Brass

ALEC BURKE, trumpet
Alec Burke joined the MFSOM staff in 2015. In the same year, Alec graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. This Fall, Alec will begin pursuing his M.M. In Music Performance at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As a teacher, Alec has experience with community outreach, adjudicating, providing clinics and masterclasses, managing a full-time private lessons studio, and teaching in a traditional classroom setting. Alec has also served in an administrative role, working as the Education Coordinator for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra (MSO) from 2017-2018. While Education Coordinator, he managed numerous education outreach programs, developed unique presentations and outreach projects for all ages, and designed curricula to help serve Delaware County.

Alec is versed in many different solo, chamber, classical, and commercial settings. Alec has performed as a soloist and chamber musician with Classical Music Indy, with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, for churches, and in public schools. In 2017, Alec had the honor of performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto in Eb with the MFSOM Symphony Orchestra. In the commercial vein, Alec played for the 2017 award-winning, animated short-film “Sea-Tectives.” As a lead player, Alec has performed with numerous show bands, including the Norwell HS Show Choir for their 2016-2019 seasons. He frequently plays lead for musicals around Central Indiana, with notable shows including West Side Story, 42nd Street, Scrooge the Musical, Little Mermaid, and Chorus Line.

While trumpet is Alec’s primary, he also enjoys guitar and singing. From 2016-17, he played rhythm guitar and sang back-up vocals with the 906 Band in the Fort Wayne area. 906 covers a variety of rock styles. Venues that Alec performed in with 906 ranged from Classic Car Shows, to community festivals, to lively breweries and wineries. Alec continues to perform an eclectic blend of modern pop music and instrumental styles with Jennifer Rodriguez in their acoustic duo. Outside of playing the trumpet, Alec enjoys playing video games, playing tabletop games, and visiting new breweries and coffee shops.

Kenneth Johnson, trumpet/trombone
Originally from Fredericksburg, VA, Kenneth is excited to join the Brass faculty at Music for the Sake of Music. In September 2018, Kenneth was appointed Principal Trombone of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Bass Trombone of the Gainesville Orchestra. In September 2017, he was appointed Principal Trombone of Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Kenneth is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Music at Florida State University where he is a Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. John Drew. He completed a Master’s degree in Trombone Performance at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, studying with Peter Ellefson. In 2013 he graduated cum laude from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, studying with Dr. Keith Jackson and Dr. Brian Plitnik. Kenneth has been a finalist in National and International competitions such as: the 2016 International Trombone Association Alto Trombone Competition and the 2014 American Trombone Workshop National Tenor Trombone Solo Competition Division II. In the summers, Kenneth is also on the trombone faculty of the Fredericksburg Brass Institute and Tidewater Brass Institute, both located in Virginia.

STEPHANIE PEKAH, french horn
Stephanie has been with Music for the Sake of Music since 2014.  She received her bachelors degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2005.  Stephanie has been teaching music in the Green Bay schools since the fall of 2005 and currently serves as the Director of Bands and Jazz at Edison Middle School. Stephanie is also an active performer, with several local ensembles as well as the Vento Winds, a professional wind ensemble based in Appleton, Wisconsin.

KYLE MALESEVICH, trombone
Originally from Milwaukee, Kyle Malesevich is thrilled to be back in Wisconsin and joining Music for the Sake of Music.  Currently located in Cincinnati, Kyle completed his Masters in Music from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music in 2016.  Since graduation, he has built a steady performance and teaching career in the city.  Additionally, Kyle holds the Second Trombone position with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and is a member/co-founder of the Cincinnati based chamber ensemble 5KBrass.  Kyle tours frequently with the Cincinnati based roots reggie band The Cliftones, and maintains a private studio as the Low Brass Instructor at Willis Music Kenwood.  Outside of music, Kyle enjoys chess, swimming, hiking, tennis, and expanding his knowledge of cheeses and brats.

STEVEN DARLING, tuba/euphonium
Dr. Steven Darling serves as Instructor of Tuba-Euphonium and Brass Chamber Music at Wright State University. Additionally, Darling serves as Principal Tuba with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, Tuba with the WSU Faculty Brass Quintet, and a Performing Artist with Miraphone Instrument Manufacturer.

An award-winning performer, Darling has received recognition in over ten competitions including the Falcone Tuba Artist Competition and ITEC Euphonium Artist Competition. In 2018 Darling released his debut album Dualities, recipient of two Global Music Awards, on the Emeritus Label.

In demand as a soloist, Darling recently performed Michael Daugherty’s Reflections on the Mississippi at the Music-For-All National Concert Band Festival and Cincinnati’s Music Hall. In 2019, Darling was privileged to premiere his work At the Mountains of Madness for tuba and string orchestra with the Wright State University Chamber Orchestra. In 2018, Dr. Darling was honored to make his Carnegie debut at the Weill Recital Hall.