tom riccobono

Tom Riccobono is Instructor of Low Brass at the Interlochen Arts Academy and principal trombone with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Penn State University, and a Performers’ Certificate from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Mr. Riccobono has performed with the Savannah Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Orchestra inSalzau, Germany, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Italy. He also performed with such commercial acts as the Temptations, Four Tops, Moody Blues, Four Irish Tenors, Abe Laboriel, John Fedchock, Harry Connick Sr., Luciano Pavaratti, Doc Severinsen, Don Rickles, Yes, Ian Anderson, Bernadette Peters, and conductors Christoph Eschenbach, Mstislav Rostropovich, Lorin Maazel, Kevin Rhodes, Robert Shaw, Louis Lane, Michael Stern, Leon Fleisher. He currently lives in Traverse City with his wife Jeanmarie and children Noelle, Michael and Gabrielle.

dr. noel wallace

Dr. Noel Wallace is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Low Brass at Tarleton State University. Previous college teaching positions include adjunct positions at the University of North Texas, Brookhaven College, and Texas Woman's University. Dr. Wallace holds a bachelor degree in music from the Eastman School of Music, a masters degree in music from Penn State University, and a doctorate of musical arts degree from the University of North Texas. Additionally, Dr. Wallace holds a performance certificate from the Rotterdam Conservatory, in The Netherlands. He is currently an active member as a bass trombonist in the San Angelo Symphony, Keith Karns Big Band, Tarnished Brass Quintet, and Session Brass. Dr. Wallace currently lives in Denton, Texas with his wife, Dr. Alicia Wallace and their three (crazy!) cats.

dr. erik shinn

Erik Shinn joined the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra as Director of Operations in early 2021. An active arts administrator with a passion for orchestral music, he has previously held positions with the York Symphony Orchestra, Music Academy of the West, Brevard Music Center, and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Erik previously served as Adjunct Instructor of Trombone at the University of Florida and held graduate teaching assistantships in the trombone studios at Florida State and Baylor universities. During his time in Florida he won contract positions with the Gainesville and Ocala Symphony Orchestras and performed with others throughout the state. As an arranger, Erik has written pieces for a variety of brass ensembles, specializing in works for trombone choir and mixed low brass. His arrangements have been commissioned and performed by several professional organizations. Erik earned the Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University, a Master of Music from Baylor University, and Bachelor of Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University.

brandon buterbaugh

Brandon is currently the Director of Bands at Hershey High School, where he directs the Trojan Marching Band, the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band, and the Jazz Ensemble. Brandon received his Bachelors in Music Education from Penn State University and his Masters in Trombone Performance from West Virginia University. He has studied with Steve Stiffer, Mark Lusk, Keith Jackson, and Brian Plitnik. Brandon is a member of the West Shore Symphony and Berks Sinfonietta Chamber Orchestra. He also frequently freelances in the Southeast region. Brandon is a member of the International Trombone Association, National Band Association, and the National Association for Music Education.

ben chouinard

Ben Chouinard studied bass trombone at Northwestern University, the Pennsylvania State University, and the Peabody Conservatory. He has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, the Washington Opera, the Baltimore Opera, the Richmond Symphony and the Maryland Symphony. He has served on the faculties of Towson University, Morgan State University, and the Community Colleges of Baltimore. At various points in his musical journey, he has also composed, arranged, and conducted for ensembles of all ages and instrumentations, ranging from beginning elementary school band to advanced choirs and orchestras.

austin oprean

Austin Oprean is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Trombone Performance at Michigan State University, where he is completing his dissertation on the relation between mindfulness practice and music education. He is an active performer, having performed throughout the Midwest with groups such as the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, the Mason Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago the Musical Touring Cast, and the Nittany Valley Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member the Penn State Graduate Brass Quintet while they toured in Cuba, being the first brass quintet to do so. Austin has received degrees from the Pennsylvania State University, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Interlochen Arts Academy, as well as a Professional Performers Certificate from Penn State.

wade judy

Wade Judy is a native of Miami, Florida where he attended the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and earned his Bachelors Degree in Trombone Performance. Following his time at the Frost School of Music, Wade moved to State College, Pennsylvania where he completed a Professional Performance Certificate in Trombone Performance, a Professional Performance Certificate in Trombone with a Jazz Emphasis, and a Masters degree in Trombone Performance at Penn State University. Currently, he lives in Greeley, Colorado and is in the third year of his Doctor of Arts degree at the University of Northern Colorado where he teaches the undergraduate trombone students and directs the UNC Trombone Choir.

ofer cohen

Ofer Cohen is a native of Potomac, Maryland. He is currently pursuing his Masters degree in trombone performance at the Arizona State University, where he studies with Dr. Brad Edwards. Ofer recently graduated from the Pennsylvania State University where he received his Bachelors of Music in trombone performance studying with professor Mark Lusk. Ofer has subbed in the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra and the Altoona Symphony Orchestra while in State College. In addition, he has attended the Cleveland Trombone Seminar for 3 years. Ofer hopes to continue his passion for music and become well versed in every style of music.

kevin mcmanus

Kevin M. McManus holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University, a Graduate Performer’s Certificate from SUNY Purchase Conservatory, and a Masters Degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Mr. McManus has had a prolific musical career, performing on Broadway and with groups such as the Pittsburgh and Wheeling Symphony Orchestras, Pittsburgh Opera Theatre, the Pittsburgh Ballet, and the River City Brass Band. Mr. McManus is the founder and leader of The Bone Forum, The Kevin M. McManus Jazz Octet, and The Pittsburgh Trombone Project. He has an active touring schedule and can frequently be heard across America with The Four Tops, The Temptations, and The Latshaw Productions Pops Orchestra. Mr. McManus is currently an elementary general music teacher in the Plum Borough School District and on the faculties of Seton Hill University, Messiah College, Westminster College, Westmoreland County Community College, and The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. Kevin has also served on the faculties of Waynesburg and Frostburg State Universities and taught elementary instrumental music in the Gateway School District. He recently accepted a position teaching trombone at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

evan harger

Evan Harger studied trombone performance at the Pennsylvania State University, orchestral conducting at the University of Oregon, and is currently in the process of completing his doctoral of musical arts degree in orchestral conducting from Michigan State University, where he is a student of Kevin Noe. His conducting engagements have included the Oregon Mozart Players, the St. Petersburg State Symphony, the Maryland Chamber Winds, and the Riverside Chamber Orchestra. An advocate for teaching applied philosophy to music majors, he has presented at the Oxford Conducting Studies Institute on John Dewey’s Philosophy of Mind and how it can inform rehearsal culture. Additionally, he has also presented on the pedagogy of contemporary music and early music for music students. Evan is currently an instructor of music at Marywood University, where he serves as the director of orchestral activities. He teaches courses in music history, world music, conducting, as well as other subjects.

bryan powell

Bryan received a Bachelors Degree in Trombone Performance from the Pennsylvania State University,  a Masters Degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Miami, and most recently was a Teaching Assistant at the University of Colorado Boulder while pursuing a Doctorate in Trombone Performance and Brass Pedagogy. Bryan has been a freelance trombone player and music teacher for over 10 years in the cities of Pittsburgh, Miami, and Denver. As an active performer, Bryan has performed with ensembles such as the Boulder Philharmonic, Boulder Symphony, Longmont Symphony, Ft. Collins Symphony, The Flatirons Jazz Orchestra, The Annie Booth Big Band, Brass Roots, The Henry Mancini Institute, New World Symphony, and world class soloists such as Bobby McFerrin, Chick Corea, Edgar Meyer, Joshua Bell, Wayne Bergeron, and Joseph Alessi. 

abigail koehler

Abigail Koehler is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended the Pennsylvania State University from 2013 to 2017, receiving a Bachelors degree in Music Education. In addition, she also received her Professional Performance Certificate in Trombone Performance at Penn State in 2018. Following graduation, Abigail taught elementary band for a year in Pennsylvania before moving to Colorado, where she is currently the assistant director of bands at Mead High School in Longmont, Colorado.

dan weiner

Dan Weiner is currently in his 21st year of teaching music in the Neshaminy School District, located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Mr. Weiner is currently an itinerant instrumental music teacher, in which he teaches 4th and 5th grade band across the school district. He received a Bachelor of Music Education in 1999 and Masters in Music Performance in 2001 from Penn State University. Mr. Weiner is an active musician and adjudicator in the Philadelphia and Central New Jersey area, in which he performs on the trombone with many active jazz ensembles, orchestra and bands and small ensemble groups.

patrick mcisaac

Patrick McIsaac (BFA ’11) is ecstatic to head back to PSU after 10 years to join Mark and many of his fellow alumni. A native of Levittown outside of Philadelphia and a Carnegie Mellon alum (MM ’13), Patrick has spent significant time training in all 3 parts of PA. While there is a fun rivalry when it comes to sports fandom, the trombone community across the state has always been thriving and a great community to grow. Patrick has been playing with the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra and Delaware Valley Wind Ensemble since 2013 and is looking forward to the performances starting again this year! He has taught over 20 students since graduating, passing on what he learned from Mark, Pete Sullivan, Dan Weiner, and many others. He currently lives Montco with his wife Jennifer and cats Figment and Isaac (McIsaac).

Scott Slutter earned his Bachelor of Music degree in trombone performance from the Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1989 as part of one of Professor Lusk’s first graduating classes of low brass players in his career at Penn State. After earning his Bachelors degree, Scott continued his studies at Penn State, becoming one of Professor Lusk's first Graduate Teaching Assistants and graduating with his Masters degree in trombone performance in 1992. After leaving Penn State, Scott continued his studies in music at the University of Kansas. Soon after, Scott began his remarkable career as a music educator at the Council Rock School District in Pennsylvania.

Mary Margaret Browne Wilson

Mary Margaret is a 2000 Penn State alumna who graduated with a B.S. in Music Education and a Minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Since then, she has taught in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and she earned her Masters of Education in School Counseling from Wilmington University. She is currently a general music teacher, band director, and music department chair for The Tatnall School, a 3-year old through grade 12 school in Wilmington. Being married to her best friend, Bob Wilson (who's also a music teacher!), and Mom to Emily (age 13) and Julia (age 11) is her greatest joy. Mary Margaret feels blessed to be a part of the Penn State Trombone Studio Family and is so happy to be here this weekend to reconnect and "put the music first" before starting her 23rd year of teaching! Many thanks to Mark, his current and former students, and the School of Music for making this event possible!

Andy Colwell

Andy Colwell is a resident and native of State College/University Park/Happy Valley, at the heart of Pennsylvania. He graduated from Penn State in Dec. 2011 with degrees in visual journalism and integrative arts photography. Andy freelances for the Associated Press and works as a wedding, portrait and event photographer in the Centre County area. His photos have appeared in dozens of publications around the world. In addition to photographic pursuits, Andy is an Eagle Scout and played trombone in the Penn State University Marching Blue Band.

Ethan Spencer

Ethan Spencer is a native of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, a town located in the Harrisburg area. He graduated from Penn State in 2021 with a BME in Music Education, overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 virus to do so. Some highlights of Ethan’s musical career include five years of teaching high school marching band, maintaining a private studio in the Harrisburg area, and studying in Vienna with William McElheney, a trombonist in the Vienna Philharmonic. Ethan is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Trombone Performance at West Virginia University. Ethan loves the Penn State Trombone Studio, Mark Lusk, and half-priced appetizers at Applebee’s.

Jamey Morgan

Benjamin John “Jamey” Morgan is a freelance trombonist and music educator hailing from Boulder, Colorado. A versatile musician, Morgan is an active freelance performer on alto, tenor, and bass trombones. Morgan has worked with several chamber music groups in Detroit and Lansing, and has performed with the Holland Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Brass Band of Battle Creek, Midland Symphony, Alma Symphony, Saginaw Bay Symphony, Flint Symphony, and Lansing Symphony. Jamey holds degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder (BM, 2016) and Michigan State University (MM, 2019), as well as a Professional Performance Certificate from Penn State University (2017). He is currently a doctoral candidate at Michigan State, and expects to complete his studies in Fall 2021. His teachers include Dr. William Stanley, Mark Lusk, and Ava Ordman.