John is the Elementary School Principal for Saint Cecilia School in Pennsauken, NJ. He also serves as the Assistant Band Director for Gateway High School, Woodbury Heights, NJ. John served as the director for Eagle Percussion from 1999-2002 and is currently the executive director for United Percussion. John’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science-Accounting; Bachelor of Science-Finance; and a Bachelor of Science-Marketing from Drexel University. John also attended Rowan University and received a Post-Bac. Certification Program for Secondary Education. John’s other teaching experience includes Haddon Heights High School-'99-'01 and Collingswood High School '96-'00.
MARCEL ROOS
OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS DIRECTOR
Marcel started with UP in 2005 and has assisted the operational side and logistical part of the organization. Originally from Holland Europe, Marcel came to the States in 1994 and is married to the love of his life, Joyce, whom he met when they marched in the Crossmen together. They are the proud parents of a set of triplets: Mackenzie, Matthew and Marcel. During the day Marcel is a Hotel General Manager. Marcel comes from an extensive drumcorps and marching band background and has been one of the assistant directors at Cherry Hill West HS for over 10 years where he teaches with both his wife Joyce and Uncle Chesta. His drumcorps experience started in Holland with Excelsior, Avant Courir, Beatrix and Blue Wave and continued in America with his marching experience in the Crossmen. Besides several local bands and indoor high school drumlines, Marcel has assisted with The Jersey Surf for several years as well. He is proud to be a part of the premier Independent World Drumline of the North East.
CHRIS VANACORE
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Chris has been a member of the United staff since 2007. Additionally, she currently serves as the pit writer/instructor for Haverford High School and writes pit parts for additional high school pits. Chris previously taught the pit for Aftermath in 2006 and 2005 and served as the pit tech for Capital Regiment from 2002-2004. Chris also has taught both battery and pit at several schools in the greater Philadelphia region since 1999. She gained her marching experience at West Chester University, the Reading Buccaneers drum and bugle corps (1999, 2000) and at The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2001). Outside of music, Chris works in the business development department of a private equity asset management firm based in Bala Cynwyd, PA. She also serves on the executive committee of the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association.
DESIGN/INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM
CHAD MOORE, ESQ.
DIRECTOR OF UNITED PERCUSSION / CO-BATTERY ARR.
Email: info@unitedpercussion.net
Chad began his marching career with the 15-time Atlantic Coast Champion Middle Township High School Marching Band. In 1993-1994 Chad marched snare with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. Chad currently teaches and arranges for MTHS High School. During his span with MTHS, they won 15 ACC titles including 7 straight, 4 percussion titles and 8 top three percussion placements. MTHS has also won 3 TIA indoor titles during that span, including 2 undefeated seasons. In 2001 Chad joined the two time WGI PIO finalist Riptide Indoor Percussion Ensemble as the battery instructor. From 2002-2003 Chad served as the percussion caption head and arranger for the 2002 WGI Mid-Atlantic Regional finalist and 2003 TIA PSO bronze medalist Archbishop Ryan.
Chad has been with United since its inception. In that span the unit has medalled 3 times. In 2007, the unit was named the WGI PIO World Champions. Chad has been a member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board since 2003 and is a current member of the Vic Firth Education team. Chad’s educational background includes a B.A. and J.D. from Rutgers University. He practices civil law in New Jersey and was recently named a partner in the law firm Hoagland Longo Moran Dunst & Doukas.
WILLIAM WOODWARD (AKA WOODY)
COMPOSER/ARRANGER
Woody is currently the acting Band Director and Instrumental Music Teacher for Winslow Township High School. His recent achievements include: 2006 Marching Unit Director, Hatboro- Horsham High School- Cavalcade of Bands American Division Champions; High Percussion, High Music, High Marching, High General Effect, High Color Guard. 2006-07 Music & Percussion Arranger, Springs-Ford HS, Royersford, PA- Atlantic Coast Championship Group IV, Chapter III, 2004-07 Indoor Percussion Director, Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS- Cavalcade of Bands Indoor Percussion Champions, 2004-06 Arranger & Percussion Instructor , Hammonton HS, USSBA Group I State Champions.
Woody has been Caption Head, Percussion Composer and Arranger for Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps (5 Time National Top 5 Group II Finalists, Marching Member, Composer & Arranger for Bushwhackers Sr. Drum & Bugle Corps (5 Time National DCA Champions), United Percussion Ensemble (3 time PIO Top 5 Finalist), Riptide Percussion Ensemble (2 time PIO Top 5 Finalist).
Woody has also taught percussion and drum lines for Upper Moreland HS, West Chester University, Southern Regional HS, Highland HS, and Pennsauken HS. He is also an independent composer for marching bands and indoor percussion ensembles in PA, NJ, GA, TN , FL & CA.
CHET TIETSWORTH
BATTERY TECH
Chet serves as the tech for the United snare line since its inception. A graduate of West Chester University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. He is currently a Math and Science teacher at St. Cecilia Catholic School in Pennsauken, NJ and teaches the Cherry Hill West High School Marching Band. Chet marched in the Black Watch Drum and Bugle Corps in 83,84; Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps 86-91 and West Chester University Marching Band 95. Chet served as Crossmen snare tech from 92-93, Jersey Surf Percussion Caption Head from 94-99 and Riptide Indoor Percussion Ensemble snare tech 00-01. Chet’s other teaching experience includes, Pennsauken
High School Marching Band/Indoor Drum Line, Pennsauken, NJ 87-89; Henderson High School Marching Band/Indoor Drum Line, West Chester, PA 90-97; Hammonton High School Marching Band, Hammonton, NJ 98-99; Highland High School, Blackwood, NJ 99; and Deptford High School, Deptford, NJ 00-04.
DARICK KELLY
SNARE INSTRUCTOR
Darick Kelly began his marching career in 1997 at the age of thirteen, in a small DCI division III New York City drum corps called the Kips Bay Knight Club, playing bass drum. In 1998 he made the snare line in the same corps and has been a snare drummer ever since, and in 2000 joined the Cadets of NYC until 2003. During the fall of 2003, he joined the DCI defending world champion Blue Devils from Concord, California, until his age-out year in 2005. During his time with the Blue Devils, he has performed all over the United States, Europe and Asia, including the Wereld Muziek Concours in Kerkrade, Netherlands, and the Seoul Drum Festival in Seoul, Korea. During the summer of 2005, Darick placed 2nd in the DCI individual snare drum competition. His solo was also performed at the Seoul Drum Festival in Korea. Outside of drum corps, Darick has conducted several clinics and masterclasses in the tri-state area including at the Stony Brook University Day of Percussion, and is an active educator in the New York City-metro area. Darick received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from SUNY Purchase College- Conservatory of Music, Purchase, NY, and is currently attending NYU as a Master's candidate in Music Education. Darick Has studied with Dominic Donato, Thomas Kolor, Raymond DesRoches, Jonathan Haas, and marimba virtuoso Simon Boyar. He has performed with the Purchase Symphony Orchestra, The Purchase Percussion Ensemble, The Purchase Contemporary Ensemble, The Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra, The NYU Symphony Orchestra, and The NYU Percussion Ensemble ensemble. Darick has performed at PASIC in 2004 with the Purchase percussion ensemble, and The Blue Devils in Nashville TN, and in 2007 with the NYU percussion ensemble in Columbus, OH. Darick has also performed in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. Darick has arranged for several marching bands including Passaic High School, Park Ridge High School, and Hicksville High School. He currently the percussion coordinator and arranger for the Walt Whitman High School marching band in South Huntington, NY, and teaches privately in the New York City-metro area.
Steve Ballard
Front Ensemble Caption Head/Instructor
Steve Ballard is very excited to take on a more active role with United Percussion for the 2010 winter season after being a part-time consultant in 2009. Steve has been an instructor for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps pit for the past three seasons (2007, 08 and 09) including Crown's 1st place finish in music and 2nd place finish in percussion and overall at the DCI world championships earlier this summer. He also worked with the George Mason University PIO drum line during their first year as a WGI competitor in 2009. He was an instructor for the 2002, 03, and 04 Crossmen pit and was a pit instructor and assistant caption head for the 2006 Colts percussion section. He was a percussion consultant for the 2001 Rochester Crusaders Senior Corps and the 2001, 02, 03 Syracuse Brigadiers Senior Corps (DCA World Champions in 2001 and 02).
Steve has spent the last 12 years as a high school percussion arranger and instructor for schools all over the country and he has been an itinerant elementary and high school band director for the Fairfax County Public School system in Fairfax, VA since 2003. In 2004 he became the assistant marching band director, percussion caption head and pit arranger for the marching band at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA, which was U.S. News and World Report's "Number 1 High School in America" in 2007 and 2008. Even with the school's incredible focus on academics, Steve helped lead the TJHSST marching band to the 2008 USSBA Group 4 Virginia State championship. He also led the TJHSST winter drum line to the PSO bronze medal in 2008 and the silver medal in 2009 at the Atlantic Indoor Association circuit championships. He's hoping for Gold in 2010...!!!
Steve was a member of the 1996, 97, and 98 Crossmen pit playing keyboards, and later, the 2000 and 01 Santa Clara Vanguard pit as the timpanist. He was the runner-up in the 2001 DCI marimba solo (I & E) competition. Four of those five years he studied under the instruction of James Ancona. Steve attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Music Performance (percussion) as well as a Master of Music in Music Education. His primary teacher at Ithaca was world renowned marimbist, percussionist and composer Gordon Stout. Steve is a proud member of the Vic Firth education team and is an arranger for Fast Forward Productions. He is happily married to Samantha and has two awesome cats, Snickers and The Captain.
JIM STELMACH
FRONT ENSEMBLE INSTRUCTOR
Jim started in the marching activity with the Triton High School marching band and indoor percussion ensemble. He then went on to play marimba in United Percussion (2006 and 2008), Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (2008), and Rhythm X (2009) where he won the WGI PIW gold medal. He has taught the front ensembles at many high schools and has given private lessons in New Jersey and Ohio. He currently instructs the front ensembles at Rancocas Valley High School (Mt Laurel, NJ) and Council Rock North High School (Newton, PA) where he is also writing the front ensemble music. He is looking to continue his Music Education degree at Rowan University and plans to go onto graduate school once finished. Jim is very excited to be working with United for a second year and can’t wait to see what this year brings.
BRIAN STOCKARD
BATTERY INSTRUCTOR
Brian marched in the percussion section for Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps from 1996-1999. He then aged out in the snare line with The Cadets of Bergen County Drum & Bugle Corps in 2000 when they captured the DCI Championship. After Brian aged out of drum corps, he became a full time percussion instructor in the Southern California area. He has served on percussion staff for Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps, San Diego State University, UCLA, The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as many high school groups that compete in circuits such as WGI, BOA, WBA, SCPA, DCI, TOB & TIA. Brian graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Marketing. He's toured internationally performing with various Percussion Performance groups. He currently lives with his wife Megan in Mechanicsburg, PA where he owns and operates Coast to Coast Performance, a company that provides private drum line and color guard camps throughout the country. He is currently the Director of Battery percussion for the Mechanicsburg High School Marching Percussion Ensembles, and also serves on the percussion staff for Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps. Brian proudly serves on the Vic Firth Education Team, and is an endorser for Remo products.
MIKE RUSS
VISUAL TECH
Mike started Drum Corps with the Brigantine Seahorse Lancers '69 &' 70 (yes that's 1969). He went on to march with the Wilmington Blue Rock in 1974 and the Garfield Cadets in '75 & '76. He was Cadet of the Year in 1975. He has worked with various New Jersey HS bands including Woodbury, Mainland Regional, Southern Regional, Egg Harbor Township, and Absegami. He was an instructor for the Cadets in '82 & '86 and the Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps from '85 thru '87. Mike is presently the drill designer and program coordinator for Middle Township High School. During Mike's tenure Middle has won 15 ACC titles and 6 indoor titles. He is happy to be back for his 3rd year with United. Mike works for an Architectural Firm in Cape May Court House, NJ and has three kids, Rebecca, Zach and Sarah Beth.
MIKE DOW
BASS TECHNICIAN
Mike Dow is a former member of United, having marched bass in 2004 and snare in 2005. He started his marching experience marching with the Absegami High School Marching Braves. From there, he marched drum corps, playing bass drum with the Crossmen (2001-2004) and the Madison Scouts (2006). He graduated from Rutgers University in 2007 with a degree in Computer Science. At Rutgers, Mike marched in the Scarlet Knight Marching Band (2002-2004).
Mike has been teaching at United Percussion since the 2006 season. He has also given lessons, taught, and consulted with various high school percussion programs in the NJ/PA area including the USSBA National Champion, Absegami High School. After aging out of drum corps, Mike went on to join the percussion staff at the Troopers Drum Corps from 2007-2009 helping them to return to be World Class Finalists. Aside from United, Mike currently helps lead the percussion program at Hunterdon Central Regional High School of Flemington, NJ, and is in his first year as a bass tech for the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps.
KELLY HOWELL
CYMBAL TECHNICIAN
Kelly is incredibly excited about joining the United Percussion team, where she will be serving as cymbal technician for this upcoming season. Very similar to most individuals in the activity, Kelly began her marching career while attending high school at Perkiomen Valley where she marched both bass and snare and acted as the drumline and concert percussion ensemble section leaders. She then decided to further her overall education and went onto attend the University of Massachusetts to pursue a degree in Political Science. Kelly was a marching member of the UMass drumline from 2001-2004 where she studied under Thomas Hannum, and Colin McNutt, and she also had the pleasure of teaching the cymbal line from 2002-2005. During this time, Kelly wished to further her marching experience and auditioned for Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps where she was a member from 2002-2004 under Lee Beddis. After her aging out in 2004, she was asked to return to tech the Crossmen cymbal line for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Since her return to the greater Philadelphia area a little over one year ago, Kelly has been writing for and teaching Methacton High School as well as a few other groups in the area, however, outside of teaching Kelly works for the leading corporation in the advanced funding industry located in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
MICAH KASMAN
DESIGN CONSULTANT
Micah's experience in the marching genre has included time as a marching member and a cymbal instructor with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. Micah became percussion caption head and percussion arranger for the 2001 and 2002 marching band and indoor percussion seasons at Washington Township High School in New Jersey. His accomplishments as caption head there include 5th place Scholastic A at the 2003 WGI Championships in Dayton, OH. Micah’s other teaching experience includes two TIA Championships as a cymbal instructor with Bensalem High School Indoor (PA). Micah's educational background includes a B.S. in Graphic Design Communications from Philadelphia University. His profession as a graphic designer is at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California.
BRIAN EVANS
TENOR INSTRUCTOR
Brian started his marching experience with the Council Rock High School marching band in Newtown, PA. He then went on to march three seasons with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps in the quadline, spending his last year as the section leader. Brian was also a member of United in 2007 when the ensemble won the WGI PIO gold medal, and aged out in 2008. He has held the position of Percussion Caption Head and Arranger at Council Rock North High School since 2006, and has taught both indoor and outdoor at various other schools in the Bucks County, PA area where he resides. He is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education and will hopefully graduate sometime in the foreseeable future. Brian is very excited to be working with United this year.
MIKE WYATT
FRONT ENSEMBLE/RHYTHM INSTRUCTOR
Michael Wyatt is excited to return to United Percussion after aging out in 2008 as an Independent World Finalist. Michael has been active in the marching community for over ten years. He started in this activity in 1998 as a member of the Highland Regional High School Marching Band. During his schooling there, they won the 2000 TIA Scholastic A Chapter I Championship, and the 2001 TIA Scholastic Open All-Chapter Championship. Mike has been teaching since 2002 at southern New Jersey schools such as Deptford, Burlington Township, and Eastern. Mike was also the front ensemble section captain for the 9-time world champion Hawthorne Caballeros from 2005 through 2008. Mike holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies: Percussion Performance from the University of the Arts. In addition to his new role with UP, he also currently serves on staff Eastern Regional High School (battery instructor/arranger) and Burlington Township High School (assistant band director).
Jim Wunderlich
Arranger
Jim Wunderlich is currently the Front Ensemble caption head and arranger for the twelve time DCI World Champion Concord Blue Devils. The Blue Devils percussion section received the 2007 and 2009 Fred Sanford Award for Best Percussion Performance. Jim visits Japan several times a year where he is the Front Ensemble arranger and caption head for Tokyo's Soka Renaissance Vanguard. Other past drum corps credits include work with the Seattle Cascades, the Velvet Knights and Esperanza. Jim marched tenors for the Suncoast Sound in 1989.
Jim has been the Front Ensemble arranger and caption head for many successful programs that compete in the Indoor Percussion activity, including eight-time Winter Guard International Scholastic World medalist Mission Viejo High School, two-time Independent World gold medalist Riverside Community College and five-time Scholastic A medalist Loara High School. Mission Viejo HS holds the longest consecutive WGI Scholastic World Finals streak with 13 years total (since 1996). Jim has served on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board since 1996, and is a founding member of the Southern California Percussion Alliance.
