Meet the Board
Tammi Croteau was appointed as the Artistic Director of the Tampa Community Band in May 2025. She holds a Bachelors degree in Instrumental Music Education from Troy State University and a Master of Music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also a retired Army officer, having started her military career as a musician in the 151st Army National Guard Band in Montgomery, Alabama.
As the Artistic Director, Tammi keeps the fun and welcoming spirit of the Tampa Community Band going strong, just as our previous director, Jahn Van de Putte, did for the last 26 years. From Jimmy Buffett to Ozzy Osbourne to John Philip Sousa, you never know what you’ll get to play, but you can be sure you’ll have a good time making great music and memories together!
Tammi is active in community bands and orchestras throughout the Tampa Bay area, performing regularly on oboe, cello, flute, saxophone, and clarinet. In her spare time, she loves traveling, painting, photography, writing, and spending time with her friends and her furbabies.
Tammi Croteau
Artistic Director
Gerry Maffeo
President
Gerry was appointed President of the Tampa Community Band in September 2025. A lifelong musician, he began playing the trumpet in third grade and continued private study throughout high school.
Gerry attended the Valley Forge Military Academy and College, where he performed with the Regimental Band. During his time there, he toured throughout the United States, performing with the Fanfare Trumpets, Regimental Marching Band, Cadets Dance Band, and Concert Band.
Over the years, Gerry has studied with several distinguished trumpet instructors and performers, further developing his musicianship. He currently serves as Trumpet Section Leader for the Tampa Community Band and performs with several ensembles throughout the Tampa area, including the Florida Jazz Express.
In 2024, Gerry and his wife, Beth, toured Italy with the Florida Symphonic Band. He is also preparing for an upcoming six-city concert tour through Holland, France, and Belgium with the ensemble.
As both a performer and leader, Gerry is dedicated to supporting community music and fostering excellence within the Tampa Community Band.
Kathy Vasser
Vice President
Kathy was elected Vice President of the Tampa Community Band in September 2025. She began playing the flute in seventh grade and continued through eleventh grade. After a hiatus of more than 40 years, she rediscovered her love of music and returned to playing the flute.
Today, Kathy is an active member of several community bands and was honored to perform with the Florida Orchestra during its inaugural Play Out Concert. As the Tampa Community Band's flute section leader, she enjoys supporting and encouraging her fellow flutists while helping the section perform at its best. She continues to grow as a musician and values every opportunity to share her passion for music with others.
Kathy is grateful for the friendships, camaraderie, and rewarding experiences that community band has brought into her life, and she looks forward to many more years of making music with the ensemble. Outside of music, she enjoys swimming, gardening, drawing, and hiking.
Alex Vasquez
Secretary
Alex is the assistant section leader of the French Horn section.
Jeanette Sung
Treasurer
Jeanette is the section leader of the clarinet section.
Tom Barber
Assistant Director
Chris Garcia
Historian
Assistant Digital Librarian
Allen Cheek
Head Librarian
Art Stoutenburg
Assistant Digital Librarian
Earl Hughes
Operations Manager
Julie Carey
Social Manager
Cynthia Zinober
Scheduler
Paige Gale
Website & Social Media Manager
Meet the Band
Section Leaders
Kathy Vasser, flutes
Jeanette Sung, clarinets
Tammi Croteau, double reeds
Betsy Nungesser, saxophones
Harold Goldberg and Alex Vazquez (asst.), French horns
Gerry Maffeo and Jeff Seligsohn (asst.), trumpets
Earl Hughes and Chris Garcia (asst.), low brass
Gary Carroll and Carl Woodruff, percussion