Meet the Members
Salvatore Scarpa - Music Director
Salvatore Scarpa is Music Director/Conductor of Atlantic Brass Band (2011, 2012, and 2017 North American Brass Band Association Champions). He is a retired member of the Rowan University faculty, where he was Director of Orchestras, conducted the University Orchestra and Opera Company productions, and taught conducting, music theory and music history.
For many years he was also a member of the conducting staff of Philadelphia Ballet, Music Director/Conductor of Bel Canto Lyric Opera Company (Philadelphia), a regular guest conductor for the Orvieto Festival of Strings (Italy), and a long serving church musician. He is a graduate of Rowan University and the Eastman School of Music.
Bryan Appleby-Wineberg - Assistant Music Director and Principal Cornet
Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg is Principal Cornet/Assistant Conductor of Atlantic Brass Band and Professor of Trumpet, Head of Brass, and Chair of the Department of Music at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. At Rowan, Bryan teaches Studio Trumpet and Trumpet Class for the Music Education majors, conducts the Rowan University Brass Band, and performs with the Rowan Faculty Brass. During the 2009-2010 academic year he was on sabbatical in the UK performing with the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band as well as The Lindley Band in Yorkshire, England. In addition, Bryan is Principal Trumpet of The Bay-Atlantic Symphony, a founding member of the professional trumpet sextet Tromba Mundi, and co-hosts a weekly trumpet podcast The Open Bell with two trumpet colleagues. Bryan holds degrees from The Oberlin Conservatory of Music, The Cleveland Institute of Music, and The Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
Bryan lives in Glassboro, NJ with his wife of more than 30 years Sarah (a Midwife and Nurse-Practitioner in Women’s Health) and they have two adult daughters, Hannah and Kathryn.
Chris Underwood - Solo Cornet
Christopher Underwood hails from Roanoke, Virginia. He is an active educator and performer throughout the United States and Europe. Dr. Underwood currently is on faculty at the University of Delaware as adjunct assistant professor of trumpet and has held positions at UNC Pembroke and East Tennessee State University leading master classes, conducting the trumpet ensemble and teaching studio lessons. Dr. Underwood is third trumpet of the Asheville Symphony, solo cornet in Atlantic Brass Band, principal Trumpet of the Durham Symphony and a member of the Piedmont Wind Symphony, and he frequently performs with Roanoke Symphony and Carolina Philharmonic.
Dr. Underwood received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in trumpet at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro while serving as a graduate teaching assistant. He has attended the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, U.K., and Malmö Academy of Music in Sweden. Additionally, Dr. Underwood holds a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Bachelor’s in Music Business from Radford University.
Dr. Underwood's teachers have included Mark Clodfelter, John Miller, Rhys Owens, David Hendry, Bo Nilsson and Mark Camphouse and he has worked with Tom Hooten and Paul Merkelo.
Dr. Underwood has attended and performed in festivals throughout Europe working with Reinhold Friedrich, Kristian Steenstrup, Ole Edvard Antonsen and Pierre Dutot.
Paige Kerrigan - Solo Cornet
Paige Kerrigan is a performer and administrator in the New Jersey and Philadelphia areas. She is a founding member of the all-women brass quintet Coda Brass, and she plays solo cornet with the Atlantic Brass Band. Paige is currently the Operations Manager at Equity Arc, an organization dedicated to supporting exceptional musicians from cultural backgrounds that have been historically excluded in classical music.
Prior to Equity Arc, Paige worked on consulting projects with music organizations across the country, including conservatories, youth orchestras, and professional ensembles. She spent the summer of 2024 in Santa Barbara, CA, managing over 25 guest artists and conductors for Music Academy of the West’s summer music festival.
Paige is an accomplished educator and was previously a Teaching Artist and Brass Division Lead for Play On Philly, an El Sistema program in Philadelphia, PA. She is a frequent contributor to the International Trumpet Guild Journal and served as the editor of the Product and App Reviews column from 2022 - 2025.
Paige earned the Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of Northern Colorado and the Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance at The University of South Alabama.
Brianne Borden - Solo Cornet
Dr. Brianne Borden is an acclaimed trumpet soloist, chamber musician, and sought-after clinician whose performances and presentations have reached audiences across the United States and abroad. Her recent album, body, mind, & heart, reflects her deep commitment to contemporary solo trumpet repertoire and earned two Silver Medals from the Global Music Awards—one for overall album and one for concept.
In demand as both performer and educator, Borden appears regularly as a guest artist at universities and major conferences. Recent engagements include the New World Symphony, the National Trumpet Competition, and the Midwest Clinic, as well as guest artist appearances at Indiana University, Arizona State University, and the University of Utah. As a performer, she has appeared with ensembles including the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, Monarch Brass, South Florida Symphony, Athena Brass Band, and she previously served as Principal Trumpet of the Orchestra of Northern New York. Borden currently performs as Solo Cornet with the award-winning Atlantic Brass Band and as a member of Ternion Brass, a trio devoted to expanding the brass trio repertoire through performances, outreach, and the commissioning of new works.
Currently, Borden is Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Delaware, following her prior appointment at SUNY Potsdam. Her students are frequently selected to compete at the National Trumpet Competition and receive scholarships to the International Trumpet Guild Conference. Former students of Borden’s have sought out graduate degrees at esteemed institutions including the Eastman School of Music, Arizona State University, UMKC, and the Longy School of Music. She is equally as proud of the many students that have graduated and are now teaching in public schools around the country and educating future musicians.
Borden is the author of Mindful Trumpet Playing, a fundamentals book that integrates mindfulness practices to support focus and alleviate performance anxiety. She further embodies her commitment to musicians’ wellness as Co-Owner and CEO of Yoga for All Musicians, a virtual studio promoting physical sustainability and mental well-being for performers. Her scholarly research has been published in Visions of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and multiple issues of the International Trumpet Guild Journal.
An active leader in the brass community, Borden serves on the Board of Directors of the International Trumpet Guild, where she is also Registration Coordinator for ITG conferences. Additionally, she is a frequent performer, presenter, and mentor with the International Women’s Brass Conference and serves as editor for the Brass Ensemble sections of the New York State School Music Association Manual.
Borden completed her Doctorate in Trumpet Performance at Arizona State University, where she served as Teaching Assistant to David Hickman and was recipient of Raphael Mendez Scholarship for Outstanding Graduate Student. Preceding ASU, Borden received her Master’s from the University of Colorado Boulder where she performed with the Graduate Brass Quintet. Lastly, she is an alumna of SUNY Potsdam where she received her Bachelor’s degree.
Borden is proud to be an S.E. Shires Artist.
Anthony Demateis - Soprano Cornet
Anthony Demateis was a student of Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg and graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor in Music and Education in 2025. This is Anthony's first season with Atlantic Brass Band. Anthony played with many of the Rowan University bands including Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, Jazz Band, and Rowan's Brass Band. He was an integral part of the inaugural year of the Rowan University Marching Band. Anthony grew up in Jackson, New Jersey and currently lives in Columbus, New Jersey. In his free time, Anthony likes to bike, hang with friends and of course, practice.
Cassandra Hesse - Repiano Cornet
Cassandra Hesse joined Atlantic Brass Band in Spring of 2016. She graduated in 2013 from Penn State University where she received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education. Cassandra holds a Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Delaware where she studied with Professor Rob Skoniczin. She currently works as a high school band director in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, and continues to gig and teach in the Main Line area.
Susan M. Peo - Second Cornet
Ms. Peo is a native Delawarean and has been a freelance musician and professional music educator for well over 30 years. She attended the University of Delaware while earning her Associate of Arts degree in Visual Communications, her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Trumpet Performance and her Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance. While working on her undergraduate and graduate degrees, Ms. Peo studied trumpet privately with UD trumpet professor, Alan Hamant and Frank Kaderabek (formerly principal trumpet with the Philadelphia Orchestra).
Susan recently retired as a fulltime public school music educator, but continues to pursue her musical and artistic interests as a freelance trumpet player, conductor and visual artist. In addition to being a member of Atlanta Brass Band, Ms. Peo is also the Principal Cornetist and Associate Conductor of the Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band and is a longtime member of the Johannes Brass Quintet as well.
Anthony Quiles - Second Cornet
Anthony Quiles was a student of Bryan Appleby-Wineberg and graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor in Music and Education in 2024. This is Anthony's first season with Atlantic Brass Band and he is excited for what is to come. Anthony played with many of the Rowan University bands including Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Pep Band, Jazz Band, and Rowan's Brass Band. Anthony grew up in Galloway, New Jersey and has lived in South Jersey his whole life. He currently lives in Glassboro. In his free time, when he isn't practicing, he likes to watch movies and spend time with his friends.
Kassandra Miano - Third Cornet
Kassandra is currently working towards her undergraduate degree in trumpet performance at Rowan University and is a student of Bryan Appleby-Wineberg. In 2021 she was first chair in the All-State High school wind ensemble as well as previously holding a solo cornet chair in Imperial Brass Band.
Rick Roberts - Third Cornet
Rick resides in Northern New Jersey. By day, Rick works as an Information Technology Procurement Contracts Manager for HD Supply. Rick joined Atlantic Brass Band in October of 2023, after spending eight seasons with the Imperial Brass. In the summer of 2025, Rick extended his brass banding horizons and participated in the Elgar International Brass Band Summer School, where he enjoyed the pleasure and honor to work under the baton of Philip Harper, as well as taking master classes with clinicians representing some of the best brass bands in the UK. He plans to return to participate in the program once again in summer of 2026.
Rick has completed significant course work in trumpet performance at Montclair State University. He is currently also an active member of the New Jersey Wind Symphony, and occasionally performs as a substitute with local symphony orchestras, notably the Livingston Symphony Orchestra. Rick also performs freelance work in pit orchestras for various musical productions in North NJ.
Gregory Kuhn - Flugelhorn
A member of Atlantic Brass Band since 2015, Greg Kuhn graduated from Rowan University with his Bachelor's in Music Performance under Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg where he was Principal Solo Cornet of the Rowan University Brass Band. In 2018, he moved to Oklahoma City to pursue a Master's degree at Oklahoma City University with Michael Anderson after winning a performance assistantship. There, he regularly performed with Oklahoma’s top gigging brass quintet, Blackwelder Brass.
During his time in Oklahoma, Greg played with many different groups including Frontier Brass Band, Mariachi Orgullo De América, the Oklahoma City Community Orchestra, and the Oklahoma Composer’s Orchestra. Now based back in Mullica Hill, NJ, Greg plays Flugelhorn with Atlantic Brass Band, teaches at Rowan’s Community Music School, and continues to freelance throughout NJ, PA, DE, and NY.
Dr. William Wiegard - Solo Tenor Horn
Before moving across the country to join ABB as Solo Horn in the fall of 2021, Dr. William Wiegard was solo horn, music librarian and founding member of the San Antonio Brass Band, First Division Winners of the 2018 NABBA Championships.
William holds a Doctorate in Performance & Pedagogy from the University of Texas at Austin, two Masters & a Specialist in Performance & Chamber Music from the University of Michigan & a Bachelors in Performance from the University of Iowa. His primary teachers include Patrick Hughes, Sören Hermansson, Kristin Thelander and Jeffry Agrell.
He can be heard as principal horn on John Corigliano’s Symphony No.3 for Large Wind Ensemble: Circus Maximus under Jerry Junkin and also the Naxos' multi-Grammy-winning recording of William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and of Experience under Leonard Slatkin.
Ciara Rabey - First Tenor Horn
Ciara teaches band in Hamilton Township School District, and marching band at Cherokee High School. She also coaches brass chamber ensembles and the extracurricular orchestra for Cherokee. On the side, Ciara works as a gigging musician on french horn and teaches a small private horn studio.
Ciara earned her bachelors and master’s degrees in Music Education from Messiah University. She also completed some graduate work towards a master’s degree in horn performance at Temple University where she studied with Randy Gardner. Ciara resides in Egg Harbor Township, NJ with her husband Nick and son Parker.
Evan Bretz - Second Tenor Horn
Biography coming soon.
Joseph Sino - Solo Euphonium
Joseph Sino is the concert band and percussion ensemble director at Millville High School in Millville, NJ. He graduated from Rowan University in 2014 and studied Euphonium with Tyrone Breuninger and Dr. Amy Bliss. During that time, he placed 1st in the soloist competition on Euphonium at the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Brass Band Festival. After teaching for a few years, he went back to school and received his Masters in Conducting in 2023 from Messiah University. He has guest conducted for multiple region honors bands in the South Jersey area.
Joseph started as solo baritone for Atlantic Brass Band in 2011 and has been solo Euphonium for the band since 2021. He is currently the director of Rowan Atlantic Youth Brass Band after working with the group for 9 years.
Jason Costello - Euphonium
Jason is a new addition to the Euph/Bari Row following a successful audition for the 2024-25 season. He is an alumni of Temple University where he received his undergraduate degree in Euphonium performance. Besides playing and hanging out with other members of the band as well as practicing for rehearsals and performances, Jason enjoys spending his free time playing chess, playing and watching soccer, listening to his favorite bands, playing guitar, biking, cooking, being active, having fun, and making time for the ones he cares about. Jason plans to study Counseling for his Masters Degree and eventually become a school counselor or therapist in the near future.
William Whalen - Solo Baritone
William first joined Atlantic Brass Band in 2016 while attending Temple University in Philadelphia. After being part of the 2017 NABBA championship on euphonium, he was away from the band while living in Maryland, but returned to Philadelphia and ABB in 2021. In his second stint with the band, he plays Solo Baritone and also serves as Secretary on the band's Board of Directors.
Outside of band, he enjoys a career as a university administrator. He is a lover of food and drink, and has a great time exploring the experiences Philadelphia has to offer alongside his wife, Julie.
Jonathan Mendez - Baritone
Jonathan Mendez (he/him) is an emerging euphonium artist based in Old Bridge, NJ, renowned for his mastery in doubling on multiple instruments.
Jonathan joined the three-time National Champion Atlantic Brass Band in 2022 and currently serves as the ensemble’s second baritone. He is an active freelancer and has performed with the Princeton Brass Band, the Lancaster Brass Band, the Chesapeake Brass Band, the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, and is a substitute player for the United States Air Force Band. Jonathan has performed internationally, including the International Tuba Euphonium Conference, the International Euphonium Tuba Festival, and the International Women’s Brass Conference, and can be heard performing in Don’t Look Down - #JustAddDrumCorps Edition by actress and musician, Janina Gavankar.
Jonathan holds a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance from Duquesne University, where he studied with international tuba soloist, Dr. James Gourlay of the River City Brass Band, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Music from Allegheny College, where he studied with Dr. Janyl Jumadinova of the Department of Computer and Information Science and Dr. Ronald Stitt of the Erie Philharmonic. Jonathan was also mentored by Dr. Lowell Helper of the Erie Philharmonic and Jim Nova of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Follow Jonathan on social media @jonathanwmendez or contact him on his website https://www.jonathanwmendez.com/
Brian Shugarts - Solo Trombone
Biography coming soon.
Mike Armstrong - Trombone
Mike Armstrong joined Atlantic Brass Band as assistant principal trombone in the fall of 2003 before switching over to the 2nd chair later that year. A graduate of The College of New Jersey with a Bachelors in Music Education, Mike is currently a high school band director in Deptford, NJ where he oversees the concert ensembles, music theory, brass lessons, and percussion lessons. Mike is a freelance conductor having conducted numerous honors ensembles such as the Olympic Honors Band and the Cape/Atlantic Honors Band.
Mike conducts and Music Directs at the Broadway Theatre in Pitman, NJ, and has also conducted at the Levoy Theater in Millville, NJ as well as several other community theaters and high schools. In his spare time, Mike is an avid Disney fan, loves movies and reading. He resides in Cherry Hill, NJ with his Wife Lisa and son William.
Isaiah Tomalesky - Bass Trombone
Isaiah joined the ranks of the world renowned Atlantic Brass Band in January of 2024. Hailing from Winchester, Virginia, Isaiah is currently studying under Dr. Bruce Tychinski in pursuit of a Masters in trombone performance at the University of Delaware(UD). Currently, on an assistantship with the university, he aids in teaching various sections of instrument methods as the brass specialist under the supervision of Dr. Heidi Lucas; additionally, Isaiah works with his studio professor, Dr. Tychinski, in managing the University of Delaware Trombone Choir. Prior to his enrollment at UD, Isaiah earned his BM in Music Education from James Madison University(JMU) while studying trombone with Dr. Andrew Lankford.
Isaiah is the principal trombone of the University of Delaware Symphony Orchestra while participating in various other ensembles throughout the program. Formerly a member of the JMU Brass Band, Isaiah competed nationally on two occasions and was the principal trombone of the ensemble when competing at the 2022 WMC Brass Band World Championships in representation of the United States of America.
Following the completion of his degree at UD, Isaiah seeks to further his educational career by studying for his DMA in trombone performance.
Alf Hadinger - Eb Bass
Alf joined Atlantic Brass Band in 2018. Prior to joining Atlantic Brass Band, Alf has performed with Princeton Brass Band, Utica Symphony Orchestra, and a variety of professional and collegiate ensembles in both New Jersey and New York. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance and Education from Ithaca College, and a Master of Arts in School Administration from Rowan University.
He is presently employed as a public school administrator in New Jersey, and serves on the board of the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA), and the New Jersey Music Administrators Association (NJMAA). He also serves as an adjudicator for several regional marching band circuits.
Previously, he spent nine years as a band director at Monroe Township High School. Ensembles under his leadership have performed across the country, including the Pearl Harbor Day Parade in Hawaii in 2016 (75th anniversary). His students have featured in numerous Region, State, and All-Eastern ensembles, and the United States Army All-American Marching Band.
David J. Laird - Eb Bass
David J. Laird has been a member of Atlantic Brass Band for over 30 years. As a tuba player David has performed on stages from the casinos in Atlantic City to the main stage at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.
David earned his BME/Tuba Performance at the Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University where he studied with Jay Krush (Chestnut Brass Quintet). While in Philadelphia, David joined the National Champion, Atlantic Brass Band. In Competition David won the Soloist of the Day Award for the 1992 North American Brass Band National Championships and performed as the solo eflat bass player with Atlantic Brass Band for over 30 years. He took a hiatus and has recently returned to the band as Eflat Bass 2.
David is a founding member of the Academy Brass Quintet, (Philadelphia) where he has been heard playing for churches, graduations, and with the Mendelssohn Club Chorus for many of their moving Christmas Concerts. One highlight was their solo performance on the main stage at the Academy of Music as they performed a Christmas Concert for the members of the Orpheus Club, Philadelphia. David is a music educator with the Millville Public Schools in NJ where he serves as a band director to 4th and 5th graders in the district. David spends his time, cooking, fishing, golfing and loving every minute he spends with his lovely wife Deb and their three musical sons, Daniel, Andrew and David.
Bill Connors - Bb Bass
Bill Connors is a freelance tubist based out of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He is an active performer in local orchestras, bands, as well as different chamber ensembles. Also active as an educator, he maintains a studio of regular private low brass students and provides clinics and master classes at various schools, universities, and youth orchestras.
Bill holds a Professional Studies Certificate from the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, a Master of Music degree from the University of Denver, and a Bachelor of Music Performance from Ithaca College. His primary teachers have included Warren Deck (ret. New York Philharmonic), Craig Knox (Pittsburgh Symphony), Norman Pearson (ret. L.A. Philharmonic), and Dr. Aaron Tindall (Naples Philharmonic).
In addition to playing and competing with Atlantic Brass Band, Bill performs regularly around the Philadelphia area and along the east coast with a variety of ensembles including the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the Ocean City Pops, Allegro Orchestra Lancaster, the PA Philharmonic, and the Delaware Valley Wind Symphony.
Bill has attended several prestigious music festivals, including both the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Round Top Music Festival. He has also performed under the baton of many renowned conductors including Christian Arming, Leon Botstein, Jane Glover, Carolyn Kuan, Hannu Lintu, Ludovic Morlot, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and Robert Spano.
Turner Gray - Bb Bass
Biography coming soon.
Jeff Vanaman - Bb Bass
Jeff has the distinction of being the only charter member of Atlantic Brass Band still remaining in the band, having served as the first president when it was known as the Wheaton Brass Band.
When the Wheaton Glassworks ceased funding the group, Jeff proposed the name change to Atlantic Brass Band. He also served as personnel director and librarian for several years each.
Jeff studied music briefly in 1964 at Glassboro State Teachers College (now Rowan University), before quitting college and enlisting in the US Navy, serving four years as an interior communications electrician and doing 3 tours in Vietnam. Upon his return, he re-entered college majoring in Biology and taught in the Glassboro public schools for thirty-four years. Jeff has participated in all of Atlantic Brass Band's competitions, and has also played with the Tri-County Band, the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, the Cherry Hill Wind Symphony, and the Delaware County Orchestra.
Besides his involvement with music, Jeff has a career in glass-blowing with a private studio in Clayton, NJ, where he lives with his wife. Jeff is also the father of Ryan Vanaman, a former front row cornet player with Atlantic who graduated from Eastman School of Music. He performed 3 years with Marine Band New Orleans, is now in the Highland Park NJ Police Department.
Dan Fineberg - Percussion
Much like Garth, Dan enjoys playing drums! He has been doing so with ABB since 2018. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Dan holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Percussion Performance. While there, he had the chance to record several albums including The Contemporary Percussionist, Historic Works for Percussion Ensemble, and William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and Experience. Dan has performed with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, NCL Show Band, Concordia University Wind Ensemble, and the Panchita! Steel Band among others. Prior to joining Atlantic, Dan was a faculty member at the St. Mary’s School in Aliso Viejo, CA where he directed the Jazz Band and Drumline. When he’s not unpacking or setting up gear, Dan may be found in Wildwood Crest, NJ where he works as an Art Director and Graphic Designer.
Theresa Petrone - Percussion
Biography coming soon.
Carter Profico - Percussion
Biography coming soon.
Aaron Breslau - Percussion
Biography coming soon.