Kristen Ramirez

Euphonium/Band Manager

      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 inspiration from her mother, Joanne Byler and 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 maintaining a large private lesson studio.  She enjoyed learning the German language while in high school, but it was not until later that she discovered her passion for and enjoyment of performing 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, the Silver Tones Swing Band, and the Fauquier Community Band, as well as several pit orchestras and churches throughout the DC area. Prosit!

Rob Sherwin

Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone/Sound/DJ

Rob began his musical studies by playing clarinet in elementary school and stuck with it all the way through 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. 

David Lopez

Tuba 

Lost Lederhosen welcomes David as our newest band member! Colombian Tubist David Lopez has enjoyed a prolific international performance and teaching career having previously served as principal tuba of the Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra. Since relocating to the United States in 2010, Lopez has served as principal tubist of the North Texas Wind Symphony, under the baton of Eugene Corporon, the Texas Tech University Symphony Orchestra, and the Texas Tech Wind Ensemble. As a teaching artist, Lopez frequently presents masterclasses and teaches lessons internationally in the U.S. and Colombia with special emphasis on fundamentals of tuba performance for developing musicians. He formerly taught in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, Wayland Baptist University and Lubbock Christian University. He currently maintains an active freelance career in Washington DC. Lopez holds a DMA in Tuba Performance from Texas Tech University, holds a Masters of Music in Tuba performance from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelors in Translation Studies from the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia. His primary teachers are Don Little, Kevin Wass, Juan Erney Sepuvelda, and Patricio Cosentino.

Phil Schmidt

Drums

      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.

Julia Shpak

Singer

Julia adds musicality and charm to the Lost Lederhosen German Party Band. She is featured in several songs, including Mama Mia and Nena’s famous 99 Luftballons.