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| 2007 Spokane Thunder Staff Members |
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Rich Harvey - Corps Director - director@spokanethunder.org |
| Rich has been a Greater Spokane Drum Corps Association Board Member for the past two years. During this time he has been actively involved with strategic planning, fundraising, and event coordination. Additionally, Rich has served as a chaperone on the 2006 and 2007 DCI tours and is very excited to serve the Spokane Thunder in this new capacity.
Rich is also the president of the Central Valley Band and Colorguard Boosters, and is Client Services Manager for Avaya Inc.(telecommunications). He lives in Spokane with his wife Carol, and his daughter Rebecca currently plays Mellophone with Spokane Thunder.
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Jon Kersten - Visual Designer - jckersten@hotmail.com |
| Jon Kersten is the founder and serves as the Executive Director of the Florida Marching Band Tournament. The adjudication sheets and system he designed are utilized by Florida, the Mid-State Band Directors Association as well as Louisiana and a few other band circuits and individual shows. He is a past Drum and Bugle Corps Director, Designer and Percussion Instructor with the Florida Wave, and instrumental in founding two of the Florida Color Guard Circuits and the FFJA Adjudication Association that now judges throughout the United States. He was a founding Board Member, and current designer for Pageantry Arts Concepts which supports Medea IW, Stryke PIO, and Infinity PIW units in WGI. He has designed over 700 marching and indoor ensembles with numerous national titles and awards in DCI, WGI and BOA. His High school Marching Bands have been state finalists over 50 times in six states and accounted for 13 State Championships. He adjudicates and clinics on a State and National Level. His involvement in the pageantry arts has led to producing, staging and choreographing large scale convention events, Music Festivals, College Bowl Game Halftimes, Television Commercials and even some Music Videos as chief designer for Music ‘n Motion Productions. |
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Nicholas Golding - Arranger, Brass Caption Head, Co-Program Coordinator - goldingna@aol.com |
| Nick Golding lives in Commerce, Georgia, where he is a freelance horn player in the North Georgia area. He began playing horn in North Carolina, majoring in music at Western Carolina University. After one short year at WCU, Nick answered the call of his nation by serving for seven years in the United States Navy music program. As an active duty sailor, Nick served the music program in many capacities, ranging from brass quintet to wind ensemble. His last two and a half years were spent as the staff arranger for the US Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, FL.
Nick used his Naval service as an opportunity to pursue lessons with many noted hornists, such as Sam Compton, principal horn of the Memphis Symphony, Kevin Reid, principal horn of the Jacksonville Symphony, David Cripps, former principal horn of the London Symphony, and Calvin Smith, principal horn of both the Knoxville and Long Beach Symphonies.
Among the various Navy Bands, Nick was also a member of the River City Brass Band, where he performed with Dave Steinmeyer, former lead trombone for the Airmen of Note, Bill Prince, formerly of the Buddy Rich Band, Mark Dickman, former member of the Louis Bellson Band, and “Major” Mike Davis, former director of the Disney Music Program. Nick is currently a member of the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, under the direction of John Head.
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Trevor Cox - Visual Caption Head - lilsapph11@aol.com |
| Trevor Cox currently resides in Orlando, FL, teaching English at Cypress Creek High School. His drum corps marching experience is with Carolina Crown from 2000 to his age out year in 2002. He played both baritone and euphonium while marching with Crown. He has taught several high school bands in Florida, including Hagerty High, Boone High, and mainly Cypress Creek High for the past 6 years. While at Cypress Creek, they have won two state championships, including the individual visual caption both times. His drum corps instructing career began in 2003 with Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, as a low brass tech. In 2004 he supported the Seattle Cascades as a visual tech, and was there through the 2006 season. His instructional influences are John Freeman, Larry Markiewicz, and Michael James. Currently Trevor also serves as the Assistant Director for The Knights Winter Guard, based in Orlando, FL. He also has been elected to the executive board for the Florida Federation of Colorguard Circuit as a class representative, as well as working as a soundman for the both circuit and WGI shows. He is very excited about the possibilites that he has at Spokane Thunder.
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Jeffrey Willis - Percussion Caption Head, Co-Program Coordinator - jeffrey.willis@ocps.net |
| Jeffrey L. Willis is currently the Assistant Director of Bands at Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, Florida. His responsibilities include teaching the Jazz Ensemble as well as every aspect of the percussion program at Cypress Creek. In 2006-2007, Willis was the Assistant Director of Bands at Nimitz High School in Irving, Texas.
In May of 2006, Mr. Willis graduated with a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Texas Christian University, where he studied with Dr. Brian West, Dr. Richard Gipson, Paul Rennick, and Joey Carter. In addition, Willis attained his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Florida, where he studied with Jeff Moore.
Mr. Willis has also been involved in the drum and bugle corps activity for over 12 years, having marched with the Magic of Orlando from 1994-1999. In 2006, Willis was appointed as Percussion Caption Head and Arranger for the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps from Jacksonville, Florida. In addition, he served as co-arranger with the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle corps from 2000-2003.
Jeffrey is a proud educational endorser of ProMark drumsticks and mallets. |
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Kristofer Hammond - High Brass Technician - khh05@fsu.edu |
| Kristofer Hammond was born in Erie, PA and moved to Greenville, SC at age 15. During his senior year of high school, he attended the “Fine Arts Center,” a magnet school for the arts. During the summers of 1998 and 1999, he was also a soprano player for the Tarheel Sun Drum and Bugle Corps. Immediately after graduation in 2001, he won an audition and was accepted into the U.S. Navy’s music program as a trumpet instrumentalist. After completing boot camp, Kris was sent to the Navy’s 21-week “School of Music” in Little Creek, VA and qualified for accelerated graduation in half the time.
With orders to the “7th Fleet Band,” Kris was flown to Yokosuka, Japan where he spent three years as lead trumpet in the big band “Far East Edition” and principal trumpet of the brass quintet “Shonan Brass.” In such ensembles, he toured 14+ countries (including Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, and Russia) in South East Asia on 7th Fleet's flag ship "USS Blue-Ridge." While in Japan, he also performed joint concerts with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra as co-principal trumpet. Playing standard marches and larger orchestral works such as Capriccio Italien, 1812 Overture, La damnation de Faust, Rhapsody in Blue, and Fanfare for a Common Man. The TSO later released a live CD of the concert “American Sounds of Yokosuka” in 2003.
Having been Honorable Discharged from the Navy in 2005, Kristofer was then accepted into FSU’s College of Music for trumpet performance. A student of Dr. Moore (An Eastman graduate and former member of the “Chestnut Brass Company” - Grammy winners for their CD “Hornsmoke” in 2000.), Kris stays busy in many of the top ensembles and anticipates graduation in 2009.
Kristofer now teaches and freelances in the Florida Panhandle, having performed most recently with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. In 2006, Kris was a high brass technician for the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, a capacity that he is excited to serve in with Spokane Thunder.
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Anthony King - Front Ensemble Technician - kingjames83@yahoo.com |
| Anthony J. King has a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Central Florida, where he studied under Professors Jeffrey Moore, Kirk Gay and Jim Yakas. While at UCF, Anthony performed with the “pop” and chamber percussion ensembles as ensemble member and featured soloist, and with the “Black Steel” steel band. He was percussion section leader in the concert band, under the direction of Ron Ellis as well as the wind ensemble under Dr. Richard Greenwood; and played in Dr. Lazlo Marosi’s symphony orchestra.
His rudimental percussion background includes service as section leader and arranger for the University of Central Florida Marching Knights, and membership in the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps in 2002 and the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004.
As an educator, Anthony has taught Cypress Creek, Deland, University, Lake Howell, and Boone High Schools in the Orlando, Florida area, and along with Jeff Willis, served as percussion composer and arranger for the 2006 Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, in Jacksonville.
Anthony is currently working to attain a master’s degree in percussion performance from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. He performs with the wind orchestra, directed by Thomas G. Leslie and Tad Suzuki, the Star of Nevada Marching Band, led by Anthony LaBounty, the “Ragtime Rebels” marimba band, Kurt Rasmussen’s Brazilian ensemble “Mocidade Rebelde,” and in small percussion ensembles. Anthony’s graduate studies are directed by Dr. Dean Gronemier.
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Robert Barcelo - Percussion Technician - xmagnumheartx@gmail.com |
| Robert Barcelo was born and raised in Miami, FL. After high school, Robert went on to become the Bassdrum Technician and Co-Caption Head for Charles W. Flanagan High School from 2003-2006. Throughout those years, he marched with Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps for the 2003 season. In 2004, he aged out on bass drum with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps. Also in 2004, Robert was a part of The Cadets of Bergen County's Performance Group, where he performed in Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks home opener half time show. After a short absence from the drum corps activity he returned in the 2006 season to be the Bassdrum Technician for Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps. Robert also has been involved in W.G.I. activity, marching in Independent Open Class under South Florida Percussion Company and instructing in Scholastic World Class for Cypress Bay Percussion Theater. Currently Robert lives in Orlando, FL and teaches the bassline at Cypress Creek High School, who recently won the Class 4A State Championship.
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Sam Tarrel - Percussion Technician - skyubadrumming@hotmail.com |
| Sam Tarrel was born in Mountain View California, growing up in San Jose, and has lived the past 9 years in Hillsboro Oregon, just outside of Portland. He is currently the Director of Percussion for the St. Helens school district in St. Helens Oregon. Over the past 4 years he has been an active educator in the Portland metro area, teaching at Evergreen, Westview, Centennial, and Beaverton High Schools, among others. His marching experience began in 2003 when he marched snare with the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. He continued with the Crusaders in 2004 when they won the Division 3 world championship in Denver, Colorado. In 2005, he joined the Seattle Cascades, and in 2007 he aged out with the Arizona Academy. He has had the privilege of studying with some of the most influential people in drum corps today, including Mike Apodaca, David Reeves, Jeff Queen, Jeff Ausdemore, Murray Gusseck, Ralph Hardimon, and Glen Crosby. He is currently studying for his Bachelors of Music degree at Portland Community College, while performing with the Portland Trail Blazers Drumline. Sam looks forward to a great season with Spokane Thunder, and is excited about everything the season has in store. |
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Zac Robason - Percussion Technician - zac.d.robason@tcu.edu |
| Zac Robason is currently the percussion instructor at Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He received his college education at Texas Christian University where he is currently finishing his undergraduate degree in music education. During his tenure at TCU, Zac studied with several great faculty members such as Dr. Brian West, Paul Rennick, and Joey Carter. He has also been a part of the marching band, the top percussion ensemble, steel band, the symphony orchestra, and the wind symphony. Zac has been affiliated with many percussion groups including the WGI group Surround Sound and the TCU indoor drum line. In 2006, he was pleased to march snare drum with the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps from Jacksonville, FL. |
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Kathryn (Kat) Lagge - Caption Head - Colorguard - gumby_jr31@hotmail.com |
| Kathryn Lagge began her colorguard career in 1997 with her middle school group 'The Cadets of Sebastian.' In 1998 she performed with Scholastic 'A' class finalist Coast One 'A.' For the years 99-01 she was a performing member of the Scholastic World Finalist 'Coast One World.' She was also a part of the St. Augustine High School Dance Company. After graduating she marched with Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps in 2002. In 2005 she performed with Florida International University Winterguard. She is a proud member of Northeast Independent where her achievements include the following: 2002 Independent Open Silver Medalist, 2003 Independent World Finalist, 2007 Independent World Finalist, and most recently 2008 Independent World Bronze Medalist. Throughout her performance career Kathryn has also taught several groups such as 'The Coast One Kids Ensemble' grades K - 6, Gamble Rogers Middle School, Murray Middle School, Pedro Menendez High School, St. Augustine High School, Miami Coral Park Sr. High School, Felix Varela High School, and most recently 2006 Div. II finalist Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps.
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James Haynes III - Visual Technician - jamestrulead@hotmail.com |
| James Haynes has moved into a new role with Spokane Thunder in 2008! James has marched trumpet with the Thunder since 2005, and aged out at the end of the 2007 season. Fortunately for us, James has agreed to come back as a visual technician, and we are happy to have him back. James is currently a marching instructor with the Central Valley High School Marching Band and lives with his wife Amy in the Spokane Valley. |
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James Layman - Visual Technician - laymanjames@hotmail.com |
| We are also very happy to welcome back another Spokane Thunder veteran, James Layman. James was a charter member of Spokane Thunder and aged out during the 2006 season. James is currently completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Eastern Washington University, and he also is a Visual designer and Instructor at Mount Spokane High School. |
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Martin Anderson - Visual Consultant |
| We are very fortunate to welcome back Martin Anderson, who is a Charter Member of the Spokane Thunder staff. Martin's wealth of experience in marching and visual techniques have always been a vital element of our success and we are happy to have him on the team. Martin's connection with Drum and Bugle Corps extends back several years, when he was a member of Spokane Renaissance from 1977 through 1980. Martin is also an instructor with the Central Valley High School Marching Band & Colorguard, and is a Police Sergeant with the Regional Academy in Spokane. |
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Nikki Kogan - Colorguard Technician - nikkikogan@gmail.com |
| Nikki Kogan is currently a Residential Life Coordinator at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA. Her colorguard experience began in 1988 when she got to watch her older sister march in her first drum corps. In 1992, Nikki was finally old enough to join the corps' colorguard, the Guardsmen Cadets from Schaumburg IL, herself. After three years marching, the corps went inactive but started a winter guard which Nikki was a part of for the 1996 season. The itch to march corps started once again and so she joined Capital Sound from Madison WI in 1997. After two seasons, Nikki's family moved, and she had the wonderful opportunity to march the inaugural season of Capital Regiment from Columbus OH. For four years she called that corps home. In 2005, while at graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Nikki had the pleasure of working two years with the Screaming Eagles Marching Band's Color Guard as their advisor and coach. She is looking forward to a wonderful season working with the young women and men of Spokane Thunder! |
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