Forest Brant
Ukulee / Guitar
A musician for more than 40 years, Forrest has been performing, writing and teaching guitar with a love for music that spans all genres from classical to country to pop to rock. His on-going education includes a recent workshop with Tommy Emmanuel, recognized as one of the best guitarists in the world.
Tanner Halle
Sax / Clarinet
Tanner’s musical journey began right here in Port St. Lucie. Following his graduation from Indian River State College, he pursued his passion at the University of Central Florida, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. With over 15 years of experience playing the Tenor, Baritone and Alto Saxophone, Tanner now serves as the director of bands at West Gate K-8.
Steve Knob
High Brass / Percussion
Steve is the Educational Sales Representative for Musicman.
Steve has over 30 years of experience teaching all levels of bands from elementary school to college in Florida, Kentucky and Arkansas. He has also been an instructor for the Suncoast Sound, Florida Wave, and Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. Steve holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Florida, and a Master of Music Education from the University of Arkansas. He has also judged for Drum Corps International (DCI) and the United States Scholastic Band Association (USSBA, now USBands). Steve’s personal performance experiences include, The Guardsmen Drum and Bugle Corps, The University of Florida marching, symphonic, and jazz bands and other multicultural ensembles; and a number of instrumental groups at Walt Disney World, Florida, The Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches, The Gainesville Pops Concert Band, and the Central Florida Brass Band.
Jim Lebon
Woodwind Instructor
Jim LeBon is originally from Pennsylvania and attended twelve years of Catholic school before starting at FSU in 1977. While earning his bachelor’s degree in music education, he studied clarinet with Harry Schmidt and Ted Lane, and arranging with Charlie Carter. He received his bachelor’s degree from FSU in 1977 and his master’s degree in Music Education in 1993.
Mr. LeBon was a high school band director in northern Florida and southern Georgia for fourteen years before moving to Port St. Lucie twenty-six years ago. He taught at Dan McCarty Middle School for eleven years and fifteen years at Southport Middle School. Mr. LeBon has had a great deal of success with his students and is proud of the numerous superior and excellent ratings that they have achieved in concert band and solo and ensemble festivals.
Mr. LeBon has entered retirement after forty years of teaching. He intends to write music for band, teach privately and continue to mentor band directors who are working to become better teachers and managers of their careers and lives.
Mr. LeBon is an adjudicator at FBA concert and marching festivals as well as at solo and ensemble events. Mr. LeBon is a member of the American School Band Director Association.
Mr. LeBon plays bari sax with the Ambassadors of Swing, a Port St. Lucie based ensemble dedicated to the music of the Swing Era. He also plays clarinet and bass clarinet with the Treasure Coast Wind Ensemble.
Mr. LeBon conducts the Stuart Community Concert Band which is an adult ensemble dedicated to the performance of great band literature. He also works as a band clinician and mentor in the band community.
Juliet Lewicki
Violin
Juliet Lewicki, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Acute Nursing Science with a minor in K-12 Music Education from Florida Atlantic University. She has now retired from her Nursing career and is a violinist in the Treasure Coast Symphony and a chorus singer with the Treasure Coast Opera Society. Since 1975, she has shared her musical expertise, teaching both piano and violin to students of all ages.
Melanie Steinke
Piano & Voice Instructor
Melanie Steinke completed her formal music training in vocal and piano performance at the Conservatory of Music at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. She began her music career as a featured Mezzo with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for major works of John Rutter-Gloria, Requiem, Magnificat; Faure Requiem; Mozart Requiem; Handel’s Messiah; Vivaldi’s Gloria; Bach Magnificat and many other classical works. Musical Theater roles include Lili in “Carnival”, Maria in “Sound of Music” and role in the opera “Carmen”.Her accompanying credits include children’s operas,” The Little Sweep” and” Noye’s Fludde”, many major musicals, major choral works including all Rutter works, Handel’s” Messiah”, Bach and Vivaldi works, recitals, concerts, church services and solo piano concerts. Directing credits include “Charlie Brown” and “Oklahoma!”. On the Treasure Coast she is a guest soloist at many venues as a classical, Broadway and pop vocalist and pianist. She served as a professional musical theater voice instructor at IRSC and was the Choral Director for the Upper School at The Pine School. She has been a professional instructor of voice and piano for many years and is currently the Director of Music at St Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Jensen Beach.