2026 Master Classes

• Students will be guided through finding a warmup that fits their specific needs as a brass player. Everyone is different, which means everyone should address warming up their brass instrument differently to start off their practice more efficiently and most productively. 

Wyeth Aleksei is a professional trumpeter and Howard County, MD educator currently teaching music electives at Guilford Park High School, where he's also the assistant Marching Band Director. A former HCPSS student himself, he has had the pleasure to perform with the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, and major orchestras in Richmond, Jacksonville, and Malta. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and is currently playing trumpet at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, MD, bringing elite artistry and mentorship to his students. An Oberlin and Juilliard alumnus, Mr. Aleksei holds a teaching certification from Peabody Conservatory.

• Learning new music quickly and accurately is challenging. Marine Band percussionist GySgt. Michael Hopkins’ training as an engineer has helped him develop a system for learning the notes on the page in a significantly shorter amount of time. In this interactive clinic, students will learn melodies from a favorite Sousa march, “Fairest of the Fair,” by mastering the notes, rhythms, and technical challenges separately, then slowly integrating the three musical elements for a comprehensive, high-quality result.

Percussionist Gunnery Sergeant Michael Hopkins of Raleigh, N.C., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in July 2018. Gunnery Sgt. Hopkins began his musical training on piano at age 8 and percussion at age 11. After graduating in 2012 from William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh, he attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and bachelor of music degree in percussion performance in 2017. He has also pursued master’s-level study at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Ohio. His notable teachers include She-e Wu of Northwestern; Chris Lamb, New York Philharmonic principal percussion; and Marc Damoulakis, Cleveland Orchestra principal percussion. Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” he performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Canton Symphony Orchestra in Ohio, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Gunnery Sgt. Hopkins performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour.

• Learn what it's like on the podium with UMD doctoral conductor, Erick Von Sas! In this session you will learn basic conducting fundamentals including: conducting posture & set-up, hand independence exercises, beat patterns, and style & tempo strategies.

Erick Von Sas is a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree student in Wind Conducting at the University of Maryland, studying  with Dr. Michael Votta Jr. He also serves as the Orchestral Operations Graduate Assistant working closely with Mark Wakefield. Along with these duties at Maryland, he assists with the UMD Wind Ensemble, and co-conducts the Campus Band. As a conductor and educator, Von Sas most recently served as Director of Bands at Crofton High School (Crofton, MD) in Anne Arundel County. Ensembles under his direction have consistently received praise from adjudicators and clinicians for their musicality, creative direction, and commitment to quality performance. Prior to Crofton High School, he held teaching positions at Old Mill (MD) High School, Annapolis (MD) Middle School, Greenville (OH) City Schools, and Sandusky (OH) Central Catholic School. On the international stage, Von Sas was invited to the Frederick Fennell International Competition for Wind Band Conductors that took place in Modica, Italy in November of 2025. 

• "Most musicians are told to “just practice more!” But what if the real issue isn’t how much you practice, but how your brain is learning? This workshop breaks down 10 powerful, neuroscience-based practice hacks that will help you learn music faster, fix mistakes more effectively, and actually remember what you practice the next day. You’ll learn how to avoid common time-wasting habits, why slow practice isn’t always enough, and how to use strategies like spacing, variation, and mental focus to get better results in less time. We’ll also explore the difference between mental learning and physical learning—why your brain can understand something long before your fingers can execute it—and how to practice in a way that actually closes that gap. Whether you’re preparing for All-State, college auditions, or just trying to level up, these strategies will help you practice with purpose, build real consistency, and see progress you can trust. If you’ve ever wondered why your practice isn’t paying off, this session will show you how to fix it.

Melissa Lander is a professional clarinetist and veteran of the U.S. Army Field Band, where she served as Co-Principal Clarinet and performed extensively throughout the United States. Her performance work now centers on chamber music, with appearances in a variety of collaborative settings. She is also an active educator in Howard County, maintaining a private studio of over 24 students, and serves as Principal Clarinet of the Maryland Winds. She holds degrees from Interlochen Arts Academy, the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, and Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with New York Philharmonic Principal Clarinetist Anthony McGill.

• Students will learn how to take advantage of pro metronome and tuning drone features in apps like Tonal Energy to develop strategies for how to effectively practice for perfect intonation and timing.

Robby Burns teaches band and general music at Ellicott Mills Middle School in the Howard County Public School System. Outside of HCPSS, he maintains a large private percussion studio, a freelance performing schedule, as well as adjudicating, coaching, and consulting work. Robby has presented at music educator conferences all over the country on a range of topics relating to band, orchestra, and technology. He is the author of “Digital Organization Tips for Music Teachers" from Oxford University Press. He produces a blog and podcast called Music Ed Tech Talk. 

• Think a career in music and entertainment means you have to be a star? Think again. This dynamic, career-focused workshop pulls back the curtain on one of the world's most exciting industries and shows students that there are far more paths to success than the spotlight.

Led by Miami Golde, an industry professional with hands-on experience in music and entertainment, this interactive session is designed to inspire and equip middle and high school students with real, actionable knowledge they can start using today. Students will get an insider's look at the wide range of careers that power the industry, from artist management and music marketing to talent coordination, creative production, and beyond.

But this workshop isn't just about dreaming big. It's about building smart. Students will learn how to begin preparing now for college and future careers, how to find internships and early opportunities, and how to use tools like LinkedIn to make meaningful professional connections. We'll also dive into what it means to build a portfolio and develop transferable skills that make candidates stand out in competitive creative fields.

Expect an honest, encouraging conversation about how the entertainment industry actually works, including what no one tells you when you're starting out. Students will leave with a clearer sense of what's possible, what steps they can take right now, and how to position themselves for the careers they want.

"Miami Golde is a visionary speaker and brand partnership marketing professional with a multifaceted career spanning the worlds of entertainment, sports, and philanthropy. With a proven track record of excellence, she has navigated high-impact roles from executing flawless stage setups on Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in Charlotte, North Carolina to leading partnership marketing activations with the Washington Commanders. Her ability to move with precision across complex environments has earned her recognition and respect across industries. In 2025, Miami was honored with an award from the Mayor of Rockville, Maryland for her outstanding service as the city’s Cultural Arts Commissioner, recognizing her deep commitment to enriching the city’s artistic and cultural landscape.

Currently serving as the Vice-Chair of Development and Fundraising for the Women in Music DC Chapter, she leverages her strategic insight and creative vision to produce engaging, mission-driven events that resonate with audiences. She has led brand partnerships with industry giants including SoundExchange and Broccoli City Festival for the Women in Media dinner in July 2024 , and served as the lead sponsorship production liaison at Coachella and Stagecoach—managing teams of 40+ and delivering unforgettable, immersive brand experiences in 2022.

Whether she’s captivating audiences from the stage or behind the scenes building cultural moments, Miami brings an unapologetic presence and a relentless commitment to innovation, community, and impact.

She isn’t just shaping industries—she’s transforming them, one groundbreaking initiative at a time"

• This interactive clinic on percussion accessory playing will be led by GySgt Michael Hopkins, a percussionist in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. Students will explore techniques on cymbals, tambourine, triangle, and more. 

Percussionist Gunnery Sergeant Michael Hopkins of Raleigh, N.C., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in July 2018. Gunnery Sgt. Hopkins began his musical training on piano at age 8 and percussion at age 11. After graduating in 2012 from William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh, he attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and bachelor of music degree in percussion performance in 2017. He has also pursued master’s-level study at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Ohio. His notable teachers include She-e Wu of Northwestern; Chris Lamb, New York Philharmonic principal percussion; and Marc Damoulakis, Cleveland Orchestra principal percussion. Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” he performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Canton Symphony Orchestra in Ohio, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Gunnery Sgt. Hopkins performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour.

• Auditioning is a skill that needs to be learned and practiced like anything else. We will discuss how to prepare and practice for an audition, how to approach audition day and afterwards, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to cope with a bad audition (we've all been there!). You will walk away from this workshop with a plan for how to approach your next audition and how to keep getting better at them. Come with your questions!

Dr. Katayoon Hodjati has served as flutist and piccoloist with The United States Army Field Band since 2004. She has performed across the United States and internationally, engaging audiences through concerts, clinics, and educational outreach. Dr. Hodjati holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music from Arizona State University, as well as degrees from Oberlin College and Conservatory. A passionate teacher, she is dedicated to helping students build strong fundamentals and musical confidence.

• In this workshop we will explore and discuss:

  • • Where the "Stage Butterflies" comes from 

    • How to build confidence in your daily practice session

    • What are your “trigger points”?

    • How to address it in real time with emotional and rational strategy

    • Why every performer feels this (Yes, even the cool ones)

Joey Zhuang has held the Principal Flute position in Canada with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and regularly plays with orchestras in the United States. Passionate about music education, she has held lectures at various institutions including University of Toronto, University of Saskatchewan on Audition Preparation, Marketing in the Music Industry, and more. Joey coaches young aspiring musicians in the DMV area, and is on faculty for the New England Music Camp.

Joey holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto, a Master of Flute Performance minoring in Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University, where she received a full scholarship while being a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.

• Students will learn how to prepare to play in a high school (or maybe one day a Broadway) pit orchestra. Students will learn what it all entails from instrument doubling and preparing your music to make everything as easy as possible.

Wyeth Aleksei is a professional trumpeter and Howard County, MD educator currently teaching music electives at Guilford Park High School, where he's also the assistant Marching Band Director. A former HCPSS student himself, he has had the pleasure to perform with the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, and major orchestras in Richmond, Jacksonville, and Malta. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and is currently playing trumpet at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, MD, bringing elite artistry and mentorship to his students. An Oberlin and Juilliard alumnus, Mr. Aleksei holds a teaching certification from Peabody Conservatory.

• This interactive clinic on percussion accessory playing will be led by UMD Coordinator of Marching Percussion and Asian & Caribbean Ensembles, Jeremy Maytum. You will explore techniques on cymbals, tambourine, triangle, and more.

JEREMY MAYTUM is the Coordinator of Marching Percussion and Director of Communications for Athletic Bands at the University of Maryland. He also serves on faculty at the UMD School of Music as Lecturer in Percussion and Coordinator of Asian & Caribbean Ensembles. As an orchestral musician, Jeremy has performed with the Cheyenne Symphony, the Fort Collins Symphony, the Boulder Philharmonic, the Lexington Philharmonic, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. A dedicated educator in both the indoor and outdoor pageantry arts, Jeremy served on percussion staff for The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps from 2021-2023. He is currently the Front Ensemble Manager for George Mason University Indoor Drumline, and serves on percussion staff with both the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps and the Reading Buccaneers. He proudly endorses Yamaha as a Performing Artist, and serves as an Artist/Clinician for Black Swamp Percussion, Innovative Percussion, Remo Drumheads, and Sabian Cymbals. He remains very active as a contributor to the Percussive Arts Society, serving on the Marching & Rudimental Committee and as Vice President of the Maryland/Delaware Chapter.

• Learn what it's like on the podium with UMD doctoral conductor, Giovanni T. Clarke! In this session you will learn basic conducting fundamentals including: conducting posture & set-up, hand independence exercises, beat patterns, and style & tempo strategies.

Giovanni T. Clarke is a visionary educator, conductor and artist with over a decade of experience leading innovation in music education, program development, project based learning and organizational transformation. With a career spanning public schools, university programs and community organizations, Mr. Clarke is known for pioneering creative strategies that elevate music instruction and ensemble performance to new heights.

In addition to his work in K-12 and higher education, Giovanni is currently a Doctoral Conducting Associate at the University of Maryland, where he studies with Dr. Micheal Votta. In this position, he serves as a teaching assistant where he mentors emerging music educators and conductors through regional and national initiatives and is the lead administrator of all UMD concert ensembles. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders is evident in every rehearsal, classroom, and community at large.