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Clarinet Section
Tony Negron
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2014
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: cooking, baking, and traveling
Biography: Tony Negron has enjoyed a richly varied career as a professional clarinetist, chamber musician, concerto soloist, and music educator. As a performer, Tony serves as principal clarinet with the Florida Wind Band and second clarinet with the Punta Gorda Symphony. He has performed with The Florida Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, and Disney Candlelight Orchestra. Tony has won several competitions, including first place in the Robert Shankovich Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition with Scott McAllister's Black Dog. He has been a featured soloist with Alia Musica Pittsburgh, the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra & Wind Ensemble, and the Florida Wind Band. He served as a resident artist with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay and has been a featured artist on Pittsburgh’s Classical Music Radio Station WQED 89.3. Tony has also performed alongside notable musical acts, including Celtic Thunder, the Italian pop opera trio Il Volo, Il Divo, and Sarah Brightman.
Sharon Henson
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2008
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, health and wellness
Biography: Sharon Henson graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. She is a founding member of the Florida Wind Band and an active musician performing in various musical groups throughout the Tampa area. Sharon has taught private clarinet lessons for over 36 years and has worked in the banking and accounting industry. Sharon oversees the bookkeeping division at Trusted Business Service, where she is a certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor. Sharon has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 33 years and has a 22-year-old son.
Stefanie McDannald
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2017
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Hobbies/Interests: teaching, dogs, cooking, gardening
Biography: Stefanie McDannald is a clarinetist and music educator who currently teaches middle school band in Pasco County. Bands under her direction have consistently earned superior ratings in Florida and Texas. Stefanie joined the Florida Wind Band in 2017 as a clarinet section member and has frequently been called upon to play E-flat clarinet. She has also performed with the Lakeland Symphony, Metropolitan Winds (Dallas), TCU Wind Symphony, TCU Symphony Orchestra, and the Horned Frog Marching Band. Stefanie has had the pleasure to perform in various venues, such as the Winspear Opera House, Meyerson Symphony Center, Lila Cockrell Theatre, Rose Bowl, Super Bowl XLV, and Carnegie Hall. Stefanie holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Texas Christian University, where her primary teachers were Jean Cox and Gary Whitman. Stefanie lives in Land O' Lakes with her husband, Brandon, and their golden retriever.
Francisco Quixtan
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2018
Hometown: Valrico, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: cooking, video & audio editing
Biography: Francisco Quixtan graduated from Florida Southern College, earning degrees in music education and performance. Francisco is a prolific performer and conductor in the Tampa area and has been a guest performer with international ensembles. Francisco serves as the assistant artistic director for the Tampa Bay Symphonic Winds and a conductor for the inaugural season of the Alliance Youth Band of Tampa Bay.
Kathleen Sadowsky
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2016
Hometown: Albany, New York
Hobbies/Interests: family, travel, NY Times crosswords, mahjong
Biography: Kathleen Sadowsky is a professional musician who has been a member of the American Federation of Musicians (Saratoga, NY) for approximately 30 years. Her professional career includes performing for 20 years with Glens Falls Symphony and 25 years with Schenectady Symphony and Capital Region Wind Ensemble. In addition to the Florida Wind Band, she plays with the Community Wind Symphony of St. Petersburg College, Suncoast Symphony Orchestra, and the St. Petersburg Band. Kathleen has a wonderful family, which includes her husband, two children, two grandchildren, and their dog!
Asher Carlson
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2017
Hometown: Leland, Michigan
Hobbies/Interests: scuba diving, singing (barbershop/musicals), gardening, design, cooking, baking
Biography: Asher Carlson holds the positions of Second, Bass, and Eb Clarinet with the Venice Symphony (Venice, FL) and Principal Bass Clarinet with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (Tallahassee, FL). He has served as Associate Bass Clarinet with the Sarasota Opera (Sarasota, FL) and Artosphere (Fayetteville, AR) festival orchestras. Asher has toured the continental United States, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, and Kenya with chamber ensembles, symphony orchestras, wind bands, and chamber choruses. He has also been a featured presenter at Clarinetfest 2017 (Orlando, FL), 2018 (Ostend, Belgium), and 2022 (Reno, NV). He serves on the annual Interlochen Clarinet Institute faculty at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Asher holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the Florida State University, a Master of Music in Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of South Florida.
Diana Belcher
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2008
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: travel, puzzles, swimming, reading
Biography: Diana Belcher has played clarinet in concert and marching bands in school and continues performing in various community ensembles. In Ohio, she served as principal clarinet in the Jewish Community Orchestra and the Upper Arlington Symphony and was a featured soloist in each group. After moving to Florida, Ms. Belcher joined the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra as the principal clarinet. Currently, Diana is a freelance performer, working with various community and high school theater companies, community orchestras, big bands, and jazz combos. She has studied with members of the Columbus Symphony and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Florida. In addition to performing, Diana teaches clarinet, saxophone, and improvisation.
Tashianna Torres
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2008
Hometown: Ocoee, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: the arts, theme parks
Biography: Tashianna Torres started playing clarinet in fifth grade and is a founding member of the Florida Wind Band. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Iowa State University and Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Central Florida. Tashianna has taught middle school band for 20 years. When she is not teaching or playing the clarinet, Tashianna can be found at theme parks throughout Central Florida, where she holds several annual passes. Tashianna provides travel tips and trip planning advice through her YouTube channel.
Kelsey Synnett
Instrument: Clarinet
Member Since: 2021
Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota
Hobbies/Interests: traveling, reading, running, hiking, camping
Biography: Kelsey Synnett grew up in a military family and discovered her passion for music and band throughout her travels. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree and is a former middle school band director in Pasco County. Currently, Kelsey serves in leadership roles with a future goal to pursue educational administration. She performs with the Florida Wind Band as a musical outlet and enjoys community outreach through the arts.
George Linakis
Instrument: Bass Clarinet
Member Since: 2008
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: music, hiking, fixing cars
Biography: George Linakis (clarinetist/bassoonist) received his Master of Music in Music Performance degree from Florida International University. He has performed with several groups, including the North Miami Beach Orchestra and Miami Symphony Orchestra. He has freelanced for various acts including Zarzuela, Opera, and Musical Theatre productions in Miami. Since moving to Tampa, he has performed with the Florida Wind Band, South Shore Symphony Orchestra, Fanfare Concert Winds, Tampa Bay Symphonic Winds, and the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, where he holds the position of principal clarinet. He is also a member of various chamber music groups throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Ashley Huffman
Instrument: Contra Bass Clarinet
Member Since: 2015
Hometown: Dade City, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: being a terrific aunt to two amazing nephews, floral design, spending time kayaking on the Weekie Wachee River
Biography: Ashley Huffman graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. She teaches middle school band in Hillsborough County, where her program has grown and received various awards and recognitions. Ashley has been nominated for the “Tom Bishop Turnaround Music Program of the Year” and was voted “Teacher of the Year” for her school in 2014. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ashely has served as the treasurer for the Hillsborough County Secondary Music Council and the secretary for District 7 of the Florida Bandmasters Association. Ashley has completed her Master in Education in Education Leadership degree at Saint Leo University and hopes to become a school administrator. Ashley is passionate about creating positive and encouraging environments for students so they can succeed in all they strive to be.