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Matthias Wandler

     Leader/MC/Singer

         German native, Matthias Wandler, started taking music lessons in his Bavarian hometown, Roedelsee, at age 6. His grandfather started a Catholic brass band after WW II.  His father renamed the group to the Stimmungs und Blaskapelle Winzerkapelle Roedelsee/Frankenpower Live.  The band had many opportunities to perform at Germany's beer and wine festivals and Oktoberfests, including the second largest worldwide Oktoberfest in Blumenau, Brazil, where more than 3 million visitors attended.   Matthias joined the full band at age 13 in the 1980's and still joins them during his annual Germany visits.  After moving to the US in 2005, Matt joined the Blaskapelle Alte Kameraden German band.  Later, he founded the Lost Lederhosen band.  His goal is to bring the audience the full 'German experience' like you would hear at any festival in Germany nowadays by performing well known folk songs along with up-to-date German party songs and international hits.   Matthias studied in Germany to become a piano technician/tuner, and is now well known in the DMV area for his high-end German quality and craftmanship.

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Kristen Ramirez

Music Director/Euphonium 

      Kristen’s musical career began at an early age, participating in music lessons, singing, puppeteering, and clowning with her family and church groups.  Performing all throughout her childhood, and being inspired by her piano teacher, Debra Mengel, fueled her decision to become a music educator.  After studying euphonium with Kevin Stees at James Madison University, Kristen taught elementary general music with Arlington Public Schools for six years.   Since then, she has taught with Prince William and Fairfax County Public Schools, in addition to teaching private piano lessons.  She enjoyed learning about the German language while in high school, but it was not until later when she discovered her passion for and the enjoyment of playing Bavarian music.  She joined Blaskapelle Alte Kameraden, in 1995, and Lost Lederhosen in 2017.  Both groups combine aspects she adores: German culture, playing her euphonium, and musical camaraderie.

 Curt Nette

Trumpet

     Curt began playing trumpet in the 5th grade to get out of class and get an easy A.  In high school and college he continued bolstering his GPA by playing in as many musical groups as possible (marching, symphonic, jazz, pit orchestras).  He joined the backup band for a college touring group, performing popular music and show tunes, hoping to meet his future wife.  That worked out.  He regularly performs with the City of Fairfax Band, Alte Kameraden German band, as well as several pit orchestras and churches throughout the DC area. Prosit!

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Rob Sherwin

Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Sound Guy/Roady

Rob began his musical studies by playing clarinet in elementary school and stuck with it all the way though high school. In 1985, Rob entered the US Army where he was a soldier/musician for 11 years. Rob was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany with the 3rd Armored Division Band. During that time, he played in hundreds of gigs from military ceremonies to beer tents, as well as in the sand while deployed during the Gulf War.

After the Army, Rob moved to Maastricht, The Netherlands, where he discovered his passion for aviation. There he performed as solo clarinetist for the premier European symphonic band, Harmonie Sint Petrus En Paulus. After a couple of years, Rob moved to Virginia to continue work in the aviation industry. Here, he has played for the City of Fairfax Concert Band, The Alte Kameraden German Band, The National Concert Band of America, Loudoun Symphonic Winds, and the Virginia Grand Military Band.

Rob holds a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics - Air Traffic Management Specialization, and currently works as a program analyst in the DC area. Rob lives in Leesburg, Virginia, with his lovely wife, Dennise, and their very spoiled cocker spaniel, Bella. 

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Danny Bradley

Tuba 

  Dan is a tuba performer of Blasmusik since age 13. He is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music with further studies at Arizona State University. His principal teachers include Jan Duga, Ron Bishop, and Sam Pilafian. Dan can be found performing with a variety of ensembles in the DMV, including Bedlam Brass, Alte Kameraden, the Legacy Brass Pops Sextet, and the ska band Free Lobster Buffet.

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Phil Schmidt

Percussion

      Phil graduated from the University of Scranton and pursued various studies in music at Marywood University. He began lessons in 1970 and performed with Concert, Marching, Polka, Jazz, and Rock bands as well as Pit Orchestra for shows.  He served in the United States Navy and performed various ceremonies in the various base/shipboard bands. He is influenced by the styles of Neil Peart, Carl Palmer, Joe Morello, Buddy Rich, Philly Joe Jones and Danny Carey which lends a style that enhances the performance where he incorporates the jazz feel not often encountered in Blasmusik music.

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