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, Sandor Ostlund.

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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.

Michael T. Geib

Board Position: Technology Chair
University / Organization: University of Central Oklahoma and Geib Musik
ISB member since 2010
What I Love About ISB: What I love most about the International Society of Bassists is the immediate sense of family. No matter where you are in the world or what style of music you play, the ISB connects us through a shared passion, creating a supportive global community where we constantly learn from and lift up one another.

Hollie Greenwood

Board Position: Diversity Chair
University / Organization: Freelance Bassist and String Educator
ISB member since 2018
What I Love About ISB: The ISB is composed of so many people with different backgrounds, experiences, and careers. Diversity is a very multifaceted term, and everyone's voice and story contributes to such a special environment.

Tommy Hawthorne

Board Position: Chair, Development Team
University / Organization: Education Manager for Tacoma Youth Symphony Association, Lecturer of Double Bass at Central Washington University
ISB member since 2022

Lindsay Lam

Board Position: Membership Chair
University / Organization: Eastern Mennonite University; Bridgewater College; Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra; Roanoque Baroque
ISB member since 2005
What I Love About ISB: I absolutely love the way that the ISB connects bass players — whether it's through the conventions, magazine, or online community, I am always discovering what we are up to! I see the latest compositions and publications, pedagogy advancements, luthiery and bow-making, gear! — what strings and rosin are hot right now, and most importantly, I see what other bass players are achieving! I have bass-friends all over the world, and it's all because of the ISB. I am passionate about bringing in as many new friends as possible!

Gaelen McCormick

Board Position: Past-President
University / Organization: Eastman Performing Arts Medicine; Eastman Community Music School
ISB member since 2010
What I Love About ISB: I love that we can connect across styles, geographies, ages, and professional careers. Every convention has been a gigantic "homecoming" with old friends who are like family, and I enjoy the ease of making new friends during our double bass deep dive week. ISB allowed me to see myself in pros like Diana Gannett and Kristin Korb, and to get facetime with bass makers to ask the nerdiest of questions. Through ISB I have become a better teacher, player, and mentor.

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: Governance Chair
University / Organization: University of Wyoming, Laramie; Sphere Ensemble; Colorado Bach Ensemble
ISB member since 2016
What I Love About ISB: Joining the International Society of Bassists has been one of the best decisions I have made in my musical career. Our members come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we all share a common passion for all things bass. You can't beat being part of a community that constantly pushes the boundaries of our instrument and holds a genuine sincerity in supporting one another. In addition, the resources and opportunities that the ISB provides are exceptionally unique. It truly is an inspiring and welcoming organization focused on uniting bassists of all ages and levels through a shared love of music!

Sandor Ostlund

Board Position: President
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!

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!

Dennis Whittaker

Board Position: President-Elect, 2027 Convention Chair
University / Organization: Principal Double Bassist, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra; Retired, Orchestra Director, Clear Creek ISD
ISB member since 1986
What I Love About ISB: ISB embodies the approach of "It's OK to be smart and talented and still have fun". ISB has been my people, and also my source of learning, connection, innovation, inspiration, and excellence for as long as I can remember. My career (and countless others!) would not have happened without the joy and energy of Gary Karr — the leader of "paying it forward" — and the community of enthusiastic low-enders around the world.

Adjunct to the Board

General Manager: Madeleine Crouch


Bass World Editor: Grayson Broesch


Social Media Manager: Kathryn Bradley


Performance Competition Chair: Mark Morton


Maker's Competition Chair: Dustin Williams


Composition Competition Chair: Szymon Marciniak


Research Competition Chair: Sarah Lahasky


Historian: David Murray