Albert Nguyen
Dr. Albert Nguyen is the Director of Bands at the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, where he also leads the Conducting Area and serves as Executive Director of the Summer at the Scheidt Music Camps. His primary responsibilities include overseeing the University Bands Program, conducting the Wind Ensemble, directing the graduate Wind Conducting Program, and teaching graduate-level courses in wind/band repertoire and rehearsal techniques.
Under Dr. Nguyen’s leadership, the University of Memphis Wind Ensemble hasperformed at prestigious events including the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Southern Division Conference, the Tennessee Music Education Association (TNMEA) All-State Conference, and international venues in Austria and Italy. He is a sought-after conductor and clinician, having worked with ensembles across the United States, including All-State Bands in Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas. His presentations on leadership, conducting, and rehearsal strategies have been featured at the Midwest Clinic and numerous music educator conferences nationwide.
Dr. Nguyen began his professional career as Director of Bands at Morrilton High School in Morrilton, Arkansas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University and both his Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Wind Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin.
In recognition of his excellence in teaching, creative activity, and service, Dr. Nguyen has been honored with the Pearl Wales Professorship and the First Tennessee Professorship at the University of Memphis. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Beta Mu, and the American Bandmasters Association, and currently serves on the Diversity Committee for the College Band Directors National Association.
Andrew Keiser
Andrew Keiser is Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Colorado - Boulder, where he directs the Concert Band and Buff Basketball Band while serving as the Assistant Director of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. As Assistant Teaching Professor of Conducting and Music Education, Keiser also teaches undergraduate music education courses and supervises student teachers. Keiser completed doctoral studies at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he studied conducting with Robert Carnochan and Michael Hancock. He previously earned his master’s degree in conducting at Columbus State University, where he studied with Jamie L. Nix. Keiser actively arranges music for high school and collegiate athletic bands, and his 2025 transcription of Maria Schneider’s
Winter Morning Walks for soprano and chamber wind ensemble has been performed by collegiate ensembles nationwide. He taught high school and middle school in Indiana, and continues to present on topics including positive teaching techniques in secondary music education. Keiser is an Assistant Director for the Crossroads Drum Major & Leadership Clinic, which provides musical and leadership instruction for hundreds of high school drum majors and student leaders annually.
Sheldon McLean
Sheldon “MAC” McLean is an educator, conductor, clinician, and consultant specializing in the intersection of education, community, production, and entertainment. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Miami, where he helps shape the vision, visibility, and impact of the band program.
At the U, Dr. McLean’s value-add extends beyond music-making. In addition to preserving tradition, his role includes branding, recruitment strategy, and community engagement, collaborating with university departments and external partners to integrate the band meaningfully into the UMiami experience. Along with guest conducting Frost School of Music ensembles, he directs the University of Miami Pep Band, which performs at athletic events, university programs, admissions functions, and community engagements.
Dr. McLean also co-founded and directs The Sound Check Group, an award-winning consultancy and creative firm with a non-profit arm focused on expanding access to arts education, post-secondary success, and designing high-impact experiences that bridge community and entertainment. His background in performance, production, and strategy makes him a sought-after voice in both academic and industry settings.
Prior to his role at UM, he earned national recognition for his work as a music educator, ensemble director, and clinician, leading programs grounded in a community-first philosophy and a standard of excellence.
He holds a B.S. from Florida A&M University, an M.M.E. from the Florida State University, and a D.M.A. in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Miami.
