New Faculty in the School of Music

The School of Music and Performing Arts is pleased to welcome four new faculty members in the fall of 2017. Each one brings outstanding academic credentials and musical artistry, and we are very excited to have them onboard.

Wesley Bradford—Coordinator of Music Theory

Wesley Bradford holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music Composition) from Austin Peay State University, Master of Music (Theory) from the University of Oklahoma, and a PhD in Music Theory from Louisiana State University. At UL Lafayette, Dr. Bradford teaches undergraduate level Music Theory, Form and Analysis, Arranging/Orchestration, and Composition. Dr. Bradford taught last year in an emergency temporary capacity, and we're delighted to have him in a permanent position starting this fall.  Read Dr. Bradford's full bio.

Jason Missal—Associate Director of Bands

Jason Missal is the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His duties in this capacity include leading the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band, conducting the Symphonic Winds, and teaching courses in music education.

Prior to his appointment at UL, Dr. Missal was the Associate Director of Bands at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. At ACU, he led the Big Purple Marching Band, conducted the Concert Band, supervised student teachers, and taught music education courses as well as applied horn. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin, Master of Music in Conducting from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education from Oklahoma State University. Read Dr. Missal's full bio.

Brett Landry—Assistant Director of Bands and Percussion

A native of Lafayette, Dr. Brett Landry is Assistant Director of Bands and Percussion at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he serves as instructor/arranger for the Pride of Acadiana drumline, as well as conductor of the UL Concert Band. Prior to 2017, he taught for 3 years at the University of South Carolina, where he served as instructor/arranger for the Carolina Band Drumline. He also served as adjunct instructor of percussion, co-conductor of the USC Percussion Ensembles, and instructor/arranger for the USC Palmetto Pans Steel Band.

In 2016 Brett completed his Doctorate in Percussion Performance at the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of Dr. Scott Herring, where he performed as principal percussionist with the award-winning USC Wind Ensemble and USC Percussion Ensemble. He received his Master’s degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Music Performance from Louisiana State University. Read Dr. Landry's full bio.

Benjamin Yates—Assistant Professor of Trombone and Low Brass

Trombonist and music educator Dr. Benjamin Yates is Assistant Professor of Trombone and Low Brass. His duties include teaching trombone, euphonium, and tuba lessons; coaching brass chamber music; conducting the trombone choir and tubaeuph ensemble; and performing with the Louisiana Brass Quintet.

As an active soloist, Yates performs and presents master classes and recitals at high schools, colleges and universities around the United States. As a trombone clinician, Yates has presented master classes throughout the United States, Austria, Brazil and Japan. Previously, he taught applied low brass lessons at Luther College (IA) and Silver Lake College (WI). Read Dr. Yates' full bio.