John Miller retired as the 30-year director of bands at American Fork High School in Utah in 2016. Under his direction, the band performed at the Utah Music Educators State Conference, the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, the Peaks Jazz Festival, the Fiesta Bowl, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., as well as regular appearances at Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, Regionals, and Grand National Championships. Miller has been widely lauded at the district, state, regional and national levels, and in 2016 was awarded the Sorenson “Lifetime Achievement in Arts Education” Award by the Utah State Board of Education.

Miller believes strongly in the development of student leaders and the growth of the students in all areas of their lives, and believes that every student should experience the joy of music performance and continues to serve as a mentor to many younger teachers—including over 30 of his own former students.

Miller, who holds a master’s degree in music education from Brigham Young University, is an adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Midwest Clinic and is the founding director of the Wasatch Winds Symphonic Band, an adult community band with over 85 members and an established concert series in the community and the Wasatch Show Band, a community big band based in American Fork.

Jeanine Cooper grew up in Wayzata, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis and started playing the clarinet when she was 10 years old. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with clarinet as her principal instrument. She has taught music privately for over 30 years and currently participates with several musical groups. She has played clarinet with the Wasatch Winds since 2012 and became their Band Manager in August 2019.

Not only is she passionate about music but she is committed to helping others heal their body, mind and spirit. She has been married to Jim since 1976 and they have 4 sons and 6 beautiful grandchildren. One of Jeanine’s mottos is: “Forward With Faith”.

Melanie Mumme earned her bachelor’s degree in web development in 2012, but the performing arts are her true passion. She has been performing in choirs, musicals and local bands her whole life. Melanie participated in the Ambassadors of Music program, in the summer of 2001, where she had the opportunity to rehearse and perform with a superlative staff of Utah music educators. The tour included music performances in 7 different European countries, in historic chapels, cathedrals and public parks. She now shares her love of music with her two sons, who are both learning to play the drums, guitar and piano. She formed a family band, Melanie and the Constellations, to give her boys opportunities to perform in public, easing stage fright at an early age, and creating beautiful memories for them. Melanie is excited to be a part of the Wasatch Music Alliance as a Board Member and Webmaster, as well as the Wasatch Show Band as a vocalist.

Randal Brady currently serves as Director of Bands at Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs, Utah where he directs the marching band, three concert ensembles, and two jazz bands. During his time at Westlake the band has continued its tradition of high achievement by performing as a finalist in the Bands of America St. George Regional (2018), receiving Superior ratings at two Music For All Western Regional Concert Band Festivals (2019, 2020), qualifying for State Jazz Band Festival (2020), and performing at the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional in San Antonio, TX (2019). Mr. Brady was award 2019-2020 Teacher of The Year by the Westlake High School PTSA.

Mr. Brady is a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho where he completed a Bachelors in Music Education. He later attended the American Band College where he completed a Master of Arts in Band Conducting through Sam Houston State University. Mr. Brady has been fortunate to receive conducting instruction and critique from Anthony Maiello, Robert Ponto, Scott Hagen, and Craig Kirchhoff.

J.M. Whitchurch graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition. An American Fork native, he got his start in music by playing trumpet in the American Fork
band program and has continued studying trumpet performance with many talented directors and teachers.

As a composer, Jacob has been extremely privileged to work with talented musicians, directors, and composers in having his pieces performed live. As a high school student he premiered 2 of his
compositions at the 2012 and 2013 Spring Concerts, and scored the music for 2 award-winning short films. In college he had many of his pieces performed and recorded with live groups, including Wind Ensemble works, chamber pieces, Trumpet Ensemble competition pieces, and several instrumental solos. Since graduating, he has worked with several groups in the Utah valley area and premiered pieces with many of them. Jacob aspires to compose great music that heals and inspires.