ARTISTIC STAFF
ROBERT DAVIS (He/Him) Artistic Director
Robert Davis has served as the Lead Artistic Director of the Columbus Pride Bands since the spring of 2017, having previously served as Assistant Artistic Director. Robert currently serves as the Director of Bands at Watkins Memorial High School in Pataskala, Ohio. At Watkins Memorial, Robert leads all aspects of the high school band program including two concert bands, jazz ensemble, marching band, pep band, the musical pit orchestra, and assists with the middle school bands. During his time at Watkins Memorial, the band program has participated in a commissioning project with John Mackey, hosted composer Michael Markowski, worked with notable educators including Frank Battisti, and continues to consistently earn high ratings at adjudicated events.
Before moving to Columbus in 2015, Robert earned a Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee where he studied conducting with Dr. John Climer. While a student at UWM, Robert was the recipient of a Chancellor’s Award and several Graduate Travel Grants which allowed him to pursue additional study with prominent band conductors around the country. Robert began his teaching career at Anna Local Schools in western Ohio, and he is a proud alumnus of Ohio University. Robert holds professional membership in the National Association for Music Education, Ohio Music Education Association, National Band Association, American School Band Directors’ Association, and is an alumnus of Kappa Kappa Psi.
JENNIFER OLIS, (She/Her) Assistant Artistic Director
Jennifer Olis has served as Assistant Artistic Director of Columbus Pride Bands since the spring of 2019. She currently is the Director of Bands in the Grandview Heights School District in central Ohio. At Grandview, Jennifer teaches the high school concert band, high school marching band, high school jazz band, eighth grade band, and assists with the fifth, sixth, and seventh grade bands. She also leads chamber ensembles, the musical pit orchestra, and the pep band program. Prior to coming to Grandview, Jennifer taught for five years in the Logan Hocking School District in southeastern Ohio and six years at Muskego High School in southeastern Wisconsin. Under her direction, the Muskego High School Wind Ensemble performed at the 2009 and 2014 Wisconsin State Music Association Conferences. In 2012, Jennifer was one of three selected participants in the National Band Association Young Conductor Mentor Project where she studied with renowned conductors and educators Mark Camphouse, Paula Crider, and Gary Hill.
An avid supporter of new works for concert band, Jennifer has participated in several commissioning projects resulting in works by composers Zachary Koors, Taras Nahirniak, Michael Sweeney, and John Mackey. She is the recipient of The Ohio State University Outstanding Graduate Associate Award (2017) and The Ohio State University Fellowship Award (2015). She is a member of NAfME, Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Kappa Phi. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education and Trombone Performance degrees from Ohio University and Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from The Ohio State University, where she studied with Dr. Russel Mikkelson. Jennifer and her husband, Michael, live in Pickerington with their children Molly and Julian.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
President: TJ Klopfstein
Vice President: Ryan Dickerson
Treasurer: Bill Thacker
Secretary: Steven Carpenter
DIRECTORS
Archives: Stephen Phillips
Communications: Eloise Jones
Community Liaison: Donna Jacoby-Banks
Marketing: Tony Killian
Membership: Langston Pierce II
Sales: Jacob Lowry
Development: Zach Meyer
Web/Media: Nathan Russell
The Columbus Pride Bands is a proud member of the Pride Bands Alliance and the Association of Concert Bands
OUR FAMILY OF BANDS
CONCERT BAND
FLUTE
Alexis Arvanitis
Addy Bemis
Miranda Bickert
Ian Boden
Vanessa Cox*
Brandi Ehrba
Ash Harmon
Leah (Le) Humphries
Grace Lillie
Monica Madison
Abigail Mason
Devon Piskac
Cameron Ratliff
Anna Reynolds
Andy Riggs
Christine Swoboda
Sami Wallick
OBOE
Allie Fair
Kayla Forshey
Chelsea Hartz
BASSOON
Langston Pierce II*
CLARINET
Sara Arnett
Susan Climer
Lesly Day Brusoe*
Isaac Dryer
Erin Engle
Rachel Hisey
Keeta Jones
Eloise Jones
Emily Killian
Chloe Knoll
Mallory McNabb
Kell Sprangel
Bethany Townsend
CONCERT BAND
BASS CLARINET
Jay Niedzielski
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Angel Ault
Julie Barnickle
Diana Brooks
Maia Garbrandt
Donna Jacoby-Banks
Rosie Massey*
Claire Miller
Clay Parlette
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Caleb Griffith
Leo Mollohan
BARI SAXOPHONE
Julia Quinn
TRUMPET
Trenton Ashley
Zoë Bagal
Bill Baker
Stephen Bohland
Lashanda Cavin
Julie Hoag
Dennis Hubach
Spencer Litzenberger
Louisa Mayer
Lin Rice
Samuel Richards*
Spencer Rucker
A.J. Veneziano
Alex Vilkinofsky
FRENCH HORN
Andrew Bickert
Jeremy Helsel*
Emma Hockenbery
Tony Killian
Colin Meckstroth
Matt Winarski
Rachael Zordan
TROMBONE
Rachel Ammons
Betsy Cleland*
Julie Langenfeld*
Jeffery Riggs
Robbie Schelling
Jack Sullivan
Tori Taylor
Joel Wallick
Jordan Young
EUPHONIUM
John Climer
Jeremy Ogden
TUBA
Jose Ayala III
Kory Munk
Tony Vitale
PERCUSSION
Emil Boyne
Steven Carpenter
Bobby Davison
Naysa Dunlap
Sarah Hanna
Natalie Jones
Gini Pikaart*
Ender Stoker
*Section Leader
PICCOLO
Samantha Vann
FLUTE
Andrea Avers
Kayleigh Fisher
Samantha Vann
Chip Wendell
OBOE
Zachary Meyer
Jarred Small
BASSOON
Aaron Gilbert
Nat Hickman*
CLARINET
Carl Cummins
Ryan Dickerson
J.P. Thompson
BASS CLARINET
Darryl Wylie
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Joshua Powell
Cagney Seay
Deed Vann
WIND ENSEMBLE
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Troy Meister
BARI SAXOPHONE
Jerry Comer
TRUMPETS
Jason Fulks
David Gieseler
Jeremy Kaufman
TJ Klopfsein
Jack Riggs
FRENCH HORN
Hannah Cecelones
Chris Daniels
Jamie Fox
Michael Lindner
TROMBONES
Grace McCracken
Mary Weckman*
BASS TROMBONE
Nathan Russell
EUPHONIUM
Jacob Lowry
Stephen Phillips
TUBA
Bill Thacker
PERCUSSION
Steven Carpenter
Bobby Davison
Naysa Dunlap
Megan Jacoby-Banks
Natalie Jones
Gini Pikaart*
Ender Stoker
STRING BASS
Loren Lander
*Section Leader
SPONSORS
CONDUCTOR $1000
Leigh E. Briggs
Jeffrey Chaddock
Bill Thacker
Teresa Flemings
Zachary Meyer - in memory of John
Meyer
Anonymous
Anonymous
DIRECTOR $500
Stephen and Beth Cuff
Jeff Goss
John Kennedy
Dale Masel and Roberto McClin
Connie Pillich
Stephen Sollars
Christine Swodoba
Kevin Vaselakes
Moira Wilmes
Marsha Edwards
SUPPORTER $250
Patrick Conley & Robert
Davis
Aaron and Jacob Lowry-Gilbert
Mary and Nick Weckman
Elaine Puckett
Rumours
Stephen Phillips
DONORS
Donors are current to the active fiscal year.
PARTNER $100
Donna Jacoby-Banks
John and Gayle Bodle-Rhoades
Arnold Buck
Teri Coffey
Stephen and Michelle Davakis
Brian Finley
Tony Killian
Travis Chi Wing Lau
Allyson Ruebusch
Bill and Twila Thacker
Becky and Larry Trover
Shane Wealti
Susan and John Climer
Larry Trover
Bradley Speck
Celia Canjura
Derek Herrmann
Joseph Bonasera
Travis Lau
Frederick Martens
Jack Riggs
Jennifer Gibson
Kyra Knoll
Chip Wendell
TJ Klopfstein
Jerry Comer
Joseph Vericella
Alexandria Fair
Heather M. Campos
Krista Graham
Allison Baer
Tina Bickert
Donald Kincaid
Ryan Wertz
Christy Miller
FRIEND $50
Bob Barnes
Corey Dykstra
Brittany Fyffe
Amy Hoskinson
Katherine Langenfeld
Jeffrey Martin
Leah Musie
Thomas and Roxanne
Pikaart
Michael and Louise Vaselakes
Morgan Webb
Clay Parlette
Michael Squires - in memory of Rahn
Kanipe
Eloise Maun
Leah Musie
Emily Boroff
Morgan Webb
Ryan Dodds
Susan Hoag
William Legare
Wesley Jenq
Laquitha Jones
Tessa Gatz
A NOTE ABOUT TODAY'S CONCERT
We are PROUD to offer today's concert to our community for free as a way to help fulfill our mission of 'creating quality musical and social experiences for our members and community'. This is one of the many ways we as an organization have been working to make our ensembles more accessible.
While our instrumentalists are volunteers, there are still many costs involved with our performances - sheet music, instrument repairs, directors, and venue rentals to name just a few. We kindly ask, as you are able, to donate to the Columbus Pride Bands for the future of our ensembles and in celebration of our members. Donations of all sizes are gratefully received. As needed, our Venmo & Paypal can be scanned below.
Thank you again for attending today's concert and enjoy the show!
- the Columbus Pride Bands Family
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE BAND
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS
For our Kroger shopper patrons, consider the Columbus Pride Bands as your selected organization to receive your Kroger Community Rewards. This is a great and easy way to be a sustaining donor to the band thoughout the year. This programs provides the band upwards $500 annually.
Search for: COLUMBUS
PRIDE BANDS
Any transactions using your Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations.
kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards
BOOK AN EVENT
The band can accommodate events large and small. Example of past performances include; weddings, drag shows, holiday events, and pep rally style settings.
Join Our Organization!
The Columbus Pride Bands is continuing to grow and we welcome everyone who is interested in continuing their instrumental musical journey! For large group settings we offer two concert bands, jazz band, and marching band. Our smaller ensembles, focused on specific events, include a holiday winds and Oktoberfest brass ensemble. Reach out on our website or email membership@ columbuspridebands.org to receive additional information about joining. Whether your journey took a long pause after high school or you are a professionally trained musician, we have a seat for you.
VOLUNTEER
We have various ways you can volunteer time to the band. We have multiple events through the year where volunteers can assist with the band including; ushering and collecting tickets at concerts or carrying water during parades. We are also looking for volunteers who have special skills such as; grant writing, audio and visual media editing, social media skills, outreach and networking.
SPECIAL THANKS
Mary Ann Brandt
The Worthington Partnership
Cavan’s Irish Pub
Wells CPA
Harmony Project
The Columbus Foundation
Capital University
Mary Weckman
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nat Hickman, Jack Sullivan & Tori Taylor
PROGRAM
Tony Killian
LIVESTREAM
Aaron Gilbert & Jacob Lowry
Amanda Sue is one of Ohio’s most celebrated drag artists. With 15 years of experience she has graced stages from Toledo to Cincinnati, Cleveland to Lima, with performance roots in the Dayton-Springfield area, and weekly appearances in Columbus. Amanda writes, produces, and occasionally choreographs shows, some of which she stars in. In 2015 she captured the title of Miss Gay Ohio America, and then she went on to win the highest honor for a comedic drag entertainer, National Miss Comedy Queen in 2017. You can follow her on social media at @the.amanda.sue
