Michael Wootten (he/him) is a video producer in the University Marketing and Communications department at Fresno State, and is a freelance video producer and photographer. Prior to coming back to Fresno State, he worked as a Communication Manager with Camarena Health in Madera and a videographer with Granville Homes in Fresno. Michael graduated from Fresno State in 2016 with a B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism: Multimedia. Furthermore, Michael has been a part of the Bulldog Marching Band media team since 2015 and has also worked with many local high schools and drum corps including the Santa Clara Vanguard and Sacramento mandarins. He played various percussion instruments in the Bulldog Marching Band from 2011 to 2014 and was a drum set player in Bulldog Beat. Additionally, Michael performed with the basketball band, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, and percussion ensemble, and was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. In addition to giving his time to the Band Alumni Club, Michael serves on the Red Wave Indoor Fundraising Committee which is part of the Friends of the Bulldog Marching Band non-profit. Michael lives in Fresno with his wife, son, dog, and cat. He says he enjoys taking every opportunity he can to provide positive and impactful memories for his son. Michael is optimistic about the Band Alumni Club’s future. In his own words: “I am eager to usher in a new era of alumni engagement with the athletic bands at Fresno State and not only begin the relationship between students and alumni sooner to raise awareness of our cause, but also to show them the effect our efforts have on the programs.” 

William Melendez (he/him/they/them) is the Director of Bands ar Norman Glick Middle School in Modesto, CA, and is a freelance musician performing throughout the state. He graduated from Fresno State in 2013 with a B.A. in Music Education. Will played tenor saxophone and baritone in the Bulldog Marching Band from 2006 to 2012 and played alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone in Bulldog Beat. Additionally, he performed with the basketball band, wind orchestra, symphonic band, jazz orchestra, jazz ensemble, and Concert Choir, and was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. In addition to giving his time to the Band Alumni Club, Will is the Logistics Coordinator of the California Music Educators Association for the California All-State Music Education Conference. Michael is eager to get to work with the Band Alumni Club. In his own words: “I am looking forward to working with my fellow alumni to support the Bulldog Marching Band as it continues to be the Best Band in the West.”

Nwachukwu Oputa (they/she) is a Nigerian-American, multidisciplinary performer, creator, educator, and community builder based in Fresno, CA. They received their Theatre Arts B.A. from Fresno State with a minor in Deaf Studies.  They played clarinet in the BMB from 2012-2015 and remained involved as uniform manger and clarinet alternate until 2018

 She also performed with the symphonic band, basketball band, and Frente Dos. During her time at Fresno State she was heavily involved with the Cross Cultural and Gender Center and many of their related clubs and organizations. She was also a member and officer for Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority. They continue to contribute to their Central Valley community through the performing arts as an actor, director, vocalist, dancer, teacher, and more. She is currently on the board for the performing arts advocacy group EMPOWER and works with various local theaters and performance groups throughout the year. She is looking forward to being able to keep and strengthen the ties between current and past BMB members. She is hopeful that the group can help current and future BMB alumni stay connected to and network within their community even after graduation. 

Bree Porras (she/her) works in customer service for Hilton. She graduated from Fresno State in 2018 with a B.S. in Criminology: Victimology. Bree played piccolo for two years and was drum major for four years in the Bulldog Marching Band from 2013 to 2018. Additionally, she performed with the basketball band and symphonic band, and was a member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority where she also served as a district officer. Bree met her husband Ivan in the band and have two kids. They enjoy spending their time going to Disneyland. Bree is looking forward to working with the Band Alumni Club to create more opportunities for current BMB members to succeed. In her own words: “I think we have the opportunity to help BMB members in ways that have not always existed such as more scholarship opportunities and the ability to connect with alumni early on and prepare them for a professional career.” 

Alexis Holladay (she/her) is a Lead Graduate Degree Specialist in the Division of Research and Graduate Studies at Fresno State, and is a freelance bassist in the local theatre community. Alexis has nearly 20 years of professional experience in higher education including multiple positions at Fresno State, UC Merced, and Heald College. Alexis graduated from Fresno State first in 2004 with a BS. in Criminology Law Enforcement and again in 2008 with a M.S. in Counseling: Counseling and Student Services with a Specialization in Higher Education option. She played trumpet and mellophone in the Bulldog Marching Band from 2000 to 2005 and was a bassist in Bulldog Beat. Additionally, Alexis performed with the basketball band, wind orchestra, symphonic band, and jazz orchestra, and was a member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority and Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity. In addition to giving her time to the Band Alumni Club, Alexis serves as a counselor for the Western District of Tau Beta Sigma. Alexis lives in Clovis and says in her spare time she attends as many trivia nights as possible, loves watching anything Disney, Star Wars, or Marvel, and has a passion for traveling. Alexis is optimistic about the Band Alumni Club’s future. In her own words: “I am excited to continue building on the legacy created by those who began this great work by establishing more structure for the organization. I am also excited to expand homecoming and bring in more alumni of the program to participate!”