Truman Clarinet Studio

Chloe Armentrout is a senior music therapy major.  She transferred to Truman from the State College of Florida in Bradenton, Florida, where she received the “Most Outstanding Woodwind” Award and served as a woodwind staff member for the Lakewood Ranch High School marching band. She was also named “Music Student of the Month” by the Florida College System Activities Association and received the Diane Gorzycki Woman Band Directors Scholarship.

Mason Bender is a sophomore music education major from Troy, Missouri where he made the All-District Honorable Mention Band and received Gold on his solo at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest.  When not playing music, he likes to hang out with friends and practice archery.

Dylan Bonn is a first year graduate student from Kenosha, Wisconsin, pursuing the Master of Arts degree in clarinet performance at Truman, where he serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the clarinet studio.  He received his undergraduate degree in clarinet performance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he was principal clarinet for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Orchestra for three years.  He also received a master’s degree in music education from the same institution, and regularly taught lessons to students outside of school.  During his free time, he enjoys spending time outside, riding his bike, going on hikes, or relaxing in a hammock.

Adan Callejo is a second year music business major from Milan, Missouri where he was selected to perform in the All-District Band for two years.  He also received Gold ratings at the state contest, was a member of the national FFA Band and received the Sousa Award.  He enjoys running and spending time with animals.

Taylor Caperton is a first year graduate student pursuing the Master of Arts degree in clarinet performance.  She received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Austin Peay State University, where she held leadership positions, including co-section leader of the clarinets in the marching band and president of the CNAfME chapter.  After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she taught middle school band at Hopkinsville Middle School in Kentucky, and she was a member of the local community band.  When she isn’t practicing or teaching, you can find her at the library scoping out her next good read!

Brianna Dotson comes to us from St. Louis, Missouri, where she was selected for the All-District Honor Band and conducted the Phantom Regiment Drum Corps. She also received the John Philip Sousa Award. She’s currently a graduate teaching assistant for the bands area while pursuing her Master of Arts in Conducting.  She loves playing clarinet and received the 2021 Hearst Fine Arts Memorial Scholarship.

Nicholas Dudley is a sophomore music education major from Troy Buchanan High School where he played in the All-District Band for three years and received two Gold ratings at the state solo contest.  He also enjoys wrestling and playing jazz saxophone.

Jennifer Jones is in her senior year after transferring to Truman as a music performance major from Indiana University-Bloomington. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, she was a member of the St. Louis Youth Orchestra for two years, performed with the 2018 NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles Symphony Orchestra as first chair overall, and was selected as first chair overall of the Missouri All-State Convention for two consecutive years (she choose band in 2018 and orchestra in 2019). Recently, she received first place at the 2020 Missouri Music Teachers Association Collegiate Woodwinds Competition and first place in the 2023 Music Teachers National Association State-Level Competition for Collegiate Woodwinds.

Colton Kniffen is a junior music performance major and political science minor from Iowa, where he made the All-State Band his senior year.  He also received Superior ratings at contest and made first chair in the Drake Honor Band.  When not playing clarinet, he enjoys playing badminton, watching Netflix, and playing video games.  He recently won Honorable Mention in the 2023 Missouri Music Teachers Association Collegiate Woodwinds Competition.

Trystan Lickteig is a junior clarinet performance/music education double major from Kearney, Missouri. He was a two-time All-State Band member, a four-time All-District Band member, earned two gold ratings at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest, served as his high school’s drum major, and received the Sousa Award.  He received “Honorable Mention” at the 2021 Missouri Music Teachers Association Collegiate Woodwinds Competition.

Alayna McCulley is a third year music education major from Imperial, Missouri, where she received the Director’s Award and Best Senior Award.  She also performed in the All-District Band for two years and received Gold ratings at the state contest.  She was soloist with both her high school concert and marching bands.  She enjoys playing video games in her free time.

Lacey Mihalevich is from Kirksville, Missouri, where she received a gold rating at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest, was awarded her high school’s musicianship award, and served as her marching band’s section leader for two years. She was a guest conductor for one of her middle school’s band concerts, and in addition to the clarinet, she plays saxophone, guitar, piano and sings.  She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2025 and is now pursuing the Master of Arts in Education degree at Truman.

Josh Ryan is from Monroe City, Missouri, where he received the Sousa Award, served as his marching band’s section leader, and was selected to perform in the All-District Band. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in 2025 and is now pursuing the Master of Arts in Education degree at Truman.  When not playing the clarinet, he enjoys drinking tea and collecting mugs.

Lily Schmitt is a junior music education major from Washington, Missouri, where she performed in the All-District Band all four years of high school.  She also was selected for the All-State Honorable Mention Band her senior year and received Gold ratings at the state contest, as well as the Music Department Award.  She recently won first place in the 2023 Missouri Music Teachers Association Collegiate Woodwinds Competition.

Thomas Stahl is a third year music composition and physics double major from Washington, Missouri, where he received a Gold rating at state contest for his bass clarinet solo.  He enjoys learning astronomy, making board games, playing volleyball and running.

Josiah Stocks is a junior music education major from Kirksville, Missouri, where he was section leader of the high school band for two years and was selected for the All-District Band on alto clarinet.  He enjoys collecting vinyl, listening to music on his hifi system and traveling to enjoy new experiences.

Beckett Whitworth is a sophomore music education major from Kirkwood High School in St. Louis, where he played bass clarinet in the youth orchestra for three years and was selected as third chair bass clarinet in the Missouri All-State Band his senior year.  In his free time he enjoys working out at the gym.