Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Summer 2025 25 Dr. Ross Dr. Ross Schepers Schepers in Instrumental Conducting and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Florida International University, and an Associate of Arts in Music Education from Miami Dade College. He is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and a recipient of the Florida Bandmasters Association Tom Bishop Award. He is a four- time Emmy Award winner for his performances with the Miami Dade College Symphony Orchestra and the South Florida Youth Symphony. Dr. Amanda Ross Dr. Amanda Ross was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Nu Zeta Chapter at Oakland University in Michigan in March. Dr. Ross is Assistant Professor of Music in Applied Trumpet at Oakland University, where she teaches trumpet lessons, coaches chamber ensembles, and supports departmental performance initiatives. A distinguished performer, Dr. Ross has served as Acting Principle Trumpet with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and has performed with ensembles including the Erie Philharmonic, Ann Arbor Camerata Orchestra, and the International Contemporary Ensemble. During her graduate studies at the University of Michigan, she was Principal Trumpet and ensemble member on several recordings by the University of Michigan Symphony Band and Symphony Orchestra, including featured soloist on Michael Daugherty's Labyrinth of Love and Jim Stephenson's The Storyteller. Recently, she has performed with ÆPEX Contemporary Performance and the International Contemporary Ensemble, and has held membership in the University of Michigan Faculty Brass Quintet, Michigan Chamber Players, and Contemporary Directions Ensemble. She has participated in chamber festivals worldwide, including Ensemble Evolution, Strange Beautiful Music XI and IX, Bar Harbor Brass Institute, and Soundscape Exchange in Maccagno, Italy. Dr. Ross is co-founder of Girlnoise, a mixed-chamber ensemble that promotes works by women composers. They have premiered original works by contemporary composers as well as performed arrangements and compositions written by ensemble members. In 2019, Dr. Ross conducted a research project centered around representation in trumpet pedagogy and performance. The first project, "The Impact of Representation in the Arts: How Racism is Manifested in the Classical Trumpet World," was published in the International Trumpet Guild Journal (January 2021 edition). Dr. Ross earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet and graduate degrees in Trumpet and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet with a Jazz Emphasis from Baldwin Wallace University. Matthew Schepers Matthew Schepers was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Sigma Gamma Chapter at the University of Tulsa in May. Schepers is the Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Tulsa. In that capacity, he conducts the Wind Ensemble and leads The Sound of the Golden Hurricane Marching Band and Basketball Bands. He also serves as the instructor for instrumental conducting and marching band methods, teaching courses in Instrumental Conducting, Music in Secondary Schools, and Marching Band Methods. He has served as a clinician for Tulsa area concert, honor, and marching bands, while also adjudicating concert band festivals and solo and ensemble contests. He was an Associate Conductor for the Tulsa Winds, a semiprofessional community band that increases awareness of concert band music locally and regionally. Prior to his time at the University of Tulsa, he taught in Oklahoma's public schools for fourteen years, where ensembles under his direction consistently earned superior ratings and finals placements. As a saxophonist, Schepers has performed as principle saxophone with the Oklahoma State University Wind Ensemble and Oklahoma State University Symphonic Band; was lead saxophone with the Oklahoma State University Jazz Band; and performed with the Oklahoma State University Saxophone Quartet and Cowboy Marching Band. Schepers earned a Master of Music in Pedagogy and Performance (Wind Band Conducting) and a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance from Oklahoma State University. He was both the Green Country Band Directors Association Director of the Year and a Wells Middle School Teacher of the Year for Catoosa Public Schools. He is an initiate of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity and member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Joy Xu Joy Xu was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Kappa Phi Chapter at Auburn University in March. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education, Xu serves as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Music at Auburn University. She started her undergraduate study in vocal performance at Auburn and received her Bachelor of Music with honor (cum laude) in 2016. She has been studying for a second Bachelor of Music from Auburn with a specialization in piano performance. Prior to her time in Auburn, Xu lived in Beijing, China, where she was a nationally- awarded vocal soloist. In addition to showcasing her talents as vocal soloist and pianist at various local and regional venues, Xu runs a thriving private music studio. Her dedication has led to her voice and piano students achieving numerous awards at competitions and auditions since 2016. Xu earned a Master's in Music Education from Auburn University and a Bachelor's in Music Education from Capital Normal University in Beijing. She has specializations in voice and piano, and excels as a music teacher and chorus director. Xu Xu Distinguished Members

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