Dr. Anthony messina
Executive producer
Dr. Anthony M. Messina serves as Assistant Director of Bands, Assistant Director of the Marching Illini, and Assistant Director of the Fighting Illini Athletic Bands at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where his responsibilities include assisting with the 375-member Marching Illini, and conducting the Hindsley Symphonic Band, Women’s Basketball Band, and Volleyball Band. For a complete bio, visit his faculty page.
Owen Henderson
Story Producer/Social Media & Marketing
Owen Henderson is currently a junior studying Journalism with minors in Spanish and Theatre. He comes from Trenton, Illinois, and he's played horn in Hindsley Symphonic Band and University Band. Besides producing the podcast, Owen works as a correspondent for the WPGU news desk, serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Illini Student Musicals, and volunteers when he can at The Refugee Center in Champaign. In his free time, Owen enjoys hiking, baking bread, playing board games with friends, and writing his own bio in the third person.
James Rhyne is a junior studying instrumental music education. James is from Homewood, IL and attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School. He currently studies clarinet with Professor Janice Minor and served as a clarinet member in the Marching Illini during 2017 and 2018 seasons. He is also a member of the Men’s Basketball and Volleyball bands. Currently, he serves as a student librarian for the University of Illinois Bands and plays clarinet with the Illinois Wind Symphony and Modern Ensemble. Within the Modern Ensemble, he has played in world premiers such as “Surrogate” and was part of the recording of “LeadSheet.” James is also the president of Group for New music. Outside of music, he is currently one of the Illinois Student Admissions Representatives for the College of Fine and Applied Arts.
James Rhyne
story Producer
Jake Burrows
story producer
Jake Burrows is a Junior in Music Education. He attended Downers Grove South High School in Downes Grove, IL and currently studies trumpet with Professor Charles Daval. At Illinois, he is extremely grateful to be involved with a wide variety of musical experiences, including the National Band Association at UIUC, Marching Illini, Athletic Bands, Kappa Kappa Psi, NAfME, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Golden Apple. In his free time, Jake enjoys running, camping, listening to the brother-sister duo, Lawrence, and wants a dog.
Elisabeth Bieber
Story Producer
Elisabeth Bieber is Sophomore studying Music Education. She is from Westmont, Illinois and currently studies trumpet with Professor Charles Daval. At Illinois, Elisabeth is also a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, a sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, a member of the National Band Association at UIUC, and a member of the Marching Illini. In her free time, Elisabeth enjoys watching Netflix, reading, and annoying her little brother Dan.
Evan Matthews is sophomore studying Computer Science + Music from Metamora, Illinois. He has played clarinet in Hindsley Symphonic Band and is currently studying composition with Prof. Reynold Tharp. Evan's keyboard compositions have previously won multiple awards in the ILMEA Composition Contest, and he is looking to continue writing for collegiate competitions and requests. Outside of the podcast, he enjoys learning about music notation, going on bike rides, and listening to music by Jacob Collier.
Evan Matthews
story
producer
Kira Crippen is a junior in Music Education. She attended McHenry Community High School in McHenry, IL and currently studies clarinet with Dr. Janice Minor. Kira also participates in the National Band Association as the Vice President of the UIUC chapter. When she’s not playing or listening to music, Kira enjoys painting, reading, jogging, and hanging out with her orange tabby cat, Boba.
Kira Crippen
story producer
Mercedes Maglio is a junior in Music Education. She attended West Aurora High School in Aurora, Illinois, and currently studies trumpet with Prof. Ronald Romm. She actively participates in the Marching Illini, Illinois Bands, Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, and is an Ambassador for the College of Fine and Applied Arts. As well, she serves as the UIUC Chapter President of Sigma Alpha Iota Women's International Music Fraternity.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, writing stories, watching cute animal videos, and drinking a nice cup of coffee.
mercedes Maglio
story
producer
Mike Tuleo is a sophomore studying Music Education. Mike is from Mount Prospect, Illinois, and attended Prospect High School. He is currently studying trumpet with Professor Charles Daval and plays in the Illinois Wind Symphony. He actively participates in Marching Illini, the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, and Phi Mu Alpha. Mike also works in properties at the Historic Harding Band Building. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, watching Netflix, and cooking.
Mike Tuleo
story producer
Lucy Yockey is a sophomore studying instrumental music education. She is a woodwind doubler and enjoys teaching and performing in jazz, musical theater, and wind band settings. Her special areas of interest include culturally relevant curriculum design, practical pedagogy, and analysis of the music industry. In her free time, Louie walks quickly, speaks loudly, and keeps it real.