Guest Artist
Featured soloists and conductors for the 2025-2026 concert season
Dr. Brian Do
Dr. Brian Do (He/Him), enjoys a versatile career as a performer and educator. An avid chamber musician and performer, Brian has appeared at numerous festivals and conferences throughout North America alongside Newfound Chamber Winds, his woodwind trio, the Re(a)d Trio, and as a soloist. Brian joined Newfound Chamber Winds (formerly Maryland Chamber Winds) in 2018 as a clarinetist and Grants Manager where he assists in the support and development of NFCW summer programs that have included the Maryland Wind Festival, Tidewater Conducting Summit, and Chamber Music Fellowship Program. Brian has held positions with the Longview and Texarkana Symphony Orchestras and has performed with ensembles such as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Marshall Symphony Orchestra, and the Allen Philharmonic.
As an educator, he has presented masterclasses and clinics to musicians of all ages on topics related to the clarinet, music entrepreneurship, career development, and chamber music. Educational engagements have included appearances as part of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s community engagement projects and presentations at the University of Texas-Arlington, the University of North Texas, Texas A&M-Commerce, Columbus State University, Texas Women’s University, Southeastern Oklahoma University, and the University of Colorado-Boulder. During his time in Dallas, Texas, Brian maintained a sizeable clarinet studio of middle school and high school students who were consistently successful in the TMEA All-Area and All-Region band contests. Brian is currently an Adjunct Professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Brian has completed degrees from the University of North Texas (D.M.A.), Michigan State University (M.M.) and Illinois State University (B.M.) in Clarinet Performance. He has primarily studied with Kimberly Cole Luevano, Greg Raden, Guy Yehuda, Tasha Warren, David Gresham, and Anne Dervin.
As an educator, he has presented masterclasses and clinics to musicians of all ages on topics related to the clarinet, music entrepreneurship, career development, and chamber music. Educational engagements have included appearances as part of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s community engagement projects and presentations at the University of Texas-Arlington, the University of North Texas, Texas A&M-Commerce, Columbus State University, Texas Women’s University, Southeastern Oklahoma University, and the University of Colorado-Boulder. During his time in Dallas, Texas, Brian maintained a sizeable clarinet studio of middle school and high school students who were consistently successful in the TMEA All-Area and All-Region band contests. Brian is currently an Adjunct Professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Brian has completed degrees from the University of North Texas (D.M.A.), Michigan State University (M.M.) and Illinois State University (B.M.) in Clarinet Performance. He has primarily studied with Kimberly Cole Luevano, Greg Raden, Guy Yehuda, Tasha Warren, David Gresham, and Anne Dervin.
Dr. Rebekah Daniel
Dr. Rebekah Daniel is the Director of Bands at Eastern Kentucky University. In this capacity, she conducts the wind ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, and assists with courses in Music Education. Dr. Daniel recently completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at Michigan State University (MSU) as a student of Dr. Kevin Sedatole. As a doctoral conducting assistant at MSU, she conducted instrumental ensembles, taught undergraduate conducting courses, taught conducting lessons to undergraduate students through independent study, co-directed Spartan Brass, and was a member of the Spartan Marching Band instructional staff.
Prior to attending MSU, Dr. Daniel taught in the Georgia public schools, where ensembles under her direction enjoyed notable success in both district and statewide performance evaluations. Most recently, she served as the Associate Director of Bands at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia, where she conducted multiple concert bands, coached student-led chamber ensembles, and instructed the award-winning Houston County “Black and Silver Brigade.”
Dr. Daniel completed the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Wind Conducting degrees at Georgia Southern University where she studied with Dr. Robert Dunham and Dr. Colin McKenzie. As an advocate for music education, she has presented at state conferences including the Georgia Music Educators Association’s In-Service Conference and most recently, the 2021 Texas Music Educators Association’s Convention. Dr. Daniel is also in demand as an honor band clinician and concert and marching band adjudicator. In 2018, she was named a Fellow and participant in the inaugural H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute through the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Her professional affiliations include College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Texas Music Educators Association.
Prior to attending MSU, Dr. Daniel taught in the Georgia public schools, where ensembles under her direction enjoyed notable success in both district and statewide performance evaluations. Most recently, she served as the Associate Director of Bands at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia, where she conducted multiple concert bands, coached student-led chamber ensembles, and instructed the award-winning Houston County “Black and Silver Brigade.”
Dr. Daniel completed the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Wind Conducting degrees at Georgia Southern University where she studied with Dr. Robert Dunham and Dr. Colin McKenzie. As an advocate for music education, she has presented at state conferences including the Georgia Music Educators Association’s In-Service Conference and most recently, the 2021 Texas Music Educators Association’s Convention. Dr. Daniel is also in demand as an honor band clinician and concert and marching band adjudicator. In 2018, she was named a Fellow and participant in the inaugural H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute through the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Her professional affiliations include College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Texas Music Educators Association.
Dr. Evan Harger
Dr. Evan Harger is honored to be the Music Director and Conductor of the UNC Symphony Orchestra at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
An advocate for new music and living composers, Dr. Harger serves as a Staff Conductor for Global Arts United and has guest conducted and taught at festivals held variously in Sofia, Bulgaria; Vienna Austria; São Paulo, Brazil; and Brasília, Brazil. He also holds the position of Associate Conductor and Producer of the Newfound Chamber Winds, an ensemble made up of professional musicians from around the United States and Canada. Additionally, in 2026, he will serve as a Teaching Artist for Harmony Honors Festival in New York City and at Carnegie Hall.
Dr. Harger’s scholarly and creative activity centers on recontextualizing the role of the conductor as a producer. Additionally, his work in expanding conducting pedagogy, facilitating international new music premieres, and recontextualizing established standard repertoire contributes to his work in reimagining the profession of 21st century orchestral education. Dr. Harger holds his DMA in Orchestral Conducting from Michigan State University, where he studied with Prof. Kevin Noe.
An advocate for new music and living composers, Dr. Harger serves as a Staff Conductor for Global Arts United and has guest conducted and taught at festivals held variously in Sofia, Bulgaria; Vienna Austria; São Paulo, Brazil; and Brasília, Brazil. He also holds the position of Associate Conductor and Producer of the Newfound Chamber Winds, an ensemble made up of professional musicians from around the United States and Canada. Additionally, in 2026, he will serve as a Teaching Artist for Harmony Honors Festival in New York City and at Carnegie Hall.
Dr. Harger’s scholarly and creative activity centers on recontextualizing the role of the conductor as a producer. Additionally, his work in expanding conducting pedagogy, facilitating international new music premieres, and recontextualizing established standard repertoire contributes to his work in reimagining the profession of 21st century orchestral education. Dr. Harger holds his DMA in Orchestral Conducting from Michigan State University, where he studied with Prof. Kevin Noe.
Andrea Boothe
Andrea Boothe has called the beautiful state of Virginia home since 2002. She landed in Hampton Roads with her husband, Daniel W. Boothe, in 2017. Since then she has been active as a vocalist, choral adjudicator, music educator, and an avid volunteer in the arts throughout the region. Her featured work as soprano soloist with Symphonicity has been heard on WHRO radio broadcasts. She is thrilled to return to the Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble as guest soloist this season!
Previously she has sung with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra chorus and Roanoke Opera, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus, the Dayton Opera, Dayton’s chamber choir “Musica!”, the United States Air Force Band of Flight, and has been active as a church musician. Mrs. Boothe has performed across the country and internationally in Canada and Russia. She has been sought after as a consultant and advocate for musical arts integration in the community, and has taught music education across the state of Virginia and Ohio since 2008.
She completed studies in vocal performance, music therapy, dance and psychology at Radford University, and Immaculata University, and studied with regionally acclaimed soprano Elizabeth Curtis, Clarity James of the New York Opera, as well as renowned New York and Philadelphia-based vocal coach Diana Borgia-Petro. Mrs. Boothe lives in Chesapeake with her husband and their 5 children. She loves to garden and take family walks in their quiet neighborhood.
Previously she has sung with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra chorus and Roanoke Opera, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus, the Dayton Opera, Dayton’s chamber choir “Musica!”, the United States Air Force Band of Flight, and has been active as a church musician. Mrs. Boothe has performed across the country and internationally in Canada and Russia. She has been sought after as a consultant and advocate for musical arts integration in the community, and has taught music education across the state of Virginia and Ohio since 2008.
She completed studies in vocal performance, music therapy, dance and psychology at Radford University, and Immaculata University, and studied with regionally acclaimed soprano Elizabeth Curtis, Clarity James of the New York Opera, as well as renowned New York and Philadelphia-based vocal coach Diana Borgia-Petro. Mrs. Boothe lives in Chesapeake with her husband and their 5 children. She loves to garden and take family walks in their quiet neighborhood.
COMMUNITY CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNERS
DR. CHRISTOPHER ESPY
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Christopher Espy, trombone, is a music instructor at Willam and Mary and Christopher Newport University. Espy earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where he was a recipient of a Teaching Assistantship. He previously taught at Chowan University.
Espy is an active orchestral and chamber musician in the area, and has performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, and Richmond Symphony. He has been published in the International Trombone Journal, and has twice performed as a soloist at the International Trombone Festival. |
LORENZO WARD
Lorenzo Ward is a student at Old Dominion University currently majoring in music education. Born into a musical family, Lorenzo has held a love of music from a young age, in fact one of his first phrases were “I Love Music”. He studies with Virginia Symphony Trombonists Tanner Antonetti, David Kidd, and ODU Trombone Instructor Mike Hall. Lorenzo performs with the Old Dominion University Wind Ensemble as principal trombone, as well as the Old Dominion University Symphony Orchestra, Brass Choir, Sacbut Consort, and the Monarch Marching Band.
In addition, he has performed in ensembles including the Symphonic Artistry Wind Ensemble, Southside Community Band, Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, Peninsula Youth Orchestra, and the Soundscapes Performance Ensemble. He also freelances in various ensembles in the Hampton Roads area. Lorenzo has taken part in the Tide-Brass Summer Music Festival, and the Fred-Brass Summer Music Festival in 2022. In 2024, Lorenzo was selected as a summer intern to perform with the Tidewater Winds. In the summer of 2025 he took part in the Masterwork’s Music Festival. He was a winner of the Masterwork’s Music Festival Chamber Competition. He also won the Chesapeake Bay Solo Competition 2025-2026. While Lorenzo appreciates multiple styles of music, his passion is orchestral music. Some of his favorite composers are Gustav Mahler, Johannes Brahms, and Carl Nielson. Aside from his teachers, major influences are Joseph Alessi, Mark Lawrence, Nitzan Haroz, and Megumi Kanda.
In addition, he has performed in ensembles including the Symphonic Artistry Wind Ensemble, Southside Community Band, Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, Peninsula Youth Orchestra, and the Soundscapes Performance Ensemble. He also freelances in various ensembles in the Hampton Roads area. Lorenzo has taken part in the Tide-Brass Summer Music Festival, and the Fred-Brass Summer Music Festival in 2022. In 2024, Lorenzo was selected as a summer intern to perform with the Tidewater Winds. In the summer of 2025 he took part in the Masterwork’s Music Festival. He was a winner of the Masterwork’s Music Festival Chamber Competition. He also won the Chesapeake Bay Solo Competition 2025-2026. While Lorenzo appreciates multiple styles of music, his passion is orchestral music. Some of his favorite composers are Gustav Mahler, Johannes Brahms, and Carl Nielson. Aside from his teachers, major influences are Joseph Alessi, Mark Lawrence, Nitzan Haroz, and Megumi Kanda.