Arkansas Musicworks - Brass Lessons - Bentonville, AR

Brass Teachers
	Will Koehler - Trumpet Will Koehler is an active performer, educator, and writer. While pursuing his doctorate of music degree at Indiana University and the Jacobs School of Music, Koehler was a member of the Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Latin Jazz Band, and the internationally recognized Indiana University Wind Ensemble. As a member of the IU Chamber Orchestra, Koehler participated in the first tour to Seoul, South Korea, which concluded with a sold out performance at the Seoul Arts Center. In the summer of 2015, Koehler also served as the Principal Trumpet for the inaugural season of the Prague Summer Nights Music Festival. Prior to his experience at IU, Koehler was a member of the Miami Summer Music Festival Orchestra, and taught at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Koehler currently maintains a private studio of middle school and high school students from the Bloomington area. His students have had success in jazz band, concert band, honor band, solo and ensemble, marching band, and Drum Corps International. Koehler is also currently in his third year as a staff member with Bloomington High School North Marching Band. Koehler holds an M.M. Degree from Temple University, where he was an Academic Intern, taught Brass Methods for music education majors, and performed with the Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. He also holds degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Pittsburg State University. His primary teachers include Joey Tartell, Jeff Curnow, Alan Hood, and Dr. Todd Hastings.
	Mike Olefsky - Trombone / Bass Trombone / Euphonium Michael Olefsky is an Arkansas native who has been teaching and performing professionally for more than a decade on trombone, bass trombone, and euphonium. At home in both classical and commercial styles, he has been contracted to perform with over 15 touring Broadway productions including South Pacific, The Book of Mormon, Motown the Musical, and Legally Blonde. He has performed on both alto and tenor trombone as principal trombonist of the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra as well as tenor and bass trombone with the Symphony Orchestra of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA). He has also been engaged to perform with the Conway Symphony orchestra and as principal trombone with the Opera in the Ozarks Orchestra. While freelancing in the midwest he performed with a handful of working big bands in all chairs, lead through bass, and toured internationally with the Dublin Silver Band, a British style brass band based in Columbus Ohio. In 2017 his salsa band, Calle Soul, recorded their first album of entirely original material and he founded the Arkansas Musicworks Brass Band, a competitive British Style Brass Band comprised of some of the top brass talent in the region. Michael's current and former students include top all-region and all-state players in both classical and jazz. While some of these students have gone on to pursue degrees in music, Michael encourages students to have diverse interests and disciplines, a philosophy evidenced by his own training as both a musical performer and chemical engineer.
	Bill Punch - Brass / Woodwind Bill Punch has 30 years experience as a music educator. Now retired as a high school band director, his last 26 years of teaching was at Webb City schools in Webb City, Missouri. In his tenure at Webb City he taught all instruments grade 6-12 as band director and jazz band director. His bands performed on several national venues including the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. He has had numerous students successfully audition for All-State and All-Region Band and his bands have received over 25 first division ratings while he was director. Whatever your student's goals for private lessons - Bill can accommodate. His number one priority is making the student feel at ease while encouraging the need to practice while never forgetting the big picture - THAT MUSIC IS FUN! Bill presently lives in Neohso, Missouri with his wife Vicki. He has 3 grown boys and 3 grandchildren - including 2 in Bella Vista. He is presently the musical director for the Jack Mitchell Big Band and plays trumpet in the Bella Vista Big band. He also has performed with the Bella Vista Community Band and is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator in the area.
	Belinda Thomas - Brass / Woodwind Belinda Thomas is a native Arkansan and graduate of Henderson State University where she received a Bachelor of Music Education degree with concentration in instrumental music. She began her music career as Director of Bands at Greenbriar High School in 1982 and has 33 years experience as a music educator. Now retired as a middle school and high school band director, her last 29 years of teaching were at Elmwood Jr. High, Kirksey Middle School and Rogers High School in Rogers, AR. In her tenure at Rogers, she taught all band instruments with an emphasis on beginning and intermediate instruction. She also assisted Rogers High School Bands. Belinda has had many students successfully audition for All-Region and All-State Bands and her marching and concert groups received multiple first division ratings. As a young person, Belinda's goal was to pass on the love of music and playing to young and old alike throughout her life. Some of her greatest accomplishments are former students who have gone on to have successful careers as band directors and professional musicians. Belinda is currently Worship Leader at Lowell Assembly of God in Lowell, AR. It is with excitement that she joins the teaching staff of Arkansas Musicworks.

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