Megan is a native Austinite now residing in Leander, Texas. She began her studies in music on violin at the young age of three with the Suzuki Method under William Dick. She found her true passion as a flutist at the age of eleven, studying under Denise Riemenschneider (fka Denise Gurgel) and also studied for a brief period with Megan Meisenbach. During the summers of 2000 and 2001, Megan expanded her musical enrichment by attending Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan where she studied with renowned classical and jazz flutist, Nancy Stagnitta. In 2005,

she received her bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of North Texas in Denton where she studied with Terri Sundberg and Helen Blackburn. 

Megan has performed with various groups within the Austin area over the past several years including the Austin-based folk group Strumero, Cinematic Symphony, Austin Flute Choir and

the Austin Philharmonic Orchestra. Megan has also been working with young flutists ranging in ages from 11 to 17 since graduating from UNT and is currently teaching private lessons in Leander ISD.

In her free time, she enjoys going to live music concerts, painting and spending time with family

and friends, especially her 2 young daughters, Lily and Sophie.

Clarinetist, Alphonso Jaime is a Clarinet teacher and active performer in the Central Texas

area. He earned a Bachelor of Music with an Outside Field of Sociology from Stetson University.

Recognized for his artistic achievements, Alphonso is a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship as

student of Dr. Lynn Musco and Professor Jessica Hall Speak. During his time at Stetson, he has

performed as a soloist on clarinet and bass clarinet and in many ensembles including the Stetson

University Symphonic Band (Douglas Phillips, Conductor) and Clarinet Choir. With years of playing

with various community bands from the North Miami Community Concert Band (2016 2020), Austin

Symphonic Band (current), Band of the Hills(2022 - 2023), and The Lakeway Church Choir

(2021-2023). Additionally, Alphonso Jaime is an alumnus member of the National Music Fraternity,

Phi Mu Alpha (Xi Nu Chapter) and was the participant in the Lead America Conference in Boston,

Massachusetts.

A native of Miami, Florida immersed in Cuban culture growing up , Alphonso grew up in

love watching the original Fantasia musical score at 4 years old. His mother started him on piano

lessons when he was 7 years old until he was 10 as Alphonso grew tired and bored for not being

challenged enough on the instrument. When in he started middle school, Alphonso picked clarinet in

band initially out of the fact that there was no piano as a choice; yet, the level of connection he grew

with the instrument be it the sound, self-motivation, the challenge itself, or just an avenue to focus

away from the anxiety and depression. That grew to be his main passion today.

One thing that Alphonso loves to focus on when teaching is that it is about the whole being:

body, mind, and emotions. He loves to reinforce mindset, musicality, and fundamentals... he really

particularly loves and enjoys through this process the building of character and principle for both

music purposes and in life as well. Seeing his students grow as amazing musicians and, even more

so, solid individuals building in confidence, potential and faith. Alphonso also loves to cook, read,

workout, and listen to a variety of genres of music; he currently lives in the Greater North Austin

Area.

Julia Frank is an Austin-based oboist and educator originally from Amarillo, Texas. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 5, and has studied oboe since the age of 11. Julia holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin and has performed in groups such as the UT Wind Ensemble and UT Symphony Orchestra.

Shelby Avants, a distinguished Bassoonist based in Killeen, Texas,  embarked on her musical journey in Cedar Park, Texas. From her very first orchestra experience, Shelby discovered a profound passion for orchestral music and ensemble playing, setting her on a dedicated path toward a career in music.

Shelby earned her Associate of Arts in Music from Temple College in  2019 and a Bachelor's degree in Bassoon Performance from  Southwestern University in 2022. She recently attained a Master's in Performance and Pedagogy from Texas State University in 2024. Throughout her academic career, Shelby has performed with various ensembles, ranging from symphonies to pop groups, and has been featured on several albums by local Austin musicians.

In addition to her performance career, Shelby is deeply committed to education and the joy of discovery. She has been teaching private  Bassoon lessons in Central Texas since 2017 and expanded her teaching repertoire to include piano lessons in 2019. She is an esteemed instructor for the Liberty Hill ISD music programs and teaches at the college level at Texas State University.

Shelby's dedication to performance and pedagogy highlights her passion for music and desire to inspire others. Her diverse experiences and achievements reflect a versatile and accomplished musician devoted to enriching the musical community. 

Lucy Croasdale is a performer, composer, and educator originally from Madison, WI. She is a multi-instrumentalist who enjoys playing many different genres of music. While her main focus is saxophone performance (both jazz and classical), she also has a passion for pedagogy and composition/arranging. Ms. Croasdale has created and led a beginner’s jazz workshop back in September 2021 – March 2022 and was commissioned to compose a jazz big band chart for the 2022 Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend at Lawrence University. Also, while playing baritone saxophone with the Lawrence University Jazz Ensemble (LUJE), the group won the 2023 Outstanding Performance award for Large Jazz Ensemble – Undergraduate College category. This past school year, she premiered a saxophone quartet concerto, Second Nature by Viet Coung, with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble (UTWE) and also played in UTWE’s 50th anniversary Carnegie Hall performance in NYC. She now teaches private lessons in the Austin area while getting her Master’s at UT.

Currently, Lucy Croasdale studies saxophone performance (MM) at The University of Texas at Austin with Dr. Stephen Page. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Lawrence University and has studied with Steven Jordheim and Joseph Connor. 

Michael Rey is a professional trumpet player residing in Austin, Texas. In a city known for its live music, he has carved an impressive path for himself, in not only performance, but instruction, adjudication and studio work as well. 

A founding member of the acclaimed Austin-based horn trio, The Fresh 2 Def Horns, Michael has busied his performance schedule with groups of many varying genres. From the Grammy award winning Latin piece, Grupo Fantasma, to another Grammy-awarding winning artist, Country singer/song writer Rick Trevino, to say he is a versatile musician is a gross understatement.

Michael has been a long-standing performer at the well-known jazz venue, The Elephant

Room, down in the basement on Congress Ave. in downtown Austin; a place where many

aspiring Austin transplant musicians hope to one day cut their teeth on the same stage that has been graced by the likes of Wynton Marsallis and Harry Connick, Jr. He is among the elite who have had that opportunity, and he has done so on hundreds of occasions - showcasing his chops as the “high note guy” in various established local jazz ensembles.

In between performances, local and on tour, Michael also has quite the rap sheet as a recording artist, playing both solo and within a horn section. He can be heard on the four records of esteemed Austin group, The Nightowls, many tunes featuring horn lines on which he collaborated creatively as well. Most notably, he has found himself blowing away within the walls of the famed Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley was discovered, in addition to being in the talented hands of Grammy-award winning producer Laurence “Boo” Mitchell at renowned Royal Studios.

For almost 15 years, Michael has been a private trumpet instructor, working with kids from the time they first put a horn to their mouth, to when they’re preparing their college audition material. He has coached several students who have excelled in district, region and state competitions, and many of his mentees have achieved the highest accolades during solo and ensemble performances.

Mr. Rey has helped them hone the skills necessary to enter confidently into their respective universities as aspiring music students. Some of his former students are pursuing their own musical dreams at Stephen F. Austin University (Michael’s alma mater), Oberlin Music Conservatory, Texas State, the University of Texas, and the University of North Texas.

He has had the honor of being an adjudicator and guest artist at jazz festivals on an annual basis. For the past 15 summers, he has paid homage to his Alma Mater by traveling back to Nacogdoches, Texas to lead trumpet masterclasses, teach private lessons, and perform as a guest artist with the campers.

Alex Rutkowski is a horn player hailing from Sterling, VA. He is well-versed in many different styles of instrumental music, having played in symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, big band, and a multitude of chamber groups. Alex started on the horn at age 11 and has over a decade of experience. 

At his undergrad at Virginia Tech, Alex served as principal horn in both the wind ensemble and orchestra, and in 2025 won the Virginia Tech Soloist Competition. He also attended the Lake George Music Festival as a horn fellow in the summer of 2025.

Alex is currently working on his M.M. in horn performance with Professor Patrick Hughes at the University of Texas at Austin and received his B.M. in horn performance in 2026 from Virginia Tech, having studied with Professor Juan Berríos.

Off the horn, Alex enjoys basketball, running, and playing board games

Thanasit Pimnipapatrakul is a low brass educator and professional trombonist with extensive experience in both teaching and performance. His teaching focuses on building strong technical fundamentals, musical understanding, and confident performance skills, with an emphasis on healthy tone production, articulation, range development, and effective practice habits. He is committed to helping students connect individual improvement to ensemble success while fostering discipline, curiosity, and long-term musicianship.

Alongside his work as an educator, Thanasit is an active performer with a broad background in orchestral, wind ensemble, and chamber music. His professional performance experience includes appearances with ensembles such as the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Arizona Opera, Tucson Pops, True Concord Voices & Orchestra, and the Akron Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances with leading university and regional wind ensembles including the North Texas Wind Symphony and TCU Wind Symphony. He has also participated in music festivals and performances across the United States.

Thanasit earned his Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance from Cleveland State University and is currently ABD (All But Dissertation) in the Doctor of Musical Arts program in Trombone Performance at the University of Arizona. His performance background strongly informs his teaching approach, allowing him to guide students with real-world insight into ensemble playing, auditions, and performance expectations. He is passionate about helping young musicians develop a solid foundation that prepares them for continued success in band, advanced study, and future musical opportunities.

Dr. Guytano Martorano III is the Adjunct Lecturer of Tuba & Euphonium at Texas A&M - Kingsville and a freelance performer/educator in the Greater Austin Area, regularly with the Austin Symphonic Band and The Lake Travis Tuba & Euphonium Ensemble. At TAMUK, Dr. Martorano takes on a mentorship role in music performance lessons and low brass pedagogy courses. Other areas of his professional expertise include music arranging/composition, music theory, recording technology, and sight reading pedagogy.

As an educator, Dr. Martorano regularly publishes various educational materials on his website, both for local competitions, such as the TMEA region auditions, and for his private studio.  Dr. Martorano also runs a longstanding literacy series, “Transposition Inquisition”.  Some past appointments include principal tubist of the Lubbock Civic Orchestra, principal tubist for the LSO Educational Brass Quintet, and the acting substitute tubist for both the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and the DFW Brass Quintet.

Jonathan Pereira is an Austin-based percussionist and educator. As a classically trained percussionist, he feels equally at home performing classical, jazz, or popular music. Mr. Pereira holds degrees in music education and percussion performance from Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY (BM 2013, MM 2016). He spent several years teaching instrumental music in New York State public schools and private percussion lessons before relocating to Austin in 2018. He has extensive performance experience in wind ensembles, orchestras, and pit orchestras for musical theatre productions, and currently performs with Flechaus, an indie folk band based in Austin.