It's Your ISB!

As a member, please feel free to reach out directly to a Chair, Team, or Board Member about how you would like to get involved and share your vision, hopes, and perspective.

Read the latest from ISB President, Gaelen McCormick.

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Joel Braun

Board Position: Education Chair
University / Organization: The University of Texas at Austin
ISB member since 1999
What I Love About ISB: The fact that bassists working in all types of genres and coming from different schoolings and traditions can all come together to learn from each other and support each other is something really special.

Allegra Hale Nieto

Board Position: Chair, Development Team
University / Organization: Marketing Manager and Sales, GEWA Music
ISB member since 2007

Mimi Jones

Board Position: Chair, Diversity
University / Organization: Independent
ISB member since 2014

Gaelen McCormick

Board Position: President
University / Organization: Eastman Performing Arts Medicine; Eastman Community Music School
ISB member since 1999
What I Love About ISB: I love that our bass family has all kinds of interests that we mutually encourage and support: brand new ideas in composing, fiercely focused discussions on the details of orchestral playing, raising the next generation of players with new pedagogical ideas and materials that are being written by our own members, showcasing the wide spectrum of styles that our instrument plays in. I've really never been a part of another group that is so broad in mission yet so committed to helping one another in practical ways.

Jay Meder

Board Position: Treasurer
University / Organization: Independent
ISB member since 2019
What I Love About ISB: Bass players are supportive musicians, and the ISB provides great support to bass players!

Kurt Melendy

Board Position: Technology Chair
ISB member since 2016

Mitch Moehring

Board Position: Chair, Luthiers / Vendors
University / Organization: Independent
ISB member since 2015
What I Love About ISB: There is no group that compares for our community of bassists. The ISB is composed of performers, educators, students, parents, composers, enthusiasts and even the makers of the instrument itself. My life has personally been enhanced by being an ISB member. Being an ISB member brings a wealth of knowledge and a feeling of unity to our likeminded body. Even the ISB competitions are more of an enriching experience than a fierce battle of skillsets. I love the soul of ISB.

Sandor Ostlund

Board Position: President-Elect, 2025 Convention Chair
University / Organization: Associate Professor of Double Bass, Baylor University
ISB member since 1988
What I Love About ISB: The ISB serves as a vehicle and catalyst through which the wonderful ideas and transformational growth of the double bass in the last 50 years have been disseminated and further developed. What a truly inspiring community to be a part of!

Gabriele Ragghianti

Board Position: International Outreach Chair
University / Organization: solo bass of "I Solisti Veneti"; Double Bass Professor Royal College of Music of London and ISSM Luigi Boccherini of Lucca
ISB member since 2014
What I Love About ISB: I have always considered it very important for Bassists to share their experiences. ISB is the place where this happens. I feel very honored to work with the ISB to help connect Bassists from different countries with different experiences to grow our community. For me, this is another opportunity to learn more from my fellow Bassists.

Hans Sturm

Board Position: Governance Chair
University / Organization: Associate Professor of Double Bass & Jazz Studies, Glenn Korff School of Music, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
ISB life member, member since 1982
What I Love About ISB: ISB is Bass Love. It is the touchstone for the state-of-the-art of all things bass, from education for all ages to performance of every imaginable style to the greatest bass toy shop in the known universe. Yes, ISB is Bass Love.

Wesley Thompson

Board Position: Secretary
University / Organization: Howard County Public Schools, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras, Bass Works
ISB life member
What I Love About ISB: The ISB is a family that supports and creates opportunities for bass players of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. How lucky we are to have a community to celebrate our unique instrument and continue to push the boundaries of what it means to be a bassist!

Jessica Valls

Board Position: Chair, Membership Team
University / Organization: Southwestern University, Dripping Springs High School
ISB life member
What I Love About ISB: The camaraderie and sharing of all things bass, with the diverse bassists of all ages, levels and genres around the globe.

Patricia Weitzel

Board Position: Chair, Marketing Team
University / Organization: Assistant Professor, Penn State University
ISB member since 2009

Dennis Whittaker

Board Position: Young Bassists Chair

Adjunct to the Board

General Manager: Madeleine Crouch


Bass World Editor: Connie Martin


Performance Competition Chair: Mark Morton


Makers Competition Chair: Dustin Williams


Composition Competition Chair: Szymon Marciniak


Research Competition Chair: Sarah Lahasky


Historian: David Murray