Members

Andrea Adams was born in Winchester, KY on May 24th, 1975. She attended Eastern Kentucky University, where she received a B.A. in Music Merchandising as well as an M.M. in Trumpet Performance. During that time, she was a finalist at the National Trumpet Competition, and served as a Graduate Assistant as well as 2nd trumpet in the EKU Faculty Brass Quintet. Andrea still resides in Winchester, where she works as a Business Manager.

John Higgins was born on the night of a full eclipse in 1968. He decided to pursue a career in music after his parents told him that he was free to embark on whatever career path he chose – except music. So, after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Miami (OH) University (and an unnamed minor in “how to turn four years of studies into five years of college”), John wondered what he would do next. His parents offered up some more sound advice – “Get a Job!” John heeded their advice as before and went on to do his Master’s of Music work at the Hartt School of Music under the tutelage of Chris Gekker. During his tenure at Hartt, John spent the summer at the Tanglewood Institute where he performed under the batons of such noted conductors and mentors as John Williams, Seiji Ozawa and Roger Voisin. It was at Tanglewood that John was greeted with a tragic epiphany: he was not a very good trumpet player! John came back from Connecticut in 1994, got married, moved to Kentucky and did what anyone would do in his shoes – he put the horn away for 2.5 years! During this time John worked as a purchasing agent for a local engineering company. John’s newest career finds him “fooling the masses”, masquerading as a graphic designer for a local independent association, which he has been working at for the past 8 years. It was during this time that John was asked to play for a birthday party. . .it was a truly horrible rendition of “Over the Rainbow”, but John realized how much he missed playing. He decided to start up again. . .

John joined the Lexington Brass Band in 1996, serving in whatever capacity that the director could see fit. Currently John can be found trying to blend in to the Solo Cornet row, (with mixed success!) He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1997. In addition to the Lexington Brass Band he is also currently active in the music scene by being a principal partner and featured soloist with the world-renowned Victorian era brass band, Saxton’s Cornet Band and the Principal Trumpet of the Lexington Community Orchestra. John and his wife Cindy, who is also involved locally with the music scene, have two beautiful daughters, Abbie and Emily, along with an 8-month old golden retriever named Drew. John’s favorite hobbies are playing with said children, golfing and running.

Raquel (pronounced “Rachel”) Rodriquez is a Texas native and attended West Texas A&M University (BM and MA) and the University of North Texas (DMA). Raquel is currently the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Northern Kentucky University. This is Raquel’s first year playing regularly with the Lexington Brass Band. When not teaching or driving to various gigs Rachel enjoys working on her favorite hobby, web design. For more info please visit her website at: http://www.solotromba.com.

Dee Bishop, a native of Princeton, Kentucky, joined the band in the fall of 2006. He is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans (B.M.E.), Austin Peay State University (M.M.) and the University of Tennessee at Martin (M.A.+30). He is the Director of Bands at Tates Creek High School and is married to Johnnie C. Bishop. In his spare time, Dee enjoys playing golf.

Lois U. Wiggins, Band Director at Edythe J. Hayes Middle School in Lexington KY, has taught instrumental music for 27 years in Kentucky, Tennessee & Indiana. Ms. Wiggins received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, a Masters in Music Education from the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, and a Rank I in Secondary Education, from Western Kentucky University.  She is the Band Content Area Leader for Fayette County Public Schools.

Before joining the Lexington Brass Band in the fall of 2005, Lois played trumpet in the Evansville Symphonic Band for 10 years and was a founding member of the Western Kentucky Trumpet Ensemble. Lois was recognized as “Outstanding Young Band Director in Kentucky” by Phi Beta Mu in 1992, in 2010 she was awarded “Outstanding Bandmaster in Kentucky” by Phi Beta Mu and was named KMEA Middle School Teacher of the year in 2000. Hobbies include photography, model railroading, cross stitch & desktop publishing. Lois resides in Lexington with her dog Wynton.