Wind Bands

Trae Blanco serves as Director of University Bands at Butler University. Previous positions include Director of Bands at Murray State University, the University of Southern Maine, and Las Cruces High School. Dr. Blanco holds degrees from New Mexico State University, Indiana University, and Arizona State University. Dr. Blanco has been a guest conductor with the United States Army’s "Pershing's Own" Concert Band in Washington, D.C. as well as several All State Bands. Additionally, he has been an invited presenter for the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, WASBE, and other state conventions.

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Dr. Malcolm Jones has been a Professional Lecturer of Music/Director of Bands at Marist College since the fall of 2022, after two successful years at Dr. Camille Casteel High School post-ASU. At Marist, he oversees the comprehensive band program which includes the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, and a plethora of small ensembles. In two short years, aside from guest conducting obligations and conference presentations; Malcolm has also had two opportunities for abroad travel, including Ireland with the Marist Pep Band to accompany the Women’s Basketball team for the MAAC/ASUN Challenge in Dublin in November of 2022; along with being granted a Fellowship through Marist to research in Italy in June of 2024. 

Dr. Grant Knox is a California-based music educator, conductor, and musicologist. Currently, Dr. Knox serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands at San José State University. Knox’s research interests focus on 20th-century African-American composers, interdisciplinary collaboration in wind band performance, and popular music studies. His teaching experience spans various levels, from high school to university, where he has led concert ensembles, athletic bands, and taught music theory/history. Knox has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented on the music of William Grant Still and Ulysses Kay at various national and international conferences. 

Knox's professional activities extend beyond academia, including previous roles as a Band and Spirit Squad Liaison for The Arizona Bowl (Tucson, AZ) and as an Education Intern at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ. Knox is actively involved in professional organizations such as the College Band Directors National Association and the American Musicological Society.

Dr. Dylan Maddix is Assistant Professor of Instrumental Conducting and Community Engagement at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL. In this role, he conducts the MUN Wind Ensemble and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting. 

Outside of his teaching and conducting duties, Maddix serves as chair of the Canadian Band Association and is on the board of the Newfoundland and Labrador Band Association. He is also the founder and host of “The Band Room Podcast”, alongside composer Cait Nishimura, and hosts the conducting leadership podcast titled "Changing Your Pattern."

He has also provided his expertise as a music consultant for Netflix's "Umbrella Academy" and Global TV's "Private Eyes."

Dr. Bruce Mansfield is associate professor and director of bands at Point Loma Nazarene University. He joined the PLNU faculty in 2022 following a 22-year career as a Navy Musician. In addition to directing jazz and concert bands at PLNU, he also runs the music education program. 

Dr. Mansfield holds Bachelor and Master of Music in trombone performance from Duquesne University, a Master of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from Arizona State University. In 2015, he was recognized with the Colonel Howard Citation of Musical Excellence from the J.P. Sousa Foundation. 

Dr. Anna Scott is the Assistant Director of University Bands at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her role, she is assistant director for The Marching Tar Heels, directs the Symphony Band, leads the Women’s Basketball Band, and teaches other music courses. Dr. Scott earned degrees from Arizona State University (DMA – Wind Band Conducting), The University of Kansas (MM – Saxophone), and South Dakota State University (BME). Prior to UNC-Chapel Hill, she taught 5-12 band in St. Ansgar, IA for three years, was the Head Band Director at Sioux City East High School, and adjunct saxophone professor at Morningside University in Sioux City, IA for five years.

Outside of teaching, Anna is currently serving in the “Governor’s Own” 147th Army Band based out of Mitchell, SD. She plays tenor saxophone with SGT Rock, one of four music performance teams (MPTs), and serves as the unit music librarian. Anna enlisted in the Army National Guard in February 2007.

Lieutenant Joel Thiesfeldt has had an extensive and varied career in the U.S. Navy, transitioning from enlisted trumpet player to commissioned officer. He has held various roles across different Navy bands and completed advanced training at the Naval School of Music. Thiesfeldt was the director of Navy Band Northwest, where his expertise and leadership in music continue to make an impact as they strive to inspire patriotism and honor the sacrifice of our veterans. 

With nearly 20 years of public school teaching experience, Phil Vallejo is a music educator that finds inspiration serving his students, community and music education as a whole. 

Phil is proud to serve as the Director of Bands at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. Prior to his arrival at Marshall University, he served as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Oklahoma State University. Phil serves as an adjudicator and clinician for wind bands, orchestras, percussion ensembles and marching bands. 

Phil enjoys camping with his wife Courtney and their three kids. 

Dr. Kristen Zelenak is currently a Visiting Instructor at the University of North Florida. She teaches the UNF Concert Band, “Sound of the Sky” Osprey Pep Band, and applied conducting lessons for graduate and undergraduate students.

 Zelenak is an active educator, conductor, and chamber musician from New Baltimore, Michigan. She maintains an active schedule as a concert and marching band clinician and adjudicator. Along with her conducting endeavors, she also performs with her saxophone/piano duo, ZelenArch.

Her favorite projects include commissioning new works from composers of “non classical” spheres. Her debut saxophone album Taking Flight is set to release this fall and it features composers Annie Booth, Ayn Inserto, Katelyn Vincent, Aida De Moya, Yoko Suzuki, and Sam Spear. As a continuation of the project, she is leading a consortium with Annie Booth for a new work for concert band in Spring 2025.

Prior to her appointment at UNF, she was the Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She received her DMA in Saxophone Performance and MM in Wind Band Conducting from Arizona State University. Her MM in Saxophone Performance from Michigan State University and her BME at Central Michigan University. Her teachers include Jason Caslor, Christopher Creviston, Joseph Lulloff, and John Nichol. Prior to finishing her advanced degrees, she taught middle school band in Huntsville, TX.