Meet the Conductors
Senior Band
Carol Brittin Chambers - Conductor
February 20-22, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Carol Brittin Chambers is currently the composer and owner of Aspenwood Music, aspenwoodmusic.com, and a highly sought-after conductor and clinician. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, where she is also on the music faculty at Texas Lutheran University, teaching composition and serving as Composer in Residence. Chambers is commissioned each year to compose and arrange works for concert band, marching band, orchestra, and various other ensembles. Her concert works have been selected to the J.W. Pepper Editor’s Choice List and the Bandworld Top 100 and have been performed at state educator conferences across the country, the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and other international events. She was named the winner of the 2019 WBDI (Women Band Directors International) Composition Competition and also served as the 2025 TBA Texas Bandmasters Association Featured Composer. She has arranged and orchestrated marching shows for multitudes of high school bands nationwide, as well as The Crossmen Drum Corps. Chambers travels coast-to-coast conducting music ensembles of all ability levels and ages, and she has now joined the Conn Selmer Educational Team as an Educational Clinician. Before teaching at TLU, Chambers taught middle school and high school band for many years in the North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX. She also taught private lessons in NEISD. Chambers received a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Tech University. She studied under Vincent Cichowicz, Will Strieder, John Paynter, Arnold Jacobs, James Sudduth, and Pat Anthony.
Senior Orchestra
Catherine Birke - Conductor
February 20-22, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Catherine Birke is an energetic and passionate conductor and educator. She is the Music Director of the Music Advancement Program at The Juilliard School, the Music Director of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Nassau Symphony Orchestra, and the Director of Orchestras at Herricks High School (NY). She has served as the Director of Strings at the New York State Summer School of the Arts and as an adjunct faculty member at Hofstra University. Ms. Birke’s ensembles perform annually at venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and Alice Tully Hall, and compete and place regularly in national competitions, such as the ASTA National Orchestra Festival. An enthusiastic advocate for new music, she is committed to broadening the experience of young musicians by ensuring they experience diversity in programming choices. Her ensembles have given six world premieres in the past four years, performing commissioned works by composers such as Conni Ellisor, Reena Esmail, and Marcus Norris. Ms. Birke specializes in working with young musicians in ensemble settings and is an expert at getting students of all ages to achieve the highest levels of musical performance. Her most recent guest conducting engagements include the 2024 Vermont All State Symphony Orchestra, the 2025 Connecticut All State Symphony Orchestra, and festivals with the WorldStrides Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall.
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Senior Mixed Chorus
Dr. Ryan Beeken - Conductor
February 20-22, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Ryan Beeken is Director of Choral Activities and Associate Director for the School of Music at Wichita State University, where he conducts the Concert Chorale and Madrigal Singers, teaches choral conducting and literature, and oversees the choral area. He holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Drake University and earned both his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University. His choirs have been featured at state, regional, and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and NAfME. A sought-after conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, he has led nearly one hundred All-State and Honor Choirs across twenty-two states and internationally in the Czech Republic, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Oman, Estonia, and Sweden. He has also presented at symposia throughout the U.S. and in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Before joining Wichita State, Beeken was Director of Choral Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and taught at Michigan State University. He also directed the Drake Chorale at Drake University. Earlier in his career, he taught elementary through high school music for sixteen years, most recently in Waukee, Iowa, where he led a nationally recognized program of 300 across twelve ensembles.
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Senior Treble Chorus
Theodore Thorpe III - Conductor
February 20-22, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Mr. Theodore Thorpe III, is one of the leading voices and contributors to the music field in the Washington Metropolitan area and throughout the country. His lifelong experience as a musician brings richness to his leadership, as he draws on celebrated talent as a sought-after clinician, conductor, vocalist, pianist, composer, and a choral master. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Thorpe holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in music with a concentration in vocal performance and pedagogy, and choral conducting from Oakwood University and Morgan State University respectively. Mr. Thorpe has served as an Artistic Director and conductor at major historical performing arts centers including Carnegie Hall, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the Music Center at Strathmore, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Albert Hall. He presently serves in his 20th season as Music Director at the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, and his 16th season as Director of Choral Activities at Alexandria City High School. Noted by the Alexandria Times as “Inspiring students to soar!”, Mr. Thorpe was recognized for his leadership, and the choral programs’ consistent standard of excellence throughout the years. Also listed in "Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers", and selected to the Yamaha “40 under 40” Class of 2023 for his outstanding contribution to music education, he continues to look to make a difference in the lives of today's young musical scholars.
Senior Jazz Band
Leigh Pilzer, DMA - Conductor
March 5-7, 2026, Hanover/Baltimore, MD
Washington, DC native Leigh Pilzer is a baritone saxophone specialist, composer, arranger, and educator. Her performance resume includes appearances with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore’s Soulful Symphony, and more. She is also a bandleader in her own right, leading bands from duo to septet. Pilzer has presented her groups to enthusiastic audience response at top venues including Blues Alley, the Kennedy Center, and Keystone Korner. Pilzer is an in-demand composer and arranger whose music is performed by jazz ensembles throughout the country. Her work has been performed and recorded by the SJMO and DIVA, and she is a Brava Jazz artist. Her compositions and arrangements are highlighted on her 2024 septet release “Beatin’ the Odds.” The recording received 3½ stars in DownBeat and was proclaimed “an hour of handsomely written straight-ahead contemporary jazz, ardently performed” by All About Jazz. Pilzer’s latest recording “Keep Holding On,” scheduled for 2026 release, showcases her writing in the combo setting in addition to highlighting her instrumental prowess. Pilzer holds a DMA from George Mason University and is on faculty at the University of Maryland, where she teaches jazz theory, jazz arranging, and a jazz combo. In addition to her classroom teaching, Pilzer is an engaging speaker who has presented at the Jazz Education Network conference and for numerous educational initiatives.
Junior Orchestra
Alejandro Gómez Guillén - Conductor
March 6-8, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Alejandro Gómez Guillén is a conductor and violinist who approaches music as a space for discovery, collaboration, and storytelling. He serves as Director of Orchestras at Arizona State University, home to one of the nation’s leading orchestral programs and the largest public university in the United States. He is also Music Director of Sphere Ensemble, a Denver-based string collective known for adventurous programming and genre-crossing commissions, including a recent world premiere by GRAMMY-nominated composer Carter Pann. Gómez Guillén previously held posts with the Omaha Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, where his work included the GRAMMY-nominated premiere of Andy Akiho’s Sculptures, the Indiana premiere of Florence Price’s Fourth Symphony, and wide-ranging community and bilingual programming. Guest appearances include the Oregon Bach Festival, Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá, and upcoming debuts with the Orlando Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, and others. Equally committed to education, Gómez Guillén has led acclaimed youth, collegiate, and community orchestras, reaching thousands of students annually through initiatives such as Omaha’s education programs. At ASU, he integrates teaching and performance with a vision of orchestras as beacons of collaboration and cultural connection. As a violinist, he has performed across Europe and the U.S., including at the Berlin Philharmonie and Rheingau Music Festival, and is a member of Duo Anthracite and Chaski Quartet. Born in Colombia and a proud U.S. citizen, Gómez Guillén trained at Texas Christian University and the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he earned Master’s and Doctoral degrees in conducting and violin.
Junior Band
Dr. Mark Lortz - Conductor
March 6-8, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Mark Lortz is the Director of Music at Stevenson University, where he oversees the music department and directs the university’s bands. An accomplished composer, arranger, and educator, he serves as a music editor for RWS Music Company and brass arranger for the multi-world champion Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps. His compositions have been premiered internationally and featured at The Midwest Clinic, the Bands of America National Percussion Festival, the College Band Directors National Association, and the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band. Recognized by ASCAP for annual composition awards, his works have been praised in Gramophone and The Instrumentalist and selected for Bandworld’s Top 100 and J.W. Pepper’s Editor’s Choice lists. He has also arranged music, rehearsed, and conducted the U.S. Army Field Band, Jazz Ambassadors, and U.S. Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. A sought-after adjudicator, lecturer, and conductor, Dr. Lortz has conducted bands throughout Europe and works with honor bands, orchestras, and community ensembles. He presents at conferences nationwide and has led clinics and performances at The Midwest Clinic and numerous state and regional conferences. In recognition of his contributions to music education, the Maryland Music Educators' Association honored him as an Outstanding Educator in 2024. Dr. Lortz holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from Temple University and degrees in percussion performance, composition, and education from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. His performance career includes serving as Associate Music Director and Percussionist for Phantom of the Opera and performing with Dallas Brass and major orchestras nationwide.
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Junior Mixed Chorus
Lulu Mwangi Mupfumbu - Conductor
March 6-8, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Lulu Mwangi Mupfumbu is an assistant professor of music at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she conducts the Camerata Chamber Choir and teaches music education and conducting courses. She holds a Master’s in Conducting from Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Atlantic Union College. Her passion lies in blending excellence in music education and performance with service to humanity. Beyond the classroom, she is active as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, presenter, singer, and author, both locally and internationally. An award-winning conductor, her ensembles have performed on five continents, received numerous accolades including 5 medals at the World Choir Games, and been featured at ACDA regional and national conventions. Her groups have also performed at prestigious venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and The White House. Prof. Mwangi Mupfumbu is dedicated to instilling a deep love for the arts in her students and encouraging them to use their talents to serve others. She’s married to Tanyaradzwa Mupfumbu and together they have two children; Nakai and Itai.
Senior Commerical Band
Gresh B. Laing - Director
March 13-15, 2026, Hagerstown, MD
Master Chief Musician (USN., Ret.) Gresh Laing is thrilled to serve as the 2026 Maryland All State Senior Commercial Band Director. With 25 years of experience in music education and performance, Laing is an accomplished saxophonist and educator, currently serving as an Instructional Systems Specialist at the Center for Service Support in Newport, Rhode Island. Holding a Master’s in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s in Education from American Intercontinental University, he brings a wealth of expertise to music instruction. As Senior Instructor at the US Navy School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Laing was named Senior Instructor of the Year for training dozens of Navy and Marine Corps rehearsal directors and hundreds of accession-level trainees in contemporary music, concert band, marching band, and chamber ensembles. A specialist in jazz, funk, and cover band music, he excels at replicating iconic saxophone lines, transcribed solos, and style-appropriate improvisation. While at the Navy School of Music, Laing also facilitated the Tom Jackson live performance method workshop, enhancing musicians’ stage presence, audience interaction, and show preparation. His conducting philosophy centers on immersing performers in the original music, mastering its essence, and curating setlists using the Tom Jackson energy method to captivate audiences. At the 2026 Festival, Laing aims to inspire Maryland’s young musicians to personify their music, engage audiences, and create powerful moments. He is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, dynamic environment where students deliver unforgettable performances.
Meet the Accompanists
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Senior Mixed Chorus
Mr. Jeffrey Winfield - Accompanist
February 20-22, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Jeffrey Winfield is the Supervisor of Fine Arts for Harford County Public Schools. Prior to supervision, he was the proud choral director at Edgewood High School for 25 years. His graduate degree was earned from Florida State University and his undergraduate from Towson University. His most enjoyable time of the year is when he is the pianist for the MD All State Senior Mixed Chorus where he has the pleasure of collaborating with amazing student musicians from all over Maryland!
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Senior Treble Chorus
Mrs. Erin Tennyson - Accompanist
February 20-22, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Erin Tennyson is honored to once again be the accompanist for the 2026 Maryland All State Senior Treble Chorus. Erin was born and raised in St. Mary’s County, MD. She graduated from Leonardtown High School in 2004, then received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano from Lebanon Valley College. After graduation, Erin worked at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School from 2008 – 2012, teaching K - 5 general music and chorus. While working, she earned her Masters Degree in Leadership in Teaching from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore. Erin then continued her career as the Music Director at Lexington Park United Methodist Church for eleven years and is now the Contemporary Worship Leader and Children’s Choir Director at Patuxent Presbyterian Church. Piano is her passion and she is thrilled to share her talents as accompanist for the Southern Maryland Encore Chorale, the Hope in Harmony Choir, St. Mary’s County Public Schools, the College of Southern Maryland Choir, and many schools/events in the tri county area. Recently, she had the honor of being asked to accompany the Alexandria Choral Society and All-Shore Honors High School Chorus. Two of her greatest piano highlights have been performing with Thomas Pandolfi and opening for a Pentatonix concert with the Hope in Harmony Choir! Erin’s piano career would not be possible without the love and support of her amazing husband, Tim, and her four beautiful children, Claire, Will, Belle, and Hope.
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Junior Mixed Chorus
Gunner Chancey - Accompanist
March 6-8, 2026, Baltimore, MD
Gunner Chancey is the Director of Music Ministries at Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, MD. In this role, he oversees a comprehensive music program. Mr. Chancey directs both the Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells. Additionally, he serves as Organist and Accompanist for Sunday Services. Mr. Chancey has a true passion for conducting, while also enjoying accompanying singers and various choral groups. His professional experience includes accompanying honor choirs and chamber choirs throughout Georgia and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. As a liturgical musician, Mr. Chancey specializes in improvisation - particularly on hymns of the church, and is known to improvise on self-composed themes as well. Mr. Chancey holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. He also received a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. In his free time, Mr. Chancey enjoys traveling to see new places and being out in nature.