Musicians’ Bios

Jess Williams – Trumpet

Jess started playing the trumpet at the age of 9. Originally from Newport, Pennsylvania, she has enjoyed a varied musical career both as a professional Active Duty Army bandsman and freelance musician.  Jess enlisted in the Army in 2013 and served for four years as trumpeter and vocalist with the former 392D Army Band at Fort Lee (now Fort Gregg-Adams) in Virginia.  She has since performed as a soloist and section member with a variety of community ensembles in Virginia and California and volunteers with Taps for Veterans.

Jess concluded her doctorate studies with an EdD in Organizational Leadership from Abilene Christian University (’22). Her dissertation focused on the loss of local military band support and resulting community impacts. A student of Keith Johnson, known for his extensive teaching experience and pedagogical contributions, Jess earned the MM in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Texas (’13).  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Messiah University (’11) where she studied with Dr. William Stowman.

Jess resides in York Springs with her husband Bryan and 2 lovable labs.

Vanessa Shenk – Trumpet

Vanessa has been making music most of her life.  A graduate of Penn State University and Peabody Conservatory. She has played with a variety of ensembles in the greater Harrisburg area. Vanessa has been on the adjunct faculty of Gettysburg College and Elizabethtown College and is retired from teaching instrumental music in the Camp Hill School District after a tenure of 22 years. She is a member of the Cumberland County Honor Guard as a bugler.

Vanessa resides in Boiling Springs with her husband Aubrey and 2 cats.

Mary Grace Friedell, French Horn

Mary Grace is originally from Perkasie, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Messiah University, located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, with a degree in music. During her time at Messiah University she studied French Horn with Mike Harcrow and excelled in several Messiah University ensembles including, the Messiah Wind Ensemble, Brass Cross, Horn Choir, Brass Quintet, and Brass Choir. Mary Grace is currently the Central Dauphin Middle School band director and is an active freelance horn player in the Central Pennsylvania area.

Bob Yinger, Trombone

Bob graduated from Carlisle High School in 1972 after being a member of the award-winning CHS band under the direction of Clyde Barr.  He continued his education at Lebanon Valley College, studying with Dr. James Thurmond and earning a degree in Music Education in 1976.  Bob has performed throughout central PA in various musical groups.  He has played trombone with the Herm Miller Orchestra since 1973, has been a member of the orchestra at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, and continues to play church gigs and high school musicals when called upon.

Bob feels very fortunate to have been invited to join St. Paul’s Brass in 1999 and enjoys making music with the other fine musicians in the group.  Some of his more significant memories with SPB include playing the Star Spangled Banner prior to a Phillies game, performing for the memorial services for both his parents, and being part of the patriotic service at St. Paul on the Sunday following 9/11. Bob is retired from the Commonwealth of PA where his responsibilities included supervising the accounting and reporting of federal grant programs and designing accounting systems.

Bob resides in Boiling Springs with his wife Lois, who has composed and arranged a number of beautiful pieces for SPB.

Don Wagner – Tuba

Originally from Lebanon PA, Don graduated with a BA from the Manhattan School of Music (NYC) where he studied with Toby Hanks (NYC Ballet and NY Brass Quintet).  Other teachers include Paul Krzywicki (The Philadelphia Orchestra) and Mark Evans (Deutsche Oper Berlin).

Don’s playing experiences include 22 years as an Army musician with assignments in the 19th Army Band (Ft. Dix, NJ), the Berlin Brigade Band (Berlin, Germany), the 82nd Airborne Division Band (Ft. Bragg, NC), Tuba instructor with at Armed Forces School of Music (Little Creek, VA), US Army Europe Band (Heidelberg, Germany), and the Army Training and Doctrine Band (Ft. Monroe, VA). Other musical experiences include tuba extra with the Deutsche Oper Berlin and freelancing in the Philadelphia and and NYC areas.