The Fredericksburg Summer Music Institute woodwind and brass faculty will perform a concert on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Rock Box Theater. The concert will feature our esteemed artist faculty Mezraq Ramli (oboe), Daniel Pardo (flute), Vanguel Tangarov (clarinet), Sarah Wildey-Richmond (bassoon), Guglielmo Manfredi (horn), Mary Thornton (trumpet), JD Handshoe (Trombone) and Arturo Galvan (Tuba).

Performer Bios

Dr. Mezraq Ramli serves as Assistant Professor of Double Reeds at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. On top of teaching applied oboe and bassoon, he teaches chamber music, double reed methods, sight singing and ear training. Prior to relocating to the Valley, Dr. Ramli served on the faculties of Northwestern Michigan College, Saginaw Valley State University and Lubbock Christian University. He has presented masterclasses at Texas Tech University, Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico State University, The University of Texas at El Paso, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, University of Florida, University of Southern Mississippi, Miami University and Puebla Conservatory.

Dr. Daniel Pardo is an award-winning flutist, producer, and educator whose work bridges classical tradition with contemporary and Latin-influenced expression. A Yamaha Performing Artist and Texas Touring Artist, he has appeared as soloist and collaborator across the United States and internationally, performing with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and leading artists from the jazz and classical worlds. Praised for his expressive tone and stylistic versatility, Pardo is the recipient of the Beethoven International Competition UK Innovation Award and multiple Global Music Awards. His recent album Ese Momento explores the intersection of orchestral writing, jazz harmony, and Latin American song, earning critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and refined musicianship.

Dr. Vanguel Tangarov is an Associate Professor of Clarinet at Texas State University and the Artistic Director and Founder of the annual international clarinet event, the Texas State Clarinet Fiesta. Tangarov also holds the position of Principal Clarinetist with the Austin Opera, Mid-Texas Symphony, and Victoria Symphony Orchestras. Prior to his current roles, Tangarov served as the Principal Clarinetist of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria (1993-1998), the Academia Chigiana Symphony Orchestra in Italy (1993-1997), the Jeunesses Musicales World Symphony Orchestra in Germany (1993-1994), and the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra (OSUANL) in Mexico (1998-2004). He has distinguished himself as a soloist, performing with orchestras such as the Györ Symphony in Hungary, the Mid-Texas Symphony and the Southeastern Philharmonic, Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra, and the Symphony of the Hills in the USA, the Plovdiv Philharmonic, the Rousse Philharmonic, the Varna Philharmonic, and the Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria, as well as the Constanta Philharmonic in Romania, the Monterrey Symphony (OSUANL), and Monterrey Chamber Orchestra in Mexico.

Dr. Sarah Wildey-Richmond is a sought-after performer and educator, teaching bassoon and music history and literature at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She formerly taught bassoon at Texas Lutheran University, bassoon and woodwind methods at Texas A&M University, Kingsville, and music appreciation at West Texas A&M University. Additionally, she maintains a private bassoon studio in San Antonio, Texas. An avid orchestral musician, Sarah holds the contrabassoon chair with the Amarillo Symphony, a position she has held since 2013, and performs regularly with other orchestral groups throughout Texas, including the Kingsville Symphony, the Mid-Texas Symphony and Symphony Viva. Past engagements include the Indianapolis Symphony, Bloomington Camerata, Carmel Symphony, Columbus Philharmonic Des Moines Symphony, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Iowa, Lubbock Symphony, Roswell Symphony, Midland-Odessa Symphony, Victoria Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony, and the Corpus Christi Symphony.

Dr. Guglielmo Manfredi joined the West Texas A&M School of Music in 2009. Originally from Genova Italy, he received a B.M. in Horn Performance from West Texas A&M University in 2004, an M.M. in Horn Performance from the University of Miami in 2006 and a D.M.A. in Horn Performance and Conducting from the University of Miami in 2011. His primary teachers include Jerry Peel, Vladimiro Cainero, Adriano Orlandi, JD Shaw and Ron Lemon. Dr. Manfredi is the principal horn with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra and Amarillo Opera. Dr. Manfredi has performed at Carnegie Hall with the Frost Wind Ensemble, the Carlo Felice Opera in Genova Italy, New World Symphony, the Genova Sinfonietta, the Miami Pops and Pink Martini. Dr. Manfredi is a Wes Hatch Horns Artist.

Dr. Mary Thornton, Regents Professor and Chair of the Department of Music at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi joined the faculty in the Fall of 2005 having previously taught at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX, and St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI. She holds degrees from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and she did additional studies in performance at the Aspen Music Festival, and the AIMS Festival in Graz, Austria. Active as an orchestral musician, Dr. Thornton holds positions with the Corpus Christi Symphony, the Mid-Texas Symphony, and the Victoria Symphony.

Dr. JD Handshoe joined the faculty of Angelo State University in 2022 as assistant professor of low brass, having previously served on the faculties of Kennesaw State University, Berry College, Dalton State College, and Georgia Highlands College. JD was awarded a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in trombone performance from the University of Kentucky, as well as a Master of Music degree in trombone performance and a Bachelor of Music Education degree with euphonium as his primary instrument, both from Morehead State University. His primary teachers were Dr. Stacy Baker on euphonium and tuba, as well as Dr. Jeanie Lee, Dr. Nathan Dishman, Dr. William Mann, and Bradley Kerns on trombone.

Dr. Arturo Galvan currently serves as Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Texas at El Paso. He is also the Principal Tuba of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and formerly held the same position with the West Texas Symphony Orchestra and Big Spring Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has performed as a substitute tubist with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra. Alongside his orchestral experience, Arturo is an active chamber musician. He performs with the sAge Low Brass Quartet and previously with the Lone Star Brass Quintet, ensembles that have appeared throughout Texas and at major events including the Texas Music Educators Association Convention.

FSMI Woodwind & Brass Faculty Concert

June 24, 2026 7 PM