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Meet The Team
The business leaders of today
Trent Burkett
Area Sales Manager - Alabama
Trent Burkett is a veteran music educator with over 30 years of experience. In his career, he travelled regularly with his students and has had the opportunity to see many US cities. He currently serves as a Sales Director for the Guardian Travel Group and has been with the company since 2016.
Outside of his Educational and Professional career, Trent likes to travel with his family and is somewhat of a "Foodie". His favorite domestic destinations are Chicago and New Orleans, while his favorite international destinations are Ireland, Greece and France.
He believes that travel is important for students and gives them some of their most memorable experiences. "Not all classrooms have four walls. One of the most valuable opportunities for young developing minds is to travel. Travel opens up a world of opportunity and a deep understanding of the world as a whole. It is invaluable to the social and personal growth of a student. It broadens their horizons and forces them to think bigger than themselves. The memories made exploring with fellow students are those that will last a lifetime".
Trent enjoys all aspects of travelling. From the airport to the destination, he enjoys the sites, sounds, people and of course, the food. He enjoys meeting new people in new places. "I always consider travel a special occasion, so I'm one of those who still likes to dress up when flying".
In his daily life, while not on the road, Trent enjoys living on the Alabama Gulf Coast. This affords him and his family the opportunity to "roam" the Coastal Communities and the Mobile Bay area enjoying the various historic sites, cultures and cuisines that can only be found there. An occasional trip to nearby Biloxi or New Orleans is never out of the questions. A native of the Pensacola area, he resides in Daphne, Alabama with his wife Marjorie and their two boys, Collin and Brayden.
Trent Burkett is a veteran music educator with over 30 years of experience. In his career, he travelled regularly with his students and has had the opportunity to see many US cities. He currently serves as a Sales Director for the Guardian Travel Group and has been with the company since 2016.
Outside of his Educational and Professional career, Trent likes to travel with his family and is somewhat of a "Foodie". His favorite domestic destinations are Chicago and New Orleans, while his favorite international destinations are Ireland, Greece and France.
He believes that travel is important for students and gives them some of their most memorable experiences. "Not all classrooms have four walls. One of the most valuable opportunities for young developing minds is to travel. Travel opens up a world of opportunity and a deep understanding of the world as a whole. It is invaluable to the social and personal growth of a student. It broadens their horizons and forces them to think bigger than themselves. The memories made exploring with fellow students are those that will last a lifetime".
Trent enjoys all aspects of travelling. From the airport to the destination, he enjoys the sites, sounds, people and of course, the food. He enjoys meeting new people in new places. "I always consider travel a special occasion, so I'm one of those who still likes to dress up when flying".
In his daily life, while not on the road, Trent enjoys living on the Alabama Gulf Coast. This affords him and his family the opportunity to "roam" the Coastal Communities and the Mobile Bay area enjoying the various historic sites, cultures and cuisines that can only be found there. An occasional trip to nearby Biloxi or New Orleans is never out of the questions. A native of the Pensacola area, he resides in Daphne, Alabama with his wife Marjorie and their two boys, Collin and Brayden.
Mike Roberts
Area Sales Manager - Illinois & Minnesota
Mike Roberts hails from Orland Park, Illinois, and has a strong background in music education with a Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree from the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He spent five years as a dedicated band director, including time at Oswego East High School in the Chicago suburbs and Pontiac Township High School in central Illinois, where he honed his skills in organizing and leading student groups. Some of the highlight destinations were Ireland, Hawaii, Orlando, and New York City!
Currently, Mike is the Area Sales Manager for Illinois and Minnesota for Guardian Travel Group. In this role, he leverages his extensive background in music and education to create unforgettable travel experiences for students. His firsthand understanding of the transformative power of travel inspires him to help other educators plan and execute enriching trips that provide students with unique cultural and educational opportunities. Additionally, Mike is one of the Tour Managers for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps focusing on tour logistics.
Outside of work, Mike continues to stay connected to music by teaching marching band and offering private trumpet lessons. He also enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Jack, and their two dogs, Bandit and Stanley. Mike is excited to continue his journey with Guardian Travel Group, leveraging his experience in both music education and tour management to help others discover the joy and impact of group travel.
Mike Roberts hails from Orland Park, Illinois, and has a strong background in music education with a Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree from the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He spent five years as a dedicated band director, including time at Oswego East High School in the Chicago suburbs and Pontiac Township High School in central Illinois, where he honed his skills in organizing and leading student groups. Some of the highlight destinations were Ireland, Hawaii, Orlando, and New York City!
Currently, Mike is the Area Sales Manager for Illinois and Minnesota for Guardian Travel Group. In this role, he leverages his extensive background in music and education to create unforgettable travel experiences for students. His firsthand understanding of the transformative power of travel inspires him to help other educators plan and execute enriching trips that provide students with unique cultural and educational opportunities. Additionally, Mike is one of the Tour Managers for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps focusing on tour logistics.
Outside of work, Mike continues to stay connected to music by teaching marching band and offering private trumpet lessons. He also enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Jack, and their two dogs, Bandit and Stanley. Mike is excited to continue his journey with Guardian Travel Group, leveraging his experience in both music education and tour management to help others discover the joy and impact of group travel.
Kati Seiter
Area Sales Manager - Wisconsin
Kati Seiter is currently a music educator in Wisconsin. Since 2002, she has taught mostly middle school band students but has also worked with elementary and high school band students. She is a past president of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Junior All-Stars of Music Program through Guardian Travel.
In the 20+ years she has worked with middle and high school students, Kati has traveled within and outside of the United States. Of note, she has traveled with students of all ages to London, Chicago, New York City, Washington D.C., Wisconsin Dells, Orlando and more. She has also traveled to Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Hawaii through the Wisconsin All-Stars of Music, junior and senior programs.
Kati loves to travel and equally loves to help others experience the joy of traveling to somewhere new. Some of her best memories include traveling with students, adults, and beyond. She loves to explore new cultures while enjoying their way of life and the food.
Kati has a bachelor's degree from UW-Whitewater in music education and a master’s degree from Alverno College (Milwaukee) in adaptive education. She is in demand as a middle-level band clinician and is a strong advocate for all students. She is a long-time member of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association through the National Association for Music Education as well as the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA). When not teaching or traveling, Kati can be found performing on oboe and English horn, as well as several other woodwind instruments, in concert bands, orchestras, and pit orchestras.
Kati is looking forward to working with groups to create an incredible travel experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
Kati Seiter is currently a music educator in Wisconsin. Since 2002, she has taught mostly middle school band students but has also worked with elementary and high school band students. She is a past president of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Junior All-Stars of Music Program through Guardian Travel.
In the 20+ years she has worked with middle and high school students, Kati has traveled within and outside of the United States. Of note, she has traveled with students of all ages to London, Chicago, New York City, Washington D.C., Wisconsin Dells, Orlando and more. She has also traveled to Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Hawaii through the Wisconsin All-Stars of Music, junior and senior programs.
Kati loves to travel and equally loves to help others experience the joy of traveling to somewhere new. Some of her best memories include traveling with students, adults, and beyond. She loves to explore new cultures while enjoying their way of life and the food.
Kati has a bachelor's degree from UW-Whitewater in music education and a master’s degree from Alverno College (Milwaukee) in adaptive education. She is in demand as a middle-level band clinician and is a strong advocate for all students. She is a long-time member of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association through the National Association for Music Education as well as the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA). When not teaching or traveling, Kati can be found performing on oboe and English horn, as well as several other woodwind instruments, in concert bands, orchestras, and pit orchestras.
Kati is looking forward to working with groups to create an incredible travel experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
Amanda Johnson
Area Sales Manager - Texas
Amanda Johnson is a veteran music educator with 20+ years of experience. She studied at West Texas State (now WT A&M) University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Music Therapy from Utah State University. She earned a Master’s of Music Education from Tarleton State University. Her teaching career began in her hometown of Clovis, New Mexico where she worked at her Alma Mater Clovis High School for two years. She made the move to Texas in 2000 when she took a job in Arlington, TX at Ousley Jr. High. After six years in Arlington, Mrs. Johnson took over as the Band Director at Scurry-Rosser ISD in Scurry, TX. While there she began the tradition of traveling with the band and showing her students the world beyond their small hometown! Trips with the Scurry-Rosser Band have been to Galveston, San Antonio, and Dallas TX, Memphis TN, and Disney World in Florida.
Amanda loves traveling with her family and introducing her daughter to the beauties of nature and history of the various destinations. The best trip to date with the family was a five-week road trip in the RV making a big circle through Midwestern America. The family also enjoys traveling to various resorts in Mexico. Amanda’s favorite trip by far as a member of a performing ensemble was when she traveled to Ireland with the USU Band to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin!
Mrs. Johnson and her husband Marvin recently built their dream home in rural Lively, TX on a small piece of land. They have two daughters, four grandkids, one dog, two cats, and expect the number of animals and grandkids to grow in the future.
Amanda Johnson is a veteran music educator with 20+ years of experience. She studied at West Texas State (now WT A&M) University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Music Therapy from Utah State University. She earned a Master’s of Music Education from Tarleton State University. Her teaching career began in her hometown of Clovis, New Mexico where she worked at her Alma Mater Clovis High School for two years. She made the move to Texas in 2000 when she took a job in Arlington, TX at Ousley Jr. High. After six years in Arlington, Mrs. Johnson took over as the Band Director at Scurry-Rosser ISD in Scurry, TX. While there she began the tradition of traveling with the band and showing her students the world beyond their small hometown! Trips with the Scurry-Rosser Band have been to Galveston, San Antonio, and Dallas TX, Memphis TN, and Disney World in Florida.
Amanda loves traveling with her family and introducing her daughter to the beauties of nature and history of the various destinations. The best trip to date with the family was a five-week road trip in the RV making a big circle through Midwestern America. The family also enjoys traveling to various resorts in Mexico. Amanda’s favorite trip by far as a member of a performing ensemble was when she traveled to Ireland with the USU Band to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin!
Mrs. Johnson and her husband Marvin recently built their dream home in rural Lively, TX on a small piece of land. They have two daughters, four grandkids, one dog, two cats, and expect the number of animals and grandkids to grow in the future.
Peggy Bukar
Account Executive
Peggy has spent most of her working career with United airlines in many different jobs including: customer service; airport operations management; inflight product planning & onboard amenities management; airport lounges strategic planning and operations management.
Peggy's passions include travel, gardening; long walks with my dogs; and anything to do with family. Some of her favorite and most memorable spots to travel include all islands in Hawaii; Fiji; Bali; Guam; Italy & Germany. Working with Guardian allows me to combine my experience within the travel industry with the opportunity to explore an exciting new chapter in group travel.
Peggy has spent most of her working career with United airlines in many different jobs including: customer service; airport operations management; inflight product planning & onboard amenities management; airport lounges strategic planning and operations management.
Peggy's passions include travel, gardening; long walks with my dogs; and anything to do with family. Some of her favorite and most memorable spots to travel include all islands in Hawaii; Fiji; Bali; Guam; Italy & Germany. Working with Guardian allows me to combine my experience within the travel industry with the opportunity to explore an exciting new chapter in group travel.
Lisa Bagley
Travel Consultant
Travel Consultant
LBagley@GuardianTravelGroup.com
Lisa Bagley is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Westwood Regional Middle School in Westwood, New Jersey. She began teaching in the Westwood School District in 2000 and in her tenure has directed the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choruses, the High School Concert Choir, Cardinal Chorus and Chamber Singers. Her choirs have traveled extensively across the United States and Europe and have consistently earned Excellent and Superior Ratings at festival. The groups have performed in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Hawaii, Austria, and Italy.
Lisa received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano and voice from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey and also holds a Master of Arts degree in Music Education from Columbia University Teachers College in New York City. She has served as guest conductor for the 2009 Bergen County NJ Middle School Chorus, the 2014 Morris County NJ Honors Choir, and the 2017 North Jersey Junior High Region SSA Choir. Lisa is also the Music Director at Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church in Pearl River, New York.
Travel has been a constant passion for Lisa both in her work and personal life. Providing travel experiences for her students has been one of her greatest joys as an educator. She views working with other educators to help provide this experience for their students as the next step in developing this passion. Some of her favorite personal travel destinations include New Orleans, Disney World and Disneyland, Mexico, and Ireland!
Lisa currently resides in New City, New York with her husband Mickey, son Sean, and kitty Jeter. When not working and traveling she can be seen singing with the Rockland Camerata in Pearl River, New York.
Travel Consultant
LBagley@GuardianTravelGroup.com
Lisa Bagley is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Westwood Regional Middle School in Westwood, New Jersey. She began teaching in the Westwood School District in 2000 and in her tenure has directed the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choruses, the High School Concert Choir, Cardinal Chorus and Chamber Singers. Her choirs have traveled extensively across the United States and Europe and have consistently earned Excellent and Superior Ratings at festival. The groups have performed in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Hawaii, Austria, and Italy.
Lisa received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano and voice from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey and also holds a Master of Arts degree in Music Education from Columbia University Teachers College in New York City. She has served as guest conductor for the 2009 Bergen County NJ Middle School Chorus, the 2014 Morris County NJ Honors Choir, and the 2017 North Jersey Junior High Region SSA Choir. Lisa is also the Music Director at Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church in Pearl River, New York.
Travel has been a constant passion for Lisa both in her work and personal life. Providing travel experiences for her students has been one of her greatest joys as an educator. She views working with other educators to help provide this experience for their students as the next step in developing this passion. Some of her favorite personal travel destinations include New Orleans, Disney World and Disneyland, Mexico, and Ireland!
Lisa currently resides in New City, New York with her husband Mickey, son Sean, and kitty Jeter. When not working and traveling she can be seen singing with the Rockland Camerata in Pearl River, New York.
Kyle Whitehead
Travel Consultant
Kyle Whitehead is the Director of Bands at Estevan Comprehensive School in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada. He has been in the position since 2010 and has been in charge of the Grade 9 Band, Sr. Band, Jazz Band and been Co-Director of three musicals in his time at ECS. His groups have travelled across the US and Canada to festivals and on tours as well as marched in the 2013 Grey Cup Parade in a balmy -30 degrees Celcius!
Prior to Estevan, Kyle held the position of Jr. High Band Master in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada and was in charge of the Grade 7 and 8 band programs, Jr. Jazz Bands, Co-Organizer of the Nor-Man Honour Band Festival, Nor-Man Jazz Festival, Tour planner for joint Jr. and High School band trips and started a Beginner Band Kick Start Camp in Conjunction with Music Education Students and Professors from Brandon University.
Kyle graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with a B.S. in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education. He is a member of the Saskatchewan Band Association, Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Woodwind Instructor at the Kenosee Summer Band Camp, and has been the Chairman of the Whitehead Foundation for the Arts in Western Manitoba for 14 years.
Kyle Whitehead is the Director of Bands at Estevan Comprehensive School in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada. He has been in the position since 2010 and has been in charge of the Grade 9 Band, Sr. Band, Jazz Band and been Co-Director of three musicals in his time at ECS. His groups have travelled across the US and Canada to festivals and on tours as well as marched in the 2013 Grey Cup Parade in a balmy -30 degrees Celcius!
Prior to Estevan, Kyle held the position of Jr. High Band Master in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada and was in charge of the Grade 7 and 8 band programs, Jr. Jazz Bands, Co-Organizer of the Nor-Man Honour Band Festival, Nor-Man Jazz Festival, Tour planner for joint Jr. and High School band trips and started a Beginner Band Kick Start Camp in Conjunction with Music Education Students and Professors from Brandon University.
Kyle graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with a B.S. in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education. He is a member of the Saskatchewan Band Association, Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Woodwind Instructor at the Kenosee Summer Band Camp, and has been the Chairman of the Whitehead Foundation for the Arts in Western Manitoba for 14 years.
Art Martinez
Travel Consultant
Arturo “Art” Martinez is Director of Bands at Monmouth-Roseville High School in Monmouth, Illinois. He is a proud alumnus of Western Illinois University and also is a member of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra.
Music has always been a passion of his and from middle school, onward he has enjoyed all the various experiences and opportunities all thanks to his former teachers and professors. It’s these unique experiences and opportunities he wishes, not only for his own students to partake in, but through the Guardian Travel team he can help other students and school’s achieve their travel goals and provide a lifelong experience that they will cherish forever.
Arturo “Art” Martinez is Director of Bands at Monmouth-Roseville High School in Monmouth, Illinois. He is a proud alumnus of Western Illinois University and also is a member of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra.
Music has always been a passion of his and from middle school, onward he has enjoyed all the various experiences and opportunities all thanks to his former teachers and professors. It’s these unique experiences and opportunities he wishes, not only for his own students to partake in, but through the Guardian Travel team he can help other students and school’s achieve their travel goals and provide a lifelong experience that they will cherish forever.
John Sweat
Travel Consultant
John Sweat is the Director of Orchestras and the Guitar Ensemble at Howard High School. From his first year of teaching in 1996, he incorporated travel into his classes. His students have performed several times at both the Walt Disney World and Universal Resorts in Orlando, FL. In addition to these trips, John has guided his students on performing and historical discovery itineraries, at home and abroad.
From an early age, John’s parents instilled in him the importance of travel as a major component of a person’s education and life experience. He grew up traveling across the country on road trips that
spanned weeks as they explored places from Las Vegas to Washington, D.C. His love for travel has never diminished, having designed, and led tours through wonderful destinations around the nation and in Europe. When traveling with friends and family, you might find John in his favorite destination – Italy, where he has led numerous tours.
John believes that travel is an imperative part of a fulfilled life. His philosophy regarding travel is that we are meant to immerse ourselves as fully as possible into our newfound destinations. When exploring a new place, John works to ensure that his travelers are experiencing their visit as a local would. John is thrilled to be a part of Guardian Travel. He is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to collaborate with you and to assist you in planning an itinerary that will not only be memorable, but life changing.
“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet” – Rachel Wolchin
John Sweat is the Director of Orchestras and the Guitar Ensemble at Howard High School. From his first year of teaching in 1996, he incorporated travel into his classes. His students have performed several times at both the Walt Disney World and Universal Resorts in Orlando, FL. In addition to these trips, John has guided his students on performing and historical discovery itineraries, at home and abroad.
From an early age, John’s parents instilled in him the importance of travel as a major component of a person’s education and life experience. He grew up traveling across the country on road trips that
spanned weeks as they explored places from Las Vegas to Washington, D.C. His love for travel has never diminished, having designed, and led tours through wonderful destinations around the nation and in Europe. When traveling with friends and family, you might find John in his favorite destination – Italy, where he has led numerous tours.
John believes that travel is an imperative part of a fulfilled life. His philosophy regarding travel is that we are meant to immerse ourselves as fully as possible into our newfound destinations. When exploring a new place, John works to ensure that his travelers are experiencing their visit as a local would. John is thrilled to be a part of Guardian Travel. He is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to collaborate with you and to assist you in planning an itinerary that will not only be memorable, but life changing.
“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet” – Rachel Wolchin
Brian Austin
Travel Consultant
Brian Austin is in his thirty second year of teaching as the Director of Orchestras and Music Technology at Shaker High School just north of Albany NY. Brian received a Bachelor of Music Education from the Crane School of Music and a Masters in Education from SUNY Albany.
As director of the Shaker High School Orchestras, Mr. Austin’s groups have consistently received the top honors at state performance festivals. They have also traveled on numerous occasions to perform where they have received the highest commendations from adjudicators at those competitions.
Brian has organized and been a part of many music trips with destinations including Hershey Pennsylvania, Busch Gardens Virginia, Washington D.C. as well as numerous trips to Walt Disney World in Florida. He also served as the Orchestra Manager for the Empire State Youth Orchestra's trip to Portugal.
“I feel that travel is an important part of any performing groups program not only to showcase the students abilities to others outside of their local area , but also for the long lasting memories that are created for those students that participate in these trips. Guardian is a company that is made up of teachers that understand just that and I am very excited to be a part of this company!”
Brian Austin is in his thirty second year of teaching as the Director of Orchestras and Music Technology at Shaker High School just north of Albany NY. Brian received a Bachelor of Music Education from the Crane School of Music and a Masters in Education from SUNY Albany.
As director of the Shaker High School Orchestras, Mr. Austin’s groups have consistently received the top honors at state performance festivals. They have also traveled on numerous occasions to perform where they have received the highest commendations from adjudicators at those competitions.
Brian has organized and been a part of many music trips with destinations including Hershey Pennsylvania, Busch Gardens Virginia, Washington D.C. as well as numerous trips to Walt Disney World in Florida. He also served as the Orchestra Manager for the Empire State Youth Orchestra's trip to Portugal.
“I feel that travel is an important part of any performing groups program not only to showcase the students abilities to others outside of their local area , but also for the long lasting memories that are created for those students that participate in these trips. Guardian is a company that is made up of teachers that understand just that and I am very excited to be a part of this company!”
Donita Willis
Travel Consultant
Donita Willis is an experienced educator who has directed more than 12 plays for the community and has taken numerous students to over 10 One Act Play competitions. She enjoys helping students become characters and telling a story through acting. She has been selected to be Teacher Honor Crew for the state competition.
She also spent 19 years at a Christian school teaching various classes including drama and directing the Choraliers, a show choir. The choir went to many competitions and even took first place in the UIL state competition. The choir and drama class performed many musicals together, among them, “Singing in the Rain,” “Music Man,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Annie,” “Twentieth Century Celebration,” and many more. One of the most memorable moments was taking the Choraliers to dance and sing with “America Sings” in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 2001.
As a teacher and tour director, she enjoyed traveling with students and her travels have included; Spain, Mexico, Greece and Italy, Puerto Rico, New York City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and 10+ trips to Washington.
Donita holds a Bachelors in Music Education and has a double major in all-level music and Spanish. She attended Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. Her love for traveling began with her travel courses in college. She spent the month of January studying the History of Hawaii in Hawaii, Conversational Spanish in Mexico and was part of the 50 voice Acapella Choir, the Heritage Singers, who took a 7 country choir tour in Europe singing in 15 concerts. The highlight of this trip was being the first Evangelical group to sing in the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Donita has been married for 37 years, has 4 daughters, 1 bonus daughter and is now raising her grandchildren. She has 9 grandchildren and loves being a wife, mom, and grandmother. Her passion is her family and being involved with their activities.
Donita is so excited to plan the perfect trip for any ensemble, language group, or just a group interested in traveling.
Donita Willis is an experienced educator who has directed more than 12 plays for the community and has taken numerous students to over 10 One Act Play competitions. She enjoys helping students become characters and telling a story through acting. She has been selected to be Teacher Honor Crew for the state competition.
She also spent 19 years at a Christian school teaching various classes including drama and directing the Choraliers, a show choir. The choir went to many competitions and even took first place in the UIL state competition. The choir and drama class performed many musicals together, among them, “Singing in the Rain,” “Music Man,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Annie,” “Twentieth Century Celebration,” and many more. One of the most memorable moments was taking the Choraliers to dance and sing with “America Sings” in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 2001.
As a teacher and tour director, she enjoyed traveling with students and her travels have included; Spain, Mexico, Greece and Italy, Puerto Rico, New York City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and 10+ trips to Washington.
Donita holds a Bachelors in Music Education and has a double major in all-level music and Spanish. She attended Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. Her love for traveling began with her travel courses in college. She spent the month of January studying the History of Hawaii in Hawaii, Conversational Spanish in Mexico and was part of the 50 voice Acapella Choir, the Heritage Singers, who took a 7 country choir tour in Europe singing in 15 concerts. The highlight of this trip was being the first Evangelical group to sing in the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Donita has been married for 37 years, has 4 daughters, 1 bonus daughter and is now raising her grandchildren. She has 9 grandchildren and loves being a wife, mom, and grandmother. Her passion is her family and being involved with their activities.
Donita is so excited to plan the perfect trip for any ensemble, language group, or just a group interested in traveling.
Joyce Gray
Travel Consultant
Joyce Gray loves learning about cultures and languages through travel and personal experiences. As a lifelong teacher of English, Spanish, and ESL, she delights in sharing these interests with others. Joyce also works with foreign exchange students, which enables her to combine her love of young people, cultures, and travel.
Joyce grew up in rural west Texas with an intense curiosity about the world. She graduated summa cum laude from Tarleton State University, but her education only began there. She continually endeavors to discover the connections between literature, history, art, languages, and the people who have created them. She believes travel reveals all aspects of culture in the most meaningful and memorable way.
Joyce taught at Strawn, TX, for many years, then went to Graham, TX, and currently teaches Spanish at Brock, TX. She learns from her students, just as they do from her. Over the years, Joyce has led student trips to Costa Rica, New York, and Washington, D.C. She enjoys taking exchange students to see the sites and rich cultural history of Texas: the capitol in Austin, the Alamo and other Spanish missions in San Antonio, the German heritage of Fredericksburg, NASA in Houston, the cultural melting pot of Galveston, and more!
Joyce lives with her life partner Robert in Mineral Wells, TX, and they share several kids and grandkids, who bring them so much joy. Recent adventures include trips to Alaska, Colorado, and Arizona. Joyce loves to write essays, editorials, and stories, and is a compulsive journal writer since the age of eight. In every spare moment, Joyce is reading, writing, tending to the yard, and planning her next trip!
Joyce Gray loves learning about cultures and languages through travel and personal experiences. As a lifelong teacher of English, Spanish, and ESL, she delights in sharing these interests with others. Joyce also works with foreign exchange students, which enables her to combine her love of young people, cultures, and travel.
Joyce grew up in rural west Texas with an intense curiosity about the world. She graduated summa cum laude from Tarleton State University, but her education only began there. She continually endeavors to discover the connections between literature, history, art, languages, and the people who have created them. She believes travel reveals all aspects of culture in the most meaningful and memorable way.
Joyce taught at Strawn, TX, for many years, then went to Graham, TX, and currently teaches Spanish at Brock, TX. She learns from her students, just as they do from her. Over the years, Joyce has led student trips to Costa Rica, New York, and Washington, D.C. She enjoys taking exchange students to see the sites and rich cultural history of Texas: the capitol in Austin, the Alamo and other Spanish missions in San Antonio, the German heritage of Fredericksburg, NASA in Houston, the cultural melting pot of Galveston, and more!
Joyce lives with her life partner Robert in Mineral Wells, TX, and they share several kids and grandkids, who bring them so much joy. Recent adventures include trips to Alaska, Colorado, and Arizona. Joyce loves to write essays, editorials, and stories, and is a compulsive journal writer since the age of eight. In every spare moment, Joyce is reading, writing, tending to the yard, and planning her next trip!
Holly Carson
Account Executive
Holly Carson worked for five years as a band director in New York State. In that time she has traveled with her own students to NYC, and directed jazz, marching, and concert bands. She is now the Administrative Director for the I Am Music Group in addition to working as a consultant with Guardian. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in music education from Nazareth University and her Master’s Degree in Music Education from Buffalo State College. She has been published in School Band and Orchestra Magazine and is in print for an upcoming 2024 issue with NAFME’s Music Educators Journal.
She has marched in the London New Year Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Washington DC National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, and the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Holly is passionate about the value that group travel brings to music programs across the country and knows how important a well planned, yet flexible itinerary is for a large trip. She likes to plan flex time into a trip both to account for unexpected events as well as allowing students some supervised independence in how their time is spent. These moments were the most memorable in her experiences.
Holly is an avid gardener and spends her free time with her daughter, husband, and two small dogs!
Holly Carson worked for five years as a band director in New York State. In that time she has traveled with her own students to NYC, and directed jazz, marching, and concert bands. She is now the Administrative Director for the I Am Music Group in addition to working as a consultant with Guardian. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in music education from Nazareth University and her Master’s Degree in Music Education from Buffalo State College. She has been published in School Band and Orchestra Magazine and is in print for an upcoming 2024 issue with NAFME’s Music Educators Journal.
She has marched in the London New Year Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Washington DC National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, and the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Holly is passionate about the value that group travel brings to music programs across the country and knows how important a well planned, yet flexible itinerary is for a large trip. She likes to plan flex time into a trip both to account for unexpected events as well as allowing students some supervised independence in how their time is spent. These moments were the most memorable in her experiences.
Holly is an avid gardener and spends her free time with her daughter, husband, and two small dogs!
Rick Gabrillo
Travel Consultant
With over 25 years as a successful veteran choir director in Texas, Rick has been the conductor of public, private, and parochial choral programs throughout the greater Austin area. Rick’s love of touring began in his second year of teaching when the band, choir, and orchestra programs at his school took a combined trip with over 350 students in 7 tour buses to New Orleans. Things he will never forget include the energy of the road trips, the performances with excited students, restaurant conversations, fantastic swamp boat tours and coffee in the French Quarter, and students’ laughing and making new friends each day of the tour.
Continuing his work with Grammy-winning Conspirare and the Conspirare Youth Choirs, Rick personally built their first tour to Washington D.C. He learned first-hand the intricacies of the many details that go into booking travel, accommodations, scheduling events and itineraries, and most-importantly, planning for tour participant communications and safety. The key lesson that now guides all his tour planning is that a well-crafted tour must have all the largest and smallest details in place and always confirmed. Students and directors can then be free to relax and enjoy a successful music tour: creating beautiful music in exciting venues, strengthening friendships, and opening eyes and hearts to new and exciting places in the world.
With his professional singing as a member of Conspirare and his own directorship of the St. Louis Catholic Church Traditional Choir for 14 years, Rick gained a love of world travel, performing and directing in several countries throughout Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, the Czech Republic, Austria), Canada (Quebec), the U.K and Ireland, and Scandinavia. Some very special trips include attending three times the Grammys in Los Angeles. Something he will never forget is meeting people of all nationalities and communicating through music. He enjoys learning words and phrases in new languages to open doors and create connections. In fact, throughout the years, his travels inspired him to gain a basic conversational level of French with which he has put to good use with over 14 visits to various French cities over the past 20 years.
Rick is thrilled to be joining the Guardian Music Team and is eager to use his decades of school and church tour organizational skills to help you and your group have the best trip possible! He will help your group gain wonderful memories and unforgettable moments that will last a lifetime.
With over 25 years as a successful veteran choir director in Texas, Rick has been the conductor of public, private, and parochial choral programs throughout the greater Austin area. Rick’s love of touring began in his second year of teaching when the band, choir, and orchestra programs at his school took a combined trip with over 350 students in 7 tour buses to New Orleans. Things he will never forget include the energy of the road trips, the performances with excited students, restaurant conversations, fantastic swamp boat tours and coffee in the French Quarter, and students’ laughing and making new friends each day of the tour.
Continuing his work with Grammy-winning Conspirare and the Conspirare Youth Choirs, Rick personally built their first tour to Washington D.C. He learned first-hand the intricacies of the many details that go into booking travel, accommodations, scheduling events and itineraries, and most-importantly, planning for tour participant communications and safety. The key lesson that now guides all his tour planning is that a well-crafted tour must have all the largest and smallest details in place and always confirmed. Students and directors can then be free to relax and enjoy a successful music tour: creating beautiful music in exciting venues, strengthening friendships, and opening eyes and hearts to new and exciting places in the world.
With his professional singing as a member of Conspirare and his own directorship of the St. Louis Catholic Church Traditional Choir for 14 years, Rick gained a love of world travel, performing and directing in several countries throughout Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, the Czech Republic, Austria), Canada (Quebec), the U.K and Ireland, and Scandinavia. Some very special trips include attending three times the Grammys in Los Angeles. Something he will never forget is meeting people of all nationalities and communicating through music. He enjoys learning words and phrases in new languages to open doors and create connections. In fact, throughout the years, his travels inspired him to gain a basic conversational level of French with which he has put to good use with over 14 visits to various French cities over the past 20 years.
Rick is thrilled to be joining the Guardian Music Team and is eager to use his decades of school and church tour organizational skills to help you and your group have the best trip possible! He will help your group gain wonderful memories and unforgettable moments that will last a lifetime.
Kelly Temple
Travel Consultant
Travel Consultant
KTemple@GuardianTravelGroup.com
Kelly Temple is a retired choir teacher of 25 years. She has been on staff with Guardian Travel Group since 2017 and has loved her travel time with them. Throughout her teaching career, Kelly traveled with her students to various destinations including: Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas, San Antonio, and South Padre. She believes there is so much to gain through student travel. A person’s world just opens up to so many more possibilities through travel experiences.
As a high school student and college student, Kelly had the opportunity to do extensive travel out of the country to many European countries as well as travel around the United States. It is a goal of hers to travel to all 50 states and as many countries as possible.
Another area of interest for Kelly is Faith-Based travel. There are so many opportunities for church groups of any age to experience the Holy Land and all of the places mentioned in the bible. There are also some wonderful places here in the United States to visit and enhance a person’s faith.
Kelly has been married since August of 1990 to her husband Greg. Together they have two sons, Parker & Kyle. Both boys are grown and looking forward to starting their own married lives soon. Hobbies Kelly enjoys include: riding motorcycles, playing pickle ball, volunteering at church, running, health coaching and going to theme parks.
Kelly is passionate about travel and about people and is excited to work with any group of any size. She is grateful to be a part of Guardian Travel Group and looks forward to many more adventures.
Travel Consultant
KTemple@GuardianTravelGroup.com
Kelly Temple is a retired choir teacher of 25 years. She has been on staff with Guardian Travel Group since 2017 and has loved her travel time with them. Throughout her teaching career, Kelly traveled with her students to various destinations including: Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas, San Antonio, and South Padre. She believes there is so much to gain through student travel. A person’s world just opens up to so many more possibilities through travel experiences.
As a high school student and college student, Kelly had the opportunity to do extensive travel out of the country to many European countries as well as travel around the United States. It is a goal of hers to travel to all 50 states and as many countries as possible.
Another area of interest for Kelly is Faith-Based travel. There are so many opportunities for church groups of any age to experience the Holy Land and all of the places mentioned in the bible. There are also some wonderful places here in the United States to visit and enhance a person’s faith.
Kelly has been married since August of 1990 to her husband Greg. Together they have two sons, Parker & Kyle. Both boys are grown and looking forward to starting their own married lives soon. Hobbies Kelly enjoys include: riding motorcycles, playing pickle ball, volunteering at church, running, health coaching and going to theme parks.
Kelly is passionate about travel and about people and is excited to work with any group of any size. She is grateful to be a part of Guardian Travel Group and looks forward to many more adventures.
CJ Brincefield
Travel Consultant
CJ Brincefield is originally from Lima, OH and graduated in 2016 from Ohio Northern University with a degree in music. While attending ONU, CJ was active in many performing ensembles where he was able to tour with these ensembles. He was also able to experience many different cultures through these ensembles including The ONU Steel Drum Band as well as the ONU Ghanaian African Drumming Ensemble. While in college, he had the opportunity to tour Italy, Canada, NYC, New Orleans and Germany as well. One highlight of his college travel experience was the University Singers National Tour where the choir traveled to 26 states over the course of five weeks.
Upon graduation, CJ was music substitute teacher and was also a freelance trumpet player in Ohio and Indiana. He started teaching in public school as an assistant band director before transitioning to a band and choir director full time. There he taught grades 6-12 and took his students on trips including Cedar Point for their “Performance in the Park” series as well as Chicago to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade and New Orleans. He believes that giving students the opportunity to travel helps to broaden their horizons, seek new experiences and, above all, create lifelong memories with friends.
In his personal life, CJ gives private trumpet lessons and plays professionally in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. He resides in Ohio with his wife, son and their basset hound, Millie. He loves traveling to experience different cultures, food, sightseeing and of course, performances. Some of his favorite destinations include New Orleans, the Pacific Northwest, Northern Michigan and Germany. CJ is very excited to join Guardian Travel Group to help students and educators bring lasting memories through travel opportunities.
CJ Brincefield is originally from Lima, OH and graduated in 2016 from Ohio Northern University with a degree in music. While attending ONU, CJ was active in many performing ensembles where he was able to tour with these ensembles. He was also able to experience many different cultures through these ensembles including The ONU Steel Drum Band as well as the ONU Ghanaian African Drumming Ensemble. While in college, he had the opportunity to tour Italy, Canada, NYC, New Orleans and Germany as well. One highlight of his college travel experience was the University Singers National Tour where the choir traveled to 26 states over the course of five weeks.
Upon graduation, CJ was music substitute teacher and was also a freelance trumpet player in Ohio and Indiana. He started teaching in public school as an assistant band director before transitioning to a band and choir director full time. There he taught grades 6-12 and took his students on trips including Cedar Point for their “Performance in the Park” series as well as Chicago to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade and New Orleans. He believes that giving students the opportunity to travel helps to broaden their horizons, seek new experiences and, above all, create lifelong memories with friends.
In his personal life, CJ gives private trumpet lessons and plays professionally in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. He resides in Ohio with his wife, son and their basset hound, Millie. He loves traveling to experience different cultures, food, sightseeing and of course, performances. Some of his favorite destinations include New Orleans, the Pacific Northwest, Northern Michigan and Germany. CJ is very excited to join Guardian Travel Group to help students and educators bring lasting memories through travel opportunities.
Kamilyn Davis
Travel Consultant
Kamilyn began touring with choirs as a member of the Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus in Northern California. Her high school choir tours took her to all the states from Maine to Florida and all the time zones from Ukraine to Siberia. She toured with college choirs all throughout the continental US and also to Alaska, Israel and Italy.
She grew up studying piano, violin, pipe organ and conducting. One of her main musical influences was her aunt who was one of the first women to play in a major symphony orchestra in the US.
Highlights of her 26 years of professional life include singing with her sons in Carnegie Hall, providing piano accompaniment for the Sacramento Children’s Chorus on a tour of Finland and the Baltic States and conducting a choir tour to Sweden.
Kamilyn is now living by the beach in Southern California and finishing a masters degree in education from USC while her two sons study jazz drums at Cal State Northridge and composition for film at LA College of Music. She is looking forward to facilitating fabulous travel experiences for musicians through Guardian Travel Group!
Kamilyn began touring with choirs as a member of the Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus in Northern California. Her high school choir tours took her to all the states from Maine to Florida and all the time zones from Ukraine to Siberia. She toured with college choirs all throughout the continental US and also to Alaska, Israel and Italy.
She grew up studying piano, violin, pipe organ and conducting. One of her main musical influences was her aunt who was one of the first women to play in a major symphony orchestra in the US.
Highlights of her 26 years of professional life include singing with her sons in Carnegie Hall, providing piano accompaniment for the Sacramento Children’s Chorus on a tour of Finland and the Baltic States and conducting a choir tour to Sweden.
Kamilyn is now living by the beach in Southern California and finishing a masters degree in education from USC while her two sons study jazz drums at Cal State Northridge and composition for film at LA College of Music. She is looking forward to facilitating fabulous travel experiences for musicians through Guardian Travel Group!
Laurie Van Houten
Travel Consultant
Laurie Van Houten has decades of experience teaching French and History. She holds a B.A. from Kalamazoo College and an M.A. from Michigan State University. While at “K”, she spent 6 months studying at the University of Clermont-Ferrand. In 1997 she was chosen to be a part of a Rotary Club Group Study Exchange and was able to spend 5 weeks in Western France staying with families and learning about their region of France. In 2003, she was awarded an NEH grant to again spend 5 weeks in France. This time, she was with 13 other U.S. educators and two professors from Texas A & M. They spent their time studying the French Occupation during World War II. Since 1998, Laurie’s school has hosted students from the Lycee Jean Monnet in Strasbourg for two weeks every year. She finds host families and organizes field trips for the French students. She has also taken students back to Strasbourg for a similar exchange.
Throughout her career, she has made traveling with students a priority and has led many groups on excursions to France and neighboring countries. Few things bring Laurie more joy than seeing her students using the language they’ve been studying and making cultural and linguistic connections. She has copious experience in planning trips to match the specific needs of a group and giving them a trip that caters to their wants. She looks forward to helping you plan the perfect trip for your group.
Laurie Van Houten has decades of experience teaching French and History. She holds a B.A. from Kalamazoo College and an M.A. from Michigan State University. While at “K”, she spent 6 months studying at the University of Clermont-Ferrand. In 1997 she was chosen to be a part of a Rotary Club Group Study Exchange and was able to spend 5 weeks in Western France staying with families and learning about their region of France. In 2003, she was awarded an NEH grant to again spend 5 weeks in France. This time, she was with 13 other U.S. educators and two professors from Texas A & M. They spent their time studying the French Occupation during World War II. Since 1998, Laurie’s school has hosted students from the Lycee Jean Monnet in Strasbourg for two weeks every year. She finds host families and organizes field trips for the French students. She has also taken students back to Strasbourg for a similar exchange.
Throughout her career, she has made traveling with students a priority and has led many groups on excursions to France and neighboring countries. Few things bring Laurie more joy than seeing her students using the language they’ve been studying and making cultural and linguistic connections. She has copious experience in planning trips to match the specific needs of a group and giving them a trip that caters to their wants. She looks forward to helping you plan the perfect trip for your group.
Matthew Granger
Chief Executive Officer
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