• MPMEA 2026 Adjudicator Bios

    Dr. Erin Bodnar

    Erin Bodnar is Visiting Associate Professor and Director of Concert Bands at the University of Washington in the 2025-26 academic year.

    Bodnar is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of North Florida, where she conducts the Wind Symphony and Concert Band, instructs courses in conducting and coordinates the UNF Conducting Symposium. Under Dr. Bodnar’s baton, the UNF Wind Symphony performed at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in Buñol, Spain in July 2019. The UNF NuMIX, co-directed by Dr. Bodnar and Dr. Venet, performed at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference in February, 2022.

    Prior to her appointment at UNF, Dr. Bodnar was Director of Bands at Graceland University for four years, during which time the Symphonic Band performed at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference. During 2013-2014, Dr. Bodnar was the conductor of the Wind Symphony and Orchestra at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Dr. Bodnar maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician, traveling to Argentina, Thailand, Indonesia, and throughout the United States and Canada. Dr. Bodnar has contributed to A Composer's Insight: Thoughts, Analysis and Commentary on Contemporary Masterpieces for Wind Band, Volume 5, the GIA Teaching Music Through Performance Series for Volume 7 and the revised Volume 1.

    She excelled at teaching both middle and high school band in Alberta, Canada for which she received the Keith Mann Young Band Director’s Award and the Edwin Parr First Year Teacher Award. Dr. Bodnar has presented at conferences in Canada, the United States, Scotland, Thailand and Austria.

    Her research interests include conducting pedagogy and motor cognition, and her articles have been published in the Journal of Music Teacher Education and Music Perception. An avid runner and group fitness instructor, Dr. Bodnar has completed 54 marathons, including 6 Boston marathons, ten 50 km races and one 100 km race.

    Adrian B. Sims

    Adrian B. Sims, born in Seattle, Washington, is an accomplished composer and conductor of music for bands, orchestras, and chamber ensembles of all levels. His music has been performed at prestigious conferences such as The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, The Texas Music Educators Association, and has been commissioned by numerous organizations including the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity to compose a new work that premiered at The Midwest Clinic in 2024.

    He is frequently invited to conduct honor bands, rehearse, and lead clinics with bands and orchestras of all levels across the United States. Adrian has recording experience as both a conductor and producer, and has recorded music at The University of Maryland at College Park, The University of Texas at Austin, and The Palladium in Indianapolis. 

    Adrian’s primary mentors in composition include Brian Balmages, Dr. Robert Gibson, Omar Thomas, and Dr. Donald Grantham. He received his Master’s degree in Composition from The University of Texas at Austin, and Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Composition from The University of Maryland at College Park. At The University of Maryland, he studied trombone with Matthew Guilford and Aaron LaVere.

    Elizabeth McDaniel

    Elizabeth McDaniel has created a successful performance, teaching, and arts administration career in the Seattle area. Born and raised in southern California, Elizabeth attended UC Santa Barbara for a degree in Trombone Performance (2010-2014) and moved to Seattle to complete her Master’s degree in Orchestral Brass Performance at The University of Washington (2014-2016). 

    Elizabeth plays with a variety of local performing groups including Puget Brass, Formation Wind Band, and Seattle Rock Orchestra and jumps at every chance to play chamber music.

    She has established an effective private lessons studio teaching all ages and levels of experience. Elizabeth also coaches with Bellevue Youth Symphony and presents clinics in public and private schools. 

    Elizabeth is the Managing Director of both Puget Brass and Formation Wind Band. In 2023, she established The Puget Brass Academy, a youth brass ensemble, serving middle and high school students in the greater Seattle area.

    When not playing trombone, teaching, or attending to arts admin duties, Elizabeth can be found with a book and a cup of coffee. Elizabeth lives in Lynnwood with her husband, two kids (ages 6 and 3), and dog named Xena.

    Solomon Encina

    Solomon Encina is a Graduate Assistant at the University of Washington, where he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Instrumental Conducting. Solomon holds a Bachelors of Music degree in Instrumental Performance in Percussion from California Baptist University. He also holds a Masters in Music Education degree from Azusa Pacific University..

    Solomon is a native of the Southern California region, where he has taught and arranged music for several high quality institutions. Most recently, he served as the Director of Bands at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, where the band, orchestra and color guard program regularly received high distinction awards at festivals throughout the state under his direction. During this time he also performed as a percussionist with several touring groups throughout the United States and as a guest conductor of the European Tour for Southern California Ambassadors of Music.

    Solomon Encina has affiliations with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Solomon Encina is proudly endorsed by the Vic Firth Company and is a part of the Vic Firth Education team.