Coda Brass Quintet was founded in May 2023.
Through performing diverse repertoire, working with students and musicians of all levels, and using our platform to highlight the voices of our community, Coda Brass aims to build a network for collaboration and friendship for women and gender-marginalized brass players. We pride ourselves on musical excellence, creativity, and inclusivity. Coda Brass is a proud member of Bespoken’s 2023-2024 Fellowship.
Our core members are Megan Alexander, Libby Ando, Genevieve Blesch, Bonnie Callahan, and Paige Kerrigan.
See our individual biographies below to get to know the members of Coda Brass!
Who is Coda Brass?
Bonnie Callahan trumpet
Bonnie Callahan (she/her) enjoys a multifaceted, interdisciplinary career as a musician and writer. She aims to use her skills and platform to address issues faced by students from low-income communities and inspire emerging professionals on their journey to finding careers that fulfill all of their interests and goals.
Bonnie maintains an active performance schedule, freelancing throughout the Northeastern United States while working remotely. She is a member of the Princeton Brass Band, the Atlantic Trumpet Ensemble, and the Coda Brass Quintet, and has performed at venues and events around the world, including the National Trumpet Competition, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Conference.
Bonnie is also an accomplished writer, researcher, and administrator. She is an Associate Consultant for Corner Alliance, where she provides administrative support for federal awards authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, part of the U.S. government’s Internet For All initiative. Outside of her “day job,” Bonnie is passionate about helping nonprofit organizations hone their development, marketing, and outreach strategies to achieve their mission. She has worked with organizations such as Rising Tide Music and Arts, the Atlantic Brass Band, the MusicLink Foundation, ASAP, Positive Legacy, and the Academy of Vocal Arts. Additionally, she is the Research and Development Assistant for AK Artist Management, a grant writer for Manhattan Grant Writers and Influential Writings, writes for the Product Review column of the International Trumpet Guild Journal, and creates educational resources sold through her TeachersPayTeachers store.
Bonnie holds a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from West Chester University, where served as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Department of Music Education and Music Therapy and an Outreach Assistant for Music Service Learning, a non-profit organization providing diverse, project-based experiences to college students to supplement collegiate music education curricula. Ms. Callahan also received bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from Rowan University. In her spare time, when she gets it, she enjoys traveling, finding new music to listen to, and watching shameful amounts of reality television.
Paige Kerrigan trumpet
Paige Kerrigan (she/her) is an active performer and administrator in the New Jersey and Philadelphia areas. She is a founding member of the all-female brass quintet Coda Brass, and she plays solo cornet with the Atlantic Brass Band. Paige is currently the Operations Manager and Project Associate at Goldsmith Strategies, where she works alongside principal consultants Stanford Thompson and Emily Master to guide the strategic development of arts organizations across the United States. She is a frequent contributor to the International Trumpet Guild Journal (ITG) and serves as the editor of the Product and App Reviews column.
Paige earned the Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of Northern Colorado and the Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance at The University of South Alabama.
Libby Ando horn
Libby (she/her) is a horn player and educator based in the New Jersey/Philadelphia region.
A passionate educator, Libby regularly teaches clinics, lessons, and brass ensembles.
Currently a DMA student at Rutgers University, Libby studies with Leelanee Sterrett. This past year, Libby was proud to present her research “Symphonic Excerpts for Horn by Women Composers” at the Southeast Horn Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, and at the International Horn Symposium in Montréal, Canada.
Libby has worked with a variety of marching bands in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area, including Clearview Regional, Delsea Regional, Tom’s River East, and Upper Darby. She is very excited to be the Brass Caption head of the Rowan University Marching Band for the 2023 season. Libby marched with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps for 5 years, joining the instructional staff from 2017-2022. She is on the instructional staff of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2023 season.
Libby obtained her Master’s in Music Performance from West Chester University in 2019 with Dr. Elizabeth Pfaffle. Libby also holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Rowan University, where she studied with Lyndsie Wilson. Libby is a member of the Pennsylvania Chamber Winds. When not involved with music, Libby likes reading, yoga, and being outdoors.
Megan Alexander euphonium
Megan Alexander (she/her) began her career as a euphonium player at the age of 15. Self-taught until the age of 18, she began her undergraduate degree at The College of New Jersey where she studied with tubist Brian Brown of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. She completed her degree at Montclair State University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, where she studied with euphonium soloists Jason Ham of the West Point Band and Aaron Vanderweele of the New York Staff Band. Having always dreamt of living abroad, Megan moved to the United Kingdom where she studied with international euphonium soloist David Childs, performed under the baton of Dr. Robert Childs, and received a Master of the Arts in Euphonium Performance with Merit from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2015. While studying, she planned and managed an international tour for the RWCMD College Band to perform at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada.
Megan has performed in wind bands throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe, including performances at the New Jersey Music Educators’ Association Conference, the College Band Directors’ National Association Conference, and tours throughout Italy and Germany. As a performer, she has also doubled on trombone in various ensembles, including jazz bands and a brass quintet coached by John Rojack, bass trombonist of the American Brass Quintet. In her brass band career, Megan has played for City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Brass Band, winning the First Section Areas in 2015 and performing on Welsh television at the National Eisteddfod. She has also played for Abergavenny Borough Brass Band and Atlantic Brass Band. Megan currently performs as the solo euphonium in Princeton Brass Band, the 2023 NABBA Section One champions, where she is regularly featured as a soloist. Megan also enjoys performing with Princeton Symphonic Brass, a professional brass ensemble whose concerts include a wide variety of music, and is proud to be a founding member of Coda Brass, an all-female brass quintet. She has also subbed for the New York Staff Band and was a part of their 2022 CD ‘At The Master’s Feet’.
Megan previously taught in the UK at the prestigious Wells Cathedral School as a Visiting Music Specialist, a Resident Tutor in a girls’ boarding house, and a Graduate Music Assistant. In the US, her teaching credits include elementary strings in Princeton and assistant marching band director at Northern Valley Old Tappan High School. While teaching in Monroe Township, Megan was the middle school and high school band director, marching band director, and district low-brass specialist. She has also appeared as a guest clinician for numerous other schools across New Jersey. Megan was an active member of CJMEA and NJMEA, acting as Region Band manager, All-State Band manager, and Band Performance Chair. She currently teaches euphonium, trombone, and tuba privately. Outside of music, Megan enjoys reading, playing video games, and is an avid Star Wars fan. She and her partner enjoy cooking, traveling, and taking care of their three cats, Emperor Mao, Beta, and Leif.
Genevieve Blesch tuba
Genevieve Blesch (she/her) is a low brass performer and educator in the tri-state area, specializing in the tuba. She received her bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s degree in tuba performance from Rutgers University: Mason Gross School of the Arts, where she studied with Alan Baer. Genevieve frequently performs with orchestras, chamber ensembles, school ensembles, and parade/pep bands throughout the tri-state area. These experiences have taken her around the United States, as well as Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Genevieve has been fortunate to perform in some of the finest venues around the world including Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, The Kennedy Center, Chicago Symphony Center, and Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.
In addition to freelance performance, Genevieve is proud to be a core member of the following ensembles: Princeton Brass Band, Central Brass, and Coda Brass. As we approach the fall, Genevieve is looking forward to playing with polka groups for Oktoberfest celebrations, and the start of a new semester! Genevieve is an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, where she teaches brass methods and one-on-one low brass lessons. She is also starting her tenth year on music faculty at The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey. Along with these institutions, Genevieve maintains a private studio consisting of middle school and high school students. Outside of music, Genevieve pursues her passion for technology and customer service, working a job as an IT consultant that takes her from the basements of Chelsea to the top floors of the World Trade Center.
Genevieve is honored to be a member of Coda Brass and is looking forward to the journey ahead!