Biographies of Presenters
Mr. Dustin Seifert
Dustin D. Seifert, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, is Chair of the Department of Music, Director of Bands and Coordinator of the Division of Wind and Percussion Studies at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU). Mr. Seifert received the BME, summa cum laude, from The University of Akron and the MME with an emphasis in instrumental conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he was the recipient of the Guy M. Duker Award. His mentors include: Richard L. Cass, Michael R. Golemo, Robert D. Jorgensen, Tucker R. Jolly, James F. Keene, Gary E. Smith, Mark E. Moore, and Deborah A. Sheldon. On the campus of ENMU, Mr. Seifert is responsible for the operation and organization of a comprehensive undergraduate instrumental program. In addition to conducting the Wind Symphony, Symphonic and Marching Bands, and applied euphonium/tuba instruction, Dustin leads courses in low brass techniques, techniques of marching band, band and wind ensemble history and repertoire, and beginning and advanced conducting. In 2004, Mr. Seifert received the "Spirit of Eastern Award" recognizing outstanding contributions, dedication, and loyalty to Eastern New Mexico University over a sustained period. He was the 2005 recipient of ENMU’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Prior to his appointment at Eastern, Mr. Seifert served as Assistant Director of Bands at Iowa State University. At Iowa State, he conducted the University Band and Musical Pit Orchestra, designed drill for and rehearsed the 280-member Marching Cyclones, taught low brass methods, applied low brass, and courses in music education.
Dustin is a member of the New Mexico Music Educators Association (NMMEA), MENC - The National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Texas Music Educators Association, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary, and Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honorary. He is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Fraternities, and an elected member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.
Dustin currently serves as Executive Secretary for the Southeast New Mexico Music Educators Association and as Director of the Clovis (NM) Community Band. Mr. Seifert is president of the NMMEA.
Mr. Seifert is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the region, state, and nation. Dustin resides in Portales, NM.
Prior to his appointment at Eastern, Mr. Seifert served as Assistant Director of Bands at Iowa State University. At Iowa State, he conducted the University Band and Musical Pit Orchestra, designed drill for and rehearsed the 280-member Marching Cyclones, taught low brass methods, applied low brass, and courses in music education.
Dustin is a member of the New Mexico Music Educators Association (NMMEA), MENC - The National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Texas Music Educators Association, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary, and Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honorary. He is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Fraternities, and an elected member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.
Dustin currently serves as Executive Secretary for the Southeast New Mexico Music Educators Association and as Director of the Clovis (NM) Community Band. Mr. Seifert is president of the NMMEA.
Mr. Seifert is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the region, state, and nation. Dustin resides in Portales, NM.
Melissa Rice
Melissa Rice is in her fifth year of active membership in Kappa Kappa Psi and is currently serving her second term as President of the Beta Lambda Chapter. She is a clarinetist studying Music, Instrumental Performance at Eastern New Mexico University. She has been selected to perform in the New Mexico Intercollegiate Band (2007-2011), National Intercollegiate Band in Orlando, FL (2007) and Phoenix, AZ (2009), as well as the College Band Director’s National Association Small College Intercollegiate Band in Seattle, WA (2011). She has travelled to Southwest District conventions at Texas Tech University (2006), Oklahoma State University (2007), Stephen F. Austin State University (2008), and Baylor University (2010); national conventions in Orlando, FL (2007) and Phoenix, AZ (2009); and the Kappa Kappa Psi Summer Leadership Symposium in Denver, CO (2010).
Melissa was the drum major for the Greyhound Sound Marching Band from 2006-2009 and has also held the offices of Secretary, Historian, and Vice President for the Beta Lambda Chapter. As elected by her peers, she is also serving her second term as one of four students on the Student Advisory Council for the College of Music. She was a scholarship winner in the University Friends of Music Scholarship Competition in 2009 and 2010 as well as a finalist in 2007. Melissa is also a member of the National Band Association and the International Clarinet Association. She plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Music, Instrumental Performance in Fall 2011 and continue on to graduate studies in performance.
Melissa was the drum major for the Greyhound Sound Marching Band from 2006-2009 and has also held the offices of Secretary, Historian, and Vice President for the Beta Lambda Chapter. As elected by her peers, she is also serving her second term as one of four students on the Student Advisory Council for the College of Music. She was a scholarship winner in the University Friends of Music Scholarship Competition in 2009 and 2010 as well as a finalist in 2007. Melissa is also a member of the National Band Association and the International Clarinet Association. She plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Music, Instrumental Performance in Fall 2011 and continue on to graduate studies in performance.
Tyler Albracht
Tyler Albracht is a tubist in his third year of studying Instrumental Music Education and in his second year of serving in Kappa Kappa Psi. He has served as the Chapter Alumni Secretary and is currently serving his first term as Chapter Treasurer. He has been co-principal tubist in the ENMU Wind Symphony from 2008-present and was also the co-principal tubist in the New Mexico Intercollegiate Band in 2010. He also attended the District Convention that was held at Baylor University in 2010 and the Kappa Kappa Psi Summer Leadership Symposium in Denver 2010. Tyler is a member of the National Band Association.
Tyler is a Professional Bowler through the United States Bowling Congress and has competed in the National US Open in Reno, NV and the Teen Masters College Division Championship in Las Vegas, NV. Currently, he is the coach of the Curry County Youth League and his high score is a 278.
Tyler plans to graduate in Spring 2013 with his Bachelor's of Music Education with emphasis in Instrumental and continue on to graduate studies in conducting and music education.
Tyler is a Professional Bowler through the United States Bowling Congress and has competed in the National US Open in Reno, NV and the Teen Masters College Division Championship in Las Vegas, NV. Currently, he is the coach of the Curry County Youth League and his high score is a 278.
Tyler plans to graduate in Spring 2013 with his Bachelor's of Music Education with emphasis in Instrumental and continue on to graduate studies in conducting and music education.
Richard Hall
Richard Hall has been a brother of the Beta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi since the spring semester of 2009. He has held the office of Sergeant-at-Arms and is the current Alumni Secretary for the Beta Lambda Chapter. He is working on the degree Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental, with minor emphasis in Music Technology. He is the current equipment loader and driver for the Greyhound Sound Marching Band and a driver for the Eastern New Mexico University Steel Band. He is a bassoon player and during the marching season plays bass drum on the drum line. He enjoys virgin Pina Colada’s and getting caught in the rain.
Franklin Piland
Franklin Piland is in his second year of active membership in Kappa Kappa Psi and is currently holding the position of Sergeant at Arms within the Beta Lambda Chapter. In his third year of study at Eastern New Mexico University, he is currently working toward a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, Instrumental, with minor emphasis in Music Technology and Music Composition. Franklin has attended District Convention at Baylor University (2010) and the Kappa Kappa Psi Summer Leadership Symposium in Denver, CO (2010). He is President of Eastern New Mexico University's student chapter of the National Band Association and is a member of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association.
Franklin has performed as the principal tubist for the Eastern New Mexico University Wind Symphony (2008-present) and the New Mexico Intercollegiate Band (2010), and was selected to attend the College Band Director's National Association Small College Intercollegiate Band in Seattle, WA (2011). He is the founder of the Greyhound Brass, a student quintet that performs for Portales and the surrounding communities.
As a composer and arranger, Franklin has had multiple pieces premiered and recorded by ENMU faculty and students. His most recent works include The Island (a suite for flute, horn, and piano) and Abydos (for English horn and piano). He has conducted his arrangement of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, performed and recorded by the Eastern New Mexico University Wind Symphony, and has served as guest conductor for the Muleshoe Independent School District.
Franklin has performed as the principal tubist for the Eastern New Mexico University Wind Symphony (2008-present) and the New Mexico Intercollegiate Band (2010), and was selected to attend the College Band Director's National Association Small College Intercollegiate Band in Seattle, WA (2011). He is the founder of the Greyhound Brass, a student quintet that performs for Portales and the surrounding communities.
As a composer and arranger, Franklin has had multiple pieces premiered and recorded by ENMU faculty and students. His most recent works include The Island (a suite for flute, horn, and piano) and Abydos (for English horn and piano). He has conducted his arrangement of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, performed and recorded by the Eastern New Mexico University Wind Symphony, and has served as guest conductor for the Muleshoe Independent School District.
Ashley Runquist
Ashley Runquist is a sophomore majoring in Communicative Disorders at Eastern New Mexico University and has been active in Kappa Kappa Psi since Fall 2010. She is a flute player in the Wind Symphony and attended New Mexico Intercollegiate Band in 2011. She was a drum major for the Greyhound Sound in 2010, and works for the Department of Music as the Band Librarian.
Cassandra Cole
Cassandra Cole was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico when she was 7, and then to Albuquerque at 14. She came to Eastern New Mexico University the fall of 2009 and is currently majoring in Biochemistry and Chemistry with a licensure in secondary education. She became a part of Kappa Kappa Psi in the fall of 2010 and plays clarinet and oboe.
Spencer O'Keefe
Spencer O’Keefe hails from the Navajo Nation by way of Gallup, NM. This is Spencer’s second term as Vice President for the Beta Lambda Chapter. While a member of Kappa Kappa Psi he has travelled to Phoenix, AZ for the 2009 National Convention and Baylor University in Waco, TX for 2010 SW District Convention. In addition to playing in the ENMU Jazz Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Marching Band, Spencer also plays with a local jazz combo called P-Ville Blues Band and a local ska band called Skasage two nights a week. He is pursuing his Bachelors Degree of Instrumental Music Education with minors in Music Composition and Music Technology. Upon graduating, Spencer wishes to join the Peace Corps and volunteer in a South American country before returning and teaching in a New Mexico school.
Dr. Nicole Burdick, National Vice-President for Communication & Recognition
Dr. Nicole Burdick was initiated into the Delta Eta Chapter at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in the fall of 2001. On the chapter level Nicole served in many offices including Vice President, and President. Nicole also served as Vice President of Colonization & Membership and served as President of the Southwest District during the Sorority’s 60th year. At Texas A&M University-Kingsville Nicole played the french horn in the Pride of South Texas Javelina Marching band and in one of the school’s concert bands.
Nicole is a Life member of the Tau Beta Sigma and an Honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Southwest District. Nicole had the privilege of being a charter member of the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association and has also helped develop the Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the Southwest District affiliates.
Nicole has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Animal Science from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and recently received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Animal Science at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She graduated in August 2010 and is now pursuing a job teaching and completing research at the college/university level. In her free time Nicole enjoys reading, watching Nascar, and attending marching contests with her boyfriend, a high school band director.
Nicole is a Life member of the Tau Beta Sigma and an Honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Southwest District. Nicole had the privilege of being a charter member of the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association and has also helped develop the Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the Southwest District affiliates.
Nicole has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Animal Science from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and recently received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Animal Science at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She graduated in August 2010 and is now pursuing a job teaching and completing research at the college/university level. In her free time Nicole enjoys reading, watching Nascar, and attending marching contests with her boyfriend, a high school band director.
