Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser
Vice President of Education
drtim@conn-selmer.com
800-233-7846

Tim Lautzenheiser is a trusted friend to anyone interested in working with young people in developing a desire for excellence and a passion for high level achievement. His career involves ten years of successful college band directing at Northern Michigan University, the University of Missouri, and New Mexico State University.

Following his tenure at the university level, he spent three years with McCormick's Enterprises working as Executive Director of Bands of America. In 1981, Tim created Attitude Concepts for Today, Inc., an organization designed to manage the many requests for workshops, seminars, and convention speaking engagements focusing on the area of positive attitude and effective leadership training. Over three million students have experienced his acclaimed student leadership workshops over the last three decades.

He presently serves as Vice President of Education for Conn-Selmer, Inc. In addition, he continues his rigorous travel schedule touting the importance of arts education for every child.

His books, produced by G.I.A. Publications, Inc., continue to be bestsellers in the educational world. He is also co-author of popular band method, Essential Elements, and he is the Senior Educational Consultant for Hal Leonard, Inc. Tim is the Senior Educational Advisor for Music for All, Senior Educational Consultant for NAMM (The International Music Products Association), and he also bears the same title with G.I.A. Publications, Inc.

Tim holds degrees from Ball State University and the University of Alabama; in 1995 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the VanderCook College of Music. He is presently an adjunct faculty member at: Ball State University (Earl Dunn Distinguished Lecturer), Indiana-Purdue/Ft. Wayne University, and Butler University. In addition, he serves on the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors and the Western International Band Clinic/American Band College Board of Directors.
 

Jennifer L. Grice
Director of Education & Outreach
jgrice@conn-selmer.com
574-522-1675

Jennifer Grice has taught band and orchestra in the public schools for the past thirteen years. Her orchestra from Lafayette H.S., KY has performed at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference, Music for All National Orchestra Festival and The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. She has served on the faculty at Campbellsville University teaching oboe. Jennifer has been a leading clinician for the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy for the past thirteen years.
 
Grant Johnston
Executive Administrator
gjohnston@conn-selmer.com
574-523-0701

Originally a music education major in college, Grant graduated with a degree in Marketing and spent nearly 30 years in the publishing and printing industry handling a variety of marketing and customer service functions. He joined Conn-Selmer in 2007 as the Marketing Communications Manager and now is a part of the Division of Education as Executive Administrator.

Paula A. Crider
Educational Consultant
pcrider@mail.utexas.edu
 
Paula A. Crider is Professor Emeritus at The University of Texas. She had a distinguished 33 year teaching career of which 16 years were in public school and 17 years were on the faculty of The University of Texas. Paula was the first female in the state of Texas to serve as Director of Bands at a class 5A high school. Professor Crider continues to work with young musicians and teachers and has served as guest conductor, lecturer and adjudicator in twenty-nine states, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia. Paula recently received The Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor in December 2010.

Gary Markham
Educational Consultant
Markhamg@aol.com
 
Mr. Markham is currently the Supervisor of Music for the Cobb County Public Schools. He is the former Director of Bands at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County, Virginia. He has many years' experience in music education, and serves nationally as clinician, guest conductor, adjudicator, and consultant. The Cobb County Music program has been named one of the "BEST 100 Communities for Music Education in America, 8 times.

Mr. Markham received his B. S. degree from Mansfield State University, M. Ed. degree from Penn State University, and studied for a Ph. D in conducting and music supervision at George Mason University with Tony Maiello and Arnald Gabriel. His leadership experience includes membership on several state and national music education executive boards. He is currently the Senior Education Consultant and Chief Judge for Bands of America, Judge Education Director for Drum Corps International, and an author of "Band Expressions" published by Alfred Music. He is a 1992 recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation's "Sudler Order of Merit" and the Robinson Symphonic Band is the 1992 recipient of the "Sudler Flag of Honor." In 2006, Mr. Markham was presented with the Georgia Music Educators Administrative Leadership award and was inducted into the Bands of America "Hall of Fame." In 2007, Mr. Markham received the very first DCI & Coltrin & Associates "Excellence in Music Education Award." In 2009, MENC presented the first "Excellence in Marching Music Education" to Mr. Markham for serving as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Commission for writing National Standards and a lifetime devoted to marching music excellence.
 

Amanda Drinkwater
Educational Specialist
akdrinkh20@aol.com
 
Amanda Drinkwater is in her sixth year as Director of Bands and eighth year overall at Marcus High School in Texas. She has taught in the Texas public schools for the past sixteen years. Under her direction the Marcus Wind Symphony was named a TMEA Honor Band Finalist for three years, were a featured ensemble at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and have been recognized as a National Wind Band Honors finalist. Ms. Drinkwater's marching ensembles have been to the 5A Texas State UIL Marching Contest for the past seven years and were named 5A State Champions twice.

Dr. Frank Tracz
Educational Specialist
ftracz@ksu.edu
 
Dr. Frank Tracz is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Under his direction the Symphony Band has performed at the Kansas Music Educators Association Conference, MENC Conferences as well as regional and international tours. Dr. Tracz has several years' experience teaching in the public schools of Ohio and Wisconsin. He has served as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor for all-state and honor bands across the nation, as well as in Canada.

Frank Troyka
Educational Specialist
ftroyka@aol.com
 
Frank Troyka is currently the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas. Frank has taught for twenty-six years in public education. His ensembles have performed at Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, Percussive Arts Society International Convention and The Midwest Clinic. Mr. Troyka also presents annual student leadership workshops across Texas and throughout the United States.

Dean E. Westman
Educational Specialist
avonorchestra@aol.com
 
Dean Westman currently serves as the Orchestra Director for the Avon Community School Corporation in Avon, Indiana. Dean has served as the Educational Director for Bands of America and Orchestra America. He served as Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin H.S. in Texas where they placed 4th and 5th in the BOA Grand National Championships and performed at four consecutive Texas UIL State Marching Championships. Dean has been an active instructor and arranger in the drum corps activity for sixteen years.