DelawareScene: Sassafras Brass Quintet, Graduate Ensemble-in-Residence @ University of Delaware, Bayard Sharp Hall

Sassafras Brass Quintet, Graduate Ensemble-in-Residence

Becca Wertenberger plays trumpet with The Sassafras Brass Quintet and is a graduate student at the University of Delaware where she studies Trumpet Performance with Dr. Brianne Borden. Becca holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Arkansas State University, where she studied with Dr. Nairam Simoes. She has also previously been a member of the Frackenpohl Honors Brass Quintet at the Crane School of Music. Becca was recently selected to present her research, Re-examining the Relevance of Orchestral Audition Lists, at the International Trumpet Guild conference in Anaheim, California. In her free time she enjoys reading and hanging out with her cat, Chloe!

George Mayo is a person of the earth who plays trumpet in The Sassafras Brass Quintet. They are pursuing their Master’s Degree in Music Performance at UD where they also completed their undergraduate degree. During their time at UD, they attended and competed in the National Trumpet Competition as well as the International Trumpet Guild Conference in the small ensemble divisions. As an artist, George is always questioning how we, as artistic people, can reclaim who we are and translate that into the music we play. In the past year, George lived in Washington DC where they taught beginning piano, trumpet, and French horn. George loves to experience life to the fullest whether that is going for a walk in nature or dancing until the sun rises!

Ellie O'Hare-Goman is the horn player of The Sassafras Brass Quintet and she is pursuing her Master's of Music: Teaching Concentration, at the University of Delaware. Ellie went to West Chester University for her bachelors in horn performance and Temple University for her masters in horn performance. Ellie is currently adjunct faculty at Eastern University where she teaches horn and coaches chamber music. She is also a freelance horn player in the Philadelphia area where she has played with groups including the Chesco Pops, Curtis Symphony Orchestra, and Villanova Theatre. In her free time, Ellie enjoys hanging out with her ferrets and cats, crafting, listening to Lady Gaga, and reading!

Alex Mizroch is the trombonist of The Sassafras Brass Quintet and he is pursuing his Master's of Music in Performance at the University of Delaware. He went to James Madison University in Virginia for his undergraduate where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Alex is currently playing in the University of Delaware’s Symphony Orchestra as their principal trombonist. Alex enjoys reading and playing board games in his free time.

Andrew Baker is the tuba player of The Sassafras Brass Quintet and is currently working on his Master of Music Performance at the University of Delaware with Brian Brown. His undergraduate degree is from West Chester University, where he studied with Dr. Jonathan Fowler. When he was at WCU, he had the opportunity to perform in the 2024 Rose Bowl Parade with the Golden Rams Marching Band. Andrew currently teaches private music lessons with Greensleeves Music in the Chester County area. As a freelancing musician in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Andrew has been in a number of local musicals, church services, and other ensembles.

Presented by University of Delaware, Department of Music.

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