Heartland International Tattoo Event Staff

Michael Th. EmbreyMichael Th. Embrey, Producer and Executive Director

Michael Embrey is Executive Director for the Heartland International Tattoo and CHO of FunME Events® Entertainment. He has been active in the area of special events, music, entertainment and education for the past 30 years; as a musician and arranger for the United States Air Force Academy Band/Drum Corps; he created the first Drum Corps styled university marching band, complete with a variety of auxiliaries units at Northern Illinois University. As a clinician and adjudicator, he has traveled the United States and Canada. He has produced many music festivals, talent searches, pageants and special events. He has arranged music and drills routines for several drum and bugle corps. With his background in musical theater, he is in demand as a clinician and visual technician. He currently writes and produces variety shows and musical revues featuring vocal and musical groups.

Dallas NiermeyerDallas Niermeyer, Musical Advisor

Mr. Niermeyer is the Musical Director of the Prairie Brass Brand, and. Music Caption Head for Drum Corp International. Graduate of NorthWestern University, Mr. Niermeyer has taught school in Illinois and New Jersey for the past 30 years. Mr. Niermeyer is also a national adjudicator for both concert band and drum and bugle corp.

Jennifer WhitingJennifer Whiting, Choral Director

Mrs. Whiting conducts the DeKalb Festival Chorus as well as the Northern Illinois Masterworks Chorale in Rockford. She holds a bachelor’s degree in piano from Rockford College and a master’s degree in choral conducting from Northern Illinois University. A church music director and piano teacher for many years, Jennifer currently is an adjunct faculty member at Rock Valley College where she teaches voice, piano, and music theory.

George Astling, Assistant Director

Mr. Astling is coordinating the arena technical requirements and various performance group requirements for the Heartland Tattoo. He is a Special Events Director for FunME Events Music Festival Competitions and Festival In The Parks programs. He also manages the computer network and website for the Heartland Tattoo and affiliated companies (FunME Events, MusicFestivalsToYou.com, etc).

Lisa Morreale, Dance Coordinator

Mrs. Morreale currently runs a dance studio in the Northern Illinois area. She is the principle choreographer for the Northern Illinos University Silverettes. Mrs. Morreale is a former member of the Hubbard Street Dance program, Chicago IL.

Heartland International Tattoo Advisory Board

Michael Th. Embrey, CHO
FunME Events – Excursions & Entertainment

TBD, Executive VP

Ed Dempsy, Marketing Director
Drum Corps International

Kevin Selover, Marketing Director
NIU Convocation Center