Brandon began his journey into music in the fifth grade playing the Euphonium. Since then, his adventure has been rewarding. He attended the Curry Summer Music Camp at Northern Arizona University for 6 years while participating in band programs at Peoria High School. In 2003, Brandon was the principal euphonium player for the Arizona HS All-State Band. From 2002-2004 Brandon performed with The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps during the ensemble’s first years. Brandon received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Arizona State University in 2008 and Master’s degree from Kent State University in 2013. From 2008 to 2022, Brandon instructed high school marching, concert, and jazz bands at Basha and Perry High School in the Chandler Unified School District. Brandon’s performance experience consists of prior membership with the Salt River Brass Band of Arizona from 2007-2013 and various community and solo performances. Brandon continues to fulfill his lifelong passion for music by sharing the experience with the scholars at Heritage Academy. 

Ms. Rachel Ekstrom is excited to be joining us with a strong background in violin performance. She has been teaching music and string instruments for 9 years and is eager to start her 4th year in a classroom setting with Heritage Gateway K-8. Rachel has taught a range of orchestra classes from 4th grade all the way to advanced orchestras in the highschool level. Rachel started playing violin and piano around the age of 3 and knew by middle school that she was going to pursue music. Rachel holds a Bachelor’s in violin performance from Northern Arizona University where she was a recipient of the Blue Chip Scholarship for performance and was concert mistress of the NAU Chamber Orchestra and the co-concert mistress of the NAU Symphony for multiple concert cycles. Rachel also holds a Master’s in violin performance pedagogy from Arizona State University where she performed in ASUSO and was a graduating member of the Chamber Quartet Residency Program with Brooklyn Rider. Some of the other groups Rachel has performed with are the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. When she's not performing or teaching, she is either spending time with her friends and loved ones or checking off travel destinations from her bucket list. 

Taylor Donlon is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received a Bachelor of Music Education in 2017 from Grand Valley State University. Her primary instrument is flute/piccolo and during her time at GVSU she was nominated to participate in the outstanding Performance Honors program.

During her music career she has performed with a variety of ensembles including marching bands, pep bands, chamber winds, full orchestras, pit orchestras, opera productions and more!

Taylor also participated in a large recording project with Dr. Lowell Graham – President and CEO of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The outcome was a professionally recorded CD titled Under Western Skies in which the ensemble and trumpet soloists perform works by Kevin McKee, Erik Morales and other well known composers.