Brian Gresh, Assistant Conductor, Gem City Concert Band, Conductor, Flagship Steel Band

Brian Gresh is a retired elementary music teacher from the Harbor Creek School District. Over the course of his career, he also served as Director of Bands at Rocky Grove Middle/High School, Corry Area Middle/High School, Coudersport Area Middle/High School, Sheffield Area Middle/High School (all in Pennsylvania), and Buckingham County High School in Virginia. His teaching experience spans every level of band instruction, from beginning students through advanced high school ensembles.

Brian is currently on staff with the Mercyhurst University Marching Band, Laker Pride. He has guest conducted the IU-9 Junior Band and presented workshops on repertoire for jazz ensembles, concert band, and solo/ensemble performance. Throughout his career, he has enjoyed teaching all areas of instrumental music—including concert band, jazz ensemble, marching band, and chamber groups—and has also founded and directed multiple steel drum ensembles, including Gem City's Flagship Steel Band.

Outside the classroom, Brian enjoys arranging music, performing on trombone in ensembles and musicals, playing board and card games, and woodworking.

He and his wife, Penny, live in Erie, PA with their dog, Jillian. They are proud parents of two daughters, Kayla and Nicole, and grandparents to Sophia, Miles, and Emily—who bring great joy to their lives.

Jim Caspar, Conductor, Gem City Jazz Ensemble

Jim Caspar is a 1991 graduate of Penn State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. While at Penn State, he was active in numerous ensembles on and off campus.

Highlights included performing with Centre Dimensions, the university’s top jazz ensemble, and serving as Principal Trumpet in the Penn State Philharmonic. Off campus, he performed with The Dan Yoder Big Band, The Fred Waring Big Band, and several other groups.

After graduation, Caspar taught in Wilmington, Delaware for seven years, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for excellence, with his jazz ensemble earning multiple Superior ratings. From 2001 to 2021, he served as Director of Bands in the Wattsburg Area School District. In addition to leading the marching and concert bands, he taught guitar and jazz history/performance classes. He continues to teach in the district today, working in middle school STEAM education and conducting orchestras for the high school musical productions.

Caspar directed the Gem City Jazz Ensemble from 2010 to 2019 and also served as Director of the Greater Erie Youth Symphony Wind Ensemble and Orchestra from 2007 to 2009.

He and his wife, Heather, live in Erie. Their son, Mick, is attending Penn State University in State College, where he is majoring in astrophysics.

Logan Carnes, Assistant Conductor, Gem City Jazz Ensemble

Logan Carnes is a music teacher and marching band director at McDowell High School in Erie, PA. He teaches concert band, orchestra, piano, and guitar classes. Before joining McDowell, Logan served as chorus teacher and musical director at Westlake Middle School and has also worked with the Iroquois High School Marching Band and the Mercyhurst University Marching Band, Laker Pride.

Logan is a 2019 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned dual degrees in Music Education and Tuba Performance. He went on to complete his Master’s degree in Music Education at IUP in 2024.

In addition to teaching, Logan is a freelance musician in northwest Pennsylvania, performing on trombone, tuba, and euphonium. He is also a founding member of the Keystone Quartet, a tuba–euphonium ensemble dedicated to commissioning and recording new works for the instrument family.

Past Conductors:

• Adam Lehner

• Joseph Lehner

• Hank Russell

• Lloyd Johns

• Ralph Perkins

• Ned Trautman

• Gary Peterson

• Tim McKinney

• Betty McKinney

• Scott Tomlison

• Brian McCowin

• Jim Caspar

• Joel Hunt

Brent Johnson, Conductor, Gem City Concert Band

Brent Johnson is the Director of the McDowell Center for Performing Arts in Erie, PA. He teaches and directs the award-winning McDowell High School Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, as well as courses in musical theater and piano. From 2010 to 2015, he also served as Marching Band Director before stepping into his current leadership role. In addition, Brent oversees McDowell’s after-school theater program, which produces four major shows each year.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Brent directs McDowell’s after-school theater program, which stages four major productions each year. He earned his degree in Music Education from Edinboro University, where he also completed a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Principal’s Certification. His conducting mentors include Dr. Gary Grant, Dr. Peter Van den Honert, and Dr. Paula Holcomb.

Brent is also an active performer and conductor. He has played trumpet, conducted the orchestra, and appeared in numerous productions at the Erie Playhouse. Since 2018, he has served as conductor of the Gem City Concert Band.

Outside of his professional life, Brent enjoys golfing at Lawrence Park Golf Club and spending time with his wife, Leah, and their daughters, Addy and Millie.