Melody Dawning holds a Master of Music in Composition from Central Michigan University, where she studied with David Gillingham and Jose-Luis Maurtua. Melody earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition and Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Drake University, where she studied composition with William Dougherty, trumpet with Andrew Classen, and piano with Rika Uchida. Her compositions and arrangements have been recognized with a number of scholarships and awards by many different institutions, and she has contributed several pieces to the Metro Brass Quintet's repertoire.
Melody currently works as a church secretary and a self-published composer and arranger. (You can find her music at melodydawning.com!) She also enjoys serving on the worship team of her local church as a pianist, singer, and trumpet player. |
Brian Martin is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, with a degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Jazz Studies. While at UNI, he was a member of UNI Jazz Band One, the UNI Wind Symphony, and the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra. Brian’s original compositions and arrangements have been performed by UNI Jazz Band One, the UNI Jazz Panthers, the Panther Marching Band, the UNI Pep Bands, as well as a wide variety of student soloists and chamber ensembles.
Currently, Brian is the 5-12 Band Director for the Interstate 35 Community School District, based in Truro, Iowa. He maintains a private studio with trombone students of all ages. He performs frequently in the Des Moines area with a variety of ensembles, including the Des Moines Big Band, the Renovation Jazz Quintet, the Roni Garza Salsa Orchestra, and the Metro Brass Quintet. When not performing, Brian often composes and arranges new music for players of all ages, and for a variety of ensembles. Brian played with the MBQ from 2014 - 2017. |
Joy Lucas grew up in the Des Moines area and attended Taylor University where she received her B.A. in Music Performance in 2011. While at Taylor, she played with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Pep Band. Outside of the university, she performed with the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra and Muncie Symphony Orchestra. Joy currently performs with the Des Moines Community Orchestra, the Des Moines Metro Concert Band, and regularly fills in with a number of other ensembles in the Des Moines metro area.
Joy works as a bank teller in Altoona and enjoys spending her weekends playing music and spending time with her family. Joy played with the group from 2014 - 2021. |