Dale Fedele
Dale is Lucas’s clarinet instructor and has been pivotal in helping Lucas be the best he can be.
Dale Fedele is a clarinetist based in Gainesville, Florida, and the Principal Clarinetist of The Gainesville Orchestra. A graduate of the University of Florida, he is active as a performer, educator, and recording artist, sharing solo and orchestral performances through his online platforms, including featured appearances with The Gainesville Orchestra. His work includes performances of major clarinet repertoire such as Copland’s Clarinet Concerto and “Pines of the Janiculum,” where he has been spotlighted as a soloist. In addition to his orchestral work, Dale maintains a private teaching studio and an active YouTube channel focused on clarinet performance and mouthpiece comparison videos, reaching a global audience of students and enthusiasts.
gainesvilleorchestra
https://www.instagram.com/dalefedele
Lucas, Mr Loffredo and Ms Atteberry at Florida FMEA All-State in Tampa
Michael Loffredo and Summer Atteberry
Kanapaha Middle School’s band program is led by Head Band Director Michael Loffredo and Assistant Director of Bands Summer Atteberry, both accomplished music educators with strong records of student achievement and recognition in the community. Mr. Loffredo, a multi-award-winning band director and University of Florida–trained music educator, has been Lucas’s band director since the beginning of 6th grade, and his super‑positive attitude and deep love of music have inspired Lucas in such a positive way, helping him grow as a musician and reach his full potential. Ms. Atteberry, an experienced conductor, marching band specialist, and low‑brass performer, brings additional depth to the program through her work with Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, color guard, and choir, giving Kanapaha students a rich and well‑rounded musical experience.
https://sites.google.com/gm.sbac.edu/kanapahamsband/home/staff
Steve Sklar
Steve Sklar runs the YouTube channel “Gotta Love the Knowledge.”
We became friends with Steve virtually. He’s always willing to answer our questions and help guide Lucas and me whenever we have woodwind repair questions—from needle springs to bore gauges to tonehole sealing. This man is a wealth of knowledge.
He has an excellent YouTube channel and has produced a ton of videos. We watched many of his videos over and over while we perfected our techniques. A shout‑out to Steve for helping Lucas and me.
We’ve exchanged many an email with Steve. Steve, Lucas, and I can’t thank you enough for your knowledge and help. “Ya Gotta Love the Knowledge,” and you have a ton. Thanks for helping and sharing it with Lucas and for encouraging the next generation of woodwind repair techs.
Wes Lee
Shout‑out to Wes Lee out of Petal, Mississippi.
Wes also runs a YouTube channel and is just a cool cat. He’s very methodical and loves his profession. Wes does quality work, and it shows. Lucas and I have watched all of his videos over and over, helping us dial in our craft and technique. Wes was the inspiration for Lucas and me to build our own magnehelic machines. We use many of his techniques in our restoration processes. Thanks, Wes, for helping us hone our craft.
Wes Lee is a band instrument repair technician based in Petal, Mississippi, specializing in everything from small play‑condition fixes to major restorations of woodwind and brass instruments. Through his Wes Lee Music Repair YouTube channel, where he has over 130,000 subscribers and hundreds of repair videos, he documents in detail the diagnosis and correction of complex issues such as tonehole damage, severe dents, frozen slides, and full overhauls. His long‑form tutorials and walkthroughs on saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, and other school band instruments have made his shop and channel a trusted resource for both repair technicians and band directors looking to better understand professional repair standards.
https://www.youtube.com/@wesleemusicrepair9820