Gulf Coast Low Brass Academy Faculty
2022 Guest Clinician
Mr. Ralph Jean-Paul
Mr. Jean-Paul is the Assistant Director of Bands and Professor of Lower Brass at Florida A&M University. His responsibilities in the Department of Music include teaching instrumental and applied music, coordinating recitals, and assisting with various other business operations for the Department of Music and the Marching 100. In addition to his duties at FAMU, Mr. Jean-Paul is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music degree in Brass Performance at Florida State University where he performs in several ensembles. He has performed with the Coastal Symphony of Georgia of Brunswick, GA, and the Monterey UANL Symphony Orchestra of Monterey, Mexico.
Mr. Jean-Paul also serves as Assistant Director of the Javacya Arts Conservatory where he is the Elite Chamber Orchestra’s Senior Conductor. He began working with Javacya as a sophomore at Florida A & M University and played a significant role in its growth and development. He recently conducted the renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine in her first appearance with the Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra in a concert serving as a tribute to Black composers.
Mr. Jean-Paul aspires to create original tuba works and to continue spreading knowledge through music seminars throughout the country and internationally. With his strong passion for music and the tuba, he works to create an atmosphere of enjoyment derived from hard work with a greater purpose. Mr. Jean-Paul hopes that through his efforts, he will inspire and mold the minds of tomorrow’s musicians.
Mr. Jean-Paul is a native of Miami, FL, where he graduated from Miami Central Senior High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Music from Florida A&M University under the tutelage of Dr. Julian E. White and Dr. Shelby R. Chipman. He earned his master’s degree in Music with a concentration in Tuba Performance from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fl, under the instruction and direction of the late Dr. Arthur Jennings and Professor James Jenkins, an established tubist and teacher. He currently studies with Dr. Justin Benavidez at Florida State University.
Dr. Arie VandeWaa
Dr. Arie VandeWaa is the Assistant Professor of Trombone and Music Business at the University of South Alabama, where he teaches applied trombone, courses in music business, and also leads both the trombone choir and the jazz ensemble. A Mobile native, Dr. VandeWaa has worked as a freelance trombonist in Alabama since 2010 and has performed with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and Mobile Opera Orchestra, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, The Mobile Big Band Society, The Excelsior Band, The Druid City Big Band, as well as various other Jazz, Commercial, Second Line, and Chamber ensembles. Dr. VandeWaa has maintained a healthy trombone studio in the greater Mobile area, teaching private lessons to high school and middle school students in Baldwin, Mobile, and Escambia counties, and has worked as a low brass clinician for schools in Alabama and Florida.
Dr. VandeWaa completed his Bachelor’s degree in Music with elective studies in Business at the University of South Alabama, where he studied trombone under Dr. Greg Gruner and completed his Master's and Doctoral Degrees in Trombone Performance at the University of Alabama, where he studied with Dr. Jon Whitaker.
In addition to his studies at Alabama, he has taken lessons from Peter Ellefson, James Markey, Michael Mulcahy, Brian Hecht, Craig Mulcahy, Jim Nova, Bradley Palmer, Brent Phillips, and Martin McCain, and has performed in masterclass settings for Joseph Alessi, Denson Paul Pollard, David Finlayson, Nathan Zgonc, George Curran, and Alex Iles.
Mr. Chase West
Mr. Chase West is entering his third year as a trombone studio teaching assistant at Florida State University where he teaches applied trombone and conducts the FSU Trombone Choir. He is also a member of Big Bend Brass, a brass quintet with a focus on commissioning and performing new works. Prior to his time in Florida, Chase was the Instructor of Low Brass at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan. He has worked as a freelance trombonist in Florida, Michigan, and the Gulf Coast region, performing in various chamber ensembles, big bands, theatre productions, and orchestras, including the Holland Symphony Orchestra and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performing, Chase has also maintained private studios and worked as a low brass clinician for various high schools and middle schools in Alabama, Michigan, Florida, and Georgia. He has also worked as a band director in lower Alabama.
Mr. West has participated in a variety of summer brass festivals including the Third Coast Trombone Retreat, D.C. Trombone Workshop, and the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute. Chase has taken additional lessons with Peter Ellefson, Tim Higgins, Brian Santero, Daniel Perantoni, and Brian Bowman, and has performed on masterclasses for Doug Rosenthal, Sebastian Vera, Derek Hawkes, Mark Hetzler, and Jan Kagarice.
Chase is currently earning his Doctorate in Brass Performance from Florida State University where he studies trombone with Dr. John Drew. He holds degrees in Trombone Performance from Western Michigan University and Music Education from the University of South Alabama. He studied trombone with Dr. Steve Wolfinbarger and euphonium with Dr. Will Petersen and Dr. Greg Gruner.
Mr. Jonathan faust
Mr. Jonathan Faust, Associate Director of Bands at Spanish Fort High School, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Alabama with a bachelor's degree in Music Education.
Two years prior to his appointment at Spanish Fort, Mr. Faust taught at Mary G. Montgomery High School where he served as Associate Director of Bands. At Montgomery, he enjoyed teaching Concert Band, AP Music Theory, Jazz Band, and Marching Band.
Mr. Faust is an active member in the National Association for Music Education, The Alabama Bandmasters Association, The International Percy Grainger Society, The International Trombone Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, where he held the office of Music Director and Vice-President.