Ph: (520) 621-7027
shoopmac@email.arizona.edu

Professor Shoopman joined the faculty at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands in the summer of 2016. His duties include conducting the Wind Symphony, directing “The Pride of Arizona” Marching and Pep Bands, as well as teaching leadership and marching band techniques courses.  A proud alumni, Professor Shoopman earned both his Bachelor’s in Music Education (’96) and Master’s in Conducting Performance (’99) at the University of Arizona. While at the U of A, he studied conducting with Gregg I. Hanson. He continued studying choral and orchestral conducting with   Dr. John Sinclair at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Prior to his appointment at the University of Arizona, Professor Shoopman was a Distinguished Adjunct Faculty member at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida where he taught Film Music History, trumpet, and conducting. He worked for the Walt Disney World Company conducting and performing on countless multi-million dollar studio projects for Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Disney Cruise Lines. He also worked as a conductor, performer, arranger, and choreographer for live shows seen by millions of guests throughout Walt Disney World including FutureCorps, the Tomorrowland Countdown, the Main Street Philharmonic, and Disney’s Candlelight Processional. As the most requested clinician for Disney Performing Arts (formerly Magic Music Days), Professor Shoopman was honored to lead thousands of educational workshops for middle school, high school, and college bands and orchestras from all over the world.

In 2010, Professor Shoopman was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Brass Band of Central Florida. Under his baton, the BBCF won a national championship, recorded 3 albums, and earned the ranking of 13th best brass band in the world; the highest placement any band outside of Great Britain has ever achieved! He was known for innovative show designs and arrangements that appealed to a wide range of audiences while still maintaining artistic integrity in the ever growing American brass band movement.

Professor Shoopman has enjoyed numerous guest-conducting, adjudication, and clinic appointments in the United States, Canada, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, France, and Australia.

He is an active orchestral conductor appearing with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra.

Professor Shoopman has conducted various musical theater productions including “Shrek The Musical”, and is recognized for being equally comfortable conducting a wide variety of musical styles and ensembles.

He appears regularly as lead trumpet for Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Arturo Sandoval’s L.A. All-Star Big Band, Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge, and the hr- Big Band in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as symphony orchestras throughout the United States.

Yudai Ueda is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Arizona. In this position, he assists in all facets of the Pride of Arizona Marching Band and Pep Band. His responsibilities include music and marching instruction, drill design, arranging, student leadership training, and directing performances. He also teaches undergraduate conducting, independent study (private conducting lessons), and marching band technique courses in the school of music and serves as a guest conductor for the University of Arizona concert ensembles. Ueda organizes and administers the annual U of A Band Day (a high school marching band festival) and frequently travel to local schools for clinics, recruitment, and outreach activities.

Ueda received his Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting and Bachelors of Music Education from Northern Arizona University. As a conducting graduate assistant, he assisted the NAU Lumberjack Marching Band and Pep Band, conducted the Wind Symphony and NAUTEE (NAU Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble) as a graduate conductor, co-directed the Collegiate Band, and organized chamber wind groups and new music ensembles. His teachers include Daniel Schmidt (conducting), Alexander Lapins, Kent Eshelman, Christian Carichner (tuba), and Bruce Reiprich (composition).

Ueda’s public school experiences include teaching elementary music in Mesa, Arizona and high school marching bands in Chandler and Tucson, Arizona. He also has taught the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as a brass staff member.

Jeremy is a music teacher from Tucson Arizona who has been on the Pride of Arizona drumline staff since 2008. He earned his BM in Music Education from the University of Arizona while marching snare on the Pride of Arizona drumline, and playing drumset in the University of Arizona pep band. Jeremy directed the drumline at Mountain View High School for six years, and he was Director and Snare & Tenor tech of Fusion Indoor Percussion. A multi-talented musician who believes that everything in life can be expressed through music, Jeremy currently teaches Choir and Percussion at Cienega High School in Vail, AZ.

A graduate of the University of Arizona with a BA in Music, Thomas Gonzalez has had years of experience learning what it takes to be a good musician and how music can create positive life experiences and build strong character. His marching background includes five years on snare with the Pride of Arizona Marching Drumline, two years as drum captain, three years on drum set with the POA Pep Band, and four years with Fusion Indoor Percussion. Thomas’ work as a high school drumline instructor in the Tucson area has brought his ensembles multiple Superior rankings at ABODA marching festivals and WGAZ “Scholastic A” competitions.

Adrienne Robertson was appointed UA Pride of Arizona Pom Line coach in 2010. She has over twenty years of dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary. She began dancing at the age of 3, won numerous dance awards, performed on seven cruise ships, and was a guest solo performer at the 2006 Miss America pageant. She was a four-year member of the Pride of Arizona Pom Line, traveling to two college bowl games, four PAC 12 Basketball Tournaments, and one NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Adrienne is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Communication and a minor in Family Studies and Human Development. Adrienne loves the spirit and rich traditions at UA and enjoys being a part of the Wildcat community.

Megan Carcioppolo is from San Diego, California, and just completed two years as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader where she performed with country music stars Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Trace Adkins and Kacey Musgraves. She also traveled overseas for the 81st USO Tour. Megan began her dancing and pageant career at the young age of three years old; receiving notoriety that included several national and international titles such as Junior Dancer of the Year in 2006. She went on to compete in Australia representing the United States where she competed against kids from all around the world and won the world title at the age of thirteen. She was also Miss Teen Starpower and Starpower spokeswoman, Miss Dance America, Urban Dance Wear Model, Discount Dance Model, and In-style Magazine Model. Megan can also be seen in national television commercials such as Bratz dolls and a co-starring role in Disney’s Wizards of Waverly place with Selena Gomez.

Megan graduated from the University of Arizona in 2015 studying Arts, Media and Entertainment, with a minor in dance. While in college, Megan was a three-year member of the Pride of Arizona Pom Line, serving as captain for two of those years. She traveled to two college bowl games, the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Megan loves the family and spirit at UA, and is excited to be back and part of the Wildcat family. Bear Down!

A veteran member of the Pride of Arizona Color Guard staff, Missy also marched with the Pride for four years, two of them as captain. As captain of Vericitas Winter Guard, the group won WGAZ Championships in 2012 and 2013, and placed as a 2013 WGI Western Championships finalist. Missy toured the country with The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corp, performing in Indianapolis at DCI Finals. Under Missy’s instruction, the Rio Rico High School guard placed in two WGAZ Regional A Championships, and earned countless Outstanding Auxiliary captions during their marching season. Missy is currently pursuing a degree in Nursing at The University of Arizona.

Bio coming soon.

Shirlee Bertolini has been associated with the UA Band program for over 50 years. She is affectionately called the “Grande Dame” of the Pride of Arizona. Shirlee began her career as a Michigan State and National Twirling Champion. In 1954, she came from Detroit to the University of Arizona to become the school’s first featured twirler. After her reign, she became UA’s Twirling Coach, increasing the number of twirlers to seven. Traveling thousands of miles each year recruiting twirlers for her UA team, Shirlee’s National Baton Twirling judging assignments allow her the opportunity to choose the “cream of the crop” internationally. Her career has produced many state and national champions, plus the Equestrian Twirlers, who for ten years performed on horseback in Tucson’s famous La Fiesta de los Vaqueros parade. Shirlee Bertolini has taught twirling throughout the 50 states and 17 foreign countries. She is still actively teaching, judging, and coaching.

Martin I. Gaines is from Dell, Arkansas and is pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree specializing in Wind Band Conducting under the guidance of Dr. Chad Nicholson. He serves as a graduate teaching assistant assisting with University Bands and conducting courses. Gaines received an M.M. in Conducting from Middle Tennessee State University and a B.M.Ed. from the historic VanderCook College of Music. He has studied conducting with Dr. Reed Thomas, Dr. Gordon Brock, Dr. Charles T. Menghini, Dr. Peter Jermihov, and Dr. John M. Long. Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Mr. Gaines has served as the principal clarinetist of the 151st Army Band, principal E-flat clarinetist of the VanderCook College Symphonic Band, lead tenor saxophonist of Troy State University’s Jazz Ensemble One, and was a founding member of the Chamber Jazz Ensemble at Troy State University.

Prior to pursuing graduate studies and for fifteen years, Mr. Gaines taught middle and high school bands and orchestras in Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, and most recently in Florida. His bands have consistently received top marks from adjudicators. While at Orange Park High School (FL), his Wind Symphony was selected to perform at the Southeastern United States Band Clinic and Conference at Troy University (2010). His most recent position at Oakleaf High School (FL) began a five year tenure building a new program from 50 students to 250, conducting three concert bands, two jazz ensembles, chamber winds, and the “Golden Regiment” Marching Band. His final three years were particularly marked with symphonic successes having earned straight superior ratings at the Florida Bandmaster’s Association State Music Performance Assessment culminating in the Kraushaar Award for the Oakleaf Wind Symphony in 2015, a first in the history of the school. Mr. Gaines was also named Teacher of the Year in 2015 for Oakleaf High School. Gaines holds professional memberships in NAfME, CBDNA, WASBE, and is a proud member of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Bio coming soon

Michael Finley graduated from Mountain View High School in 2009. He attended the University of Arizona from 2009-2014 where he received his Bachelor of Arts in History. He was a member of the Pride of Arizona drumline from 2010-14 and was drum captain his last two years. In 2011 he was a member of Dark Sky Indoor Percussion and participated in the WGI finals in Dayton, Ohio. In 2012 he was a member of Fusion Indoor Percussion. He has instructed Mountain View, CDO, Sahuaro, Sabino, and is currently teaching the marching band at Nogales High School.

Bio coming soon

Nicole Nelson is an alumna of the Pride of Arizona cymbal line marching from 2010-2013 and was section leader her final year. In 2012, Nicole marched cymbals for the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. She has volunteered her knowledge of cymbals with several high schools around Tucson and with anyone wishing to learn. Nicole graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology and went on to receive her Master of Public Administration in Phoenix.

Clifton Weston is a recent graduate from the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music. During his time as a graduate teaching assistant, he served as coordinator and director for the UA Outreach Honor Band, Chair and Coordinator of the UA High School Honor Band, and conductor of the UA Symphonic Band. Under the mentorship of Gregg Hanson and Chad Nicholson, Weston earned his Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting in the spring of 2017. During his time at UA, Weston offered master classes to students of all ages throughout the Tucson community, as well as working with the Flowing Wells High School Marching Band with teaching mentor Ellen Kirkbride.

Weston earned his Bachelor of Music in clarinet performance and music education in 2014 from the University of Arizona. His clarinet teachers included Jerry Kirkbride, Suzanne Fischer, and Emilie Finn. His conducting teachers included Gregg Hanson and Kevin Holzman.

In the spring of 2017, Weston was appointed Director of Bands at Magee Middle School in Tucson, as well as working on staff with the Pride of Arizona. Weston is excited to stay in the Tucson area and is looking forward to bringing his best for the music education for his students.

Seth Kuhns got his start in music in Pennsylvania where he attended high school in the greater Philadelphia area. Along the way he has played a mixture of trombone, baritone, and euphonium in concert ensembles and jazz bands. Seth is a current member of the Montgomery County Red Hill Band celebrating its 117th year. He began his marching career at the Upper Perkiomen High School in Pennsburg, PA. Seth then went on to march with the Jersey Surf drum and bugle corps from 2011-2013 where in 2013 he was awarded the position of horn sergeant. He marched his final DCI season with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014.

Seth is a current undergraduate student at the University of Arizona studying Aerospace Engineering and Physics, entering his 5th year. He was a member of the Pride of Arizona from 2013-2015, where he was named the 2015 MVP. Seth is a huge supporter of the Pride and can’t wait for this upcoming season!

Rachel Pauls graduated from the University of Arizona in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Development and Psychology. She is currently working for a local non-profit organization serving the community, their children, and their families. Rachel is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University.

Rachel began playing French Horn and studying music at the age of 10. She participated in several honor bands, regional concerts, and all-state performances before her time at the University of Arizona.  During her time at the UA, Rachel participated in numerous musical ensembles including orchestras, concert bands, the Betty Katzen Horn Studio, and the Pride of Arizona marching and pep band. She was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 and was section leader during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, traveling to two bowl games, three Pac-12 Basketball Tournaments and several NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments. She has also worked with several high school marching bands, and is currently on the instructional staff at Desert View High School. She is thrilled to be able to work with one of the best collegiate marching bands in the nation. Bear Down!

Jennifer Thornton is a recent graduate from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Education – Elementary Education with a minor in Music. Jennifer has been involved in music for over fifteen years and is a veteran member of the Pride of Arizona. During her five years in the Pride, she was the Piccolo Section Leader for three years. As a member of the Pride of Arizona marching and pep bands, she traveled to three college bowl games, and several Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournaments and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments. She has also worked with local high school bands as a Woodwind Instructor and volunteered with various middle school band programs. Jennifer was named the 2016 Pride of Arizona MVP and is beyond excited to continue working with one of the greatest collegiate marching bands in the nation!

The Pride of Arizona welcomed Ivan Ugorich in April 2017 as the new band office administrator/liaison, providing financial and operational management within the Fred Fox School of Music business office.

Ivan earned a Master of Arts degree in arts administration from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He has worked as director of marketing and fundraising at Versa Music Conservatory of Music in Georgia. There, he assisted in raising funds for student scholarships and improving visibility for the school. In addition, he worked as an arts administrator in the Southeast, assisting arts organizations such as Council on Culture and Arts (COCA), The Artist Series, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and Thomasville Entertainment Foundation.

Joe Gallegos received his Bachelor of Music Composition from the University of Arizona in 1998, having been mentored by renowned Fred Fox School of Music faculty Daniel Asia (composition), Tom Patterson (guitar), Gary Cook (percussion), and Jay Rees (band/conducting).  As an undergraduate he performed in university ensembles on guitar, saxophone, and percussion, including the UA Drumline and UA Steel Band.  After graduation, Joe served as Percussion Assistant Director for the Pride of Arizona from 1999 to 2004, and was appointed Percussion Director for 2004-2005.

From 2004 to 2012 Joe worked as an Audio Recording Engineer at Allusion Studios in Tucson, assisting several recording artists on projects ranging from audiobook voiceovers to full albums.  He is experienced in audio editing and mixing, live on-site recording, multimedia production, graphic design, visual communications, website development, social media management, brand management, and content writing/editing.

Joe has served as Webmaster for the Pride of Arizona band, drumline, pom line, twirling team, and color guard since 2001, and has served as Social Media Coordinator since 2009. In addition to his role with the Pride of Arizona, Joe is currently Senior Website Designer/Developer for the UA Financial Services Office.

Thousands of southern Arizonans start their day with Greg Curtis. As the host of the Morning-MIX on 94.9MIXfm, Greg and his radio show partner, Mrs. Grant, are heard all across Tucson weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m.

Greg is a Tucson native who’s lived in New England (twice) and is glad to once again be working with the Pride of Arizona.  A University of Arizona alum and former member of the drumline, he also served on the Percussion Staff under caption head, David Rodenkirch.  (Fun fact: Greg played drum set in the pep band when the Arizona men’s basketball team won the National Championship in 1997!)

A big supporter of the Tucson community, Greg helps local non-profits, including Make Way for Books, TMC for Children, The American Cancer Society, The Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, GirlPower2Cure, and more.

He and his wife, Kim, are raising a daughter and dog (both Wildcat fans) on Tucson’s far east side.