Sue McLaughlin has been a member of the Medina Community Band since 1994 and is a former student of Deidre McGuire. While in school, she was a member of the band, orchestra and jazz band, playing clarinet and saxophone. In addition to playing flute and piccolo in the Medina Community Band, Sue has also performed with Marcus Neiman & The Sounds of Sousa Band, Symphony West Orchestra, and several area churches. She is a systems analyst at Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights. Sue lives in Medina with her two cats, Truffles and Kokopelli.
Holly Eleck-Michalke graduated from North Royalton High School in 1983, received her bachelor of music education on flute and piccolo while studying with William Hebert from Baldwin Wallace College in 1987 and completed her masters in music education fromIthaca Collegein 1992. She has been a band director in the Berea City Schools since 1987. In addition, Eleck-Michalke has been an adjudicator for Ohio Music Education Association and Greater Cleveland and Medina Counties since 1993. She was awarded educator of the year by SB&O Magazine and has been a guest clinician on flute for many high schools in the area. She maintains a private studio of select flute students at Royalton Music Center, where she received her desire to be a musician from her father. Holly has been a member of the Sounds of Sousa Band since its inception and has played in many free lance ensembles in her career, including performances with Neil Zaza's "One Silent Night" at Playhouse Square.
Kelly Zunic is a currently in her second year of teaching music in the Berea City Schools. Her current duties include teaching 6th grade, 7th grade and jazz band at Ford Middle School, and teaching Symphonic Band, Music Theory and assisting the Marching Band at Midpark High School. A graduate of The University of Akron, Ms. Zunic received Bachelor's degrees in both Music Education and Flute Performance and completed her Masters in Flute Performance in 2007. She is currently finishing a Masters in Music Education. As a graduate student, Ms. Zunic served as Graduate Assistant of Bands at The University of Akron where she worked closely with all aspects of the band program. She continues to return to the university to serve as a guest lecturer for a music education summer workshop. After graduation, she took a position as assistant band and choir director at Fitch High School in the Austintown Local Schools near Youngstown, Ohio. Ms. Zunic currently teaches a studio of six woodwind students in Akron at St. Vincent - St. Mary High School and its feeder elementary schools. She has worked closely with this program since 2001. Along with teaching you can find her performing with the Sounds of Sousa Band, the Medina Community Band and The University of Akron Summer Symphonic Band.
Patricia Grutzmacher is an associate professor of Music at Kent State University Stark Campus, where she is music department coordinator. She is the founding conductor of the Kent Stark Concert Band, and teaches applied oboe as well as music teaching methods courses, and Western and Non-Western music history. She is president-elect of OMEA District VIII, and a member of a member of AFM Local 111. Pat has been with SOS since 1997.
Lydia Byndas, born and raised in Lakewood, now a resident of Brooklyn, Ohio. She received her bachelor of music degree in both performance and music education and amasters of music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She teaches both bassoon and piano privately, and has performed with the Ohio Chamber Orchestra, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Lakewood Hometown Band, Blossom Festival Band and Blossom Festival Orchestra along with other various free lance jobs. Lydia has been with the Sounds of Sousa Band since 1997.
Charles S. Baker (“Chuck”) was born in Cleveland, Ohio, grew up in Ashtabula Township, Ohio, and graduated from Edgewood High School. He earned a bachelor of music degree in music education from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. His entire class studied at the Mozarteum Akademie in Salzburg, Austria, during their junior year. Chuck earned his master of arts degree in music from Case Western Reserve University. He taught public school music for 30 years, 29 of them in the Wickliffe City Schools. Chuck served in several offices of the Lake County Music Educators Association, served on the Ohio Music Education Association General Music Committee for over 20 years, served several terms as Northeast Region Chair of OMEA (organizing the Northeast Region Orchestra), organized the OMEA All-State Orchestra twice, and served as the Registration Chair for the OMEA Professional Conference twice.
As a clarinetist, Chuck's studies have been with Robert Marcellus, Alfred Zetzer, George Waln, Alois Heine, and Thomas Thompson. He has been teaching clarinet many years at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby, Ohio. As a performer, he is principal clarinet of the Lakeland Civic Orchestra, a member of the Fine Arts Woodwind Quintet, and performer in many bands and orchestras (Blossom Festival Band, Lakewood “Hometown” Band, and, Sounds of Sousa)
Chuck was inducted into the City of Wickliffe Hall of Fame in the category of The Arts. His hobbies include gardening, photography, and ice skating. His is a member of the Mentor Figure Skating Club.
Jim Hannah has been employed as a software engineer since graduating from the University of Akron with a degree in Mathematics in 1978. He currently works for Rockwell Automation in Mayfield Heights, commuting daily from his home near Hartville. Besides performing with the Sounds of Sousa band, Jim is a member of the Kent-Stark Concert Band, the Canton Concert Band, and the Wadsworth Community Band. He is also a piano accompanist for solo and ensemble adjudicated events, recitals, and auditions, and he plays piano with the Bodkin Big Band. Jim is very active musically in his church, singing in the choir, playing piano and organ, and helping with the formation of young instrumental musicians performing during church services. Jim lives at home with his wife Cindy and numerous pets.
Dana Albrecht Hire is in her 12th year of teaching and fourth for Wadsworth City Schools. At Wadsworth, she directs the 7thand 8thgrade bands, middle school jazz band, and middle school pep band. Dana assists with the high school symphonic, concert, and marching bands, and teaches 5thand 6thgrade band lessons. Previous to her appointment at Wadsworth, Dana was the director of bands for Massillon City Schools and Dundee Community Schools located in Dundee, Michigan.
Dana graduated in 1993 from Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio where she performed at the Midwest Clinic under the direction of Roger A. Hall. She earned her bachelor of music degree from Bowling Green State University in 1998 and master of music in music education in 2002 from The University of Michigan under a full music education assistantship. She has studied conducting with Mark S. Kelly, Michael Haithcock, James Tapia, and Steven Davis.
Dana resides in Wadsworth with her husband Andrew and two children, Ethan and Meredith.
Bruce Langguth has been a member of the Sounds of Sousa band since 1994. He has performed as clarinetist in numerous bands in the northern Ohio area, including the Lakewood Home Town Band, the Cleveland Symphonic Winds, and the Blossom Festival Concert Band.
Mr. Langguth earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Baldwin-Wallace College while studying with Dr. Alan P. Squire. He received his Master of Music degree, studying clarinet with David Shifrin, from the University of Michigan. In 1983, Mr. Langguth accepted the position of 2nd clarinetist with the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico, in Toluca, Mexico. He then performed as the 2nd clarinetist with the Orquesta Filarmoncia de la Ciudad de Mexico for 2 years, in concerts in Mexico City and throughout Mexico. Mr. Langguth teaches weekly private clarinet lessons in his home for elementary through college-aged students. He resides in Mentor, Ohio.
Vicki Smith is a band director in the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools, prior to her appointment for that position; she was director of bands at Highland High School. She is a graduate (both bachelors and masters degree) from The Bowling Green State University. Vicki was named “2007-8 Educator of the Year” by the Copley High School.
She is an adjudicator and in constant demand as a woodwind specialist and clinician. She also was the guest conductor for the 2006 Medina County Schools Junior High/Middle School All-Star Band.
Mark Tryon is in his second year of teaching at Lake Local Schools in Uniontown, Ohio, where he directs the Symphonic Band and Lake Middle School Jazz Band, teaches high school music theory and small group clarinet lessons in grades 5-8, and also assists with the marching band. He is a graduate of The University of Akron, where he earned degrees in music education and clarinet performance. A recent graduate of The Ohio State University, he was awarded a master's degree in instrumental conducting with a band emphasis. He has studied clarinet with Kristina Belisle Jones, James Pyne, and James Perone. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Lake, he is active as a freelance clarinetist, pianist, and organist, performing with the Sounds of Sousa Band, Blossom Festival Band, Lakewood Hometown Band, Canton Concert Band, and Silver and Strings Trio. He is a member of OMEA.
David N. Adamson, clarinetist: Received his bachelor of music education degree from the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music. His master of music degree in Woodwind Performance was earned from The University of Michigan. A public school instrumental music teacher for 16 years, his bands consistently earned the highest ratings. He adjudicates students throughout the state for the Ohio Music Education Association and works for the Ohio Foundation for Music Education, organizations for which he currently serves in the capacity of business manager and development director. Prior to his current role, he worked in music retail for 17 years and was the woodwind department chair at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. Mr. Adamson regularly performs in the northeast Ohio area on clarinet and saxophone and is a member of the Sounds of Sousa Band, the Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Festival Band, and the Lakewood Hometown Band. His has guest conducted the Medina Community Band. He is also the music director of the All Generations Band of Cleveland Heights. Revised 10/13/09
Linda Simon-Mietus currently serves on the faculties of The University of Akron and the Hathaway Brown School. She holds her a master of arts degree from Queen's College and a bachelor of fine arts degree from the New York State School of Arts at Purchase. She was a student of Leon Russianoff. Prior to her arrival in Ohio, Ms. Simon-Mietus spent ten years in Hong Kong. She played clarinet, bass clarinet, and saxophone with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and was the principal clarinetist and soloist of the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, director and conductor of the Hong Kong International Youth Orchestra, and director of music for the Hong Kong International School. She also served as professor of music for Hong Kong University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts. In addition to her teaching activities, Ms. Simon-Mietus is an active free-lance musician in the Cleveland area, performing with such organizations as the Akron Symphony, the Youngstown Symphony, and Playhouse Square.
Phillip Tryon is a Senior Account Manger for the Will-Burt Company in Orville, Ohio. He has enjoyed a business career with this company for the past 33 years. Prior to his decision to enter a career in business, Mr. Tryon attended The Ohio State University studying horn with Professor Jim Jones while pursuing a degree in music education. During his time at Ohio State, he participated in many ensembles including the Brass Choir and the Concert Band under the direction of Dr. Donald E. McGinnis.
Since his time at Ohio State, Phillip has continued to stay active as a musician. He is currently principal horn for the Canton Community Band, of which he has been a member for 36 years. He has also performed in both brass and woodwind quintets and has played in the pit for many shows at both Kent State Stark and The Players Guild Theater in Canton.
Participating in a wind band has always been a way of life for Mr. Tryon. Phillip met his wife Robin in the Canton Community Band, where they still participate along with their son and daughter-in-law. He is thankful for this opportunity to participate with his family in the Sousa Band.
Laura Bloss is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Akron, where she is completing a Master's Degree in Trumpet Performance. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Baldwin-Wallace College, and has been active in the Ohio Music Education Association in positions such as Collegiate State President and President of the Baldwin-Wallace Chapter. Laura has played with the Medina Community Band and the Freedom Brass Band of Northeast Ohio. Her trumpet teachers have been Scott Johnston, Larry Herman, Jack Brndiar and Doug Huey.
Robert Adamson is in his seventh year as a music teacher in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. He teaches elementary instrumental music, and is one of the two directors of the Heights High Marching Band. Bob graduated from The College of Wooster with a degree in music education, where he was featured as a senior soloist with both the Scott Symphonic Band and the Wooster Chamber Orchestra. Shortly after graduation, he was also featured as a soloist with the Sounds of Sousa Band, Aurora High School Concert Band, Waynedale High School Concert Band, and the Wooster Music Camp's staff band. He earned his master of music education degree from The University of Akron in 2007.
An active performer and educator in the Cleveland area, Bob maintains a trombone studio for students ranging from the fourth grade through high school. He has taught trombone, jazz, and various ensembles at the Wooster Music Camp, the Reaching Heights Summer Music Camp (for middle school students), and Aurora High School's marching band camp. He regularly performs with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, where he plays principal trombone, and the Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra, as well as with numerous other groups in all styles of music. He is a member of the Ohio Music Education Association, the International Trombonist Association, and the American Federation of Musicians - Cleveland Federation of Musicians, Local 4.
John Blasko is a resident of Medina, OH and recently earned his bachelor's degree in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University. At the university, he performed with many ensembles such as the Case Symphonic Winds, University Circle Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble I, Case/University Circle Orchestra, and various chamber groups. He has also appeared with professional ensembles such as The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and Master Singers, Inc. John was the featured soloist with the Case Symphonic Winds in December 2006 and with the Wadsworth Community Band in the summer of 2005. He is still active in community ensembles around the area.
Currently, John is substitute teaching and low brass studio teacher while he is in search of a full time position in music education.
Robert Lichtenberg is a Sales Engineer in the telecommunications industry, currently employed by Global Crossing in Cleveland, Ohio. Rob attended the University of Cincinnati and Bowling Green State University, studying Engineering and Computer Science. Rob has studied with Steve Johnson of Oberlin, and has played with the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra, University of Cincinnati's Symphony Band, Bowling Green State University's Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Marching Band, and is currently involved with the Sounds of Sousa Band. Rob and his wife Suzanne are residents of Copley.
David Colburn is from the Columbus area and attended The Ohio State University, playing baritone in the OSU Marching Band. He spent his next 30 years in the U.S. Army Band program and retired as a First Sergeant/Enlisted Bandleader. He taught instrumental music in the Columbus School System for seven years, retiring last year. He currently plays trombone and tuba with various jazz and Dixieland groups in the Columbus area and is the assistant director of the Aladdin Shrine Band.
Kyle Snyder is a claims adjuster with Liberty Mutual Insurance. He enjoys playing in the Medina Community Band and the Sounds of Sousa Band but His favorite genre is “Dixieland” music. He has been a member of the MCB since 1986. He currently performs with the Earlville Jazz Band, River City Jazz Band, and the Minstrels of Earlville. He also plays big band music with the Patriots Dance Band and played as a member of the entertainment staff of SeaWorld.When not playing his tuba, Kyle enjoys riding his Harley Ultra and working on his American Flyer model train layout. With his down time he enjoys sharing the couch with his wife Jan (who is a narrator with MCB) and their dog Jessie while watching television or listening to music.