Heartland International Tattoo Event Staff
Michael 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 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 Whiting, Choral Director
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


