Music USA Festival Adjudicators

Dr. Chandler Wilson

Chandler L. Wilson is the Director of Bands and Assistant Professor at Stetson University. In his duties, Wilson, PhD, conducts the Stetson University Symphonic Band and directs the Hatter Band and Pep Band. In addition to his conducting responsibilities, he teaches courses in conducting and oversees the band operations in the School of Music. He previously served as Assistant Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Florida State University from 2020-2024.

A native of Miami, FL, Wilson attended Florida A&M University (FAMU) where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While a student at FAMU, he served as the University Band President and section leader of the saxophones. During his time at FAMU, he was selected as the student arranger and conductor for the marching and symphonic bands and was selected as one of the first student staff members for the "Marching 100". Wilson earned a Master of Arts in Wind Band Conducting from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Band Conducting from Florida State University.

Many of Wilson's compositions have been premiered and performed on the concert band stage with All-County/District Honor Bands and All-State Bands. His works have also been performed at the Music for All National Festival and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. His composition, Legends o f the Galaxy (A Cosmic Fanfare), was ranked in the Top 100 band compositions in the American Band College/Band World Magazine/Western International Band Clinic Literature List for 2016 and one of his most recent works, Suite Forty-Four, was performed at the 2019 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic by the Hikarigaoka Girls High School Wind Orchestra.

Wilson holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, American School Band Directors Association, National Association for Music Educators, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and is an honorary member "Friend of the Arts" of Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Mu Alpha. Wilson is a recipient of the Florida Bandmasters Association "Tom Bishop Award" and is also a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.) Wilson has also been recognized and honored by Who's Who Among America Teachers. He currently resides in the Sanford/Lake Mary area in Florida, along with his wife, Ashley, and their two children, Addisyn (Addi) and Chandler, Jr. (CJ).

Dave Schreier

Dave Schreier is the Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Central Florida. His duties include assisting in the instruction and direction of the UCF Marching Knights and Jammin' Knights Pep Band and he is the principal conductor of the UCF Concert Band. He also teaches Low Brass Methods for Music Education majors. Prior to his appointment at UCF, Mr. Schreier served as the Director of Bands at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, FL from 2002-2008. During this time he oversaw all aspects of the award winning instrumental music and visual program at the school.

Mr. Schreier earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2002, and his Master of Arts in Music Degree, with an emphasis in conducting in 2010, both from UCF. Mr. Schreier has become a sought after clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator in the state of Florida and beyond having performed, conducted, presented and/or adjudicated in England, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland and various states in the U.S.

He is also a member of CBDNA, FMEA, NAfME, FBA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma and Sigma Alpha Iota. He is the Faculty Liaison and sits on the boards of the UCF College of Arts and Humanities and Marching Knights Alumni Associations.

Deanna Giron

Deanna L. Giron is a singer, bandleader, and music educator based in Orlando, Florida. With degrees in Music Education (BME) and Musical Arts (MM), she brings over 20 years of performance and teaching experience to the stage and classroom. Deanna has performed at venues including the Dr. Phillips Center, collaborated with the Orlando Philharmonic, and appeared in Orlando Voyager.

She is also an adjunct voice instructor at Seminole State College. As a festival judge, Deanna offers thoughtful, encouraging feedback that helps artists strengthen performance, musicality, and stage presence.

Gary Miller

Mr. Gary Miller is a distinguished music educator and past choral director, having dedicated nineteen years to the public school system in Indian River County, Florida. Under his direction, various choral ensembles have been widely acclaimed & recognized, having performed major choral works with orchestra, period pieces, and new commissioned compositions. Earning his bachelor’s degree in Music from Appalachian State University, Mr. Miller currently directs the orchestra as part of a collaborative effort with the Schumann School for the Visual & Performing Arts in Vero Beach.

Mr. Miller is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout Florida, and has served as a board member for the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA). Additionally, he has held leadership positions in the Florida Vocal Association and the American Choral Directors Association. Retiring from Charter High School for the Arts (FL) in 2021, Mr. Miller regularly shares his knowledge of music with directors & student performers in his community, and across Florida.

Dr. Gregory W. LeFils, Jr.

Dr. Gregory W. LeFils Jr. is a visiting assistant professor of choral music education at Stetson University. His duties include teaching music education classes and supervising student teachers. Dr. LeFils holds a PhD in music education from The Florida State University. Dr. LeFils' professional experience includes directing two secondary choral music programs in Florida, conducting The Orlando Chorale and The Orlando Chamber Choir, and singing/soloing/guest conducting the Festival Singers of Florida.

His research interests include teacher effectiveness, music teacher curriculum and training, and choral history. Dr. LeFils has presented over 20 state and national research and educational clinics throughout the region including the annual conferences of Music Education Associations in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida, as well as other various workshops for music educators in central Florida.

His dissertation is entitled The History of the Stetson University Concert Choir. In addition to his roles as researcher and educator, Dr. LeFils maintains an active agenda as a speaker, clinician, and adjudicator across the region.

John Dupuis

John Dupuis has served for 23 years as an educator in the State of Florida and is currently the K-12 Curriculum Specialist for Performing Arts with Volusia County Schools, overseeing 80+ school music, dance and theatre programs. Since becoming Volusia's Performing Arts Specialist, Mr. Dupuis has created and developed the Volusia ArtsPartners program, consisting of local companies and organizations with a dedication to Volusia's performing arts students. He has also brought in over $120,000 in donated instruments from groups like Kids Rock the Nation, and utilized Title I, Title II, and Title IV funds to provide over two million dollars in instruments, equipment, resources, and professional development for our district's performing arts teachers. In addition to curriculum responsibilities, Mr. Dupuis also oversees all six All-County Showcase concerts, plans and coordinates professional development opportunities for teachers, oversees district instrument and equipment purchases, and coordinates the new teacher program and the new teacher mentor program. Mr. Dupuis was also instrumental in obtaining funding for a Fine Arts Resource Teacher position, the first of its kind in Volusia County.

Prior to his appointment as Performing Arts Specialist, Mr. Dupuis was the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Spruce Creek High School, where he taught courses in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, AP Music Theory, and Marching Band. In addition, he is past Conductor of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra in Orlando (7 years), past Conductor of the Sarasota Orchestra Youth Symphony (2 years) and the Summer at the Symphony Music Program, and for six years was the Director of Bands at Howard W. Blake Performing Arts High School in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Dupuis received his Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Music Composition and his Master of Music degree in Conducting, Music Education and Music Composition from the University of South Florida.

Mr. Dupuis is an active composer and arranger, with works being commissioned and performed by various ensembles throughout the United States His music has also been featured at Universal Studios' “Islands of Adventure”.

Mr. Dupuis is the current President of the Florida Music Supervision Association. He is a proud member of FBA, FMEA, NAfME, the Conductor's Guild, the League of American Orchestras, serves on the boards of the Florida Music Education Association, the Florida School Music Association, the Volusia County Cultural Alliance and Kid's Rock the Nation, and is a member of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra's Education Committee.

Dr. John A. Lychner

Dr. John Lychner is Director of Music Education and Professor of Music in the School of Music at Stetson University and is an active clinician and conductor in Florida and beyond, including California, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, Utah, England, and Mexico. Prior to his appointment at Stetson, Lychner was Professor of Music in the School of Music at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Lychner earned a Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University and taught band, choir, and general music in K-12 schools in St. Louis, Missouri, and Tallahassee, Florida.

Dr. Lychner has worked as a summer music camp instructor, church organist, and church choir director. He has held various leadership roles with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), including national Chair for two Special Research Interest Groups and President of the Michigan Music Educators Association. He was also part of the Production Staff for the International Association for Jazz Education annual convention.

Dr. Lychner's research, which focuses on aesthetic response to music and teacher education, has been published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education: Research, the Journal of Band Research, and several volumes of the series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. He has also written articles for the Music Educators Journal, The Michigan Music Educator, and The Instrumentalist.

Michael Simpson

Michael A. Simpson began an extensive career in music in 1980. As an educator, he taught all levels of string orchestra classes starting from 4 th grade beginners up through 11th and 12th grade advanced musicians. In addition to teaching, he also maintained a performance career as an orchestral conductor, giving solo performances on the viola, performing in chamber ensembles and in symphony orchestras. In 2025, he completed a thirty-five-year calling in education when he retired from the music classroom.

Having taught all levels of performing ensembles, Mr. Simpson has been successful in inspiring young musicians to achieve at the highest levels. The student ensembles he has lead have achieved at the highest levels with first place wins and “Superior” performance ratings at music festivals and performance assessments at both the state and national levels.

Michael has also served as guest conductor at various All-County Orchestras and Honors Orchestras throughout the state. He has been conductor and music director of the Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Indian River Youth Symphony, the Peninsula Youth Orchestra and most recently, the A Gift for Music Youth Chamber Orchestra.

Even though retired, Michael serves his educator colleagues, as well as young student musicians, as an orchestral clinician, a performance assessment adjudicator, a chamber music coach and as a performing musician. As a performer, he continues to play viola in various community groups throughout the Central Florida community.

Michael has given numerous solo recitals playing the viola up and down the East Coast of the US and in the United Kingdom. He has also played professionally as a member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra, and with the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra in Rochester, New York. With community ensembles, he has held the position of principal violist of the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra and the Richmond Classical Players Chamber Orchestra.

Dr. Scott Lubaroff

Scott Lubaroff is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Central Florida, where he conducts the UCF Wind Ensemble and oversees all areas of the university's comprehensive bands program, which includes three directors, four graduate assistants, four concert bands, chamber winds, the Marching Knights, and the Jammin' Knights Pep Band. Dr. Lubaroff guides the graduate program in instrumental conducting and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and music education.

He also served previously as Associate Director of Bands at Kansas State University (2001-2005), and Director of Bands at Williamsburg High School, in Iowa (1991-1997). He earned his DMA from Michigan State University, and MFA, MA, and BM degrees from The University of Iowa. He is very active as a guest conductor, clinician, presenter, and adjudicator throughout the United States and internationally, including appearances in Thailand, South Korea, Canada, and the Czech Republic. He has presented research and special topic sessions at several state music education conferences, as well as at the National Association forMusic Education (NAfME) National Research Conference, Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinics, CBDNA National Conference, and the International Conference of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.

Dr. Lubaroff is a passionate advocate for the development of new literature for mixed winds and for combined acoustic and electroacoustic instruments, and he is a staunch defender of public education and for music in America's schools. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, and the National Association for Music Education, as well as Phi Beta Mu and Pi Kappa Lambda. He also holds honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and is a proud former Sinfonian of Phi Mu Alpha.

Dr. Tremon Kizer

Dr. Tremon Kizer serves as the Associate Director of Bands, Director of Athletic Bands, and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Central Florida. In addition to serving as the lead administrator for the UCF athletic band program, he conducts the Symphonic Band, teaches courses in music education and graduate conducting.

Tremon also serves as the Associate Director of the School of Performing Arts. Outside of UCF, Tremon serves on several committees at the national and state level. Committees such as the National Band Association Revelli Composition Contest Selection Committee, the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Committee Chair, the Florida Bandmasters Association Commission Committee Chair, and the Board of Directors for the Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra. He is an active guest conductor, adjudicator, and leadership consultant.

Susan L. Smith

Susan L. Smith is an accomplished music educator with experience teaching general, choral, and instrumental music from elementary through collegiate levels in Florida, Virginia, and Alabama. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Troy University and the Southern Division President Elect of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Ms. Smith is also the Past President of the Alabama Music Educators Association and the faculty advisor for the Troy University cNAfME Chapter.

Ms. Smith is the Chair of the NAfME Collegiate Advisory Council and a member of the Professional Development Committee. Previously, she was the Director of Bands at the Saint James School in Montgomery, AL, where the band consistently earned Superior ratings in Concert, Jazz, and Marching Band events, including the Alabama Music Performance Assessment, Smokey Mountain Music Festival, and Bands of America Super Regional and Grand National Championships.

Ms. Smith is a sought-after clinician, conductor, and adjudicator, having presented clinics at numerous state, national, and regional NAfME conferences and the Midwest Clinic. She performed with the Alabama Winds, an adult community band of Alabama music educators, and is responsible for the Chamber Music portion of the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. Additionally, she co-founded the "Mind the Gap" Webinar and Podcast for young and preservice music educators.

Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, Phi Beta Kappa, and the National Band Association. Smith has conducted honor bands in multiple states, including the University of Alabama Honor Band, Samford University Honor Band, Marshall University Honor Band, and Midfest at the University of Georgia, as well as District Honor Bands in Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky.