Damon Talley, USA - Primary Clinician and Coordinator

Damon Talley also made a guest appearance at the Mid EUROPE masterclass in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2025, he will coordinate the course and be actively involved as the “Primary Clinician”. Damon Talley is Band Director and Professor of Conducting at the Louisiana State University School of Music (USA) where, in addition to teaching, he also conducts the wind orchestra and is head of the Orchestra Division. Prior to Louisiana State University, Dr. Talley held the position of Band Director at the Shenandoah Conservatory, where he led the wind-orchestra program, the EDGE New Music Ensemble, and was in charge of training conductors. He has also taught at the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Michigan. As an enthusiastic promoter of new music for wind orchestra, Dr. Talley has conducted numerous first performances. His most important conducting instructors include Jerry Junkin, Michael Haithcock and H. Robert Reynolds.

Kevin L. Sedatole, USA - Guest clinician
Kevin Sedatole is the Director of Bands, Professor of Music, and Chair of the conducting area at Michigan State University (MSU) College of Music. He oversees the band program of over 700 students, including the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Concert Band, Chamber Winds, Spartan Marching Band, and Spartan Brass. He also directs the graduate wind-conducting program and conducts the MSU Wind Symphony.

Before MSU, Sedatole held positions at Baylor University, the University of Texas, the University of Michigan, and Stephen F. Austin State University. He has conducted performances for prestigious organizations such as the College Band Directors National Association, American Bandmasters Association, and at Carnegie Hall. Sedatole has led performances across the U.S., Europe, and Japan, receiving recognition from notable composers like John Corigliano and Michael Colgrass.

Sedatole has taught in Germany and Japan and served on the faculties of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Music Camp. He is also a consultant for Perform America-Texas and a master educator for Yamaha.

Sami Ruusuvuori, FIN - Guest clinician
Doctor of Music Sami Ruusuvuori serves as Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Police Symphonic Band. Ruusuvuori has previously worked as the conductor of the Representative Orchestra of the President of the Republic, the Guards Band and the Chief Conductor of the Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces. He has a deep understanding of classical, jazz and commercial music which has allowed him to work with many of Finland’s best musicians. Ruusuvuori has conducted ensembles on tours of United States, Japan, Russia, Europe, the Baltic States and all the Nordic countries. He has also been a guest conductor in Europe, the Nordic, the Baltic, Russia, and the USA. He has been a jury member for several international competitions. As a teacher, he has worked at the Sibelius Academy and has lectured and taught at numerous other universities and master classes. 

Sami Ruusuvuori is a strong proponent of new music and has commissioned and premiered many new pieces. He has conducted 13 recordings and numerous You- Tube videos. Ruusuvuori completed his doctorate in music in the spring of 2022 with a thesis on the Symphonic wind band and the European repertoire composed for it. His research has attracted widespread international interest. Since 2023, Ruusuvuori has been President of the Finnish Wind Band Association and from 2024 on the Board of the World Association of Symphony Orchestras and Ensembles.

Dr. Steven Ward, USA - Guest Clinician
Dr. Steven Ward is the Music Director/Conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene, Music Director/Conductor of the Abilene Youth Orchestra, and Professor of Music and Director of Orchestra and Bands at Abilene Christian University. He also serves as the conductor for Ballet San Angelo’s yearly production of The Nutcracker, and the conductor of orchestra and faculty ensembles for the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. Dr. Ward has conducted extensively in many different areas including orchestra, dance/ballet, band, musical theater, opera, and contemporary music. He holds a DMA in Conducting from Michigan State University, a MA in Conducting from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a BMEd from Abilene Christian University.