A native of Vermont, David Maker holds degrees and diplomas in Music from Michigan State University, the University of Connecticut, and The University of Calgary, with further studies at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. He is the Associate Head of the Music Department at the University of Connecticut, where he teaches Music Theory.
Having enjoyed a long career as a director of bands, he has written hundreds of musical arrangements, dozens of compositions and marching show designs, and has led performances throughout the northeastern United States and in many European capitals. Over a period of five years he was the only American adjudicator at the largest band festival in the world: the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands. Currently he writes for Spielmannszug Rödemis in Husum, Germany, and the Seventh Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in New London, Connecticut.
David Maker has played the historic Austin Cornelius Dunham Carillon at the University of Connecticut since 1994. He also plays carillon regularly at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and at the United Methodist Church in Simsbury, Connecticut. He is a student of Daniel Kehoe and Sally Slade Warner. His method of "adapted change ringing for carillon" is gaining widespread popularity in the U.S. His compositions for carillon are published by American Carillon Music Editions.
Catherine Dietz began studying music at the age of five. After completing course work in music theory at the University of Connecticut, she continued her adult studies through private instruction in jazz piano and improvisation, vocal score development, instrumentation, and composition. Several of her vocal scores have been performed at St. Dunstan's Church, Glastonbury, Connecticut, the St. Thomas Seminary’s Spiritual Life Center, Bloomfield, Connecticut, and by the Glastonbury Chorus. Her keyboard compositions have been performed at the Hartford Conservatory and at Trinity College. She is presently continuing an Independent Study in advanced theory and composition at her alma mater.