Director of the Marching Illini & Associate Director of Bands

prof. Barry L. Houser

Professor Barry L. Houser is the Chair of the Conducting Area, Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Marching Illini, Director of the Fighting Illini Athletic Bands, and Clinical Associate Professor of Music where his responsibilities include conducting a number of concert ensembles in the Illinois Bands program, the Athletic…

Assistant Director of Athletic Bands

dr. Hannah Rudy

Dr. Hannah Rudy serves as Assistant Director of Athletic Bands where she conducts the University Band, teaches conducting courses, serves as assistant director for the Marching Illini, and leads the volleyball and women’s basketball bands. Previously, she served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw…

director of university bands

dr. kevin geraldi

Dr. Kevin Geraldi begins his appointment as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2022. His responsibilities include conducting the internationally renowned Illinois Wind Symphony, guiding the graduate program in wind conducting…

Assistant Director of Bands

dr. kim fleming

Dr. Kim Fleming is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois where her responsibilities include conducting the Hindsley Symphonic Band as well as teaching courses in the undergraduate conducting sequence. Before joining the faculty at Illinois, she completed her DMA at the University of Michigan…

Drumline Instructor and Teaching Consultant

Aaron Kavelman

Aaron Kavelman is a percussion educator, clinician, performer and composer who grew up listening and performing jazz alongside his father, an accomplished jazz pianist. Growing up in a musical family, Aaron watched his four older sisters in the high school band program. Inspired by the local marching bands, Aaron would…

business administrative associate

joy mcclaugherty

Joy McClaugherty serves the Illinois band program as communications specialist, event coordinator, and office manager. Joining the Illinois Bands staff in 2015, Ms. McClaugherty handles the logistics for the Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival, the Illinois Band Conductors Symposium, and other…

Guard Instructor

Kaitlyn Pugh

Kaitlyn Pugh serves as the Marching Illini Color Guard Instructor. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Kaitlyn spent four years on MICG, serving as both captain and squad leader during her time. Growing up in Lafayette, IN, she is given credit for restarting the successful Pride of McCutcheon Color…

field assistant

reid lasley

Reid Lasley serves as the field assistant and is currently in his ninth year with the Marching Illini. Reid is a doctoral candidate, ABD, in trombone performance and literature. Before attending the University of Illinois for his masters and doctoral degrees, Reid completed degrees in molecular biology and trombone performance from the University of Colorado in Boulder.  

announcer

andy isbell

videographER & social media manager

wil pritchard

Wil Pritchard has served as the videographer and social media manager for the Marching Illini since 2021. In this role, he records and edits Marching Illini performance videos, and additionally creates graphics and posts for the Marching Illini social channels.

photographer

Josie lash

Josie Lash graduated from UIUC in 2017, spending the senior year as a student photographer for the Marching Illini. In the years following, they’ve taken every opportunity they can to come back and be a photographer for the M.I. for the football season. With a passion for photography and a love for the Illini spirit, Josie

Director of advancement

david allen

David Allen guides the advancement and alumni relations initiatives for the School of Music. Previously he served as Outreach and Public Engagement Director Managing programs such as Illinois Summer Youth Music, the Instrumental Chamber Music Symposium, and many more School of Music…

DMA, Graduate Conducting – Teaching Assistant

Alex Mondragon

Alex Mondragon is currently a doctoral candidate in wind band conducting and serves as a graduate teaching assistant with the University of Illinois Bands. Alex grew up in the Denver metro area in Colorado and earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Alex served…

MM, Graduate Conducting – Teaching Assistant

Rebecca Mulligan

Rebecca Mulligan is a candidate for the master of music in wind band conducting and serves as a graduate teaching assistant with the University of Illinois Bands. Rebecca received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro in 2018. She has played, and

MM, Graduate Conducting – Teaching Assistant

JAQUAN WILEY

JaQuan O. Wiley is a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing a Master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education (K-12 Certification) from Appalachian State University. Previously, JaQuan taught in the public schools of North Carolina…

MM, Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant

Jacob Arche

Jacob Arche is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Education with Licensure from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and will serve as a graduate teaching assistant for the Illinois Athletic Bands. Originally from Sterling Heights, Michigan, Jacob earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Minor in Music from…

MM, Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant

sheridan mackey

Sheridan Mackey is currently a master’s student at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign pursuing a degree in Saxophone Performance and Literature, where she serves as a graduate assistant for the Illinois Athletic Bands. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sheridan earned her Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2022. While at Oklahoma State, she was a member of various ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Frontiers New Music Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, and Cowboy Marching Band.

MM, Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant

Andrew McGowan

Andrew McGowan is a contemporary performing artist, originally from Macomb Illinois, who primarily works in the medium of Western Art Music. Across his portfolio career he has spent time curating wardrobes for doctors and lawyers and repairing instruments for major symphony musicians, but now spends his time composing, performing, and…