Biographies

Board Members

Kevin Stefanik, President
Kevin Stefanik has played saxophone for 21 years.  His music education is primarily derived from lessons with Ed Fraedrich, a second-generation student of Marcel Mule.  He also has been in the Virginia State band, as well as ensembles at Virginia Tech including Saxophone Quartet, the Marching Virginians, and Wind Ensemble.  He currently resides in Roanoke and is an electrical engineer by trade.






Janet Clue, Secretary
Janet Clue is a graduate of Shenandoah University with a Bachelors Degree in Arts Management. She has played flute for over 20 years as a soloist and ensemble member. She worked in the music retail business for over 6 years in the Washington DC area. She is a member of the Blue Ridge New Music Collaborative. She has been a member of the Winds Of The Blue Ridge since 2014. She currently resides in Roanoke, Virginia with her husband and two daughters.  





Gary Kraterfield, Treasurer
Gary began playing bassoon in 1966.  In addition to his involvement with WOBR, he has performed with the Roanoke Valley Community Band, the Bedford Community Orchestra, the Valley Chamber Orchestra, and with a woodwind quintet.  Gary earned his MSCS degree at Virginia Tech and worked many years as a software analyst for GE before his retirement.  He and his wife, Susan, enjoy playing bridge and ballroom dancing in their spare time.





Bill Svec, Librarian
Bill Svec received his Bachelors and Master of Arts from Morehead State university in Kentucky where he spent four years as a faculty member upon graduation. He worked for the Roanoke County Schools as band Director at Cave Spring High School and serving as Fine Arts Supervisor before retiring.  He was the conductor of the Roanoke Youth Symphony; and the Wytheville Community College Concert Band for fifteen years. He served as Secretary of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association and was the National President of the American School Band Directors Association. He is currently the Librarian for the Winds of the Blue Ridge.


Shelbie Wahl-Fouts, Hollins University Representative


Bill Morris


David Graves


David Chittum

Mark Imperial
Mark Imperial has been playing clarinet since he was 7 years old.  He started on instruments early since his father was a high school band director.  Over the years he has played with the Tidewater Winds, the Roanoke Valley Community Band, the Valley Chamber Orchestra, and has been with the Winds of the Blue Ridge since its inception. He currently lives in Botetourt County and is a CPA by trade, and a music lover at heart.





Gretchen Miller
Gretchen Miller has a BA in Music and an MS in Counseling and teaches private flute lessons at The Bandroom. She plays with Roanoke Valley Community Band, Valley Chamber Orchestra, A-CHORD, a flute/guitar duo, and freelances at many churches in the valley. She is also active in the Roanoke Valley Hokie Club.  Go Hokies!!








Guest Conductors


Soloists