Matthew Good joined the Dallas Symphony as principal tubist in 1995. A native of Big Flats, New York, Good originally was a trumpet player at the age of 14 and switched to the tuba at the request of his band director. While in high school, he studied with Donald Stanley at Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA. He began his college career at The Juilliard School, but was invited to move to Philadelphia to study at the Curtis Institute after his freshman year.

Sandi Rennick is a percussionist and marimba soloist with extensive performing and teaching experience in the DFW area and throughout the United States. An original cast member of the Tony and Emmy Award-winning production “Blast!”, Sandi performed in London, England, as well as a featured marimba soloist on tour throughout the United States. Sandi is currently a percussion arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps (2011-present), and the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps (2013-present).

Noted as “compelling” guitarist and “fine” lutenist by the New York Times, Arash Noori performs throughout North America and Europe as both recitalist and accompanist. Arash has appeared in performances with Les Arts Florissants, Philharmonia Baroque, Early Music New York, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Piffaro: The Renaissance Band, Ars Lyrica, Opera Lafayette, the Folger Consort, Repast Baroque, the Sebastians, Academy of Sacred Drama, ARTEK, and NOVUS NY of Trinity Wall Street amongst others.

Raquel Samayoa leads a multi-faceted career as a teacher, soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. She is currently Associate Professor of Trumpet and co-director of the UNT Brass Band at the University of North Texas College of Music. Dr. Samayoa is a founding member of Lantana Trio, a brass trio comprised of UNT brass faculty and was previously on faculty at Tennessee Tech University and Northern Kentucky University.

The grandson and son of well-respected euphonium players from the Welsh Valleys, and himself described by The Observer as ‘a great ambassador for the euphonium, possessing an astonishing technique and an engaging stage presence’, David Childs is regarded as one of the finest brass musicians of his generation, touring extensively throughout Asia, continental Europe, and North America, and recording actively for radio, television, and CD.

Stacie Mickens joined the UNT College of Music faculty as an associate professor of horn in August 2018. Prior to her appointment, she was associate professor at the Dana School of Music, Youngstown State University, and also previously served on the faculties of Luther College (Decorah, IA) and Winona State University (Winona, MN). She completed her doctorate of musical arts at the University of Michigan as a recipient of the Rackham Fellowship Award.

“a phenomenal musician… our next prodigious clarinet performer and pedagogue”
The Clarinet • December 2015

Appointed principal clarinetist of the Dallas Symphony in 1999, Gregory Raden was previously assistant principal of the National Symphony Orchestra and principal clarinetist of the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra and Charleston Symphony. He has been heard as Guest Principal with the Orchestras of Minnesota, Saint Louis, San Francisco, Saint Paul and Bergen (NORWAY).

Justin Cooper joined the staff at the University of North Texas in 2010 where he serves as the brass instrument repair coordinator and adjunct professor for brass instrument repair.  Prior to working at UNT, Mr. Cooper was co-owner/operator of C&C Band Instrument Repair and worked as an educational representative for Saied Music Company, servicing school districts in southeast Oklahoma and north Texas. 

Steve Menard has enjoyed an extensive performing career throughout the United States and South America.  Mr. Menard is currently principal trombone of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Utah Festival Opera Orchestra. He has also performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic and many others.  In addition to his orchestral work, Mr.