Linda founded the University of Dayton New Horizons Music Program in 2000. As a professor of music, she served as coordinator of UD’s music education program for 24 years before becoming an associate dean of the School of Education and Health Sciences for five years. Before her work at UD, Linda directed school band programs in grades 5-12 and taught music education, woodwinds, and bands at Mount Union College and Virginia Tech. Linda holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Bowling Green State University, and her master’s and Ph.D. in music education from Kent State University. Linda was awarded the title of Professor Emerita upon her retirement from UD in 2020.

Joseph is a music education major at UD and a lifelong resident of historic Germantown, Ohio. He studies oboe with Professor Eileen Whalen of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and plays with UD’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble, University Orchestra, and Flyer Wind Quartet. He also is a pianist, organist, and choir director for Holy Family Parish in Middletown. Joseph earned his Associate of Arts degree in 2021 and plans to complete his Bachelor of Music in music education degree in 2025.

Vicki joined the staff in the fall of 2022. She has a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Miami University and has more than 30 years of experience as a string teacher. She plays violin in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. She founded the Hauer Music Suzuki Program and the Loving Strings, a group that performs in nursing facilities. She volunteers as a teacher at the Joy of Music School, which provides free music lessons to children who would not otherwise be able to afford them.

Bradley Cordonnier currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at the University of Dayton. He is an in-demand freelance drummer and percussionist who has performed with the United States Air Force Band of Flight, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, the Flying Circus Big Band, the Oakwood Brass, El Ritmo del Manana, and Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers. He has performed at many of the Midwest’s premiere jazz and blues clubs, including Caffe Vivace in Cincinnati, OH; Nighttown in Cleveland, OH; Rudy’s Jazz Room in Nashville, TN; and the National Blues Museum in St. Louis, MO. He is also an in-demand pit orchestra musician, working with many local schools and theatre companies. Bradley maintains an active private studio at McCutcheon Music and serves as percussion director for the University of Dayton New Horizons Program.

Denny taught instrumental music at the Centerville City Schools for 31 years. His duties included beginning and middle school band, high school band classes, jazz ensembles, and 17 years as assistant marching band director. He is the associate director of the Centerville Community Band. With UD New Horizons, Denny teaches beginning lessons, coaches ensembles, and directs the jazz band. He performs on woodwinds and guitar throughout the Dayton area.

Gretchen holds a Bachelor of Arts in music education from Shepherd University in West Virginia and a Master of Music in performance from Northern Arizona University. She began her career teaching elementary band in California. Over the years, Gretchen has directed middle school honor bands, flute choirs, and taught flute to students of all ages. She performs with the Yellow Springs Chamber Orchestra and the Syrodesy Flute Trio. She is a member of the Dayton Music Club, the National Flute Association, the Suzuki Association of the Americas and Flute Play. Gretchen serves as adjunct faculty at Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton and maintains an active flute studio (GIFT) at her home in Kettering. For more information, visit her website at www.giftflutestudio.com.

Grant is a jazz saxophonist with 23 years of active-duty service in the U.S. Air Force Bands, with which he traveled the world to perform. Grant hosted Jazz at Jazz Central in Dayton for more than 12 years and was radio host of Jazz Horizons on WDPS 89.5 FM. He performs regularly on saxophones, flute, clarinet, bass guitar, piano, organ, and drums. Grant is an active private music teacher and freelance musician. He has performed with a long list of professional bands, including the Kim Kelly Orchestra, Dayton Jazz Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Band, Helen Reddy, Crystal Gail, Four Lads, Four Tops, Mills Brothers, This Side Up, Jimmy Baker Blues Band, Generations Big Band, Different Hats Big Band, Shin Sings Orchestra, Jack Garrett and the Syndicate, Switch 2, Johnny Mac Super Big Band, Wilford Brimley, Greg Lee and the Chuck Taylors, Bobby Fisher, Central Jazz Big Band, Barry Campbell Big Band, and the Tom Daugherty Big Band.

Sonja has 40 years of string teaching experience, along with 35 years performing viola with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton and Wright State University. In addition to private studio teaching, Sonja has taught in area schools and conducted an adult chamber ensemble. We appreciate her versatility not only on string instruments but also as a clarinetist and band director. Additionally, Sonja is a developmental specialist for Four Oaks Early Intervention.

Tom is a band leader, trombonist, vocalist, and music educator. He is the music director of the Tom Daugherty Orchestra and director of the Centerville Community Band. He has arranged music for many groups throughout the United States and in Europe and is currently supplying transcriptions for the vocalists of The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Gene Krupa Orchestra, the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight, and others.

Sheila is a newcomer to our staff in Fall 2024. She comes to us after 37 years with the Centerville City Schools. Among other duties, she was assistant marching band director, Centerville Honor Band assistant director, and Hadley E. Watts Middle School band director. She founded the Centerville Middle School clarinet ensemble Winditude, Chamber Elks programs, and Watts’ student-led Jazz Combo. With Linda Hartley, Sheila built a long-running relationship between Watts Middle School and UD New Horizons featuring intergenerational music camps and concerts. Sheila also has coached several UD NHMP small ensembles. Sheila enjoys playing with the Springboro Wind Symphony, Hauer Swing Band, and the Sauerkraut German Band. Sheila holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Dayton.

Shelbi is an adjunct professor of cello at Sinclair College, teaches at McCutcheon Music, and is a faculty cellist at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Mich. She taught for 15 years at UD, where she was the coordinator of the string area. Shelbi holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honors in cello performance from Miami University and has completed additional doctoral studies at Ohio State University. She regularly performs with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bach Society of Dayton and serves as assistant principal of the Lima Symphony and Springfield Symphony orchestras.