8:30am-5:00pm All Exhibits Open (Orange Pre-Function and Orange C)
9:00-9:45am 7-Star Honor Band Concert Larry Clark, Conductor (Orange AB)
10:00-11:00am Keynote: In Praise of Teachers, Paula Crider (Orange AB)
Why do we throw ourselves heart, soul and often-abused bodies into a relentlessly demanding occupation? Because the smile of child can make it all worthwhile. And if we do our jobs well, each day has the potential for sharing the joy of high achievement. In this Keynote address, PC seeks to remind all how much sharing the gift of music matters. Teachers of music bring beauty and a profound sense of accomplishment into the lives of their students every day. Teachers can never be praised enough for their dedication.
11:15am-12:15pm Music Mentoring – The True Win-Win Relationship!, Jay Watkins (Orange AB)
This discussion will demonstrate how the adaptation of International Mentoring Association principles can be used to create valuable mentor-mentee relationships for band directors while highlighting the short- and long-term benefits for everyone involved, and how to create this system in your district and region.
11:15am-12:15pm Under-served and Under-resourced: Successful Teaching in Title 1 Schools, Mario Ford (Citrus)
1:30-2:30pm Jazz Band Reading Session, Rick Fowler (Orange AB)
2:45-3:45pm How to Stay in the Game (High School Band): Lessons Learned for Longevity, Lee Commander (Orange AB)
Teaching music is a marathon, not a sprint. This clinic explores practical strategies for maintaining a long, healthy, and fulfilling career as a band director. From managing physical and mental well-being to navigating career transitions and avoiding burnout, learn from real-world experiences and walk away with tools to help you stay passionate, balanced, resilient - on the podium, and beyond.
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Wednesday, July 9
2:45-3:45pm Middle School Engagement (Middle School Band), Amy Wacksman and Simone Sharrieff (Citrus)
Engagement in the classroom is an increasingly complex challenge with today's generation of students. This session explores practical, realistic rehearsal techniques that keep middle school band students focused, motivated, and musically invested. We'll dive into what truly drives student motivation, how to build a strong classroom culture, ways to foster meaningful buy-in, and creative activities that go beyond the score. We will also address common classroom challenges and share strategies that help transform disengaged moments into productive music making.
4:00-5:00pm Keynote: Beyond the Notes, Dr. Paula Crider (Orange AB)
All great music-making emanates from a moment when the focus of an ensemble is so intense, and the performance skills so well-honed, the whole becomes exponentially greater than the sum of its parts. These rare synergistic moments require a process which begins at a technical level, but transcends technique to become something wonderful that may touch the very soul of the performer, conductor and listener. This requires those who seek to provide unforgettable musical moments to discover that rare world that exists far “beyond the notes.”
Based on the book of the same title, PC will share her musical journey.
8:30am-5:00pm Premium Exhibits Open (Orange Pre-Function and Orange C)
8:45-9:45am FBA General Business Meeting (Orange AB)
10:00-11:00am Instrument Triage, Todd Handley from Cadence Music (Orange AB)
10:00-11:00am Parent Clinic Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Your Child, Dr. Sherilyn M. Adler from Ear Peace Foundation (Citrus)
1:00-2:00pm Artistry in Rehearsal, Jody Dunn (Orange AB)
This clinic will explore what artistry is and why it is an important part of the musical journey we take with our students.
1:00-2:00pm The Percussionist’s Blueprint, Chris Bowen (Citrus)
Practical tips to starting a student as a percussionist and how to continue their development.
2:15-2:45pm Masterworks in Rehearsal, Dr. Paula Crider (Orange AB)
Attendees will play their primary instrument.
Conductors are invited to bring instruments and join in performing meaningful wind band literature.
2:15-3:15pm Parent Clinic Music Advocacy, Kathy Sanz (Citrus)
3:30-4:30pm Teaching Your Students about Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, Dr. Sherilyn M. Adler from Ear Peace Foundation (Orange AB)
4:45-5:15pm Keynote: Closing Remarks: A Passion for Teaching, Dr. Paula Crider (Orange AB)
How do we maintain the passion? A few closing thoughts gleaned from over 50 years of teaching music at all levels.
5:30-6:15pm Nine Star Honor Band Concert Mara Rose, Conductor (Orange D)
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Jazz Institute Thursday, July 10
7:00-7:30pm Jazz Conference Registration, Neil Jenkins (Citrus Pre-Function)
7:30-8:30pm Jazz Institute Opening Session: Making the Transition: Jazz Band Techniques for the Concert Band Director, Bobby Keating (Citrus)
In this hands-on jazz workshop, we’ll explore how style forms the foundation of what we teach but it’s how we teach it that makes all the difference. Focusing on the art of swing participants will learn through imitation internalizing the feel
Starting a jazz band can feel overwhelming. In this session, I ll share the strategies that helped me build a thriving jazz program. Learn practical strategies for starting a jazz band, including student-friendly audition methods, rhythm section development, daily skill-building routines, and easy tools to get your ensemble swinging with confidence.
More than just a class, jazz band can become the heartbeat of your program boosting recruitment, strengthening retention, and elevating the performance level of your concert bands. Whether you're starting small or scaling up, this clinic will give you the ideas and tools to build a jazz band that swings all from scratch.
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Jazz Institute Friday, July 11
9:00-10:15am How to Survive and Thrive as a Non-Jazzer, Monica Leimer (Cypress AB)
This session will talk about how to build a jazz program and develop excellence from within, despite being a teacher with little to no experience playing in a jazz band. Hopefully teachers will leave with tools to empower them to confidently build their own jazz programs, which in turn strengthens the overall band program through providing a wide variety of performance opportunities for students.
10:30-11:45am Ctrl + Alt + Swing: Shortcuts for Beginning Jazz Pianists, Shawn Marrin (Citrus)
Most jazz charts show piano voicings in 3rds. Those don’t sound good. Maybe they have “3rd’s & 7th’s” and tell you to “just be creative.” That’s not helpful. Want some easy ways for your kids to sound great instantly? Then this is the clinic for you. We will learn simple formulas that will not only get your piano players up and running in about 10 minutes, but they will learn voicings that work on 5 different chords EACH, teach interval training, scales, and aural skills that will pay dividends with everything they do musically jazz or otherwise. Reproducible handouts will provide everything you need to get your kids started and playing the same voicings the pros use.
10:30-11:45am From Chaos to Performance: What I Wish I knew when I Started Teaching Jazz, Dylan Chase and Charles Kelly (Cypress AB)
In this session, we will be discussing classroom strategies for new and seasoned
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Presenter Biographies
Keynote Presenter, Dr. Paula Crider Professor Emerita, The University of Texas Dr. Paula A. Crider, Professor Emerita, The University of Texas, is an internationally recognized conductor, lecturer, clinician and adjudicator. She has enjoyed engagements in 49 states, and 14 foreign countries. Prior to her appointment at the University of Texas, Professor Crider taught in the public schools at all levels, and holds the unique distinction of having been the first female in the state of Texas to serve as Director of Bands at a Class 5-A high school. Under her direction, the Crockett High School Bands enjoyed both state and national recognition for musical excellence on the concert stage, and were twice named Texas 5A State Marching Champions. The Crockett High School Band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Order of Merit, and was named to the Sudler Roll of Honor of Historic Bands in 1992.
A tenured full professor at The University of Texas, Professor Crider served on the Graduate Conducting Faculty, conducted the Symphony Band, and was director of the acclaimed University of Texas Longhorn Band. During her 17 year tenure, she was twice awarded the “Eyes of Texas” award for distinguished teaching. She continues to serve as visiting guest professor and conductor at universities throughout the country. In addition to degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi, and The University of Texas, she was awarded the Doctor of Music Education Honoris Causa from the Vandercook College of Music.
Professor Crider is a champion of public school music programs, and has guest conducted more than 40 All-State Bands. Maintaining an active schedule as guest conductor and clinician, she has inspired thousands of young musicians and has presented teacher workshops throughout the United States and abroad. She is Senior Educational Consultant for the Conn-Selmer Steinway Corporation where it is her mission to provide support and encouragement to teachers of music throughout the world. She has published numerous articles for professional journals, is co-author for the Hal Leonard “Masterworks Studies,” and author of The Conductor’s Legacy, Conductors on Conducting for Wind Band, and Beyond the Notes, Thoughts on Making Meaningful Music, published by GIA.
Professor Crider has served as Music Director for the London New Year’s Day Parade She is founding coordinator for the conducting component of the National Band Association Young Conductor/Young Composer/Mentor Competition, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic She is a leader in her profession, having served as President of both the National Band Association, and the American Bandmasters Association, the first female to hold these leadership roles She passionately pursues encouragement and mentorship of young ladies who pursue careers in music education
Awards and honors include the Tau Beta Sigma/Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Award, the Sudler Legion of Merit, The Grainger Society Medal, 2004 Texas Bandmaster of the Year, Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame, the Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award, and the Midwest Medal of Honor In 2011 she was inducted into the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts She has been honored by membership in the Women Band Directors International, the National Band Association and the Phi Beta Mu International Halls of Fame In 2024, she was awarded the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award by Women Band Director’s International
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Presenter Biographies
Sherilyn M. Adler, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and educator from South Florida who has been active in the hearing loss community for over thirty years. She received her bachelor’s degree from UCLA and doctoral degree from the University of Miami. She served for over eight years as an active member of the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which she Chaired from 2010-2013 Dr Adler serves as the Executive Director of Ear Peace Save Your Hearing Foundation, a non-profit organization, which was established to educate young people about Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and its prevention She is the co-author of HearO Saves the Day! An Adventure in Music, Health, and Hearing Protection, a newly published children’s adventure book that teaches young children (and their adults) about how we hear and four ways to protect hearing.
Christopher Bowen has been Director of Bands at Osceola Middle School in Okeechobee, FL since 2008, where he has led the program to steady growth and success He also serves as Assistant Director at Okeechobee High School, working primarily with percussion Mr Bowen is also an adjunct faculty member at Indian River State College, where he teaches Applied Percussion and Music Appreciation. He holds music degrees from Florida Southern College and the University of South Florida. In 2025, he was honored as Osceola Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. He is an active performer with the Orlando Philharmonic and various other ensemble. He is a frequent adjudicator throughout the state, and an active composer and arranger. He lives in Okeechobee with his wife, Jenny, and their two sons, William and Jameson.
Dylan Chase is currently in his eighth year as the Director of Bands of Ocoee Middle School. Under Mr. Chase's direction, Ocoee Middle School has received multiple Superior ratings in both Concert and Jazz Music Performance Assessments, including the school’s first-ever Superior rating at Jazz MPA. Mr. Chase has received numerous awards and grants, including being voted Ocoee Middle School’s Teacher of the Year (2022-23), the Peter R. Marsh Foundation Middle School Music Grant, the Foundation for OCPS Arts Impact Grant, the Phoenix Foundation Morning Glow Grant, and the Universal Orlando Foundation Grant Additionally, Orange County Public Schools made an exclusive video highlighting Mr Chase and the Ocoee Middle School Band Program on their YouTube channel Mr Chase graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance (Trombone), and a Minor in Jazz Studies. Dylan and his wife are proud parents of their two sons and their dog.
Lee Commander currently oversees the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Bands, Percussion Ensemble and the Marching Redcoats All of the ensembles at Leon High School have maintained Superior Ratings at both the district and/or state levels under his direction, and have earned outstanding accolades including the prestigious Otto Kraushaar, and Jack Crew Awards Ensembles under his instruction have performed as featured ensembles at The Southeastern United State Band Clinic in Troy, AL, and at The Florida Music Education Association Conference in Tampa, FL. During his time as the Director of Bands he has added the Instrumental Lesson’s Academy where students can receive one-on-one instruction from music professionals in the area, and established a scholarship endowment for students continued study in post-secondary education. Prior to earning his B.M.E from The Florida State University, where he was highly involved within the College of Music including work with the Board of Advisors, and Marching Chiefs He was awarded the Manley Whitcomb Scholarship in 2010 for his continued support and effort to music education and a Medal of Honor from The Marching Chiefs
While completing his Master’s in Music Education from the Florida State University in 2018, he worked with Dr Alice-Ann Darrow to develop curriculum for students with significant disabilities in an ensemble music setting. As a result, he currently coordinates the “Lion’s United Band,” where students from self-contained classroom settings can perform in an integrated classroom environment along with several other performing ensembles at Leon such as Steel Pans, Guitar and Chorus. Mr. Commander holds Honorary Membership to Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from Tau Beta Sigma in 2021 for his work as a Southeast District Counselor. His other professional associations include The National Association for Music Education, The Florida Music Education Association, The National Band Association, and The Florida Bandmasters Association
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Presenter Biographies
Jody Dunn is a 1986 graduate of Crestview High School (District 1) where he now holds the position of band director. He went on to earn his music education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1990. While at USM he was a member of the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, in which he served as section leader and vice-president. He was a member of the Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab I and the Trombone Choir. He performed with USM Chorale, Men’s Choir and was a founding member of the USM Jazz Singers
Upon graduation from USM, Mr Dunn accepted the position as director of the Pickering High School Band in Leesville, Louisiana Under his direction, the band received its first ever Superior ratings In 1993, he returned to his hometown of Crestview and became the Assistant Director of the Richbourg Middle School Band and Chorus until 1996. From 1996 to 2006 Mr. Dunn was the Associate Director of Bands at Crestview High School. While serving as the associate director, he was the visual coordinator of the marching band as well as the director of the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble II. He assumed his current position as Director of Bands at Crestview High School in 2006. He conducts the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble I and oversees three additional concert bands, percussion, chamber winds, instrumental techniques and the Big Red Machine marching band Under his direction, the Crestview Band has received the Otto J Kraushaar Award several times In 2011, Mr Dunn was a clinician / conductor for the Southeastern United States Honor Band at Troy University In 2012, the Crestview High School Band was featured in the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California In 2014, The Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In February of 2017, the Wind Ensemble performed at the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic in Troy, Alabama. In the spring of 2019 and 2023, Mr. Dunn served as the guest conductor of the Matanuska-Susitna Honor Band in Palmer, Alaska. In January of 2020, he was the conductor of the Florida All-State High School Honor Band. In the spring of 2023, he was the guest conductor for the South Pointe Middle School Wind Ensemble’s (Diamond Bar, California) performance at Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts Mr Dunn is active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast He has served on the state executive board of the Florida Bandmasters Association He recently chaired the FBA Ethics Committee and currently serves as the chairman of the FBA Marching Band Task Force He is a recipient of the Certificate of Merit from the National Band Association He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Florida Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, the American School Band Directors Association and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, in which he has served as President of the Omega Chapter and currently serves as a member of the International Board of Directors. Mr. Dunn was the recipient of the 2020-21 Florida Bandmasters Association Oliver Hobbs Award. Jody is the proud father of Olivia, Elizabeth, Joseph and Elijah and father-in-law of Nate, Daniel, Sarah and Faith
Mario Ford earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Bethune-Cookman University. His 15-year career in music education began in Orange County Public Schools at Meadowbrook Middle School. In 2014, Mario earned a Master of Music Education from Florida State University. From 2014 to 2017, Mario served as the Associate Director of Bands at Olympia High School. In 2017, Mario was recognized in the 2017 class of Emerging Leaders by the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), received the 40-Under-40 Alumni Award from Bethune-Cookman University, and accepted his current position as Director of Bands at Evans High School Under his direction, the band program has consistently earned Superior ratings in marching and concert performance, with an Otto J Kraushaar Award recognition in 2025 As a member of the FBA, Mario has served as the Mentoring Committee Chairperson and received the 2021 FBA Tom Bishop Award. Mario is currently a doctoral candidate at UCF studying Educational Leadership. Mario is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc.
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Presenter Biographies
Rick Fowler has been teaching for 28 years and is currently the Director of Bands at Creekside High School in St. Johns, Fl. This program of over 250 students consists of 3 Concert Bands, 4 Jazz Bands, a Super Sax Ensemble, Marching Band and Indoor Guard, and has been led by Mr. Fowler since its opening in 2007. Rick served 15 years as Secretary/Chairman for District 21 of the Florida Bandmasters Association. He is in demand around Florida as an adjudicator and clinician in jazz, marching and solo/ensemble assessments as well as visitation of area schools for rehearsals and guest clinician duties
Rick began his musical career at the age of 8 playing trumpet and has studied with Phil Christner, Rick Keller, and Curtis Chase He is also an accomplished bass player who has performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Lancaster Town Band, Sarasota Concert Band, Sarasota Big Band Orchestra and other freelance work over the years He has a degree from SUNY Fredonia School of Music in Music Education as a trumpet/bass student. Rick was also a participant of the Conn Selmer Institute VIP Summit in 2019.
Rick currently serves as the Chair of the Florida Bandmasters Association Jazz Committee, is on the clinics and all state committee and is a member of FBA/FMEA and NAfME. He lives in Saint Johns, Fl with his wife and college age children. Go Bills!
Todd Handley has worked at Cadence Music for 25 years He has held every position at the store: School Ed Rep, Brass repair tech, Woodwind repair tech, general manager, garbage collector, moving company, private instructor, and counselor to MANY music educators. His journey with Cadence started right out of high school in 2000 while he was attending Edison Community College. His training at Cadence started by cleaning tubas on a piece of cardboard on the sidewalk behind the store (the wash tub wasn't big enough for tubas). He left Cadence in 2003 to complete his degree in music education from Florida State University. While pursuing his degree he put a flier up in the school of music and started doing repairs in a friends garage (mostly trumpet cleanings) By the time he left in 2005, he was repairing the instruments from all of the brass faculty and the students in their studios and had a thriving business started Realizing that teaching in the classroom was not where he wanted to be, he moved back to Ft Myers in 2005 and started working full-time again at Cadence. It was at this point that he decided to continue in education, but more from a supporting role making sure that every student had the opportunity to participate in music and had good working instruments. Over the next 20 years, the business coninued to grow and Cadence Music now serves the teachers and students from 6 Southwest Florida school districts, students and faculty from many of the major Universities in Florida, and work with numerous professionals from around the United States. While Cadence Music has continued to grow, the primary focus has been and will always be to support Music Education, the students (all ages) and the music educators that teach them
Bobby Keating Serving Miami’s music community for three decades, Robert Keating has performed with several of South Florida’s premiere ensembles and is the current Performing Arts Chair at Gulliver Prep, a position held for 32 years. His bands have received superior ratings consecutively under his leadership for over 28 years in both Jazz Band and Concert Band, and has won many local and national awards with his concert band, such as invites to participate in the National Adjudicators Invitational in concert band and receiving Grand National Champions at several national competitions Gulliver’s Jazz Band have been invited to perform at (JEN) Jazz Educators Network, and Midwest in which they performed at the 71st Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago The Gulliver Jazz Band also won a DownBeat Student Award for “Outstanding Performance” in 2019, 2020, and 2021..
Mr. Keating attended the University of Southern Mississippi and received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Alabama where he studied conducting under the direction of Dr. Joe Barry Mullins, and his Master of Music from the University of Miami while he was the graduate assistant to Gilbert Johnson. He was inducted in Phi Beta Mu Honorary Band Directors Fraternity in 2007, and American School Band Directors Association in 2012. Robert enjoys a busy trumpet performing and conducting career with groups such as the Miami City Ballet, Florida Grand Opera, Orchestra Miami, Brass Miami, Symphony of the Americas, Alhambra Orchestra, and the Miami Wind Symphony
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Presenter Biographies
Charles Kelly is currently the Director of Bands at Wolf Lake Middle School. Mr. Kelly has held the positions of Director of Bands at JR Arnold High School (2016 - 2018) and Eau Gallie High School (2018 - 2021), and he was the Associate Band Director at Freedom High School (2022). He graduated from the American Band College at Central Washington University with his Master's Degree in Music Education, and from Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a certificate in Special Music Education He is currently pursuing a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Florida State University He has received multiple superior ratings at Concert, Marching, and Jazz Music Performance and serves on the Marching Band and Brass Solo and Ensemble Adjudication lists. Charles and his wife, who is the band director at Apopka Middle School, are proud parents of their son and dog.
Monica Leimer is currently serving as the Director of Bands at DeLand High School in Volusia County Her program is fully comprehensive with over 350 students enrolled in daily band classes The band program at DeLand consists of a non-competitive marching band, 3 concert bands, 4 jazz bands, and winterguard, as well as various chamber ensembles, jazz combos, and percussion ensembles that meet outside of class. Ms. Leimer is entering her 25th year as a professional music educator and currently serves on the FBA Jazz and Adjudication Committees. Additionally, she is an active clinician and FBA adjudicator for Concert, Marching, Solo & Ensemble, and Jazz. Bands under her direction consistently receive Superior ratings at District and State MPAs and she was recently awarded the Andrew J. Crew Award for 5 years of consecutive Superior ratings at State Concert MPA.
As a flute player with no jazz background, Ms Leimer started her first jazz band while in Tallahassee as an after-school ensemble that only met once a week She later moved to Lake Nona, where she had her first curricular jazz band She was eventually able to build the jazz program up to two ensembles and earn the school's first ever Superior ratings at Jazz MPA When she moved to DeLand High School, there was only 1 jazz band which was receiving inconsistent results at MPA In her first year (2020), they were able to earn the school's first Superior rating at Jazz MPA in over 20 years. Since then, the jazz program at DeLand has grown to include 4 curricular jazz bands as well as 2 after-school combos. Last year, the top jazz band traveled to New Orleans to perform at the JEN Conference and this year the top two jazz bands both earned Superior ratings at State Jazz MPA. Additionally, the top jazz band has performed at the Essentially Ellington Regional Jazz Festival for the past 3 years, receiving recognition for several outstanding sections each year as well as "Most Spirited" performance for 2 years
Shawn Marren hails from Philadelphia, PA, and has been playing trumpet and piano since he was nine years old. He studied music at the University of South Florida before literally running away to join the circus: he toured nationally as a keyboardist with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and then went on to become the music director of several other historic circuses. After many years of touring, Shawn moved to Las Vegas and began working as a composer and sound designer for Konami Gaming, Inc, one of the world leaders in the gaming industry During the COVID pandemic, Shawn, his wife, and their three sons relocated back to Florida to be closer to family He currently holds positions as the Music Director at Epiphany Catholic Cathedral in Venice, plays Principal Trumpet with the North Port Symphony, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Charlotte County Jazz Society where he is also the Director of Education.
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Presenter Biographies
Tim Ostrow is a proud product of Florida’s public school system. A graduate of Melbourne High School, he earned his Associate of Arts degree from Brevard Community College and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Stetson University. His passion for music began in high school, sparked by regular performances at open mic nights in downtown Melbourne These experiences led to his recruitment into a professional corporate and wedding band, where he performed as a saxophonist and eventually served as horn director Writing and performing with this nine-piece funk and soul ensemble helped lay the foundation for his career in music
Mr Ostrow has served as Director of Bands at L A Ainger Middle School in Rotonda West, Florida, since 2007. Under his leadership, the program has grown from 80 to over 200 students and includes ability-based concert bands, a percussion ensemble, and a jazz band. He is an active member of the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), having served as District 11 Secretary and Chairman, and currently serves on the FBA State Jazz Committee as the Middle School Jazz AllState Coordinator. His ensembles consistently earn superior ratings, and he is frequently invited to serve as a clinician for honor jazz bands throughout Florida, including in Lee and Orange counties
In recognition of his dedication to music education, Mr Ostrow was honored as the Charlotte County Teacher of the Year in 2016
Dr. Kathleen Sanz is a leader in music education, renowned for her contributions at both state and national levels. Serving as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) President from 2018 to 2020, she brings expertise cultivated through her educational journey. Dr. Sanz earned her B.A. and M.A. in Music Education from the University of South Florida, followed by a PhD from the University of Colorado, Boulder Currently, she holds the position of President and CEO at the Center for Fine Arts Education in Tallahassee, Florida Her career spans extensive roles including Supervisor of Curriculum and Instructional Services for Pasco County Schools and leadership in fine arts education from K-12 levels, complemented by eight years as an elementary music educator
Throughout her career, Dr. Sanz has been a driving force in curriculum development and assessment implementation, influencing educational policy and practice across districts and states. She has also made significant contributions through grant evaluation and development, notably with the U.S. Department of Education and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Sanz remains dedicated to her family, enjoying cherished moments with her husband, two sons, daughters-in-law, three beloved grandsons and a wonderful granddaughter
Simone Sharrieff is a passionate music educator who earned her BME from the University of Central Florida. She is currently the Band Director at Chain of Lakes Middle School in Orlando, where she leads a vibrant and diverse band program of over 240 students.
At Chain of Lakes, Ms. Sharrieff directs multiple ensembles including Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band Under her leadership, the school’s top ensemble has earned straight Superior ratings at Music Performance Assessment for the past three consecutive years Ms Sharrieff believes deeply in the transformative power of music education Her favorite part about being a music educator is witnessing young musicians not only become better performers, but most importantly: confident, disciplined, and compassionate individuals
Amy Wacksman is in her fifteenth year as a band director in Orlando, FL and currently teaches at Hamlin Middle School in Winter Garden, FL The bands at Hamlin have consistently earned superior ratings at both concert and jazz music performance assessments, since the school’s inception in 2022 Prior to her current position, Mrs Wacksman taught at Southwest Middle School (Orange) in Dr. Phillips, FL. Under her direction, the bands at Southwest performed at FMEA, Disney, and local events. Mrs. Wacksman was awarded the Tom Bishop Award in 2018, as well as the Linda Mann Five Year Superior Award for Concert and Five Year Superior Award for Jazz. She was also named Teacher Of The Year in 2023 at Hamlin and in 2019 at Southwest. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Wacksman serves as the middle school all county jazz chairperson for Orange County Public Schools. Mrs. Wacksman has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Louisiana State University and is a graduate of OCPS in Orlando, FL In her free time, Amy loves going to the beach and visiting Disney World with her family
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Presenter Biographies
Jay Watkins is the Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting in the School of Music at the University of Florida, where he is the Music Director and Conductor of the UF Symphonic Band, and is also Director of The Gator Marching Band; both of which have presented performances at regional, national and international conference and events. He is a frequent conductor of the UF Wind Symphony, conducting performance in Carnegia Hall and numerous international conferences. Prof. Watkins is an ardent supporter of new music, working with established and emerging composers to add to the wind band repertoire, consistently premiering numerous works every concert cycle. He is an active NARAS recognized producer for numerous ensembles and individual recording projects.
The UF Gator Marching Band under his leadership was selected by the International Olympic Committee to perform during opening week of the London 2012 Olympics and served as the official band for Michelle Obama and the US Contingent during the games.
The Gator Band was the first non-British band afforded the honor of performing on the Mall outside of Buckingham Palace, The Gator Band was the recipient of the 2013 Sudler Trophy presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and represented the U.S. and Florida in Normandy last June for the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of D-Day. Professor Watkins has received recognition as Teacher of the Year in the College of the Arts at UF and the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence.” He is active as a conductor, clinician, show designer, and adjudicator throughout the United States and Europe.
Prof. Watkins is an elected member of the International Board of Directors of Phi Beta Mu, where he chaired the Commissioning Committee and serves on the Educational Advisory Board. He holds memberships in the College Band Director’s National Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, John Philip Sousa Foundation, the International Conductor’s Guild, and is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha, Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Prior to coming to UF, he served as Assistant to the Director of Bands, Assistant Director of the Longhorn Band, and Conductor of the Concert and Athletic Bands at The University of Texas at Austin. At Texas, he guest conducted the Symphony Band, designed shows for the Longhorn Band and initiated a project incorporating the live-music community of Austin in performances with the Texas athletic bands at sporting events, working with over 36 Grammy award-winning artists Prof Watkins previously served as the Director of Bands and Associate Professor at Charleston Southern University, where he founded and conducted The Lowcountry Winds, a professional wind ensemble He has also served as the Director of Instrumental Music and Director of the U S. Naval Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, and as a teacher in the public schools in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Southern Winds
Wednesday, July 9 | 7:30pm
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Seven Star Middle School Honor Band
Wednesday, July 9 | 9:00am
Concert Program to be selected from
Star Spangled Banner
Fleet Street March
Engines of Resistance
A Child of the Sun
Defender’s Oath
Squirrel Chase
Laura Estes
Larry Clark
Larry Clark Tyler Arcari
Carol Brittin Chambers
Larry Clark
Quintus arr. Mark Williams
Larry Clark, Seven Star Honor Band Conductor
Angela Polito, Seven Star Honor Band Coordinator
Christopher Vosburgh, Percussion Coordinator
2025 FBA Summer Conference
Nine Star High School Honor Band
Thursday, July 10 | 5:00pm
Concert Program to be selected from
20
Light of My Soul
Ayo
Undertow
Christopher Artau
David R. Gillingham
Katahj Copley
John Mackey
Mara Rose, Nine Star Honor Band Conductor
Armand Navarro, Nine Star Band Coordinator
Will Vizoso, Percussion Coordinator
Jeff Cayer
FBA President
Bernie Hendricks, Jr.
FBA Past President
Michael Antmann
FBA President-Elect
Ashley Crosby
JH/MS Rep
Neil Jenkins Executive Director
Cathi Leibinger
Summer Conference Facilitator
Mary Oser, Exhibit Manager
Ryan Whalen, Ensemble Coordinator
Angela Polito, 7-Star Honor Band Coordinator
Chris Vosberg, 7-Star Honor Band Percussion Coordinator
Ar mand Navarro, 9-Star Honor Band Coordinator
Will Vizoso, 9-Star Honor Band Percussion Coordinator
Richard Uhler and David Wing, Clinician Coordinators
Bernie Hendricks, Equipment Coordinator
Rick Fowler, Jazz Band Reading Session Coordinator
Edgar Rubio and Tim Ostrow, Jazz Institute Coordinators
Charlene Cannon, Summer Conference Program Design
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
July 10, 2025 * Summer Conference * DoubleTree Hilton at Orlando SeaWorld
ITEM NO 1 CALL TO ORDER: 8:45 am - Jeff Cayer, FBA President
ITEM NO 2 PREVIOUS MINUTES - Business Meeting, January, 2025 (corrections only)
ITEM NO 3 TREASURER'S REPORT as of July 1, 2025 Report at May 2025 Board Meeting found in ( )
FBA Operating Account ($ 42,518 78)
FBA Commissioning Acct. MM ($ 33,409.81)
FBA Transfer Acct MM ($ 27,856 26)
FBA Severance Account CD ($ 50,251 61)
FBA Hall of Fame CD ($ 48,407 35)
FBA Emergency Fund MM ($132,951 92)
FBA Reserve Investment Account ($118,901 11)
$152,975 22
$ 33,410.09
$ 40,603 89
$ 50,251 61
$ 48,407 35
$132,951 92
$118,901 11
ITEM NO 4 INTRODUCTION OF PAST-PRESIDENTS, HALL of FAME, ROLL of DISTINCTION, AND any GUESTS present
ITEM NO. 5. LIST OF STANDING COMMITTEES
A Adjudication Committee: Charlene Cannon I Professional Resources Committee: Jay Watkins
B. All-State Bands Committee: Hannah Jennings J. Sight-reading Music Committee: Thomas Dougherty
C Clinics Committee: Jeff Cayer K Solo & Ensemble Music Committee: Dayna Cole
D. Concert Music Committee: John Seth L. Benevolence Committee: Mara Rose
E Ethics Committee: Tamara Lewis M Commissioning Committee: Erin Bodnar
F. MPA Committee: Michael Antmann
G Finance Committee: Bernie Hendricks
H. Past-Presidents' Council: Bernie Hendricks
ITEM NO. 6. LIST OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
O. Auxiliary: Chris Bonner
A Awards Committee: John Nista H Legacy Project: Tina Laferriere
B. Classification Task Force: Dre Graham I. Marching Band Task Force: Jody Dunn
C Composition Contest: Chandler Wilson J Mentoring: Amber Hansen
D. FMEA Conference Facilitator: Nick Eggen K. Retired Members: Richard Davenport
E Hall of Fame: Eddie Steadman L Small Schools: Kelly Dorsey
F. Historian: Tim Groulx M. Strategic Planning: Cathi Leibinger
G Jazz Band: Rick Fowler N Summer Conference Manager: Cathi Leibinger
ITEM NO 7 UNFINISHED BUSINESS (See motions from May and July Board Meetings)
ITEM NO 8 NEW BUSINESS
All motions must be in written form and presented to the Chair They require a 2/3 majority for passage (more than twice as many voting for as against - abstentions are not considered) Action or changes to UNFINISHED BUSINESS will require a Motion to send back to the Board.
ITEM NO. 9. GOOD AND WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION
Hall of Fame: Stetson University: November 15 & 16, 2025
Hall of Fame inductees: Richard Davenport and Melvin Maxwell
Roll of Distinction inductees: Dr Patrick Dunnigan and Fred Schiff
FMEA Conference: January 14-17, 2026: Tampa
Summer Conference: 2026 (July 8-10): Double-Tree Orlando at Sea World
Summer Conference: 2027 TBA
Summer Conference: 2028 TBA
MPA Calendar of Dates: see FBA Web Site under MPA - MPA Dates Special Recognitions:
STATE S&E, JAZZ, AUXILIARIES
:
State S&E Northwest: TBA
State S&E North: March 16-18, 2026: Seminole High School (Sanford)
State S&E Central: March 19-21, 2026: Horizon High School (Orlando)
State S&E South: TBA
STATE CONCERT BAND MPA:
State Band North: April 21-23, 2026: University of North Florida, Jacksonville
State Band Northwest: April 29-30, 2026: Florida State University, Tallahassee
State Band Central: April 30-May 2, 2026: Venice High School, Venice
State Band South: April 30-May 2, 2026: Broward College, Davie
ITEM NO 10 ADJOURNMENT
Motion to accept the updated version of the “Concert and Sight-Reading Music Requirements: Second Bands: High School Second Band” chart in the FBA Handbook (page 8).
This updated chart would alter only the Sight-Reading Music Class of four classifications: J/S-C, J/S-CC, C & CC.
Passed by the Board (May 2025 Board Meeting)
Motion to ADD to the FBH, page 12-III-C.3.j the following from the FSMA Rules and Regulations 2.8.3:
The director(s) and students listed on the entry form are required to be the individuals performing at the event. Special exceptions from this rule may be granted by the sponsoring component association for special and emergency circumstances. Directors should follow the component association's appeal process.
Passed by the Board (May 2025 Board Meeting)
Strike from the handbook the following section:
Article III Music Performance Assessment, A 5 5 ARTS SCHOOLS: Districts may vote to change the classification of an arts school in their District to an appropriate classification regardless of student enrollment Passed by the Board (May 2025 Board Meeting)
DNA Issue:
III - C. General Information regarding MPA
2.l Bands that Do Not Appear (DNA) after entering the District Concert MPA in any given year will not be allowed to enter any of their members in the State MPA that year or the District Marching or S&E MPA the following year
DNA Concert = No State MPA (S&E) and No District Marching or No S&E. NOTE: Marching required to participate in Concert and S&E.
Should read the same as III-E.1.e. listed under Concert MPA.
Motion by J. Sipiora/2nd by A. Beres: Strike the words “District Marching or”.
Amendment to Bylaws - Article III: Officers
Section 3. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT-ELECT
Add the following subsection to Section 3 as Subsection C:
C. Qualifications for the Office of President-Elect
To be considered for the office of President-Elect, a candidate must meet the following qualifications:
1. Be an Active Full Member of the Florida Bandmasters Association.
2. Have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of teaching experience, the majority in the state of Florida.
3. Have served on the Executive Board of the FBA for no fewer than two (2) years.
4. Have a record of consistently high-caliber band performance under their direction.
Section 4. ELECTION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH REPRESENTATIVE
Replace Subsection B with the following:
B. Qualifications for consideration for the office of JH/MS Representative
1. The candidate should have been teaching for no less than 15 years.
2. The candidates bands should consistently be of the highest caliber
3. The candidates bands should have a high percentage of S&E participation.
To be considered for the office of Junior High/Middle School Representative, a candidate must meet the following qualifications:
1. Be an Active Full Member of the Florida Bandmasters Association.
2. Have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of teaching experience, the majority in the state of Florida.
3. Have a record of consistently high-caliber band performance under their direction.
4. Have bands with a high percentage of participation in Solo & Ensemble Music Performance Assessments.
