Elections

OMEA Trustees Elections

Brandon DuVall– OMEA State President-Elect

Brandon DuVall is in his 25th year as an Ohio music educator and his 11th year as Director of Bands and K–12 Music Coordinator for Orange City Schools near Cleveland. He directs beginning bands through high school ensembles, including marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz band. Orange concert bands consistently earn superior ratings at OMEA events, and the Wind Ensemble has performed at Capital University, Kent State, the University of Akron, and Severance Hall. The Orange Lion Marching Band—25% of the student body—has performed at the Sugar Bowl, Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Walt Disney World.

Previously, DuVall spent 14 years in greater Akron at Cuyahoga Falls HS directing the marching band, jazz ensembles, and concert bands, with performances at the Fiesta Bowl Parade, Holiday Bowl, Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the 2015 OMEA PDC. He was the Cuyahoga Falls School District Educator of the Year in 2010.

DuVall has served OMEA as All-State Jazz Chair, State Treasurer, District President, and adjudicator, and has conducted honor bands across Ohio. Brandon is also in his 3rd year on the national music committee for NFHS. He was keynote speaker for the Lorain County Alliance of Black School Educators Award Ceremony and has received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the Lorain Youth NAACP Chapter. He holds degrees in Music Education and Educational Administration from Kent State University and is a member of Phi Beta Mu, ASBDA, and Kappa Kappa Kappa Psi. A 1997 graduate of Lorain Clearview High School, he is committed to expanding access to high-quality music education for all students.

Ryan Hurd– OMEA State Treasurer

Ryan Hurd is in his eighth year as Director of Bands for the Jackson City Schools, following four years as the district’s Associate Director of Bands. A native of Parma, Ohio, he holds both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music Education in Teaching Artistry in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. In his current role, he oversees all band operations and conducts the Wind Ensemble, Marching Ironmen, Jazz Band, Pep Bands, assists with the middle school bands, and teaches AP Music Theory.

Under Ryan’s leadership, the Symphonic Band (formerly Concert Band) earned its first-ever Superior rating at the OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event. His work has been recognized on both state and regional levels, including the 2020 Ohio University School of Music Teachers Mentoring Teachers Award, selection as a 2020 Midwest Clinic Conference Clinician (deferred due to the pandemic), the 2018 OMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator Award, and the 2017 ASBDA Outstanding Potential Award. His performance achievements include winning the Three Arts Club of Lakewood Scholarship Performance Competition (2013, 2010), the MTNA Ohio Chamber Winds Competition (2012), and the BGSU Chamber Music Competition (2011).

Ryan is an active member of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) and maintains extensive involvement in the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA). His leadership roles include District 17 Middle School Honor Band Chair (2024–present), District 17 Treasurer (2024–present), and District 17 President-Elect and President (2019–2023). He previously served as High School Solo & Ensemble Chair (2016–2018), District 17 Middle School Honor Band site chair, and has been an active OMEA member since 2014.

A dedicated mentor to aspiring music educators, Ryan has hosted six professional interns from Ohio University, delivered leadership seminars throughout southeast Ohio, served as a guest saxophone and clarinet clinician statewide, and adjudicated numerous district and regional honor bands. He co-presented Building Band Programs in Rural & Low-Income Areas at the 2018 OMEA Professional Development Conference and later at the 2022 ASBDA State Convention.

Before beginning his public school teaching career, Ryan was a Staff Instructor for the BGSU Super Saxophone Camp (2014–2015), where he worked with high school saxophonists on advanced repertoire, taught private lessons, coached saxophone quartets, led saxophone choir rehearsals, and designed curriculum addressing technique, repertoire selection, and college/career pathways in music.

As a performer, Ryan studied saxophone with Parma legend Joe Bosoty and internationally renowned virtuoso Dr. John Sampen, shaping his artistic voice and pedagogical approach. He was a founding member of The Four Corners Saxophone Quartet, an award-winning ensemble that premiered works by Mihai Popean, Hannah Skowronek, John Gazda, and Peng Xing, collaborated with Mark Whitmer, and participated in master classes with Dr. Clifford Leaman and Dr. Ryan Muncy. At BGSU, he performed with the Falcon Marching Band, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble.

He continues to perform actively with his jazz quartet, JRDN & CO.

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