Jersey Surf Announces 2018 Visual Staff Members

The Jersey Surf World Class Drum Corps is very pleased to announce the newest additions to our educational team. Meet the Surf’s visual staff for the 2018 season and next summer’s Drum Corps International Tour.

Joining the Jersey Surf educational team but certainly no stranger to the marching arts is the Surf’s new 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.

 

DAVID DURHAM’s drum corps career began in 2011 marching in the Mellophone section of the legendary Empire Statesmen. He marched there for three seasons, from 2011 through 2013. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, David marched Mellophone with Fusion Core. David was a visual tech for the 2013 Empire Statesmen as well as the Mellophone Tech/Brass Caption Head for the 2016 Fusion Core.

As an instructor, David has taught both brass and visual with several high school marching bands in the Chesapeake Bay region. He is currently working with the Caesar Rodney Marching Band as a brass and visual technician. David was also the Band Director of Lake Forest High School (DE) from 2012-2014. In his time in that role, the program went from a non-competitive group to winning the 2012 TOB Chapter IX Group II Championship and placing in the Top 5 at the 2013 TOB Atlantic Coast Championships.

David is a graduate of Frostburg State University where he majored in Music Education and Horn Performance, under the instruction of Dr. Philip Klickman. Outside of drum corps, David is an elementary music teacher in the Lake Forest School District in Southern Delaware.

 

JEFF LEAGER is an avid instructor, designer, and educator, based on the east coast. Currently, Jeff is the band director at Central Middle School in Dover, DE. Jeff teaches the 7th and 8th grade concert bands along with the middle school marching band, jazz ensemble, and piano classes. His concert bands have been highly rated at festival competitions and adjudications. His marching band is also a regular performer and division winner of local festivals and community parades.

Jeff has enjoyed working with a number of very talented ensembles from an instruction and design position. From 2012-2015, Jeff worked with the Avon Grove High school marching band winning numerous accolades and high visual awards. While with Avon Grove, Jeff served as the indoor percussion Director and Show Designer during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Jeff currently is a visual and music instructor for the Caesar Rodney High school marching band. Jeff has written drill designs for many local groups including Fort Lee Indoor Percussion, Deer Lakes High school marching band (BOA), Avon Grove Indoor Percussion, Dover High School marching band, and others.

Jeff is an alumnus of the University of Delaware where he earned his degree in Music Education. While a Blue Hen, Jeff studied under Brian Brown, principal tubist for the Philadelphia Pops and Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Other primary teachers include Dr. Suzanne Burton, Dr. Alden Snell, and Dr. Chad Nicholson. During his time at UD, he performed in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Premiere Tuba Ensemble, Concert Choir, Brass Ensemble, Composers Society Ensemble, and the Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band where he served as visual coordinator his final year. Jeff has also performed with the Chesapeake Silver Cornet and Brass Band where in 2013, the ensemble took first place in Section II at the North American Brass Bands Association championships.

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.

 

Spanning nearly two decades of dedication and service to music education, Mr. D. MICHAEL LYNCH has acted as director and conductor of a many varied instrumental music ensembles and taught general music courses at the primary and second levels. As a professional freelance musician, he has shared the stage with many notable artists.

Mike is the Director of Bands at Cherokee High School in Marlton, New Jersey where his primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Beginner Band. Under his leadership, the Cherokee High School Marching Band has earned the rank of 2016 & 2017 NJ State Champions and 2014 National Champions. The Cherokee High School Wind Ensemble has placed among the leading wind bands within New Jersey, by performing in the NJ State Gala Concert 2014 through 2017. In addition to directing the performance ensembles, he teaches Music Theory I, Music Technology I, and Music Appreciation.

Mr. Lynch received a B.M. in Music Education from Rowan University, and his M.M. in Conducting from Messiah College, where he studied conducting with Dr. William Stowman, Dr. Bradley Genevro, and Eugene M. Corporon. While attending Rowan University, Mr. Lynch was a trumpet student of John Thyshen.

The Assistant Director of a summer program entitled Leadership through Education, Adventure, and Discipline (L.E.A.D.), Mr. Lynch co-developed a robust curriculum that affords young adults an opportunity to gain heightened communication skills, challenging conflict resolutions, and problematic situational solutions.

As a performer in the realm of drum corps, Mr. Lynch has performed with the Hawthorne Caballeros from 1994-1997 and the Madison Scouts dur the 1998 and 1999 seasons. He continues his involvement as an active member of the Madison Scouts Alumni Project, where he took part in the 2014 Macy’s Day Parade and will participate in the 2018 Mardi Gras Krewe of Orpheus Parade.

Mr. Lynch is married to Katy Lynch. They recently welcomed their daughter, Cecily Marie Lynch, into their growing family to join their son, Graham Michael Lynch.

 

Bringing considerable expertise to the Jersey Surf team as a performer, adjudicator and educator is KRISSY McMULLEN.

Krissy has performed with DCA’s Reading Buccanneers during two tours of duty, from 1983-1986 as a member of the French Horn (bugle) section, and from 2007-2013 as a member of the Mellophone line. Additionally, she has served as a member of the visual staff of the Buccaneers, Fusion Core and the Long Island Sunrisers.

Since 2008, Krissy has served as a Field Visual Adjudicator for the Cavalcade of Bands Circuit. Prior to her involvement as an adjudicator, Krissy was a visual tech for Lower Dauphin High School, Lancaster Catholic High School and Quakertown High School.

When she’s not following her passion on a performance field, Krissy is a registered nurse and certified operating room nurse in the OR at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. She carries certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She is also currently pursuing a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing through Chamberlain University.

 

For more than 10 years JACOBO MEDINA has been involved in the marching arts in some way, shape, or form. From student to instructor, Jacobo holds a vast amount of experience in many roles. He started his marching career as a member of the Dover Tiger Marching Band from 2008-2011 playing tuba/mellophone. In 2008, he met one of his biggest inspirations and one of the nicest people in the marching arts Maurice Banks. It was Maurice who had a hand in introducing Jacobo to a local drum and bugle corps in the area called Fusion Core.

From 2008 to 2015, Jacobo joined the ranks of Fusion Drum and Bugle Core. Playing tuba for 5 years (2008-2012) And then playing his main instrument, the trumpet, from 2013 til he retired in 2015. Jacobo spent 8 long seasons giving it his all at Fusion, serving in various roles from section leader, horn sergeant, to soloist. One of his biggest accolades was capturing the DCA Class A world championship in 2010 while also going undefeated for the season.

Jacobo has also had various roles in the activity as an educator. He started teaching marching band back in 2013 with The Pride Of Metuchen Marching Band in the role of brass tech. He spent 3 seasons with the group in various roles from brass teach, brass choreographer and percussion tech. Jacobo also taught the group’s indoor percussion program from 2013-2015 Serving as the bass drum tech. In 2014 Jacobo joined the staff at Pequannock Township Marching Band where he was the tuba tech. Even though it was only for a season, it was a successful season for the organization as they finished in 2nd place at state championships and national championships in group 3 USBands.

Jacobo spends his days today as a freelance trumpet player playing gigs from time to time. He’s currently the lead trumpet player for Tony Destro And The Bowery Boys, an Elvis/Jersey Boys cover band. He works full time for UPS as a processer for a company called International Food source. In 2014 Jacobo started school at County College of Morris majoring in Audio Engineering and Electronic Music. I’m excited to start this new chapter of my teaching career and can’t wait to get started!

 

KATE SOCHA is excited to be a part of the Jersey Surf visual team for the 2018 season. 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.

Kate also taught marching band at 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 graduated with dual bachelor degrees in music and education from the University of Connecticut and a master degree in music education from the University of Florida. Kate is currently a music teacher at Hamden High School (CT) where she teaches instrumental music lessons, music technology and music theory. She also conducts the spring musical and writes drill for their marching band. In addition to her music background, Kate has color guard experience and 15 years of dance training.

 

JOE TAYLOR has been involved with the marching arts either as a trumpet / mellophone player or instructing since 1979. During this time he has spent many years working in both the DCI and DCA arenas. Joe was a staff member and Visual Caption Head during championship seasons with The Syracuse Brigadiers and Empire Statesmen. Also working with Spirit of Atlanta, Fusion Core and The White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps. He has had the opportunity to work with some great Designers and instructors including: Rick Morey, Chris Calhoun, Jim Steele, Jamie Thompson, Rich Templin and Wayne Downey.

Joe has worked with numerous marching bands in NY and has been working with Victor High School’s Marching Band and Winter Percussion group for the past 13 years. Earning multiple NYS Championships with both groups, including a 2017 Bronze Medal at WGI Finals for his Winter Percussion program VIPE.

Joe is a graduate of Nazareth College in Rochester, NY and resides there with his wife Josette and 11yr old daughter Juliana.   He is employed by Concentrix Corporation as the Manager of Training.

 

CHRISTINA TELEP is a Jersey Surf alumna who grew up in Chesapeake, VA. She is currently a student at James Madison University where she studies sports and recreation management as well as music. At James Madison, Christina has performed with many different music ensembles including the Marching Royal Dukes, JMU Pep Band, and the JMU Concert band.

Her drum corps experience includes marching in the trumpet section with the Jersey Surf for three summers where she was featured in the corps song as the soloist and also during each of the seasons in which she performed. In 2015, she was also given the opportunity to perform with the DCA Bushwackers for a portion of their season.

Outside of drum corps, Christina has returned to her hometown in each of the past three summers to work with Hickory High School as a marching and music instructor. In addition to being a musician, Christina is also an athlete. She grew up playing travel soccer year-round but transitioned to playing rugby in college. She is currently a starter on JMU’s nationally ranked Women’s Rugby Team.

 

Another new member of the Jersey Surf’s education team, JOE WHITE studied Music Composition and Film at Brooklyn College and earned a degree in Media Communications from New York Institute of Technology.  Joe has written music for a few films and commercials. Now doing sound mixing for movies and T.V. shows including Friends with Benefits, The Bounty Hunter, and Men in Black 3 as well as TV shows including Pan Am, The Big C, Girls and Mr Robot. In addition to being an Emmy Nominee (Sound) for his work on Sex And The City, he is a voting member of the Television Academy for the Emmy awards.

Joe played French Horn for many years, when marching drum corps he played mellophone. He continued on to perform in the pit playing Timpani and Marimba as well. He has Marched with Bayonne Bridgemen, NY Skyliners, Crossmen, Pegasus Winter Guard, Long Island Sunrisers and Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps. Joe aged out with the Velvet Knights of Anaheim, CA in 1992 which was one of his favorite seasons on the field. Joe returned to Velvet Knights the following year as Visual Instructor which began his teaching career.

Joe’s background includes Drill Designer and Visual Instructor for many drum corps, marching bands, winter guards and drum lines including Fusion Core, NY Skyliners, Bushwackers & Sunrisers Drum & Bugle Corps Brentwood HS Marching Band (NY), Monroe HS (NJ), Hicksville HS (NY), St. Frances Prepatory (Queens NY), Winsor Central HS (NY) and Malverne HS (NY) and Consulted with many other groups. Joe has also instructed Pegasus Winter Guard as well as designing Saturday Matinee and Consulted with Light Brigade color guard.

 

Allentown, PA resident KAT WILLIAMS holds a Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Instrumental Music Education from Concordia University Wisconsin. Kat marched in the tuba section of the DCA World Champion Reading Buccaneers for 8 seasons between 2004 and 2013.

Recently completing her 4^th season as a drill writer and designer for Allentown’s Dieruff High School Marching band, Kat will also the drill designer for the inaugural season of the New Jersey-based DCA corps Highland Regiment in 2018. Kat has also served as tuba music tech at Fusion Core (DCA) in 2014 and 2015 and as a tuba visual tech in 2016.

Kat currently enjoys a successful professional career as a Team Lead in the Clinical Trial Pharmaceutical industry.

 

After marching with the Sacred Heart University Marching Band from 1998-2002, BILL WOODDRUFF marched with the DCA Bushwackers for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Returning to drum corps instructional ranks in 2012, Bill was an educator with the Long Island Sunrisers before joining the staff of the DCA Fusion Core in 2014/15 and the Long Island Sunrisers in 2016.

Bill is a New York city teacher currently working for the United Federation of Teachers as the District 7 Representative.

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