Meredith is a co-founder of Iowa Pride Ensembles and is honored to serve as Board President. A clarinet player, color guard member, and steel drum enthusiast, she loves celebrating community through music! Meredith has diverse experience in events management, nonprofit development, and youth engagement. She is originally from Kansas City and has lived in Des Moines with her wife, Amanda, and their cat for four years. She loves to read, paint, spend time in local coffee shops, and try new restaurants. 

Gracie Shaw (They/Them) is a vocal artist and former saxophone player, with background in event and community building through Nexus Entertainment Arts, 319 Fest, and of course volunteer work with Iowa Pride Ensembles.

While they don’t participate instrumentally with the group, their passion lies in taking administrative tasks and needs from members and letting them focus on the music our ensemble is able to create for the community. 

Marissa (she/her) is an established nonprofit professional who operates the AmeriCorps Program at Polk County Conservation, where she supports community members in gaining valuable professional skills and work experience through entry-level, service-based opportunities. As a longtime enthusiast of the outdoors, she earned a B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University in 2023 and continues to advocate for environmental stewardship across Central Iowa.

As Treasurer for Iowa Pride Ensembles, Marissa works closely with the IPE President to oversee the organization’s finances, support operation budgeting and financial reporting, and develop financial best practices that help ensure IPE’s long-term sustainability. With her flute and piccolo in hand, she’s excited to help keep the finances in tune so that Iowa Pride Ensembles can continue fostering a welcoming community where LGBTQIA+ musicians can make music, build connections, and be unapologetically themselves.

Amanda Thomas-Murphy is a co-founder of Iowa Pride Ensembles and currently serves as the Artistic Director, coordinating small ensemble performances and planning the artistic and strategic vision for each IPE season. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Amanda has been in love with music her whole life, which led her to begin playing the French horn in sixth grade. Amanda attended the University of Iowa earning degrees in Horn Performance and Music Education. She currently teaches middle school band in West Des Moines and is working towards a Master's degree in Music with an education emphasis from Kansas State University. 

Amanda lives in downtown Des Moines with her beautiful wife Meredith and their cat Gaia. 

Rachel Gulick (they/them) is a co-founder of Iowa Pride Ensembles, creative entrepreneur, multimedia and performance artist, producer, community activator, and radical collaborator based in Des Moines. As a creative entrepreneur, Rachel owns several small businesses, including House of Glass, REG Investments, House of Funk - Community Third Space & VRBO, Green Peace Collective, and the ever-emerging House of SCOBY - The Art of Ag Permaculture Farm in Bussey, Iowa. They serve on the boards of Girls Rock! Des Moines, the Drake LGBTQ+ Alumni Association, Iowa Pride Ensembles, and First Friday Breakfast Club.

Gary Nell holds a BA in Instrumental Music Education from Central College in Pella, Iowa. Before becoming the marching director and “substitute” drum major of IPE, he served as marching artistic director of The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps in New York City (now the Queer Big Apple Corps). While living there, he played French horn with the QBAC symphonic band and marched baritone with the DCA drum corps, the New York Skyliners and mellophone with the Harrison Bushwackers. A longtime member of the Pride Bands Alliance, Gary has had the honor of performing in numerous conferences from the East Coast to the West, including two Presidential Inaugural Parades, once on mellophone and once as drum major. He also served as drum major for the 2008 PBA conference in New York City, leading a 200-piece band of glittery witches in the Village Halloween Parade, the nation's largest Halloween celebration, and was the PBA Team Band drum major for Gay Games 9 in Cleveland/Akron. Now retired, Gary is proud and honored to be a part of the guidance team for IPE.

Adam Kallal is a music educator, performer, clinician, arranger, and composer based in Des Moines, Iowa. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Bands at Roosevelt High School, where he co-teaches the Roughrider Regiment and concert ensembles, and directs Velt Indoor Percussion.

He earned his B.A. in Music Education with a minor in Biology from Iowa State University, where he performed with the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and the ISUCF’VMB. He completed his M.M. in Music Education with an emphasis in Music Composition from Adams State University.

He currently resides in Ankeny, Iowa, with his husband Zach, their dog Willow and cat Nemo. Adam is excited to join the board and serve Iowa Pride Ensembles!

Conductor, performer, and educator Nevi Zerkle believes in the power of music to build inclusive communities. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Nevi serves as a beginning band director with the Waukee Community School District. His conductor training spans undergraduate work at Drake University and a Master's degree from the University of New Mexico, where he led a wide variety of ensembles as Graduate Assistant of Bands—including the UNM Wind Symphony, Spirit Marching Band, and Graduate Chamber Ensembles.

Central to Nevi’s artistic vision is creating dedicated spaces for queer artists and elevating LGBTQ+ stories on stage. He is honored to continue this mission as Concert Band Director for IPE's upcoming 2026–2027 season.

Garrett Kenyon (he/him) serves as the Assistant Concert Band Director and is based in Des Moines, IA. Originally from Colorado, Garrett grew up playing trumpet in concert, jazz, and marching bands. He went to Creighton University in Omaha, NE where we played lead trumpet in the Symphony. He played in the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012 and joined IPE in 2025 during its first Concert Band Season. Professionally, Garrett has worked in sustainable transportation since 2019 and currently helps school districts transition from diesel school buses to fully electric ones.

Paul Lichty has become one of Des Moines’ most prolific freelance musicians, composers, and educators since moving there in 2020. After spending six years working as a middle school band director, Paul now balances a freelance career working as an adjunct jazz instructor at Drake University, trombone instructor at the Creative Music Studio, bandleader of the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra (PLJO), jazz chair/music arranger/board member of the Iowa Pride Ensembles, music director of "The Domita Show", and trombonist in BYOBrass. PLJO’s first album, “Dark Soul”, was released in 2021 and can be found on all steaming platforms, BandCamp, as well as Paul’s website (paullichtymusic.com). BYOBrass' second album, "Breathe", was released in 2025 and features several of his newest arrangements and compositions. In 2024, Paul was recipient of the CJC Des Moines Hall of Fame "Next Generation" award which recognizes an up-and-coming musician who has made an impact on the music scene in Des Moines.

Jim (he/him) is thrilled to be serving as Assistant Jazz Director of Iowa Pride Ensembles. He has been an avid saxophonist and bassist in school, community and semi-professional jazz bands since an early age. A series of moves created a long gap in playing, but joining Iowa Pride Ensembles in 2025 has rekindled a fire In him to learn and grow as a performer. He hopes his experience can be put to good use assisting the Jazz Chair and organizing combo groups.

He lives in Bondurant with his wife, three cats, and a stable of horns. He also finds speaking in the third person strange.

Mandy is honored and so excited to serve as IPE's marketing director. She plays the clarinet, bass clarinet, bari sax, and alto sax, but dreams of learning the bass guitar or mandolin someday. Hailing from UNI (go cats!), they bring a BA in interactive digital studies, MA in public history, and a wide variety of experience in different clubs, ensembles, and organizations. While not logged in to IPE's socials (follow us!), Mandy spends her time listening to music, studying local history, and working at DMACC, Brass Armadillo Antique Mall, and the Des Moines Art Center.

She lives with her best friend, three cats, and agrees with Jim; speaking in the third person is strange.

Olivia is an artist, designer, and creative marketer from Des Moines, Iowa. She received a BFA in Painting, a BA in Graphic Design and a minor in Advertising from Drake University in 2018. As a student, she was active in the music department, participating in the flute studio, symphonic band, marching band, Jazz 2, and Bulldog Brass. She worked at Drum Corps International as a Digital Marketing Intern for the 2018 season and has since done marketing for various nonprofit, anime, and gaming organizations. She jumped at the opportunity to play piccolo for the Iowa Pride Ensemble’s inaugural marching season and has participated in every ensemble (on flute for concert band and trombone for jazz band) ever since. Outside of IPE, Olivia is a freelancer, volunteer graphic designer and performer for the Des Moines Gamer Symphony Orchestra. Additional hobbies include geeking out over musical theatre, hoarding houseplants, and hyping up her wife at every opportunity.

Choreographs guard work, plans rehearsals, and coordinates details related to the IPE Color Guard. Coordinates details related to all IPE volunteers.

Brandon Hayford (he/him) is a special education associate at Ruby Van Meter School. Originally from Galesburg, Illinois, Brandon’s love for the performing arts began with a trumpet in his hands and eventually led him to discover a whole new passion for color guard.

Throughout middle school, high school, and a year of college, Brandon performed as a trumpet player in a variety of ensembles. During high school, he served as a marching band section leader for two years and earned the opportunity to perform as a soloist his senior year.

Brandon’s color guard journey began in high school, where he participated in two seasons of winter guard. While trumpet remained his primary focus throughout those years, color guard had already sparked his interest. When the opportunity arose to join the color guard at Western Illinois University, Brandon decided it was time to trade his trumpet for a flag and see where the adventure would take him. As it turns out, that decision was the beginning of something pretty special!

It was during his collegiate color guard experience that Brandon truly fell in love with the sport, discovering a passion for the artistry, athleticism, creativity, and sense of community that make color guard so unique. Now, as the Assistant Color Guard Director of IPE, Brandon is incredibly honored and excited to share that passion with this community.

Miya (She/Her) is a non-profit professional who works for Iowa International Center removing barriers to essential services for immigrants and refugees across Iowa. She also works as an Office Manager at a therapy office overseeing day to day operations and creating a welcoming space for their clients. Along with being on the IPE Board she is also a member of the Iowa Public Radio Sounding Board giving community feedback on programming to better reflect the Iowa community. 

As the Director of Development for Iowa Pride Ensembles, Miya connects with local businesses/corporations, assists in creating fundraising opportunities through grant writing/sponsorships, and collaborates with other board members to support all fundraising and financial goals of IPE. Miya is excited to continue using her skills to support the LGBTQ+ community in Iowa and create queer joy through IPE's performances by playing her trombone. She lives in the Des Moines Metro with her partner and their black cat, Bob. 

An insurance professional based in Ankeny, Iowa, Cooper Booth is thrilled to join the Iowa Pride Ensembles board as Assistant Development Director. Drawing on her past board experience with the UNI and KC Jazz Women’s Rugby Clubs, she aims to build community connections to help expand the Ensembles and promote their mission. A lifelong musician who previously studied music at UNI, Cooper is excited to return to her musical roots and perform alongside fellow ensemble members.

Clayton is a registered nurse and clinical program manager with 20+ years in healthcare. Outside of work, he is a musician, chef, animal lover, and longtime believer in the power of community and bringing people together. He lives in Des Moines with his partner Edwin, their son Liam, and pets. As IPE's Membership Director, Clayton is excited to welcome new members to Iowa Pride Ensembles, continue building connections within the community, and help ensure that IPE continues to be a fun, inclusive, and vibrant organization where everyone is welcome.

My name is Frankie, and I’m excited to serve as the Assistant Membership Director for Iowa Pride Ensembles. I’m passionate about creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels valued, included, and part of the community. Outside of IPE, I enjoy concerts, exploring new experiences, being with friends and family, and making memories with my French bulldog, Oliver. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of IPE’s leadership and look forward to helping grow our membership and strengthen the connections that make this organization so special. 

Mallory Larkin (she/her) currently serves as a General Board Member. Professionally, she works as a Workers Compensation Claims Manager at Nationwide Insurance, where she works to build authentic and inclusive teams. Her career background includes leading high-performing teams, and she brings key board-relevant skills in strategic communications, event execution, and inclusive leadership. A Des Moines-area youth volunteer and active French horn player in local ensembles, her personal connection to the performing arts inspires her commitment to fostering safe, celebratory spaces for LGBTQ+ artists and allies.

Jess Severe is a general board member for IPE. She plays trumpet in IPE's jazz and marching bands, and French horn in concert band. Until last year, Jess hadn't picked up an instrument in over 25 years, but always felt a yearning to come back to band that was finally fulfilled by joining IPE. Outside of IPE, she enjoys singing and karaoke, word games, and playing D&D with her family.

Heather Libby, General Board Member and Membership Committee Member. Flute and sax player returning to music after a (very!) long hiatus; one of many former band kids (and one of how many former drum majors in the org?) who is thrilled to find a community with IPE.

My band journey started in fifth grade. I didn’t always love playing an instrument, but I loved the people, so I stuck with it. When I got to high school and had the opportunity to join color guard, I took it without hesitation; I went on to participate in color guard all four years. Fast-forwarding to the present, I hadn’t picked up a flag until this summer when I joined the IPE Marching Band’s section. I was quickly reminded of my love for color guard, and the love for the community a band creates.

I serve as a general board member. While I don’t play an instrument (for now, who’s to say), I love getting to support the band by giving directions, assisting with check-ins, taking pictures, and helping wherever needed.

Professionally, I work for a local nonprofit supporting college students to reach their academic, personal, and professional goals. Outside of work, I spend time with my loved ones, volunteer at a DIY studio, play video games, and craft.