Dr. Walter Simonsen, DMA, stands as a multifaceted force in the world of music, acclaimed for his prowess as a trumpet virtuoso, prolific composer, arranger, and dedicated educator.

Having embarked on his musical journey at the University of North Texas, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies in 2004, marking the inception of his commitment to jazz education and performance. Subsequently, he pursued advanced studies at the University of Southern California, where he obtained both his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Jazz Studies, solidifying his expertise and passion for the genre.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Simonsen's influence has reverberated across various spheres of the musical landscape. His tenure with the USC Trojan Marching Band spanned a decade, during which he served as Assistant Director for six years, leaving an indelible mark through his innovative drill designs and musical arrangements. Simultaneously, his leadership as Musical Director of the Los Angeles Lakers Band for six years showcased his exceptional arranging skills, enhancing the game-day experience for fans with dynamic musical performances.

Dr. Simonsen's compositional prowess extends far beyond the sporting arena, with over a hundred marching band shows bearing his creative imprint, garnering top honors in prestigious competitions including SCSBOA, CSBC, WBA, and BOA. His contributions to the Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps as a member of the brass staff further attest to his dedication to nurturing young talent within the marching arts community.

In addition to his impactful roles within the marching arts, Dr. Simonsen's artistic endeavors encompass a diverse array of projects. From leading ensembles such as The Red Light Brass Band, Trumpetology, and The Walter Simonsen Deforestation Project Big Band, to co-founding the Simonsen Swing Syndicate and the West Coast Edition, his artistic vision transcends boundaries, captivating audiences with his signature blend of innovation and tradition.

Beyond the stage and rehearsal room, his trumpet performances and compositions have left an indelible mark on popular culture, featured prominently in numerous television shows and major motion pictures. His collaborations with renowned artists including Michael Bublé, Radiohead, Dream Theater, and Alicia Keys underscore his versatility and enduring influence in the global music scene.

Residing in Southern California with his wife Michelle and their dog Coda, Dr. Simonsen continues to inspire and enrich the musical landscape through his unwavering dedication to excellence in performance, composition, and education.

Matt Altmire earned a DMA in music from UCLA, where he studied with Mitchell Peters, Raynor Carroll, and Theresa Dimond.  Having an interest in all areas of percussion, as a freelance percussionist he has performed with a diverse range of groups including the Los Angeles Concert Orchestra, Swing Inc., and the contemporary percussion ensemble GLANK.  In addition, Matt instructed and arranged for the UCLA drumline for many years while also teaching applied percussion and percussion ensemble at both Santa Monica College and Mt. San Antonio College.  Matt has also served as the percussion director at Long Beach City College, Thousand Oaks HS, and Diamond Bar HS, in addition to teaching or doing clinics here and there at numerous other schools in SoCal. Outside of California, Matt taught for two years at Towson University (MD) where in addition to his duties as the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, he resurrected and directed the university’s steel drum ensemble.

In the world of marching percussion, as a performer in the Velvet Knights, Santa Clara Vanguard, Riverside Community College, and UCLA drumlines, Matt has performed quite literally all across the U.S. and the world – including tours to Japan, Australia, England, Scotland, Italy, Spain, and France. He has been fortunate to be a part of a DCI championship drumline, the first ever tenor ensemble at DCI’s I&E, and to have his original DCI solo for tenor drums published by Tapspace Publications in their landmark book Violent Tenor Cream. Matt’s original percussion arrangements for marching band and drum corps have been sold by KeyPoulan Music, JKS Music, and Center X Productions, and his percussion arrangements for the UCLA marching band and pep band have been performed on national television for the Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, NCAA tournament, and numerous other collegiate events. 

  Outside of UCLA, Matt has instructed and/or arranged for a number of other notable high school, college, and DCI drumlines including Etiwanda H.S. (BOA finalist), Thousand Oaks H.S. (WGI finalist), William S. Hart H.S. (multiple full-band and high percussion winners at California's SCSBOA Championships), and Riverside Community College. He has been the Percussion Caption Head and Arranger for Yamato Drum & Bugle Corps (based in both the U.S. and Japan) and Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps (CA), and has done various percussion clinics across the U.S. and abroad for high schools and drum corps, including with International Marching Clinics, Calgary Stampede Drum Corps, System Blue, and Yamato Japan. 

Matt currently resides in Los Angeles.  When not working, he enjoys watching baseball, running, trying out new Japanese or Italian restaurants, and browsing through local record stores. 

Joining the Mt San Antonio College Music Department in 2016, trombonist and educator Dr. Karen Marston currently works with brass players in both applied and chamber settings, and teaches academic music courses.  This appointment follows a fifteen-year tenure as an applied teacher and ensemble director at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX.  Karen holds degrees in trombone performance from the University of North Texas and Rice University, and both a masters and doctorate in music education from Columbia University, where she was the recipient of the Elin B. Stein Graduate Fellowship.  Her teachers include Jan Kagarice, Dr. Vern Kagarice, Dr. Royce Lumpkin, and David Waters.

As founder and Artistic Director of Omni Brass, a cutting-edge, multi style brass and percussion ensemble, Karen has performed and taught at venues and festivals around the world, including the University of Texas at Tyler, Baylor University, Lamar University, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, the Texas Christian University Trombone Summit, the Houston Symphony League Chamber Music Series, the San Jacinto College Brass Symposium, Menil Fest (Houston), Café Corotu (Panama City, Panama), the International Trombone Festival at the University of Redlands, Metro Dances (Houston), and numerous middle and high school programs across the country.  Karen has also performed with the Houston Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony, the Ebony Opera Guild, Orchestra X (Houston), the American Radio Chamber Orchestra, the Composers Orchestra of Houston, the Resonance Brass Choir, a national touring production of A Christmas Carol, and the west-coast tour of Alliance Brass. 

As a researcher, Karen has completed an extensive dissertation project focusing on the causes and pedagogical interventions relevant to focal task specific embouchure dystonia, and her work has twice been published in the Journal of the International Trombone Association.  Dr. Marston’s arrangements can also be heard on both Omni Brass releases – The Red Album (2014), and Omnify (2016) – and are available commercially through Brassworks4.  Karen has received performance and pedagogy grants from the San Jacinto Foundation, the Brown Foundation, the American Chamber Music Players of New York, and the Houston Arts Alliance.

As Director of the International Trombone Festival, Dr. Marston is at the forefront of the trombone community, and enjoys collaborations with students, teachers, and artists from around the world.  Karen is an artist for Rath Trombones, England.