THE 2025-2026 UMKC HORN STUDIO

 

The UMKC horn studio is comprised of undergraduate, masters, doctoral and artist diploma students from around the United States. Our members have a wide variety of talents and interests, and among our ranks are jazz hornists, beat makers, multi-instrumentalists, teachers, performers, composers and entrepreneurs. The studio is also active as chamber, orchestral and solo musicians, and can be heard in concerts around campus and across the Midwest!

 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

 

 

Frank Carrubba

 

 

Frank Carrubba hails from San Antonio, Texas and is a second year DMA student at UMKC. Frank holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (B.M.) and Carnegie Mellon University (M.M.); where his instructors were Patrick Hughes and William Caballero, respectively. Frank has performed previously as a fellow of The National Repertory Orchestra, The Round Top Festival Institute, and The American Wind Symphony Orchestra. He also spent summers as a fellowship student at The Aspen Music Festival and School where he studied with Erik Ralske and John Zirbel. Currently Frank enjoys performing opportunities with orchestras such as The Topeka Symphony, Missouri Symphony, New World Symphony, and others. Frank has experience teaching applied lessons and chamber music at the middle school, high school, and collegiate level. When not playing the horn Frank enjoys playing golf, fitness, producing electronic music, and keeping up with his favorite sports teams. 

 

 

Lesley Harkey

 

 

Lesley Harkey grew up in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. He started playing the piano in the fourth grade and played the French horn in his father’s band class. He participated in several honor bands by the time he graduated high school in 1994. Lesley attended Henderson State University, where he completed his Bachelor of Music Education in 1999. While at HSU, he spent two summers at Brevard Music Center, where he fell in love with orchestral horn playing. After graduating from HSU, Lesley went to the University of North Texas, where he studied with William Scharnberg and completed his Master of Music in Horn Performance in 2001.After completing his Master’s degree, Lesley became active as a freelance horn player and private instructor in the Dallas, Texas area, playing in several local orchestras, including the Allen Philharmonic and Dallas Summer Musicals orchestra, and teaching applied horn studies at Richland College, as well as private lessons at various local middle and high schools.In 2011, Lesley joined the U.S. Army Bands in pursuit of varied musical and life opportunities. His military career took him to the Pacific Northwest, Virginia, and Japan, allowing him the opportunity to perform with such ensembles as the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force Band.Lesley is excited to continue studying music and horn playing with the esteemed faculty and students here at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where he is pursuing the Artist’s Certificate in Horn Performance.

 

 

Jackson Jobe

 

Jackson Jobe is a first year Horn Performance Masters student at UMKC. He completed his undergrad at Missouri State University where he got a bachelor’s degree in Horn Performance. He was born in Springfield, Missouri but moved to Connecticut when he was 9 and lived there until just after high school. He performed with the University of Hartford Community Division bands and orchestras throughout high school. Some of his hobbies include baseball, golf, some other sports, as well as video games and hanging out with my friends!

 

 

Angie Mejia

 

 

Angie Mejia, is a first-semester Graduate Student from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, majoring in the Artist Certificate program at the UMKC Conservatory. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (2023) and her Master’s Degree in Music Performance from Northwestern State University of Louisiana (2025). Her professional experience includes serving as First Horn of the Honduras Armed Forces Symphonic Band (2015–2023), Principal Horn of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Honduras (2013–2023), and Second Horn with the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Victoria (2022–2023), as well as performing internationally with the Orquesta Juvenil Centroamericana y del Caribe. Additionally, she participated in the Mid-South Horn Workshop at Oklahoma State University with the NSU Horn Quartet in 2024 and served as Assistant/Principal Horn with the South Arkansas Symphony in 2025. Her future goals include pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance and building a career as a professional orchestra musician. 

 

Evan Minsk

 

Evan Minsk is in his last year of his bachelor’s degree in piano performance at UMKC. In addition to his studies in piano he has also played French horn in various ensembles at UMKC: the Wind Symphony, the Orchestra, and most recently UMKC improvisation ensemble.

 

Jeremy Ulm

 

Jeremy Ulm is a first year DMA student at the UMKC Conservatory, and the horn fellow in the Plaza Wind Quintet. He’s excited to be apart of such a friendly and supportive studio, and is especially excited about making new friends and performing with colleagues at UMKC. Jeremy is principal horn of the Topeka Symphony, and has additionally performed with orchestras around the Midwest and Southwest regions. He is passionate about chamber music and is a founding member of the State Line Horn Duo with UMKC alum Dr. Brianna Volkmann. Outside of music, Jeremy loves spending time with the amazing friends and family in his life, and exploring Kansas City. He also loves plants, reading, disc golf and hiking.

 

 

Alyssa Hershey Watney

 

Alyssa Watney is a first year graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree in Horn Performance and Pedagogy. Before coming to UMKC, she graduated from Sterling College with a bachelor’s degree in music and theater performance. Currently, she works as an educator in the Kansas City area, and frequently plays with Crossroads Wind Symphony, Northland Symphony, and The Kansas City Horn Club. In addition to performing, she is passionate about building up students’ love for music, desire for excellence, and confidence in themselves. Her private horn studio is made up of elementary through high school students around Kansas City and is one of her biggest joys. Alyssa is active in Shawnee Mission Schools, including their summer elementary and middle school band camp, and working as a brass technician for East High School. She loves anything outdoors, her adorable dog Theo, and her awesome husband, Micah! Alyssa is thrilled to be a part of UMKC’s conservatory program!

 

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

 

Michael Brown

 

Michael is a third-year undergraduate student studying horn performance. He is from North Carolina and started his undergraduate degree at Western Carolina University in 2019 and eventually transferred to UMKC in 2022. While at Western Carolina he enjoyed playing the Wind Ensemble and orchestra. Since starting at UMKC he has enjoyed playing in Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Wind Symphony. Michael also loves playing in his woodwind quintet named the “Rootet”. Michael has also enjoyed playing in Pinnacle Winds and enjoys playing in the Kansas City area. Michael also loves reading and spending time with friends and family.

 

 

Marty Garles

 

 

Marty Garles is a second year undergraduate pursuing a degree in Music Education. He graduated from Camdenton High School in 2023 where he participated in the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Jazz Band. At UMKC, he participates in the Wind Ensemble and Brush Creek Horn Quartet, as well as being treasurer of the NAFME-C chapter. He also works as a marching tech for Grain Valley HS.

 

 

Erik Mason

Erik Mason is a first-year undergraduate pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Horn Performance. He graduated from Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and has been playing the Horn since 7th grade. Erik has performed with several honor ensembles, including the Missouri All-State Orchestra, the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, and the Kansas City All-District Bands and Orchestras. This summer, he attended the Rafael Méndez Brass Institute in Denver, Colorado, where he played in the UMKC Horn Quartet. Outside of the Horn, Erik enjoys spending time with friends, cooking, and hiking. Erik is excited to learn new things, meet new friends, and continue to grow as a musician at the UMKC Conservatory.

 

Carson Mullins

My name is Carson Mullins from Blue Springs, Missouri and I majoring in music education. I am extremely excited to start my journey at UMKC!

Natalie Smith

 

 

Natalie Smith is a first year undergraduate perusing a bachelors degree in music education. She graduated from Liberty high school and has been playing horn for seven years. She was a six-year member of the Kansas City All-District band and one year member of the Missouri All-State band. Natalie participated her high school’s jazz band and pit orchestra all four years. She was also involved in Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and Youth Symphony of Kansas City, where she had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in 2023. This year Natalie looks forward to being involved in more ensembles and meeting new people.

 

 

Riley Swaffar

 

 

Riley Swaffar is a first-year undergraduate pursing a bachelor’s degree in music education. Before UMKC, he graduated from Blue Springs high school. Riley has been playing horn for several years, he has performed with several honor bands, jazz bands, pit orchestras, and festivals around the country. Recently he has attended the Luzerne Music center and played 2nd and principle horn in the Senior Session Orchestra. Riley is excited to continue to hone his craft and play with the amazing faculty and musicians apart of the UMKC Conservatory.

 

 

Rosalyn Rojas

 

 

Rosie Rojas is a fifth-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music performance. She is from Turlock, California and played trumpet and horn in band from elementary to high school. Rosie also participated in the Stanislaus County Honor Bands for six years, and the California All-Northern and All-State Honor Bands for four years. She moved to Kansas City after a year at Sacramento State University and now calls KC her home. She really enjoys being a part of the music community.

 

 

 

Masterclass with Cara Kizer – Oct 9 2024

 

 

Masterclass with Dr. Jeb Wallace – Sep 25 2024