Graduate Teaching Assistants

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Joseph grew up in Mesa, Arizona, where he received his Bachelor's in Secondary Music Education from Ottawa University, and his Master's in Wind Band Conducting at Arizona State University under the tutelage of Jason Caslor and Jamal Duncan. Joseph is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Wind Band Conducting at the University of Miami in the Frost School of Music studying with Dr. Robert Carnochan. Joseph has six years of secondary-level music education and two years of college teaching experience serving as the Tuba and Euphonium instructor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. In his desire to support the excellence of marching education in Arizona, Joseph served on the board of Winterguard Arizona (WGAZ) and sat on adjudication panels for both WGAZ and Arizona Marching Band Association (AzMBA).

Andrew Keiser is currently pursuing his D.M.A. at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, studying conducting with Dr. Robert Carnochan. Prior to doctor studies, he received a Master's degree in wind conducting from the Schwob School of Music in Columbus, Georgia, where he studied with Dr. Jamie L. Nix. Before greaduate studies, Keiser taught at Angola High School in Indiana, where he directed all elements of the band program (a consistent recipient of the ISSMA All-Music Award). 

Keiser received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University, where he arranged music and served as Trumpet Section Leader for the Spartan Marching Band.  Keiser continues to arrange music and write drill for high school marching bands, and he often judges drum major captions at marching band shows.  He has been a conductor for the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-Region Honor Bands.  He has served on the ISSMA Marching Band Committee and the IBA State Board, and is an Assistant Director for the Crossroads Drum Major & Leadership Clinic.

Roy McLerran is a native of Texas and holds a   Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master's in Music in wind conducting from the University of Miami. McLerran has seven years of public school teaching experience, primarily with secondary bands.

 A native of Miami, FL, David Ramos is currently pursuing a Master's in Wind Conducting from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Recently, Ramos was selected as a semifinalist for the 2024 Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition in Modica, Italy. In June 2024, Ramos led the United States Air Force Band in rehearsal and performance as part of the NBA Young Composer & Conductor Mentorship Program. As a researcher, Ramos has presented at national and international research conferences on topics such as the wind music of Cuban composers, diverse programming for high school bands, and conductor magnitude. He also has several publications with the Florida Music Director, and continues to write from his perspective as a band director and conductor. Ramos served as the Director of Bands at Bradford High School in Starke, FL from 2021-2023.