Speakers

Tim Lautzenheiser is a well-known name in the music education world as a teacher, clinician, author, composer, consultant, and adjudicator.

His own career involves ten years of successful college band directing at Northern Michigan University, the University of Missouri and New Mexico State University.

Following three years in the music industry, he created Attitude Concepts for Today, Inc., an organization designed to manage the many requests for workshops, seminars and convention speaking engagements focusing on the area of positive attitude and effective leadership training. In addition, Dr. Lautzenheiser is on the music faculties of Duquesne University and VanderCook College of Music. Since Spring 2002, he has been an instructor at Ball State University's School of Music.

Dr. Lautzenheiser’s books, produced by G.I.A. Publications, The Art of Successful Teaching and The Joy of Inspired Teaching, are best sellers in the music profession. He is co-author of Hal Leonard’s popular band method, Essential Elements (rewritten in 2000), and the creator of the highly acclaimed Director’s Communication Kits.

A graduate of Ball State University (Bachelor of Science degree in music education) and the University of Alabama (Master of Arts degree), Dr. Lautzenheiser has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from VanderCook College of Music. In November, 1995, he was presented the distinguished Sudler Order of Merit from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, and one year later was honored with the first annual Mr. Holland’s Opus Award for his commitment and dedication to the development of youth in music.

Other awards include the Illinois Music Educator’s “Presidential Award;” Texas Music Educator’s “Distinguished Service Award;” Phi Beta Mu “Distinguished Service Award;” MENC “Distinguished Service Award;” Midwest Clinic “Music Industry Award;” Franko Goldman Award presented by ASBDA, and the Kappa Kappa Psi “Distinguished Service Award.” In 2000 he accepted a position as National Spokesperson for MENC’s “Making a Difference with Music” Project.

In the past two decades, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser has worked with over two million students in his various student leadership workshops. He has traveled to every state in the nation (as well as international sites in Europe, Asia and Canada) presenting teacher workshops, student seminars and music advocacy sessions for parents and community leaders. He is a columnist for several music publications and also enjoys many guest-conducting opportunities throughout the calendar year.

"Dr. Tim" is a member of MENC, National Band Association, Percussive Arts Society, American Bandmaster’s Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu.

Dr. Ebert has an undergraduate degree in Education from Auburn University, a master’s degree in Education from the University of Montevallo and a doctorate degree in Higher Education from Georgia State University.

Dr. Ebert resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and currently serves as the Director of Alcohol Education for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, coordinating the fraternity’s alcohol education initiatives. Dr. Ebert most recently held the position as Associate Campus Director of Heald College in San Francisco. Before working there, she worked as the Dean of Students at American InterContinental University. Lori began her higher education career at Georgia State University serving as the Greek Advisor, and serving in the areas of orientation and leadership. On a professional level, Lori served as the 1996 and 1997 Southern Vice President for the Association of Fraternity Advisors. From 2000 to 2004, Lori served as the Chairman of Education and Training Committee for her international sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. Currently she serves on the National Panhellenic Conference delegation for Alpha Omicron Pi.

In 2005, the readers of Campus Activities Magazine awarded Lori Ebert ‘Female Performer of the Year’ for her contributions as an on-campus speaker in areas including relationships, alcohol, and Greek life.”

Erle Morring has an undergraduate degree in Public Relations/Journalism and a Master of Arts degree in Communication from Auburn University.

Erle worked briefly in the student affairs arena of higher education focusing on the areas of admissions and health services. Currently, he is a self-employed professional speaker and consultant. In high schools and colleges across the country, Erle speaks about hazing and substance abuse related issues. He is also in great demand at the corporate level where he trains and educates business leaders about substance abuse and its impact on the economy.

He is a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and has been active in the fraternity’s LEAD program for new members. In his spare time, you’ll find Erle hanging out on the water where he lives on beautiful Smith Lake in rural Alabama.

Patrick Sheridan has been enthusiastically received as a solo artist around the world. He made his solo debut playing an arrangement of The Blue Bells of Scotland accompanied by his mom, Diana, when he was just 8 years old, only months after he had started playing his chosen instrument, the tuba! He made his solo orchestral debut at the age of 15 playing a Mozart Horn Concerto on the tuba. Since then, Patrick has rocketed to success as a solo performer in venues ranging from the White House to an NBA half-time show to the Hollywood Bowl.

As a former member of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, he thrilled audiences across the United States with his amazing virtuosity and musicianship as one of the band's primary soloists. He is equally at home with standard classical repertoire and as an entertainer in the "pops" realm. In addition to his musical studies with legendary tuba artists Arnold Jacobs, Sam Pilafian, Daniel Perantoni, Harvey Phillips and Jim Self, Mr. Sheridan holds a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in finance and marketing from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Sheridan's touring schedule regularly takes him throughout the United States as well as Europe and Japan. This year his touring schedule will take him to 20 countries around the globe and 35 states across America and includes such ensembles as the Grand Rapids Symphony, The Estonian National Orchestra, The San Antonio Symphony, The Williams Fairey Band and the United States Army Band. Patrick is currently the Visiting Professor of Tuba at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland and the Rotterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands. Patrick was most recently featured on NBC's Today Show and is regularly featured on BBC Radio and PBS and NPR broadcasts including the program, "All Things Considered."

Besides his busy concert schedule, Mr. Sheridan has co-authored the popular pedagogy book, The Breathing Gym, with Sam Pilafian.