New Board Member: Luciano Vaz

Please welcome our newest ITEA board member, Luciano Vaz, who will be representing the South American continent. Luciano is Professor of Tuba at the Conservatory of Tatuí and Principal Tubist of the Tatuí Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band. He is a highly respected performer and teacher in Brazil, and the ITEA will be looking forward to his work.

Gail Robertson Performs with BSO

Dr. Gail Robertson recently joined tubist Mike Roylance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra to play the Pines of Rome for the opening concert of the season with new music director, Andris Nelsons, on September 27, 2014.

New Hire: Gail Robertson, UCA

Dr. Gail Robertson recently became the Visiting Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Her duties include teaching the tuba and euphonium studio, conducting the Jazz Ensemble II, and playing tuba in the faculty brass quintet, the Pinnacle Brass. Robertson earned her B.A. degree from the University of Central Florida and an M.M. in Euphonium Performance from Indiana University while serving as graduate assistant to Harvey Phillips. She postponed her doctoral studies at the University of Maryland with Dr. Brian Bowman to perform with the “Tubafours” at Walt Disney World, Orlando where she served as musical supervisor/chief arranger and produced a highly acclaimed CD, “Tubas Under the Boardwalk.” She has recently completed her D.M.A. as a University Distinguished Fellow at Michigan State University studying with Phil Sinder, Ava Ordman, and Ricardo Lorenz. She has taught on the faculties of Eastern Michigan University, the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, the University of Florida, and remains active as a teacher, adjudicator, composer, arranger and free-lance artist, both nationally and internationally. Robertson is the Chair/Chief Editor of the International Tuba and Euphonium Press, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Leonard Falcone Tuba and Euphonium Festival, the International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA), and the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC). Robertson was recently awarded the 2014 Clifford Bevan Award for Excellence in Research for her document, “Restoring the Euphonium’s Legacy as Cello of the Wind Band.” Her original work for brass quintet, Tower Guard Tribute, was awarded honorable mention by the 2014 International Alliance for Women in Music’s Patsy Lu competition. Robertson's duo with Dr. Stacy Baker, SYMBIOSISDUO, will release their second CD, “Playground,” in January 2015. As a Willson Euphonium Artist, Robertson’s euphonium of choice is a Willson 2950TA with a Warburton/Gail Robertson mouthpiece.