Leadership

Artistic Director, Concert Bands

Hayley Varhol (she/her), MME, is a multi-instrumentalist who has been conducting, performing, and teaching in the greater Philadelphia area since 2000. She has a master’s degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Temple University, where she studied bass trombone with Tyrone Breuninger.

Hayley currently teaches music in grades 6-12 at the Germantown Friends School. She performs with the West Philadelphia Orchestra on baritone horn and voice, and you might also spot her donning a dirndl while playing trombone in Polkadelphia! Hayley has a long history with the Philadelphia Freedom Band, as she was an active member and conductor from 2008 to 2011. Her second tenure as Artistic Director began in 2016.  In 2018, she was honored to conduct her first Pride Bands Alliance National Conference Band in Kansas City.

Assistant Artistic Director, Concert Bands

Ryan Lowrie (he/him)is a music teacher and conductor living in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. He holds a master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, both from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Outside of the Philadelphia Freedom Band, Ryan is a music teacher and ensemble director at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur.

Over the last decade, Ryan has worked with music students of all ages from Kindergarten through collegiate and independent performing ensembles. 2026 marks Ryan’s fifth year with the Freedom Band, both as a conductor and performer.

Assistant Drum Major

Christopher Houston (he/him) is a trombonist, pianist and percussionist who trained and studied at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He earned both his BM in music education in 2008, and his MA in special education in 2016. Chris joined the Philadelphia Freedom Band in 2009 after discovering the organization at Outfest. He has served in various leadership roles including assistant director to the concert band, marching band director, percussion section leader, and currently the assistant drum major for the PFB marching band. 

Chris thoroughly enjoys performing in pit orchestras for community and local theater productions. In the past he has traveled around the United States and Western Europe with various musical ensembles.  He currently lives in South Philly and when not performing enjoys watching sports (Go Birds!), reading, playing video games, and cooking.

Kate Manser (she/her) has been a proud member of PFB since 2018 and revitalized the color guard in 2019. Even though she hadn’t spun a flag since 2003, she jumped into it with enthusiasm, even teaching over Zoom during the pandemic. She takes a collaborative approach as co-captain of the color guard and strives for each member to feel included and considered regarding creative ideas and suggestions. Kate is proud of how the guard has grown over the years and cannot wait to see what the 2026 Pride Bands Alliance conference will bring!