About the ABQ
The Academy Brass Quintet (ABQ) is a professional brass quintet comprised of musicians from the greater Toledo area. ABQ was formed in June of 1994 with the expectation of performing throughout Northwest Ohio, and to offer an annual concert series for the public.
Since its inception, the ABQ has thrilled audiences at Maumee Bay State Park, The Toledo Museum of Art, the Metroparks, and numerous concert halls. We have been a featured ensemble on the WGTE FM 91.3 Thursday Evening Concert Series. In addition, the Group has been engaged to provide music for hundreds of weddings.
ABQ performs a variety of music from Baroque and Classical to Jazz, Pop, Big Band and 20th Century and is available for weddings, dinner/reception music, church services, parties, special occasions, private lessons and clinics.
Since its inception, the ABQ has thrilled audiences at Maumee Bay State Park, The Toledo Museum of Art, the Metroparks, and numerous concert halls. We have been a featured ensemble on the WGTE FM 91.3 Thursday Evening Concert Series. In addition, the Group has been engaged to provide music for hundreds of weddings.
ABQ performs a variety of music from Baroque and Classical to Jazz, Pop, Big Band and 20th Century and is available for weddings, dinner/reception music, church services, parties, special occasions, private lessons and clinics.
Dr. David Kosmyna, trumpet, a native of Toledo, Ohio, teaches trumpet, theory, composition, and directs the Jazz Ensemble at Ohio Northern University. Prior to ONU, Kosmyna served on the faculty of the State University of New York at Fredonia and during the summers taught trumpet, chamber brass, and composition at the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Toledo, a Master of Music in Composition from Ohio University (Athens) and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, studying under Bernard Sanchez, John Schlabach, and Alan Seibert, respectively. Dr. Kosmyna served as principal trumpet of, and performed as soloist with, the Western New York Chamber Orchestra as well as performing as guest soloist with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in
2012. He has performed with the Middletown Symphony Orchestra, Kentucky Symphony, the Slee Sinfonietta (Buffalo, NY), the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Dr. Kosmyna is also active as a composer and arranger published by BVD Press and Pasticcio Music. His works have been performed by brass ensembles throughout the country.
Michael Smith, trumpet, is one of the founding members of the ABQ. He is originally from Cleveland and moved to the Toledo area in 1985. Michael received a Bachelor Degree of Music Education and a Masters Degree of Trumpet Performance from Bowling Green State University; and an Educational Specialists Degree (Ed.S.) of Administration and Supervision from The University of Toledo. Michael has performed with the Toledo Symphony, The Perrysburg Symphony, The Lima Symphony and The Sunday Brass Quintet. His trumpet instructors include Edwin Betts, George Novak, and David Brown. Presently, Michael teaches a summer string camp at Ohio Northern University and is the Orchestra Director for Perrysburg Schools, where he was the recipient of the 2000-2001 "Teacher of The Year Award."
Pete Vavrinek, horn, is one of the original members of ABQ. Brass quintet continues to be his favorite way to perform. The personal interaction with the audience and the challenge of being a vital part of the 5-piece group is rewarding. Pete has arranged several pieces to help meet the needs of the quintet's clients. Honors include Principal Horn positions in the Eastern Michigan University Honors Band, Michigan
Intercollegiate Honors Band, the Arion Foundation Award for outstanding musical achievement and numerous awards at district and state competitions. Pete studied piano from Sister Magdalena Ezoe of Sienna Heights College, Dr. Richard Goolian of Adrian College and Dr. Dai Uk Lee of Michigan State University while playing horn in all formations of musical ensemble. He has performed with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Symphony Orchestra, various community orchestras including Perrysburg, Sylvania and Bowling Green.
Intercollegiate Honors Band, the Arion Foundation Award for outstanding musical achievement and numerous awards at district and state competitions. Pete studied piano from Sister Magdalena Ezoe of Sienna Heights College, Dr. Richard Goolian of Adrian College and Dr. Dai Uk Lee of Michigan State University while playing horn in all formations of musical ensemble. He has performed with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Symphony Orchestra, various community orchestras including Perrysburg, Sylvania and Bowling Green.
Bruce Heuring, trombone, is a Toledo area native and received a Bachelor Degree of Music Performance from the University of Toledo and completed his Masters work in Music Performance from the University of Akron. His primary trombone instructors include Edward Zadrozny and Peter Pettit. In addition to performing with the ABQ and the Perrysburg Symphony, Bruce has performed with the Akron Symphony, Toledo Opera Orchestra, Toledo Symphony, Firelands Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Concert Band and at The Westgate Dinner Theater and Croswell Opera House.
Jason Jordan, tuba, received his Master’s Degree in Tuba Performance at Bowling Green State University, where he also received his Bachelor Degree in Music Education. He has also performed with the Bowling Green Symphony Orchestra, Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Concert Band, Napoleon Community Band, Genoa Legion Band, and Greenville Municipal Band. Jason is also an International Tuba and Euphonium Conference Artist Solo Division finalist.
Jason is a band director at Perrysburg Junior High School, where he has received the 2019 Henry Birkenhauer Award for Outstanding Educators, 2020 American Legion Teacher of the Year Award, and is a nominee for the 2022 Ohio Teacher of the Year. He has also taught at Regina Coeli School, St. Rose School, Perrysburg High School, and The University of Toledo. Jason enjoys his position as the summer director of the Napoleon Community Band. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Jason now calls Perrysburg, Ohio his home!
Jason is a band director at Perrysburg Junior High School, where he has received the 2019 Henry Birkenhauer Award for Outstanding Educators, 2020 American Legion Teacher of the Year Award, and is a nominee for the 2022 Ohio Teacher of the Year. He has also taught at Regina Coeli School, St. Rose School, Perrysburg High School, and The University of Toledo. Jason enjoys his position as the summer director of the Napoleon Community Band. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Jason now calls Perrysburg, Ohio his home!
