Henco Espag (he/him) is a South African–born composer, pianist, orchestrator, conductor, and music director whose work spans concert, theatre, and film. He holds a B.Mus in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music—where he received the Georges Delerue Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Film Scoring—and an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from New York University. He is also a two-time recipient of the South African National Arts Council bursary. 

As a film composer, orchestrator, and sound designer, Henco’s credits include The Runner from Ravenshead (Little Crew Productions) and the ASL queer musical short Disconnected with writer and director Dickie Hearts. His works have been performed internationally, including at the World Choir Games in Xiamen, China, and the National ATKV Choir Competition in Cape Town, South Africa.

Henco’s piano compositions—Herinneringe, Mistieke Feetjies, and the forthcoming Spaanse Kerjakker en Rinkink—have been premiered and recorded by Yamaha Artist James Adler on award-winning Albany Records albums. With collaborators Briana Harris and Andi Lee Carter, he is developing new musicals Pompeii Rising (sold-out concerts at Judson Memorial Church, 2022–23) and Tyromancy: Live (Theatre Now New York, 2025). He is also a Music Director, working on the development of new musicals in NYC, and served as Resident Music Director for Surflight Theatre (2013–2014).

Henco served as Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Freedom Band (2011–2016) and was appointed AD for the Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band and Small Ensembles program in 2016. Both organisations premiered and performed many of his original compositions and arrangements. He is Music Director of Judson Memorial Church and music faculty at Saint Peter’s University, having previously served as faculty, music director, and accompanist at Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University. Henco lives in Brooklyn with his fiancee, Saul Medina. He loves to travel, collect colourful shoes, build LEGOS, and celebrate life in full colour, sparkles and sequins.

Lee Hartman (he/him) is a composer, conductor, educator, and advocate whose career balances imagination, scholarship, and community building. Currently serving as Director of Advancement and Outreach for the Performing Arts and Interim Director of the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble at the University of Southern Maine, Lee brings his artistry and ingenuity to both the stage and the community.

A proud graduate of the University of Missouri–Kansas City (DMA, MM) and the University of Delaware (BM), where he was a Dean’s Scholar, Lee studied with composers James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, and Jennifer Margaret Barker. His music has earned support from the Missouri Arts Council, Sigma Alpha Iota, ArtsKC, and more.

As Artistic Director of the Mid America Freedom Band for twelve seasons, he led the ensemble to new heights—earning national recognition including the American Prize finalist nod in 2021 and the Pride Bands Alliance Innovative Programming Award in 2022. His leadership extended internationally when he served as Artistic Director for the Gay Games X in Paris.

Lee’s compositions have been performed by ensembles across the country including the Rainbow City Pride Band, Arkansas State Wind Ensemble, and the International Double Reed Society. Whether conducting, composing, or championing new music, he remains a fierce believer that the arts are essential.

Deborah Hirsch (she/her) is celebrating her tenth season as Artistic Director of the Houston Pride Band. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she grew up immersed in drum corps through her father’s involvement. Starting on violin, she joined the band world in high school by learning the clarinet and saxophone and still loves performing from “the other side of the baton,” playing with the Houston Pride Band and Pride Band Alliance ensembles, including memorable appearances at World Pride in New York City (2019) and Washington, D.C. (2025).

She earned her bachelor’s degree in music therapy and music education from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in music from Texas A&M University–Commerce. Before moving to Texas, Deborah served in the 312th Army Band in Lawrence, Kansas.

After a 37-year career as a band director in Pasadena, Texas- named Teacher of the Year in 2014—Deborah now works as a clinician, adjudicator, mentor and consultant across the state. She is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Women Band Directors International, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.

Deborah and her wife, Teresa, enjoy theater, travel, and cruising, and share their home with Snickerdoodle, their cat.