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Bethany Seedorff is in her 22nd year of teaching, all at Calamus-Wheatland Community School District. At Cal-Wheat Ms. Seedorff directs the high school concert, jazz, and pep bands; the junior high band; and for the last four years, the 5th and 6th grade bands. She also teaches all 5-12 band lessons at Cal-Wheat, as well as concurrent college music courses, and is the Adjunct Oboe Professor at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. In the years that Ms. Seedorff has taught at Cal-Wheat, numerous ensembles and individual students have received accolades, including Division ‘I’ ratings at contests, outstanding performances at solo/ensemble competitions, and members of the All-State ensembles. In the four years that she has been directing the elementary bands, membership has doubled or more, and the past four years’ beginning bands have comprised 80% of the total student population in their respective grades.  Ms. Seedorff currently serves as the Public Relations chair for the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association, and was the recipient of their Philip Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award in 2025. Her professional affiliations include NEIBA, IBA, ISEA, and CWEA, including serving as a Labor Management Committee member. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Luther College (K-12 music education minor) and a Master of Music in Music Education from University of Northern Iowa.  Ms. Seedorff is married to her wife, Sarah Roepke, also a teacher at Cal-Wheat, and has two children, Griffin (age 10) and Hugo (age 4).    Connect with Bethany Seedorff Email: [email protected]

"Legacy is not about what you accomplish. It's about what others accomplish because of you." ~Mark Batterson

"Success is when you add value to yourself. Significance is when you add value to others." ~John R. Miles

"Compliance is the seedbed for mediocrity, and commitment is the fuel for sustained levels of elite performance." ~Mark Miller

Dr. Shawn Knopp is the guest on The Growing Band Director Podcast with Kyle Smith.

Alex McMahon is an experienced music educator, conductor, and professional musician who has worked with students from elementary through high school. His teaching responsibilities have included concert band, jazz band, marching band, pep band, and beginning instrumental music. In addition to his classroom work, he has coordinated honor bands, professional events, and other large-scale music activities within his district. Alex currently serves as president of the South Central Kansas Music Educators Association, where he helps oversee district activities, coordinate honor ensembles and professional events, support area music educators, and work with association leaders on programming, policies, and organizational planning. He earned bachelor’s degrees in music education and trombone performance from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and a Master of Music degree in instrumental conducting from Wichita State University. His professional interests include educational and music technology, and expanding access to music through creative teaching approaches. Connect with Alex: Email: [email protected]   KWCH News: "Andover 5th grader with dwarfism uses adaptive instrument to play in school band"  https://www.kwch.com/2026/04/11/andover-band-teacher-helps-create-adaptive-instrument-fifth-grader/   Andover Public Schools Documentary https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14ixzfnD6J2/

Dr. Myra Rhoden serves on the faculty at the University of West Georgia where she conducts the UWG Symphonic Band and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Music Education. As the founder of Athena Music and Leadership, Rhoden has created programs and opportunities to empower young women through music while equipping them with lifelong leadership skills that can be used in any profession. Drawing on over 30 years of experience as a high school band director, Rhoden frequently serves as a guest conductor for state, regional, and university honor bands and is honored to have presented sessions at The Midwest Clinic, the Bands of America Summer Symposium, national, state and regional conferences, and for school systems and professional development clinics throughout North America. Her concert bands have performed at national and international venues while her marching bands have won numerous Grand Championships and earned finalist positions at Bands of America Regional and Super Regional competitions. Rhoden has received national recognition for her contributions to music education including having the honor of being elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor. She has been awarded the Tau Beta Sigma Outstanding Service to Music Award, the Women Band Directors International Golden Rose Award, the 2018 Band Director of the Year from the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and multiple National Band Association (NBA) Citations of Excellence. Connect with Dr. Rhoden [email protected] https://athenacamp.com/ Myra's Book: Through My Music: Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders

Dr. Rachael Urquhart is the director of bands at Quakertown Community High School in Quakertown Community School District, Quakertown, PA. Her responsibilities at Quakertown HS include conducting the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony and teaching keyboard and American music history as elective courses. Dr. Urquhart is also the director of the Quakertown Community High School Panther Marching Band.  Dr. Urquhart earned her Ed.D. in Policy, Planning, and Administration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2026, with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Urquhart’s dissertation was entitled Beyond Superpowers and Stereotypes: Female High School Band Directors Navigating Gendered Expectations in Leadership. Her research centered the leadership perceptions and career aspirations of female music teachers and highlighted the career obstacles and encouragements of female high school band directors (FHSBDs). She was a recipient of WCU’s Graduate Student Association and Graduate Council Award for Excellence in Scholarship and/or Creative Activity (2026). She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (2011) and a Master of Music in Music Performance with a concentration in Wind Conducting (2016), both from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.  In addition to Dr. Urquhart’s responsibilities as a public school band director, she is an involved member of Women Band Directors International (WBDI), especially at the state level. During the summers, Dr. Urquhart is the clarinet and band ensemble teacher at West Chester University’s Elementary/Middle School Summer Music Camp and a clinician with the drum major staff at Vivace Productions’ Incomparable Marching Band Workshop, West Chester University location. Dr. Urquhart is also a co-author of the book, Marching Band Techniques. Rachael enjoys spending her time outside of being a band director with her incredible and supportive husband, Matt; her family, and her super cute mini Australian Shepherd, Kelby. Connect with Dr. Urquhart: Email: [email protected]

Ryan Runyan is the director of 5-12 bands at IKM-Manning High School in Manning, IA. A graduate of Simpson College in Indianola, IA, Ryan has 14 years of experience teaching ensembles such as marching, jazz, concert, and pep bands, as well as color guard and speech. Ryan has taught entirely in rural Iowa schools, teaching five years at West Marshall High School in State Center, IA, in addition to his nine years at IKM-Manning CSD in Manning, IA. His passions include music, film,, and spending time with his wife and daughter at Disney World.   Connect with Ryan: Email: [email protected]

Matt Treto is a Kansas-based music educator and percussionist from Augusta, Kansas. Since Fall 2025, he has served as the 5th–12th grade Band Director for Haven Public Schools in Haven, Kansas, where he teaches everything from beginning 5th grade band to high school concert band, guitar, and an emerging jazz ensemble. A graduate of Friends University and Butler Community College, Matt brings a student-focused approach to the podium. Connect with Matt: Email: [email protected]

Ryan Partin just completed his 15th year of teaching and is the Director of Bands at Garden City High School in Garden City, KS. He oversees the marching band, 3 concert ensembles, and 3 jazz bands. His previous assignment was teaching 5-12 band in Ulysses, KS.  Ryan was a nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 2017 and was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Bandmaster award, presented by Phi Beta Mu and the Kansas Bandmasters Association in 2018. He is an active member of the Kansas Music Educators Association, serving in the previous positions of Southwest KMEA High School Band Chairperson and Southwest KMEA District President. He also serves on the Kansas High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Festivals Committee.  In addition to his role as an educator, Ryan is also an active musician. He has been a member of Julie Groom’s Flatland Big Band since 2012 and plays various small-group jazz engagements throughout the year.  Ryan graduated from Kansas State University in 2024 with a Master of Music and from Wichita State University in 2011 with a Bachelor in Music Education and a Bachelor in Jazz Studies.   Connect with Ryan Partin E-mail:  [email protected]

A graduate of South Portland High School, Kyle Smith has been the Band Westbrook High School in Westbrook, Maine since 2006. Prior to his appointment at Westbrook High School he was the Band Director at Biddeford High School. The Westbrook Music Department has received numerous awards and acknowledgments for the outstanding musicianship that the musicians show. Recent honors include performances by the Wind Ensemble at Merrill Auditorium with the University of Maine Symphonic Band, and  at the MMEA All State Conference (2009, 2011 with Mr. Samuel R. Hazo, and 2013 with Dr. Andrew Boysen.)  In 2013 the Westbrook High School Wind Ensemble was selected as one of two performing ensembles to perform at the National Association for Music Education's (NAFME) All Eastern Conference. Mr. Smith is the past Vice President of the Maine Band Directors Association, as well as the Instrumental Jazz Chair for the Maine Music Educators Association. He serves as a manager for jazz bands and concert bands for MMEA at the district and state levels. Kyle is host of the acclaimed weekly podcast called "The Growing Band Director Podcast." Mr. Smith received his Bachelors of Music in Music Education degree, by scholarship for musical excellence, from the University of New Hampshire. He earned a graduate degree scholarship and teaching assistantship for his masters degree in Music Education with a concentration in conducting from the university, studying under Dr. Andrew Boysen Jr. , Dr. William Kempster, and Dr. Thomas Keck. Kyle lives in Westbrook with his wife Krystle, Director of Bands at Westbrook Middle School, his daughter Addison and son Jack.   Connect with Kyle Smith Email: [email protected]   The Growing Band Director Podcast www.thegrowingbanddirector.com https://youtube.com/@thegrowingbanddirectorpodc7296?si=D2x-uunmLb-XLAam

Dr. Adam J. Gumble is the Director of Athletic Bands at West Chester University. Dr. Gumble’s primary responsibilities include directing the 324-member “INCOMPARABLE” Golden Rams Marching Band, “Sixth Man” Basketball Band, and WCU Concert Band. Since his arrival at West Chester University, the WCU Marching Band has performed in featured exhibition at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, was named the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Sudler Trophy (the “Heisman Trophy” for collegiate marching bands), performed halftime shows at multiple NFL playoff and regular season football games, and hosted Championship events for both USBands and the Cavalcade of Bands Association. Prior to his appointment at West Chester University, Dr. Gumble taught for 13 years in the Pennsylvania public schools as the Director of Bands at Hempfield High School and Associate Director of Bands at Quakertown Community High School. Dr. Gumble has been a quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Foundation’s Music Educator Award and has been nominated for “Who's Who Among America's Teachers” as well as multiple "Teacher Impact Awards" through Central Pennsylvania's NBC affiliate, WGAL. Dr. Gumble graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 2005, a Master of Music Education Degree from Boston University in 2007, a Master of Music Degree in Wind Conducting from West Chester University in 2016, and a Doctor of Education Degree from West Chester University in 2022.   Connect with Dr. Adam Gumble Email: [email protected] Instagram: @wcugumble

Dr. Frank Pérez serves as Director of Instrumental Music at Gloria Willis Middle School in Kansas City, KS. He formerly served as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Baker University, where he conducted the Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, taught low brass and music education courses. Dr. Pérez has conducted honor bands throughout Midwest and presented clinics and workshops for music educators nationally and internationally. As a trombonist, he has performed with the La Jolla Symphony, L.A. Guild Opera, Des Moines Big Band, De Soto Brass Band, and KC Bone Connection. He co-founded and co-conducts Trombone Christmas Kansas City. Dr. Pérez is Immediate Past-President of the Kansas Bandmasters Association, KMEA Representative for the Society for Music Teacher Education, and a Conn-Selmer and Denis Wick performing artist & clinician. Connect with Dr. Pérez Website: https://www.frankperezmusic.com Photography: https://www.facebook.com/FrankPerezDigitalImages Email: [email protected]

Chris DeVona is the Assistant Director of Bands at James Madison University, where he conducts the Symphonic Band, directs the basketball Pep Band, and works with the Marching Royal Dukes. In addition to his ensemble responsibilities, Chris also teaches conducting and marching band procedures courses. Prior to joining the band team at JMU, Chris was on faculty at Eastern University (PA), and he taught high school and middle school band/orchestra in his home state of Connecticut. In addition to his teaching, Chris’s works as an author span from educational literature to research in the wind band field. His recent textbooks include Small Band, Big Sound, a resource guide for music educators, as well as Expanding the Canon, a conducting excerpt book that foregrounds music by living composers. Chris’s research primarily addresses score interpretation and connections with contemporary music analysis; his articles are published in the Journal of Band Research and the journal of the International Conductor’s Guild. When not working with the JMU bands, Chris travels frequently as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for concert and marching ensembles. During the summer and fall seasons, Chris stays actively involved with marching band and drum corps, most recently serving in leadership roles on the staffs at the Blue Knights and Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps. Chris holds undergraduate degrees from the Hartt School and the University of Hartford in music theory and mathematics, and he completed his M.M. in conducting at West Chester University (PA).   Connect with Chris DeVona Books Small Band, Big Sound by Chris DeVona https://giamusic.com/resource/small-band-big-sound-book-11191 Expanding the Canon by Andrew Yozviak and Chris DeVona https://murphymusicpress.com/products/t-100  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chris.devona.7