Peter Loel Boonshaft has been invited to speak and conduct in every state in the nation and around the world. Honored by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education,” Dr. Boonshaft is Director of Education for KHS America/Jupiter Band Instruments. Dr. Boonshaft is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise. He is also co-author of Alfred Music Publishing’s method book series Sound Innovations. As well, his weekly “Boonshaft’s Blog” for music educators continues to inspire teachers everywhere. He is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, where he is Professor of Music.

Thad K. Driskell serves as Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where his primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Symphony, The Band of Blue Marching Band, and AP Music Theory. Mr. Driskell serves as the All-State Band Chair for Iowa, Chair of the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the All-State Music Festival, and the National Band Association State Chair for Iowa. He was recognized in School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s “Fifty Directors That Make a Difference” in 2012, was the recipient of the Phillip Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award from the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association, and received the 2017 National High School Heart of the Arts Award from the National Federation of State High School Associations.  

Susan Willmering has been the instrumental music director at South Pointe Middle School in Diamond Bar, California, since 2007. Under Ms. Willmering’s direction, the South Pointe Wind Ensemble has performed at the California All-State Music Educators Conference as well as at a number of national festivals. Susan is the Vice President of the California Band Directors Association (CBDA), and has served as a manager for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association’s (SCSBOA) High School Honor Groups for the past 15 years. She was humbly named California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Southeastern Section’s Outstanding Music Educator of 2017 and was chosen by her peers as 2017 Teacher of the Year at South Pointe Middle School. In January 2021, SCSBOA awarded her the Gold Award for her service to music education.

Len Lavelle is the Director of Bands at North Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he also serves as the Music Department Curriculum Leader. He has taught instrumental music from the elementary through the college level. In the last decade, Mr. Lavelle’s bands have been featured at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and four times each at the PMEA All-State Convention and NAfME All-East Convention. Mr. Lavelle has been recognized with the Citation of Excellence from both the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the National Band Association, and has served as a guest conductor and clinician for school and honor groups at all levels.

Since forming in 2006, Presidio Brass has rocketed to success as the face of a bold new generation in brass entertainment. By combining a brass quintet, piano, and percussion instruments with fresh, original arrangements, their unique sound has become a trademark for the ensemble from San Diego, CA, captivating audiences the world over.

Through their hit touring show of Broadway’s greatest hits, “…And All That Brass!”, these five young men present the music of The Big Apple with a good dose of wit and humor that together have become hallmarks of every Presidio Brass performance. Audiences and music critics agree, “…And All That Brass!” is “…fun for the entire family!” and has been hailed as “a perfect mix of technical precision, charm, and heart-warming moments.” Presidio Brass has performed and provided educational outreach in over 46 states across the globe, conducted master classes at many of America’s finest colleges and universities, been featured on National Public Radio, and featured with VH1’s SaveTheMusic.

Each member of the ensemble began his music career by joining their school’s band program. Inspired by the dedication of their school music teachers, Presidio Brass came together with the primary mission to promote music education and music appreciation in youngsters. For this very reason, performances are often coupled with a master class or school program for which the quintet volunteers their time.

Members of the Presidio Brass have performed with major symphony orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony and San Diego Symphony, and have shared the stage with commercial and pop artists that include Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones and more. When not on tour, they continue to perform throughout the country as freelance artists, maintain private teaching studios at local universities, arrange and compose new music, assist with public school music programs, and operate an annual summer music camp in San Diego for brass students of all ages.

The Presidio Brass has released four recordings: Stolen Moments, a collection of popular classical and jazz selections, Christmas Day, an assortment of well-loved holiday favorites, Sounds of the Cinema, which includes pieces from their signature stage performance of the same name, and their newest release, Rhapsody in Brass, a collection of popular American music influenced by classical and jazz idioms.

Jennifer Kummer has maintained an incredibly diverse music career in Nashville for more than 20 years. As Principal Hornist on thousands of recording sessions, she can be heard on film, television, video game scores, publishing company tracks, and artist albums taking part in virtually every musical style imaginable.

In addition to recording sessions, she holds positions as Principal Horn of the Nashville Opera and the Gateway Chamber Orchestra, 3rd Horn of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and performs frequently with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. She has been a featured artist and clinician for international and regional conferences.

Mrs. Kummer holds degrees from Western Illinois University and Middle Tennessee State University, and studied at the University of Southern California with Vincent DeRosa. She is the horn instructor at both Lipscomb University and Tennessee State University.