Park Avenue Brass
Joe Yaksich, trumpet, received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Youngstown State University in 1992 and his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Kent State University in 1997. He spent several years as a freelance musician and has played in several area ensembles including the Youngstown Symphony, the Brass Band of the Western Reserve, the W.D. Packard Concert Band, and the Carmen Mico Orchestra. Mr. Yaksich taught junior high and high school music for 33 years and began his teaching career in the Canfield Local Schools. He recently retired from the Weathersfield Local School District where he directed the high school bands and choirs. He has also been involved as a choir director and organist in church music and has served at the First United Methodist Church in Hubbard, and the First Christian Church in Girard and the Girard United Methodist Church.
Gabriella Sandy, trumpet, is the Liberty Local Schools Band Director as of the 2025 school year. She directs all the instrumental ensembles from grades five through twelve including the marching and jazz ensembles. She previously taught Elementary music for seven years, two in Liberty, and five in Youngstown City, starting her full-time career in 2018. She was also previously the Assistant Marching Band Director at Niles McKinley for seven seasons where she led marching fundamentals, drills, and music rehearsals.
Gabriella earned her Bachelor of Music Education from the Youngstown Dana School of Music in 2018, as well as her Masters of Music, emphasis on Conducting, in 2022. She credits her former high school directors, Carla Dean and Charissa Broennle, for instilling such a passion in educating their students; as well as the late Dr. Stephen L. Gage, for showing his students how to make music touch the soul.
She currently plays trumpet with the Girard Swingtime Band, Salem Community band, and a chamber group she co-founded, Park Avenue Brass Quintet. She has played with and been a featured musician with the W.D. Packard Concert Band, the Salem Community Band, and has had the honor to sound Taps twice at the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Gabriella will have the opportunity in December to travel to Pasadena, CA to perform in the 2026 Rose Parade with the Band Directors Marching Band.
Miss Sandy believes every student is able to create music in some capacity, whether it be classical or modern. She wants to see her students succeed and be the best people they can be!
In whatever free time is left not making music, she enjoys reading and spending time with her three cats.
Victoria Ryser, horn, is a horn player and music educator based in Ohio. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Youngstown State University and a Master of Music from Bowling Green State University. She currently teaches elementary music at Liberty Local Schools and serves as Associate Professor of Horn at Grove City College. As a performer, she is the Assistant Horn with the W.D. Packard Band and Second Horn with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
Leslie Core, trombone, was born and raised in Cortland, Ohio and is a founding member of the Park Avenue Brass (PAB.) She is a music teacher in the Weathersfield Local School District where she teaches K-6 music and beginning band. Leslie earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music Education from Youngstown State University. She currently plays with the W. D. Packard Concert Band, the Big Band Sounds of Packard, and the Top Notes Big Band of Warren. Leslie is the choir director of the Girard United Methodist Church in Girard, Ohio.
Leslie has played with the Youngstown Symphony orchestra and has been a featured soloist with the Lakeview High School Symphonic Band, the Warren Junior Military Band, the Mercer Community Band, the Dana School of Music Wind Ensemble and the W. D. Packard Concert band. When she is not making music she volunteers with the Animal Welfare League of Vienna.
Stephen Orlando, tuba, is the high school band director at Niles McKinley and a new member of the Band Directors Marching Band, performing in the 2026 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. A Youngstown native and graduate of Girard Junior/Senior High School, he earned his Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Education from Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction in 2022.
An active performer, Stephen has appeared as a tubist, guest vocalist, and conductor for Tuba Christmas in the Valley, as well as with the Girard Community Swingtime Band, the Dixie Dandies, and the Lowellville Mt. Carmel Band. Inspired by tubist Richard White, he is committed to sharing his passion for music and advocating for the tuba as an instrument of artistry and respect. Stephen studied with Dr. Brian Kiser and with renowned tuba masters Daniel Perantoni and Timothy Northcut at the Rafael Méndez Brass Institute in Denver, Colorado.
As a music educator, Stephen challenges his students to strive beyond “good” and aim for greatness. His passion for excellence is inspired by the outstanding teachers who have shaped his own journey. He hopes that performing outside of his teaching career will inspire his students and others to continue pursuing musical performance no matter where life takes them.
Past Members
Jacob Umbrazun (Tuba) ~ 2022-2023