual North Germany Low Brass Workshop in Jever, Germany (2001-2020).

He has been active with the Suzuki Method for five years and has studied through Trumpet/Brass Unit 4, registered on both euphonium and tuba. He has also recently completed Suzuki Recorder Unit 1.

The IUP Tubaphonium Ensemble was formed and presented its first concert in the Fall of 1971. Since that time it has performed numerous concerts, including performances at the 2014, 2016, and 2021 (virtual) International Tuba Euphonium Conferences, 2018 and 2022 International Euphonium and Tuba Festivals, 1978 and 2012 PMEA Conferences, the 1995, 1999, 2007, and 2009 U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conferences in Washington, D.C., the 2013 and 2015 Northeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, and the 1996 and 1998 Colonial Euphonium and Tuba Institute in Albany, NY and Indiana, PA respectively. The IUP Tubaphonium Ensemble has appeared extensively throughout Pennsylvania, primarily within the format of school assemble programs. This group has also been involved in sponsoring TubaChristmas in Indiana, PA for more than 30 years.

The IUP Tubaphonium Ensemble is comprised of students whose focus of study is music and/or music education with a major emphasis on the tuba and euphonium as well as qualified non-majors. The ensemble is used as an extension of private instruction, allowing for master classes, ensemble rehearsal and performance, and the study of low brass literature and pedagogy. 

James E. Jackson III, Adams Musical Instruments Euphonium Artist, is a native of Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to being Principal Euphonium of the U. S. Coast Guard Band (retired), James is currently acting Director of Bands at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School. He is also Professor of Euphonium at both the Hartt School and University of Connecticut.

James was a featured soloist and clinician at the 2011 World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) held in Chiayi City, Taiwan and was featured soloist at Taipei's National Theater Concert Hall as a member of the US Coast Guard Band. James was principal baritone of the Lexington Brass Band and a featured soloist with the band at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic.

Mr. Jackson was the winner of the 1995 International T.U.B.A. Conference Tuba-Euphonium Quartet Competition, and the winner at the 1994 Leonard Falcone International Solo Euphonium Competition.

He has been a clinician throughout the United States at numerous universities, colleges and public schools. James is a founding member of the tuba and euphonium quartet Alchemy, which annually performs recitals, teach master classes, and conduct ensembles as Artist in Residence at the Horn-Tuba workshop in Jever, Germany.

James can be heard with Alchemy on their first CD release "Village Dances" and on their newest CD, "Prelude and Groove" released in February 2012

Dr. Jasmine “Jazzie” Pigott is a tuba soloist, composer, educator, and Meinl Weston Performing Artist whose work blends bold musical expression with narrative-driven artistry and a holistic approach to musicianship. Known for her versatility and expressive range, she has built a multifaceted career as a performer, clinician, and creative voice in contemporary low-brass performance.

Dr. Pigott tours nationally presenting recitals, masterclasses, interdisciplinary residencies, and workshops on expressive playing, creative process, musician wellness, and artist development. Her compositions—including Roots Torn, Routes Chosen and other narrative-focused solo, chamber, and large ensemble works—draw from Black musical traditions, personal storytelling, and a commitment to writing music that empowers both performers and audiences.

As an educator, she teaches with a mission to help musicians claim space, trust their sound, and build sustainable, identity-aligned careers. She serves as Adjunct Professor of Tuba at Rowan University and is frequently invited to speak on creativity, confidence, wellness, and the evolving role of modern brass artists.

Through performance, teaching, and composition, Dr. Pigott continues to shape a dynamic artistic path centered on authenticity, community, and the transformative power of sound.

Kazuo Murakami is Lecturer of Piano and Coordinator of Collaborative Piano at the University of Central Arkansas where he joined the faculty in 2008. Murakami is a sought-after soloist and collaborative artist in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Originally from Japan, Murakami began his studies in piano at the age of four. After studying at the Kyoto City University of Arts, Murakami continued his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he won the Sadie Zellen Piano Prize. Murakami earned a D.M.A. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa in December 2011, where he served two years as Research Assistant (Pianist) of the University of Iowa’s New Music Ensemble directed by distinguished composition professor David Gompper.

Murakami has been part of numerous chamber recitals and ensembles, performing at universities and venues across the United States and Asia. He has also performed at several conferences: including the 2006 and 2016 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conferences, the 2018 and 2022 International Trombone Festival, the 2015 International Double Reed Society and the 2022 South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference. Additionally, he serves as collaborative pianist at the University of Central Arkansas for 60+ faculty, guest artist and student recitals annually. He was honored recently to present recitals with esteemed artists such as Gene Pokorny, Principal Tuba, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Christian Lindberg, distinguished trombone player, and many others.

Dr. Kelli Duncan is a euphonium player and freelance music educator from Phoenix, Arizona.  She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in euphonium performance from the University of Oregon, where she studied with Michael Grose and served the tuba/euphonium studio as a graduate teaching assistant.  She also holds degrees from Arizona State University, having studied music performance and pedagogy with Dr. Deanna Swoboda, Sam Pilafian, and Dr. Pat Stuckemeyer.  As a pedagogue, she specializes in breathing for brass playing and performance psychology for all instruments, promoting a science-supported, music-oriented mental approach to practice and performance.  She recently presented her doctoral research at the International Women’s Brass Conference in Hartford, Connecticut and the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Valencia, Spain.

As an educator, Dr. Duncan has deep ties to the marching arts community.  She was a marching member of The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps from 2008-2011, and returned to the organization as Low Brass Coordinator for the brass staff from 2019-2023.  She is currently on brass staff for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in Madison, Wisconsin.  She continues to support the marching arts community as a clinician, consultant, and adjudicator.

Dr. Laura Fallon (she/they) is a low brass musician from Long Island who freelances as a performer and educator in the greater NYC metropolitan area. She is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Long Island University, as well as Adjunct Faculty of Euphonium and Trombone at Adelphi University.

Laura earned her D.M.A. in euphonium performance at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. During her time at Rutgers, much of her research centered around the history of British brass bands, with a focus on the music of Peter Graham. She received both her M.A. in Music History and B.M. in Instrumental Performance from Long Island University (C.W. Post).

Dr. Lauren Casey-Clyde is the core trombonist of Seraph Brass and serves as Assistant Professor of Trombone & Euphonium at Texas State University and Texas Lutheran University. She has performed across the globe in Peru, South Korea, Japan, Spain, Mexico, England and in 42 out of 50 U.S. States. Orchestrally, she has played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, Central Texas Philharmonic, and Waco Symphony Orchestra.  

Along with collegiate teaching, Lauren also serves as a private teacher in the Austin area, currently teaching in Round Rock ISD. Her students have consistently won positions at prestigious universities, region bands, all-state ensembles, honor bands, and summer festivals. Lauren also works with the 2024 DCI World Champion The Bluecoats, where she serves as the lead baritone/trombone instructor.

Lauren earned her DM and MM in Trombone Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, her BM in Euphonium Performance and Music Education from Boston University, and studied abroad at the Royal College of Music in London. She has a distinct passion for doubling on bass trumpet and sackbut as well. Lauren’s principal teachers include Dr. Nathaniel Brickens and Boston Symphony tubist Mike Roylance.

The LP Quartet is an up and coming voice in the tuba quartet idiom. We are based in the New England region and are composed of passionate performers and music educators spanning four East-Coast universities. 

Our mission is to raise awareness of our ensemble type and the capabilities of tubas and euphoniums, and to promote superior tuba and euphonium pedagogy. Through performing a diverse array of styles and genres, new and old, classic and contemporary for recitals, masterclasses and clinics, our mantra is that “any occasion could be made better with just a little more tuba!”

Dr. Meredith Q. Fuller (she/her) is a tubist and educator based in the Baltimore area. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. Originally from Pennsylvania, she is an alumna of the Penn State School of Music, where she earned her B.M.E. and M.M. degrees.

Meredith’s passion for the tuba began in elementary school when she volunteered to try the instrument during a Music in Our Schools Month demonstration. Initially chosen because she was a small girl, she quickly developed a love for the tuba, which set her on a path to pursue music professionally. She advocates for music education, outreach, and advocacy for marginalized groups in the brass and tuba community.

Meredith is a low brass teaching artist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program and teaches privately around the area. She was appointed as a faculty member with the Baltimore School for the Arts and its TWIGS program, where she serves as the tuba and euphonium instructor. From 2022-2024, she was the adjunct professor of tuba and euphonium at Penn State University. In 2025, she was a Featured Artist for the International Women’s Brass Conference in Hartford, CT.

Mikal Martin is a dynamic low-brass musician, educator, and arts advocate whose work blends performance, leadership, and community impact. He earned his Bachelor’s in Tuba Performance under Dr. Alex Avila at Columbus State University and is now pursuing his Master’s degree under Carol Jantsch at Yale while serving as a Teaching Artist at the Yale School of Music and Co-President of the Yale Black Music Collective. A Sphinx Artist, Presser Scholar, and Air Force Band Diversity Fellow, Mikal is dedicated to expanding representation and access within the performing arts.

He has taught students in Connecticut and Georgia, creating supportive and empowering learning environments for young musicians. His leadership experience includes earning a Servant Leadership Certificate and serving as President of the Black Schwob Society, where he strengthened community engagement at Columbus State University. As a social media influencer with over one million views, he advances music education and advocacy across platforms.

Mikal’s performance work includes chamber appearances in Spain, Connecticut, Denver, New York, and Georgia, along with presenting new works at ITEC Spain 2025. His ensemble credits include the Schwob Philharmonic, Schwob Wind Ensemble, Yale Philharmonic, and the U.S. Air Force Band in D.C., as well as performances at major national conferences.

Phillip Marion is a Philadelphia-based euphoniumist and educator whose artistry bridges performance, scholarship, and community engagement. A DMA graduate from James Madison University, Phillip has performed across the U.S. and Europe in solo, chamber, and large ensemble settings, earning accolades in regional and international competitions, including 1st place at the previous NERTEC euphonium artist competition. He currently serves as solo euphonium for the Philadelphia Wind Symphony and has played with ensembles including the Dallas Brass Band, Princeton Brass Band, and Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra.

Phillip’s teaching and research focus on brass pedagogy, music history, and American euphonium literature. His published dissertation explores the instrument’s solo development in the U.S., and he continues to contribute to music education through writing, lectures, and student mentorship.

Joining Phillip is Risa Okina, a collaborative pianist and music theorist whose performances and scholarship span the U.S., Japan, and Europe. Risa currently serves as Assistant Professor of Accompanying and Music Theory at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY, and brings a rich interpretive lens to her collaborations, informed by her research on Brahms and musical narrative. Her thoughtful musicianship and deep analytical insight enrich this recital’s exploration of heritage and expression.

Robyn Black is an internationally-celebrated soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral tubist. Robyn serves as Core Tuba of Seraph Brass, as well as the Principal Tuba of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, a position she won at just 18 years old. She has also performed as a guest musician with leading ensembles such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Symphony. Additionally, Robyn appears regularly at festivals such as the Lakes Area Music Festival and the Artosphere Festival Orchestra.

An active educator, Robyn served on faculty at the Southeast Trombone Symposium in 2024 and 2025, and has presented masterclasses at institutions including Yale University, Northwestern University, Oberlin Conservatory, DePaul University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Through her work with Seraph Brass, she has performed and led educational residencies across the United States and around the world, including at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Chamber Music America, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival in South Korea, and the International Festival of Winds in Peru, inspiring the next generation of brass players.

Sasha Johnson began his musical training at age 16, studying tuba with Sam Pilafian at the Empire Brass Seminar of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. He went on to study at the University of Toronto, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Berlin Philharmonic Academy. His private teachers and influences have included Arnold Jacobs, Roger Bobo, Alan Baer and Mel Culbertson.

During his studies in Europe, Sasha performed with the Berlin Philharmonic as a member of their Orchestra Academy, and went on to perform with many other European orchestras including the Berlin Symphony, Berlin State Opera, Radio Orchestra Berlin, Orchestre Symphonique de Radio France, Orchestre de Paris, Ensemble Modern, and Orchestre National Bordeaux. He has performed in such concert venues as the Lucerne Festival, Festival d’Aix en Provence, Concertgebouw, Wiener Konzerthaus, Theatre Champs-Elysées, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Salzburg Festival, and the BBC Proms, under such eminent conductors as Claudio Abbado, James Levine, Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta, Essa-Pekka Salonen, Charles Dutoit, Kurt Masur, Paavo Järvi, and Seiji Ozawa.

In January 2009, Sasha was appointed principal tuba of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra. He is the instructor of tuba at the Glenn Gould School of Music of Royal Conservatory of Canada, the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, and the Longy School of Music of Bard College.

Currently on the faculty of the Hartt School/University of Hartford, Scott Mendoker is a member of the award-winning brass quintet, Philadelphia Brass, and has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Bavarian Radio Orchestra, L'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, New Jersey Symphony, Boston Pops, New York Pops and the Broadway hit - “Ragtime”.  

Recordings include Jess Turner’s “Heavy Weather”/Hartt Wind Ensemble - Glen Adsit, conductor (Naxos), “Kansas City Dances” by David Holsinger/Rutgers University Wind Ensemble - Dr. William Berz, conductor (Mark), David Sampson’s “Three Portraits” for Tuba and Chamber Orchestra (Summit) and two of David Sampson’s chamber music CDs, Notes from Faraway Places (Summit) and Skeleton at the Feast (Summit). Scott is featured, along with his Hartt School colleagues James E. Jackson III (euphonium) and Elisabeth Tomczyk (piano), on David Sampson’s latest work – “Sharp Wave Ripples”. This work was premiered by the trio in June of 2025 in Valencia, Spain at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference and recorded shortly afterwards for Summit Records with a projected release date in 2026. Scott Mendoker is an international performing artist for Adams Musical Instruments.

A life-long resident of Southern California, Scott Sutherland has been hailed as “the second craziest tuba player I know” by famed American composer, Joan Tower. He is a member of the Redlands Symphony, Riverside Philharmonic and has been spotted in the back row of the Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and many more. Likely due to clerical errors, Scott has performed at the front of the stage as a soloist with the San Diego Symphony, Riverside and Burbank Philharmonics. He has also recorded for film, television and video game soundtracks.

Scott began the popular Scott Sutherland Music YouTube Channel in 2016 which includes multitrack videos of film, television and video game music, featuring Scott playing euphonium, tuba, cimbasso, piano and percussion. To date, the channel has been viewed over 3 million times and anyone reading this bio ought to stop and immediately subscribe to the channel.

Apart from his time performing and writing music, Scott is a passionate and dedicated teacher. He is currently on the faculty at East Carolina University and formerly at the University of Redlands, California Baptist University and the Idyllwild Arts Academy.



Scott Sutherland is proud to be an Eastman Winds Artist.

Seraph Brass, now in its 12th season, was founded by trumpet soloist Mary Elizabeth Bowden with a mission to showcase the excellence of women brass players and highlight musicians from marginalized groups, both in personnel and in programming. Winners of the American Prize in Chamber Music, the group has been praised for its “beautiful sounds" (American Record Guide), "fine playing” (Gramophone), and “staggeringly high caliber of performance” (Textura). 

The ensemble has toured around the world in South America, Asia, Europe and in 40 U.S. States including performances at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Tafalla Brass Week in Spain, Lieksa Brass Week in Finland, the International Festival of Winds of Cusco in Peru, and the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival in South Korea.

2025-2026 highlights include the premiere of Steven Juliani’s new concerto for Brass Quintet and Wind Ensemble alongside Jerry Junkin and Dallas Winds, performances in Germany and a three week tour in Japan. Members of Seraph Brass are passionate about music education, and hold faculty positions at Shenandoah Conservatory and Texas State University. In each of their tours, the group works to provide educational outreach to local schools.

Seraph Brass is a Yamaha Performing Group.