Butler Percussion Ensemble to Perform at Statewide Conference

The Butler Community College Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Kim Trujillo and Brett Martinez, received an invitation to perform at the 2026 Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) In-Service Workshop on Thursday, February 26, at Century II Convention Center in Wichita. 

Being chosen to perform at the workshop is the highest honor a performing ensemble can receive in the state. Over the last decade, only five community college ensembles have performed at the workshop. Of those five, this year's Percussion Ensemble is the third to represent Butler, following the Clarinet Quartet in 2016 and the Jazz Ensemble last year. 

Music directors from across the state submit applications and recordings of three ensemble selections in order to be considered. Independent review committees then evaluate and prioritize submissions in a blind audition process. 

Butler Instrumental Music Chair Martinez is looking forward to the special opportunity. “Foremost, this achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students,” said Martinez. “But I must also acknowledge the excellent instruction and support our students receive from our outstanding faculty.” 

The KMEA In-Service Workshop is an annual event where speakers, performers and vendors gather to represent the best of music education throughout the state. 

Members of the Percussion Ensemble (listed by hometowns): 

Arkansas City 

Elizabeth Blatchford 

Douglass 

Nayara Sanchez 

Harper 

Dayne Easley 

Lawrence 

Thomas Kaufman 

Mulvane 

Cheyanne Bullard 

Loren Gonzalez 

Potwin 

Alexander Hendricks 

Rosalia 

Kianna Mantanona 

Sedgwick

Daniel Hammond 

Wichita 

Lachlan Donaldson-Loescher 

Kate Grilliot 

Donte Melton 

Emmanuel Trice 

Jackson Wenger