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Faculty
David Waybright
Jay Watkins
Chip Birkner
Scott Wilson
Staff
Elise Kashmiry
Graduate Assistants
Nick Junker
Andy Grindle
Carly Crist
Ethan Spencer
Morgan Skelley
Emma Cryer
Julia Kaliszewski
Dartagnan Stephen
Dr. David Waybright
Professor and Director of Bands
Specialization: Instrumental Conducting
T: (352) 273-3153
F: (352) 392-3716
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
Faculty
Professor Jay Watkins
Director, Gator Band, Associate Director of Bands, Associate Professor of Music
Specialization: Band/Conducting
T: (352) 273-3152
F: (352) 392-3716
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
Dr. Archie G. Birkner, IV
Associate Professor of Music, Assistant Director of Bands
Specialization: Band/Conducting
T: (352) 273-3170
F: (352) 392-3716
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
Scott Wilson
Director of Jazz Studies
Specialization: Jazz/Trumpet
T: (435) 851-6363
F: (352) 392-0461
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
STAFF
Elise Kashmiry
Administrative Associate
T: (352) 273-3146
F: (352) 392-3716
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
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Nicholas Junker
Doctoral Conducting Associate
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T: (352) 273-3146
F: (352) 392-3716
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
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Andy Grindle
Doctoral Conducting Associate
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agrindle@ufl.edu
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Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
Carly Crist
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
Ethan Spencer
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
Emma Cryer
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
Morgan Skelley
Band Librarian & Graduate Teaching Assistant​
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T: (352) 273-3147
F: (352) 392-3716
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
Julia Kaliszewski
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
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Dartagnan Stephen
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Address:
P.O. Box 117901
Gainesville, FL 32611-7901
BIOS
Dr. David A. Waybright received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees at Marshall University and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in orchestral conducting from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He taught initially at Wahama High School in Mason, West Virginia and since that time has served as Director of Bands at Ferrum College, Plymouth State College, and Director of Bands and Orchestra at McNeese State University. Dr. Waybright is currently Director of Bands at the University of Florida, where he holds the rank of professor and is the head of the conducting area. He directs the wind symphony and supervises the band program and the graduate and undergraduate conducting curricula. Dr. Waybright is in demand as a guest conductor and clinician with wind bands, orchestras, and choirs, and has appeared in that capacity in most of the 50 states, throughout Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. He has held residencies at many of the nation's leading music schools. In addition, he is active in the commissioning and performance of new music and has won the praise of composers such as Dana Wilson, Michael Torke, Donald Grantham, John Corigliano and Leslie Bassett for his interpretation of their works.
There are many recordings available featuring the University of Florida Wind Symphony under his direction. He is founder and principal conductor for the American Chamber Winds, a professional touring and recording ensemble. Dr. Waybright is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association where he has served on the Board of Directors for two terms and is a Past President of the organization. (2013-14) He is a lifetime member of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. He is also a member of the College Band Director's National Association, Music Educators National Convention and Florida Music Educators Association. Ensembles under his direction have performed invited concerts at conferences sponsored by all of those organizations. Dr. Waybright is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha, Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. He is a National Arts Associate honorary of Sigma Alpha Iota.
Mr. John M. “Jay” Watkins, Jr. serves the Gator Nation as the Associate Director of Bands, Assistant Professor in the School of Music and as the Director of the “Pride of the Sunshine” - The Gator Marching Band. Prior to his appointment at UF, he served as Assistant to the Director of Bands, Assistant Director of the Longhorn Band, and Conductor of the Longhorn Basketball, Volleyball and Concert Bands at The University of Texas at Austin, where he was the principle guest conductor of the Symphony Band and the show designer for the Longhorn Band. In the past, ensembles under his direction have performed and recorded with over 36 Grammy-award winning artists in a program he developed to integrate the academic, athletics and live music communities of Central Texas. Prior to his appointment at Texas, he served as the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Charleston Southern University (SC), where he was also the Coordinator of Instrumental Music Education. Mr. Watkins has received recognition as the CSU Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year and as a recipient of the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence”, and was the founder, Music Director and Conductor of The Lowcountry Winds, a professional wind ensemble based in Charleston, SC. He has also served as the Director of the U.S. Navy Drum & Bugle Corps and the Director of Instrumental Music at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and as a teacher in the public schools in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia. Prior to his work in music education, he worked for the US Naval Research Laboratory as a research associate in the areas of liquid fuel propellants and their stability and published over 75 articles in refereed science journals.
Mr. Watkins is a native of Falls Church, VA and earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Music Education degrees from George Mason University and Valdosta State University. He holds professional memberships in numerous organizations, served as South Carolina State Chair and Southern Division Chair for the National Band Association, and is an elected member of Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmaster’s Fraternity. Mr. Watkins remains very active as a designer, clinician and adjudicator throughout the country. He is married to the former Natalie Kay McLain of Duncan, SC; they have one son, Jacob.
Dr. Birkner is Associate Professor of Music and Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Florida where he serves as Director of University Concert Bands, Associate Conductor of the Wind Symphony, Music Director of the New Music Ensemble, and Associate Director of the Gator Marching Band. Additionally, he serves the UF School of Music teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, literature, and special projects. Prior to his appointment at the University of Florida, Dr. Birkner taught middle school and high school band in the Texas public schools.
Dr. Birkner has appeared as conductor of honor bands, honor orchestras, professional bands, professional orchestras, and chamber ensembles across the United States, Europe, and South America. As a clinician, Dr. Birkner has been invited to speak at national and international conferences including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Collegiate Band Directors Conferences, and numerous state music education conferences. Additionally, Dr. Birkner served as Creator/Program Director/Instructor for the 2018 Vienna Summer Music Festival's Conducting Institute held in Vienna, Austria.
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Dr. Birkner received his PhD in Music Education/Instrumental Conducting, Master of Music in Percussion Performance, and Bachelor of Music Education with Performer’s Certificate from the University of Florida. He holds professional memberships with the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Professional Music Fraternity. Dr. Birkner is also proud to hold honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.
Trumpeter Scott Wilson has established himself as one of the rising stars of jazz – both as a performer and as a pedagogue. Since earning two masters degrees from the University of North Texas and paying his dues on concert stages from Orlando to Osaka, Scott is in constant demand as a player, composer and educator. In addition to his dynamic live and recorded performances on trumpet, he is regarded as one of the world’s foremost proponents of the electronic valve instrument (EVI). Wilson has diverse international performance credits having shared the stage with jazz luminaries including Benny Green, Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Conrad Herwig, Wycliffe Gordon, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Coffin, Shelly Berg, Denis DeBlasio, Peter Erskine, Eric Marienthal, Bobby Shew, Slide Hampton, Terrell Stafford, Ron Blake, John Pizzarelli, Ed Shaughnessy, Alex Acuna, and others. He has served as Musical Director for Universal Studios Japan, staff composer for Grand Link World in Qingdao, China, consultant for Walt Disney’s “Magic Music Days” jazz workshops and has been a featured trumpet soloist for Tokyo Disney Sea and Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Orlando.
Wilson has hosted the Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Camp, four Juilliard Jazz Summer Workshops and served as faculty for the Jam Camps in Utah. The Garden Music School now hosts the Scott Wilson Jazz Combo Sessions annually in Florida (a week long intensive jazz camp for young musicians), and, in 2011, Warburton Mouthpieces released the Scott Wilson Jazz Mouthpiece that is designed to be a more supportive and functional mouthpiece for young trumpet players.. His jazz texts, The Ultimate Jazz Tool Kit and Ultimate Music Workbook, are published by Kendall Hunt Publishing and accompanied by 35 Jazz Instructional Videos that cover topics ranging from jazz theory to song writing. Wilson has consistently been at the forefront of the design and use of innovative online platforms for jazz education. His nationally published online platforms include Jazz Fundamentals 1, Jazz Fundamentals 2, Jazz Aural Skills and Jazz History. Through Kendall Hunt Publishing these courses can be adopted and delivered to colleges and public schools nationwide. Wilson now serves as Artist Director for Lakeshore Music Jazz Series in Arizona and is the former Artistic Director for the famed Crescent Super Band (Downbeat Award winners 2006-2012).
Scott Wilson is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Florida and has developed a new Jazz Minor and designed six new jazz courses which allow students to receive current industry skill sets, technology training and learn creative approaches to problem solving.
Ms. Elise Kashmiry serves the University of Florida as Administrative Specialist to the University Band Department and assistant to its Director, Dr. David Waybright. Ms. Kashmiry is an alumnus of the University of Florida receiving both her Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Communication Studies degree and Master of Business Administration specializing in Entrepreneurship degree. During her time at UF, she was a Gatorette and member of the Gator Band serving in a leadership role three of her four years with the program. Ms. Kashmiry has a background in finance, administration and event planning/production bringing 10 years of business and admin experience to the department.
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Nicholas Junker is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting with Dr. David Waybright at the University of Florida. In his current degree program, he teaches the undergraduate conducting course and works with “The Pride of the Sunshine” Gator Marching Band. He recently completed his Master’s in Wind Conducting with Dr. Travis Cross at the UCLA-Herb Alpert School of Music. Nicholas also had the pleasure of studying with Professors Gary Hill, John Carnahan, and Alan McMurray while Dr. Cross was on sabbatical. During his time at UCLA, Nicholas’ conducting experiences included chamber and full ensemble works with the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, as well as the University Symphony Orchestra.
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Nicholas received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he studied conducting with Dr. John Stewart and percussion with Dr. Jeffery Crowell. During this time, Nicholas served as the director of the university athletic band as well as the drum captain and percussion arranger for the Blugold Marching Band. His notable performances include appearances at CBDNA, ITEC, and PASIC. Nicholas spent five years as the band director at Ellsworth High School in Wisconsin, where he established a marching program and student leadership program. This leadership program was the basis of his presentation at the 2019 Wisconsin State Music Convention. Between 2019 and 2021, Nicholas worked with the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps on the administrative team.
Andy Grindle currently serves as a Doctoral Conducting Associate at the University of Florida, where he is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Instrumental Conducting. At UF, he teaches undergraduate conducting and supports all aspects of the University of Florida Band Program, including rehearsals, performances, and administrative duties.
Prior to his doctoral studies, Andy served as the Music Teacher and Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair at Kernan Middle School in Jacksonville, Florida, from 2017 to 2025. During his tenure, the band program flourished—growing to over 200 students and earning its first-ever Superior ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessment. He also helped expand the school's arts curriculum to include Music Production and Musical Theatre.
Andy’s musical journey includes eight years as a trumpet player in the 249th Army Band with the West Virginia Army National Guard. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from West Liberty University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army School of Music.
He credits much of his growth to the mentorship of renowned educators and conductors including Robert W. Smith, Susan L. Smith, Dr. Ken Williams, Patrick Garrett, and Dr. Matthew Smith.
Andy is a proud husband to his wife and partner, Lory, and father of their *almost* three year old daughter, Nora.
Carly Crist is pursuing a Masters of Music in Wind Conducting with Dr. David Waybright at the University of Florida. After graduating with her Bachelor’s in Instrumental Music Education with a certificate in clarinet performance, Carly is excited to return to the University of Florida to serve as a graduate teaching assistant. She will be assisting with the Fightin’ Gator Marching Band, athletic bands, and working with the students in the undergraduate conducting course.
During her undergraduate degree, Carly served as a section leader and a drum major for the Pride of the Sunshine. She was in the UF Wind Symphony for four years and studied clarinet under Professor Mitchell Estrin. Carly enjoys volunteering with local programs in both Alachua and Okaloosa County. She is eager to inspire young musicians and foster an engaging and supportive learning environment for students of all skill levels and backgrounds, cultivating both musical and character growth in the next generation.
Hailing from south-central Pennsylvania, Ethan Spencer is a sought-after trombonist and music educator who recently relocated to Florida. Ethan earned his B.M.E. in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University where he studied trombone and spent a semester at IES Vienna, where he was mentored by William McElheny of the Vienna Philharmonic. Ethan then earned a M.M. in Trombone Performance and Graduate Certificate in University Teaching at West Virginia University where he studied with Hakeem Bilal. He is currently pursuing a DMA in Trombone Performance at UF.
Hailing from south-central Pennsylvania, Ethan Spencer is a sought-after trombonist and music educator who recently relocated to Florida.
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Ethan can be found playing in Big Bands, Musicals, Orchestras, Chamber Ensembles, and more. He formerly served as Associate Instructor of Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba for the WVU Community Music Program and Instructor of Trombone at Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts.
Ethan can be found playing in Big Bands, Musicals, Orchestras, Chamber Ensembles, and more. He formerly served as Associate Instructor of Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba for the WVU Community Music Program and Instructor of Trombone at Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts.
Morgan Skelley Bio coming soon!
Emma Cryer is originally from Cedar Falls, Iowa and is an avid trumpet player as well as media coordinator. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Trumpet Performance, and is attending the University of Florida for her Master’s Degree, also in Trumpet Performance. Both an avid classical and jazz musician, Emma has performed with and held positions in many ensembles, such as Orchestra Iowa, the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra, Blake Shaw’s Big-Ish Band, and Iowa Brass Band. She is also a composer and arranger, posting her works on her own social media accounts, connecting with many well-known musicians and inspiring people to continue their love for music. Emma also was a proud member of the Hawkeye Marching Band, both as a part of the band and a part of the staff.
Julia Kaliszewski is a classical saxophone player and educator from Durham, Connecticut. She received a Bachelor of Music in saxophone performance and a Bachelor of Arts in communication at the University of Connecticut and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in saxophone performance at the University of Florida. During her time at UConn, Julia served as pep band manager with the UConn Athletic Bands, coordinating logistics for games and events for multiple sports. In this role, she utilized the band to maximize fan engagement and elevate the gameday atmosphere for the top ranked women’s and men’s basketball teams. Additionally, Julia is an accomplished chamber musician having premiered several works as the leader of the UConn Saxophone Quartet. She is deeply passionate about championing new music, collaborating with composers, and bringing fresh works for the saxophone to life.
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Dartagnan Stephen is an accomplished trumpet player renowned for his versatility and expertise in orchestral performance. He is currently pursuing a DMA at the University of Florida. With a solid educational foundation, he holds a Masters degree in trumpet performance from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelors degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. During his time at NIU, he served as a graduate teaching assistant, honing his skills both as a performer and an educator. Dartagnan's musical journey encompasses a diverse range of experiences, including extensive involvement in marching band, notably with the Blue Knights. His orchestral career has seen him grace the stages of prestigious ensembles such as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Dubuque Symphony, the Colorado Brass, and the Rockford Symphony, where his dynamic playing and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on audiences and fellow musicians alike.