E-Mail Dawn

Dawn Farmer was initiated into Tau Beta Sigma in the Fall of 1997. As a member of the Omega Chapter, she served as President, Membership Educator, and Parliamentarian. She was also active at the district level, serving as President and Vice President of Colonization and Membership of the Western District. While attending the University of Arizona, Dawn played in many ensembles including the Marching Band, Pep Band, and the Wind Symphony. A clarinet and French horn player, Dawn graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Music Education in May of 2002.

After graduating, Dawn moved to the Los Angeles area where she was the director of elementary bands in the Manhattan Beach Unified School district for four years. Concurrently, she was also the assistant band director of the award-winning Mira Costa High School Marching Band and the founding director of the Manhattan Beach Elementary Honor Band and Honor Strings ensembles. During this time, the Psi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi made her an Honorary Member of their Chapter. While living in California, Dawn was a member of the NAA, held multiple offices on the alumni level, played clarinet in community band, and became a Life Member of Tau Beta Sigma.

In 2008, Dawn earned a Master of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her thesis research analyzed the contributions of women to scholarly music education journals. After completing that degree, Dawn was a public school instrumental music teacher in Prince George's County, Maryland where she taught middle school band, orchestra, and general music.

Currently, Dawn is the Director of Music Education at Boise State University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework in music education and research methods. Concurrently, she is finishing her Ph.D. in music education at Arizona State University. Her research interests include women in the band profession, urban education, and music teacher preparation. Her dissertation focuses on preparing music teachers to succeed in diverse and urban climates. Dawn is also a member of the community-based Treasure Valley Concert Band and is a member of many professional affiliations such as NAfME, IMEA, and WBDI; when she finds the time enjoys reading, golf, and painting.

 

Email Nicole

Dr. Nicole Burdick was initiated into the Delta Eta Chapter at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in the fall of 2001.  On the chapter level Nicole served in many offices including Vice President, and President.  Nicole also served as Vice President of Colonization & Membership and served as President of the Southwest District during the Sorority’s 60th year.  At Texas A&M University-Kingsville Nicole played the french horn in the Pride of South Texas Javelina Marching band and in one of the school’s concert bands. 

Nicole is a Life member of the Tau Beta Sigma and an Honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Southwest District.  Nicole had the privilege of being a charter member of the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association and has also helped develop the Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the Southwest District affiliates. 

Nicole has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Animal Science from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Animal Science at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX.  Nicole currently works as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service in Lubbock, TX.  In her free time Nicole enjoys reading, watching Nascar, and attending marching contests with her fiancé, a middle school Band Director.

 

E-Mail Kevin

Kevin Earnest was initiated into the Gamma Mu chapter in the Spring of 2006.  As a member of the chapter at Ohio Northern University (ONU), he served as Recording Secretary and a number of committee head positions.  Kevin served the sorority on the district level as Vice President for Special Projects in the North Central District.  During his time at ONU, Kevin played tuba in Wind Orchestra, Marching Band, and Symphony Orchestra as well as piano and bass trombone on occasion. Kevin graduated in 2010 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. He participated in the university’s co-op program and also completed a second major in Mathematics.

After graduating, Kevin began his graduate program at Purdue University.  During his studies at Purdue, he has remained involved in the band program playing in the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.  Also while at Purdue, he was granted Honorary Membership into the Gamma Pi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and the Beta Sigma chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. 

In December of 2011, Kevin received his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and began working as a project engineer with Strand Associates.  Kevin now resides in Columbus, IN with his wife, Lisa, and their dog, Spunky.

 

E-Mail Debra

Debra L. Traficante serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Oklahoma. Her primary responsibilities include assisting with the recruiting, teaching, selecting shows, and administrative duties of The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. Dr. Traficante also serves as Conductor of the OU Concert Band and assists with the other concert ensembles as well. She conducts and coordinates the Men's and Women's Sooner Showmen Basketball Bands. She is also actively involved in the music education program, co-teaching the Undergraduate Conducting Class.

Dr. Traficante served as Director of Bands at New Smynra Beach High School from 2001 - 2005 and as Assistant Director of Bands at Buchholz High School from 2005 - 2007 while working on her Master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting at the University of Florida. She then served from 2007 - 2009 as a Doctoral Conducting Graduate Assistant and Alumni Fellow at the University of Oklahoma while pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Wind Band Conducting under Dr. William K. Wakefield.

Dr. Traficante was awarded the Martha Starke Memorial Scholarship for Women Conductors in 2006 and a Graduate Alumni Fellowship while serving as a Doctoral Conducting Associate from 2007 - 2009. Her professional associations include the College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference, College Music Society, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, Sigma Alpha Iota (Distinguished Member), Tau Beta Sigma (honorary), and Kappa Kappa Psi (honorary).

Email Jonathan

Jonathan Markowski is a Life Member of the Delta Delta Chapter at the University of Massachusetts. Initiated in the fall of 1996, he spent 5 seasons in the color guard of  the "Power and Class of New England," the Minuteman Marching Band, under the direction of George Parks. He served his chapter as Parliamentarian, Alumni/Corresponding Secretary, Ritual Chair, and Chapter Delegate to District and National Conventions. He also served as Vice-President of the Northeast District.

Jonathan possesses Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, as well as a post-bacc degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Management from Bridgewater State College. He is also an Honorary of the Eta Gamma Chapter at Boston University and a charter member of the TBSAA.

Jonathan continues to serve band programs as a color guard instructor and clinician. He has worked with the Boston University Marching Band, the Abington High School Marching Band and runs clinics with color guards in New Mexico, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. He is in training to become a color guard adjudicator with the Massachusetts' Judges Association.