Momentum Youth Performance,Inc

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Bios for Staff and Board:


Steve C. Bell, Executive Director  Steve is one of the three Founding members of Momentum and he has been a small-business owner for nearly two decades. His company, BellToneMusic.com facilitates independent contractors for services such as customized music arranging, drill designs, and clinicians for nationally competitive high school marching programs throughout the United States. Many of the BTM clients are ensembles that have been involved with the following organizations: the Texas University Interscholastic League; the Tournament of Bands, Bands of America, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, as well as a multitude of local, state, and regional competitions.


Steve's drum corps experience was acquired in the mid-1980's as a marching member with The Cavaliers and as a staff member with the Phantom Regiment.  He is currently a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), the Vic Firth Educational Team, and the Texas Music Educators Association.  Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of North Texas where he was a scholarship recipient and studied music composition under Dr. Martin Mailman as well as Dr. Joseph Klein.


Pending, Development Director 


Theorem-KC / Destination Winter Guard:

Will Torres, Program Manager - Will has many years of experience performing in, teaching, and managing the marching arts. An alumnus of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, Will currently serves as a drill writer, consultant, and visual instructor for marching bands and winter guards in Missouri and Kansas. In addition to his work with the marching arts, Will plays euphonium in the Midwest Winds community ensemble and serves on the regional board for Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity. Will is currently employed by the University of Central Missouri where he is seeking a Master's Degree in Speech Communication. He also has work experience in the Boy Scouts of America Heart of America Council.  He resides in Lee's Summit, MO with his wife, Anna.

Lisa Carson, Financial Manager (Guard Director) - Lisa recently retired from coaching in the Shawnee Mission District.  As the director of the Southettes and Pacesetters, she led many successful seasons on the football field and in various indoor events.  The Southette Colorguard's achievements included 1st in Regional B at MCCGA and several top 5 finishes.  The Pacesetter dance team's repertoire grew dramatically under Lisa's direction and the team competed successfully on and off the field.  Highlights included a first place win at the Warrensburg Festival of Champions (with the Southettes and the Rompin Stompin Raider Band) and two trips to perform in the ATT Cotton Bowl.  Overall organization. concept design and choreography were all duties that Lisa enjoyed as director.   She also created and hosted the KC Regional Dance, Drill and Colorguard Festival for 5 years attracting teams from as far away as Texas and Iowa.

 

Currently, in addition to her duties with Destination, Lisa serves as the Events Coordinator for the Natalie M Foundation in Overland Park and works as a Realtor with Real Living Realty Centre.  She also costumes and choreographs a variety of local academic and community theater events.  A mother of 4 and grandmother to 1 beautiful granddaughter, she stays busy with her family and with engaging in various community events.

Anna Torres, Lead Instructor - Anna is an accomplished performer, designer, educator, and choreographer in the color guard and winter guard community. She spent three years performing with the Pride of Missouri State Winter Guard from Springfield, MO. In 2008 she spun with the Phantom Regiment Winter Guard where she was a WGI World Class Finalist. She spent two summers marching with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps where she was a silver medalist at the Drum Corps International World Championships in 2006. Since then, Anna has taught and choreographed for numerous color guards and winter guards in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, most notably for the Pride of Missouri State Independent Open Class Finalist Winter Guard in 2010. In addition to her responsibilities with Destination Winter Guard, Anna serves as the Director of the Blue Valley Southwest Winter Guard in Overland Park, KS, and as the Assistant Band Director in the Center School District in Kansas City, MO. Anna currently resides in Lee's Summit, MO with her husband, Will.


Sara Corrigan, Assoc. Lead Instructor - Sara has been a part of the winter guard activity as a performer, choreographer, show designer and adjudicator since 1998. She has performed with Sky Ryders Independent A and Blessed Sacrament Independent World Winter Guards, and the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. Her shows have won first place at MCCGA Championships three separate times as well as several third place finishes. Sara lives in Overland Park, KS with her drum corps sweet heart and their two children.


Brooke Wallace, Instructor - Brooke started marching drum corps at age 16. She marched 2008 & 2009 with Spirit of Atlanta; then in 2010 she performed with the Blue Stars. For 2012 Brooke will be returning to Spirit of Atlanta.  She marched fall guard & winter guard at Wesley Chapel High School in Tampa, Florida. She then marched 2009 & 2010 with the Jacksonville State Marching Southerners in Jacksonville, Alabama, and was also a member of 2010 Aureus Winter Guard out of Atlanta, Georgia. Brooke is happy to now be on staff at Destination Winter Guard!


Heather Katz, Instructor - Heather started guard in 2005 at Shawnee Mission South High School and was a member of the Southettes for two years. After high school, she joined the Marching Jayhawks Color Guard and was a member for four years. She was a captain for two of those years. She has spun with Synchronicity Independent A Winter Guard for two years (2009 and 2011). She has taught many guard in the Kansas City and Lawrence areas, and is currently working with De Soto High Schools Winter Guard as a tech and show writer. Heather is in her 5th year at the University of Kansas as a Health and Physical Education Major. 


Nikki Beaton,  Assistant -

Gary Bailey - Assistant -

Consultants:


Jackie Krasuski, Consultant Jackie is the Director and Creator of the Spintronix Color Guard Program.  Established in 2008, this program has grown significantly each year and it now attracts participants from multiple States.  Not only does Jackie hold this camp, she also travels around the nation as a requested clinician. Moreover, she is active in the marching arts activity as a whole which includes helping behind the scenes as an Event Worker with Bands of America and Winter Guard International. Her DCI experience began as a marching member with the Memphis Sound and culminated as a member of the World Class Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps.  She has also performed with Zero Gravity Winter Guard, where she was Captain, as well as the University of Missouri Color Guard.  Jackie holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Phoenix and teaches in Mountain View, Missouri.


Rachel Amick, Consultant - Rachael began dancing at age 3 and became a part of the Color Guard activity at age 14.  She performed with Rolla High School, Marching Mizzou, and the winter guard Joie de Vivre.  Her DCI experience was attained as a member of the 2010 Phantom Regiment placing 6th in DCI World Class Finals.  Rachel currently instructs guard for Southern Boone County High School and she is finishing up her degree in Strategic Communications at the University of Missouri.


Pam Crawford, Consultant - Pam is currently attending the University of Missouri where she performs with Marching Mizzou Color Guard.  She is also a current marching member with the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps.  More Bio pending.


Meredith Thatcher, Consultant - Meredith has been part of guard programs since age 13.  Her Winter Guard experience includes Fort Osage High School, Zero Gravity, and Synchronicity; her Drum Corps experience includes the Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps and she aged out with Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps finishing 10th in the 2009 DCI World Class Finals.  Merideth is currently completing studies at the University of Missouri and she is a member of the Marching Mizzou.


Doug Schaffer, Consultant


Bob Frye, Consultant - Mr. Frye is the owner of School Band Instruments Repair which is located near Charlotte, NC.  Prior to opening his own business, he worked for two music companies as a repair specialist.  He has also been on the instructional staff of highly competitive high school marching bands including a former BOA Grand National Finalist Central Caberrus.  Bob is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education.

 

Randy Hutchinson, Consultant – Mr. Hutchinson currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana and he is a former marching member and instructional staff member with the Phantom Regiment.  He also has over ninteen years of experience on the Phantom Regiment Transportation Staff.


Troy Hall, Consultant Mr. Hall is an accomplished independent musician working out of Columbia, Missouri. He has played in many professional ensembles including the Terrence Blanchard tribute to Louis Armstrong. His Drum Corps experience includes being a marching snare drum member with the 1993 Phantom Regiment and the 1994 undefeated Blue Devils, and as a Staff Member of both the Colts and Pioneer.

 

Troy currently travels the United States as a professional musician, and works with numerous high school and university marching ensembles including the Indiana State University and Central Missouri State University; he also instructs Philosophy at Stephens College. Troy holds a Bachelor Degree from the University of North Texas, where he was the section leader of the multi-year PASIC winning North Texas Drumline; he also holds a Masters Degree from the University of New Orleans.

Roy D. “Skip” Vandelicht, Interim President – Skip is currently the Director of Bands at Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO.   Along with his duties as Director of Bands at CMU, he also teaches classes in conducting, woodwind techniques, and music education, as well as teaching applied woodwind lessons.  Prior to moving to CMU he taught for 31 years in the Fayette R-III School District and retired from there following the 2007-2008 academic-year.   During his tenure at Fayette R-III, Mr. Vandelicht also served as Adjunct Marching Band Director at CMU from 1983-1995 and Adjunct Co-Director of Bands at CMU in 2007-2008.

A native of Fulton, Missouri, Skip received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Methodist College in 1977 and a Master of Education degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1984.   From 1992-1994 he served as Chairman of the Missouri All-State Band for the Missouri Bandmasters Association and from 1994-1996 he was President of the Missouri Bandmasters Association.  Skip is the instrumental music adjudicator trainer for MSHSAA as well as a member of the MSHSAA Prescribed Graded Music List Committee and Sight Reading Committee.

Mr. Vandelicht received the Music Teacher of the Year Award from the Missouri Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1982, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Central Methodist in 1990, the Orpheus Award from the Beta Mu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia in 1991, the prestigious Bandworld Legion of Honor Award in 2004 and the National Federation of High School Activities “Music Educator of the Year Award for Missouri 2008”.  His memberships include the Music Educators National Conference, the Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, the National Band Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the Central States Judges Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the Fayette Optimist Club.  Skips is an active judge, clinician and adjudicator in Missouri and surrounding states.


Nathan Spurling, Vice President – Mr. Spurling is currently the Band Director at Hollister High School in Hollister, Missouri.  Nathan has also judged and worked with many percussion groups across the state. He has served as the Percussion Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator of the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association. He is a member of Missouri Music Educators Association and Missouri Band Masters Association.  He lives in Branson with his wife, Maria, his beautiful daughter Emma, and their family pet Rimshot.

 

Nathan graduated from North Salinas High School in Salinas, California and attended Hartnell Junior College. During that time he spent six years in the drum and bugle corps activity marching with the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets and the Sacremento Freelancers.  He then transferred from Hartnell to the University of Missouri-Columbia.

 

While at MU, Nathan served as center snare for the Marching Mizzou Drumline as well as serving as a counselor for the Missouri Summer Music Institute and MU's All-Juniors Camp.   He earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education at MU and after graduation he took his first position as director of bands in Ellington, Missouri. Mr. Spurling was then hired as the Assistant Band Director and the Director of Jazz at Owensville, Missouri.

 

He left Owensville to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Conducting at MU. While a graduate student, he served as the Drumline instructor for Marching Mizzou, founded the Missouri Rhythm Movement Winter Drumline, and conducted all University Bands.  Following the completion of his assistantship, Mr. Spurling took a position at Christian Fellowship School, a private Christian school in Columbia, Missouri. While there Mr. Spurling taught all aspects of the band program as well as teaching physical education and coaching the junior high basketball team. Mr. Spurling has also served as director of bands in the Branson School district and the Marionville school district.

 

Joy Ellsworth, Treasurer - Joy received her Bachelors Degree from the University of Kentucky.  She then relocated to the Kansas City area with her husband Luke where she began working as a mortgage loan officer.  After two years of service in the mortgage industry she felt the intense desire to dedicate more of her life to benefiting community youth.  So, after careful consideration, she decided to resign from the mortgage company and continue her academic studies pursuing a career in non-profit development.  Joy is currently seeking a Masters Degree in Non-Profit Management from the University of Missouri Kansas City Bloch School of Management.

Joy's decision to enter the world of non-profit development was generated from her love for the marching arts.  While in Kentucky, she performed with the University of Kentucky Marching Color Guard and Aesthetics Independent Winter Guard.  After moving to KC she acquired the role of Coordinator and Choreographer for the Guardians of Spin Color Guard program.  She previously served as the Canton Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps Volunteer Coordinator and now actively participates in the Kansas City musical theater scene, teaches private woodwind lessons, and choreographs color guard work for high schools in the KC metro area.

Andrew Marjamaa, Secretary Andrew Marjamaa has been the band director of the Southern Boone County High School since fall 2005.  The SBC band is very active in marching and performs atseveral venues around mid-Missouri.  Andrew earned his BA in Music Performance and his Masters in Music Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Andrew has played oboe for the Columbia Community Band and is currently a member of the Jefferson City Orchestra.   Andrew is a father of two children and has a beautiful wife Jennifer.  He is honored to serve on the initial Board of Directors for Momentum Youth Performance, Inc.

Gary Taylor, Director at Large Gary owns and operates a Music Go Round retail store in Columbia, Missouri which specializes in used musical gear; he also plays drums in and around the Columbia area. Prior to owning his own business, Gary worked in management and marketing positions with major retailers.  A native of Chillicothe, Missouri, he had the privilege of learning percussion under the direction of Claude T. Smith, and he earned a music scholarship to Missouri Western State College.  Gary received his Bachelors degree in Business from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.


Jim Riley, Honorary Board Member – Since 2000 Jim has been the band leader and drummer for the country band Rascal Flatts.  The band has set more concert attendance records than any country act selling more than six million tickets. They have also sold twenty million albums, twenty-five million digital downloads, and earned thirteen number-one charting singles. Moreover, Rascal Flatts became one of only four country acts to ever debut six consecutive studio albums at number-one. They have won nearly forty awards from the ACM, CMA, AMA and People's Choice, among others, and they have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Jim has also been voted Best Drum Clinician by readers of the publication Modern Drummer, and Best Country Drummer by the readers of Drum magazine.


Jim’s musical background includes attending the University of North Texas where he studied Drum Set with Ed Soph and Marching Percussion with Paul Renick.  While at NT he performed with the nationally acclaimed North Texas Drum Line and won 5 PASIC championships.  In addition, he also performed in the Drum Corps International Finals as a member of the 1989 Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps.

 

After receiving his degree from North Texas and performing with VK, Jim moved to Kansas City where he began to record with guitarist Jeff Scheetz; he also took a job with Kansas City Drumworks building and selling custom drums.  Looking to further his career as a performer Jim then moved to Nashville.  Less than a year later he was playing with country artist Mark Chesnutt and outlaw rocker Hank Williams III. Currently, when not touring or recording with Rascal Flatts, Jim keeps busy playing sessions in Nashville and giving lessons.  Jim is endorsed by Ludwig, Sabian, Vater, Remo, Shure, and Gibraltar.



Advisory Council:

Russ Chandler, Incorporator – Russ is one of the three Founding members of Momentum.  A native of Columbia, Missouri, Russ received his Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Missouri Western State College in 1986.  During his college years, he participated in various ensembles, such as marching and symphonic band, along with numerous percussion ensembles. On occasion Russ performed with the St. Joseph Symphony Orchestra. In his senior year, Mr. Chandler was elected by his band mates to be Lead Drum Major of the Golden Griffin Marching Band. Russ is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and has been a member of SMENC, and PAS. All through his career, he has worked with numerous high school drum lines from areas such as St. Joseph, Kansas City, and Columbia.

Russ was a member of the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps in 1983 when the corps placed 12th at the DCI World Championships in Miami, Florida.  His participation in the corps solidified his love for the marching and pageantry arts.  For the past few years, Mr. Chandler has actively volunteered for WGI and DCI events. Russ is currently a member of the DCI Event Staff, which helps facilitate DCI regional events across the country and the DCI World Championships each summer.

Russ is currently a Quality Systems Auditor at the Kraft Foods Global facility in Columbia, MO. The facility produces the majority of Oscar Mayer hot dogs found in supermarkets across the country. Mr. Chandler is also involved with environmental programs at the plant and helps ensure compliance to government regulations and ISO certifications

Landon Callahan, Incorporator Mr. Callahan is one of the three Founding members of Momentum.  He is currently an Assistant Director at East Newton High School in Missouri and he is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  He has also written award winning drill for winter percussion programs.  Landon's DCI experience was attained as a Marching Member with the Madison Scouts on trumpet.  Most recently, he was on the visual staff with The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps.  Landon received his Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Missouri State University.

Dr. Larry Tinnerman, Indiana State University - Dr. Tinnerman's performance history started in 1969 with the Casper Troopers of Casper, Wyoming as a baritone bugler. After a 3 year hiatus Larry joined the Erie Thunderbirds in 1972 and remained with them until 1978. He then performed with the Steel city Ambassadors in 1982.

As an instructor within the Junior Corps ranks, Larry served as the Staff Coordinator for the Enforcer Parade Corps from 1989 through 1992, a Consultant to the Marion Cadets in 1991, the Music Coordinator for the Golden Lancers in 1992, the Coordinator of the Enforcers parade Corps from 1993 through 1995 and was the Coordinator of the Pittsburgh Royal Crusaders in 1995.

His senior corps instructional credentials include Brass Tech and Drill Designer for the Steel City Ambassadors in 1980, Brass Tech for the Erie Thunderbirds in 1981 and 1983, Staff Coordinator and Arranger for the Erie Excalibur 1984 through ’85 and served as ensemble brass technician for the Steel City Ambassadors from 1986 through 1988, where Steel City placed in the top 3 of DCA including an undefeated regular season in 1986.

Administratively Larry served as the Director of the Pittsburgh Royal Crusaders from 1979 to 1980 and was the Director of the Tri-State Youth Federation whish included such organizations as the Enforcers and the Christmas Brass Choir.  Currently, Larry consults for several drum corps programs as well as arranges music for various all age corps and bands.

Larry holds a doctorate in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  As an undergraduate Larry majored in Psychology and Education with a minor in music composition from Edinboro University of PA.


Rich Hadfield, Past President - Mr. Hadfield was a band director in Missouri for 30 years.  Most recently he was the director at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri from 1980 to 2001, when he retired from his full time job.  Since then, he has taught two sections of Music & Film Analysis as a part-time teacher.

 

Rich saw his first drum corps performance in 1973 when he was taking a marching band drill design course in Illinois.  From that point forward he knew this was something he wanted to learn more about.  He attended many DCI contests at Whitewater, Wisconsin before following his own kids around the country when they were in corps.

During his years as a band director, Rich had 14 students who participated in drum corps; including his daughter, Catherine, who marched Carolina Crown in the color guard, and his twin sons, John and Gordon, who were in Phantom Regiment Cadets in 8th grade and then performed with The Cavaliers.   John aged out as The Cavaliers drum section leader and is now a professional percussionist in New York City and also teaches world percussion at NYU.   The work ethic and esprit de corps that came from drum corps has had a lasting effect on Rich’s work, his students, and especially his own children.

Lisa Wright, CPA - Lisa is the sole practitioner of Lisa C. Wright, CPA, LLC located in Columbia, Missouri.  She is currently licensed as a Certified Public Accountant by the Department of Economic Development, Division of Professional Registration, and Missouri State Board of Accountancy.  Lisa also works with the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) which is a not-for-profit organization that helps facilitate education administration on a national level using foundation grants.


Prior to working in public accounting she worked for two manufacturing entities: Harris Allied, in the credit department, and Cahokia Marine Service, where she worked in accounts payable.  Her professional affiliations include being a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants.  Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Culver-Stockton College and a Master of Accountancy - Taxation Emphasis from the University of Missouri.

Steve C. Bell, Executive Director See Staff for Bio