Natalia Vela

Samantha Lane

IWBC Interviews Samantha Lane Samantha Lane is a dynamic leader in the global music industry, serving as Vice President of Brasswinds at Eastman Music Company. With over a decade of experience spanning sales, marketing, product development, and artist relations, Samantha has played an integral role in the growth of three renowned brasswind brands: S.E. Shires, Willson Music, and Eastman Brass. Since joining S.E. Shires Co. in 2012, Samantha has contributed to its evolution into a global benchmark for craftsmanship and quality. She also helped integrate Willson Music into Eastman’s portfolio, preserving its Swiss heritage while expanding its reach. At Eastman Brass, she drives product development and marketing strategies tailored to musicians at every level, emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to elevating the brasswind community. Samantha is passionate about mentoring the next generation of industry professionals. She revitalized the Artist and Rising Artist Programs, mentors young professionals through NAMM YP, the International Women’s Brass Conference, and NEC’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Program, and serves on the board of United Sound, advocating inclusivity in music education. An accomplished musician herself, Samantha holds a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Connecticut. She combines her experience as a performer with her business acumen to offer valuable insights into thriving in the music industry. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with her family in Rhode Island.

Ashley Roberts

IWBC interviews Ashley Roberts Ashley Roberts is a freelance trombonist and educator. As an active performer, Ashley frequently plays with the Amarillo Symphony. Ashley has performed twice with the International Trombone Festival Women’s Choir, and performed at the International Trombone Festival, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the Big 12 Trombone Conference, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and Carnegie Hall. As an educator, she has also been a private trombone teacher for over a decade, educating students from Central Arkansas, the DFW area, and the Texas Panhandle. Ashley is an activist for equality in the brass community, and has shown this through her work as the creator and host of the Redefining the Musician podcast, and the creation of the Denton Brass Collective – a brass ensemble that celebrated women brass musicians in the DFW area. She has also been involved in the International Women’s Brass Conference, as a competitor and finalist for the competitions, as well as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Festival. Her passion is making music accessible and fair for everyone. She currently holds a position in the Amarillo Tourism office, interacting often with the members of the local arts community. Before her move to Amarillo, she worked with the Plano Symphony Orchestra. Ashley holds a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of North Texas, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Trombone Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas. She resides in Amarillo, Texas with her fiancé, Ben Hahn.

Natalia Vela

IWBC Interviews Natalia Vela Natalia Vela is a teacher and freelance performer based in East Lansing, Michigan.

CU Boulder Trumpet Quintet, 2025 NTC Winners

In this episode of Brass Flexibilities, we join the members of the 2025 all-women trumpet quintet from CU Boulder to discuss their historic first place win at the 2025 National Trumpet Competition. Come behind the scenes to learn about some of the preparation, collaboration, and impact this performance has made on the students of this ensemble, as well as the brass community at large.

Becky Pepper

IWBC Interviews Becky Pepper Becky is a multifaceted musician, working as trombonist, teacher, educator and facilitator, arranger and transcriber, writer and critic and advocate for instrumental music education and performance.