Photo credits: Camryn Campbell
Kristian Bailes
Junior, Music Performance
Kristian was born and raised in Glendale, Arizona, and has played in several ensembles recognized at the Region, State, and National levels throughout his performance career. He is a Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra Alumnus, and a graduate of the Mountain Ridge High School’s award-winning Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. He hopes to play trombone professionally in the orchestral and contemporary spheres, and also hopes to publish his own compositions. Kristian loves listening to all kinds of music, ranging from experimental, avant-garde tracks from artists such as Arca and SOPHIE, to iconic mainstream artists such as Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé, to orchestral classics. In his free time, he enjoys indulging in his favorite video games and spending time with his friends.
Carlos Castaneda
DMA, Teaching Assistant, Bass Trombone
Carlos Castaneda is a first-year Doctor of Musical Arts student in trombone performance at
Arizona State University. In addition to bass trombone, Carlos has also performed on tenor
trombone, euphonium, and tuba in a range of styles. He has also had the privilege of performing
in masterclasses for notable players such as Roger Bobo, John Daversa, Ralph Sauer, Nathan
Zgonc, Don Lucas, Brian Hecht, and Peter Steiner. Past teachers include Dr. Mark Miller, Steve
Trapani, James Miller, and is currently a student of Dr. Brad Edwards. He earned a Bachelor of
Music degree in trombone performance from California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
and a Master’s of Music degree in trombone performance from the University of California, Los
Angeles (UCLA). Carlos has performed with different groups and regional orchestras throughout
Los Angeles and has been a teaching artist with The Harmony Project and YOLA @HOLA
organizations. In the summertime, he has attended festivals such as the International Trombone
Festival, Bay View Music Festival, and the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute. When Carlos is not
playing trombone, he can often be found eating good food, watching Futbol, or spending time
with friends.
Alyson Johnson
Master’s, Performance, Teaching Assistant
Alyson Johnson is a trombonist and music educator from Madison, South Dakota. She graduated from Western Michigan University with Bachelor degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance. As a trombonist, Alyson was a finalist in the 2024 ITA Larry Wiehe Tenor Trombone competition, the 2020 ATW Division I Tenor Trombone Competition, and won the South Dakota Symphony’s Young Musician Concerto Competition in 2018. As a teacher, Alyson built a private studio of 15 low brass students, with her students receiving recognition in Michigan All-State and District Bands. Alyson works as the bookkeeper for the International Trombone Festival, and has held this position since 2021. In her free time, Alyson enjoys playing rugby, hiking, camping, reading, and spending time with her cat, Owen.
Davian Dominguez
Freshman, Bachelor of Arts
Eli Escaner
Sophomore, Jazz Performance
Dan Iverson
Master’s, Performance
Dan Iverson is originally from Rapid City, South Dakota where he began his musical journey playing the violin, trombone, and tuba in schools and community. In 2015, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he studied music education and obtained his degrees (BME 2020, MM 2024). During his time in Nebraska, Dan was an award-winning teacher in the public school system, an adjunct professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University, and guest lectured at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has also appeared in the publication Music Educators Wanted: 10 Essential Qualifications for Success and has been invited to present and perform at various honor bands, Nebraska Music Educators Association, International Trombone Festival, and The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Kate Jensen
Master’s, Performance
Kate is from Irvine, California and is a first year Master’s student in Trombone performance at Arizona State University. She received her Bachelor’s of Music degree from California State University Long Beach in Trombone Performance. She started trombone in high school and later became the low brass coach after she finished her first degree. She has also performed at the Kennedy Center Sousa Festival with the top wind ensemble at CSULB in 2024. She has studied under Amy Bowers, Steve Trapani, Mike Hoffman, and currently Dr. Brad Edwards. When Kate is not playing the trombone, she enjoys cooking, playing videogames, and skateboarding.
Gilbert Martinez Miranda
Freshman, Audition Major
Gilbert is a first year undergraduate student in ASU, his major will be music learning and teaching. He was born here in Phoenix, Arizona but most of his family is around Mexico. For his hobbies, he likes playing games, playing tennis, listening to Tyler the creator, sometimes sewing. He also is running a small business selling chamoy gummies.
David Perez
Freshman, Audition Major
Wendy Ostaszewski
Senior, Music Learning and Teaching
(they/he)
Wendy is from North Orange County, California and is currently working toward an undergrad degree in Music Learning and Teaching. They have performed with the Golden West Pops, Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association’s (SCSBOA) All-Southern Honor Ensembles, the California Band Director’s Association’s (CBDA) All-State Honor Ensembles, the Claremont’s Young Musician’s Orchestra, and the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. In the future Wendy hopes to continue performing while teaching the next generation about the power of music. In his free time Wendy enjoys learning new skills, and has done woodworking, small-scale taxidermy, sewing, analyzing court cases, and decorating Rose Parade Floats.
Garrett Parnaby
Sophomore, Music Performance
Garrett Parnaby from Sierra Vista, Arizona and is a second year undergraduate student studying Trombone Performance. Garrett has performed as a soloist with the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra, after winning their concerto competition in 2024, as well as performing with the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra, Desert Fever Jazz Band, Desert Swing Jazz Orchestra, the Arizona All-State Band and Orchestra while studying with Dr. Robert Conger. At ASU, he performs with the wind bands and various chamber ensembles as well as the Latin Jazz Band, Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Repertory Band and various jazz combos.
Michael Thompson
Master’s, performance
Michael Thompson is a trombonist and teacher pursuing an MM in Trombone Performance at Arizona State University. He performs with the Hi5 Brass Quintet, leads Banda Latina Caribeña de Flagstaff, and serves has served as principal trombonist in ASU’s Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Big Band. An experienced educator, he coaches brass for the Phoenix Youth Bands and teaches privately.
Vincent Quintana
Sophomore, Music Learning and Teaching
Vincent joins us from Rio Rancho, New Mexico. In high school he was in the New Mexico All-State Concert Band and Jazz Band. He is majoring in Music Learning and Teaching. His hobbies include going down rabbit holes with YouTube.
Alex Skelton
Junior, Performance/Composition
Alex is from Flagstaff, Arizona and is pursuing a degree in Music Composition. He has performed in various groups including the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA) All-State Orchestra, AMEA Regional Honor Band, and the Flagstaff Community Band (FCB); as a young composer, Alex has collaborated with the FCB to premiere a fanfare celebrating their 30th anniversary. Currently, Alex is an active performer in the ASU Wind Symphony and ASU Barrett Choir. In his free time, Alex loves to compose music, play video games, and spend time with his friends.
Carson Webster
Junior, Music Learning and Teaching
Carson Webster is a music learning and teaching major from Mesa, Arizona. He held multiple leadership positions as well as earned several awards at Desert Ridge High School, where he earned his art seal. He marched tuba in the 2023 DCI season, and marches tuba in the Sun Devil Marching Band. He hopes to one day run his own band program.
Holden Welch
Master’s, Performance
Originally from Arkansas, Holden earned his Bachelor’s degree in performance from Northwestern University.