Director of the Marching Illini & Associate Director of Bands

prof. Barry L. Houser

Professor Barry L. Houser is the Chair of the Conducting Area, Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Marching Illini, Director of the Fighting Illini Athletic Bands, and Clinical Associate Professor of Music where his responsibilities include conducting a number of concert ensembles in the Illinois Bands program, the Athletic…

Assistant Director of Athletic Bands

dr. Hannah Rudy

Dr. Hannah Rudy serves as Assistant Director of Athletic Bands where she conducts the University Band, teaches conducting courses, serves as assistant director for the Marching Illini, and leads the volleyball and women’s basketball bands. Previously, she served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw…

director of university bands

dr. kevin geraldi

Dr. Kevin Geraldi begins his appointment as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2022. His responsibilities include conducting the internationally renowned Illinois Wind Symphony, guiding the graduate program in wind conducting…

Assistant Director of Bands

dr. kim fleming

Dr. Kim Fleming is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois where her responsibilities include conducting the Hindsley Symphonic Band as well as teaching courses in the undergraduate conducting sequence. Before joining the faculty at Illinois, she completed her DMA at the University of Michigan…

Drumline Instructor and Teaching Consultant

Aaron Kavelman

Aaron Kavelman is a percussion educator, clinician, performer and composer who grew up listening and performing jazz alongside his father, an accomplished jazz pianist. Growing up in a musical family, Aaron watched his four older sisters in the high school band program. Inspired by the local marching bands, Aaron would…

Guard Instructor

Kaitlyn Pugh

Kaitlyn Pugh serves as the Marching Illini Color Guard Instructor. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Kaitlyn spent four years on MICG, serving as both captain and squad leader during her time. Growing up in Lafayette, IN, she is given credit for restarting the successful Pride of McCutcheon Color…

business administrative associate

joy mcclaugherty

Joy McClaugherty serves the Illinois band program as communications specialist, event coordinator, and office manager. Joining the Illinois Bands staff in 2015, Ms. McClaugherty handles the logistics for the Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival, the Illinois Band Conductors Symposium, and other…

Director of advancement

david allen

David Allen guides the advancement and alumni relations initiatives for the School of Music. Previously he served as Outreach and Public Engagement Director Managing programs such as Illinois Summer Youth Music, the Instrumental Chamber Music Symposium, and many more School of Music…

announcer

andy isbell

videographER & social media manager

wil pritchard

Wil Pritchard has served as the videographer and social media manager for the Marching Illini since 2021. In this role, he records and edits Marching Illini performance videos, and additionally creates graphics and posts for the Marching Illini social channels.

photographer

ben JO lash

Ben Jo Lash graduated from UIUC in 2017, spending the senior year as a student photographer for the Marching Illini. In the years following, they’ve taken every opportunity they can to come back and be a photographer for the M.I. for the football season. With a passion for photography and a love for the Illini spirit, Ben

DMA, Graduate Conducting – Teaching Assistant

Michelle Bell

Michelle Bell is excited to become a doctoral candidate in wind band conducting and serve as a graduate teaching assistant with the University of Illinois Bands. Michelle earned her master of music in wind band conducting from the University of Minnesota where she studied with Dr. Emily Threinen. While at…

DMA, Graduate Conducting – Teaching Assistant

Alex Mondragon

Alex Mondragon is currently a doctoral candidate in wind band conducting and serves as a graduate teaching assistant with the University of Illinois Bands. Alex grew up in the Denver metro area in Colorado and earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Alex served…

MM, Graduate Conducting – Teaching Assistant

Rebecca Mulligan

Rebecca Mulligan is a candidate for the master of music in wind band conducting and serves as a graduate teaching assistant with the University of Illinois Bands. Rebecca received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro in 2018. She has played, and

MM, Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant

Jacob Arche

Jacob Arche is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Education with Licensure from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and will serve as a graduate teaching assistant for the Illinois Athletic Bands. Originally from Sterling Heights, Michigan, Jacob earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Minor in Music from…

MM, Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant

Nate Maher

Nathan Maher is currently pursuing a Masters of Music from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under the tutelage of Debra Richtmeyer while also serving as a graduate teaching assistant for the Illinois Athletic Bands. He has earned his bachelor of Music Education from the University of Illinois where he also…

MM, Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant

Andrew McGowan

Andrew McGowan is a contemporary performing artist, originally from Macomb Illinois, who primarily works in the medium of Western Art Music. Across his portfolio career he has spent time curating wardrobes for doctors and lawyers and repairing instruments for major symphony musicians, but now spends his time composing, performing, and…

MM, Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant

Lorraine Montana

Lorraine Montana is currently a candidate for a Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois where she is studying with Douglas Yeo and is a member of the Illinois Wind Symphony. Lorraine is also a graduate assistant with the University of Illinois…

DMA, Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant

Luke Yoakam

Luke Yoakam is currently a candidate for a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois.