Curt Ebersole is the founder of this event, and steps into the role of host clinician in 2024. He has served as the Conductor and Music Director (John P. Paynter Memorial Chair) of the Westchester Symphonic Winds since 2008, fostering its exponential growth and success over the past sixteen years. He led the Westchester Symphonic Winds in their Carnegie Hall debut in 2023, their Lincoln Center debut in 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall, and in their convention and exchange performances in Chicago, Poughkeepsie, Stamford, and Syracuse, as well as annual sold-out summer festival performances at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts (Katonah, NY) since 2014. He retired from Northern Valley Regional High School (Old Tappan, NJ) in 2013 after serving as Director of Instrumental Music for 31 years, where his ensembles were honored with consistent critical accolades and his instrumental Prism Concerts became a local rite of spring. He now serves on the faculty at The Masters School, in Dobbs Ferry, New York, where he teaches String Ensemble, Chamber Music, and Public Speaking. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Music in Conducting degree from Northwestern University, where he studied conducting with John P. Paynter and clarinet with Larry Combs, and a Master of Fine Arts in Clarinet Performance from SUNY-Purchase, where he studied with Ben Armato.

Guest clinician Robert J. Ambrose enjoys a highly successful and diverse career as a dynamic and engaging musician. His musical interests cross many genres and can be seen in the wide range of professional activities he pursues. Dr. Ambrose studied formally at Boston College, Boston University and Northwestern University, where he received the Doctor of Music degree in conducting. Dr. Ambrose currently serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Georgia State University a research institution of over 53,000 students located in Atlanta.
Dr. Ambrose is in constant demand as a guest conductor and has performed on four continents.  Recent engagements include performances in Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan as well as across the United States.  In 2016, Dr. Ambrose was invited to spend ten days on tour as a guest conductor with the United States Army Field Band.  Ambrose is the only civilian in history to be invited to guest conduct a premiere American military band on tour.  This engagement led to the formation of the National Chamber Winds, a professional wind dectet based in Washington, D.C. for which he is Founder and Music Director.  Ambrose is also the Founder and Music Director of the Atlanta Chamber Winds and Ensemble ATL, ensembles comprising musicians from the Atlanta Symphony, Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Ballet Orchestras.
Dr. Ambrose has strong ties to the Finnish music community.  He is frequently engaged in that country as a guest conductor, teacher, master clinician, and lecturer.  Ambrose is a prolific arranger with nearly two dozen publications to his credit.  His transcriptions and editions are published by Presser Music, Murphy Music Press, C. Alan Publications, Fennica Gehrman (Finland), and Edition Tilli (Finland).  His transcriptions appear on several state lists and have been performed around the world.

Guest speaker Dr. Joseph M. Bello is the Director of Bands and Low Brass at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Dr. Bello’s education and experience in professional music began in 1998 as an enlisted member of the U.S. Air Force and earning a coveted position in the U.S. Air Force Concert Band, Washington D.C. Upon retirement from U.S. Air Force in 2014 as principal euphonium, he began his music education by earning his Bachelor of Music degree at George Mason University in euphonium performance, then completing his Master of Music degree at George Mason University in conducting with Anthony Maiello. Recently, he completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at Northwestern University under the mentorship of Dr. Mallory Thompson. Throughout the years, Dr. Bello has conducted and soloed with various music organizations including the United States Air Force Band, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, University of Texas Symphonic Band, George Mason University Wind Symphony, Loudoun Symphonic Winds, George Washington University Symphonic Band, Bishop Ireton Symphonic Winds, Northshore Concert Band, Westchester Symphonic Winds, and numerous community bands. Dr. Bello is a S.E. Shires Co. Euphonium Artist.

Teddi Sotiropoulos is the coordinator for the symposium, and has served MEBCI is many capacities over the years. Retired from Northern Highlands Regional High School, she currently teaches courses in music education and conducts the Campus Band at Montclair State University.