UT Virtual View Book
UT Rockets
A University Rising
UTMC Named Regions #1 Hospital
University Bands Faculty & Staff
Directors
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Dr. Jason Stumbo is in his seventh year as the Director of Bands at The University of Toledo, where he is conductor of the Wind Ensemble, teaches courses in conducting, orchestration, and music education, and directs all aspects of the UT band program. Dr. Stumbo received the B.S. in Music Education in 1992, then taught several years in the public schools before returning for the M.M. in Conducting from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He continued his studies at the University of Missouri, earning a Ph.D. in Music Education. Dr. Stumbo is an active adjudicator, clinician, and conductor, who has provided instructional clinics and presentations throughout Ohio, Michigan, Canada and Australia. |
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Andrew Rhodes Andrew Rhodes serves as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Toledo. He conducts the Symphonic Band, is involved in all aspects of the athletic bands, and teaches courses in music education. A native of Athens, Ohio, Rhodes received the B.M. in Music Education from Butler University, the M.M. in Music Education from Ohio University, and is a candidate for the Ed.D. in Music Education at the University of Illinois. Prior to his appointment at the University of Toledo, Rhodes taught for several years as a band director in the public schools of Columbus, Ohio and Memphis, Tennessee, most recently at Watkins Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts with whom he made his Carnegie Hall debut. Rhodes also performed in multiple casts of the Tony and Emmy Award-winning Broadway show Blast! as a tuba player and vocalist. Rhodes is active throughout the United States as a conductor, tuba player, adjudicator, and clinician. He also holds professional or honorary memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, International Tuba Euphonium Association, MENC: National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Ohio Music Education Association, Society for Music Teacher Education, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. Rhodes also serves as president of the executive board of the Ohio University School of Music Society of Alumni and Friends. |
Rocket Marching Band Staff
Xavier Verna
Drumline Arranger/Instructor
xverna@gmail.com
Xavier Verna graduated with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance with Music Education Teacher Certification
from the University of Michigan. He has performed with a wide range of ensembles at the University of Michigan, including:
Concert Band, Symphony Band, Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, Contemporary Directions Ensemble, University
Philharmonia Orchestra, Michigan Marching Band, Euphonium and Tuba Ensemble (UMETE), Vencedores Samba Bateria Group, and the
UM Arab Ensemble. He has appeared on TV while performing with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra as percussionist during their
annual Sphinx Competition. Xavier also had the distinct pleasure to perform on the first ever restaging of Laura Dean’s “Impact” (Sextet by Steve Reich) with the UM Percussion Ensemble and the UM Dance Department.
Xavier has taught, arranged, and directed over six different high school Drumlines and Front Ensembles in both Michigan
and Virginia. For two years, Xavier competed with REDLINE, an Indoor Drumline based out of Canton, MI, placing 10th and then
5th in the World Championships in Dayton, OH. Xavier was also a member of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps in 2006.
In 2009, Xavier was the national winner of the Kerope Zildjian Scholarship competition and was awarded an Educational Scholarship
and a variety of Zildjian cymbals and products. He’s also participated in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Modern Snare Drum
competition in 2010 as a Semi-finalist and as a Finalist in 2011 competition.
Xavier can be heard in many recordings, including: Timelines by Michael Udow, featuring Alan Abel (Equilibrium label), Raise the Roof by Michael Daugherty, 2007 Symphony Band CBDNA conference performance, and Classic Structures, Premiere of William Bolcom’s First Symphony for Band and Dana Wilson’s Concerto for Horn.
Chad & Liz Clum
Color Guard Instructors
UTColorguard@aol.com
Chad and Liz have been involved in the Guard activity for a combined total of over 40 Years. They have worked with many
of the best instructors, directors and designers in the world: Scott Chandler, Karl Lowe, Sal Salas, Michael Lentz, Carol
Abohatab, Jim Moore, TJ Doucette, Dan Acheson, Mike and Mark Miller, Ping Dawson, Charlie Gumbert, Jay Murphy, David Gibbs,
Mykail Costner, Adrian Bazua, Johnny Amos, Byron Valentine to name a few. While working with over dozens of programs over
the past decade Liz and Chad have touched the lives of hundreds of young men and women in a positive, disciplined manner.
"We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with the University of Toledo, they are a talented bunch and I know we
are going to have many great seasons together" Chad Clum.
Tenethia Beamon-Cox
Dancing Rockettes Instructor
TBeamon22@yahoo.com
Tenethia Beamon-Cox grew up in Schenectady, New York and has been dancing for over 20 years! "Tee" has also been instructing
dance for 11 years. She was formally trained at Tynans School of Performing Arts in Albany, New York. She became a company
member of The Broadway Dance Company at the age of 12. After Tenethia's first year at Cazenovia College she was able to fulfill
a dream when she began touring with the "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin. After returning from her exciting tour, Tenethia
relocated to Northwest Ohio and continued to dance and take part in other performing pieces. She was a principle company dancer,
instructor and assistant competition director at The Toledo Ballet. Once again pursuing her dreams and passion for dance she
landed a ticket to Las Vegas for season 6 of "So You Think You Can Dance". This is Tenethia's second season coaching the
UT Dancing Rockettes.
Alex Yeager
Announcer
alexyeager@yahoo.com
Alex Yeager had never been to a UT football game when we won an audition to become the Rocket Marching Band announcer for
the 1991 football season. Alex is a graduate of the College of Arts and Communication, and worked for 15 years for a marketing
research company. He currently works for Mayfair Games, a traditional board and card game company as a project manager and
educational outreach. Alex lives in Ypsilanti MI with his wife Julie, who he proposed to from the 50-yard line during halftime
of the 1994 UT-BG football game (attendance 31,613).
