Ivan G. Wansley, a native Floridian, is in his 44th year as a Music Educator.  During this time, Mr. Wansley had successful teaching tenures at the middle school, the junior high school, the high school, and the college/university levels.  While teaching in the public schools of Florida all areas of his programs were rated “superior” at both the district and state levels with the Florida Bandmaster’s Association. At Immokalee High School Mr. Wansley had the first “superior” at a FBA event in the history of the school. At Cape Coral High School, he was recognized as “Teacher of the Year,” and the CCHS marching band participated in the Cotton Bowl Parade, Dallas, Texas, Inauguration parade for governors in Tallahassee, FL, and first national commercial for the Twistee Treat Ice Cream Company. At Vero Beach Jr High School, he had three concert bands earn a “superior” at the FBA music performance assessment.  Mr. Wansley received his BA degree in Music Education/Fine Arts and his MA degree in Wind Conducting from the University of South Florida in Tampa, studying with Dr. James Croft and Dr. Mallory Thompson. 

Mr. Wansley still shares his knowledge with the directors and their students throughout Florida. He continues to present sessions at district and state conferences regularly. The recent series, “How To Fix It,” is attended by over 800-1000 participants annually at the Florida Music Educators Conference.  He is co-owner of “Makes Sense” Drill Design and Leadership Camps which writes drill for some of the top bands in Florida. Mr. Wansley also provides leadership training for numerous high schools annually.  He owns DOLCE woodwind mouthpieces which are used by professional and amateur woodwind players throughout the Southeastern United States.  Mr. Wansley is currently in the 14th season as the Artistic Director/Conductor of the Hollingsworth Winds, an adult based concert band located in Polk County, FL. He has conducted 38 county, district, regional and all-state bands in Florida and North Carolina and the Festival of Winds at the University of South three times.  Mr. Wansley is an active private clarinet teacher producing numerous all-state and all-county players.  He is an active adjudicator for the Florida Marching Band Coalition, Music In The Parks, OrlandoFest and the Kentucky Music Educators Association. 

His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmaster’s Association (life member - former board member and member of numerous committees), Phi Beta Mu International Band Director’s Fraternity (member of the Steering Committee – Past President), American School Band Director’s Association (State Clinics Chair), Phi Mu Alpha Professional Music Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota (Friend of the Arts) Professional Music Fraternity, Delta Omicron (Patron) Professional Music Fraternity and the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society.     

Music by Larry Clark is some of the most popular and most performed by concert bands and string orchestras of all ability levels. Larry is equally adept at writing music for beginners as he is for high school and college ensembles. His music is tuneful, contains a fresh harmonic perspective, is well scored and stretches the musicianship of the performers. He prides himself on producing music that is not only intriguing to performers and audiences alike but that contains a playability that comes from a keen understanding of the technical difficulties inherent in all instruments. His pieces have been performed internationally and appear on numerous contest/festival performance required music lists. He is an ASCAP award-winning composer, has over 400 publications in print and is in demand to write commissions for bands and orchestras across the country.

In addition to his abilities as a composer, Larry is the founder and President of Excelcia Music Publishing, which includes Wingert-Jones Publications, Kendor Music Publishing and RBC Publications. His company focuses on educational music for band, choral, Jazz ensemble and orchestra along with related methods and books. Prior to Larry starting his own publishing company, he served for nineteen years as Vice President, Editor-in-Chief for Carl Fischer Music, and before that, as Instrumental Music Editor for Warner Bros. Publications. Larry travels the world presenting clinic/workshops and guest conducting appearances. His background as a former middle school and university band director at Syracuse University, combined with his composing and editing, have placed Larry at the forefront of music for school ensembles. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Florida State University and Masters Degrees in Conducting and Composition from James Madison University in Virginia. For more information about the music of Larry Clark, visit his website www.larryclarkmusic.com .

Robert Sheldon has made significant contributions to music education and composition. Starting his career in instrumental music teaching in public schools in Florida and Illinois, Sheldon expanded his influence to higher education, serving on the faculty at Florida State University. His career also includes a notable tenure as Director of Concert Band Publications for Alfred Music, and he is actively involved in composing and conducting, with a rich history of commissions for new works. Sheldon's academic background is robust, holding a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Miami and a Master of Fine Arts in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Florida. His contributions to music education were recognized in 2020 when he received an honorary Doctorate in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music.

Sheldon is an internationally acclaimed clinician and conductor, with his compositions receiving global recognition and inclusion in concert and contest repertoires. His career as a conductor and educator has spanned across the United States and internationally in countries such as Japan, Canada, Italy, and Australia, showcasing his works in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Sheldon's impact on music education is further evidenced by his leadership roles in various ensembles and his active participation in music education associations. His compositions are highly regarded, earning him numerous awards and distinctions, including the Volkwein Award for composition and membership in the American Bandmasters Association. With over three million copies of his compositions and educational books sold, Sheldon's work continues to influence the world of wind band music, marking him as a pivotal figure in both the compositional and educational spheres of music.

Joshua Hobbs, born in 1990, has quickly emerged as a distinguished figure in the realm of music composition, gaining recognition as a rising star with a rapidly expanding reputation. Celebrated for his creative talent, Hobbs has garnered accolades from prestigious competitions, including the National Band Association's Young Composer Mentor Project and the Dallas Winds’ Brass Fanfare Composition Contest. His academic credentials are solid, with a master's degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from the University of Central Florida. Hobbs has enriched his compositional skills through private studies with notable figures like Brian Balmages and Mark Camphouse, and by participating in master classes led by luminaries such as Eric Whitacre.

Hobbs's compositional output is extensive and varied, with works performed globally by renowned artists and ensembles, including the United States Air Force Band and the University of North Texas Wind Symphony. His music has been featured in prestigious venues and events such as the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic and conferences of the College Band Director National Association. Beyond his accomplishments as a composer, Hobbs has made significant contributions to music education, serving as the Director of Bands at J.W. Mitchell High School in Trinity, Florida, where his leadership has led ensembles to achieve superior ratings and his marching bands to state finals success. An active figure in the music community, he also engages as an adjudicator, clinician, and member of the Florida Bandmasters Association Commissioning Committee. His works are published by reputable firms, reinforcing his presence in the music composition and education sectors.