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Leadership
Directors
"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others"
-Jonathan Swift
Dr. Joseph Parisi
Founding Member & Music Director
Joseph Parisi is a Curators’ Distinguished Professor at the UMKC Conservatory where he conducts the Conservatory Wind Ensemble and serves as a music education and conducting faculty member. Recognized as one of the most well-rounded faculty members at UMKC, Parisi has amassed an impressive career as a conductor, performing artist, pedagogue, and scholar.
He has appeared throughout the world conducting music festivals, adjudicating ensembles, performing, and presenting clinics, research, lectures and workshops. Recognized as one of America’s outstanding brass conductors, Parisi is the principal conductor of Summit Brass at the Rafael Méndez Brass Institute and Fountain City Brass Band.
Dr. Lee Harrelson
Founder, Executive & Artistic Director
Lee Harrelson is a Professor of Music at Missouri Western State University. At Missouri Western he serves as the Director of Instrumental Studies and Bands, and a Visiting Professor of Low Brass at the UMKC-Conservatory.
Dedicated to furthering the development of brass bands in America, Dr. Harrelson has served on the faculty of the North American Brass Band Summer School, the North American Brass Band Association Board of Directors, as Executive Director of the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships, and is a co-founder of the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy and National Youth Brass Band of America. In 2022 Dr. Harrelson founded the US Masters Brass Band Entertainment Championships.
Lee Harrelson is a Buffet Group/Besson Performing Artist.
Helen Harrelson
President, Fountain City Youth Brass Academy
Helen Harrelson is the principal baritonist of the Fountain City Brass Band, founder and president of the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy, and founder and Artistic Director of the National Youth Brass Band of America.
Originally from England, Helen can be heard on over 40 commercially released recordings and has been a member of the Black Dyke, Fodens, and YBS Bands. As a leading advocate for brass pedagogy and performance, she has presented and performed at events including the Midwest Clinic, International Woman’s Brass Conference, International Tuba & Euphonium Conference, and International Trumpet Guild.
Helen is a Besson/Buffet Crampon performing artist, consultant, and clinician.
