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Flutes/Piccolos


Ray Brebach Ray Brebach began playing the flute in Chicago during Eisenhower's second term. In addition to the PSW, he plays in the Chester County and Merion Concert Bands and the Upper Darby Sousa Band. He is Associate Professor of English at Drexel University.
Bob Carpency Bob is a 2008 graduate of West Chester University with degrees in Music Education and Music Performance, concentration in flute. He lives in West Chester and works as an elementary music teacher and part time as a Preschool Teacher. He has been playing flute for 8 years and also plays with the Chester County Concert Band, Upper Darby Sousa Band, and the PA Flute Choir.
Rosemarie Hinkle Rosemarie Hinkle has been playing flute for over 20 years. She earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Immaculata College studying with Adeline Tomasoni. Currently, she studies with David Cramer of the Philadelphia Orchestra and is a member of The Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds. In addition to being a musician, she loves being with her husband, two children, kayaking, skiing, and knitting.



Oboes


Rachel Edwards Originally from northern New York, Rachel has been living and playing oboe and English horn in the Philadelphia area for over 12 years. A Librarian at QVC by day, her evenings and weekends are often spent playing in the pit orchestras of local community theaters.
John Kirkner After graduating from West Chester University, John went on to study band instrument repair in Red Wing, MN, and currently works at Taylor's Music in West Chester as an instrument repair technician, alongside PSW bassoonist Mike Millard. In addition to performing with PSW, he is a member of the Quintessence Wind Quintet and performs regularly throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.



Clarinets


Robert Blacksberg From Queen Village in Philadelphia. Of 49 years playing, the last 7 have been the most active, including classical with the Chester County Concert Band, Upper Darby Sousa Band, and a wind quintet and Klezmer at KlezKanada and KlezKamp. By day, a lawyer, not practicing, at Drinker Biddle & Reath.
Leslie Burnick Leslie grew up in Birmingham, Al. and got her music education degree from Auburn. She teaches elementary orchestra in Lower Merion and gives private lessons in West Chester. Leslie has also taught all levels of band and orchestra. She plays in the Chester County Concert Band, UD Sousa Band, Immaculata Symphony and chamber groups.
Bailey Claeys Bailey Claeys is from West Chester, PA, currently residing in Morton, PA. She has played clarinet since 4th grade. She is a retirement consultant for Towers Perrin in Philadelphia. Bailey also plays with the Chester County Concert Band, and at her church, First Presbyterian Church of West Chester.
Jim Delikatny Jim has been playing clarinet for over 35 years and has played in bands in Canada, Australia and the USA. He studied under Don Timmerman and played under the baton of Frederick Fennell. He currently also performs for the Chester County Concert Band and for the Upper Darby Sousa Band.
Marissa Field Marissa is a recent graduate of the University of Delaware and has been playing the clarinet for 14 years. She is originally from Lancaster, PA and has recently relocated to Philadelphia to teach music. In addition to playing in PSW, Marissa also performs with Upper Darby Sousa Band.
John Frank John was raised in Egg Harbor, NJ, and now resides in Lansdale, PA with wife Diane (Horn). He is a retired research scientist with Merck after 34+ yrs. John is currently member of Merion and Montgomery County Concert Bands, Williamsburg Consort Band, and Windjammers Unlimited (Circus Band). He has played clarinet for over 50 yrs.
John Jenkins John's education includes a Bachelor of Music Education at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, graduate studies in conducting and composition at Frostburg State University and The Catholic University of America. John performed 15 years active duty with "The President's Own" United States Marine Band and is retired from 257th US Army Band. He has 35 years experience as freelance woodwind player, part-time composer, arranger and conductor and public school teacher.
Kristin Nelson Kristin, a graduate of West Chester University with a degree in Music Education, is currently a substitute teacher with select districts in the area. She plays with both the Upper Darby Sousa Band and the Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds. She is originally from Broomall and has been playing clarinet for 21 years.
Kristin Weber Kristin graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois in 2003. She lived and taught music in the Chicago area for over 8 years and recently moved back to her hometown of Conshohocken, PA. She is currently working as a substitute teacher with several school districts in the area, and is proud to be one of the founding members of the PSW.
Jess Weimer Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Jess has played the clarinet for nearly 20 years. She works as an elementary/middle school band director and classroom music teacher for Interboro School District. In her free time, she enjoys working out, competing in duathlons and trail races, and cooking.



Eb Clarinet


Chrissy Hower Chrissy grew up in Greenville, PA and currently resides in Wilmington, DE. Her education includes a Bachelor of Music Ed. at Indiana University of PA and graduate studies in Music Education and Special Ed. at West Chester University. She plays in the Chester County Concert Band and community theater companies.



Bassoons


Mike Millard Mike has been playing bassoon for 16 years. He studied music at West Chester University. He currently plays with a number of local ensembles including The Immaculata Symphony and The Chesco Pops. Mike works full time as a Band Instrument Repair Tecnician at Taylor's Music in West Chester.
Eric Wilson Eric Wilson is the Band Director at Colonial Elementary School where he oversees the 4th and 5th Grade bands as well as percussion ensemble. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Slippery Rock University and a Masters in Education from Arcadia University. Eric also performs principle bassoon with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony, which have included appearances as a featured soloist.



Bass Clarinets


Jim McGlinchy Jim McGlinchey is a professor of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State's Brandywine campus. Jim plays clarinet, saxophone, flute, piccolo and bassoon. Jim also plays with Merion Concert Band, Rose Tree Pops, and community theatre companies.
Al Skipper Bio coming soon



Alto Saxophones


Pam Corner After a career in sales for ING, Pam is now a stay-at-home mother of 2 young girls. In addition to the PSW, she plays with the Marple Newtown Community Band and the Upper Darby Sousa Band.
Jeff Hart Jeff Hart studied saxophone with James Houlik at Duquesne University, where he earned his degree in Music Education. He then studied with Gunnar Mossblad at the University of Toledo, where he earned his graduate degree in Jazz Performance. Jeff works as the Director of Bands at Henderson High School in West Chester. He is very glad to be part of the PSW!



Tenor Saxophones


Walt Blauvelt Walt studied at the renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston with Joseph Viola during his teen years. He performed as lead saxophone in The Greater Boston Youth Jazz Band for 3 years under the direction of John LaPorta. He holds both a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in music from UMASS and The American University, Wash. D.C. Walt performed on sax, clarinet and flute with "The President's Own," U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C. He presently free-lances in and around the Philadelphia area.



Baritone Saxophone


Frank Mathews Frank graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Chester University in Fall 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He currently is a preschool/music enrichment teacher at KinderCare Learning Center in Brookhaven, Pa. Outside of PSW, he performs with Big G and the Cool Cats out of West Chester and Durning String Band. Frank is very involved with his church, Christ Church in Media. In his spare time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, especially baseball.



Horns


Cindy Bilger Bio coming soon.
Diane Frank Diane is a graphic designer. Her music experience started in elementary school on violin. She and her husband, John (clarinet), play in various community bands: Merion Concert Band, Montgomery County Concert Band, Upper Darby Sousa Band, plus Williamsburg Consort and Windjammers Unlimited.
Brittany Iler Brittany Iler is a West Chester University graduate in Music Education. She enjoys playing horn and teaching students of all ages how to play music. She also enjoys traveling, photography, interior design, painting and physical fitness. She hopes to one day own her own private lesson studio cafe.
Kim Newell Kim Newell was tricked into playing her instrument by a middle school band director who said "she had the bottom teeth of a horn player." She stuck with it and earned a degree in Music and Communication from the University of Michigan. In addition to playing with the Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds, Kim plays with the Montgomery County Concert Band and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra.
David Reif David Reif, Music Director of the Chester County Concert Band, teaches music at Radnor Middle School and was co-director of the Delaware Valley Young Musician's Orchestra and the Delaware Blue/Gold All-Star Marching Band. He plays horn with the Upper Darby Sousa Band and also plays piano and cello.
Joe Santanello Joe is a 2009 graduate of West Chester University where he majored in Music Education. While at West Chester, he played principal horn of the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds. He now teaches instrumental music at Strayer Middle School in Quakertown, PA.



Trumpets


Meredith Boehm Meredith is a recent grad of the University of Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Penn Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Brass Quintet. Currently, she is in Penn's accelerated nursing program to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She resides in Philadelphia with her fiancee, John (trombone).
Ross Fry Ross is currently a resident of Ardmore, PA. He teaches as a building substitute at Haverford Middle School. A recent graduate of Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music with a degree in Music Education with a trumpet concentration. He hopes to soon become a teacher of Music and/or Science.
Donald Kelly Don is a resident of West Chester, PA where he has worked as a band director in the West Chester Area School District for the past 24 years. He served with his wife, Sue and three children for 5 years with International Teams as a missionary to Cambodian refugees in the city of Philadelphia.
Ginny Lockwood Ginny is a charter member of the PSW and also plays in the Chester County Concert Band, 22 Park Avenue Swing Band, Upper Darby Sousa Band, Mansfield Brass Quintet, and various high school musical productions and church events.
Tony Mandik Tony has been playing trumpet since the 4th grade. He has played with the Audubon Symphony, Ursinus College Jazz Band, the Audubon Jazz Explosion, and many community theater productions. In addition to PSW, Tony currently plays with the Providence Chamber Orchestra.
Raymond Richards Ray is a graduate of The Ohio State University (B.A.'73) in piano performance and music history. In 2002 he returned to his piano studies and performed 5 piano recitals in as many years. He is fulfilling a life-long aspiration of studying and playing the trumpet. He and his wife Barbara have 4 children.
Hilary Scholz Hilary Scholz currently enjoys teaching 4th-8th grade instrumental music for the School District of Philadelphia. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Chester University in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Hilary has been playing trumpet for PSW since Spring 2011. In addition to trumpet and vocal performance, Hilary's passions include playing sports, health and fitness, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Gary Van Horn A graduate of West Chester State, Gary recently retired after 34 years as a public school band director in New Jersey. He and his wife now live in East Coventry with a Bearded Collie, Bernese Mountain Dog, and St. Bernard. He teaches private trumpet lessons and performs for churches and musical theaters.
Dwight Weaver Dwight is a 1979 graduate of West Chester State College, where he studied trumpet with Dr. Kenneth Laudermilch. He was a high school band director for 28 years. Dwight also plays with the Chester County Pops Orchestra and freelances throughout the area for weddings, high school shows, etc. He and wife Mary are the proud parents of four and grandparents to one (with one on the way). Dwight works for Music & Arts as well as at Longwood Gardens.



Euphonium


Mary Beth Kait Mary Beth Kait is a founding member of PSW. She studied euphonium and trombone with Steve Lund formerly of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Jay Krush of the Pennsylvania Ballet and Chestnut Brass Company. Mary Beth has been a member of the Merion Band since 1994, and has played in the Upper Darby Sousa Band, the State Street Orchestra, Narberth Community Theatre, and the Grand Symphonic Winds in St. Paul Minnesota. She has performed as soloist with a number of local groups.



Trombones


Aaron Gould Aaron began playing trombone while growing up in Phoenixville in the 70's. He is principle trombone and member of the board of the Immaculata Symphony and a frequent member of pit orchestras from Pottstown to Narberth, often under the baton of his wife. Non-musically, he is a systems engineer by day and an actor, director, backstage everything by night.
Karen Marvin Karen, a Mechanical Design Engineer by trade, has been playing trombone since the fourth grade. A life-long resident for Chester County, she has performed with several District and Region Bands and Orchestras in high school and was a lead player in the Penn State Trombone Choir in college.
John Palusci John lives in Center City Philadelphia with his girlfriend Meredith (see trumpet section). He is Drum Major Emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania Oxymoronic Fighting Quaker Marching Band where he moonlights on occasion. John is an Associate in the Project Management Office at Bayada Nurses Inc.



Bass Trombone


Anthony Triplett Bass trombonist Anthony Triplett can be heard playing with the Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds and the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia. He is also a sub for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, Symphony in C, and the Phil Giordano Big Band. As an educator, Anthony maintains a private studio in Doylestown along with teaching for Napoli School of Music and Dance in Ardmore. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, IL and a Master of Music Performance from Bowling Green State University.



Tubas


Jim Hicks Jim holds a degree from the Eastman School of Music where he studied performance with Donald Knaub and participated in various groups including the renowned Eastman Wind Ensemble. He has also studied performance with Abe Torchinsky, former principal tuba of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Eric Krute Eric is an engineer working in the King of Prussia area. He picked up the tuba in the 4th grade, playing at Neshaminy HS and Lehigh University. He continues to play as one of his multiple hobbies, which also include athletics and war/strategy gaming.



String Bass


Richard Conn Rich is an attorney with a general practice in Bala Cynwyd. He also plays with the Merion Concert Band, in the pit orchestras of community theaters in the area, and the occasional gig. He was an adjunct instructor at Penn State Abington for over 30 years, has been treasurer of the Lower Merion Narberth Democratic Committee for 22 years, and serves on the Board of Directors of the SeniorLaw Center. Rich's ever-tolerant wife, and sole fan, Janet, is a teacher who sees a lot of shows and concerts.



Percussion


Robert Kirchner Bob also plays in the Chester County Concert Band and the Chester County Pops Orchestra and has played in various local jazz and big bands, concert bands and pit orchestras for several local theater productions. He grew up in Hyde Park, NY where he began playing percussion in the 4th grade. He has worked for 32 years as an engineer for General Electric/Lockheed Martin and balances music and sailing as competing hobbies. Bob currently resides in Phoenixville, PA.
James Lien Jim has been playing percussion in a variety of musical groups including symphony and chamber orchestras, concert & marching bands, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, and drum & bugle corps for over 38 years, but the wind ensemble has long been his favorite. He is also a member of the Immaculata Symphony and the Providence Chamber Orchestra. He began his career as a television engineer, but has been on the technical sales side of the television and Audio/Visual industries over 25 years. Originally from Wausau WI, he currently resides in Gilbertsville PA
Ian Perkins-Taylor Ian is a freshman at Swarthmore College, and grew up in Swarthmore, PA. He has been playing percussion since he was 9 years old. He specializes in mallet percussion, but also performs as a general percussionist. He is very grateful to be a part of this wonderful band.
Gabrielle Rozenberg Born in Atlanta and raised on Long Island, Gabrielle is now living in Philadelphia after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh . Former ensembles include the Pitt marching, pep, and symphonic bands, Klezburgh, and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York. She also currently plays with the Chester County Concert Band and Philadelphia Wind Symphony.