Robert Skamai is a 1970 graduate of Shannock Valley High School  where he was vice president of his class.  He earned a B.S. in Music Education from IUP in 1974 and a masters equivalency from Duquesne University in 1993.  He is a founding member of the Armstrong Brass Quintet.  He has performed with the Golden Knights for 31 years and the Merry Makers Polka Band for 11 years.  He was the concert director of the Kittanning Fireman’s Band for 2 years and has been the choir director of St. Mary’s of Yatesboro for 33 years.  He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild and participated in the 1st Gordon Institute for Music Learning.  He has taught for 28 years in the Armstrong School District and his bands have performed at the PMEA Conference in 1993 and 1996 and the MENC All East Conference in 1999 and 2001.  He has been married to Peggy Palilla for 21 years and they have 5 children:  Bobby, Kathryn, David, Tommy and Anna.  In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, gardening, reading, and playing trumpet.