2025 Guest Artists
Megumi Kanda
Principal Trombone, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Megumi Kanda, Principal Trombone of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 2002, is an internationally acclaimed performer, teacher, and author.
Megumi has performed as a soloist across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Pershing’s Own Army Band, the US Army Field Band, and the Prague Chamber Orchestra. She has commissioned and/or premiered works of numerous composers and has been a featured guest artist at many trombone workshops and festivals, including the International Trombone Festival and the American Trombone Workshop.
Megumi has appeared as guest faculty at numerous music institutions, including the New World Symphony, National Youth Orchestra, and Interlochen Arts Academy, and has given master classes and recitals around the world.
In April 2006, Megumi was recognized by the Arion Foundation in Tokyo, Japan as one of the most influential Japanese classical artists. She has also received a Certificate of Commendation from the Consul General of Japan at Chicago in recognition for distinguished service contributing to the friendship between the United States and Japan. Megumi was named a 2017 Woman of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal in the category of education. In 2020, she was named the recipient of the International Trombone Association Award, which recognizes the highest level of creative and artistic achievement.
Megumi’s two books, The One Hundred (2015) and Trombone Unlimited (2020), are resources widely used by aspiring trombonists around the world.
As a JVC/Victor Entertainment artist, Megumi recorded three solo albums: Amazing Grace, Gloria, and Mona Lisa. She also can be heard on Magnifique Live, a live recording of Megumi and other JVC artists in the August 2005 performance at Takemitsu Hall in Tokyo’s Opera City.
A native of Tokyo, Japan, Megumi began to play the trombone at age ten and continued her studies at the prestigious Toho High School of Music, where she studied with Sumio Miwa, formerly of the NHK Symphony. At age fifteen, she became the youngest player ever to be named as one of the top ten trombonists at the Japanese Wind and Percussion Competition. Two years later she won the Grand Prize in the National Competition for Solo Trombone.
Megumi moved to the United States in 1994 and received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with James DeSano, former Principal Trombone of the Cleveland Orchestra. Prior to joining the Milwaukee Symphony, she served as Principal Trombonist of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, as a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music Community Education Division.
Megumi is proud to be a Greenhoe artist and performs on a Greenhoe trombone.
An avid gardener, Megumi was chosen to participate in the 2013 Garden Tour in Shorewood, WI. She also enjoys going to Milwaukee Brewers games and taking walks with her husband, MSO horn player Dietrich Hemann, and sons Hans, Max, and Lukas.
Kenneth Thompkins
Associate Professor of Trombone, Michigan State University
Retired Principal Trombone, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Kenneth Thompkins was appointed Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra by Neeme Jarvi. Prior to this appointment he held positions in the Buffalo Philharmonic and The Florida Orchestra and New World Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Thompkins enjoys working with young musicians and has performed masterclasses and recitals at many universities including the Curtis Institute of Music, University of Michigan, and the Eastman School of Music. In 2017 Thompkins recorded Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals featuring the music of Alec Wilder, William Grant Still and Philip Wharton. Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals was the winner of The American Prize in Instrumental Performance for 2018-2019. He has performed as a soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra and New World Symphony. He also premiered “Troubled Water” trombone concerto by Carlos Simon with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2023.
Faculty Directors
John Sebastian Vera, Co-Director
Principal Trombone, Pittsburgh Opera
John Sebastian Vera, a native of Texas, became the principal trombonist of the Pittsburgh Opera in 2010 and also joined the River City Brass as principal Trombone in 2015. He is also professor of trombone at Duquesne University and faculty member at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he teaches a course on Music Entrepreneurship and Digital Media as well as coaches chamber music.
In addition to the Pittsburgh Opera, Mr. Vera has played with the symphonies of Dallas, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Buffalo, Kennedy Center Opera House, Malaysian Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Vermont, Harrisburg, Charleston, American Ballet Theatre, and Orquesta Sinaloa de las Artes in Mexico amongst others.
He began his studies with Jon Bohls in Texas and continued his education at Southern Methodist University where he studied with John Kitzman of the Dallas Symphony. He then spent a year studying with Ed Zadrozny as a graduate assistant at the University of Akron, and finished his graduate work in New York City at the Mannes College of Music studying with David Finlayson and James Markey of the New York Philharmonic.
In 2011, he spent the summer in Haiti volunteer teaching and performing in the Orchestre Philharmonique Sainte Trinite as well as the Ecole de Musique Dessaix Baptiste which became one of the more profound experiences of his life.
A dedicated chamber musician, he also was a founding member of the critically acclaimed Guidonian Hand Trombone Quartet in which he played from 2008-2014. With the quartet, John performed over 100 concerts and gave master classes all over the country. Heralded by the New York Times for their "expertly played performances" they have been recipients of numerous national grants which have enabled them to commission countless composers to create new and innovative works for four trombones. In 2014 was the premiere of River of Fundament, a movie by film artist Matthew Barney, in which John recorded for and acted in along with the quartet.
Mr. Vera can also be heard on the HBO documentary The Words that Built America as well as on euphonium in the PBS documentary Abraham and Mary Lincoln, A House Divided as well as many commercial and video game soundtracks as well as James Markey’s solo release, “On Base”.
He is an artist for Thein Instruments and has a signature JSV mouthpiece line developed with Houghton Horns. His favorite musicians include Sigur Ros, Radiohead, the Books, and Efterklang. When he can get away from the trombone he most enjoys basketball, traveling and reading about psychology and social science. Check out his podcast he hosts with Nick Schwartz called the Trombone Retreat available everywhere you download your podcasts. Follow him on Instagram @js.vera.
Nicholas Schwartz, Co-Director
Principal Bass Trombone, New York City Ballet
Nick Schwartz Nicholas Schwartz has a diverse career performing across North America, Europe, and Asia. After studying at The Juilliard School with then New York Philharmonic bass trombonist Don Harwood, he moved to San Francisco where he began freelancing throughout the Bay Area.
Since 2010, he has been the principal bass trombonist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra. He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, St. Lukes Chamber Orchestra, the New York City Opera, Atlanta Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, The Malaysia Philharmonic, Mostly Mozart Festival, and Classical Tahoe. Follow him on instagram @basstrombone444
Collaborative Piano
Helen Lukan
Overneath Studios of Kalamazoo recently described Helen Lukan's piano artistry in these words: "From playing with symphonies across the region, to solo recitals and collaborations with Western Michigan University (WMU), Helen's name is synonymous with exquisite piano-craft." A Chicago native, Helen has long been highly regarded as a versatile collaborative pianist in West Michigan and is gaining national notice as a respected collaborator with such groups as the Boston Brass. While she has vast experience accompanying a diverse range of soloists, performing music in every genre, she has an affinity for the trumpet repertoire having worked with trumpeters, Mary Bowden, Dr. Stephen Jones, Rex Richardson, Michael Sachs, and WMU Professors Scott Thornburg and Dr. Robert White.
In addition to an ongoing association with the Boston Brass, Helen has performed Gershwin's Three Preludes as a featured artist for the KBR Steinway Sessions Live at Overneath Studios. She has been a featured soloist with the Western Winds, performing another Gershwin favorite, Rhapsody in Blue, and has performed with TubaCOR at Eastman Conservatory for the Women in Music Series. Helen has charmed audiences with her collaborative programs, America: A Musical Tribute! with soprano, Katelin Spencer, and Four-Hand-Frenzy with sister, Clare Chenoweth. Helen is the featured artist, and co-creator with husband Cameron S. Brown of the multi-media presentation, A Kaleidoscope of Sound.
While serving as the principal pianist for the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Helen also performs regularly with the Grand Rapids Symphony, and frequently substitutes with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and the Battle Creek Symphony. She has also performed with the Florida Symphony.
Besides her collaborative work with regional orchestras and other ensembles, Helen accompanies a host of students and faculty for recital performances at WMU's School of Music where she earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance under the instruction of Phyllis Rappeport and Dr. Robert Ricci. She received her undergraduate degree at Bradley University where she studied with Dr. Edward Kaizer. Her early piano instruction was under the guidance of Bill Stapleton of Chicago.
Along with the online KBR Steinway Sessions Live performance, Helen's musical mastery can be heard on the compact disc recordings, Music to Dream By, Nancy Steltmann, cellist, From the Start, Elizabeth Start, composer and cellist, and Shamanic Journey, Deanna Swoboda, tubist. Helen can be contacted through her website at www.HelenLukan.com.
Pianist Ellen R. Sommer is a sought-after pianist, chamber musician, and coach. Her reputation for excellence has led to extensive engagements throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South Americas, Europe and Asia. Recent performances include recitals at the Milan Conservatory and the Instituto Cervantes in Paris. Additionally Sommer was invited to present a series of concerts and master classes in San Jose, Costa Rica at the Universidad de Costa Rica, and Casa de la musica in Quito, Ecuador.
Ellen can be heard on numerous professional recordings, including five under the auspices of Potenza Music, Naxos, Parma, and Albany Records. Most recently Ellen and flutist, Daniel Velasco recorded an album of Ecuadorean flute and piano commissioned works. This Naxos recording , Flauta Andina, was released in August 2022. Additionally Ellen recently recorded the string sonatas of Luis Humberto Salgado as part of an ongoing Naxos recording project of Salgado’s music with colleagues at the University of Kansas School of Music.
Ellen is a founding member of Navo Trio, a fresh and inspiring ensemble for violin, oboe and piano. Recent recipients of a Barlow Foundation grant, this ensemble is dedicated to promoting female composers. Navo Trio has commissioned several new works for violin, oboe and piano, with composers such as Alex Shapiro, Alice Ho and Althea Talbot-Howard.
Wellness and Movement
Gabriel Colby
Playing trombone, physical fitness, and unraveling life’s challenges are the motivators that spur Gabriel Colby on a daily basis. He’s taken life lessons from each of these facets and curated robust health and wellness programs to improve lives. Gabriel shares his transformative approach through lecture engagements focused on music, the music business, and wellness.
Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Gabriel is in-demand as both a recording and performing trombonist. He is principal trombone for the Nu Deco Ensemble, a cutting-edge chamber orchestra operating out of Miami, Florida and co-principal trombone of the River City Brass Band, the only ensemble of its kind in America.
Outside of these large ensembles, Gabriel plays in and manages two other groups. His brass quintet, C Street Brass performs classical, and pop favorites in recital halls and performing arts centers across the country. Beauty Slap, a genre-bending electronic funk band, comprised of a DJ, keyboards, and horns, tours nationally, and plays sold-out shows in and around Pittsburgh. Both groups are focused on education and given workshops at: Carnegie Mellon University, University of South Carolina, San Francisco State University, California State University Stanislaus, and others. Gabriel earned a B.M. and G.P.D. from Peabody Conservatory, and a M.M. from Carnegie Mellon University. In his free time Gabriel enjoys
In addition to performing and recording, Gabriel is a certified trainer. He utilizes his personal experience recovering from injury and studying a variety of movement disciplines to help musicians and non-musicians alike become pain free and feel more confident, playful, and powerful in their bodies. As a speaker, he has given workshops and seminars at West Virginia University, Third Coast Trombone Retreat, Carnegie Mellon University on both the business of music as well as movement, fitness, and pain solutions as a musician. In his free time, Gabriel enjoys all kinds of fitness training, golf, rock climbing, and eating ice cream.
Performance Psychology
William Mann
William Mann is the Associate Professor of Trombone at Georgia State University and has been on faculty since 2013. Prior to his appointment at GSU, William taught at Morehead State University, the University of Missouri, Prairie View A&M University and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. In addition to college teaching, William taught instrumental music in the Texas Public Schools and served as a private studio teacher for over 12 years.
William is currently Principal Trombone with the Atlanta Opera, Second Trombone with the Atlanta Ballet, the Des Moines Symphony, and the Columbus Symphony (GA) Orchestras. His orchestral experiences also include performances with the Atlanta, Chattanooga, Lexington Philharmonic, Ohio Valley, West Virginia, Quad-City, Missouri, Tuscaloosa, Meridian, Victoria and Waco Symphony Orchestras. He has also performed with the Austin Lyric Opera, as well as the Victoria Bach, Texas Music and Hot Springs Music Festivals, and the 49th Armored Division Band. His jazz experience includes performing with the Di Martino Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO) and the Waco Jazz Orchestra, among others.
As a founding member of the American Trombone Quartet, William has appeared at the International Trombone Festival, the Lille Trombone Festival (Lille, France), the Midwest Trombone Euphonium Conference, the Big 12 Trombone Conference, Illinois State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and James Madison University.
William is regularly sought after as a lecturer, clinician and performer throughout the United States and Brazil, including the Blue Lake Music Camp in Blue Lake, MI, the Bay View Music Festival in Bay View, MI, the Third Coast Trombone Retreat in Montague, MI, and the Festival Nacional de Musica in Goiania, Brazil, in addition to many universities and schools across the United States.
William received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in trombone performance from the University of Texas at Austin in addition to a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University.
Business/Financial Planning
Scott Stratton
Scott Stratton is the founder and President of Good Life Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor in Little Rock, Arkansas. Scott is also a trombonist and writes about financial planning for professional musicians at FinanceForMusicians.com. Scott holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP(R)) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations, as well as a Certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University. He has been a full-time financial advisor since 2004. Scott is a Fiduciary, which means that he is required to place client interests ahead of his own. He provides financial planning to individuals to help them achieve financial security and grow their net worth, addressing areas such as budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, tax strategies, college funding, risk management, and estate planning.
That's his day gig, but on many nights and weekends, Scott works as a free-lance trombonist. Scott has been the principal trombonist of the Garland, Las Colinas, and Arlington Symphonies in Texas since 2001 and is second trombonist with the Irving Symphony. He performs with his quintet, the Perennial Brass, and for a number of church gigs. Scott studied at the Oberlin Conservatory with Raymond Premru, and received a MM, DMA, and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, as a student of Dr. John Marcellus. Formerly, Scott was an adjunct professor in low brass at the State University of New York at Geneseo and at Texas Christian University.
Staff
Steve Gellersen
Operations Manager
A native Texan, Steve Gellersen is currently living in East Lansing, MI where works at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts on the campus of Michigan State University in multiple capacities. He has performed as a bass trombonist throughout the country with ensembles such as the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Blossom Festival Orchestra, and the Palm Beach Opera.
Mr. Gellersen began studying trombone in San Antonio with Ron Wilkins, with a focus on jazz. He began his collegiate studies, and discovered his passion for orchestral playing, at Duquesne
University with Murray Crewe and continued on to complete his undergraduate degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music studying with Rick Stout. Steve returned to Cleveland a few years later to continue his graduate studies, before receiving a certificate at Carnegie Mellon University.
Mr. Gellersen has been working in an administrative capacity at the Third Coast Trombone Retreat since its first year and followed this new interest with a Masters Degree in Arts and Cultural Management at Michigan State.
When away from the trombone Steve enjoys NBA basketball, fantasy football, and considers himself an accomplished Instagram hot sauce influencer.