Kim Fleming is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois where her responsibilities include conducting the Hindsley Symphonic Band as well as teaching courses in the instrumental conducting sequence. Before joining the faculty at Illinois, she completed her DMA at the University of Michigan where she served as a Graduate Student Instructor, directed the Michigan Alumni Concert Band, and conducted the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band.

Dr. Fleming has nine years of public school teaching experience including positions at Wauconda High School in Illinois and Woodcliff Middle School in New Jersey. Dr. Fleming maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator with high school, middle school, and District and All-State honor bands. Her research on inclusive programming, creativity in rehearsals, and conducting pedagogy has led to presentations at state and national conferences. She is an advocate for music education, serving on the CBDNA Music Education Committee and presenting research at the Society for Music Teacher Education Symposium and the Instrumental Music Teacher Educators Colloquium. 

Dr. Fleming earned her Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Northwestern University and her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College. Her professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the National Band Association.

Mike Vecchio serves as Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses throughout the music education curriculum. Prior to joining the faculty at Illinois, he earned his PhD in Music Education at the University of Michigan where he also completed a cognate in wind conducting with Prof. Michael Haithcock. He previously taught band in the public schools of New York and the northern suburbs of Chicago. Dr. Vecchio’s primary research focuses on creative musical activities within instrumental ensembles and the development of creative musical agency. His research interests also include the role of large ensembles within instrumental music teacher education, the preparation and experiences of music teaching artists, and the Self-Study of Teacher Education Practices (S-STEP) within instrumental music methods courses. Dr. Vecchio’s research has been presented at state and national conferences, and has appeared in publications of International Journal of Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Arts Education Policy Review. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from Ithaca College and Master’s Degrees in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from the University of Michigan.