2018-2019 Horn Studio
H. A. Hoffman is the Graduate Teaching Assistant for the horn studio, pursuing a Master of Music degree in Performance. H. A. is from Salisbury, North Carolina, and graduated from Western Carolina University in 2016 with a B. S. in Music Education and a B. M. in Instrumental Music. While attending WCU, he participated regularly in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Artist in Residence Orchestra, in collaboration with the Asheville Symphony. He is currently a member the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, and Horn Ensemble at MTSU. H. A. was also a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014-2015. Apart from his studies, H. A. is an active music arranger and brass technician, serving band programs across the South East.
Holly Smith is a Senior Performance Major from Nashville, TN. She has played in MTSU’s Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Horn Ensemble, MTSU Band of Blue, and other various chamber groups throughout the school year. In her free time Holly enjoys crafting coffee, eating pizza, and napping.
Marilin Kelley is a senior Professional Mathematics Major minoring in Computer Science at Middle Tennessee State University. She has played in MTSU’s Band of Blue, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and is also in the MTSU Honors College. Marilin graduated as valedictorian from Siegel High School in Murfreesboro, TN, where she was a soloist in the marching and symphonic bands. She also participated in TN All Mid-State bands for 6 consecutive years and attended Tennessee’s Governor’s School for the Arts in 2013. In the summer of 2017, Marilin attended the Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica. While abroad, Marilin interacted with music students of Universidad Nacional and surrounding primary schools. Marilin is a National Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar and the two-time recipient of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences’ McClary Scholarship. After attending graduate school, Marilin plans to pursue a career in mathematics research while also maintaining musicianship as a horn player. Outside of mathematics and music, Marilin fills her time working with Special Kids TN, training in CrossFit, and running with her dog, Harper.
Nathaniel Stone is a senior Music Industry major from the Chattanooga area, and has performed in various MTSU ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and horn ensemble. Nathan is currently a member of the Nashville chapter of GrammyU as well as an operations intern with the Nashville Opera. HIs past involvements include serving as Vice President of the School of Music Student Advisory Council, studying the History of Western Art Music in Vienna, Austria and working as an arts administrator with the Hot Springs Music Festival. After college he hopes to pursue a career in arts administration, performance, or wherever life leads him.
Mikaela Ray is a senior music education major at Middle Tennessee State University. Originally from Franklin, Tennessee, she attended Franklin High School and teaches at her alma mater during marching season. Ray is a recipient of the Buchanan Fellowship, the highest academic honor at MTSU. She is also a SOMSAC senator and mentor as well as the Vice President for MTSU's chapter of cNAfME. She enjoys playing in the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensmble, and Band of Blue at MTSU.
Robin Kinney is a senior music education major at Middle Tennessee State University. She has played horn for MTSU’s Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and the Big, Loud, and Funky Band of Blue, where she is a rank leader in the mellophone section. Robin graduated from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee where she was a featured soloist in the marching band and the top Wind Ensemble. She attended Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts in 2013 where she was a concerto soloist in the honors recital. She also participated in the Curb Youth Symphony as the principal horn for two years, Middle Tennessee All Mid-State Bands for six years, Tennessee All-State Band, and the NAfME National Honor Band where she was the principal player and a soloist. She also participates in the Northside Baptist Church Orchestra. After college, Robin hopes to be an elementary school music teacher and pursue her passions for music, children and art.
Sean Brabston is a Junior at MTSU majoring in Music Education. He has been involved in music since he was young, starting with piano lessons at the age of five. In middle school Sean moved on from the piano to the horn, which is where he found what he loves, especially enjoying the competition that performing offers. He strives to have fun with expressing music and hopefully will eventually have a full-time position in a professional ensemble.
Lane Johnson is a junior Music Industry Major with an entrepreneurship minor. Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, he moved to Tennessee his freshman year of High School. After his first year at Siegel High School, Lane joined the band in 2013 to play French horn with no prior music experience. In 2015, he was selected to be in the Mid-State Honor Bands and Co-Principal in the ETHOS Youth Orchestra. Lane also enjoys playing in MTSU’s symphonic band, orchestra and chamber ensembles. After Lane graduates from MTSU he plans to become a college horn professor in the future along with playing in professional symphonies.
Ally Johnston is an Instrumental Music Education major from Columbia, Tennessee and a graduate of Columbia Central High School. Prior to her studies at MTSU, she was a member of the All-Midstate Bands and Symphony Orchestra, Tennessee All-State Band, Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts, and Curb Youth Symphony. Currently, Ally plays in the MTSU Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Perfect Fifth Wind Quintet, Band of Blue, Basketball Pep Band, and Flute Choir. Upon graduation, she hopes to become a middle school band director.
Carolina Herrera is a freshman Music Education major from Murfreesboro TN. Carolina plays in the Symphonic Band and marches in the MTSU Band of Blue. She graduated from Siegel High School and obtained Principle Chair in Siegel’s Wind Ensemble and partook in Marching Band. She played in the Midstate Band and Orchestra and Allstate Band her senior year. After graduating, she helped teach her section during their marching band season. She is unsure whether she wants to teach Middle or High School but she aspires to be a Band Director.
Maryam Nemati is a freshman Music Industry major, minoring in entrepreneurship and psychology. She plays in MTSU’s Symphonic Band, Concert Orchestra, Horn Ensemble, and a horn quartet. Maryam graduated from Bartlett High School in Bartlett, Tennessee, where she was drum major for two years in the marching band. She also made All-West her last three years of high school and attended Governor’s School for the Arts in 2017. After MTSU, Maryam plans to go to graduate school to become a music therapist.
Jacob Campbell is a freshman Music Industry major from Lebanon, Tennessee. He attended Wilson Central High School where he was a part of multiple Mid-State Bands, one Mid-State orchestra, and one All-State Orchestra. He was also a member of the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017. He is a member of the Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and the Band of Blue. After graduation, Campbell plans on pursuing a career in instrument repair.
David Seanor is an Audio Production major with a minor in Music at MTSU. He currently participates in the Symphonic Band and Band of Blue. David was also a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle corps from 2017-2018. Aside from performing, David is a brother of Phi Mu Alpha and an Eagle Scout.