Rome Ababat is a classical flute player and private teacher in the Northern Texas area. He received his B.M in Music Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music in California State University of Long Beach, where he studied under Dr. John Barcellona; and his M.M from the University of North Texas, where he is studying under Terri Sundberg. 

Rome Ababat has won top awards in multiple instrumental solo competitions such as the Golden Classical Music Awards Competition and the Musical Arts Competition of Orange County in Southern California; while also performing in Carnegie Hall as well as Weill Recital Hall. He has also performed in masterclasses with many world class flute players such as Carol Wincenc, Jim Walker, and Gareth Davies. His previous teachers include Sara Andon and Diana Morgan. While he has been teaching private lessons since 2022, Rome has honed his teaching style to the fundamentals of flute playing that will allow his students to create the type of music they want to make. With a critical ear and a dedication to all of his students, Rome has a passion for teaching and wanting his students to improve.

Cindy Paxton is a flute educator and a free-lance flutist from Allen. She received her Bachelor of Music in

Education degree from Henderson State University (AR) and her Master of Music degree in flute

performance from the University of North Texas. Her principal teachers include Dr. Mary Karen Clardy, Dr.

David Etienne and Wendell Evanson.

Cindy has been an educator for over four decades, including directing band, teaching flute - both privately

and in the classroom. She currently has a flute studio in Allen, where she teaches for the Allen ISD band

program.

She has performed with the Dallas Wind Symphony under Jerry Junkin and the Texas Wind Symphony

under Ray Lichtenwalter on flute and piccolo.

She also performed with the Dallas Wind Symphony on five of their recordings:

• Arnold for Band

• Ron Nelson: Holidays and Epiphanies

• Crown Imperial

• Playing with Fire: Music by Frank Ticheli

• Horns for the Holidays

Cindy has also performed on piccolo, flute and alto flute with the “Love Your City Theater” production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Broadway musical Cinderella.

Mrs. Jerri Penney is an accomplished flutist, multi-instrumentalist, and dedicated educator who has spent her musical career playing, teaching, and competing throughout Texas. A proud former Texas All-State flutist, she pursued a degree in Flute Performance from Texas Tech University, where she studied under Dr. Michael Stoune and established a successful private teaching studio in Lubbock. Beyond her classical flute work, she extended her musical expertise by touring and recording as a vocalist and pianist for a traveling ensemble, alongside songwriting and composing piano ballads.

Following her move to the North Dallas area, Mrs. Penney completed a focused year of private tutelage under Dr. Mary Karen Clardy at the University of North Texas. Committed to continuous professional development, she has also participated in masterclasses led by many renowned pedagogues and authors, including James Galway, Patricia George and Michel Debost.

For over twenty years, Mrs. Penney has provided private instruction to flutists of all skill levels across the Allen and Lovejoy Independent School Districts. Her dedicated mentorship has guided numerous students to prestigious placements in all-city, all-region, all-area, and all-state ensembles.

Lyn Hoang is a flutist and private flute instructor in the North Texas area. She recently earned her Master of Music in Flute Performance from East Texas A&M University, where she served as a Teaching Assistant and studied with Dr. Julee Kim Walker. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Texas Christian University, where she studied with Dr. Shauna Thompson.\

Lyn’s performance experience includes serving as principal flute with the East Texas A&M University Wind Ensemble, piccolo with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra, co-principal flute at the 2026 Fredericksburg Summer Music Institute, and principal flute with the North Texas Symphony Orchestra (NTXSO) during the 2025–2026 season. She is passionate about helping students build strong foundations and confidence.

Ashetyn Burger is a clarinetist and music educator from Bentonville, Arkansas. She is currently teaching clarinet lessons to students in Allen, Celina, and Melissa ISD. Ashetyn holds a Masters degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of North Texas and a Bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas. Her primary teachers are Dr. Phillip Paglialonga and Dr. Kelly Johnson. 

Between 2019 and 2023, she taught private lessons and assisted band classes in Central Arkansas Schools, such as Ruth Doyle Middle School, Conway Junior High, Conway High School, Carl Stuart Middle School, Courtway Middle School, and Bigelow High School. She also taught private clarinet, flute, and saxophone lessons at Palmer Music Company in Conway from 2023-2024. Ms. Burger has been teaching private clarinet lessons in DFW since 2024. 

As a music educator, Ms. Burger aims to provide all students with a safe and welcoming learning environment. She dedicates herself to giving her students every opportunity to improve as young musicians and caters her teaching to meet their individual needs. Ms. Burger is certified to teach K-12 instrumental and general music in both Texas and Arkansas. 

In her free time Ms. Burger enjoys hiking, crafting, and spending time with her tortoiseshell cat, Lucy. 

Nick Dickinson, originally from Orlando, Florida, is a passionate music educator and clarinetist holding a Bachelor's in Music Education and a Master's in Music from Oklahoma City University, where he held a graduate assistantship for woodwind quintet. While at OCU, he performed with the Oklahoma Opera and Musical Theater Company, band, orchestra, and quintet. Highlights include a featured quintet performance during the Oklahoma City Philharmonic's classical series and pit orchestra work (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone), including The Marriage of Figaro and On the Town.

After relocating to DFW in 2019, Mr. Dickinson became a band director in Red Oak ISD while continuing to perform, joining the Dallas Chamber Wind Ensemble and premiering a new setting of John Mackey's “Wine-Dark Sea” written for the group. Driven by the belief that every student is capable of more than they realize, he's dedicated to helping each one discover and reach their full potential.

Andrew Rutten is an active performer and educator in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In the region, he has performed with the Greenville Chamber Music Society, San Angelo Symphony, and Sherman Symphony. Andrew recently completed his graduate studies (M.M. Clarinet Performance) at the University of North Texas. While at UNT, Andrew performed and recorded with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Nova: UNT’s contemporary music ensemble. He was also clarinetist for the wind quintet that won 2nd Prize out of more than 60 groups at the 2026 Goerge Papich Chamber Music Competition.

Previously, Andrew completed his undergraduate studies (B.M. Music Performance) at Colorado State University. At CSU, Andrew was a member of the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra, often serving in a principal role. While in Colorado, Andrew performed with many professional ensembles in the region including the Cheyenne Symphony, Fort Collins Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic, Longmont Symphony, The Larimer Chorale, and more. In 2026, Andrew returned to Colorado and performed as a featured soloist with the CSU Wind Symphony.

As an educator, Andrew teaches private lessons for Allen ISD, Lewisville ISD, and for UNT’s Amplifi program. His students range from first-year to advanced high school students, and his teaching focuses on developing awareness, critical thinking, and self-sufficiency through music. Andrew’s students have received “outstanding soloist” ratings at contests, placed in various all- region bands, and performed in honor groups outside of school.

A native of rural North Dakota, Andrew is always excited to discuss his small-town upbringing, especially through foods like lefse, krumkake, tator tot hotdish, and knoephla soup. When he is not performing, Andrew enjoys hiking, playing video games, and listening to classic country music.

Daisy Miller has dedicated more than 38 years to teaching music and private clarinet lessons. She holds music degrees from Baylor University and East Texas A&M University, with a strong foundation in music education and clarinet pedagogy. Throughout her career, she has been committed to helping students develop technical skills, musical artistry, and confidence in their abilities so that they can enjoy making music with others and for themselves. Her students regularly participate in the TMEA All-State audition process and consistently earn Superior ratings at Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Quan Guo is a saxophone educator and performer based in North Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Saxophone Performance from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music and his master’s degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma. He also pursued doctoral studies at the University of North Texas, where he studied saxophone with Dr. Eric Nestler.

Mr. Guo maintains an active private studio and teaches students throughout Allen, Plano, and Frisco ISDs. His students have consistently achieved success in district, region, area, and state-level auditions.

As an approachable, encouraging, and patient teacher, Mr. Guo believes that every student learns differently. He tailors his teaching methods to each student’s individual needs, learning style, and musical goals. He is committed to helping students build strong fundamentals, develop confidence and musical independence, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for music.

Sterling Fry is a saxophonist and educator based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. He has performed at Regional and National North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences as well as with the Texas Tech University Orchestra and Mesquite Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Sterling has recorded as the baritone saxophonist for the University of New Mexico Wind Symphony on the album Arrows of Time, and recently participated in several consortiums to commission new saxophone works from composers Jennifer Jolley, Alexis C. Lamb, Hong-Da Chin, Jacob Frost, and Alexandra Gardner.

As an educator, Dr. Fry is dedicated to saxophone pedagogy at all levels and maintains an active private studio in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. He currently teaches saxophone for Allen and Lewisville Independent School Districts. He has also taught for Birdville, Richardson, Northwest, Sunnyvale, Frenship, and Lubbock ISD. Over the summer, Sterling Fry taught for the Young Saxophonist Institute Band Camp in Fort Worth, TX. His students have excelled in TMEA All-Region Auditions, UIL Solo and Chamber Contests, Houston Underground Solo and Quartet Competition, and the American Protégé Competition. Several students have also successfully auditioned for prestigious youth ensembles, summer band camps, and saxophone undergraduate degree programs.

Sterling Fry received his Doctor of Musical Arts in saxophone performance from Texas Tech University, Master of Music from the University of New Mexico, and Bachelor of Music degree from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University Long Beach. Primary teachers include David Dees, Dr. Eric Lau, Glenn Kostur, and James Barrera.

Eric Stults is from Moore, Oklahoma. Eric has studied, been in masterclasses, and taken lessons with many great saxophonists including Jeffery Loeffert, Katherine Weintraub, Geoffrey Deibel, Vincent David, Zach Shemon, David Dees, Chris Creviston, and Joe Luloff. Eric will be entering his 10th year of teaching, two years as a TA at Florida State University, five years in Forney ISD, and 3 and half years with Wylie ISD. Eric has had many students make all region and all state, including a student making all state in New Mexico. Eric has played in several conferences and competitions throughout his career including the American Single Reed summit, the Midwest Clinic, the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial quartet competition finals, and The Music Teachers National Association Chamber music competition finals. When not teaching or playing the saxophone, Eric loves spending time with his wife, Samantha, and his daughter, Amelia.

Dick Clardy is the recently retired Coordinator of Instrumental Music for the Fort Worth Independent School District.  Fort Worth ISD is an urban school district that has a vibrant secondary instrumental music program that is growing in numbers and quality. The program includes bands, orchestras, and mariachi. He has assembled an amazing staff of veteran music teachers with their sole purpose to recruit and mentor their young and emerging secondary instrumental music faculty.

Clardy also serves on the board of The Foundation for Music Education. The Foundation for Music Education is a not-for-profit organization supporting music education that annually recognizes outstanding ensembles through the project entitled Mark of Excellence. The project includes the National Wind Band Honors, the National Orchestra Honors, the National Choral Honors, the National Jazz Ensemble Honors, and the National Percussion Honors.

Clardy is an active clinician, adjudicator and mentor for numerous music programs. He recently served as the Director of Bands and Chair of the Department of Fine Arts at Klein High School in north Houston, Texas. Mr. Clardy performed as principal trumpet with the United States Army Field Band in Washington, D.C. and was invited to perform on a national tour with The United States Armed Forces Bicentennial Band. He received his performance degree from The Catholic University studying with Lloyd Geisler, principal trumpet of the  National Symphony Orchestra. He served on the UNT Trumpet Faculty and performed with the UNT Faculty Brass Quintet.  Mr. Clardy taught both graduate and undergraduate students  as a colleague of legendary trumpet  professor John James Haynie during his time at UNT.

Prior to his appointment to his position in the Fort Worth Schools, Mr. Clardy spent twenty-seven years developing band and orchestra programs in Texas.  They include programs in Denton, Marcus High School in Flower Mound, The Colony High School, and Klein High School in Houston. His bands have been invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic in 1994 and 1998, the TMEA Convention-Clinic as the TMEA State Class 5A Honor Band in 1997, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in 1997, the American Bandmasters Association Convention in Austin in 2000, the Chicago Symphony Hall in 2004 and Carnegie Hall in 2001 and 2006. The John Philip Sousa Foundation honored The Colony Band with The Sudler Flag of Honor in 1994.

Clardy has championed new works for band from such composers as Robert Linn, William Latham, Martin Mailman, Dan Welcher, Eric Richards and Eric Whitacre. He has served the Texas Music Educators Association as both the State Band Division Chair and President.

Mr. Clardy is a member of Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu and in 1997 was elected into membership of the American Bandmasters Association. He served as President of the Texas Music Educators Association in 2000-2001. The Texas Bandmasters Association honored Mr. Clardy with the Meritorious Achievement Award in 2006 and the Lifetime Administrator Achievement Award in 2026. He was inducted into the Texas Phi Beta Mu Band Director’s Hall of Fame in 2026.

Matt is a freelance musician/private lesson instructor and has a studio of over 60 students in the Dallas area. In 2021, Matt started playing with the Dallas Brass Band and has served as principal cornet since 2023. 

Matt was selected to attend the Aspen Music Festival in 2017 and was awarded a fellowship to attend in 2018, he participated in the Orpheus@Mannes chamber orchestra intensive, and the U.S. Air Force Band Symposium. Over the years, he has had the pleasure of performing with the Dallas Brass Band, Greenville Pops Orchestra, McKinney Philharmonic, Sherman Symphony, New World Symphony, Austin Opera, Victoria Bach Festival. 

Matt holds degrees from James Madison University and The University of Texas at Austin. He has studied with Kevin Finamore, Christopher Still, Kyle Sherman, Tom Hooten, Ray Sasaki, David Krauss, Raymond Mase, Wiff Rudd, Kevin Cobb, Marc Reese, Dr. Chris Carrillo, Dr. Aaron Witek, and Christian Hinkle. 

Matt is currently a sponsored artist for Conn Selmer.

In his free time, Matt enjoys playing disc golf, bingeing youtube videos, reading, and arranging music.

Ben Fairfield currently serves as Acting Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Opera Orchestra. He is also a member of the Dallas Chamber Symphony, the Principal Trumpet of the Abilene Philharmonic, the Co-Principal Trumpet of the West Texas Symphony in Midland, TX, and a member of the Lone Star Brass Quintet. Ben is the founder and Artistic Director of the West Texas Symphonic Brass and frequently performs as a guest member of the trumpet section with orchestras throughout Dallas/Fort Worth including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Plano Symphony, and the Irving Symphony. He is also one of the most active freelance trumpeters in the DFW area.

Ben currently resides in Arlington, TX. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from James Madison University and graduate degrees (MM, DMA) in trumpet performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. His teachers include Craig Morris, former Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Gilbert Johnson, former Principal Trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and James Kluesner Professor Emeritus of Trumpet at James Madison University. He has also studied briefly with Philip Smith, former Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic and Michael Sachs, Principal Trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra.

Ben is a Vincent Bach performing artist, a division of Conn-Selmer.

Originally from McAllen, TX, Aaron Olson has had a passion for playing trumpet and studying music since middle school. He enjoys playing and teaching all genres of music. Aaron taught privately in the Denver area and has performed throughout Colorado. Mr. Olson achieved many All Region and All State awards at McAllen Memorial High School under the instruction of Lucio Diaz. In 2019 Mr. Olson received his bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance from West Texas A&M University. During that time Aaron toured the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary with the symphony orchestra, competed annually at the National Trumpet Competition, and performed with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra.

Aaron received a master’s degree in music in 2021 as well as a certificate in jazz performance in 2022 from the University of Denver. Recently he has performed with the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony of the Rockies, and the Diamond Empire Band. Along the way he was able to learn and perform with outstanding musicians such as William Takacs, Al Hood, Sam Oatts, Jon Faddis, Jerry Junkin, John Marchiando, Alan Vizzutti, Jeff Coffin, Phil Smith, Joe Alessi, Chris Colletti, Ronald Romm, and John King.

Mr. Olson has always found time to teach and believes that “the more you learn and play, the more you want to share the experience.” When teaching Aaron has seen what an impact music has on others. That moment you see someone create music and share it is the reason he keeps pursuing this path. “Music builds better people, better students, and enhances every aspect of life.” Living in the Dallas area for a little over a year, Aaron performs with the Rockwall Philharmonic, Carrollton Wind Symphony, and the Richardson Town Band.

Mr. Olson is an avid sports fan and enjoys seeing the wide variety of professional sports in the Dallas area and rooting for the Eagles Band and teams every chance he gets.

Dr. Allen Vandivere teaches trombone lessons in Allen ISD and Frisco ISD. He has played trombone for 40 years and taught for over 20 years. He is an active freelance performer and plays regularly with the Metropolitan Winds. Originally from Amarillo, TX, he earned a Bachelor or Music from Texas Tech University, where he studied trombone with Robert Deahl and Don Lucas. He also recorded a Grammy-Nominated album as a member of the Texas Tech Jazz Ensemble. He went on to earn a Master of Music Education from Indiana University, where he was Principal Trombone of the Bloomington Symphony. While earning his Doctor of Music Education from the University of North Texas, Dr. Vandivere was also a middle school band director and student teacher supervisor. He teaches all levels and his studio has produced many All-Region and All-State Band members. Some have gone on to study trombone at prominent conservatories like the Manhattan School of Music.

Dr. Tianyu Xue is a trombonist, educator, arranger, and composer whose career encompasses orchestral performance, chamber music, and music education. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone Performance from Louisiana State University, a Master of Music from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Music from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

As an educator, Dr. Xue served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Louisiana State University, where he taught applied trombone, led studio classes, and conducted trombone choir rehearsals. His teaching experience spans elementary through university levels. He has also presented masterclasses at Minot State University and Louisiana Tech University and served as an adjudicator for LMEA All-State auditions.

As a performer, Dr. Xue serves as Second Trombone with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and Louisiana Opera. Internationally, he has performed with the Qingdao Song & Dance Theatre Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. His recent appearances include the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Big 12 Trombone Conference.

Dr. Xue is also active as an arranger and composer, with published works for trombone inspired by Chinese folk music. His doctoral research explores the introduction of Chinese folk traditions into contemporary trombone solo and chamber repertoire.

Kevin Thomas is a retired Band Director with 36 years of experience teaching in Mesquite, Garland, and Grand Prairie ISDs. Throughout his career, he has helped thousands of young musicians build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and grow into independent players. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, a Master's in Trombone Performance from the Crane School of Music, and post graduate work at the University of North Texas, where he also served as a Teaching Fellow in trombone.

Mr. Thomas is an active performer in the Dallas area. In the past he has performed with the Abilene Symphony and Irving Symphony. He plays regularly with the Teachers Jazz Collective, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, and Frisco Jazz Band, and has recorded with the North Texas Wind Symphony and C3 Big Band. He brings that real-world musical experience directly into his teaching, giving students a strong foundation and a musician's perspective on how to grow and develop musically.

Gabriel Roberson is a Dallas-Fort Worth-based bass trombonist and low brass educator who blends an elite performing career with a passion for student mentorship. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Louisiana State University and a Master of Music from Northwestern University.

In 2015, Gabriel won the prestigious International Trombone Association Edward Kleinhammer Orchestral Bass Trombone Competition.

He has held positions with the Naples Philharmonic, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Baton Rouge Symphony, and Acadiana Symphony. His extensive freelance credits include the Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Malaysian Philharmonic.

Since transitioning to full-time teaching in 2022, Gabriel has maintained a vibrant DFW private studio and an active regional playing schedule, bringing world-class orchestral expertise directly to the next generation of brass players.

Orlando Mendoza is an active Trombonist and Low Brass specialist in DFW. He has received his Bachelor’s of Music in Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington where he studied with Dennis Bubert, Former Bass Trombonist of the Ft. Worth Symphony Orchestra and his Masters in Trombone Performance from Southern Methodist University, where he studied with Darren Mchenry of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He has earned awards in competitions and has been invited to participate at multiple Trombone festivals such as the Southwest Trombone Conference and Georgia Trombone Summit where he was able to study with orchestral trombone players from across the country. He loves to barbecue and work on his car in his spare time.

Christian Trice is in his 5th year teaching private lessons in the DFW area. Growing up in Fort Worth, TX, Mr. Trice is a 2018 graduate of North Crowley High School, and was a member of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor’s in Music in 2022. Post graduation, he immediately started teaching private lessons in the DFW area. He’s taught private low brass lessons with multiple school districts, including Crowley ISD, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, Lake Worth ISD, and Granbury ISD. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Tuba Performance at Southern Methodist University. When he’s not teaching or practicing, he enjoys working out and a wide range of nerdy hobbies.

Makana Jimbu Bio

Drew Talley is an active percussionist and music educator around the DFW metroplex. Prior to teaching in Allen ISD, Drew was the Assistant Percussion Director at Wylie HS and most recently at Flower Mound HS.

As a Percussion Director, he led his students to Bronze and Gold medals at the 6A UIL State Marching Championships, in addition to being named Grand Champions at the Bands of America San Antonio Super-Regional. Mr. Talley’s private lesson studio has had success at MS All-Region and TMEA All-State, including first chair placements and earning positions within the All-State Band. His students are often highlighted for their outstanding musicianship including placing 1st at the TCU Percussion Festival solo contest. In addition, lesson students have earned positions within the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, as well as into competitive collegiate music programs.

As a professional musician, Mr. Talley has experience performing orchestral, chamber, operatic, musical theater, and commercial music. He’s shared the stage with major artists on radio and national television. Former percussionist for entertainment companies; such as Disney, Six Flags Over Texas, and Busch Gardens-Williamsburg.

Mr. Talley has spoken at the East Texas Percussion Director Symposium, Southern California School Band & Orchestra Conference, and at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy. He holds a B.A. in Music Performance from UT-Arlington, a M.M. in Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, and attended the Aspen Music Festival. Mr. Talley is also the Director of Off Beat Sessions and its summer percussion camp.

Sophia Lo Bio