Luis Enrique Espinosa, MM candidate
Lieutenant Luis Espinosa is a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico. Having enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2002, he served as a clarinet and saxophone instrumentalist with the Navy Band Great Lakes, the Naval Forces Europe Band, the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, and as instructor for the Navy and Marine Corps music programs at the Naval School of Music.
Following 13 years of distinguished enlisted service, he was commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer in December 2015. As a Naval Officer he has served as the Assistant Fleet Bandmaster for the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band and most recently as the Fleet Bandmaster for the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, based in Yokosuka, Japan. His military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), and several campaign and unit commendations. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Arts in Music Education from Liberty University and is a graduate of the Naval School of Music Unit Leader Course.
Tess Jones, DM candidate
Tess Jones is pursuing the Doctor of Music degree in Wind Conducting and serves as an Associate Instructor at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. A native of Abilene, TX, Tess received a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Texas State University. She served as the Director of Bands at Craig Middle School in Abilene, TX, Assistant Director of Bands at Waltrip High School in Houston, TX, and Director of Bands at Levi Fry Intermediate School in Texas City, TX. In addition to her studies, Tess works as a staff member for the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy in the summers. Tess is an alumnus of Mu Phi Epsilon and Kappa Kappa Psi, and holds membership with the Texas Music Educators Association, the College Band Directors National Association, and the National Flute Association.
Timothy Loman, DM candidate
Tim Loman is pursuing the Doctor of Music degree in Wind Conducting and serves as an Associate Instructor in the Department of Bands at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He received a Bachelor of Music from James Madison University and a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He served as the Director of Bands at Magna Vista High School in Ridgeway, VA where he conducted and taught the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and music electives.
Chris Nelson, DM candidate
Christopher M. Nelson is currently attending the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he serves as an Associate Instructor in the Department of Bands and is pursuing a Doctor of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Brigham Young University, and his Master of Arts in Music degree from Washington State University. Chris has directed bands at the high school level for 7 years, working for the Salem-Keizer, and Alpine School Districts in Oregon and Utah, respectively. Mr. Nelson has pieces for wind band published by C. Alan Publications, and works as a band arranger, adjudicator, and clinician throughout the Western United States.
Esther Tupper, DM candidate:
Esther is pursuing the Doctor of Music degree in Wind Conducting and serves as an Associate Instructor in the Department of Bands at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She received a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and Music Education and a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the State University of New York at Fredonia. Esther has worked with K-12 general music and vocal programs in various public school settings and several ensembles as a flutist and assistant conductor throughout New York, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Most recently, Esther served as Conducting Fellow to the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
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