_edited.png)
Alyson Bauman
Trumpet
Alyson Bauman received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Illinois State University, where she studied trumpet with Amy Gilreath. In 2023 she completed her Master’s in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music, where she continued lessons with Leah Schuman. Today, Alyson is a student of Kari Lee (Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera., etc.)
In addition to performing with the Black Willow Brass Quintet, Alyson holds principal positions in the Illinois Brass Band, Fox Valley Brass Band, and Joliet Symphony Orchestra. In her spare time, she cleans up after her cats Sophie and Ernie, and her too-smart-for-his-own-good dog, Jack.
Karol Domalik
Trumpet
Karol Domalik studied trumpet with Joseph Loeffler and Dr. Amy Gilreath, and graduated from Illinois State of University with a Bachelor of Music Education. Since then, he’s maintained an active musical life performing with such groups as the College of DuPage Band, the New Lenox Community Band, the River Valley Wind Ensemble, the Kankakee Municipal Band, the Joliet Symphony Orchestra, and numerous pit orchestras. Karol is also particularly proud of his time with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.
Jillian Adams
Horn
Jill Adams studied at Berklee College of Music and at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. As a lifelong student of the horn, Jill’s principal teachers have included Dan O'Connell, Nancy Fako, David Cooper, Neil Kimel, and Mark Almond.
Jill has performed in Black Willow Brass, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, and the Joliet Symphony Orchestra (as Principal). She has shared the stage with such artists as Grammy-nominee Helen Welch, Oscar-winner Howard Shore, and the incomparable Steve Winwood.
Outside of performing, Jill enjoys cooking, running, and pestering her husband to put more rests in his brass quintet arrangements.
William Goetz
Trombone
Bill Goetz attended the University of Illinois where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education. While there, he studied trombone with Elliot Chasanov and played in the orchestra, several bands, and numerous trombone ensembles.
After graduating, Bill continued performing in various local groups. Today, he is a member of the Black Willow Brass Quintet, the Fox Valley Brass Band, the Joliet Symphony Orchestra.
When not playing trombone, Bill teaches band at the Troy School District 30-C in Plainfield, Illinois. He is an avid homebrewer (and certified beer judge), and enjoys traveling with his wife, Jenny, and entertaining their scrappy dog, Fritz.
Ryan Danikowski
Tuba
Ryan Danikowski graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Tuba Performance. While at NIU, Ryan studied Tuba under Scott Tegge and performed in the Wind Ensemble, Philharmonic Orchestra, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and a Brass Quintet. Since Graduating, Ryan has been teaching private low brass lessons in St. Charles, Geneva, and Downers Grove. He is on staff as a Private Instructor and has given masterclasses at Downers Grove South and Glenbard North high school.
Ryan also teaches at The Instrument Barn in Huntley where he holds a studio of brass and beginning piano students. Besides teaching, Ryan has performed in several groups throughout the Chicago suburbs including the Elgin Community Band and Fox Valley Brass Band.
​
When he is not teaching or performing, Ryan enjoys cooking and trying to entertain his crazy cat, Bella.
Doug Adams
Composer, Percussion
Doug Adams writes most of Black Willow Brass Quintet’s arrangements, and can be seen performing percussion with the group on occasion. He studied music at The University of Illinois and at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts.
​
Doug also plays with various ensembles in the Chicago area, and has been involved with the music of several film productions including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo. He can be seen in the documentaries The Prequels Strike Back and The Soundscapes of Philip Glass, and his book The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films is available for purchase on Amazon.com. He’s also made appearances across the U.S. and Europe, including Severance Hall (the Cleveland Symphony), the Ravinia Festival (Chicago Symphony), the Royal Albert Hall (the London Philharmonic), and Radio City Music Hall (Switzerland’s 21st Century Orchestra).
As a composer, Doug’s music has been heard in several films and on NBC television. He has no hobbies.
