John Neal
Director
Wind Ensemble
& Choir
John Neal holds a bachelors degree in music education from The Ohio State University and a Masters Degree in conducting performance from the University of Connecticut. A piano student from the age of eight, his teachers include Hildred Curtis Fowler, Natasha Chances, Rosemary Platt, Neal Larrabee and Chiharu Naruse.
His career in music education began in 1978 and includes teaching positions at Van Buren District Secondary School, Edward Little High School in Auburn, the University of Southern Maine, Bates College and Oak Hill High School in Sabattus; the first Music Director at the Maine Arts Academy, Neal retired from teaching in 2022. His students have won numerous awards including First Place in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC with the ELHS Band in 1988, and a Carnegie Hall performance in New York City with the Oak Hill HS Voices of Color in 2003 among many others; several of his students have gone on to careers in music education and performance. Neal was recognized by the Maine Music Educators Association in 1994 as the Maine Music Educator of the Year, and by WCSH6 and the Maine Education Association as an “Inspiring Educator” in 2016; he directed the Maine Bicentennial Marching Band in 2021-21.
Neal has performed as pianist and music director with the Theater at Monmouth, Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theater, Monmouth Community Players and at numerous other local venues and high school productions since the 1980s. His first CD of original electronic music "Fox Island Afternoon" was released in 1997; his original electronic ballet "Vasalisa", based upon the Russian legend of the same name, was released in 2008. Both CDs are available on iTunes and at www.cdbaby.com .
Russell Caverly
Director
KPAC Jazz Band
Russell Caverly is the Band Director at Cony High School and the K-12 Music Coordinator for the Augusta School Department. He is also the director of the Lawrence High School Marching Bulldogs. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Maine Orono and his masters degree from Kent State University. Since 2015, he has been a dedicated educator in the Augusta Schools Music Department, inspiring students through concert band, jazz band, marching band, and pep band. In addition to his work in education, Russell has played trombone with the KPAC Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble for over ten years and is a member of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. When not teaching, Russell welcomes quiet time with his wife, daughter, and their pets.
Dan Gilbert is a native of Augusta, ME. A graduate of Cony High School, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Clark University, and is currently the Instrumental, Choral and Theater Director at Maranacook Community High School in Readfield, ME. As a student at Cony High School, he participated in the Wind Ensemble, and upon returning from college, rejoined the organization playing in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and later Choir. He is currently serving as the associate conductor for the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, and is vice-president of the KPAC Board of Directors.
His musical interests include composition, arranging, conducting, and sharing the vastly overlooked world of video game music with the masses.
Dan Gilbert
Associate Conductor
Wind Ensemble & Jazz Band
