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 serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Arizona. In this position, he conducts the Symphonic Band, assists with the athletic bands, and teaches conducting and music education courses for the Fred Fox School of Music. As the assistant for the Pride of Arizona Marching Band and Pep Band, his responsibilities include music and marching instruction, drill design, arranging, student leadership training, community outreach, and directing the pep band for women’s volleyball and men’s basketball games. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Ueda frequently visits public schools as a clinician-conductor and presents at conferences and workshops. Each year, Ueda administers the U of A Band Day, a high school marching band festival, and has started the annual U of A Band Conducting Workshop and Regional Etude Workshop.

Ueda is currently the director and conductor of LendAnEar Chamber Players, an ensemble specializing in large chamber works for strings, winds, and percussion. Ueda’s public school teaching experiences include teaching elementary music in Mesa, Arizona and high school bands in Chandler and Tucson, Arizona. He also has taught the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps as a brass instructor.

Ueda received his Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting and Bachelors of Music Education from Northern Arizona University. His teachers include Daniel Schmidt (conducting), Alexander Lapins, Kent Eshelman, Christian Carichner (tuba), and Bruce Reiprich (composition). After his graduate work, Ueda studied orchestral conducting in New York and Vienna in various summer festivals.

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.

Eric Sorenson is a percussion instructor and arranger from Tucson, Arizona. He currently serves as the Percussion Caption Head/Battery Arranger at Canyon Del Oro High School in Tucson, AZ. Eric has also been a part of the percussion/design staff at Ironwood Ridge High School (Tucson) and Rincon/University High School.

Eric spent 10 years of his life as a performer in the marching arts activity starting at the age of 12 years old. After graduating from Canyon Del Oro High School in 2014, he spent his first summer in Drum Corps International as a member of the Front Ensemble at Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps. After that, he returned to the activity by earning his spot on the Madison Scouts snare line in 2016, and then again in 2017 for his age-out summer where he served as the Battery Captain for the 2017 season. Capping off his last summer of DCI in 2017, Eric was awarded the Yamaha Music Educators Scholarship.

With drum set being Eric’s main instrument, he is currently finishing his BM in Jazz Studies/Performance from The Fred Fox School of Music at The University of Arizona. Eric has had the pleasure of being under the direction of Dr. Norman Weinberg, Dr. Morris Palter, and Dr. Angelo Versace at The University of Arizona. He has performed in ensembles such as the UA Wind Ensemble, Arizona Symphony Orchestra, various percussion ensembles, “CrossTalk” electronic percussion ensemble, Concert Jazz Big Band, Experiential Jazz Combo, and spent 3 seasons on the snare line with the Pride of Arizona Marching Band.

Nick Knepper is incredibly excited to begin his first year as a member of the Pride of Arizona Percussion Staff.

An active marching percussion educator and clinician in the Tucson area, Nick found his love for the marching arts while attending Canyon del Oro High School in Oro Valley, AZ.

Inspired after seeing his first live DCI performances in 2011, Nick continued his performance career with a total of 5 World Class DCI tours, performing in the front ensembles of Pacific Crest (Diamond Bar, CA), the Madison Scouts (Madison, WI), and Carolina Crown (Fort Mill, SC).

Currently, Nick resides in Oro Valley, AZ, where he will be entering his 6th season serving as the Battery Arranger/Caption Head for Ironwood Ridge High School.

Nick is excited and honored to become a part of the University of Arizona family!

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 graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology and went on to receive her Master of Public Administration at ASU. Nicole is returning for her fourth year as Cymbal Tech with the Pride.

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.

Edward Camarena has performed in many different groups since 2009, starting with his high school marching band and winter program. He is a four-year veteran of the Pride of Arizona Color Guard, serving as captain in 2014 and 2015. He was also a member of Vericitas Independent in 2013 and 2015, along with FeniX Independent World from 2017-2019 where he served as captain for two years. Edward has also dabbled in the baton twirling community competing in the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA). He has been teaching various programs since 2012, and has worked with FJM summer clinics in 2018 and 2019. Edward currently teaches at Sabino High School, placing them in the top 3 auxiliaries in their division for four of the last five years for both marching band and winter guard.

After 9 seasons of coaching the Arizona Pom Line, Adrienne Robertson has stepped into the roll of Pom Line Coordinator in 2019. 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.

Brianna Jensen was born and raised in Tucson. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Spanish. Her experience with the Pride of Arizona includes being a member of the Arizona Pom Line for four years and a Drum Major of the Pride her senior year. Brianna works as a Second Grade teacher in Tucson Unified School District in addition to being the Game Day Coach of the Arizona Pom Line.

Kirsten Cloutier Grabo began twirling at the age of 4 in her hometown of Duluth, Minnesota. She went on to become a Minnesota State Champion at the age of 5, and regained the title every year until she was 17. A National two-baton champion at the age of 10 (NBTA), she has competed, taught, and judged for both twirling organizations, NBTA and USTA. From 1989 to 1990 Kirsten traveled and performed with Up With People (Cast A), an international group that empowers young adults to make a difference in the world through volunteering, leadership, and the performing arts.

Kirsten is a former UA twirler and member of the Pride of Arizona from 1991-1994 under the tutelage of Shirlee Bertolini. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 1995, and received her MBA in 2002. Encouraged by Bertolini, she created the “Tucson Twirlers” studio in 2002 and by 2005 had over 50 students ages 6-17. She coached high school twirlers at Rincon/University, Salpointe, Sahuaro, Sabino, CDO, and Marana. In 2010, she began assisting Shirlee Bertolini with the UA Twirling Team. Kirsten works for the University of Arizona as the Program Coordinator for the Neuroscience GIDP. She married John Grabo and has “two little wildcats,” sons Brady & Beckett.

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 was born and raised in Tucson, AZ and graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, with a minor in Music. She is currently a Kindergarten Teacher in Tucson Unified School District and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in National Board Certification. Jennifer has been involved in music for over sixteen 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 volunteers with various middle school band programs. Jennifer was named the 2016 Pride of Arizona MVP. This is her third year on staff and she is beyond excited to continue working with one of the greatest collegiate marching bands in the nation!

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.

Originally from Lexington, KY, Grant holds a BM in Music Education from Murray State University in Murray, KY. He is currently pursuing a MM in Historical Musicology at the University of Arizona. In addition to his studies, Grant is a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the Pride of Arizona Athletic Bands and the Musicology department.

Grant has extensive performing and teaching experience in the marching arts, performing with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps in 2014 and serving as a drum major for the Murray State University Racer Band that same year. Grant served on the instructional staff of the Racer Band in 2016 specializing in visual performance in addition to working with multiple high school bands across the state of Kentucky. In 2018, Grant began working with the Mountain View High School Marching Band in Marana, AZ where he continues to teach in his free time. In addition to his marching arts experience, Grant has performed on euphonium with the Murray State University Wind Ensemble and Murray State University Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble and made a brief cameo in the Murray State University Trumpet Ensemble playing bass trumpet. During these years, he enjoyed performances at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Knoxville, TN (2016), Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference in Louisville, KY (2017), and the National Trumpet Competition in Denver, CO (2017).

Grant is looking forward to his second year as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the Pride of Arizona Athletic Bands as the organization continues to build upon its storied tradition!

Joe Gallegos received his Bachelor of Music Composition from the University of Arizona in 1998, 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 Assistant Percussion 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 a Recording Engineer at Allusion Studios, assisting with the production of several recording 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 Manager since 2009. In addition to his role with the Pride of Arizona, Joe is currently Senior Website Developer for UA Financial Services.

Rebecca Sasnett graduated from the University of Arizona in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a minor in Music. She is currently a freelance photographer who specializes in sports, portraits, music, and lifestyle. Becca is also pursuing a certification in Personal Training. Her work has been published in Sports Illustrated, TRAIN magazine, LA Times, The Arizona Daily Star, The Daily Wildcat and Arizona Athletics- online, posters, graphics and billboards.

This is Becca’s second year working with the Pride of Arizona and she is excited to return and to help document this incredible performance group.

Originally from Rio Rico, Arizona, Raul Bravo holds a BA in Film & Television with a minor in Music Performance from the University of Arizona. As a student, Raul marched sousaphone with the Pride of Arizona for the 2011 season and became a sister of Tau Beta Sigma. He also had the opportunity to work as a Stage Technician for UA Presents, where he was a part of the professional crew for renowned performers, such as Seth Meyers, Wynton Marsalis, Jerry Seinfeld, and Carol Burnett, among many others.

Raul completed his professional internship at a PBS TV station in Kansas City (KCPT). While there, he learned many aspects of broadcast television which led to a position at KGUN-9 as a Traffic Coordinator, assigning commercials to air. In 2018, Raul accepted a position in Phoenix as an Inventory Control Specialist for E.W. Scripps, parent company of KGUN-9. He works out of the West Coast Traffic Hub, inside the city’s ABC local station, ABC15 Arizona (KNXV).

Raul was also the Fine Arts Technical Director for Rio Rico High School, a position he held for eight years before starting a business venture by co-founding BravWell Video Creations, an event videography company. Raul has overseen the operation of the stadium videoboards at UA Band Day for the past six years. He feels very honored and excited to begin his second season as Videographer for the Pride of Arizona.

Brianne Turnbull is a recent graduate from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language Pathology. Brianne is also an alumna from the Pride of Arizona and was a member of the Twirling Team from 2015-2019. She has competed individually at the international level throughout her college career; representing the USA for three tours, earning two bronze medals in Croatia during her last tour in 2017. For the past two years, Brianne managed the Twirling Team’s multiple social media pages and is excited to transfer her skills to her role as Social Media Coordinator for the greatest collegiate band!

Michael Hornfeck is extremely excited to start his first year as the Voice of “the Pride.” He is a long time Tucsonan and has been part of the Tucson Media Community for over 30 years working in radio and television. “Growing up in Tucson and living the tradition and pageantry of the Pride is a deep part of me, and I am so proud to be a part of the team.” BEAR DOWN!

Bio coming soon