Masterclass Instructors and staff for the 2024 Treasure Coast Summer Band Camp include:
Ashley Ajpacaja
Murray Middle School Band
Kevin Bogdan
Seabreeze High School
Christopher Bowen
Christopher Bowen has been the director of bands at Osceola Middle School in Okeechobee, FL since 2008. Under his direction, the program has grown each year and has brought music to life in the school. In addition, he also is the assistant director at Okeechobee High School, working primarily with the percussion sections.
Prior to relocating to Okeechobee, Mr. Bowen lived in central Florida, where he received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance and Music Composition from Florida Southern College in Lakeland in 2006. He then earned his Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 2008.
Mr. Bowen is also an active performer, music arranger and adjudicator around the state of Florida. He regularly performs with the Orlando Philharmonic, Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and the Punta Gorda Symphony.
When Mr. Bowen is not teaching or performing, he enjoys his time with his wife, Jenny and two boys, William and Jameson.
Amy Clark
Amy Clark is a retired band director of Murray Middle School in Stuart. During her 28 years at Murray, she was twice selected as Teacher of the Year, and was also Middle School Teacher of the Year for the School District of Martin County. She has been invited to guest conduct several All-County honor bands and is a life member of the Florida Bandmasters Association.
Focusing now on her second act, Amy is an active flutist and private teacher in the Treasure Coast area. She currently performs with the Treasure Coast Flute Choir, Treasure Coast Wind Ensemble, Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra, Florida Flute Orchestra, Metropolitan Flute Orchestra, Indian River Pops Orchestra and is currently serving as conductor of the Teachers Flute Orchestra for the Florida Flute Association. Her previous performances have taken her to Australia, Brazil, Europe, Iceland, as well as numerous locations throughout the United States.
Thomas C. Dougherty
Thomas Dougherty has been the Director of Bands at Jensen Beach High School since 2007. Under his direction, the program has grown in size and consistently earned the highest ratings at local, state, and national festivals. The JBHS Band Program has travelled to Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Savannah, New York City, Chicago, and Washington D.C. under his direction.
At Jensen Beach High School, Mr. Dougherty directs the Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble (JB2), Brass Techniques Class, Woodwind Techniques Class, and AP Music Theory.
Prior to his appointment at Jensen Beach High School, Mr. Dougherty coordinated the instrumental music curriculum at Alfred I. DuPont Middle School in Jacksonville, FL.
Mr. Dougherty received his undergraduate degree in Music Education (BME) from the Florida State University College of Music, magna cum laude. While at FSU, he was a member of the Campus Band, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Chiefs, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. Dougherty is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Music Education (MS) from Florida International University with an anticipated graduation in December of 2024.
Mr. Dougherty was honored to have been selected as the 2010 Martin County School District Teacher of the Year. He currently holds professional memberships in the FMEA , FBA, Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, and the FEA.
Mr. Dougherty has served the Florida Bandmasters Association as a District Secretary (2012 - 2014) and District Chairman (2015 - 2018). He has also served the FBA as member of the Mentor Committee (2019 - 2024) and Sight-Reading Committee (2021 - 2024). As of 2024, Mr. Dougherty now serves the state of Florida as the Sight-Reading Committee Chairman.
Mr. Dougherty is a sought after adjudicator and clinician, presenting Leadership Workshops at several schools along the Treasure Coast. Mr. Dougherty presented a clinic on student leadership at the FMEA All-State Professional Development Conference in 2016 and has served as a conductor for the Indian River State College Honors Jazz Ensemble (2011), Florida State University Summer Music Camp Osceola Band (2015), St. Lucie County MIOS Honor Band (2018), Big Bend High School Honor Band (2019), Polk County High School Honor Band (2020), Palm Beach County 9/10 Honor Band (2023), and Indian River State College Aaron Copland Band (2024).
He currently maintains a private trumpet studio in Jensen Beach and is proud to be one of the founding members of the Treasure Coast Summer Band Camp.
Mr. Dougherty and his wife Colleen are proud residents of the Treasure Coast. Together, they enjoy spending time with their children, Brandon (17) and Ryan (12) and their Goldendoodle, Bentley (4).
Johnny Egan
Johnny Egan has been the Band Director at Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School for the last four years where he has just recently been named AMS Teacher of the Year. A graduate of the University of Florida and Martin County native, Mr. Egan has been thankful for the opportunity to return to his hometown to continue the tradition of music excellence in the Martin County School District.
During his short career as Band Director, Mr. Egan has grown the music program to over three hundred students and is currently celebrating, in its short history, the school’s first two Superior ratings at District Music Performance Assessments.
Mr. Egan runs an active Saxophone studio, and continues to support the overall strength of the Martin County School District music programs.
Al Hager
Al Hager received degrees from FSU and UF, taught public school music since 1968 and retired in 2009.
He maintains a teaching studio, performs regularly with Flutes Renaissance, Cornerstone, McCartney Mania and directs the Treasure Coast Flute Choir, FDO - The BIG Swingin’ Band and the FMEA Directors Jazz Band.
Since 2007 he has won seven National Barefoot Water Ski championships in his divisions.
Emma Haley
Emma Haley has been a middle school band director in Florida for eight years. Most recently, Ms. Haley served as the Band Director at Swift Creek Middle School in Tallahassee, FL from 2018-2023. Under her direction, the Swift Creek Band saw tremendous growth and success at performance assessments and various festivals in Orlando and the Florida panhandle.
While at Swift Creek, Ms. Haley directed two Beginning Band classes, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and was responsible for the creation of a full-time Jazz Band as an integral part of the program.
Prior to her appointment at Swift Creek, Ms. Haley served as the Band Director at Hidden Oaks Middle School (Palm City, FL) from 2015-2018.
This summer Ms. Haley will conclude her graduate studies at the Florida State University and will graduate with a Master of Music Education (MME) degree. Prior to her teaching career, Ms. Haley received her undergraduate degree in Music Education (BME) from the Florida State University, magna cum laude.
Outside of band responsibilities, Ms. Haley is an active saxophonist and has been an instructor and performer at the annual Metro Saxophone Symposium (Atlanta, GA), Treasure Coast Summer Band Camp, University of Tampa Summer Band Camp, and is an active member of the Tallahassee Winds community band.
Ms. Haley is an active Solo & Ensemble judge in the state of Florida and is a member of the FBA Sight Reading Committee. She holds professional memberships in TBS, FBA, FMEA, and NAfME.
Trevor Hayes
Trevor Hayes is currently the Director of Bands at Martin County High School in Stuart, Florida. Prior to his arrival on the Treasure Coast, he served as the Director of Bands at Santa Fe High School in Alachua County, where his bands consistently earned Superior Ratings in the Marching and Concert categories at the Music Performance Assessments (MPAs). He spent a total of four years as the Director of Bands at both Rutherford High School (Panama City, Florida) and Mathews High School (Mathews, VA), where he gained experience conducting symphonic, marching and jazz bands, as well as orchestra and choir students. He also previously taught Instrumental Music at the Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie in Fort Pierce.
Mr. Hayes graduated cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with his undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education. While at UTC, he performed with the Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, University Orchestra, Jazz Band, Trumpet Ensemble and Men's Chorus at UTC. Mr. Hayes holds Florida educator certification in K-12 Music.
Christopher Kalwa
Christopher Kalwa is the Band Director at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. He is currently in his 14th year of
teaching.
He has taken his Jazz bands and Symphonic bands to consecutive appearances at the Festival Disney, MPA and other performances and competitions where the bands have earned the highest of ratings and trophies.
During his time as a band director, Mr. Kalwa has served as the Director of the Stuart Community Concert Band, performing five to six concerts per year, as well as served as the Assistant Band Director at Jensen Beach High School; he has also run workshops and rehearsals with schools from around area
and the state.
Mr. Kalwa is a native Floridian, born and raised in St. Petersburg. In 2003 he returned to school and received an Associate in Arts Degree from St. Petersburg College. In 2005 he transferred to The Florida State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While attending FSU he studied Saxophone Performance under the direction of Professor Patrick Meighan.
On June 29, 2013 he married fellow teacher, Kelloryn Dayton, now known as Kelloryn Kalwa. In their spare time Mr. Kalwa and his wife enjoy traveling and playing with their son and daughter, Erik and Ella, and their two dogs Pickles and Penelope.
Mr. Kalwa is a member of the Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmaster’s Association, Florida Orchestra Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Charles Lukkari
Charles Lukkari is in his fifth year as director of bands at St. Lucie West K-8 School. In addition to teaching middle school band, Mr. Lukkari has been responsible for teaching elementary general music to third through fifth grades. He is also a staff member for the marching band at St. Lucie West Centennial High School Eagle Regiment. Prior to teaching at SLWK8, Mr. Lukkari spent 3 years as director of bands at South Fork High School. At both schools, student enrollment in band classes has increased as well as MPA ratings, musicianship, and a culture of student-centered learning and growth. He attended Michigan State University for Music Education, graduating in 2015. After graduating, he completed an internship with James Ross and James Sawyer at East Kentwood High School, working closely with four concert bands, two jazz bands, and sections of beginning band. During his time at Michigan State, he was actively involved in several of the school’s bands and orchestras, including a Carnegie Hall Concert, a Rose Bowl performance, Midwest Clinic Performance and Michigan Music Conference performance in the Spartan Marching Band, Symphony Band, and Wind Symphony, as well as the Prountzos Quintet. Prior to his collegiate studies, Mr. Lukkari attended Pinckney Community High School where he regularly performed in the MMC All-State bands and orchestras and the National Honors Orchestra in San Jose, CA.
In addition to teaching middle school band, Mr. Lukkari is an active tuba performer and private lessons teacher. In Florida, he has performed in the Orchid City Brass Band, the Central Florida Winds, Palm Beach Gardens Concert Band, and Indian River Pops Orchestra. Mr. Lukkari was a semifinalist in the International Tuba Euphonium Conference’s Young Artist solo division in 2008 and the Leonard Falcone Tuba Euphonium Festival Young Artist Division in 2011. He has also freelanced as a member of multiple brass quintets including Oceanside Brass and Celestial Brass. Always actively seeking out ways to improve teaching and musicianship, Mr. Lukkari also actively seeks out professional development opportunities and has attended several conducting symposia, including UMKC, UNF, MSU, and UCF as well as regularly attending the Florida Music Education Association state conference and Midwest Clinic.
Outside of music and teaching, Mr. Lukkari is very fortunate to have Kelli Siters- the smartest person he knows- and Remi, his chocolate lab. He has run dozens of 5ks, several 10ks, and 5 half marathons over the last several years. Mr. Lukkari is seriously passionate about all Michigan State University and Detroit-based professional sports. Whenever possible, he also enjoys kayaking, video games, time with family, learning new languages, and meditating.
Treasure Coast Summer Band Camp is one of Mr. Lukkari’s favorite weeks of the year as it is a great way to rein in summer, work with incredible teachers who are wonderful people, and see all of the students have a great time with music-making and developing friendships. It is his hope that it is also your favorite as well!
Emily Roberts-Asbeck
Emily Roberts-Asbeck is completing her fifth year as Director of Bands at Stuart Middle School. Under her leadership, the SMS bands have performed at over 20 venues annually, received high ratings at district jazz and concert assessments, and contributed to the development of lifelong music-makers. She maintains an active performance schedule as a clarinetist and is the private instructor for a studio of clarinet and saxophone students.
Originally from Carmel, Indiana, Mrs. Roberts-Asbeck attended Michigan State University, where she participated in numerous concert ensembles, chamber groups, pit orchestras, and the Spartan Marching Band. She most treasures her participation with the Musical Memories residency, a semester-long concert series designed to engage with memory care patients.
In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking, being outside, and supporting MSU athletics, Colts football, and Formula 1 racing. She also enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Tuta and Toby.
Andrew Whitlach
Florida State University