Masterclass Conductors 2023

Damon Talley, USA - primary clinician and coordinator
Another conductor will enrich the master class "Conducting" this year. Damon Talley serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting at Louisiana State University School of Music (USA), where in addition to teaching, he conducts the wind bands and oversees all aspects of the LSU Department of Bands. Prior to his appointment at LSU, Dr. Talley held the position of Director of Bands at Shenandoah Conservatory, where he was responsible for guiding the wind band program, conducting the EDGE New Music Ensemble, and teaching graduate conducting. He has also taught on the faculties at The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan. As an avid supporter of new music for the wind medium, Dr. Talley has conducted numerous world premier performances. His principal conducting teachers are Jerry Junkin, Michael Haithcock, and H. Robert Reynolds.

Isabelle Ruf-Weber, SUI - guest clinican
Isabelle Ruf-Weber travels throughout Europe as a conductor, music educator and adjudicator. She passes on her versatile musical and pedagogical knowledge, gained through her many years of conducting, in interesting engagements with renowned orchestras, in master classes with talented young conductors, and as a guest lecturer at the Federal Academy in Trossingen, Germany, to prospective jurors. Her artistic activity is characterized by a remarkable versatility and openness, which comes to bear in conducting a wide variety of orchestras. At the end of 2017, she completed her 10-year tenure as musical director of the renowned Landwehr Fribourg Wind Orchestra. Her successful work as conductor and production manager at the Stadttheater Sursee came to an end in March 2022 after 20 intensive years.

Jerry Junkin, USA - guest clinician

Serving since 1988 on the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Vincent R. and Jane D. DiNino Chair for the Director of Bands, in addition to serving as a University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Jerry Junkin is recognized as one of the world’s most highly regarded wind conductors. In addition to his responsibilities as Professor of Music and Conductor of the Texas Wind Ensemble, he serves as Head of the Conducting Division and teaches courses in conducting and wind band literature. An enthusiastic advocate of public school music education, having conducted All-State bands and festivals in forty-eight states and on five continents. Regularly making guest appearances with ensembles such as the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, this season finds him conducting throughout the United States in addition to appearances in Japan, China, and Europe. Mr. Junkin is a Yamaha Master Educator.

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.