The Metro Brass Quintet started in the spring of 2014 with all of the members seen below, and has had some other fine musicians sit in for performances and rehearsal. The regular membership currently includes:
Current Membership
Cristina Deeds has been living in Des Moines since 2001. She is a a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, IA and studied under Ronald Fox. Cristina is the Director of Instrumental Music and Brass Instructor at Grand View University in Des Moines, IA and maintains a private Horn studio. She previously taught Instrumental Music in Missouri and Iowa to students in grades 5-12. When she is not teaching, you can see Cristina performing regularly with the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble, Des Moines Metro Concert Band, Des Moines Community Orchestra, Metro Brass Quintet, and Timberline Brass. Cristina is also a busy freelance artist, performing with several Des Moines area colleges, high schools, churches, and other organizations such as the Des Moines Symphony, Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus, and The Opera Project. Outside of her professional life, Cristina and her husband enjoy good food, walking the dogs, and follow their teenaged children around to their musical performances.
John Kendeigh has been a part of the Des Moines music scene for the past 40 years. He grew up in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago & moved to Des Moines in 1981 to attend Drake University. John performs regularly with the CJC Big Band and Music Under the Stars and has performed with such artists as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the Jack Morgan Orchestra, the Guy Lombardo Orchestra and Johnny Mathis. John also serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the Des Moines Musicians’ Association.
Outside of music, John is a Senior Manager and CPA for Tarbell & Co. P.L.C. in West Des Moines. He also serves on the board of the Des Moines West Side Chamber of Commerce, serving that organization’s 2021 president.
When not working or performing, John enjoys fitness, reading, traveling and spending time with his family. John has two adult children.
Outside of music, John is a Senior Manager and CPA for Tarbell & Co. P.L.C. in West Des Moines. He also serves on the board of the Des Moines West Side Chamber of Commerce, serving that organization’s 2021 president.
When not working or performing, John enjoys fitness, reading, traveling and spending time with his family. John has two adult children.
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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. |
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John Sens moved to Des Moines in 2013. Since then, John has grown into the Des Moines area music scene and is a regular in the area. John performed regularly in the CJC Big band and plays with the Des Moines Big Band, Des Moines Community Orchestra, Grand Avenue Ruckus, Music Under the Stars, and other groups when available. John moved to Story City, IA in the fall of 2020 and is beginning to play in the Ames area with groups like the Ames Municipal Band.
John also plays the button accordion on occasion for events including Lions Club meetings or small Oktoberfest. Long term, John is working to become a regular strolling accordionist for events.
Outside of music, John works in the Environmental, Health, and Safety division of Renewable Energy Group (REG) performing lifecycle analysis and regulatory work. When not working or performing, he loves a good book, a good or bad movie, The Flophouse, bubbly drinks, and spending time with his family.
John also plays the button accordion on occasion for events including Lions Club meetings or small Oktoberfest. Long term, John is working to become a regular strolling accordionist for events.
Outside of music, John works in the Environmental, Health, and Safety division of Renewable Energy Group (REG) performing lifecycle analysis and regulatory work. When not working or performing, he loves a good book, a good or bad movie, The Flophouse, bubbly drinks, and spending time with his family.
Ben McCartney is currently a senior at Drake University where he is earning his B.M. in Music Education. Ben has studied with Mr. Al Naylor at Coe College, Dr. James Bovinette at Iowa State University, and currently studies with Prof. Andrew Classen. Ben plays in Drake Jazz One, the Drake Orchestra, and Drake Wind Symphony, along with frequent performances with the Faculty Brass Quintet. Outside of academia, Ben plays with the Quad City show band “Identity Crisis” and has had the great pleasure of playing regularly with the one and only Karl King Band.
When not adding his high-octane trumpet playing to the quintet, Ben works on his short game and plays as much basketball as possible.
When not adding his high-octane trumpet playing to the quintet, Ben works on his short game and plays as much basketball as possible.
Past Membership
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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. |
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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. |
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Bradley R. Harris is a native of Forest City, IA. Bradley graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA and earned a Masters in Trombone Performance and Conducting from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. While at Illinois State, Bradley performed with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and Sinfonia da Camera. Bradley serves as Principal Trombone of the Central Iowa Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the Metro Brass Quintet and Fifth of Brass quintets.
When not teaching or playing trombone, Bradley is an avid bicyclist, kayaker, traveler, and DIY home project enthusiast.
Bradley played with the group from 2017 - 2020.
When not teaching or playing trombone, Bradley is an avid bicyclist, kayaker, traveler, and DIY home project enthusiast.
Bradley played with the group from 2017 - 2020.
