Winner of the University of Kansas Symphony Concerto Competition in 2012, the Great Plains Regional Tuba Conference solo competition in 2009, and the US Army Band Mock Audition in 2012, Bo Atlas teaches Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is Principal Tubist with the Des Moines Symphony. He can also be found performing regularly with the Nebraska Brass Quintet, UNL Faculty Brass, and the Lincoln Municipal Band.

Ms. Brumwell is the Principal Harpist of Orchestra Iowa as well as the harp instructor at the University of Northern Iowa, Coe College, and the Orchestra Iowa School. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and humanities from Grace University, she holds a master’s degree in harp performance from Rice University and has studied with Paula Page, Mary Bircher, and the legendary Alice Chalifoux.

A native of Costa Rica with a Master of Music Degree from Roosevelt University, Edgar Campos has performed with a variety of orchestras in the area, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Elgin Symphony, and American Ballet Theatre. Outside of the United States, he has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica and the Sinfónica Nacional de Uruguay

Tal Cohen is a Grammy winner and a past winner of the Barry Harris National Piano Competition. He is currently located in Miami and leads his own ensemble, which has performed at the Jazzbez Jazz Festival and the Melbourne Jazz Festival. His unique style blends traditional jazz with the music of his Jewish heritage.

John Daversa is a world-renowned trumpeter and chair of the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Picking up the trumpet at age eleven, he is now a multiple Grammy award winner and nominee. Daversa has toured internationally as the musical director for singer Renee Olstead and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Late Night with David Letterman, and the Today Show. He has also composed numerous commissions for universities and chamber music organizations.

Dave Eggar is an extremely accomplished cellist. In addition to being a graduate of Harvard University and Juilliard School’s Doctoral Program, Eggar has performed with musicians such as Coldplay, Evanescence, and Beyonce. He also debuted in Carnegie Hall at age 15 and has performed on Broadway and with the Metropolitan Opera.

Phil grew up in Brooklyn and began playing guitar at an early age. He studied classical guitar, music arranging, and orchestration at Brooklyn College. He taught music in the schools before turning his focus full time on the multiple bands he performs, arranges, and records with. Phil moved his work to Tennessee, where he works on a variety of performance projects with Dave Eggar.

Lisa Fako is a busy freelancer in Chicago. She has performed at many music festivals, including Tanglewood and Aspen. Her teachers include Betty Lambert, Victor Aitay, and Joseph Silverstein. Ms. Fako performs regularly with the Chicago Philharmonic, The Lyric Opera, and many other orchestras.

In addition to playing for Broadway shows such as Disney’s The Lion King and Wicked, Jonathan Greenberg has served on the low brass faculty of Hunter College and The City University of New York since 2009 and has held similar positions at The Avenues School and Manhattan School of Music. Jonathan has also enjoyed a freelance career in New York City. He has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and he is a founding member of the Carnegie Hall LinkUp Orchestra.

In addition to teaching horn at Coe College, Wartburg, Kirkwood, and the Orchestra Iowa Symphony School, Charles (Andy) Harris performs with the Des Moines Symphony, the Orchestra Iowa quintets, and even the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. He has been featured as a soloist many times in his career, including with the Jefferson City Symphony in 1979 and the University of Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 1988.

In addition to teaching saxophone at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Lynne Hart runs her own private studio in Cedar Rapids. Over 100 of Hart's students have been accepted into the Iowa All-State Band/Orchestra. Hart earned her Master of Fine Arts Degree in woodwind performance from the University of Iowa and her Bachelor of Music Degree in theory and composition from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Dr. Jeiran Hasan leads a busy career as a collaborator, educator, and soloist. She has been a prize winner or finalist in over 20 international and national competitions, including the Young Artist and Orchestral Audition and Masterclass competitions of the National Flute Association. She also serves on the Myrna Brown International Scholarship and Cultural Liaison Committees. She holds degrees from the University of Iowa (D.M.A.) and the Cleveland Institute of Music (MM and BM).

Carmen Llop Kassinger is a freelance violinist in Chicago who has played with the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera, Joffrey Ballet, and many others. Her musical interests range from chamber music to Broadway. Carmen received her Masters in violin performance from the University of Miami.

Director and owner of Music Academy of the Rockies, Tamara Maddaford, began her musical journey at age eight taking flute and piano lessons. She went on to receive her BM from San Jose State University and her MM from the University of Iowa, both in flute performance. Mrs. Maddaford is also the principal flute of the Stratus Chamber Orchestra and has a private flute studio where students participate in recitals. Many of her students have gone on to major in music performance and education.

Phil O’Connor is an extremely accomplished clarinet player who is currently a professor of clarinet for the Old Town Conservatory of Music in Pasadena and at the colleges in Riverside, California. Phil has performed with many fine ensembles from southern California, such as the orchestras of Long Beach and Pasadena and the Los Angeles Opera. As a clarinetist, he can be heard performing on numerous motion picture soundtracks and television shows.

Carol Rezabek is currently the dance instructor in the theater department at Coe College and has choreographed extensively for theater productions in the Cedar Rapids area. Carol’s ballet students have attended programs such as the Joffrey Ballet Chicago's International Summer Dance Intensive. Rezabek earned her BFA with honors in dance performance from The University of Iowa and her MFA in dance directing from The Ohio State University. Carol teaches ballet at The Dancer's EDGE as an American Ballet Theatre® Certified Teacher.

Robert Rucker is a jazz drummer, music teacher, and composer who was raised in Miami, Florida. He earned his B.A. from the University of North Florida and his graduate degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Rucker has recorded and performed with Grammy award-winning artists such as Wynton Marsalis and John Daversa. Robert is also endorsed by Bosphorus and SoulTone Cymbals, and Canopus Drums.

Currently living in Cedar Rapids, Richard Wagor earned his BA in music from the University of Iowa and a MM from the Manhattan School of Music. Richard has played as a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and the Dubuque Symphony. He has also played with the Des Moines Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, the Quad Cities Symphony, the Illinois Symphony, and many more.

Mr. Wedge received both his Bachelor's and Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University with Professor Peter Slowik. He is a member of the Music of the Baroque, Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. He frequently performs with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Grant Park Symphony and has composed, transcribed, and arranged for many recording projects.

A native of Cincinnati, Jonathan Welch is in his 19th year of teaching and is currently the Director of Orchestras at Iowa City West High School. Welch also holds the title of Performance Music Coordinator for the Iowa City School District as well as President of the Iowa String Teachers Association. Previously, Welch has held the position of orchestra director of Linn-Mar Orchestra in Marion, Iowa, and Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In addition to his position at Coe College, Zeidieh serves as the music director of the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa and degrees in Music and Dentistry from the Damascus Conservatory and University. Previously, Zeidieh has served as an Instructor of Cello at Western Illinois University and was a member of the Julstrom Faculty String Quartet.