Waypoint Staff

Horn Instructor

Jasmin Bolaños-Merlos (she/her) is a horn player located in the Chicago area. Jasmin is currently a graduate student at the DePaul School of Music studying with Neil Kimel, second horn of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She currently performs in various ensembles and is in a horn quartet. Jasmin graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a B.M. in horn performance and a minor in Chicano/Latino studies. She enjoys synthesizing both of her interests and is passionate in elevating diversity in classical music at the youth level. Jasmin enjoys both the teaching and performing sides of music and she’s excited to be a part of Waypoint Brass Camps.

Director

Michael Witt is an active conductor, teacher, and tubist originally from Plainfield, Illinois. He is a current Graduate Wind Conducting student at Northwestern University, and previously studied Tuba Performance and Arts Leadership at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. While in Rochester, Michael led the Eastman Tuba Mirum, and was a guest conductor for groups like the Rochester Music Educators Ensemble. Additionally, he is one of the founding members of the Cerberus Tuba Trio—a group finalist in the 2020 Northeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference (NERTEC) Chamber Music Competition.

Tuba Instructor

Josh Budziak is a tubist from Chicago, Illinois and is currently based in Rochester, New York. He currently attends the Eastman School of music, where he will be receiving a double major in tuba performance and music education. In both Rochester and Chicago, Josh has presented at multiple middle and high schools, including masterclasses and group lessons. He has also been featured as a guest conductor in the greater Chicago area. While in Rochester, Josh has arranged for and conducted the Eastman Tuba Mirum ensemble, and was a founding member of the Alvum Animo brass quintet, one of the performers at the Eastman Honors Chamber Recital.

Trombone Instructor

Wayne Kreml is a trombone and euphonium player from Columbus, Ohio. His experience includes multiple solo recitals, varying orchestral and wind-band ensembles, opera and musical pit orchestras, and chamber ensembles with multiple years each. He also has experience in varying styles of music-oriented mindfulness. Wayne is the instructor of trombone and euphonium at Waypoint Music Camps, having taught privately and built his own lesson studio for multiple years in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Trumpet Instructor

Maryna Pohlman is a freelance trumpet player currently based out of Bloomington, IN. Her recent notable accomplishments include touring for three months as Principal Trumpet with the Netflix and BBC Original series “Our Planet” Live in Concert USA Tour, as well as recording on the Funk Recording Studio soundtrack for the SGame video game, Honor of Kings. Maryna has also toured as a founding member of the trumpet ensemble, Bel Tono, on their month-long international tour at the 27 Festival de Música: BAC Credomatic in Costa Rica. She is also a founding member of the new all-female trumpet ensemble The Calla Project, which will be making their debut at the 2024 Utah Trumpet Guild Conference, in Salt Lake City, UT.