Faculty
Thomas G. Leslie
Director, Division of Wind Band Studies; Professor, Conducting
thomas.leslie@unlv.edu
As Director of the Division of Wind Band Studies and Professor of Conducting, Thomas Leslie has earned recognition for high quality performances of the UNLV Bands. During his tenure at UNLV, his bands have received critical acclaim from members of the international music world. Such notables include composers Malcolm Arnold, Bruce Broughton, Eric Whitacre and Frank Ticheli, United States Marine Band Conductor Emeritus Colonel John Bourgeois... more
Since his appointment to the faculty in 1988, Anthony LaBounty has helped develop the UNLV Bands to become one of the finest collegiate band programs in the nation. He teaches courses within the music education degree programs and is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. He has also served as a guest conductor and performer throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico and China... more
Dr. Zane Douglass
Visiting Assistant Professor of Conducting
zane.douglass@unlv.edu
Dr. Zane S. Douglass is the Associate Conductor of the UNLV Wind Orchestra and Visiting Instructor of Conducting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His duties at UNLV include teaching Graduate and Undergraduate Conducting; conducting the UNLV Brass Ensemble; co-conducting the UNLV Wind Orchestra and UNLV Community Band; and instructing the Star of Nevada Marching Band and the UNLV Basketball Pep Band... more
Dr. David Coyner
Assistant Director of Bands
david.coyner@unlv.edu
Dr. David Coyner is a Director of the UNLV Star of Nevada Marching Band. In addition to the marching band, Dr. Coyner leads the UNLV Runnin' Rebel Pep Band and teaches courses in the Music Education Department. Before his appointment at UNLV, Dr. Coyner was the associate Director of Bands at Foothill High School in Henderson, NV and the Director of Bands at North Valleys High School in Reno, NV. Dr. Coyner received his DMA in Conducting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas... more
Staff
David Martinez
Drumline Instructor
Davey Martinez is a Las Vegas native, who has been performing and teaching music for over a decade. Mr. Martinez will graduate from UNLV with a Bachelor of Music Performance, and a Minor in Music Technology. Martinez has marched in collegiate, WGI, and DCI percussion ensembles (including five seasons with Vegas Vanguard under the direction of former UNLV Drumline Instructor Brian Howerton), and regularly performs locally with multiple eclectic jazz collectives. He has also instructed over a dozen high school drumlines and independent drumline organizations, including Gold Spike Percussion and the Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps.
Martinez’ musical background is particularly diverse, as he has garnered significant accomplishments in several areas such as drum set, classical percussion, Afro-latin percussion, and marching percussion...more
Ocean Akaka
Doctoral Graduate Assistant
Ocean Akaka is a Doctoral Graduate Assistant with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Division of Wind Band Studies and serves as the UNLV Wind Orchestra Manager. Akaka is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting at UNLV and is a student of Thomas G. Leslie. His duties at UNLV include managing the UNLV Wind Orchestra, teaching undergraduate conducting lessons, and serving as a graduate conductor for the UNLV Brass Ensemble, Community Concert Band, New Horizons Band, and Symphonic Winds. Akaka also assists with the direction of the UNLV Star of Nevada Marching Band and the Runnin’ Rebel Basketball Pep Band...more
Tyler Cranor
Doctoral Graduate Assistant
Before arriving at UNLV, Tyler served as the Director Of Bands at South Fort Myers High School, in Fort Myers, Florida, spent 8 years as a middle and high school band director in Oregon, and served as the Executive Director of the Central Oregon Youth Orchestra for 3 seasons.
During his 10 years as a secondary school band director, Tyler's ensembles have received numerous awards and accolades, including: winning multiple titles at the Oregon state band festival, superior performance ratings at festivals from Seattle to Los Angeles, and invitations to perform in the Edison Festival Of Lights, Naples St. Patrick's Day, and Dunbar Easter Parades in Southwest Florida....more
Michael Lewis
Doctoral Graduate Assistant
Prior to his studies at UNLV, Michael Lewis taught high school and middle school band in North Carolina for 10 years. Under his direction, his ensembles have grown considerably in size and quality. He also has experience teaching in Title I districts. Outside of teaching in the public school setting, Michael also teaches private lessons to kids and adults of all ages.
Michael is professionally affiliated with the National Association for Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educator's Association, and the North Carolina Bandmaster's Association. and is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. ...more