Eryn Carranza, Eb Tuba
Eryn Carranza is the band director at South Fayette High School and South Fayette Intermediate School. She is also a member of the West Hills Symphonic Band. Eryn obtained her degree in music education from Bowling Green State University and was fortunate to study with Velvet Brown throughout her undergraduate studies. Eryn lives in South Fayette with her daughter, Alycia.
Cam Huffmyer, Bb Tuba
Cameron Huffmyer picked up the tuba in 2006, after starting on the trumpet in fourth grade. Since then, he has learned to play most of the brass instruments, mainly focusing on trombone, euphonium, and tuba. He graduated from North Hills High School in 2013, and attended Slippery Rock University before taking some time off to be with family. Additionally, he has played in many local organizations, such as the River City Youth Brass Band under Drew Fennell, Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra under James Nova, and his church worship band. He was one of the inaugural recipients of the Allegheny Brass Band scholarship in 2013, and joined the band in 2015. He has studied under Len Lavelle, Phil Van Ouse, and Matthew Murchison. When not playing music, he enjoys spending time with his 2 daughters, Cady and Carsyn; he also enjoys playing video games and reading for pleasure.
Chris Papik, Eb Tuba
Chris Papik has played tuba for over 15 years and joined the Allegheny Brass Band in 2009. He has studied with Matthew Shiner, Pat Sheridan, Tucker Jolly, and Phil VanOuse. During his school years in Mars he participated in PMEA Honor Bands, Bands of America Honors Bands, and various ensemble groups.He attended Malone College (now University) in Canton, OH, earning a B.S. in Music Education. While there he participated in marching band, concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band, multiple brass quintets, as well as choral groups. He studied music directing with Dr. Neil McMullian, music theory and composition with Dr. Jesse Ayers, voice with Dr. Jerry Giger, and piano with Mrs. Sandra Carnes.Chris also participates in the Saint Kilian Parish choir with his wife Michelle, who sings and plays flute. You may see her with their daughter, Noelle, at concerts for the band.
Scott Eisenreich, Bb Tuba
A native of the North Hills of Pittsburgh, Scott Eisenreich has been performing all things low brass professionally since he was 15 years old. With his undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and Master’s Degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Scott served in the First US Army Band as euphonium soloist, in the brass quintet on tuba, the jazz ensemble on trombone and the rock ensemble on trombone and vocalist.
His extensive performance experience includes The River City Brass Band, The Pittsburgh Symphony, Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Pittsburgh Broadway Series, Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, McKeesport Orchestra. Favorite celebrity performances include Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush, Bob Hope, Billy Porter, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra Jr., Eugene Ormandy, and Lee Greenwood.
Scott currently works for UPMC as a Senior Software Engineer and can currently be seen performing with the Allegheny Brass Band, West Hills Symphonic Band, and several other small ensembles in addition to his beloved Red Hot Ramblers.
Jim Stillwagon, Bb Tuba
Jim Stillwagon is a native of Uniontown, PA . He is a graduate of Duquesne University where he studied tuba with Matthew Shiner. While there he was a member of the prestigious Duquesne Brass Ensemble.
He taught in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for 34 years before retiring. He was an original member of the River City Brass Band playing in the group for 27 years and can be heard on the two recordings Polished Brass and All American available on iTunes, Alexa, and Pandora. He has also performed with Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice, Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra, Pittsburgh Pirates Bucco Band, Kennywood Circus Band, and many freelance assignments.
Jim and his wife Natalie who was also a music teacher reside in West Mifflin. They have two sons James , a member of the River City Brass and music teacher at Pine Richland School District and Jeremy, A Physical Education Teacher in the Gateway School District and the elected State Constable for West Mifflin. They have 6 grandchildren (2 are Tuba players).
Jim’s hobbies include skeet shooting, archery hunting, and fishing.