Michael Levine, director

Brian Neal, trumpet

Connor Bitterman, trumpet

Juan Berrios, horn/flugel, horn

John Wasson, trombone

Paul Carlson, tuba

Craig Hill, percussion

Founded in Dallas, TX in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical

ensembles. The group has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of

drums and percussion, which creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges. The Dallas

Brass repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music. In

addition to their solo engagements, the Dallas Brass appears with symphony orchestras nationwide. Symphonic

credits include the Cincinnati Pops conducted by Erich Kunzel, New York Pops conducted by Skitch Henderson,

and the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero. The Dallas Brass has performed at Carnegie Hall, the John F.

Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and has toured overseas to Europe and the Far East. They have shared the

stage with the late Bob Hope, have performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, have appeared

on the CBS “Early Show”, and their music has been used numerous times on the television show, “The Young &

The Restless”.

The Dallas Brass has a strong dedication to working with young musicians. They have published two books of

original small ensemble music for middle school and high students called Brass Grooves, and they have played a major role in helping launch Harmony Bridge—a community outreach program for student musicians. In addition, almost every public performance has a student component including a clinic and invitation for students to join them on stage for a selection on the Dallas Brass concert. Over 250,000 students have performed with Dallas Brass over the years.

Find more about the ensemble on Facebook or Instagram and on our website –www.dallasbrass.com.

THE ENSEMBLE

Michael Levine

(Director) is originally from St. Louis Park, MN. He first attended the University of Minnesota and then The Juilliard School, where he received his Bachelor of Music Degree. For three years he held the position of Assistant Principal Trombone in the Jerusalem (Israel) Symphony Orchestra. Michael founded the Dallas Brass in 1983 and played trombone in the group until 2015. He continues to serve as the ensemble’s Master of Ceremonies and Artistic Director. Michael has recently created a program called Harmony Bridge, which is designed to connect school band students with people in senior communities around the country. At present, Harmony Bridge has been incorporated into elementary, middle and high school band programs in 17 states and in Finland.  After living in Dallas for over 30 years, Michael now resides back in Minneapolis, MN.

Brian Neal

(Trumpet), born in Miami, FL, returns to the Dallas Brass this season, after having been a member of the ensemble from 1999-2011. During his hiatus, he has been touring, composing, recording and is presently the Director of Instrumental Studies and Professor of Trumpet at Miami Dade College in Miami, FL. Brian received his training at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He has served as principal trumpet for the Miami City Ballet and has also released a solo CD with organist, Thomas Schuster entitled, "Reflections," As a composer, Mr. Neal was invited to perform his composition, “Concertante #1” in Carnegie Hall and with the 'Manuel Rodríguez Sales' School-Conservatory of Leganés, Spain. The collaboration continues with the newly formed ensemble, “Ethos”, with the addition of voice, cello, and percussion performing his original works and arrangements of ancient and world music. Brian, along with his vocalist wife, Karen, reside both in Miami and Sitka, AK.

Connor Bitterman

(Trumpet) was born in Brooklyn Park, MN, and was raised in a very musical family. His mom is a choir teacher, and his dad is a band director in school districts around the Twin Cities. Connor is equally comfortable in both jazz and classical genres. He has been an intern at the Tangle wood Music Festival (summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra)and plans to continue working for the festival this summer. Connor is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He has played as principal trumpet in the Minnesota Youth Symphony Orchestra, MMEA All-State Symphonic Band, St. Olaf Band, and St. Olaf Orchestra .Outside of playing trumpet, Connor enjoys hiking, skiing, cooking, and being with his two dogs, Tango and Bebe.

Juan Berrios

(Horn; Alto Horn; Flugelhorn)—Originally from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Juan Berríos enjoys a multifaceted musical career. Known for his great versatility, he has performed with a wide variety of musical ensembles ranging from symphony and jazz orchestras to British style brass bands as both ensemble performer and soloist. A passionate educator ,Juan works with countless students of all ages across the country each year as a guest clinician, conductor, chamber music coach, marching band instructor, and private instructor. He holds degrees in horn performance and wind conducting from the University of Central Florida (B.M.) and University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory (M.M.) respectively. He is proud to be a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist and thoroughly enjoys making music on the Hans Hoyer K10 French Horn and Besson Prestige Eb Tenor Horn.  Juan currently serves as Instructor of Horn at the Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts. When not teaching, performing, or touring with the Dallas Brass, Juan enjoys spending lots of time with his wife and fellow musician/music educator, Anielka, traveling, being a foodie, billiards, bowling, and listening to (loudly played) music of all types.

John Wasson

(Trombone), born in St. Paul, MN, is a charter member of the Dallas Brass, having played bass trombone in the original ensemble. John pursued a career as a writer, producer and free-lance bass trombonist and tuba player. He returns to the Dallas Brass this season on tenor trombone. John has also been one of the primary arrangers and composers of Dallas Brass’ repertoire over the years. His accomplishments outside of Dallas Brass include hundreds of published arrangements and compositions, most notably an arrangement of Caravan heard in the final scene of the 2014 Academy Award-winning motion picture “Whiplash”. His works may be found in the catalogs of Hal Leonard, Alfred Music, Walrus Publishing and SMP Press. John attended the University of North Texas and played in the acclaimed One O'clock Lab Band. He also toured with the renowned Stan Kenton and Woody Herman Orchestras. He currently leads his own Strata Big Band in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Mr. Wasson is an XO Brass performing artist.

Paul Carlson

(Tuba)—Paul grew up in Illinois and began playing the tuba in his sixth grade band. He has completed studies in tuba performance at the University of Illinois (B.M.), the University of New Mexico (M.M.), and at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (D.M.). His experience includes the New Mexico Brass Quintet, Santa Fe Symphony Brass Quintet, The King’s Brass, the Walt Disney Collegiate All-Star Band, Harvey Phillips Tuba Company, as well as a number of symphony orchestras. Paul has also been a featured soloist at International and Regional Tuba Euphonium Conferences. He is Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. Paul is a Buffet Group USA Tuba Artist performing on Besson, B&S, and Meinl Weston tubas.

Craig Hill

(Percussion) is originally from Youngstown, OH. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Youngstown State University, majoring in Percussion Performance and Music Education. Craig has performed extensively throughout the United States and internationally with the Broadway show Swing!, Tokyo Disneyland, Grand World Voyages Cruise Lines, Billboard Media Group, and a special production featuring winners of Grammy Awards. Currently residing in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the “Craig Hill Presents” concert series features local musicians and interdisciplinary artists with a focus on improvisation. Through private and group instruction, Craig has taught music to all age groups from early childhood, to middle school, high school and university levels.