Ken Haddix is Associate Director of Bands and Professor of Trombone at Eastern Kentucky University where he directs the "Marching Colonels", the "Colonel" Pep Band, the University Concert Band, the trombone choir, and is in charge of the trombone studio. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Indiana University, a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Louisville, a Master of Music in Performance from the University of Kentucky, and is currently working toward a Doctorate in Music also at the University of Kentucky. Prior to his appointment at EKU, Ken taught for ten years in the public schools in Kentucky. He has also taught at Murray State University and Western Kentucky University, respectively.

Ken has studied trombone with some of the finest teachers in the country including Lewis Van Haney, formerly with the New York Philharmonic; Keith Brown, formerly with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra; and Ed Anderson, formerly with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. He has also had additional studies with Joseph Alessi, Charles Vernon, John Marcellus, Buddy Baker, and James Miller. He currently performs with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, the EKU Brass Quintet, the Owensboro Symphony Brass Quintet, and has played with the Louisville Orchestra, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Evansville Philharmonic, the Bowling Green/Western Symphony, and the Lost River Cave Big Band. He has also performed with such artists as Doc Severenson, Allen Vizzuti, Jeff Tyzik, Roger Williams, Larnel Harris, B. J. Thomas, Jonell Mosser, and The Hollywood Brass, to name a few.

He is an active member of the Kentucky Music Educators Association, has served on the Festival Commission of KMEA, was president-elect of the Third District Music Educator's Association, and is a member of the International Trombone Association, the College Band Director's National Association, and the Music Teacher's National Association. He is also a member of Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is active as a soloist, adjudicator, and is a clinician for the Bach/Selmer Corporation.

Mick Sehmann: French Horn

Mick Sehmann has been on the faculty of Eastern Kentucky University since 1994 where he serves as Professor of Horn and also teaches brass methods, and music literature courses. He is a member of the EKU Faculty Brass Quintet, EKU Faculty Woodwind Quintet, Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, and also plays regularly with numerous other area ensembles. He has performed with a variety of commercial artists including Rod Stewart, Roberta Flack, Aaron Neville, Peabo Bryson, Melissa Manchester, Sheena Easton, Philip Bailey, Deniece Williams and Jeffrey Osborne. As an active member of the International Horn Society and other professional organizations, Dr. Sehmann has performed, adjudicated and given masterclasses at workshops throughout the United States. Prior to moving to Kentucky, Dr. Sehmann performed with the Akron Symphony, Canton Symphony, Cedar Rapids Symphony, Quad Cities Symphony, Waterloo Symphony and Chamber Orchestra of Iowa. Dr. Sehmann holds degrees from the University of Northern Iowa (BME), the University of Akron (MM), and the University of Iowa (MFA, DMA).

Jim Willett: Tuba

James Willett joined the faculty of Eastern Kentucky University in 1991 having previously taught at Indiana State University. He holds degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Akron, and has completed doctoral studies at the University of Illinois. As an artist Jim devotes much of his time to the EKU Brass Quintet and to the Lexington Brass Band where he serves as section leader. During his long association with the LBB he has played both the BBb and Eb books, and has been honored to appear as a soloist for subscription concerts as well as at the NABBA Championships. Mr. Willett centers his teaching on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University where he is responsible for applied tuba /euphonium and music literature classes.

When not on campus he can usually be found in the public schools appearing as clinician, adjudicator, soloist, or with the EKU Brass. Jim credits his career to terrific parents, excellent public schools, and outstanding teachers including Tucker Jolly, Fritz Kaenzig, Mark Moore, Bob Yeats and Arnold Jacobs. In addition to these advantages, hard work was invested that continues today and is the first and foremost basis of his teaching.
 

Joe VanFleet: Principal Trumpet

Joe VanFleet is currently the professor of trumpet at Eastern Kentucky University and also conducts the EKU trumpet ensemble. Prior to teaching at EKU, Joe has also been the instructor of trumpet at Campbellsville University and associate instructor of trumpet at Indiana University.
Joe VanFleet received his bachelor’s degree in music performance from Murray State University. He then went on to get his master’s in music performance from Indiana University and also completed course work for a doctorate in trumpet pedagogy from Indiana University.
Joe has studied with many influential teachers, such as John Rommel, William Adam (creator of the Bill Adams Method), John Schlabach, and Arnold Jacobs.
In addition to his teaching work, Joe maintains an active performing career. He currently holds the second trumpet position with both the Lexington Philharmonic and the Richmond Philharmonic (Virginia) Orchestras. He is the third trumpet player with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Principal trumpet player for Paradigm Musical Productions, and also does substitute work for the Bloomington Camerata and the Cincinnati Baroque Orchestra.
 

Steve Wheeler: Trumpet (Graduate Assistant Position)

Steve Wheeler is a trumpeter, composer, and improviser who plays trumpet in both improvised and non-improvised musical settings. He hails from Council Bluffs, Iowa where he was active in many local dance bands and progressive jazz ensembles, notably the War Ensemble, a jazz quartet that earned frequent reviews in Cadence, an international jazz magazine.

He earned his Bachelors degree from the University of Iowa where he studied with David Greenhoe. During his time in Iowa City, he was a fixture of the eastern Iowa music scene, where he performed with numerous stylistically diverse artists. As a member of Inception and Chris Merz’s X-tet, he performed in several festivals and masterclasses. In addition, he worked frequently with nearly every orchestra in eastern Iowa, including the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. He was able to play with such notable artists as Bob Mintzer, Kenny Wheeler, Kim Richmond, Christopher O’Riley, and Dennis DeYoung.

Since his time at Eastern Kentucky University, Steve has been a regular member of the Eastern Brass Quintet. In the past year he has also traveled to Greece with the EKU Trumpet Ensemble to perform in masterclasses and concerts in and around the city of Athens. He has also performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, and has worked as a freelance musician in the Lexington area.