Instructor Bios

Todd Mahaffey

Explorer Band Conductor

Todd Mahaffey currently teaches Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band at Chinook Middle School. This is his eighth year in the Bellevue School District. Mr. Mahaffey graduated from the University of Washington in 1996. From 1997-2001, he taught band in the Issaquah School District at Issaquah High School and Issaquah Middle School. In addition to teaching band, Mr. Mahaffey plays the trumpet in several local professional and amateur ensembles and conducts the Cascade Youth Symphony's Junior Symphony Orchestra.

Andy Rubesch

Quest Band Conductor

Andy Rubesch is the band director at Tillicum Middle School in the Bellevue School District, where he has taught for 9 years. A graduate of the University of Washington, he has worked with middle school and high school bands throughout the area, including concert bands, jazz bands and marching bands. Andy currently lives in West Seattle with his wife, Gretchen, and two kids, Jackson and Sadie.

Matt Armstrong

Adventure Band Conductor

Matt Armstrong is currently serving his 11th year in the Bethel School District as the band director at Frontier Junior High. During this stint he has actively contributed to the Washington Music Educators Association’s Mountain Region as Secretary, Vice President, and recently as President. His degrees include a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Washington, a Master of Music degree from Indiana University, as well as earning his teaching credentials at Central Washington University. While at Indiana University, Matt studied orchestral trumpet playing with renowned teacher, Stephen Burns. Matt still actively performs his trumpet at various venues around the Seattle/Tacoma area.

Under Matt’s leadership the bands at Frontier have consistently performed at a very high standard, and were recently honored with their selection to perform at the 2008 Washington Music Educators conference in Yakima. Over the years the Frontier Jazz Ensemble has also received many accolades by winning and placing in various jazz festivals in Washington and Oregon. Every March, Frontier Junior High hosts middle school and junior high jazz students from all across the state at it’s annual jazz festival. This festival has hosted jazz greats such as Dave Weckl, Bill Wattrous, Eddie Daniels, Steve Turre, Jamey Abersold, and many others that have served to inspire and teach aspiring jazz students.

Mr. Armstrong also enjoys serving as a clinician and adjudicator at various educational events. For instance in 2008, Matt directed the Valley Region’s 8th grade honor band, and in 2009, he judged the Southeast Alaskan Musical Festival in Sitka, Alaska. Matt currently lives in Graham with Sue, his wife of nine years, and their two children.

Gwyn Barkman

Flute Instructor

Gwyn Barkman began her teaching career as a private flute instructor in Bellevue, while still a student at Bellevue High School. She subsequently earned degrees in Music Education, Flute Performance, as well as Business Finance from Seattle Pacific University. Ms. Barkman was a junior high and elementary band director in the Lake Washington School District from 1993 to 2006, also serving as a music coordinator for the district. Currently, she is in her fourth year as a band director for the Bellevue School District, teaching at Enatai and Cherry Crest Elementary Schools, as well as at Chinook Middle School. In addition to her role as a band director, Ms. Barkman has enjoyed conducting community bands and is a flutist with the Washington Wind Symphony.

Tasha Reynolds

Oboe Instructor

Miss Reynolds studied music education at the University of Northern Colorado and received a degree from Oral Roberts University in 1994. After graduating she traveled with Youth With a Mission to Fiji to work with native children and village churches. In Fiji Miss Reynolds adjudicated village choir competitions as well as led workshops in conducting. In 1995 she served a year in Kiev, Ukraine teaching children of medical missionaries. In 2001 she completed a master degree from the University of Washington with an emphasis on learning disabilities and music. She is currently in her 14th year teaching instrumental music in grades 7-12 and directs the Jazz and Pep band at Bellevue Christian School. In addition to instrumental music, Miss Reynolds teaches an art and music history class in collaboration with the art specialist at BCS. Miss Reynolds currently performs on oboe in the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.

Francine Peterson

Bassoon Instructor

Francine Peterson, bassoonist, enjoys a varied career as performer, educator and adjudicator around the Puget Sound. Francine is principal bassoonist with the Northwest Sinfonietta and the Bellevue Philharmonic and she regularly performs with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, the Auburn Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera and the Fifth Avenue Theater. She maintains a large private studio in addition to serving on the faculties of Pacific Lutheran University, Western Washington University and Seattle Pacific University. Committed to education at all age levels, Ms. Peterson has been on the Seattle Youth Symphony Marrowstone summer music since 1990 and she also coaches for the Seattle Junior and Youth Symphony as well as being the bassoon coach for the Cascade Junior and Youth Symphonies.

Kathy Boone

Clarinet Instructor

Kathy Boone has been actively teaching music since 1979. Born and raised in southern California she was principal clarinet in the San Fernando Valley Youth Symphony. She was accepted as a clarinet major at University of Northern Colorado at Greeley. Transferring to Cal State University, Northridge she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies with an emphasis in Community Education. After three years working at a children’s home in Hollywood and in special education, she determined that her real calling was to teach music. She went on to complete a degree in Music Education at Seattle Pacific University, emphasizing woodwinds, particularly clarinet, flute and bassoon. Kathy was the Instrumental Director at Bellevue Christian Schools from 1984 – 1997 where her bands consistently received excellent and superior ratings. Her program grew to include two elementary bands, two junior high bands, a high school concert band, symphonic wind ensemble, jazz ensemble and pep band. In 1993 she completed a Masters Degree in Clarinet Performance at the University of Washington. Over the years she has performed with the Broadway Symphony (Orchestra Seattle), the Seattle Philharmonic, and the Bellevue Philharmonic. She currently performs as a free-lance musician in the Pacific Northwest. From 1997 – present she has developed a very successful private studio teaching clarinet, flute, saxophone and guitar. She is also Adjunct Music Faculty at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA where she teaches lessons in clarinet, saxophone and guitar as well as Ear Training, Woodwind Methods, Instrumental Methods, Computer Notation (Finale), and various other courses when called on such as Orchestration, and Music History.

Matt Wenman

Saxophone Instructor

Matthew Wenman graduated in June 2008 from the University of Washington with a bachelors degree in music education. He is in his first year of teaching at Twin Falls Middle School in North Bend, Washington where he teaches band, choir, and jazz ensemble. Since early college Mr. Wenman has been teaching private lessons to a variety of student ages, instruments, and ability levels, as wells as worked at various camps and clinics around western Washington. Mr. Wenman recently transferred to the 133rd Washington National Guard Band out of Camp Murray after serving 6 years with the 70th Army Reserve Band in Ft. Lawton Magnolia. The Army has provided performance opportunities from Hawaii to Kentucky, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Texas.  On the weekends you can find Matthew outdoors with his wife on their Mountain Bikes, Sailing, Hiking, Camping, and enjoying the Northwest!

Barney Blough

Horn Instructor

Barney L. Blough is currently the Music Director of the Evergreen City Ballet. Mr. Blough has also conducted musicals at Garfield High School and Roosevelt High School, and the Eastside Musical Theater. Mr. Blough was formerly Music Director of the Seattle Chamber Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of the Rainier Symphony, and Assistant Conductor of the Lake Union Civic Orchestra. While studying with Pulitzer Prize winning composer Gunther Schuller at the Festival at Sandpoint, he was invited to perform as Guest Conductor with the Spokane Symphony. Other guest conducting appearances include Orchestra Seattle, Emerald City Philharmonic, and the Garfield High School Orchestra. Mr. Blough studied conducting with Larry Gookin at Central Washington University, Director Emeritus of the Seattle Youth Symphony Vilem Sokol, and Stewart Kershaw, Principal Conductor of the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Mr. Blough plays with the Federal Way Symphony, Orchestra Seattle, and Bellevue Opera. He has performed with the Bellevue Philharmonic, Tacoma Symphony, Northwest Mahler Festival Orchestra, Philharmonia Northwest, Everett Symphony, Northwest Symphony, Yakima Symphony, Wenatchee Symphony, Richland Symphony, and the Lake Chelan Bach Festival. Civic Orchestra.

Mr. Blough received his B.A. in Music Performance from Central Washington University, his Teaching Certificate from Seattle Pacific University, and his Professional Certificate from Pacific Lutheran University. He is currently directs the orchestras at Odle Middle School and Bellevue High School.

Barry Roberts

Trumpet Instructor

Barry Roberts has been a professional musician and educator for the past 25 years, 14 with the Bellevue School District. He has taught both middle school and high school band, with numerous awards and accolades. As an educator, he has worked with a variety of students in many different settings, from the classroom to adjudicating solo and ensemble festivals to teaching private lessons. He has taught high school band for 14 years and has spent the last 11 years teaching at Odle Middle School where he has conducted many musicals, both with the Performing Arts Academy at Odle and the Bellevue Youth Theater. He was also with the 133rd Army Band for 8 years, conducting the Concert Band and Jazz Band for 5 years. He served as well with the 560th Air Force Band, playing 2nd Horn in the Wind Ensemble and lead trumpet in the Jazz Band. As a performing musician, he has done a wide variety of work, from recording and theater work to symphony playing and jazz playing. He has been in various pits for musicals, played with the Sammamish Symphony, the Northwest Symphony, lead trumpet with Northwest Gospel Jazz Band and with a Christian worship band named Network. He also co-founded the Mach One Jazz Orchestra and was the musical director and lead trumpet for over 6 years. He is currently playing lead trumpet with the Mukilteo’s Outrageous Jazz Orchestra (MOJO) and is the current principal trumpet for Ballet Bellevue. He has performed in a wide variety of venues, from intimate clubs and wedding receptions to gigs at Seahawk Stadium and the Bite of Seattle. He has his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Idaho. His teachers include Larry Jess (principal trumpet-Spokane Symphony) and John Harbaugh (Central Washington professor of Trumpet Studies) among others.

Dean Snavely

Low Brass Instructor

For the past 11 years, Dean has been teaching middle school band and choir at Snoqualmie Middle School. He is the proud father of 1.5 (new baby on the way) children and spends most of his free time hip deep in rivers hunting for fish. Dean plays regularly in the NW and is presently performing with Soundwave, the band for the Seattle Sounders FC. Dean has been playing low brass for over 30 years. A product of the Oregon school system, he participated in all school ensembles, was in all-state ensembles for four years, state champion on tuba 1 year (finalist 3 years), and was the principal tubist for the Portland Youth Philharmonic for 4 years. He has performed internationally with various artists including: Jeff Uusitalo, John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Mel Torme, Bobby Shew, the Russian National Ballet and others. In Los Angeles, Dean studied Tuba at Biola University while freelance playing shows and recording sessions. He was selected as the bass trombonist for the IAJE national honor jazz ensemble in 1991. The conductors and directors who have shaped his playing and teaching are: Jacob Avshlomonov, Larry McVey, Dave Barduhn, Robert Feller, John Moawad, Larry Gookin, Daniel Baldwin, and Marlin Owen. Tuba instruction under the following teachers: Charles Bolton, Roger Bobo, Loren Maresteller, Steven Eklund, Russ Schultz, Larry Gookin, and Jeffrey Snedeker . Trombone and Euphonium instruction under the following teachers: Jeff Uusitalo , Leroy Anderson, Loren Maresteller, Russ Schultz, Tom Gause and Steven Fissel.

Matt Drumm

Percussion Instructor

Matt grew up in Issaquah and is a graduate of University of Washington, where he studied with Michael Crusoe. Matt has been Principal Timpanist for Tacoma Symphony since 1999, Bellevue Philharmonic since 2001 and Cascade Festival of Music 2006-07. As a freelance musician, Matt is in demand as a timpanist and percussionist, frequently playing for Seattle Symphony and Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Northwest Sinfonietta and more. He also plays with the Route 66 big band, chamber ensembles, and for musical theater, including the Village Theatre and can also be heard on numerous movie and video game soundtracks. Matt has been teaching percussion lessons for 20 years and also coaches for youth symphonies, Marrowstone in the City, Midsummer Musical Retreat and has adjudicated Solo & Ensemble contests. In 2004, Matt performed the Thärichen Timpani Concerto with Philharmonia Northwest.

Nse’ Ekpo

Camp Director

Camp Director, Nse (En-say) Ekpo, hails from Sumter, South Carolina and is currently band teacher at Bellevue Christian School. Mr. Ekpo received his bachelors and masters degree from the University of South Carolina in Music Education, and Orchestral conducting respectively. Ekpo is also working towards a doctorate in conducting at the University of Washington. Ekpo has taught music from elementary level through college. Nse has been on staff at Encore! Summer Music camp in Georgia and also the University of South Carolina Summer Music Camp. Before moving to the west coast, Ekpo taught in the Baltimore Public School System. Nse lives with his wife, Tami and daughter Janelle in Bellevue where they love Karaoke.