Paul W. Popiel is the Kenn and Pamela Ricci Director of Bands at the University of Notre Dame, where he leads America’s oldest university band program, serving more than 500 students each year.

Some of his career highlights include a Carnegie Hall debut praised by the New York Times and The American Prize awarded to the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble under his baton. He has also led performances at major national and international venues, including the National CBDNA Conference, the American Bandmasters Association convention, the Milan, Italy Festival of Bands, the World Exposition in Osaka, Japan, and The Midwest Clinic. 

Popiel is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He has appeared as a conductor and clinician across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, with performances recorded on labels including Klavier, Naxos, Ecstatic, Summit, Cantaloupe, and Mark Custom.  Recent work includes a conducting residency with the famed Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra, resulting in a five‑CD box set of James Barnes’s nine symphonies.

Prior to his appointment at Notre Dame, Popiel served as Director of Bands and later the Dean of the School of Music at the University of Kansas. He has also held faculty positions at Indiana University-Bloomington and Oklahoma State University, and taught in the public schools of Texas and Michigan.

Dr. Melissa Sawyer is Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Kansas, where she serves as conductor of the KU Wind Symphony and Assistant Director of the Marching Jayhawks. At KU, she teaches Music Education and Introduction to Conducting courses, serves as the School of Music Scholarship Coordinator, and is Assistant Director of the University of Kansas Midwestern Music Camp.

An active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Dr. Sawyer regularly works with middle school, high school, and collegiate ensembles throughout Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, Iowa, and Texas. She proudly serves music educators and students across Kansas through ensemble clinics, leadership workshops, festival adjudication, and guest conducting opportunities, including honor bands for NEKMEA, ECKMEA, NCKMEA, and SCKMEA. A proud member of the Crossroads Wind Ensemble, she values the opportunity to perform alongside outstanding musicians and cherishes the strong sense of community the ensemble fosters. Whether working with developing musicians or experienced ensembles, Dr. Sawyer is passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences that inspire growth, confidence, and artistic excellence.

A native of Edmond, Oklahoma, Dr. Sawyer has taught band at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels in Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, and Kansas. Prior to joining the University of Kansas faculty, she served as Assistant Director of Bands at New Mexico State University, where she worked with the Pride of New Mexico Marching Band and the Symphonic Band. She later served as Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Benedictine College, directing athletic bands, conducting the Symphonic Band, and coordinating the music education program.

Dr. Sawyer earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas under the mentorship of Dr. Paul Popiel, the Master of Music degree from New Mexico State University, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Oklahoma. She is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians and music educators through innovative rehearsal pedagogy, meaningful leadership development, engaging performances, and a commitment to fostering inclusive, student-centered environments where musical excellence can thrive.

Kimberlyn Angelo, Percussion Manager

Melissa Askren, Personnel Manager

Jennifer Creek, Publicity Chair

Dan Freeman, Recruitment Chair

Anna Kennedy, Treasurer

Julia Janda, Woodwind Music Librarian

Michael Solomon, Logistics Manager

Chase Wallace, Secretary

Jacob Wilson, Brass Music Librarian