Gil Corella
Tubist Senior Master Sergeant Gilbert C. Corella is the Director of Special Events for The United States Air Force Band, located in Washington D.C. Originally from Miami, Fla., his career in the Air Force began in 1985 as a tubist with the Ceremonial Brass. Throughout his Air Force career, he has also appeared as a soloist with the Concert Band and Chamber Orchestra. He holds a bachelor of music degree from the Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.), a master of music degree in performance and conducting from George Mason University (Fairfax, Va.), and a doctorate of musical arts degree from the Catholic University of America, as the school s first-ever graduate in tuba performance. Prior to joining The United States Air Force Band, Sergeant Corella performed with Disneyland's All-American College Band in Anaheim, Calif.
He has represented The United States Air Force Band at numerous conventions, to include the Fretted Instrument Guild of the Americas and Mid-America Banjo Enthusiasts' Association, and the International Tuba-Euphonium Association. In civilian capacity, Sergeant Corella is currently the tuba-euphonium professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C, as well as the conductor of the Loudoun Symphonic Winds, based in Sterling, Va. In 2005, he founded the Serapis Foundation, a non-profit organization comprised of professional musicians, whose purpose centers upon educational outreach for economically challenged and diverse adolescents.
Tenor Banjoist Stephen DiBonaventura started playing on his 12th birthday, studying music with a number of teachers. As a young lad, he became involved with the Philadelphia string bands and marched in the annual Mummer s day parade on New Year s Day, weather permitting. In 1988, Mr. DiBonaventura was invited to perform at the White House as a special guest soloist with the United States Air Force Band. He has performed with several jazz bands and has been featured at Harrah s Casino and Showboat Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., as well as a headliner at a number of banjo festivals throughout the United States and in Europe. When not performing, Mr. DiBonaventura leads a quiet and stress-free life as a tax lawyer, practicing his craft in Philadelphia, as a partner of Duane, Morris LLP, a national law firm.
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