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Gator Band Staff
Clarinets
Lindsay Gassman
Ms. Gassman is pursuing a Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Conducting. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Performance certificate from the University of Florida, Ms. Gassman assisted the Director of Bands at Fort Clarke Middle School, substitute taught in Alachua County, and accompanied middle school students for Solo and Ensemble. She participated in Gainesville community ensembles playing flute, clarinet, and conducting. Ms. Gassman spends her summers teaching music and band at Camp Encore-Coda in Sweden, Maine. This year, she looks forward to working with the Gator Band, Volleyball Band, and Concert Bands, as well as continuing her work with local middle school students.
Saxophones
Jacob McGovern
Jacob McGovern is from rural Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Music (Jazz Studies, Composition, and Music Theory), Jacob was the recipient of the Presser Foundation Undergraduate Award at the conclusion of his program. Now, he has come to pursue his Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting at the University of Florida after having held long-term leadership and principal positions in wind symphonies, orchestra, marching band, jazz band, and choirs. Along with continuing to gain conducting and performance experience, Jacob currently assists with the UF Gator Marching Band, the UF Symphonic Bands, and undergraduate conducting courses as a conducting mentor.
Library
Jason Donnelly
Jason Donnelly, a native of Oviedo, FL, is currently working towards a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Trombone Performance from the University of Florida, studying under Dr. Jemmie Robertson. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Euphonium Performance from the University of Miami and a Master of Music in Bass Trombone and Euphonium Performance from Indiana University, where he served as Associate Instructor of Trombone and was awarded a Performance Certificate for an outstanding degree recital. Presently, he holds the position of Bass Trombone in The Gainesville Orchestra; he previously held the same chair with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra.
Piccolos
Avi Kohan
Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, Mr. Avi Kohan-Shohet is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting at UF, studying under Dr. David Waybright. His graduate assistant roles include working with the Gator athletic bands, indoor ensembles, and mentoring undergraduate conducting students.
Mr. Kohan-Shohet received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Performer’s Certificate from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He studied under Dale Underwood, former principal saxophonist of the U.S Navy Band, among other virtuosic faculty. Mr. Kohan-Shohet performed with the Frost Symphonic Winds, Frost Saxophone Ensemble, and the Frost Band of the Hour, where he was awarded with leadership positions and conducting opportunities. In addition, he volunteered at multiple Miami-Dade public schools as marching band staff and worked as a private woodwind instructor.
Trumpets
Emma Cryer
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.
Mellophones
Philip Shuler
Mr. Shuler is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in french horn performance. After earning his bachelor of Arts in Music at Montana State University, he completed a Masters in french horn performance at the University of Florida. In his time in Montana he was a member of the Spirit of the West Marching Band in the mellophone and drumline sections, and he spent two summers doing Drum Corps in the mellophone section of the Oregon Crusaders (2017) and Mandarins (2018). Currently, Mr. Shuler is a section member of the Bozeman Symphony, Lakeland Symphony, Gainesville Orchestra, and Bridger Brass Quintet, and he regularly substitutes with the Florida Orchestra and Brevard Symphony
Trombones
Ethan Spencer
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.
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.
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Uniform Manager / Visual
Nick Junker
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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.
Baritones
Morgan Skelley
Morgan Skelley is a low brass student, performer, and educator in the Gainesville area. Currently serving as a Graduate Assistant for UF Bands, Morgan assists with teaching the marching band, concert bands, and undergraduate lessons in the Tuba/Euphonium Studio.
In 2020, Morgan graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Euphonium Performance. After leaving USC, Morgan worked as a freelancer in the NC Triangle area and as an Instrument Repair Tech at SWEENEYBRASS.
In the years following her graduation from USC, Morgan was privileged to perform as a soloist at the International Women’s Brass Conference.
Sousaphones
Samuel McHenry
Samuel McHenry is currently attending the University of Florida where he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree with an emphasis in Tuba Performance and a cognate in History. He holds a Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance from the University of Central Arkansas and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Troy University. He currently serves as Co-Principal Tuba of the University of Florida Wind Symphony under Dr. David Waybright and BBb Bass in the University of Florida Brass Band. He has also served as Principal Tuba of the Conway Symphony Orchestra, Principal Tuba and Euphonium of the University of Central Arkansas Wind Ensemble, Second Baritone Horn in the Natural State Brass Band, Principal Euphonium of the Troy University Symphony Band, Principal Trombone of the Troy University American Popular Music Ensemble, Bass Trombone in the Troy University Jazz Ensemble, and Bass Trombone in the Troy University Trombone Octet. His primary instructors have included Dr. Robert Pendergast, Dr. Jason Sulliman, Dr. Gail Robertson, and Dr. Danielle VanTuinen.
Florida Drumline
Jared Potter
Jared Potter was born and raised in Kosciusko, MS. He earned his Associate of Arts degree in Electrical Engineering from Holmes Comm. College and earned his Bachelors in Music Ed. with a concentration in percussion at Mississippi State, studying under Dr. Jason Baker.
While there, he performed two seasons at Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps.
Jared completed his Masters in Percussion Performance at UF in 2020 and he is currently pursuing his Doctor of Music Arts degree. At UF, Jared teaches classes to undergraduate music education students as well as instructs and arranges for the University of Florida Drumline. Jared is an active educator, arranger, and designer for high schools in both MS and FL. He serves as a battery technician for Southwind, and Battery Coordinator for Infinity 3.
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Uniform Manager / Visual
Colby Vasquez
Colby Vasquez is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting at the UF. Prior to attending UF, Colby was the Associate Director of Instrumental Music at Clovis West High School in Fresno, California from 2020-2023 where he directed the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Marching Band. Before that, he was the Director of Instrumental Music at William C. Overfelt High School in San Jose, CA from 2016-2019. In 2018, Colby was voted Teacher of the Year by his fellow WCOHS teachers and awarded the Crown Award: Medal of Merit by the school site administration.
Colby graduated from California State University Fresno in 2013 with a B.A. in Music Ed. He then attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where he earned a Masters of Music Education with a focus in Wind Conducting in 2016. He now serves as the Drill Writer for the 400-member University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band. Colby marched in the Santa Clara Vanguard for 3 years, then worked as a staff member for both the Vanguard organization in several roles, including Visual Caption Manager for both the Vanguard & Vanguard Cadets. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Santa Clara Vanguard.
Gatorettes
June Stoeber
June Stoeber is the founder and head coach of the AllStars Twirling Academy. She has been teaching baton for 39 years and twirling for longer than that. She began baton classes when she was 9 years old and earned many accolades over her years as a competitive twirler, including World open Two-Baton Champion 1987. She became a UF Gatorette in 1988 and twirled for 6 football seasons. She has coached the Gatorettes for the past 27 football seasons and has led them to 10 national titles. Mrs. June specializes in halftime routines, show twirls and 2 baton. She has coached many State, Regional and National champions. She has even had one student win the preliminary talent award at the 2014 Miss America Pageant. She is very excited for the upcoming baton season and can’t wait to meet lots of new and excited students!
Gatorettes
Elise Kashmiry
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.
Gatorettes
Kim Smith
Kim Register Smith is a lifelong resident of Bradford County and Alumni of BHS. While at Bradford, she
twirled for the Middle and High School from 1990-1996. Her love for baton twirling then went on to the
University of Florida where she was a Gatorette from 1996-2002, where she received her Bachelor’s in
Finance. To add to Kim’s twirling career, she won 3 NBTA Team National Championships, many Superior ratings as a twirler and coach for FBA district teams and State Solo twirlers. After graduating from UF she began as an assistant Coach for the Gatorettes with the Gator Band from 2002 to present. Kim has been teaching as a instructor with the All-Star Twirling Academy for over 17 years. Outside of twirling, Kim is married to Zack Smith with two stepdaughters and enjoys spending time with family, living by the lake, watching sunsets: along with working for Reddish & White CPA’s and The Weight Doctor.
Florida Visual Ensemble
Katherine Morgan
Katherine is from Seminole, FL and began colorguard in 8th grade at Seminole Middle School. She was a member of Seminole High School’s World Guard and a WGI World Class Finalist. Katherine has been coaching local high schools and independent colorguard groups since 2018. She also specializes in dance and movement with a background of over 9 years in competitive dance. Katherine is a double gator receiving both her Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in dance and entrepreneurship and Master of Science in Family Youth and Community Sciences. Along with coaching colorguard, she works in the Disability Resource Center as the Assistant Director for Health Science Programs.
Florida Visual Ensemble
Kayla Mandolini
Kayla is an alumna of The University of Florida receiving a BS in Microbiology and Cell Science with a minor in Pathogenesis. During her time at UF she was a member of the Florida Visual Ensemble for four years, serving as a section leader during her final season. Kayla has been on the Board of Directors for the Gator Band Alumni Association for three years. Along with coaching colorguard, she works in translational research at UF within the Powell Gene Therapy Center, with research focused on developing new therapies using gene replacement to restore function in inherited myopathy diseases.
Gatorettes
Kim Smith
Kim Register Smith is a lifelong resident of Bradford County and Alumni of BHS. While at Bradford, she
twirled for the Middle and High School from 1990-1996. Her love for baton twirling then went on to the
University of Florida where she was a Gatorette from 1996-2002, where she received her Bachelor’s in
Finance. To add to Kim’s twirling career, she won 3 NBTA Team National Championships, many Superior ratings as a twirler and coach for FBA district teams and State Solo twirlers. After graduating from UF she began as an assistant Coach for the Gatorettes with the Gator Band from 2002 to present. Kim has been teaching as a instructor with the All-Star Twirling Academy for over 17 years. Outside of twirling, Kim is married to Zack Smith with two stepdaughters and enjoys spending time with family, living by the lake, watching sunsets: along with working for Reddish & White CPA’s and The Weight Doctor.