JERSEYSURF - Key Persons
Returning to the Jersey Surf visual staff in 2024 is Adam Twombly. Adam is a native of Middlefield, Connecticut and he graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in music in 2016. While at CCSU Adam performed with the wind ensemble, marching band, pep band, brass quintet, trombone ensemble, symphonic band, and jazz ensemble. A four-year member of the CCSU Blue Devil Marching Band, Adam served as one of the band's drum majors in 2015. He completed a master's degree in music education at the University of Bridgeport in 2020.
Adam played baritone as a member of the 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from 2013 through 2015, including the 2014 season when the corps made its first ever appearance in DCI World Class Semifinals. In 2015 Adam was a horn sergeant for the corps and he was voted "brass line MVP" by the other members.
Adam joined the visual staff of the Cheshire High School Marching Band in 2018 and he has been the visual director for the group since 2019. From 2018 through 2020 he taught on the visual staff of the Newtown High School Marching Band as well.
Adam worked with the Trumbull High School Marching Band from 2015 through 2018 as both a music and visual instructor, including the ensemble's noteworthy 2016 season in which it was the Bands of America Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion and the U.S. Bands Class 6 Open National Champion. Trumbull was also selected to perform at the 2017 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Adam has made appearances teaching numerous indoor percussion ensembles in Connecticut, the Cheshire High School winter guard, and the Castleton University Spartan Marching Band. He was a visual director for the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016 and 2017 and he was on the visual staff of 7th Regiment in 2018 and 2019.
ALAN SPAETH has been designing for the Marching Arts since 1988. He is known for creative, one-of-a-kind shows. Working with several groups at various competitive levels his work has been highly successful in the Local, State, National and International competitive arena. Alan has designed for such groups as Plymouth-Canton Marching Band (MI) 1994, 1996-2003, 2007-2010 (MCBA State Champions 1994, 1996-2003, 2007-2009, BOA Class AAA Champion and Grand National Champions 1999), Alan was a Visual Consultant for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps 2013 and the Visual Coordinator for The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps 2014. Alan is currently the Visual Designer and Coordinator for the Flower Mound High School (TX) Marching Band. Flower Mound was the BOA San Antonio Super Regional Champion in 2015, 2016 and 2018. They were Bands of America Grand National Finalist both years they attended in 2014 and 2017. They were the Texas UIL 6A State Champions in 2016 and the UIL Silver Medalists in 2018. Alan is the Founder/Owner of R&S Marching Arts - www.rsmarchingarts.com
Job Titles:
- Visual Instructor ( He / Him )
Anthony McKinnon is excited to be back with Surf visual team for the 2024 season! Anthony began his marching arts career in 2015 with William J. Palmer High School. There, he marched for 3 seasons in the marching band and winter guard program and served as low brass section leader during the program's highest scoring show. After high school, Anthony marched baritone for the Vanguard Cadets during their Open Class winning season in 2018. He earned a spot at the Santa Clara Vanguard for the 2020 DCI season.
Anthony's teaching career started, and continues to be, at his alma mater William J. Palmer High School. He is proud to have served his home program as a marching instructor and visual technician for 2 seasons before becoming the Visual Caption Head and a part of the design team. Since he began working in this role, the visual program has developed into the program's strongest caption.
Outside of the marching arts, Anthony graduated from University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Astronomy and plans on going back to school to pursue his Masters in Library and Information Science.
Kaelinn "KC" Ward, Visual Instructor (He/Him/His)
KC is going into his 11th year teaching, and has strived to create a culture of inclusion and camaraderie with every group he's had the pleasure of instructing. Starting off as percussion instructor, he taught groups all over the Southern Colorado region as well as groups in Idaho and New Jersey. Currently, he serves as the Director of Bands at William J. Palmer High School, his Alma Mater, and is returning for his 5th year on Percussion Visual Staff here with the Surf.
CEDAR HAYES is thrilled and eager to return as color guard staff for the 2022 Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps! With strong ties to the east coast, Cedar's marching arts career began in New England with the 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps (where she was taught by several Surf alum!) Cedar then spent two winter seasons performing with the Blessed Sacrament Independent World Color Guard while simultaneously marching her three final seasons of drum corps with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard, where she aged-out season in 2017.
Currently, Cedar is a staff member and choreographer for the Mansfield High School Color Guard in Massachusetts and has had the pleasure of teaching and choreographing for numerous other marching bands and winter guards across New England. When she is not busy with color guard, Cedar works as Project Director for The Outreach Team and lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
Job Titles:
- Quad Instructor
- Visual Instructor
Chris Gerlin is excited to return to The Jersey Surf for his second season as both percussion visual instructor and tenor instructor for the 2024 season! Based in Connecticut, Chris is an active percussion educator, designer, and consultant, where he is currently the Percussion Director and Arranger at Hamden High School (CT).
Chris grew up in Pennsylvania, where his marching experience began in seventh grade at Lake-Lehman High School (PA) as a member of the marching band and indoor percussion program. During his time at Lake-Lehman, the programs captured Atlantic Coast Championships in TOB Group I during the fall and TIA Novice Percussion during the winter in 2007. Chris began his drum corps career while a sophomore at Lake-Lehman, joining Fusion ‘Core' Drum and Bugle Corps (NJ) in 2010, winning the DCA Class A World Championship. Chris would continue to march with Fusion ‘Core' for five more years, becoming the tenor line section leader in 2013 and 2014 and in 2014 the entire battery was honored with the "Vince Bruni Showmanship Award" at DCA Championships.
During his high school marching years, Chris began his teaching career with the Lake-Lehman Elementary Indoor Percussion program - a concert indoor percussion group made up of fifth and sixth grade students - as a sophomore in 2010. Chris would go on to become the group's director and music arranger as a senior for his graduation project in 2012. The program would go on to become Atlantic Coast Champions in TIA Scholastic Elementary Percussion in all three years. After graduating from Lake-Lehman in 2012, Chris immediately joined the staff and helped lead the Indoor Percussion program to becoming Atlantic Coast Championship in TIA Intermediate ‘A' in 2013. Shortly thereafter, Chris would be promoted to Percussion Caption Head and Arranger, Assistant Band Director, and Indoor Percussion Director in 2014. In addition to teaching with his home team at Lake-Lehman, Chris has worked with various other programs along the east coast, including: Pequannock Township High School (NJ), Morris Knolls High School (NJ), Easton High School (PA), and his current role with Hamden High School
Outside of his involvement in the marching arts, Chris holds an Associate's Degree in Secondary Education from Luzerne County Community College (PA) and a Bachelor's Degree in History from Misericordia University (PA). Chris is an avid automotive enthusiast and currently works as a mobile electronics installation technician.
DANIEL MATOS will be returning to the color guard staff for his 8th season. He comes to us originally from Long Island New York, where he fell in love with the activity during his years as a part of the Walt Whitman High School marching band and Saturday Matinee winter guard. After spending 10 summers as a member of various DCA color guards, Daniel began teaching HS color guard in New Jersey and New York. He is currently the color guard director at Westfield HS in NJ and helps out/writes at various other schools in the area.
Daniel loves being able to share his immense passion for the activity with so many different children, and watch his students progress and grow under his direction. Daniel always says that the most rewarding part of his life is getting to watch his "kids" take the field/floor and perform their hearts out, and knowing that he got to be a part of that moment.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the American Society of Composers and Publishers
DON HILL has had a long and varied career in drum and bugle corps. He began by marching with the Des Plaines Vanguard, and finished his marching experience with the La Crosse Blue Stars in 1975. Don then taught the Blue Stars hornline for six years, eventually assuming arranging duties as well. Soon afterward, Don began his judging career, a career that included the honor of judging finals three times, and culminated in being named Brass and Music General Effect Caption Head for DCI, a position he held for seven years. Don then returned to drum corps as part of the Cadets design team, serving as the brass arranger for their 2002 and 2003 seasons. In 2005, he served as a consultant to the Bluecoats. Most recently, Don served as the brass arranger for the Glassmen, from 2008 to 2111, and the Phantom Regiment from 2012-2015.
Don has been very active in the band field as well. He has held the position of Director of Bands at Plantation High School, Plantation, Florida; as well as being an Associate Director at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Florida. Don has had marching band arrangements published by Hal Leonard, Inc., and has arranged for many top level high school competitive marching bands, including five Bands of America Grand National Champions. Plymouth-Canton 1999, LD Bell 2007, Broken Arrow 2011, The Woodlands 2013, and Broken Arrow 2015. He has also judged extensively in the United States and Japan.
Donald has been a member of The American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) since 1994, and six times has received recognition from the ASCAP Special Awards Panel for his original works. His concert band pieces have been performed throughout the United States as well as in Japan and Australia. He is published by Great Works, Inc. and Ludwig Music Publishing Company. Don and his wife Dianne currently live in Ventura, CA.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Alumni Coordinator, Tour Administrative Team
Job Titles:
- Designer
- Instructor
- Visual Instructor
Evan Chown is an experienced visual designer, instructor, and educator based in Virginia. He marched with Jersey Surf from 2017-2020 and has returned to his home team to join the instructional staff for his second season teaching with the corps. Currently, Evan is the head Visual Coordinator at Ocean Lakes High School.
Evan has had the opportunity to teach and assist multiple different ensembles in both instructional and design roles throughout the Virginia Beach area. From 2018-2019 Evan worked with Landstown High school, his alma mater, on the visual instructional staff. In summer of 2021, Evan was chosen to be the head Visual Coordinator at Ocean Lakes High school. He is also the head Visual Coordinator for The Ocean Lakes Indoor Percussion Ensemble (OLIPE) and has led them to bronze and silver medals in the Atlantic Indoor Association circuit championships. His past accomplishments include various leadership positions in high school including head drum major when Landstown won State Championships in 2016. He also served as Horn Sergeant at Jersey Surf in 2019.
As an alumnus of Tidewater Community College, Evan earned his associate's degree in general studies and then transferred to Old Dominion University, where he is currently studying to earn his bachelor's degree in Music Education.
Job Titles:
- Brass Education Instructor
Heather House marched in West Chester University's Incomparable Golden Rams marching from 2010-2014 where she was section leader and a featured soloist. She graduated from WCU in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in music education and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2018 with a Master of Music in trumpet performance.
While in New Mexico she regularly performed with the Santa Fe symphony, and the New Mexico Philharmonic. Since moving back to the northeast, she can be found freelancing in southeast Pa. She currently teaches at Eastern York School District in York County, PA.
Jabin (Jay) Baxter, hailing from Lancaster, PA, has been a marching percussion educator and writer for the greater part of 18 years. He has worked with many local high school and college groups since 2000.Jabin began marching in high school as a member of the Reading High School Red Knights Marching Band from 1997-2001. He began performing in DCA with The Westshoremen in 2000. In 2001, he marched in DCI with a first-year competing corps, The Lehigh Valley Knights and in 2012 with The Windsor Regiment (DCA).
Jabin has spent time on road touring the US and Germany playing drum-set for local and national acts. Along with touring, Jabin has recorded on a number of projects ranging in styles from country to metal and still gigs out (when available).
Jabin spent a large part of his teaching career at Hempfield High School from 2008- 2015. While, there he also had the opportunity to compose and arrange percussion parts for Dr. Andrew Yozviak and the Center X production crew. Jabin is currently the Percussion Director at Penn Manor Marching Unit, arranger since 2017, and established their first indoor percussion program in 2018. He is also the battery caption head of the Millersville University Marching Band since 2016. Front Ensemble tech for United Percussion 2 under Colin Bell for the 20/21 virtual season and came back to United Percussion 2 as the front ensemble tech for the season of 2022 with a promotion to open mid season.
Jabin spent the drum corps season of 2022 with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble tech and is now the Battery Caption head.
Jabin is looking forward to growing the Surf percussion program.
Job Titles:
- Director of Visual Program
- Visual Director
Returning to the Surf educational team for his 6th season and 2nd as Visual Director, JEFF LEAGER is an avid instructor, designer, and educator based on the east coast. Currently, Jeff is the Band Director at Louis L. Redding Middle School where he instructs the 6th-8th grade bands. He is currently serving as an Executive Board member and Public & Media Relations chair for the Delaware Winds, Delaware's only semi-professional wind ensemble. Jeff has served as the DE All-State Jr. Band committee chair within the Delaware Music Educators Association since 2021. Jeff also holds membership with the Kent County Music Educators Assoc., NAfME, and has served in previous years with his local teacher's union.
Jeff has worked and designed for a number of groups including, most recently, Lake Forest High School Marching Band & Indoor Percussion, Fort Lee Indoor Percussion, Deer Lakes High School marching band (BOA) , Dover High School marching band, Avon Grove High School marching band & Indoor Percussion, and Caesar Rodney High School marching band. His groups regularly perform in TOB/TIA, Cavalcade, USBands, and BOA circuits.
Jeff is an alumnus of the University of Delaware's School of Music where he completed his undergraduate degree in Music Education.
Prior to joining the staff at the Jersey Surf, Jeff served as visual caption head for Windsor Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in its inaugural season in DCA's Open Class in 2014. From 2015-2016 he served as a visual instructor for Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps. Jeff then joined the Jersey Surf in 2018 and is excited to get back to work with the corps in 2024!
Job Titles:
- Digital Sound & Audio Systems Designer
Digital Sound & Audio Systems Designer and Surf alumnus JOE COSTABLE is an in-demand recording and mixing engineer from Milford, PA. His impressive discography and career spans just about every area of the audio production and recording industry, from major label artists to foreign films. He has received multiple gold and platinum album sales awards for his work, and is a voting member of The Recording Academy. 2019 will be his ninth season bringing his talents to the Jersey Surf design team.
Job Titles:
- Legal Advisor to the Board
Jon Lacy marched at Jersey Surf from 2008-2012 seasons as section leader, horn sergeant, featured soloist, and drum major. He taught on brass staff the following two seasons. He graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 2014 with a music performance bachelor's degree and a masters in music education.
After that he taught in the public school setting at a variety of full and part-time music teaching positions. Since 2017 he's been middle school band director, high school marching band assistant director, and musical theater pit orchestra director at Eastern York School District in York County, PA.
He lives with his wife, 3 kids, and 3 dogs in rural Lancaster County, PA.
JORDAN KAISER has always been a performer. Starting her marching arts journey in 2010 with Plymouth High Schools' Marching Band, she knew it was something that would stick. Since then, Jordan has marched with multiple groups and started her drum corps career with 7th Regiment where she marched from 2012 until 2016 where she was captain for her final year before aging out with The Cadets in 2017. She also marched with Emanon World Winter Guard (2017) and Blessed Sacrament Winter Guard (2018, 2022) where she received the 2018 World Class Bronze Medal.
Jordan has been teaching color guards for over 8 years including local high schools and collegiate groups. Currently she is teaching three groups around Eastern Massachusetts and this is her second season with Jersey Surf. "I'm so excited to get back to Surf. Working with this staff and with the members is an experience unlike any other, and I am so lucky to be able to stand in front of this generation of performers."
Outside of color guard Jordan has a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and is a graphic designer for an international merchandise supplier that works with the PGA as well as a majority of the top 100 golf courses in America. She also is a DJ and hosts bar trivia some nights during the week. Jordan is very excited to catch the wave back to Jersey Surf for the 2022 season.
Returning for his fourth year on the visual team, Joseph brings 25 years of marching teaching experience to Surf. Originally from Norwalk Connecticut, he started his marching career marching Baritone and Tuba at Brien McMahon High School. After HS, he continued performing with the Connecticut Hurricanes where he was a member from 2000 to 2010. During his time there, he marched Contra, Baritone, and Euphonium.
Joseph's teaching career began at his alma mater at Brien McMahon. From there, he has taught at many successful programs such as Stamford HS, Montville HS, and Rahway HS. These programs have had a lot of success including best visual awards and championships. Along with teaching high school, Joseph has also taught at both the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Sunrisers Drum & Bugle corps.
Outside of teaching, Joseph has been a visual judge for over 10 years in different circuits such as USBands and New York State Field Band. Along with being a visual judge, he has been doing winterguard drill design for several winter guards including Rahway HS & Pegasus 2 winter guards. Both guards have many awards along with silver & gold medals.
Justin Bogen is currently a Master of Accountancy student at the University of South Carolina, where he also earned a B.S. in Business Administration with an Accounting major in May 2021. After graduating, Justin will be entering public accounting with KPMG next fall. Justin marched with the Jersey Surf on both trumpet and baritone from 2016-2020, serving on the leadership team from 2017-2020 and as a section leader and Horn Sergeant in 2019 and 2020. In addition to his time marching with Surf, Justin was a section leader in the Hightstown High School marching band, he performed in the Carolina Band while in college, and he is an alumni brother of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity. Justin is extremely excited to come back to Surf in 2024!
KATE SOCHA is excited to return for her sixth season with the Jersey Surf as a member of the visual team. Born and raised in Connecticut, Kate began her drum corps career in 2004 as the first drum major for the 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps. She conducted the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum & Bugle Corps from 2005-2010 and marched in their bass line from 2011- 2012. Kate then became a visual technician and drum major for Fusion ‘Core' Drum & Bugle Corps from 2013-2015 before joining Jersey Surf for the 2018 season.
Kate graduated with dual bachelor degrees in music and education from the University of Connecticut in 2009 where she was a member of the UConn Marching Band, Pep Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and a saxophone quartet. In 2016 she graduated with a master degree in music education from the University of Florida while part-time teaching in New Jersey. She has taught several marching bands including Norwich Free Academy (CT), Morris Knolls High School (NJ), and Pequannock Township High School (NJ) where the marching band and winter percussion ensemble won USBands state and class championships under her direction.
Kate is currently a music teacher at Hamden High School (CT) where she teaches instrumental music lessons, music technology and AP music theory. She is also the spring musical conductor, a Tri-M co-advisor, and the marching band's assistant director and drill writer. Outside of music, Kate has color guard experience and 15 years of dance training.
KIMMY KINDEN is a lead infant teacher at Life Discovery School in Springfield, PA. She began her color guard career at Springfield High School, participating in both the marching band and winter guard programs. After high school Kimmy attended West Chester University where she graduated in 2013. While there she was a member of the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band for 5 years, two of which she served as captain. Her other marching experience includes Jersey Surf Drum Corps (2007-2008, 2010-2013), Field of View Winter Guard (2010-2014), and The Black Watch Winter Guard (2015-2019). She currently teaches Penncrest High School, The Black Watch, Main Line Independent, and the Jersey Surf drum and bugle corps color guard.
MATT BLOOD is a percussion arranger, educator, and performer and southern NJ native. He has arranged for the percussion sections of the Haddonfield Memorial HS Marching Band, InMotion Wind Performance Company, the Eastern Regional HS Indoor Drumline, the West Deptford High School Marching Band, the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps, and has recently started writing for the Rutgers Marching Scarlet Knights Front Ensemble. Currently, Matt is the Percussion Supervisor/Arranger for the West Deptford Band, Front Ensemble Caption Head/Arranger for the Hawthorne Caballeros, and Front Ensemble Caption Head/Arranger for the Rutgers MSK. He is also a front ensemble technician for the WGI Percussion World Class Finalist, United Percussion.
Matt received his Bachelor's degree in classical percussion performance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, where he also has performed in some of their top ensembles. Using the knowledge he gained from educators such as Joe Tompkins, Kyle Zerna, Mike Truesdell, Javier Diaz, Steve Ballard and Ian Hale, Matt performs in local bands and orchestras in the New Jersey Tri-state area. In addition, Matt has performed as a member of the United Percussion Front Ensemble during their 2012-2014 seasons.
Matthew is a music educator and percussionist who currently lives in the Phoenix area. He started his career in marching percussion in 2010 with his high school's marching band and has since grown to perform with groups such as 7th Regiment, the UMass Amherst Minuteman Marching Band, and Gallant Entertainment Inc. During his time in the marching arts, he has been fortunate to study under prominent musicians in the community such as Thom Hannum, Ian Hale, Colin McNutt, Alex Beltran, and Alex King. He has a diverse background in contemporary classical percussion through his studies with Ayano Kataoka as well as the members of Sandbox Percussion and draws from these diverse experiences to give his students a well-rounded percussion experience.
Matthew is excited to work with the students at The Jersey Surf this season and plans on synthesizing all he has learned thus far in his career as a performer and educator to give the members an
Job Titles:
- Color Guard Director
- Founding Member of the Jersey Surf Drum
MICHAEL LOMBO is a founding member of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps and is thrilled to be returning this year as Director, Color Guard Program. His passion for the activity took him to the World Champion Cadets of Bergen County where he finished his outdoor career years later. Michael was also a member of Field of View Winter Guard and St. Ann's World Guard where he then taught until 2015, helping bring the team back to Independent A class Champions. These days, Michael is the color guard director for 3 successful programs in Massachusetts, one named state champion 3 of the last four years with high color accolades 5 of his 8 year tenure. Michael is also a drill design for many programs throughout the North East. He looks forward to another AMAZING summer with the JSCG2019!
Job Titles:
- Surf 's Visual Program Manager
- Visual Consultant
Returning to the the Jersey Surf educational team is the Surf's Visual Program Manager MIKE DURBOROW. With a drum corps career spanning more than 50 remarkable years, Mike has been involved at every level of drum corps and marching music activities, including a ten-year performing career with the famed Hawthorne Muchachos, taking the podium his final season as drum major.
In addition to writing for- and instructing a number of high school marching bands across several decades, Mike worked on the visual staff of the Garfield Cadets, and was a performer, visual tech, caption head and staff coordinator during his 22 years of service to the perennial DCA powerhouse Hawthorne Caballeros. Mike continued to stoke his passion for teaching during a five year stint as caption head of DCA's Fusion Core. Most recently, he served as visual caption head of the Long Island Sunrisers. He was elected to the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2016.
MITCH ROGERS is a well-known drill designer, marching instructor, consultant and clinician who has worked in the U.S, Japan, Thailand and Singapore.
Mitch began his career as a high school marching band trombonist and continued at the University of Illinois, where he performed in concert and marching bands. Mitch performed with The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps in the early 1980s. After graduating from U of I with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, he began instructing the Cavaliers and various Illinois and Texas high school bands in his spare time.
In 1991, Mitch became the visual caption head of the Cavaliers and assisted the corps to two consecutive DCI visual caption awards and the 1992 DCI World Championship. In 1994 he wrote the Cavaliers' drill. In 2002, Mitch continued his drum corps experience as the program coordinator for the Santa Clara Vanguard. Mitch was the Bluecoats drill designer from 2003-2008 and he wrote the drill for The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2007-2010. Mitch returned to as visual designer for the Cavaliers from 2013-1015.
Mitchell returns to Jersey Surf in 2019 for his second year as visual designer.
Mitch now works full-time as a drill designer, marching instructor and show design clinician. His current US high school clients include the 2016 Texas State Champion Flower Mound High School Marching Band, the 2017 and 2018 Michigan State Champion Rockford HS (MI), as well as the 2018 Illinois State Champion Lincoln Way HS (IL), and many others.
From 1992 to 2003, Mitch was the drill designer for the trend-setting Plymouth-Canton (MI) Educational Park Marching Band, a perennial BOA Grand National finalist and Michigan state champion. In 1999, Plymouth-Canton was the BOA Grand Champion. He also instructed the 1993 BOA Grand National Champion Spring H.S. Marching Band from Spring, Texas.
Since 1992, Mitch has been drill designer and visual caption head for the colorful and inventive nine time All-Japan Champion Aimachi Marching Band and Color Guard of Nagoya, Japan. He travels to Japan each year to work with Aimachi.
In 2001, Mitch also had the honor of spending five weeks in Thailand teaching one of his designs to the St. Paul Convent School Marching Band of SriRacha, Thailand, winner of the prestigious 2001 Yamaha Marching Band Competition. Mitch has designed for several other bands in Thailand.
Job Titles:
- Brass Education Instructo R
Mr. Joseph Fischer, a native of Maryland, serves as the Associate Director of Bands at Towson University and the Conductor of the Towson University Symphonic Band. As an adjunct professor, he has also taught courses in undergraduate and graduate wind conducting and music education. In a full-time capacity, Mr. Fischer has directed the band program at Mt. Hebron High School in Howard County, Maryland since 2019, where he conducts three concert bands, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, jazz combo, and the Mt. Hebron Marching Unit, in addition to teaching AP Music Theory. Prior to his appointment, he served as both a middle school and high school band director for over twenty years, inspiring young musicians at Ellicott Mills Middle School, River Hill High School, Liberty High School, and Calvert Hall College High School. Under his direction, his music programs have garnered many accolades including superior ratings at regional and national festivals. Highlights include performing at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival (Wind Ensemble - Percussion Ensemble), selection as a demonstration group with his brass quintet, jazz ensemble and wind ensemble at the Maryland Music Educators' Association Annual Conference, back-to-back USBands National Marching Band Championships, recognition as a Grammy Signature School, and invitations to perform at prestigious events including the 2008 pre-Olympic Festival in Beijing, China and on-stage at the Joseph M. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. In addition to his efforts as band director, Mr. Fischer was also instrumental in the creation of River Hill's state-of-the-art music technology lab, a model for the Howard County Public School System, which allows students to express their creativity through music arranging, composition, recording and music theory.
Mr. Fischer knew from an early age that he wanted to be a music teacher. To that end, he pursued an eclectic mix of performing and educational opportunities. Mr. Fischer earned his bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he majored in trumpet with a further concentration in percussion. He has studied jazz with Chris Vadala, trumpet with Emerson Head and Timothy White, percussion with Michael Gatti, and conducting with Emerson Head, John Wakefield, Sheldon Bair, Dana Rothlisberger, and Tim Robblee. Mr. Fischer earned a master's degree in music education from Towson University, where he focused on conducting and band repertoire. He continued his studies at McDaniel College where he earned Administrator I certification. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at the Shenandoah Conservatory.
One of Mr. Fischer's favorite experiences was marching in the Drum Corps International World Championships with the eleven-time world champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He loves musical theater and has enjoyed performing and conducting musicals, including Little Shop of Horrors, Pippin, 1940's Radio Hour, Cinderella, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, The Music Man, Thoroughly Modern Millie!, Seussical, The Little Mermaid and West Side Story.
In additional to his duties at Mt. Hebron and Towson University, Mr. Fischer maintains an active schedule as a presenter, clinician and adjudicator in Maryland and the surrounding areas. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at McDaniel College and remains active in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA), the Maryland Band Directors Association (MBDA), the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), and the International Trumpet Guild (ITG). Through his involvement with MMEA and MBDA, Mr. Fischer has served as the coordinator for both the Maryland Jazz Festival and the All State Jazz Ensemble. He has been honored several times for excellence in teaching, including recognition as an MMEA Outstanding Music Teacher, Howard County Music Educator of the Year (twice), and as one of School Band and Orchestra Magazine's "50 Directors who Make a Difference."
PAUL NALESNIK is a freelance percussionist, arranger, and educator from central New Jersey. He is currently the Battery Arranger and Caption Head for WGI World Class ensemble United Percussion, Battery Arranger for the DCA powerhouse Hawthorne Caballeros Drum & Bugle Corps, and Quad tech at the Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps. Paul also served as Battery Coordinator for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014. In addition to teaching drum corps, he also was the Caption Head and Arranger for the Rutgers University Drumline from 2012 until 2016. Paul taught percussion classes as an Adjunct Percussion Teacher at Immaculata (NJ) High School, and was a Percussion Consultant for the Arlington (NY) High School Marching Band. Presently, Paul is looking forward to serving as the Percussion Director for Marple-Newtown (PA) High School in addition to his duties as percussion arranger for the Jersey Surf program.
His marching career began at United Percussion in 2009 and 2010 marching quads. He then went on to march the Santa Clara Vanguard for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. With SCV, he was a featured performer at PASIC in 2013. In addition to his marching performance background, Paul received second place at the 2013 Atlanta Modern Snare Drum Competition, and received first place at the 2014 PAS Kosa NY Chapter Snare Drum Competition. Paul is also credited with playing snare drum on the Wu Tang Clan album "40th Street Black", and with helping design and perform the opening to the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Along with his performance and education experience, Paul has published a snare drum solo book through Bachovich publications, entitled "The Rutgers Solos". As a dedicated educator, Paul has been inspired by many notable teachers; including Joseph Tompkins, Paul Rennick, Tom Aungst, Javier Diaz, Ken Riehman, and Kyle Zerna.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Executive Director
- Member of the Board
Job Titles:
- Director
- Brass Education Instructor
Sam Tate is an active musician and music educator located in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelors degree from Penn State University in Music Education, along with a Masters of Music degree from Towson University in Trumpet Performance.
Well versed in multiple musical styles, his previous playing tenures include Penn State and Towson University Ensembles, including four years as member of the Penn State Blue Band and a year with the Towson University Marching Band. He was principal trumpet of the Hunt Valley Symphony Orchestra, played in multiple small chamber ensembles in the Greater Baltimore Area, as well as other freelance performances. He was selected to perform in New York City with the Mid Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Eric Richards. He has also marched with the Harrison Bushwhackers and Hanover Lancers.
Currently, Mr. Tate is the director of concert bands, the marching band, and the percussion ensemble at Central Dauphin HS in Harrisburg, PA.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Liaison to the Board
- Assistant Corps Director
Returning for his second season as a key member of the Jersey Surf creative team is South Jersey native THOMAS KERSHAW. Mr. Kershaw currently serves as Director of Instrumental Music at West Deptford High School in West Deptford Township, New Jersey where he also serves as the Department Chairman for the Visual and Performing Arts. Mr. Kershaw teaches all aspects of instrumental music including directing the concert, jazz and marching band programs and he also teaches AP Music Theory.
Under Mr. Kershaw's direction, the West Deptford HS marching band has become a perennial competitive finalist in the Tournament of Bands (TOB) marching band circuit. The West Deptford HS Marching Band has won the Tournament of Bands, Atlantic Coast Championships eight consecutive times (2010-2017) including many awards for best overall music & best overall visual. Mr. Kershaw is a professional trumpet player, playing throughout the area in many venues. In 1995, Mr. Kershaw toured and performed as a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, Illinois playing soprano bugle.
THOMAS WILSON is a freelance percussionist, arranger, composer, and educator based in Western Massachusetts. Currently, he is the Marching Band Director and Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Anna Maria College and the front ensemble director of the Jersey Surf. Thomas graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Master's Degree in Percussion Performance in May 2018 and he also received a Bachelor's Degree in Percussion Performance and Composition in 2011.
As an educator, Thomas has been working with many high schools and colleges throughout Massachusetts and beyond for over a decade. He has years of experience working as a band director and music teacher in the public school system. He worked extensively with Shepherd Hill Regional High School where he served as Winter Percussion Director, Show Choir Pit Band Director, Concert Percussion Director, and the Assistant Director of the Marching Band for five years, leading all of these groups to championships in their respective fields during his tenure. He has also served as a clinician for ensembles at WPI, UMass Amherst, Boston University, and New Haven University. Very in demand as a front ensemble specialist, Thomas consistently works with many local college and high school marching bands, several of which he also writes music for.
His marching career began with the Spartans in 2006 and championship year 2007; in 2008 he studied with virtuoso marimbist Leigh Howard Stevens; and in 2009-10 he marched with the Holy Name Cadets. In addition, he marched for four years in the UMass Drumline under the tutelage of Thom Hannum and George Parks. He has served as section leader of every ensemble he's participated in.
Thomas is also an active performer with the Amherst College Symphony Orchestra, the Valley Winds, the Windham Symphony Orchestra, the Smith Symphony Orchestra, the Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra, the Claflin Hill Summer Winds, and many more local orchestras and wind ensembles. His Master's Recital in April 2018, entitled "Water", included challenging contemporary chamber music with musicians from all around the country, and it also featured a commission for percussion, flute and clarinet. During his undergraduate years, Thomas received the Vic Firth Scholarship award from UMass Amherst and the Most Valuable Rookie and Distinguished Service Awards from the Holy Name Cadets.
Job Titles:
- Brass Education Instructor
Tyrell Butler has moved around the east coast; going from Philadelphia, to North Carolina, to New Jersey and he currently resides in Camden, DE. Tyrell graduated from Williamstown High School in 2012 where he was a member of the Braves Marching Unit From 2008 to 2010, US Bands Northern States Champions from 2009 to 2010 and US Bands National Champions in 2010 for Group II.
In 2012 Tyrell started his Drum & Bugle Corps Career as a baritone for the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps of Harrison, NJ. In 2015, Tyrell had the pleasure of marching with The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps of Reading, PA as third baritone as the corps won a World Championship in Drum Corps Associates with a score of 97.58. A feat that was repeated in 2017 and 2019.
Tyrell Performed as a member as the Regional-All Star Trombone Choir at the University of Delaware Trombone Day with students from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, Penn State University, Shepherd University, George Mason University and The University of Delaware. In 2013 Tyrell became a member of the Sigma Kappa Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America Inc.
Tyrell has worked with a variety of programs they include, Kingsway Regional High School, Pennsauken High School, East Brunswick High School, Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps, and Cab Calloway School of the Arts, where he currently teaches the brass section. Tyrell graduated with a B.A. in Music education from Delaware State University (Dover,DE) in May 2017, and graduated with a M.M. in Music education from Temple University (Philadelphia,PA) in August 2020. Tyrell currently works as a K-5 music teacher at Richardson Park Elementary in Wilmington,DE. He is excited for year 2 with The Surf brass team.
Job Titles:
- Instructor
- Snare Instructor
Wesley is a percussion educator based out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He began his career in the marching arts at Great Valley High School, and continued it at Millersville University. He first joined the drum corps world as a snare drummer at the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps in 2019, and was named a Rookie of the Year for that season. He then performed with United Percussion 2 in 2020. He returned to UP2 for the 2022 season as section leader, performing with the ensemble at their debut appearance in Open Class at the WGI World Championships. After aging out he joined the Hawthorne Caballeros for the 2023 season, in which they were given the High Percussion award.
Wesley has been an instructor at many high schools in his area. Currently, he is on the education team for the Penn Manor Marching Unit in Millersville, PA. He is also the director and battery arranger for Penn Manor Indoor Percussion, who made their debut at MAPS Championships in the 2023 season.
Outside of the marching activity, Wesley holds a degree in secondary education from Millersville University and works as a high school science teacher at La Academia Partnership Charter School.