Musician and educator Michaelle Perros is set to become the Executive Director of the Great American Brass Band Festival. Current Director Missy Angolia will finish her duties at the end of June after hosting a fabulous 2022 Festival. Perros has been assisting Angolia in order to fully take over at the end of June but is very familiar with the Festival and what it means for Danville.

“I grew up right alongside the Festival. It has been a part of my upbringing from its beginnings and I am thrilled and honored to be at its helm bringing music, food, and all-around fun to this community and those that travel to enjoy the Festival year after year,” said Perros. She has been a long time patron of the festival, ensuring her attendance each summer. Perros has enjoyed the music of the festival for many years but has created a life in music all of her own, becoming the Assistant Band Director at Danville High School and performing all around Kentucky as a saxophonist and vocalist with several Lexington-based bands. Her time as an educator and performer has given her a fresh, new perspective that she is eager to bring to the Great American Brass Band Festival (GABBF).

“I’m excited at the opportunity to bring my ideas and experiences to this atmosphere and share the very thing that drives me most, music, with the City of Danville and promote the legacy of the Brass Band experience that I’ve loved all of my life,” Perros said. “My work as a performing musician and music educator have brought me great perspective that will allow me to honor the Festival’s history and continue to promote the tradition and excitement of Brass Band music.”

Angolia has been an integral part of the festival for many years, even before her Directorship. She was the Heart of Danville Main Street Program’s Event Coordinator from 2011-2015 and during that time, helped implement the very successful ‘Bayou and Brass’ street party on the Friday night of the Festival weekend. During her time as Executive Director of the GABBF, she was faced with the great challenge of COVID-19 and overcame much adversity with the pandemic and its protocols, having to cancel the 2020 festival just months before its date. The 2021 Festival was altered to accommodate pandemic restrictions but the 2022 Festival was fully swingin’, providing four days of family-friendly events, great food, great weather, and most importantly, great music.

“While I am sad that I am moving on from GABBF, I know that the Festival will be in great hands with Michaelle” Angolia said. “She worked tirelessly with me during the Festival last weekend and got first-hand ‘boots on the ground’ experience on just what it takes to make the event happen. She was able to see all of the working parts and meet and learn from all of our key volunteers, which will serve her well as she begins this new journey. I am excited for her and I know she will do a great job, and I will be here to guide her throughout the year, just as previous directors did for me.”

Angolia previously announced her resignation in April, and is transitioning to her new role as Member and Event Coordinator at Kentuckians for Better Transportation.

Danville native Perros is a Danville High School graduate and two-time graduate of the University of Kentucky with degrees in Equine Science and Music Education. Since her time at UK, she has been wearing hats as a thoroughbred industry professional, musician, and music educator. From work on horse farms and selling high-dollar thoroughbreds to performing music all around Kentucky and teaching band at Danville High School, she is prepared to take the lead of the Great American Brass Band Festival.

GABBF Board chairman Tom Tye adds, “We look forward to working with Michaelle in the future and the new perspective she will bring to the festival, both as a native daughter of Danville and with her own experience in the music world.”

For more information about the 33rd annual GABBF, June 1-4 2023, please visit www.gabbf.org or follow the Great American Brass Band Festival on Facebook.