Logan Carnes
December 14, 2020
Logan has been a member of the Concert Band’s brass section for seven years. He has also made some appearances in the Jazz Ensemble, too! Logan received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Performance from the Indiana University of PA in December of 2019. He enjoys writing and arranging music for low brass.
Logan has been a member of the Concert Band’s brass section for seven years. He has also made some appearances in the Jazz Ensemble, too! Logan received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Performance from the Indiana University of PA in December of 2019. He enjoys writing and arranging music for low brass.
Mandy Berlin
December 7, 2020
Mandy plays flute in the Gem City Concert Band! Mandy is a student at McDowell High School in Millcreek. She plays for McDowell’s Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. Mandy is also Drum Major of the McDowell High School Marching Band. She teaches music at the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House and has a love for playing ukulele, too! Glad to have you with us Mandy!
Mandy plays flute in the Gem City Concert Band! Mandy is a student at McDowell High School in Millcreek. She plays for McDowell’s Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. Mandy is also Drum Major of the McDowell High School Marching Band. She teaches music at the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House and has a love for playing ukulele, too! Glad to have you with us Mandy!
Kole Wentling
November 16, 2020
Kole plays bass clarinet in the Gem City Concert Band and has been a member since January, 2020. In addition to bass clarinet, Kole has been playing soprano clarinet for 9 years! Kole is currently a student at Slippery Rock University studying music education and will graduate in 2024!
Kole plays bass clarinet in the Gem City Concert Band and has been a member since January, 2020. In addition to bass clarinet, Kole has been playing soprano clarinet for 9 years! Kole is currently a student at Slippery Rock University studying music education and will graduate in 2024!
Dennis Hakanen and Mitchel Magraw
November 9, 2020
Mr. Dennis Hakanen (right) and Mr. Mitchel Magraw both play in the euphonium section of the Concert Band! This is their 3rd year participating in the ensemble. Mitch has been playing euphonium since 1st grade and Dennis has been playing for only two years! Wow! A quick fun fact about Mitch: He won the 2018 Fun Bowl League in Terre Haute Indiana!
Mr. Dennis Hakanen (right) and Mr. Mitchel Magraw both play in the euphonium section of the Concert Band! This is their 3rd year participating in the ensemble. Mitch has been playing euphonium since 1st grade and Dennis has been playing for only two years! Wow! A quick fun fact about Mitch: He won the 2018 Fun Bowl League in Terre Haute Indiana!
Mark Eller
October 26, 2020
Mark has been a member of the Gem City Bands since September of 2003 and currently serves on the Board of Directors. He plays alto saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble as well as clarinet in the Concert Band. Before joining Gem City, he was a long-time member of the George Saurwein Music Masters Big Band! Mark began learning to play piano at the age of eight and later branched out his experiences by learning to play woodwind instruments!
Mark has been a member of the Gem City Bands since September of 2003 and currently serves on the Board of Directors. He plays alto saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble as well as clarinet in the Concert Band. Before joining Gem City, he was a long-time member of the George Saurwein Music Masters Big Band! Mark began learning to play piano at the age of eight and later branched out his experiences by learning to play woodwind instruments!
Rick Evans
October 19, 2020
Rick plays trumpet in both the Gem City Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble. He has been playing with Gem City for 10 years! Rick has also been our Treasurer for the past 4 years and was previously the group’s Librarian. Mr. Evans has been an employee with GE Transportation/ Wabtec for 29 years, serving as the Senior Systems Engineer and looking forward to retirement! In his spare time, Rick enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, attending Erie Seawolves games, visiting Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefields and museums, and spending as much time as possible with their three children and one grandchild (soon to be two).
Rick plays trumpet in both the Gem City Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble. He has been playing with Gem City for 10 years! Rick has also been our Treasurer for the past 4 years and was previously the group’s Librarian. Mr. Evans has been an employee with GE Transportation/ Wabtec for 29 years, serving as the Senior Systems Engineer and looking forward to retirement! In his spare time, Rick enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, attending Erie Seawolves games, visiting Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefields and museums, and spending as much time as possible with their three children and one grandchild (soon to be two).
Rhonda Berlin
October 12, 2020
Rhonda joined the flute section of the Gem City Concert Band in the fall season of 2019. She started playing the flute in the 5th grade! In addition to Gem City, Rhonda performs for the Erie Playhouse Orchestra. Rhonda and her musical family also run the Berlin Music Studio where they teach piano, voice, and flute to students from all over the country! Glad to have you and your family with us Rhonda!
Rhonda joined the flute section of the Gem City Concert Band in the fall season of 2019. She started playing the flute in the 5th grade! In addition to Gem City, Rhonda performs for the Erie Playhouse Orchestra. Rhonda and her musical family also run the Berlin Music Studio where they teach piano, voice, and flute to students from all over the country! Glad to have you and your family with us Rhonda!
Bob Reid
September 28, 2020
Bob has been with the Gem City Concert Band for the past 2 years playing tuba! He is a retired music educator from the Wattsburg Area School District. Bob is currently the director of Athletic Bands at Mercyhurst University.
Bob has been with the Gem City Concert Band for the past 2 years playing tuba! He is a retired music educator from the Wattsburg Area School District. Bob is currently the director of Athletic Bands at Mercyhurst University.
Laura Cotton
September 21, 2020
Laura started playing clarinet when she was in 4th grade, then she took some time off from playing for a while. When Laura moved to Erie in 2012 with her husband, she decided to start playing again with the Gem City Concert Band. Laura has since become the secretary of the band serving on the board for several years. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, crocheting, and studying the Bible with her best friend. A quick fun fact about Laura: In her teen years, her father lovingly nicknamed her “the wrecker” because if something were to break or break down, it was whenever it was in her possession!
Laura started playing clarinet when she was in 4th grade, then she took some time off from playing for a while. When Laura moved to Erie in 2012 with her husband, she decided to start playing again with the Gem City Concert Band. Laura has since become the secretary of the band serving on the board for several years. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, crocheting, and studying the Bible with her best friend. A quick fun fact about Laura: In her teen years, her father lovingly nicknamed her “the wrecker” because if something were to break or break down, it was whenever it was in her possession!
Shelley Readel
September 14, 2020
Shelley plays the flute in the Concert Band and is a founding member of the Jazz Ensemble, where she originally began on piano and now plays the bass. She joined the former East Erie Turners Band in 1997. Shelley was the Gem City Bands Vice President and Bookings Manager for 14 years and continues to serve as the Web Page Manager. In addition to Gem City, Shelley often performs with the Penn State Behrend Concert Band on flute and with various high school pit orchestras on bass. She is the Finance Specialist for the Pennsylvania Sea Grant program at Penn State Behrend. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending live performances and DIY projects.
Shelley plays the flute in the Concert Band and is a founding member of the Jazz Ensemble, where she originally began on piano and now plays the bass. She joined the former East Erie Turners Band in 1997. Shelley was the Gem City Bands Vice President and Bookings Manager for 14 years and continues to serve as the Web Page Manager. In addition to Gem City, Shelley often performs with the Penn State Behrend Concert Band on flute and with various high school pit orchestras on bass. She is the Finance Specialist for the Pennsylvania Sea Grant program at Penn State Behrend. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending live performances and DIY projects.
Bruce Schaaf
September 7, 2020
Bruce joined the trumpet section of the Gem City Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble 10 years ago after a 30 year hiatus of not playing! He is also a proud member of the Ruby Port Band with other Gem City members, Dale Zimmerman and Dudley Brown! When Bruce is not playing the trumpet, he can be found at his camp in Warren either hunting, fishing or biking! He also loves to travel to Georgia and Florida to visit his children and grandchildren with his wife Sherry!
Bruce joined the trumpet section of the Gem City Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble 10 years ago after a 30 year hiatus of not playing! He is also a proud member of the Ruby Port Band with other Gem City members, Dale Zimmerman and Dudley Brown! When Bruce is not playing the trumpet, he can be found at his camp in Warren either hunting, fishing or biking! He also loves to travel to Georgia and Florida to visit his children and grandchildren with his wife Sherry!
Sarah Donegan
August 24, 2020
Sarah has been a member of the Gem City Concert Band's flute section since March 2019. She came to Erie from Pittsburgh to teach music in the Erie School District. In addition to flute, she plays piccolo, tuba, alto sax, and percussion. Sarah works with the woodwind players of the Mercyhurst University Marching Band with Mr. Brian Gresh and Bob Reid. She is also the Gem City Bands Public Relations Manager! When Sarah is not being musical, she enjoys camping, kayaking, and biking the peninsula.
Sarah has been a member of the Gem City Concert Band's flute section since March 2019. She came to Erie from Pittsburgh to teach music in the Erie School District. In addition to flute, she plays piccolo, tuba, alto sax, and percussion. Sarah works with the woodwind players of the Mercyhurst University Marching Band with Mr. Brian Gresh and Bob Reid. She is also the Gem City Bands Public Relations Manager! When Sarah is not being musical, she enjoys camping, kayaking, and biking the peninsula.
Jack Moulton
August 17, 2020
Jack has been playing tuba in the Gem City Concert Band for two and a half years. He also does the live audio recording for the Gem City Bands. He plays baritone and cimbasso, as well as tuba with other groups four nights a week (except during a pandemic). When Jack is not being musical, he enjoys metal working and fabrication in his shop attached to his garage! His current project is fabricating fountains out of antiques and old rural equipment.
Jack has been playing tuba in the Gem City Concert Band for two and a half years. He also does the live audio recording for the Gem City Bands. He plays baritone and cimbasso, as well as tuba with other groups four nights a week (except during a pandemic). When Jack is not being musical, he enjoys metal working and fabrication in his shop attached to his garage! His current project is fabricating fountains out of antiques and old rural equipment.
Brent Johnson
August 11, 2020
Brent is the director of Gem City Concert Band! He has been director since October 2018. He is also the director of the McDowell Center for the Performing Arts, where he runs the theater program, wind ensemble, and jazz ensemble! He is the father of two beautiful little girls, Addy and Millie, and married to the amazing Leah, whom he met while performing at the Erie Playhouse. In his free time, Brent is an avid golfer and claims he possesses a 6 handicap!
Brent is the director of Gem City Concert Band! He has been director since October 2018. He is also the director of the McDowell Center for the Performing Arts, where he runs the theater program, wind ensemble, and jazz ensemble! He is the father of two beautiful little girls, Addy and Millie, and married to the amazing Leah, whom he met while performing at the Erie Playhouse. In his free time, Brent is an avid golfer and claims he possesses a 6 handicap!
Charlie McClung
August 3, 2020
Charlie has been a member of the band since its later days as the East Erie Turners Band. He also plays for the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra and enjoys getting together with other area horn players just to read through quartets and more. He is a pastor serving New Hope and Westminster Presbyterian Churches, and finds making music brings a joyful balance to life. When not working or playing his horn or spending time with his wife Joan, he can often be found kayaking the lagoons of Presque Isle and enjoying nature!
Charlie has been a member of the band since its later days as the East Erie Turners Band. He also plays for the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra and enjoys getting together with other area horn players just to read through quartets and more. He is a pastor serving New Hope and Westminster Presbyterian Churches, and finds making music brings a joyful balance to life. When not working or playing his horn or spending time with his wife Joan, he can often be found kayaking the lagoons of Presque Isle and enjoying nature!
Alice Hudder
July 27, 2020
Alice is an alto saxophone player in the Concert Band. She started playing sax in 2013 and joined the band one year later in 2014! She has a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is Professor and Director of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at LECOM! Alice's other passions include improvisational jazz, cycling, baseball, and spending time with Mr. Dick Molder!
Alice is an alto saxophone player in the Concert Band. She started playing sax in 2013 and joined the band one year later in 2014! She has a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is Professor and Director of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at LECOM! Alice's other passions include improvisational jazz, cycling, baseball, and spending time with Mr. Dick Molder!
Dudley Brown
July 20, 2020
Dudley plays saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble and clarinet in the Concert Band. He started in the East Erie Turners Band in 1994 after 25 years of not playing! He says playing music is so important! When Dudley is not playing his instruments, he enjoys cycling, walking, classic cars, home projects, and of course, being with his three grandsons who live down the street!
Dudley plays saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble and clarinet in the Concert Band. He started in the East Erie Turners Band in 1994 after 25 years of not playing! He says playing music is so important! When Dudley is not playing his instruments, he enjoys cycling, walking, classic cars, home projects, and of course, being with his three grandsons who live down the street!
Sarah Maille
July 14, 2020
Sarah is a very musical person! She plays flute with the Gem City Concert Band, sings in the Presque Isle Chorale, and participates in music ministry at Community United Church! She has been sharing her amazing talents with Gem City Bands for two years!
Sarah is a very musical person! She plays flute with the Gem City Concert Band, sings in the Presque Isle Chorale, and participates in music ministry at Community United Church! She has been sharing her amazing talents with Gem City Bands for two years!
Linda Spinelli
Linda started playing flute with the Gem City Concert Band in 2016 after 30 years of not playing! She has been the Secretary for one year and the Vice President for two years. She also enjoys reading, traveling, warm weather, and spending time with her family and friends!
Brian Gresh
June 29, 2020
Brian has been playing trombone with the Gem City Concert Band for about three years. Brian has also been the Assistant Director of the Concert Band for about 2 1/2 years. He is an Assistant Director of the Mercyhurst University Laker Pride Marching Band. Mr. Gresh is a music teacher in the Harborcreek School District and has been a band director for 25 years!
Brian has been playing trombone with the Gem City Concert Band for about three years. Brian has also been the Assistant Director of the Concert Band for about 2 1/2 years. He is an Assistant Director of the Mercyhurst University Laker Pride Marching Band. Mr. Gresh is a music teacher in the Harborcreek School District and has been a band director for 25 years!
Dick Molder
June 22, 2020
Dick has been playing trombone for the Gem City Concert Band since 1978 when we were still known as the East Erie Turner's Band! He has been playing trombone for 51 years! When he is not playing trombone, he works as President of Moldrich Solutions, LLC. Mr. Molder is also the president of the Gem City Bands! His other interests include playing baseball and working in the garden!
Dick has been playing trombone for the Gem City Concert Band since 1978 when we were still known as the East Erie Turner's Band! He has been playing trombone for 51 years! When he is not playing trombone, he works as President of Moldrich Solutions, LLC. Mr. Molder is also the president of the Gem City Bands! His other interests include playing baseball and working in the garden!
Welcome to Musician Monday, a feature Gem City Bands rolled out in June 2020. Each week, a new band member will be highlighted. Scroll through and meet our musicians!