Sigma Alpha Iota

44 Fall 2024 • sai-national.org American Bandmasters Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Convention, and the Japan Band Clinic. He was also a featured soloist with the band, and served as Assistant Section Leader for the tuba section. During this time, Dr. Thiele was a featured soloist and clinician at the U.S. Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Workshop, the Northeast Regional Tuba/ Euphonium Conference, the Leonard Falcone International Tuba/Euphonium Festival, and the International Tuba/Euphonium Conference. In addition to maintaining a thriving teaching studio, Dr. Thiele also spent five years teaching tuba, euphonium, and trombone at The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. His passion for music education led to his role as Educational Coordinator for the Marine Band Music Education Outreach program, where he led and coached numerous chamber ensembles in hundreds of school performances. As a conductor, Dr. Thiele participated in the Marine Band Conductor Training Program, where he had the opportunity to conduct the Marine Band in concert and work closely with the directors in masterclass settings. He was founder, conductor, and music director of The Dominion Brass, a group of professional and amateur musicians who performed benefit concerts throughout the Washington, DC area. He also conducted the Wind Symphony and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble at George Mason University while pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts in conducting. He also holds degrees from James Madison University (B.M., Music Education) and the University of Michigan (M.M., Tuba Performance). His teachers include Kevin Stees (tuba), Fritz Kaenzig (tuba), Mark Jenkins (euphonium), Mark Camphouse (conducting), Dennis Layendecker (conducting), and Anthony Maiello (conducting). Jimmy Lee Day II Jimmy Lee Day II was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Denver Alumnae Chapter in May. Mr. Day is a Middle School Band and Orchestra Director in the Aurora Public Schools in Aurora, Colorado, and was named 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year. He serves as a committee member of the Commissioner's Teacher Cabinet and Aurora Public Schools Music Advisory Committee. Mr. Day has inspired and supported many young music teachers by serving as a New Teacher Mentor. He continues to support music teachers and their students as a guest clinician. Throughout his term as 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Mr. Day had the opportunity to present many professional development sessions and keynote speeches on topics ranging from instructional strategies to classroom culture. Jimmy Lee Day II earned his Bachelor of Science in Music from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, and his Master's in Arts and Teaching (M.A.T) from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Jim Gagliardi Jim Gagliardi was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter in May. Mr. Gagliardi has been involved with SAI for many years, through chapter social events and service projects. His wife, Linda Gagliardi, is a current member of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter. She has spoken about his support throughout her musical endeavors. He is also musically talented, participating in choirs and ensembles, playing handbells in the bell choir, and singing in the choir at Christ Church UCC. Mr. Gagliardi has performed many solos and duets at his local church throughout the years. Although he may not always be performing, he is always helping out behind the scenes. He helps the Historical Harmonies/Colonial Revelers by recording their performances and snapshotting the perfect poses. His daytime job as a technical consultant has been useful over the years. He continues to support the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter and has a pure love of music. Nathaniel Gowen Nathaniel Gowen was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Lambda Phi Chapter at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in May. Mr. Gowen has been the Director of Admissions, Recruitment, and Career Planning for the Department of Music & Dance at UMass Amherst since 2017. He is a proud Maine native and completed his undergraduate studies in Jazz Performance at the University of Southern Maine. Mr. Gowen moved to Massachusetts in 2015 to pursue a graduate degree in Jazz Composition/Arranging at UMass Amherst. When not assisting prospective students, he is a drummer, most regularly performing with the Amherst Jazz Orchestra, and enjoys being an audience member for as many UMass ensemble performances and recitals as he can attend. He is also a seasonal Entertainer at Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA. Dallas Hammond Dallas Hammond was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Delta Zeta Chapter at Troy University in May. Ms. Hammond is a graduate of Troy University. She has been involved with the School of Music at Troy since she began her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2017. She performed with the Symphony Band as a clarinetist during her studies. She also served in numerous leadership roles in the music program, including being the first female Drum Major for the Sound of the South marching band. In 2022, she returned to Troy to pursue her Master's Degree in Music Education, where she continued performing with the Symphony Band while also serving as Co-Conductor of the Concert Band. She plans to further music by continuing her career as a music educator after graduation. Brent Neuenschwander Brent Neuenschwander was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Fort Wayne Alumnae Chapter in May. Mr. Neuenschwander is the Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and an accomplished organist. He aided the chapter by contributing his organ accompaniment for the recording Distinguished Members FRIEND OF THE ARTS a person who is supportive of and actively involved in the arts at a local or regional level Day Day Gagliardi Gagliardi Hammond Hammond

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