Contributing Artist Bio’s
Libby Ando is a horn player and educator based in South Jersey. Currently a DMA student at Rutgers
University, Libby studies with LeelaneeSterrett. Libby obtained her Master’s in Music Performance from West
Chester University in 2019 with Dr. Elizabeth Pfaffle. Libby also holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from
Rowan University, where she studied with LyndsieWilson. Libby has performed with a variety of local
ensembles, including the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Orchestra Concordia, and the Philharmonic of
Southern NJ. Libby is currently a member of the Pennsylvania Area Chamber Winds.When not performing,
Libby is passionate about teaching. Libby teaches private lessons as well as giving horn clinics for middle and
high schools. Libby has been on the instructional staff for many marching bands in the area, including the
Clearview Regional, Delsea Regional, Tom’s River East, and Upper Darby programs. Libby joined the
instructional staff of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017 after marching with the corps for 5 years.
The Bama Buddies horn duo initially formed in 2020 while both Matthew Meadows and Anthony Parrish were
fellow graduate students at the University of Alabama. After performing together on many occasions, they
entered and won first prize in the "2021 International Phoenix Music Competition for Horn Duo”. This has
afforded the Bama Buddies the opportunity to engage additional performance opportunities nationally and
internationally. As members of this internationally recognized duo, Matthew and Anthony are also founding
members of the “Capstone Horn Quartet” (aka “Tater and the Tots”, with colleagues Antonio Padilla, and
Charlie Snead) which was the first-place winner in the quartet competition at the 2018 International Horn
Society Summer Symposium. In addition to performing existing works, they are actively engaged with new
commissions for this combination. Currently, Matt is a continuing doctoral student at the University of
Alabama, and Anthony is pursuing his doctoral degree at the University of Georgia.
Paul Basler is Professor of Music at the University of Florida where he has been on the faculty since 1993. Prior
to his appointment at UF, he served as the Fulbright Senior Lecturer in Music at Kenyatta University in Nairobi,
Kenya, taught at Western Carolina University and was the North Carolina Visiting Artist in Residence at
Caldwell Community College. Basler is a frequent guest performer, lecturer and composer at national and
international music festivals, horn society workshops and educational institutions. Basler has received
American Cultural Affairs Specialist Grants from the U.S. Department of State and for ten years served as
Visiting Artist with the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Culture and National Conservatory of Music. Basler's
compositions have been performed throughout the world and have received performances at Carnegie Hall,
Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center and by the Shanghai
Philharmonic.
Dr. Travis Bennett joined the faculty of Western Carolina University in 2006, where he teaches horn, conducts
the Horn Choir, and coaches chamber music ensembles. He is an active chamber and orchestral musician,
performing regularly with the Smoky Mountain Brass Quintet
Dr. Emily Britton currently serves as Lecturer of Horn at the University of Louisville School of Music. Previously,
Dr. Britton was Consortium Instructor of Horn at the University of Evansville and Principal Horn of the
Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Britton maintains a busy freelance schedule, including serving as
Principal Horn of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Guest Principal Horn for the Indianapolis Chamber,
Third Horn in the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, frequent appearances in the Louisville Orchestra, and
studio work in Nashville. Dr. Britton was a member of the USAF Heritage of America Band from 2010 to 2015,
stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. She was awarded second place in the collegiate
division of the International Horn Competition of America in 2009. Dr. Britton holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Music Education from Roberts Wesleyan College, a Master of Music Performance and Literature
degree from Eastman School of Music, and a Doctor of Music degree in Brass Performance from Florida State
University. Dr. Britton’s past teachers include Michelle Stebleton, W. Peter Kurau, and Jennifer Burch.