|
Ray Vasquez
Brass Caption Head
View Ray's Bio Here
 Alex Blue
Low Brass Technician
E-mail Alex
BIO: Alex began playing trombone at age 14, his freshman year of high school. His love of low brass led him to the Santa Clara Vanguard where he marched from 2006-07. In 2009, he taught at Spirit Drum & Bugle Corps on the staff of Dr. Ray Vasquez.
Alex earned a bachelor's degree in music performance - trombone from Texas Tech University in 2008. He studied trombone with Don Lucas and James Decker; and jazz styles, theory and improvisation with Brad Leali and Jason Berg. He won the 2004 ITA Remington Competition and 2005 Eastern Trombone Workshop as a member of the Texas Tech University trombone choir.
Alex is currently working as a freelance trombone player/educator. He recently worked in the Bay Area in California, during which time he was the visual caption head for the Los Altos High School Marching Band and co-director of jazz programs for Santa Teresa High School. Upon moving to San Jose, he quickly became recognized as one of the area's most talented trombone players. He performed as a member of San Jose Jazz Orchestra, and with world-class jazz musicians including Dave Weckl, Jeff Lorber, Richie Cole, Les DeMerle, Wess Anderson, Ernie Watts and other jazz heavy-hitters.
Return to Colts Staff page.
 Lauren Ashley Cobb
Mellophone Technician
E-mail Lauren
BIO: Lauren is a recent graduate of Florida State University majoring in music education. Her primary instrument is horn and she has served as principal of the three main undergraduate bands at FSU. Lauren has also held positions in the University Philharmonia Orchestra, various chamber ensembles, and the Marching Chiefs. Lauren also worked as a recital hall technician providing recording, lights, stage management, and live sound for university ensembles and private clients.
Having been a fan of the drum corps activity since 2004, Lauren has been actively involved in drum corps since the 2007 season at Spirit Drum & Bugle Corps where she played mellophone. In 2008 and 2009, she marched mellophone with Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps.
Lauren is excited to be back with the Colts in her second season as mellophone tech.
Return to Colts Staff page.
 Bobby Frey
Baritone/Euphonium Technician
E-mail Bobby
BIO: Bobby is currently a student at the Bob Cole Music Conservatory at CSU Long Beach and is in the process of getting his Bachelor of Music degree in trombone performance. He is currently studying under Bill Reichenbach, Bob McChesney and Robert Frear.
Bobby has been a visual designer and instructor since 2006. He works for several high schools in California, many of which are quite successful in their individual circuits.
From 2006-09, Bobby was a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard. He learned from several fantastic music educators such as Dr. Nicholas Williams, Bradley Green, Dr. Ray Vasquez and Andre Feagin. He was a lead baritone player all throughout and was the baritone/euphonium section leader his final year.
Bobby is excited and extremely honored to be returning to the Colts this summer.
Return to Colts Staff page.
 Megan Ivers-Palmer
Baritone/Euphonium Technician
E-mail Megan
BIO: Megan is a 2007 graduate from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Music in music education. Her primary teachers include Tom Ashworth and John Tranter. In 2005 and 2006, Megan marched trumpet and euphonium with Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps.
Megan has taught high school and middle school band. She is currently an elementary band director in the St. Louis Park school district. She is also a visual and instrumental tech at Eastview and Eden Prairie H.S. -- BOA super regional finalists marching band programs. Megan has been on brass staff with the Minnesota Brass Senior Drum & Bugle Corps winning best field brass caption at DCA championships 2008 and 2009. Professional associations include MMEA, MBDA and MENC.
Return to Colts Staff page.
 Matt Kettlehut
Trumpet Technician
E-mail Matt
BIO: Matt is currently an active freelance percussionist, composer and educator in the Twin Cities area. While maintaining a full studio of private percussion students, he also serves as the brass caption head and arranger for Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corps. His work as brass caption head with the Minnesota Brass has helped lead the corps to become one of the most exciting and entertaining units in DCA. His work has also helped to secure the corps three consecutive 2nd place finishes at the DCA Finals over the past three seaons. The 2010 brassline finished in a three-way tie for top caption honors.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota and a member of the 1994 DCI World Champion Blue Devils, Matt has studied with several noted percussionists and has earned an applauded reputation giving clinics and concerts throughout the United States and Europe as part of the Penumbra Percussion Duo. Matt serves as a judge for the Minnesota Percussion Association, solo/ensemble contests, and marching band competitions. He is a past treasurer for the Minnesota Percussive Arts Society, a member of Chamber Music America, as well as the Twin Cities Musicians Union.
Return to Colts Staff page.
 Tim Kiefer
Tuba Technician
E-mail Tim
BIO: Tim is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay with a degree in applied music. During his time there, he performed in the top wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and was an active member of the New Music Ensemble. He also spent many years as a recording technician, recording, editing, and mastering concerts and recitals for the department. He is currently applying to a number of schools to pursue a master's degree in music composition.
Tim has had six original compositions premiered in a number of venues, as well as wrote original music for the UW-GB Theatre production of The Balkan Women, by Jules Tasca, which was highly acclaimed at the American College Theater Festival in 2009. Tim is also a freelance arranger, his first performances scheduled for Spring 2011 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Tim marched with Capital Sound Drum & Bugle Corps from Madison, Wisconsin, in 2005 and 2006 before joining the Colts for the 2007 and 2008 seasons where he played euphonium. He spent the 2009 season behind the wheel for the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps before returning to the Colts as a brass intern in 2010.
Tim is thrilled and humbled to be back home with the Red Team and is looking forward to working with Ray Vasquez and the rest of the crew for another season.
Return to Colts Staff page.
 Laura Polling Leary
Mellophone Technician
E-mail Laura
BIO: Laura is currently the assistant band director at Medina Valley Middle School in Castroville, TX. She currently teaches the beginning brass students, concert band, and assists with the Medina Valley High School marching and concert bands. Laura’s other experiences have included director of bands at Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio, Texas, from 2007-09. She also works with Jefferson High School band and trumpet section in San Antonio, Texas, as a brass and visual technician.
Laura’s drum corps experience includes marching with the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps (2001) and the Santa Clara Vanguard (2002-04). She is returning for her fourth season with the Colts. This will be her third season on brass staff after teaching in 2009-10, and visual staff in 2006.
Laura earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in music education in 2005.
Return to Colts Staff page.
 Dan Ritacco
High Brass Technician
E-mail Dan
BIO: The 2011 season will mark Dan’s 26th year involved with drum corps (10 as a marching member and this will be his 16th as an instructor). Dan aged out of Madison Scouts in 1990 after six years with the corps. While with Scouts, he played lead soprano during his six-year tenure ultimately serving as horn sergeant in 1990. During his time with the Scouts, he was also a member of the DCI World Champion corps in 1988 and I&E Brass Ensemble Champion that same year.
As an instructor, Dan has taught eight years with Capital Sound, four years at the Blue Stars from 2004-07, and most recently spent two years with the Madison Scouts in 2008-09. Dan has studied trumpet under Johnny Hemkes (Racine, WI), John Aley (UW-Madison), and William Pfund (U of Northern Colorado). Dan is currently a graduate student at UW-Stout pursuing a master's degree in career and technical education/training.
Return to Colts Staff page.
|
