Instructional & Design Staff

Dr. John Leonard is currently the Assistant Director of the University of Minnesota Marching Band. John studied at University of Massachusetts at Amherst where in 2002 he earned a Bachelor of Music in Education degree and a 2013 Masters of Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging degree. He has previously served as the athletic band director at Northeastern University and the interim Director of Athletic Bands at Western Michigan University. A Master of Music in Conducting degree was earned from Western Michigan University in 2018. His doctoral conducting work was completed at the University of Kansas in 2021.

Michael J. Miller is a composer and arranger living in Nashville, TN. His works for concert band, orchestra, and chamber ensembles are available from Alfred Music, Carl Fischer Music, F.J.H. Music, Excelcia Music, Murphy Music, R.W.S. Music, and Tapspace. Michael's music is regularly performed nationally and abroad, including recent performances at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and the Jeju Composition Competition for Wind Ensemble in South Korea.​

Michael is currently the brass arranger for the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps from Dubuque, IA. He also designs competitive pageantry shows for indoor and outdoor ensembles across the United States through a partnership with Synced Up Designs. His music for college band has been performed at the Super Bowl as well as at numerous B.C.S. bowl games.

Bio coming soon.

Paul Glader is an active educator, performer, and composer/arranger in the Greater Cincinnati area. Born in Akron, Ohio, Paul is a graduate of Ellet High School and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a bachelor’s of music in education. He has taught band at Gray Middle School (Union, KY), Taylor High/Middle School (Cleves, OH), and in the New Richmond school district. As an arranger and composer, he has written for beginning bands, high school bands, and collegiate bands in the region, as well as regularly writing for his own brass band, The Cincy Brass. Paul is an active performer on saxophone in The Cincy Brass, The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, The Blue Water Kings, and also does freelance work.

Gabriel Beebe is a self-taught hobbyist arranger and music performer born and raised in the Cincinnati area. Gabe is a graduate of Clermont Northeastern High School and attended the University of Cincinnati (A&S Class of 2024) to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Information Technology and Communications).

In the high school’s band program, he took an interest in music theory, arranging, and score-study under the mentorship of director Chris Moore. He arranged pieces that the band performed in the stands at football games, on the field for halftime, and music that was performed in parades at Disney’s EPCOT. While at UC, Gabe played Saxophone and Tuba across his 5 years of participation in the Bearcat Marching Band and various concert bands. Gabe arranged music that was played by the Marching Band, Advanced Concert Band, and spring Saxophone Ensemble.

In addition to his work with the Bearcat Bands, Gabe is a sister of Tau Beta Sigma (Theta Chapter, L’ZabaSegwaga…………………Bloop Class of 2021) and a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Eta-Omicron chapter, Alpha Gamma Class of 2021) where he served a variety of leadership roles across both organizations. Gabe works full-time as an I.T. Coordinator and technical support specialist in Cincinnati, while spending much of his free-time growing as a musician and arranger through self-teaching and freelance projects.

Originally from New Berlin, WI, Heather Graham currently resides in Miamisburg, Ohio. Heather has been involved in the marching arts since the age of three, beginning with a successful career in baton twirling and rhythmic gymnastics. Heather was recruited by her high school guard at the age of 12 and has since been performing in the color guard activity. While continuing to be a consistent member in the activity, she graduated from the University of Milwaukee with a degree in Communications and a minor in biology.

Heather is a proud alumni of drum corps, performing in 2010 with Phantom Regiment, and in 2011 and 2012 with Carolina Crown. She marched five years with New Berlin Eisenhower HS, six seasons with Velocity Winter Guard, and five seasons with the Pride of Cincinnati 2013-2017.

Heather currently serves as the Colorguard Director for Miamisburg High School and Choreographer for the University of Cincinnati. She has instructed various marching programs across the Midwest, including Eisenhower HS, Franklin HS, Friendswood HS, Marcus HS, Miami University, Northmont HS, Origins, Sycamore HS, Troy HS, Westerville HS, Shadow DBC, Virtual Drum and Bugle Corps, Calgary Stampede, INspire, as well as the 2016 Carolina Crown.

Currently, Heather is a designer/choreographer and head technician for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps and has served in this capacity for the past four seasons.

Anna Taylor is from Pickerington, OH and currently resides in Dayton, OH. She has taught at various high schools in Ohio and is currently working at Fairfield High School. She is an alumnus of Cincinnati Tradition ‘22 and joined the staff in ‘23, ‘24, ‘25. Anna's performance experience includes Phoenix Independent Open ‘22 and Juxtaposition ‘23 and ‘24. Her spare time is spent with friends and family, and her cat, Henry. Anna is very excited to have the opportunity to work alongside the performers with the UC Bearcat Bands color guard.

Deion Curtis is from Dayton, Ohio where he attended and performed at Centerville High School. Deion also marched Art 101 winter guard. Deion has taught at several high schools in the Dayton area over the last 14 years including Piqua High School, Beavercreek, and Kettering Fairmont. He is currently the assistant director at Fairfield High School where he has taught since 2018, and is currently a tech and choreographer at Centerville High School for their junior guard and a tech for their high school guard. 2022 was his first year working with Cincinnati Tradition All Age Drum and Bugle Corps as a color guard tech and choreographer and returned in 2025 for his 4th summer with them. He joined gold medalist Homage Independent in 2025 as a technician for their inaugural season. Deion has extensive experience in choreographing and technique for all three pieces of equipment.

Stephen Cross began his love of music through many of his teachers at the School for Visual and Performing Arts at Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Maryland.  After high school, he was honored to be a member of the 1993 Drum Corps International World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Cross received his degrees from Ball State University (Bachelor of Science – Music Education), Central Michigan University (Master of Music in Performance – Conducting), and Eastern Michigan University (Master of Arts in School Administration). 

During his career, Mr. Cross has had the opportunity to teach music for 29 years at schools in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri, as well as Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps, Legends Drum and Bugle Corps, show design for the WGI Winds Medalist LSM Winds, and currently works with university marching bands.

Mr. Cross has been distinguished with such awards as a NARAS/Grammy Award Signature School Nomination, four State-level runner-up marching band finishes, five State Champion Winter Percussion titles, several WGI World finals placements in Winter Percussion and Color Guard, as well as Reserve Champion in AA for the Bands of America Grand National Marching Band Championships.

Mr. Cross is an active clinician and adjudicator in the areas of marching band, concert band, and solo and ensemble festivals throughout the United States.  Mr. Cross currently resides in Plymouth, Michigan, with his wife Jennifer, daughter Keira, son Aaric, and their cats Jazz and Presto.

Brian Soules has over 30 years of experience in the pageantry arts. He designs, judges and consults for high school and college marching bands throughout the region and nation. He is a professional educator currently serving as a social studies teacher at Boone County High School (KY).

Currently with the Cavaliers, from 2012 to 2018 Brian was a member of the Carolina Crown visual staff where he helped Crown win the DCI World Championship in 2013 and the John Brazale award for best visual performance in 2012, 2013, 2016.

Prior to working with Crown, Brian has also worked with several other Finalist corps including the Bluecoats (1999-2000, 2008-2011), the Santa Clara Vanguard (2002-2006), and the Crossmen (1995-1998).

As a performer, Brian was a mellophone in the Star of Indiana drum and bugle corps from 1987 to 1993 winning the DCI World Championship in 1991. Brian also was a member of the 1993 San Jose Raiders winter guard winning the WGI Independent World Class Championship that season.

Austin Nordhaus is a percussionist and multimedia composer from Washington, D.C. He holds a B.M. in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan (2026), where he also minored in Japanese Language, and is pursuing an M.M. in Percussion Performance at the University of Cincinnati, expected 2028. A fluent Japanese speaker, Austin has cultivated deep artistic ties to Japan, most notably collaborating with Nihonga painter Julie Hayashi on a series of works exhibited in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in the summer of 2025. His creative work spans concert percussion, electroacoustic composition, and video game scoring, and he is an active commissioner of new music with a growing focus on international competition. Austin has performed in major new music events, including Michael Gordon's Field of Vision, and releases original music across all major streaming platforms.

Hayden Floro is a 2021 UC CCM graduate and a 2026 Percussion Performance Master’s Degree graduate of Miami University. Hayden performs regularly in musical theater orchestras, local symphony orchestras including the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and Lima Symphony, and various jazz groups around the Cincinnati and Dayton area. He also teaches percussion students both privately and at local schools in the tri-state area.

Bio coming soon

Aaron Farris is a native of Richmond, Kentucky and he currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with B.A. in Human Communications Studies with a focus on Entrepreneurial Studies. He started his independent marching career as a bass drummer with Tates Creek Independent Ensemble (2010). He then continued his marching career with the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps (2011-2013) and Rhythm X Inc. (2012 & 2013, WGI 1st World Champion). While attending college, he performed in numerous music ensembles at the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University. Aaron has instructed many groups nationwide including the Blue Stars, Sacramento Mandarins, Madison Scouts, Colts, Triple Crown Indoor, University of Cincinnati Bearcat Marching Band, Tates Creek Indoor, and the following high schools: Tates Creek, McGavock, Summit, Father Ryan, Brentwood, and Garrard County. Since 2021, he is the percussion caption supervisor for the 2024 DCI All-Age Open Class World Champions, Cincinnati Tradition Drum and Bugle Corps.

Joel Kayser is a versatile trumpeter currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. A graduate of Boston University and Michigan State University, he performs with ensembles including the Lexington Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and serves as a herald trumpeter with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera.

His dedication extends beyond performance: he taught as the trumpet specialist at the North End Music and Performing Arts Center in Boston, served as a brass chamber music coach with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and was the trumpet assistant at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in 2024. His recent highlights include an 18-day tour of South Africa with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and a performance with the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. He is also a co-founder of the 855 Brass Quintet and has gained widespread attention through viral trumpet performances on social media. A dedicated educator, he continues to mentor the next generation of musicians while maintaining an active and versatile freelance career.

Mr. Greg Mills is a native of Tennessee where he attended Bolivar Central High School and graduated cum laude from The University of Memphis in 1978. As a music educator, Mr. Mills taught at Briarcrest High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and retired in June of 2012 after thirty years as Director of Instrumental Music at Kings High School. Concert and Marching Ensembles directed by Mr. Mills consistently garnered Superior Ratings and won many competitions during his thirty-five year career. Mr. Mills also conducted the Cincinnati Youth Brass Band for four years. That ensemble won two NABBA Championships in the youth division and was second place the other two years.

Mr. Mills is currently the Executive Director of the Central State Judges Association, President and co-founder of the Mid-States Band Association, past President of District 13-Ohio Music Educator’s Association, and a member of Phi Beta Mu. In addition, Mr. Mills is a member of the Central States Judges Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Mills is currently a brass instructor for the William Mason HS Band and is the brass instructor for the University of Cincinnati Marching Band.

As a professional trumpeter, Mr. Mills has played with entertainers such as Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Vicki Carr, Dianne Carroll, Roy Clark, John Davidson, Phyllis Diller, Barbara Eden, Peter Nero, Rich Little, Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, Danny Thomas, Lou Rawls, Barry Manilow, and Sonny & Cher. In addition, Mr. Mills has performed with the Memphis Symphony, Memphis Opera Productions, Holiday on Ice, Disney on Parade, and numerous musicals.

Mr. Mills was a member of the solo cornet section of The Ohio Valley Brass Band for twenty-five years. He is now in his sixth season as the conductor of the Ohio Valley Brass Band.

Brandon Boone is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, and a Northern Kentucky native. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2019, Mr. Boone began teaching in Kentucky but soon moved to Montana to take up the band directorship at Libby Middle High School in Libby, Montana where he instructed beginners through high school seniors. In 2024, Boone returned to Kentucky with his family to teach at Gallatin County High School. He lives in Florence, KY with his wife, Alexandra, their soon-to-be two children, and their cat, Cheddar.

Bruce W. Deal is a dedicated artist/educator in the Cincinnati area. He has experience teaching students of all ages, from kindergarten through college, in band, choir, and general music. Currently, Bruce teaches at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), WERT Music, and a local high school.

As an artist, Bruce has been accepted to present at 3 regional tuba and euphonium conferences in 2026. His presentation is entitled; Practice Makes Progress: Designing Routines with Intention. Recently, he has been invited to be a guest artist at Northern Kentucky University, Youngstown State University, and Tennessee Tech University. Bruce has performed with professional ensembles such as the River City Brass Band, Youngstown Symphony, Youngstown State University All-Star Wind Ensemble, Southeast Regional Professional Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and the Cincinnati Reds Rockin’ Redleg's Band.

Bruce Deal holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Youngstown State University and a master's degree in Tuba Performance from CCM. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree at CCM.

Tasha Aragaki Nakahodo previously taught K-8 general music, band, choir, and strings at St. Ignatius Loyola School to over 1,000 students annually for 15 years. Since the start of her career, she has taught at band camps for various high schools throughout the Cincinnati area including Moeller, LaSalle, Norwood, Deer Park, and Loveland. She holds a Master of Music in Education degree (2010) from Miami University and a Bachelor of Music in Education degree with performance honors (2003) magna cum laude from Ohio University. Mrs. Aragaki is currently co-conductor of the Queen City Concert Band and is a member of the flute section in the University of Cincinnati Community Band.

Rob White has a french horn degree from Northern Kentucky University (NKU), and masters degree in Strategic Studies from the Armed Forces Command and General Staff College. He served in the United States Marine Corps Band program upon graduating high school. During his studies at NKU, Rob was the Student Director of the Pep Band and Concert Band. He started the NKU Brass Choir in his sophomore year that thrives today. Upon entering the United States Army after graduating NKU, Rob served as the Bandmaster for the 69^th Division Band and the 82^nd Airborne Division Band. After leaving the band field, he had a successful career in Army Special Operations. During this time he often worked and guest conducted with the various military and high school bands on and around his bases. He retired from the Army in 2011 with over 32 years of service. Currently, he is the Co-Director of two community bands, the Mason Community Band, and the Queen City Concert Band. He is the Principal Horn for both bands, and is also currently in the University of Cincinnati Community Band. Rob also enjoys playing in the many local community pit orchestras on horn, bass, and harmonica.