Katy Briel is in her 19th year as Band Director at Clark-Pleasant Middle School in Greenwood, IN where she teaches all middle school bands and assists with the Whiteland Community High School Marching Band & Leadership Team. Before her position with the Clark-Pleasant bands, Katy was band director at Lincoln Junior High School in Plymouth Indiana for 2 years.

For the past 10 years, Katy has been the band director coordinator for the Drum Corp International INpact Band: Indiana’s Future Band of middle school students that perform at DCI World Championships in Indianapolis each year. She is also a part of the expansion for the DCI Bandtastic weekends at the Regionals in Minnesota and Atlanta, Georgia. She is a member of the Leadership Staff for the Crossroads Drum Major and Leadership Clinic and was a staff member for the Indiana Ambassador’s of Music where she has been a director on 4 European tours. She is excited to be on the staff for the Indiana Musician’s Abroad 2023 European tour as well.

Mrs. Briel is the co-coordinator for the Indiana Junior All State Band and the Membership Coordinator for the Indiana Music Educator's Association. Mrs. Briel also serves on the ISSMA State Board and is a member of Phi Beta Mu. In addition to her passion for teaching, she enjoys living a life of service and was a 2013 TOMS shoe ticket-to-give winner which led her to a giving trip at Hogar de Ninos Emanuel in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Katy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Ball State University in May 2004. In addition to teaching, she loves playing her horn and has an active private lessons horn studio on the south side of Indianapolis where she resides with her family. Her husband Josh is a trombone player and in Indy's New Orlean's Style Brass Band Pork & Beans. They have two kids Katie, Nicole, and a dog Watson.

Dr. Michael S. Butler is the Director of Bands at Youngstown State University in the Dana School of Music. In this role, he oversees all facets of the university’s band and orchestra program, conducting the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and the Dana Faculty Ensemble, and also serves as the Music Director for the YSU Youth Orchestra.

Since joining YSU in 2021, Dr. Butler has diligently upheld the rich and strong legacy of musical excellence. Under his guidance, the Wind Ensemble has consistently earned prestigious accolades for their outstanding performances. In 2023, the ensemble received multiple honors for excellence, securing second place in The American Prize Wind Ensemble category and was selected as one of the finest small university wind ensembles to showcase at the National College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) conference. Furthermore, the ensemble had the honor of performing at the 2023 Northeast Ohio Band Invitational held at Severance Hall, home of The Cleveland Orchestra. Invitations for performances at the 2024 CBDNA North Central Conference and Ohio Music Educators Association Conference underscore Dr. Butler’s commitment to musical excellence.

The National Band Association has recognized Dr. Butler with multiple Citations of Excellence for his significant contributions to wind bands. Serving actively as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, he has conducted ensembles such as the United States Army Band ‘Pershing’s Own’ and the United States Army Field Band. Dr. Butler is a proud alumnus of Tennessee Technological University (B.M.) and the University of Florida (M.M. and Ph.D.).

Bang T. Co (he/him) is a dedicated leader in both the music and non-profit sectors. As the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Individual Gifts at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Bang focuses on enhancing alumni engagement and fostering philanthropic relationships to support the next generation of musicians and educators. His role involves strategic outreach and the implementation of initiatives that connect with alumni across the globe, underlining the importance of music education and leadership in building successful careers and personal growth.

Bang also proudly serves as the National President of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. His journey with the fraternity began in 2012 when he was initiated into the Alpha Zeta chapter at Indiana University. Throughout his tenure, Bang has held various leadership roles, contributing to the fraternity's expansion and student development across multiple districts. His commitment to the fraternity has been recognized through various honorary memberships and accolades, including the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award, the highest honor for student members. In addition to his work in music and education, Bang is committed to empowering youth and emerging musicians from historically marginalized communities. As a member of their Board of Directors, he is actively involved with The Musicianship, a non-profit organization that provides free music education and enrichment programs in the DC metropolitan area and beyond. These programs are designed to build skills, amplify talents, and achieve positive life-changing outcomes for participants.

Bang's educational journey, starting as the first in his family to attend college, has been transformative. Earning both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Indiana University, and serving as the Drum Major for the IU Marching Hundred, Bang developed a robust foundation in music, service, and leadership. His role in the band allowed him to explore the synergy between music, leadership, and team dynamics, deepening his passion for these fields. Further enhancing his education, Bang completed the Non-Profit Executive Leadership & Management program at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, where he gained critical insights into managing non-profit organizations effectively. These experiences have been pivotal in preparing him for a significant role in advancing the arts and shaping future leaders through education and community involvement.

Having started his drum major career under the tutelage of Dr. Keiser, Bang first attended the Clinic as a high school drum major. His continuous involvement with the clinic has evolved from participant to leadership clinician, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the marching arts. Bang is excited to once again take on the role of Leadership Clinician, engaging with high school student leaders from across the nation. He is deeply committed to nurturing their voices and empowering them to take on leadership roles. By contributing to the Clinic, Bang aims to offer meaningful and deliberate support, shaping the leaders of tomorrow just as the Clinic shaped him.

Mr. Hassell is entering his 25th year of teaching and is in his 13th year serving as director of bands at Carroll High School, in Fort Wayne, IN. He is a native of Fort Wayne where earned his BME from Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne in 1999.

The Band program at Carroll serves over 270 students and provides musical opportunities through 4 concert bands, 3 jazz bands, 2 jazz combos, pep band, musical pit orchestra, multiple chamber ensembles, indoor winter percussion, 2 winter guards, and the Charger Pride marching band. The Concert Bands at Carroll have received consistent Gold ratings "with distinction” at the ISSMA Concert Band Festival. Under his direction, the Charger Pride marching band has been an ISSMA State marching band finalist 9 times since 2013, and has been a Bands of America regional finalist, class champion, and super regional finalist and BOA Grand National Semi-finalist. Under his direction, the Carroll Jazz Ensemble #1 has earned multiple local and statewide recognitions including being named "top honor band" at several local jazz festivals, named "top honor band" at the prestigious Purdue Jazz Festival, performed at the 2017 and 2023 I.M.E.A. state convention, has performed at each of the 6 ISSMA jazz state finals, including being named the inaugural "Honor Ensemble" in 2016.

In 2017, he was welcomed into the Phi Beta Mu international bandmaster's fraternity and in 2019, was a recipient of the Quinlin and Fabish "Michiana Outstanding Music Educator" award. He is married to his wife Kelly, has two boys; Evan and Jack as well his cat, Hex – and his Dog, Maynard (named after his favorite trumpet player, Maynard Ferguson).

Jen Hepp most recently served as the Assistant Band Director at Klein Cain High School in Houston, TX for three years. This fall, she will begin pursuing her MM in Wind Conducting at UMKC (The University of Missouri at Kansas City) under Professor Steve Davis. Jen holds Bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University in Music Education, Trumpet Performance and Journalism. During her time at Northwestern, she performed for three years with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble directed by Dr. Mallory Thompson and was recognized as a Theodore Presser Scholar. She also performed as an associate member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Jen marched with The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016 as the featured trumpet soloist, and served as a member of the brass staff for the corps for four years. She is passionate about teaching musical leadership through conducting, and loves to read, run, and bake in her free time.

Andrew Keiser is currently pursuing his doctorate in conducting at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music after graduating with a Master’s degree in wind conducting with Dr. Jamie Nix at the Schwob School of Music in Columbus, Georgia (2023). Prior to graduate studies, he was the Band Director at Angola High School in Indiana from 2016-2021. At Angola, Keiser directed all elements of the band program, which was a consistent recipient of the ISSMA All-Music Award. Keiser received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University, where he arranged music and served as Trumpet Section Leader for the Spartan Marching Band.

Keiser continues to arrange music and write drill for high school marching bands, and he often judges drum major captions at marching band shows. He has been a conductor for the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-Region Honor Bands. He has served on the ISSMA Marching Band Committee and the IBA State Board. His main instrument is piano and his passions include cooking and reading, as well as teaching leadership through conducting. Andrew's leadership philosophy stems from servant leadership, and his teaching centers on how we as leaders/conductors/drum majors can use our musicianship to serve, inspire, and ultimately empower those around us.

Matt Lindley is entering his 15th year as band director at Eastern High School and East Washington Middle School in scenic Pekin, IN. In addition to teaching band, he also coordinates the Radio and TV program as well as Eastern's International Travel Program. Before his tenure at Eastern, Matt served as a three year drum major for the ISU Marching Sycamores and two years as drum major for the Paris (IL) High School Marching Tigers. Matt holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana State University as well as a Master of Music Education degree from Kent State University. He has served multiple roles on the Crossroads staff, but is currently in his 16th year on the instructional staff. Matt is lucky to have a beautiful wife, Veronica, and two incredible kids, Reece and Loreley. In addition to playing in the yard with his family, Matt enjoys traveling around the world, the Cincinnati Reds, playing with his dog, Penny, and camping, and watching his kids take part in sports, piano, and dance lessons.

Dr. Jon Noworyta is Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Indianapolis where he serves as Director of Bands, Instrumental Activities, and Educational Outreach, administers all aspects of the instrumental area, teaches courses in conducting and music education, and conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Pep Band. A versatile conductor who is equally comfortable with orchestras as well as wind and brass groups, he is the Artistic Director of the Crossroads Brass Band of Indianapolis, Artistic Director of the Queen City Freedom Band of Cincinnati, and the former Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. Noworyta is a twenty-one year veteran public school music educator. Previous positions include those at Wheaton North High School, Naperville North High School and in the North Tonawanda (NY) City Schools. In addition to local and state festivals, ensembles under his direction have appeared at the 2009 NY Band and Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall, the 2010 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (rehearsal lab) and the 2012 Music for All National Concert Band Festival. Noworyta has led groups at Chicago's Symphony Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Marching bands under his direction have appeared in preliminary and finals performances in the New York State Field Band Conference and at the Illinois State Marching Band Championships, as well as at Music for All/Bands of America regional events. This year, Noworyta led DCI’s INpact Band – a group of over 500 middle school students from around the state of Indiana – at the 50th anniversary of the Drum Corps International World Championships. A Western New York native, Noworyta holds degrees from Baldwin-Wallace College (BME) and Northwestern University (MM), and the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati (DMA).

Kevin L. Schuessler is retiring in June 2025 as Director of Bands and Performing Arts Department Chair at Center Grove High School, Greenwood, Indiana. Prior to being named the Director of Bands in 2001, Kevin was, for seven years, Associate Director of Bands where his responsibilities focused around directing the Symphonic Band, Program and Staff Coordinator of the Marching Band and Jazz Program. His responsibilities included directing the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and Jazz Program while assisting the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Woodwinds and Symphonic Brass.

He holds a Masters of Music degree in Applied Horn from the University of Louisville, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana State University. He was formerly the Department Chair and Director of Bands at Lowell H.S. (IN) and Pendleton Heights H.S. (IN), and was Assistant Band Director at Herscher H.S. (IL).

Fourteen years of drum corps experience have included Star of Indiana, visual instructor (89-93); Northern Aurora (MI), program coordinator and brass caption head (86-88); and Phantom Regiment (IL), visual and brass instructor (82-85) and marching member (80-81).

Dr. Timothy Yontz is Professor of Music, Head of Instrumental Studies, and Director of Bands for the Bower School of Music & the Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. Before joining the faculty at FGCU, Dr. Yontz served as Professor of Music Education and Director of Bands at Wheaton College (Illinois), Associate Director of Bands and Marching Band Director at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Director of Bands at Marinette High School (Wisconsin), New Palestine High School (Indiana), and New Albany High School (Indiana).

Dr. Yontz was the Drum Major at Indiana University and Concord High School (Indiana). His high school marching bands competed in the Indiana Marching Band State Finals, and performed in the Orange Bowl and Peach Bowl Parades. He is a national marching band judge for Bands of America (BOA) and Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA), in addition to university and public school contests.

Dr. Yontz holds a Ph.D. in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction in Music from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Master of Music from Butler University (Indianapolis), and Bachelor of Music Education from the Indiana University School of Music. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity, and recipient of the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence.”