John Wiscombe
John Wiscombe's far-reaching vision for Music Celebrations International (MCI), founded in 1993, following John’s involvement with and ownership of several international study and performance tour companies, springs from his own experience as an accomplished musician and seasoned world-traveler. John is a consummate pianist, organist, cellist, and trumpet player. He is also fluent in German and French after having lived abroad for many years. It is John's great love of music coupled with his deep appreciation for the cultures of the world that drives his passion and cements his belief in that magical intersection between travel and music. John understands firsthand the invaluable experience and incomparable education a musical-tour can provide.

John started in the travel business working as a tour escort or tour manager for large musical groups performing throughout Europe. His hard-earned knowledge of venues, his worldwide contacts, his basic understanding of performance goals and challenges, and his unerring feel for logistical detail, have all served to make MCI a premier concert tour and music festival organizer. Under John's inspired leadership, MCI features America's most select musical ensembles—including groups of all ages—from orchestras to choirs, from symphonic ensembles to marching bands, in the greatest, most prestigious venues in all international destinations of the world. MCI also manages and/or participates in many domestic festivals and events throughout the United States.

John is the proud father of eight children, several of whom have followed in his footsteps and work in the business. He participates in several other companies including as a board member of a bank and as a business consultant. In addition to his role as President of MCI, John is also President of Faith Journeys, Diversified Events, International Tours of Arizona, and their various subsidiaries.

Luke Wiscombe
National Marketing Director
A native Arizonan, Luke has been with MCI since 1996 and on the marketing team since 2001. In high school, Luke visited Paris and Normandy in ’94 for the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, in which MCI was heavily involved. After listening to choirs perform in Notre Dame & La Trinité and bands & orchestras performing in Luxembourg Gardens and at the American Cemetery in Coleville, he caught the vision of how music and touring can change lives. Now he has the opportunity to help create life changing experiences for musicians all over the U.S. Luke has organized hundreds of tours for choral & instrumental ensembles throughout the U.S., Canada, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. He has spent considerable time in researching and visiting these destinations and is well positioned to assist any director in fulfilling their tour needs.

Bill Bergeman
Director of Marketing Development
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Bill graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Music Performance degree, from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Philosophy, and from the Eastman School of Music with a Master of Musical Arts degree. As a saxophonist and composer, Bill has been a member of numerous wind and jazz ensembles during his musical career. He has also been involved as a working musician in solo, chamber, and concerto performances across the U.S. His travels have included excursions to countries within Europe, China, and various cities throughout Canada.

Steve Boomer
Tour Consultant
Steve, or more affectionately known as just "Boomer", has been playing the trombone for close to 20 years. Originally from Chicago, he graduated from Arizona State University with a combined degree of Business and Music. Steve has taken part in many musical ensembles to include the Arizona State University Marching Band, community concert bands, solo performances, and most recently a Funk/Blues band that performs generally in the Phoenix area. Steve is very outgoing and energetic, and is excited to speak to new people every day. He prides himself on his customer service and the will to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Carrie Williams
Tour Consultant
Carrie is a native of Michigan where she performed with the Starfleet Ambassadors. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a Minor & Concentration in Vocal Performance from Graceland University in IA. Over the past 15 years, Carrie has taught in NE, OR, NH, CA, MO, MI, & FL. She has also performed with the Center Place Singers from Independence, MO. She is a National Endowment for Humanities fellow in Middle Eastern Studies. Carrie says "This job is about my 3 passions - music, travel, and education. 'Let us explore the world and fill it with music.'"

Collette Aldridge
Tour Consultant
With past experience in Chamber and Jazz Choirs during High School, Collette has travelled as far as Sapporo, Japan with ensembles and knows how life-changing music and travelling can be! Originally from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, Collette moved to Tempe, AZ , where she received her Bachelor’s of Music Performance Degree, majoring in Music Theatre Performance at Arizona State University. In addition to her work with MCI, Collette still performs in the Valley with the professional Motown-Funk group "The JJs Band." Her goal simply revolves around helping music educators provide spectacular music and travel experiences that will enhance the power of music in people’s lives!

Christopher Keeling
Tour Consultant
Christopher Keeling has spent the majority of his life traveling and living abroad. Living in such places as Austria, Saudi Arabia, and Kwajalein Atoll has taught him the importance of traveling and the significance of experiencing new cultures. He started his musical career nine years ago playing the bass in his high school's jazz ensemble in Salzburg, Austria. Still actively playing music in local shows in Phoenix, music plays a very big role in his life. He loves being able to come into to work and be surrounded by the two things he is passionate about.

Cutler Boughn
Tour Consultant
Cutler Boughn grew up in Salem, Oregon, and was a percussionist with the Grammy Award winning Sprague High School Music program. At Sprague, he was active in all facets of the music program. While in school, he performed in the Salem Youth Symphony as well as numerous youth and adult-based concert ensembles. In Oregon, Cutler studied percussion with Charles Dowd, Sean Wagoner Micah Brusse, Dr. Robert Brudvig and Terry Ostergaard. In Arizona, his primary educators have been Dr. Douglas Nottingham, currently the director of percussion at Glendale Community College and founding director of the Professional Chamber Percussion Ensemble; "Crossing 32nd street" as well as Dr. J.B. Smith and Dr. Mark Sunkett, both of Arizona State University.

As a percussionist, he has performed with numerous professional ensembles including the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Oregon Symphony, Eugene Symphony, and numerous other concert, jazz, marching and percussion ensembles in Oregon, Washington and Arizona.

Cutler has been a marching member and staff member in both the WGI and DCI circuits and is currently an endorser for Evans Drumheads and Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets, where he serves on the Vic Firth Education Team. Cutler is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business; he remains active in Arizona as the percussion director of a large band program, clinician, performer and educator. Cutler also serves the role of consultant and assists with various high school, middle school and elementary school band programs in all areas relating to percussion (marching, concert, jazz, chamber music, hand percussion, international, etc.).

Kim Johnson
Tour Consultant
Kim comes from a long family line of professional and semi-professional musicians. Kim has also been singing her entire life and playing the piano for 23 years. She is an active vocal soloist, accompanist, and has been a part of many vocal ensembles. Music is always present in her home and in her life, and she loves teaching her children to sing and play the piano as well as teaming up with her husband who is also a vocalist and pianist. Kim also loves to travel and has been to many international locations with Music Celebrations. Music and travel are two of her greatest passions. In addition to working for Music Celebrations, she also enjoys teaching piano lessons. Kim has been with Music Celebrations since 1995, with brief breaks living out of state. She always comes back to what she loves though – providing musicians with life changing musical experiences!

Heather Timpanaro
Marketing Research Specialist
Heather was born and raised in the Phoenix, Arizona valley. Music has always served Heather as a means of expressing herself and as a way to connect with family and friends. She has been playing and performing on the piano since she was just four years old. In high school she accompanied her choir and sang during a California state festival where they won first place. When Heather went to college, she auditioned with the head of the music department at Eastern Arizona College. She was selected to accompany and perform with voice students under the direction of Dr. Bruce Bishop. She has worked with other higher education institutions and believes strongly that education is one of the biggest influences in changing people’s lives, besides music. Heather joined the marketing team at MCI in 2010. She enjoys working with such wonderful people focused on sharing their love of music and travel. Heather also spends much of her time as a business student attending Western International University. She currently lives with her husband in Gilbert, Arizona. They enjoy travelling to Argentina and have plans to visit Alaska, Italy, and Germany. Heather recently has stretched her talents to include playing the organ in church.

Carol Navarro
Operations Manager
Carol came to MCI and the Operations Team in 1997, and has enjoyed every thrill and chill that planning group tours generates. A former band director, Carol enjoys working with musical groups in the tour environment, and no longer feels that old pull back to the band room that usually comes every September. Carol is a wife, mother to three, a grandma, a DAR member and she hails originally from the Show-Me State. Hooray! Hoorah! Mizzou!

Laura Faubus
Operations Specialist
Laura has been with Music Celebrations since the fall of 2005. She studied vocal music at the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in May of 2000. Laura enjoys singing, sports, movies, and spending time with her husband and family. MCI gives Laura the opportunity to be involved in enriching the lives of others through arranging their travel experience.

Donna Gomez
Operations Specialist
Donna joined the MCI Family in 2005 where she's been part of our Operations team. This Arizona native comes from a diverse background which has been quite an asset in organizing music tours. Music has been part of her life since grade school where she picked flute as her first instrument. From that point forward, she found herself involved in any possible musical group she could find all the way to Arizona State University. She now enjoys organizing the very concert tours she used to participate in, year after year. Since joining the MCI Family, she has expanded her travels to now include international destinations such as the United Kingdom, Italy and Switzerland. When she's not busy in the office, she is spending time with family and friends…living life! Some of her passions are cooking, music, leisure travel, and attending sporting events.

Amy Hargreaves
Operations Specialist
Amy Hargreaves has been with Music Celebrations since September 2005 and is part of the operations team. Amy graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Business and Tourism. Amy also has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been teaching dance since 2001. Her experience in dance has helped start the Dance Celebrations division of Music Celebrations International and continues to provide excellence in our dance performance tours. She believes that these types of tours bring memories that last a lifetime.

Ashley Hargreaves
Operations Specialist
Ashley Hargreaves has been with Music Celebrations since August 2008. Prior to her current position on the Operations Team, Ashley resided in Texas where she managed tours for a national dance competition and convention company. Being an Arizona native, Ashley graduated from the University of Arizona, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with a minor in Dance. Dance has been a passion of Ashley’s since the age of 3, and it is something she still pursues by teaching dance lessons. Her love of the arts is one of the many reasons she enjoys working with Music Celebrations. She has had the opportunity to observe first-hand the learning that takes place when students are able to travel. Ashley strives to make every tour experience very memorable and something that will be talked about for a lifetime.

Amanda Kuczynski
Operations Specialist
Amanda has been with MCI since the summer of 2010. A native from Michigan, she holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University. Amanda has been involved with concert bands, marching bands, jazz ensembles and choirs from grade school on and music is still a significant part of her life. She has always had a profound love of travel and enjoys being able to combine the two to make lasting memories.

Sheila Pulver
Air Specialist
Sheila says "It is refreshing to work for a company that is so supportive of my primary responsibility as a mother of four. My requests for flexible scheduling that permit me to accompany my children on field trips, volunteer in my childrens' classrooms, etc. are always approved. When I was asked to work for MCI I doubted I could be a good mom and employee too. MCI has proven that business can co-exist with family. After having spent five years in the airline industry, and another 23 years in retail travel sales, I am so happy to have found a home with MCI."

Shari Richards
Operations Specialist
Shari says: "I have been in the travel business for many years prior to joining the great team at Music Celebrations International. Each year, the knowledge I gain of each city, our prestigious venues and the wide range of sightseeing increases. The greatest benefit is working with wonderful Directors to help them provide the musical trip of a lifetime for each individual."

Lisa Maxwell
Airline Specialist
Lisa expressed excitement to have recently joined an organization that celebrates music and travel. Music was a major influence in her Iowa upbringing. Lisa adored the piano at an early age and accompanied school choral groups from elementary through high school graduation. Flute was her other joy; it offered opportunities unavailable to pianists such as marching band and orchestra. Lisa felt blessed in having gifted instructors and supportive parents.

A fascination in aviation arose the first time Lisa flew on an airplane. It subsequently led her from Iowa to Arizona State University and a Bachelors of Science degree in Aeronautical Technology. Her career path has encompassed airport, airline and corporate travel. Music Celebrations fosters an environment which utilizes all these experiences. Lisa takes pride in what she does and the company she represents

Mary Cones
Operations Specialist
Mary has been involved with music for most of her life. She plays the clarinet, bass clarinet, bass drum, and piano. She has been involved with marching, concert, and jazz bands for many years. She enjoys the opportunity that Music Celebrations International provides her to continue to be involved in the world of music. Mary graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Archaeology (her other passion). She grew up in California but she loves the heat of Arizona.

Dan Schwartz
Performance Manager
Daniel Schwartz joined Music Celebrations in 2005 to head the performance department. In addition to booking concerts, he oversees MCI’s performance staff and manages the festivals. Previously, Dan spent 11 years with the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band, where he planned concert tours in the US and Asia and performances for events like the Grammys, the Democratic National Convention, film and television shoots, and many others.

Edmundo Montoya
Performance Specialist
Edmundo Montoya joined the Music Celebrations International Performance Department in August 2006. He is a native of Texas and holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Business from West Texas A&M University in Canyon. During his studies, Edmundo served as principal trombone in the University Symphonic Band and did additional work as a free-lance musician and studio teacher. Through participation in various concert bands, he's had the opportunity to perform throughout the state of Texas, Eastern New Mexico, Georgia, and in New York's Carnegie Hall.

Cindy Petty
Performance Specialist
Cindy Petty joins the MCI Performance Department with a firm and dedicated love for music travel. Her extensive experience traveling as a music educator; Music Director and Conductor of professional orchestras; community orchestras; fine youth orchestras and as a professional violinist add an exciting dimension to MCI as she is an experienced visionary in meeting the artistic needs of any traveling ensemble.

Originally from Utah, Cindy is a graduate of the University of Utah; taught music in the public and private education systems for over 20 years and conducted the Granite Youth Symphony, Jordan Symphony Orchestra, and the Lincoln Youth Symphony.

In 2001 Ms. Petty moved to Oregon where she served as the Principal Conductor of the Portland Youth Philharmonic Conservatory Orchestra; the Music Director and Conductor of The Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra; the Oregon Pro Arte Youth Chamber Orchestra; the Pro Arte Conservatory Strings; The Jewish Community Orchestra; The Portland Mormon Symphony and the Portland Adventist String Orchestra; As guest conductor of the Rose City Chamber Orchestra and the Newport Symphony; and performed as acting Concertmaster of the Columbia Symphony Orchestra. In addition she maintained a private studio specializing in violin and viola instruction and coaching small chamber ensembles. In 2007, Ms. Petty was knighted by the Royal Rosarians, under the banner of the rose "Artistry" for her extensive contributions to the community through music.

As a violinist, Cindy currently performs with the Newport Symphony Orchestra. As a Conductor, she continues to serve as Principal Guest Conductor of the Sapporo Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2004, 2006 2008 and 2009, she was honored to both conduct and perform as the Guest Concert Master and soloist with the Sapporo Philharmonic Orchestra in Sapporo, Japan.

Ms. Petty has also made guest conducting appearances with numerous orchestras in Chicago, New York, Washington D.C.; North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, California, Montana, Nevada, and Utah, and is sought after as a clinician and adjudicator for National Music Festivals, All-State Orchestras and Youth Honors Orchestras throughout the United States.

Ms. Petty firmly believes that music is essential to and complements every other area of our lives. It is cognitive, physical, expressive, goal oriented, aesthetic, exciting and rewarding. Music must be accessible to everyone to truly touch lives. Music is an aural sport, a lifelong skill which ensures the human element of life! It is work and recreation at the same time. It requires a high level of commitment and dedication to excellence! As stated by Ms. Petty, "Music is not just my profession.....it is my passion!"

Dr. Vincent Patterson
Performance Department
Dr. Patterson earned the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (conducting) from Catholic University in 1985, where he studied with several outstanding teachers/conductors, including Frederick Fennell and Robert Garafalo. Millikin University (Decatur, IL) awarded Vince degrees in instrumental performance and music education. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, teaching three years at the Armed Forces School of Music, Norfolk, VA. In 1974, he was accepted into the ranks of the U.S. Marine Band where he performed a variety of musical and innovative administrative roles. Also during that time he created the professional ensemble, "MusicCrafters," who performed for a decade in the Library of Congress Coolidge Auditorium. As a vocalist, Vince sang three seasons with the Washington National Opera chorus, was a member of the Choir of Men and Boys -- Washington National Cathedral, the choir of The National Shrine, St. Paul's Church (Rock Creek), and St. Matthews Cathedral. Dr. Patterson is currently director of the Montgomery College Wind Ensemble, and is researching medical/scientific journals developing a program for Music and Healing.

Alison Moore
Concert Manager (Great Britian and Ireland, France, Belgium and Netherland and French speaking Switzerland
Alison's first taste of music was at the tender age of 4 years when she appeared on stage in a production of the light opera Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach. From there her love affair with music and the theatre ensured a lifetime of involvement in the Arts. At 7 years she decided to learn the clarinet, having been rather unsuccessful at the violin, and then progressed to alto sax in the local band. It turned out that she was a somewhat better singer than a saxophonist. Some fun time was spent travelling the world fronting a dance band. This led her to her second great love affair – travel. After ten years on the road travelling in Europe, the Middle East and Latin American, she joined a specialist concert tour company based in London and for the last 10 years has been arranging and promoting concerts throughout Europe for amateur musicians and singers with her own company Concertina.

Alison's love of performing continues with one of London’s major choruses. The choir performs regularly in the premier London concert venues and travels all over Europe. They have performed together in many extraordinary and diverse venues, from the great palaces of St Petersburg to the imitate churches of rural France. Alison says, "Each performance has given us a lifetime of unforgettable memories. Perhaps this is why I am able to appreciate the excitement of going ‘on tour’ and why we, as musicians and singers, benefit so much from that time we spend together taking our music to an unknown audience across the continents."

Helmut Wondra
Central & Eastern Europe Concert Manager
Helmut regards his hometown Vienna as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner and Mahler are just a few of the famous composers who created immortal music in Vienna. Growing up in this wonderful city and being raised in a family that loves the arts, he was privileged to be a member of the Vienna Auersperg Boys Choir. After that he deepened his musical knowledge at the Music School of Vienna where he took lessons in Music Theory, Choir and Piano.

At the University of Vienna Helmut studied History, German Literature, Linguistics and Educational Theory. During these years as a University Student, he worked part time as a Tour Manager for MCI, taking music groups to various European countries (Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, France, Belgium, Netherlands). Three years later, he became the Central European Tour Manager Coach for MCI and had the duty to recruit, train and supervise the MCI Tour Managers. In these capacities, he has developed a deep understanding of the priorities and interests of music groups of any kind.

Since 2004, Helmut has been a Concert Manager for MCI and arranges and promotes concerts in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. He has extensive connections to all the local agencies, municipalities, promotional agents & venues (ranging from outdoor squares to schools to churches & cathedrals to concert halls) in these countries that would ensure that each touring ensemble has an unparalleled concert tour experience.

Simonetta (Simona) Belluzzi
Italy & Spain Concert Manager
Rome Office
After years of experiences as interpreter & translator in Italy and Germany, Simonetta Belluzzi started her career in tourism in 1983 working in the incoming field for a German tour operator specialized in concert tours to Italy. In 1986 successfully opened the incoming department for choirs coming from the United States and Canada becoming manager of the choirs department. In 1996 left tourism joining the International Association Friends of Sacred Music, Rome as organizer of concerts, festivals and competitions in Italy and abroad. In 2000 moved to the music production company ECA Srl acting initially as liaison with foreign companies and institutions related to show business as well as world famous opera houses, artists and orchestras

Responsible for all logistics of important music events and productions such as:

• Leonard Bernstein “Mass” at Nervi Hall (Vatican City -2000)
• Festival di Pasqua (Rome – 2001-2002)
• Festival Euro Mediterraneo (Hadrian’s Villa Tivoli – 2001-2002)
• Love’s Trilogy” by W.A. Mozart Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, The Marriage of Figaro (Teatro Argentina, Rome - 2002)
• Concert for the Peace with J. Carreras (Basilica di S.Maria degli Angeli , Rome – 2000)
• “Un Papa di Nome Giovanni” live broadcasting Canale 5 (Bergamo - 2000)
• Concert for the 10th Anniversary of Fiera di Milano in Moscow (Tschajkosvki Hall – 2001)

2003 started working for Kuoni Tours Atlanta, GA as concert manager for US non professional choral, band and orchestral groups travelling to Italy and Spain. Her primary task is to provide the most suitable venues according to each ensemble’s requirements and repertoire, promoting the concerts in order to assure the best audience, thus making the trip a once in a life time experience.

Sheldon Poon
China & Korea Concert Manager
Beijing & Hong Kong Offices
Born in Shanghai, China, raised and educated in Hong Kong and the United States, Sheldon began organizing and arranging U.S. concert performing groups to China in 1979. Today he is the most experienced concert tour operator and music festival organizer in China.

Gregg Clawson
Production Assistant
Gregg has always had an appreciation for music from a young age when he started playing the violin. In his youth, he participated in orchestra programs at his middle school and high school as well as community youth orchestras in Tempe, Arizona. Gregg continues to play and enjoy the violin and is currently studying design at Arizona State University. Music continues to play a big role in his life as he has the opportunity to be a part of Music Celebrations and help others experience the joy and long lasting memories that come from music.

Elizabeth Lopez
Human Resources/Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth joined Music Celebrations International’s production team in May of 2007. While working in the Productions department she learned all about the magnificent cities that hold prominent music history that groups can visit. Working closely with each department she developed an awareness of all the work that is put into making each trip the most memorable for every group. In late 2008 Elizabeth took on the job of receptionist, she felt a higher sense of responsibility to make sure colleagues and their groups were always kept in contact. Elizabeth is now working as Human Resources and loving the constant communication with her colleagues in every department. She enjoys making the day to day life at MCI run smoothly. “MCI has given me the gift of travel and has aided me to increase my knowledge of the magnificent history of music.” Elizabeth is looking forward to the future and what it has to bring.

Michele Gagnon
Executive Assistant