DIRECTORS

Ginger Van Ells, Conductor

Ginger Van Ells holds a BA from UW-Green Bay (1995), a MME from Silver Lake College (2014) and is certified in choral, instrumental and general music education. Since 2000, she has worked for the Green Bay Area Public Schools as a music specialist and since 2007 has been enjoying teaching music at the elementary level. Having played with the Marine Band for several years prior to starting a family, Ginger rejoined as a member of the clarinet section, playing mostly bass but you could find her filling in where needed throughout the band. In 2018, Ginger moved into the Assistant Director’s position and in 2023 was named Interim Director. If she looks familiar, it may be due to the fact that she is no stranger to the stages of Manitowoc. She has been with Treehouse Theatre since 2014 and the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble since 1987. Ginger is married to Brian and together they have 4 children, who are all involved with the Manitowoc Marine Band, too.

Joey O’Connor, Assistant Conductor

Joey O’Connor attends Lawrence University in Appleton, WI studying music education, trumpet, and composition. O’Connor has played trumpet with the MMB for three seasons. He has performed five times in the WSMA State Honors Ensembles, serving as principal trumpet in 2018 and 2021. In addition, he has performed in several other honors ensembles throughout the state as well as at Carnegie Hall in 2018. O’Connor spends much of his free time composing and has earned over 20 awards for his various jazz, wind ensemble, orchestral, choral, and chamber compositions. He is grateful to have conducted performances of several of his compositions with ensembles in Manitowoc and has served as the orchestra conductor for Peter Quince Performing Company. O’Connor has also been commissioned by the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra and composes film scores for independent media companies. In 2022, he won Best Original Score in the Prodigy International Film Competition. He is thrilled to be working with the MMB this season.