Directors
Darrell S. Keech - Marching Band Director, Program Coordinator
Mr. Darrell Keech is proud to be a Director of Bands at Arlington High School. In addition to his duties as the Director of the
Arlington Marching Band, Mr. Keech is the director of one of the Ninth Grade Bands and the Concert Band.
Before coming to Arlington High School in 2006, Mr. Keech was the Director of Bands at Patuxent High School, Lusby, Maryland.
Under his direction, the Patuxent High School band grew in size and ability to become the premier band program in Southern
Maryland. The organization was a three-time Tournament of Bands Chapter IX Champion, and finished in the Top 10 of the Atlantic
Coast Championships numerous times. Under Mr. Keech’s direction, the Wind Ensemble received six straight years of superior
(I) ratings at all District and State Festivals performing Grade level V and VI literature. Before going to Patuxent, Mr. Keech spent
four years teaching in the Kiski Area School District, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. During his time at Kiski Area, Mr. Keech had many
different roles from Elementary General/Vocal music teacher, High School Band Director, and interim Director of Music.
Mr. Keech was graduated from Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Maryland. He was also a student of the
Visual and Performing Arts Program of Frederick County for both applied clarinet and percussion. He received his Master of
Science in School Building Leadership from Mercy College and Bachelor of Music in Music Education Degree from West Virginia
University. He has continued course work at Duquesne University, McDaniel College and The College of Notre Dame in Maryland.
Putting himself through college on a full scholarship for clarinet performance, Mr. Keech has also performed on percussion,
saxophones, and voice, as well as in the theatre. He has participated as a member of the percussion section in the West Virginia
University Marching Band and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Over the past decade and a half some of his teaching experiences include: instruction and design with high school bands in
Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Most notably, he has worked with the Bands of America Regional Finalist Wheeling
Park High School Marching Band from Wheeling, West Virginia. Mr. Keech was also the assistant director for the Regional and
National Champion Kiski Area Marching Band.
Outside of public school education, Mr. Keech spent two years as an instructor with the West Virginia University Marching Band.
He also spent summers teaching for Drum Corps International organizations such as: the Golden Lancers from Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, the Magic of Orlando from Orlando, Florida, and the Colts from Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. Keech has also served on the
faculty of St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s City, Maryland as an instructor of Instrumental Music Methods.
Mr. Keech is honored in 7th through 10th Editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Mr. Keech was also recognized for
Excellence in Teaching by the National Society of High School Scholars and as a Leading Educator of the World by The
International Biographical Centre. He was selected as the 2004 and 2005 Walmart Corporation Calvert County Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Keech’s professional affiliations currently include: the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of
Teachers (AFT), the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the Arlington Teachers Association (ATA), the Music Educators
National Conference (MENC), the New York State School Music Association (NYSMMA), the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), and the
International Thespian Society (ITS).
Mr. Keech lives in Poughkeepsie, New York with his wife (and Arlington Marching Band Assistant Director), Lynda Keech.
Lynda Keech - Assistant Marching Band Director, Wind Section Caption Head
Currently, Lynda P. Keech is the Director of Choirs and Music teacher at Highland Jr./Sr. High School. Previously, Mrs. Keech was
the Director of Choirs at Patuxent High School where she also taught the Advanced Placement Music Theory and Music Theory
classes. Upon her arrival to Maryland in 1999, she spent 2 years as Director of Bands at Spring Ridge Middle School, St. Mary's
County and 2 years as the Director of Choirs and Music teacher at Mill Creek Middle School. Prior to teaching in Maryland, Mrs.
Keech spent 7 years teaching in the Kiski Area School District, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania and 5 years teaching in the Leechburg
School District, Leechburg, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Keech was graduated from Kiski Area High School in Vandergrift Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science degree
in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University, With Distinction, and her Master of Music Degree in Music Education
from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. She is a member of many National Honor Societies, with the most recent being her
induction into Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society, and Delta Kappa Gamma, National Society for Women Educators.
For the past four years, Mrs. Keech has been the Choir Director at 2 schools in Calvert County: Patuxent High for the last 2 years,
and 2 years at Mill Creek Middle School before that. She’s also taught Music Theory and Advanced Placement Music Theory at
Patuxent High the last 2 years. This comprehensive high school program includes: an award winning Concert Choir, Chamber
Choir, and Chorale. All of her groups that participated in the District IV Adjudication Festival this year received Superior ratings for
the first time ever at Grade Level V and V/VI music. Additionally, at the Maryland State Choral Festival, both groups received
Superior ratings, which is also a first at Patuxent High School. At Mill Creek Middle School, Mrs. Keech’s 8th grade choir was the
only one in Calvert County to receive an overall Superior rating at District Festival, which qualified them to attend the State Festival,
where the choir received an Excellent rating overall and a Superior rating in Sight-reading. Mrs. Keech has also been the Assistant
Marching Band Director for the award winning Patuxent High School Marching Band for the last 5 years. Mrs. Keech was the guest
conductor for Calvert County’s All-County Middle School Honor Chorus in 2003. And, in St. Mary's County, Mrs. Keech was the guest
conductor for the All-County Elementary Honor Band in the spring of 2001.
In Pennsylvania, Mrs. Keech taught instrumental and vocal music for the Kiski Area School district. She was an Assistant Director
for the Elementary Band and an Assistant Director for the Regional and National Champion Kiski Area Marching Band. Prior to
Kiski, she was involved with the Leechburg Area High School Band in instruction and design. She has also taught vocal music in
the Leechburg Area School District, giving her professional experience in all aspects and age levels of music over the course of
her 20+ year career.
Mrs. Keech also enjoys theater and musical theater and was the pit band director for Patuxent High School's spring musicals for 2
years and the Vocal director for 1. She has been involved in directing/performing in musical groups and productions at Leechburg
Area High School, Freeport High School, Freeport, Pennsylvania, Kittaning High School, Kittaning, Pennsylvania and Kiski Area
High School. She was the Drama teacher at Spring Ridge Middle School where the students performed a play at Christmas time
and the musical Annie, Jr. in the spring.
Mrs. Keech currently resides in Poughkeepsie, NY with her fabulous and supportive husband, who is the Marching Band Director
for the Arlington School District. She enjoys cooking, baking, reading and all things musical, and looks forward to attending
classes at the CIA to further her culinary skills.
Design Team
Daniel Valadie - Music Design
Daniel Valadie graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University in 1995. He went on to
become the band director at Christiansburg High School in Christiansburg, Virginia, and later became the associate band director
at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 2007, Mr. Daniel complete his Masters in Music at George Mason University.
Daniel has taught and composed/arranged music for a number of indoor and outdoor Percussion Ensembles throughout
Maryland and Virginia, including: Huntingtown High School, Huntingtown, Maryland; Patuxent High School, Lusby, Maryland;
LaPlata High School, LaPlata, Maryland; Thomas Stone High School, Waldorf, Maryland; West Springfield High School, Springfield,
Virginia; and the James Madison Marching Royal Dukes, Harrisonburg, Virginia. He has performed with such artists as Bill
Watrous and Steve Houghton, and has performed with the Lynchburg Symphony and the Jefferson Choral Society.
Currently, Daniel is a percussionist in the United States Air Force Band, Washington D.C., and is active as a judge and
administrator in the Atlantic Indoor Association drum line circuit.
Tim Fairbanks - Drill Design
Tim Fairbanks has been the Marching Percussion Director at Centerville High School (OH) since 1997, where his groups are
consistent National Finalists at BOA Grand National Championships and Scholastic World Finalists at the WGI World
Championships. Centerville is the 1999 Scholastic Open Champion and 2004 WGI Scholastic World Champion. Tim is the
Program Coordinator and Visual Designer for Rhythm X, WGI Independent World Class Champion in 2007 and 2008 and is the
Drill Designer for the Bluecoats from Canton, OH. He proudly endorses the products of Evans/D’addario, Dynasty, and Sabian,
and is a Signature Artist with Innovative Percussion. He is a designer and clinician for The Senators Drum and Bugle Corps
(Eastleigh, England), The Company (Barnsley, England) and Aimachi (Nagoya, Japan). Tim is the Vice President of MEPA, serves
on the WGI Board of Directors in addition to membership on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Steering Committee. Tim is
an internationally in-demand clinician, designer, arranger and adjudicator.
Tim lives near Dayton, Ohio with his wife Jodi and their two children.
Bert Cousins - Color Guard Design, Color Guard Caption Head
Bert Cousins brings a wealth of experience in teaching, performance, and fitness to his work with color guards and marching
bands. Throughout his career, he has served in multiple leadership, design, and instructional capacities with successful bands,
color guards, drum corps, and winter guards. This will be his second season with the Arlington marching band.
Most recently, he finished his 15th consecutive season (1994-2008) as the designer and choreographer of the Hinsdale Central
HS winter guard from western New York. During this time the group has been a WGI Scholastic A and Open Class World
Championship finalist (2001, 2002, 2008) and repeated WGI regional champions. Bert is also the drill designer (2005 – present)
for the Lancaster High School Marching Band from Lancaster, NY. He also designed for Lancaster’s first-ever winter guard (2005)
who went on to win the NECGC circuit championship title in their debut season. Bert also works with many winter guards, color
guards, and marching bands on a consulting and design basis for groups across the country.
As a performer, Bert was a member of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps for five seasons (1993-1997), serving as color guard
captain in 1996 and 1997, and as a member of the Cadets guard staff in 1998. Additionally, Bert was a member of the WGI Silver
medalist, Escapade winter guard (1995) from Dayton, OH.
Bert graduated from SUNY College at Buffalo with a B.S and M.S. in Social Studies Secondary Education. Upon graduating from
Buffalo State, he was a middle school social studies teacher in a large suburban district south of Buffalo, NY for seven years.
Currently, Bert resides in Brooklyn and is a doctoral student in Educational Leadership and School Change at Teachers College,
Columbia University where he obtained his School District Administrator certification. In 2007, he began his current position as the
Director of Social Studies for the North Shore Schools in Glen Head, NY. Bert is a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified
personal trainer for New York Sports Club at various locations in New York City.
Instructional Team
Dion Placencia - Percussion Coordinator
Dion Placencia has played music his entire life. At only five years old, he was playing drums and hasn't stopped. He first began
playing in the percussion section of concert bands in Houston, Texas public schools and continued in Nashua, NH. He marched in
his first year of drum corps, in the Tom Line with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993, under the direction of Chris Dufault.
In 1994, his involvement with the Spartans led him to another corps: The Boston Crusaders. He spent that winter season under
the direction of Collin McNutt and then decided to attend college. While attending the University of NH at Keene, he performed in
the Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and was the principal percussionist in the production of Carmina Burana with The
Keene Chamber Orchestra. In 1995, he returned to the Boston Crusaders Tom Line and completed his drum corps experience
that year.
Soon after, a new interest began in writing and teaching marching percussion. From 1997-1999, he was the marching percussion
instructor, arranger, and caption head for Plymouth High School in Plymouth, MA. He then moved to Kingston, NY where he married
and had two children. His devotion to music continued.
In 2000, he was the instructor and caption head for the Onteora High School Drum Line in Boiceville, NY who were the 2004
division champions where he continues to work today. In the same year, he also started teaching at Ellenville Middle School where
he directed the 7/8 Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and taught General Music classes. In 2005, he completed his Masters in Music
Education from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. At Saint Rose, he was involved with the percussion ensemble and studied
jazz drumming with Yamaha drum artist Matt Cremisio. Dion is currently in his ninth year of teaching in Ellenville and is arranging
for Kingston High School drumline, Onteora High School winter percussion and is also the Marching Percussion coordinator for
Arlington High School, NY. He performs in the pit orchestra at the Center of Performing Arts Theater in Rhinebeck, NY with Up and
One Productions. He is endorsed by Pearl, Adams Percussion, Vic Firth on the board of directors for Dark Knight drum corps and
is a consultant for Excelsior Senior Drum and Bugle Corps, Albany NY.
Jon Churchill - Front Ensemble Coordinator
Jon is a senior at Western Connecticut State University with an anticipated degree in Music Education in May 2010. He has won
WCSU’s James Furman Competition twice; once in the soloist and once in the chamber music category. Orchestral experience
includes playing principal percussion in the Nutmeg Symphony and winter winds as well as in the Danbury Symphony and
community orchestras across Connecticut. As a soloist, he has given the world premiere of Formalities (mvt. IV) for solo marimba
by Kevin Jay Isaacs and performed the Milhaud Concerto pour marimba, vibraphone, et orchestre with the WCSU Symphony
Orchestra. In addition to performing, he regularly gives clinics on a variety of musical topics at area high schools.
As a member of the Invicta percussion duo, he has appeared at the Connecticut Day of Percussion as well as the CMEA annual
conference in Hartford, CT as part of a showcase concert. Described as “bouncing off one another” and “capable of producing dark
and powerful, almost indescribable, tones”; Invicta has given several clinics on solo and chamber music throughout the state of
Connecticut. The duo plans to compete in the Chamber Music Festival of New England and the International Marimba Competition
in Belgium in the coming years.
Active as a freelance musician and deeply involved in musical theater, Jon has played drums or percussion in productions of West
Side Story, AIDA, Seussical, The Pajama Game, Once on This Island, Bye Bye Birdie, Oliver, High School Musical, and The
Producers, to name a few in venues such as the Rich Forum.
Professional affiliations include the American Federation of Musicians, Local 514, The Percussive Arts Society, The National
Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Phi Lambda Theta. Jon studies percussion with David Smith, marimba with Gordon Stout, and
drumset with Roger Post.
Nick Monzi - Marching Coordinator
Nick Monzi is currently serving the band as Visual Coordinator. The 2009 season marks his seventh year of involvement with the
program.
Nick performed as a lead mellophone in Carolina Crown's 2009 production, "The Grass is Always Greener...". The corps earned a
silver medal at the DCI World Championships, and captured the first Jim Ott Memorial Trophy for top brass performance in the
corps' 20 year history. In 2008, he served as a lead mellophone and mellophone soloist with The Brigadiers Drum and Bugle
Corps.
As of August 2007, Nick has attended Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY, where he is pursuing degrees in Marketing and
Entrepreneurship. He is a member of the Honors Program at the university, and works in the Syracuse University Athletics
Department, a position which has afforded him the opportunity to work at numerous sporting events, as well as at the world
premiere of the major motion picture, "The Express", in downtown Syracuse.
At SU, Nick has studied horn under the expertise of the SSO's Jon Garland while performing in the college's Wind Ensemble,
Symphony Band, and Horn Ensemble. In the fall
2008 semester he performed as a charter member of the university's Brass Choir.
Nick is an alumnus of the Arlington Marching Band program. As a member of the band, he performed from 2003-2006 in the
mellophone section, serving as section leader for his final two years in the program. During his years as a member, the
ensemble won one NYSFBC championship, two Musical Arts Conference championships, and was a Bands of America Regional
Finalist and National Semifinalist. Upon graduation, he made the transition to staff member for the 2007 season.
Outside of school, Nick has performed with the NYSSMA All-State Symphony Orchestra, New Paltz College/Youth Symphony
Orchestra, Trinity Players Pit Orchestra, and served as principal horn for the American Music Abroad Gold Tour during the summer
of 2005. During the tour, he enjoyed the ability to perform in four foreign nations including Austria, France, Germany, and
Switzerland.
Nick Coperine - Percussion Instructor
A new addition to the AHS Percussion Staff this year is Nick Coperine. He is a native of Port Chester, NY where he was a member
of the Port Chester High School Marching Band. Nick is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. While at URI, Nick performed in various ensembles including the URI Ram
Marching Band, Concert Band and Symphonic Band. His additional marching experience includes two years with the Boston
University Indoor Percussion Ensemble (WGI). There, he studied under Matt Ramey who currently teaches with the Santa Clara
Vanguard, as well as Chris Dufault and Mike Wasielewski. Nick’s teaching experience includes Plymouth High School from
Plymouth, MA, Port Chester High School, as well as Malverne High School from Long Island, where he has worked for seven years
and currently holds the Percussion Caption Head position.
Mary Krembs - Color Guard Instructor
Biography To Come......
Darrell S. Keech - Marching Band Director, Program Coordinator
Mr. Darrell Keech is proud to be a Director of Bands at Arlington High School. In addition to his duties as the Director of the
Arlington Marching Band, Mr. Keech is the director of one of the Ninth Grade Bands and the Concert Band.
Before coming to Arlington High School in 2006, Mr. Keech was the Director of Bands at Patuxent High School, Lusby, Maryland.
Under his direction, the Patuxent High School band grew in size and ability to become the premier band program in Southern
Maryland. The organization was a three-time Tournament of Bands Chapter IX Champion, and finished in the Top 10 of the Atlantic
Coast Championships numerous times. Under Mr. Keech’s direction, the Wind Ensemble received six straight years of superior
(I) ratings at all District and State Festivals performing Grade level V and VI literature. Before going to Patuxent, Mr. Keech spent
four years teaching in the Kiski Area School District, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. During his time at Kiski Area, Mr. Keech had many
different roles from Elementary General/Vocal music teacher, High School Band Director, and interim Director of Music.
Mr. Keech was graduated from Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Maryland. He was also a student of the
Visual and Performing Arts Program of Frederick County for both applied clarinet and percussion. He received his Master of
Science in School Building Leadership from Mercy College and Bachelor of Music in Music Education Degree from West Virginia
University. He has continued course work at Duquesne University, McDaniel College and The College of Notre Dame in Maryland.
Putting himself through college on a full scholarship for clarinet performance, Mr. Keech has also performed on percussion,
saxophones, and voice, as well as in the theatre. He has participated as a member of the percussion section in the West Virginia
University Marching Band and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Over the past decade and a half some of his teaching experiences include: instruction and design with high school bands in
Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Most notably, he has worked with the Bands of America Regional Finalist Wheeling
Park High School Marching Band from Wheeling, West Virginia. Mr. Keech was also the assistant director for the Regional and
National Champion Kiski Area Marching Band.
Outside of public school education, Mr. Keech spent two years as an instructor with the West Virginia University Marching Band.
He also spent summers teaching for Drum Corps International organizations such as: the Golden Lancers from Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, the Magic of Orlando from Orlando, Florida, and the Colts from Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. Keech has also served on the
faculty of St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s City, Maryland as an instructor of Instrumental Music Methods.
Mr. Keech is honored in 7th through 10th Editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Mr. Keech was also recognized for
Excellence in Teaching by the National Society of High School Scholars and as a Leading Educator of the World by The
International Biographical Centre. He was selected as the 2004 and 2005 Walmart Corporation Calvert County Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Keech’s professional affiliations currently include: the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of
Teachers (AFT), the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the Arlington Teachers Association (ATA), the Music Educators
National Conference (MENC), the New York State School Music Association (NYSMMA), the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), and the
International Thespian Society (ITS).
Mr. Keech lives in Poughkeepsie, New York with his wife (and Arlington Marching Band Assistant Director), Lynda Keech.
Lynda Keech - Assistant Marching Band Director, Wind Section Caption Head
Currently, Lynda P. Keech is the Director of Choirs and Music teacher at Highland Jr./Sr. High School. Previously, Mrs. Keech was
the Director of Choirs at Patuxent High School where she also taught the Advanced Placement Music Theory and Music Theory
classes. Upon her arrival to Maryland in 1999, she spent 2 years as Director of Bands at Spring Ridge Middle School, St. Mary's
County and 2 years as the Director of Choirs and Music teacher at Mill Creek Middle School. Prior to teaching in Maryland, Mrs.
Keech spent 7 years teaching in the Kiski Area School District, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania and 5 years teaching in the Leechburg
School District, Leechburg, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Keech was graduated from Kiski Area High School in Vandergrift Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science degree
in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University, With Distinction, and her Master of Music Degree in Music Education
from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. She is a member of many National Honor Societies, with the most recent being her
induction into Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society, and Delta Kappa Gamma, National Society for Women Educators.
For the past four years, Mrs. Keech has been the Choir Director at 2 schools in Calvert County: Patuxent High for the last 2 years,
and 2 years at Mill Creek Middle School before that. She’s also taught Music Theory and Advanced Placement Music Theory at
Patuxent High the last 2 years. This comprehensive high school program includes: an award winning Concert Choir, Chamber
Choir, and Chorale. All of her groups that participated in the District IV Adjudication Festival this year received Superior ratings for
the first time ever at Grade Level V and V/VI music. Additionally, at the Maryland State Choral Festival, both groups received
Superior ratings, which is also a first at Patuxent High School. At Mill Creek Middle School, Mrs. Keech’s 8th grade choir was the
only one in Calvert County to receive an overall Superior rating at District Festival, which qualified them to attend the State Festival,
where the choir received an Excellent rating overall and a Superior rating in Sight-reading. Mrs. Keech has also been the Assistant
Marching Band Director for the award winning Patuxent High School Marching Band for the last 5 years. Mrs. Keech was the guest
conductor for Calvert County’s All-County Middle School Honor Chorus in 2003. And, in St. Mary's County, Mrs. Keech was the guest
conductor for the All-County Elementary Honor Band in the spring of 2001.
In Pennsylvania, Mrs. Keech taught instrumental and vocal music for the Kiski Area School district. She was an Assistant Director
for the Elementary Band and an Assistant Director for the Regional and National Champion Kiski Area Marching Band. Prior to
Kiski, she was involved with the Leechburg Area High School Band in instruction and design. She has also taught vocal music in
the Leechburg Area School District, giving her professional experience in all aspects and age levels of music over the course of
her 20+ year career.
Mrs. Keech also enjoys theater and musical theater and was the pit band director for Patuxent High School's spring musicals for 2
years and the Vocal director for 1. She has been involved in directing/performing in musical groups and productions at Leechburg
Area High School, Freeport High School, Freeport, Pennsylvania, Kittaning High School, Kittaning, Pennsylvania and Kiski Area
High School. She was the Drama teacher at Spring Ridge Middle School where the students performed a play at Christmas time
and the musical Annie, Jr. in the spring.
Mrs. Keech currently resides in Poughkeepsie, NY with her fabulous and supportive husband, who is the Marching Band Director
for the Arlington School District. She enjoys cooking, baking, reading and all things musical, and looks forward to attending
classes at the CIA to further her culinary skills.
Design Team
Daniel Valadie - Music Design
Daniel Valadie graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University in 1995. He went on to
become the band director at Christiansburg High School in Christiansburg, Virginia, and later became the associate band director
at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 2007, Mr. Daniel complete his Masters in Music at George Mason University.
Daniel has taught and composed/arranged music for a number of indoor and outdoor Percussion Ensembles throughout
Maryland and Virginia, including: Huntingtown High School, Huntingtown, Maryland; Patuxent High School, Lusby, Maryland;
LaPlata High School, LaPlata, Maryland; Thomas Stone High School, Waldorf, Maryland; West Springfield High School, Springfield,
Virginia; and the James Madison Marching Royal Dukes, Harrisonburg, Virginia. He has performed with such artists as Bill
Watrous and Steve Houghton, and has performed with the Lynchburg Symphony and the Jefferson Choral Society.
Currently, Daniel is a percussionist in the United States Air Force Band, Washington D.C., and is active as a judge and
administrator in the Atlantic Indoor Association drum line circuit.
Tim Fairbanks - Drill Design
Tim Fairbanks has been the Marching Percussion Director at Centerville High School (OH) since 1997, where his groups are
consistent National Finalists at BOA Grand National Championships and Scholastic World Finalists at the WGI World
Championships. Centerville is the 1999 Scholastic Open Champion and 2004 WGI Scholastic World Champion. Tim is the
Program Coordinator and Visual Designer for Rhythm X, WGI Independent World Class Champion in 2007 and 2008 and is the
Drill Designer for the Bluecoats from Canton, OH. He proudly endorses the products of Evans/D’addario, Dynasty, and Sabian,
and is a Signature Artist with Innovative Percussion. He is a designer and clinician for The Senators Drum and Bugle Corps
(Eastleigh, England), The Company (Barnsley, England) and Aimachi (Nagoya, Japan). Tim is the Vice President of MEPA, serves
on the WGI Board of Directors in addition to membership on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Steering Committee. Tim is
an internationally in-demand clinician, designer, arranger and adjudicator.
Tim lives near Dayton, Ohio with his wife Jodi and their two children.
Bert Cousins - Color Guard Design, Color Guard Caption Head
Bert Cousins brings a wealth of experience in teaching, performance, and fitness to his work with color guards and marching
bands. Throughout his career, he has served in multiple leadership, design, and instructional capacities with successful bands,
color guards, drum corps, and winter guards. This will be his second season with the Arlington marching band.
Most recently, he finished his 15th consecutive season (1994-2008) as the designer and choreographer of the Hinsdale Central
HS winter guard from western New York. During this time the group has been a WGI Scholastic A and Open Class World
Championship finalist (2001, 2002, 2008) and repeated WGI regional champions. Bert is also the drill designer (2005 – present)
for the Lancaster High School Marching Band from Lancaster, NY. He also designed for Lancaster’s first-ever winter guard (2005)
who went on to win the NECGC circuit championship title in their debut season. Bert also works with many winter guards, color
guards, and marching bands on a consulting and design basis for groups across the country.
As a performer, Bert was a member of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps for five seasons (1993-1997), serving as color guard
captain in 1996 and 1997, and as a member of the Cadets guard staff in 1998. Additionally, Bert was a member of the WGI Silver
medalist, Escapade winter guard (1995) from Dayton, OH.
Bert graduated from SUNY College at Buffalo with a B.S and M.S. in Social Studies Secondary Education. Upon graduating from
Buffalo State, he was a middle school social studies teacher in a large suburban district south of Buffalo, NY for seven years.
Currently, Bert resides in Brooklyn and is a doctoral student in Educational Leadership and School Change at Teachers College,
Columbia University where he obtained his School District Administrator certification. In 2007, he began his current position as the
Director of Social Studies for the North Shore Schools in Glen Head, NY. Bert is a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified
personal trainer for New York Sports Club at various locations in New York City.
Instructional Team
Dion Placencia - Percussion Coordinator
Dion Placencia has played music his entire life. At only five years old, he was playing drums and hasn't stopped. He first began
playing in the percussion section of concert bands in Houston, Texas public schools and continued in Nashua, NH. He marched in
his first year of drum corps, in the Tom Line with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993, under the direction of Chris Dufault.
In 1994, his involvement with the Spartans led him to another corps: The Boston Crusaders. He spent that winter season under
the direction of Collin McNutt and then decided to attend college. While attending the University of NH at Keene, he performed in
the Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and was the principal percussionist in the production of Carmina Burana with The
Keene Chamber Orchestra. In 1995, he returned to the Boston Crusaders Tom Line and completed his drum corps experience
that year.
Soon after, a new interest began in writing and teaching marching percussion. From 1997-1999, he was the marching percussion
instructor, arranger, and caption head for Plymouth High School in Plymouth, MA. He then moved to Kingston, NY where he married
and had two children. His devotion to music continued.
In 2000, he was the instructor and caption head for the Onteora High School Drum Line in Boiceville, NY who were the 2004
division champions where he continues to work today. In the same year, he also started teaching at Ellenville Middle School where
he directed the 7/8 Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and taught General Music classes. In 2005, he completed his Masters in Music
Education from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. At Saint Rose, he was involved with the percussion ensemble and studied
jazz drumming with Yamaha drum artist Matt Cremisio. Dion is currently in his ninth year of teaching in Ellenville and is arranging
for Kingston High School drumline, Onteora High School winter percussion and is also the Marching Percussion coordinator for
Arlington High School, NY. He performs in the pit orchestra at the Center of Performing Arts Theater in Rhinebeck, NY with Up and
One Productions. He is endorsed by Pearl, Adams Percussion, Vic Firth on the board of directors for Dark Knight drum corps and
is a consultant for Excelsior Senior Drum and Bugle Corps, Albany NY.
Jon Churchill - Front Ensemble Coordinator
Jon is a senior at Western Connecticut State University with an anticipated degree in Music Education in May 2010. He has won
WCSU’s James Furman Competition twice; once in the soloist and once in the chamber music category. Orchestral experience
includes playing principal percussion in the Nutmeg Symphony and winter winds as well as in the Danbury Symphony and
community orchestras across Connecticut. As a soloist, he has given the world premiere of Formalities (mvt. IV) for solo marimba
by Kevin Jay Isaacs and performed the Milhaud Concerto pour marimba, vibraphone, et orchestre with the WCSU Symphony
Orchestra. In addition to performing, he regularly gives clinics on a variety of musical topics at area high schools.
As a member of the Invicta percussion duo, he has appeared at the Connecticut Day of Percussion as well as the CMEA annual
conference in Hartford, CT as part of a showcase concert. Described as “bouncing off one another” and “capable of producing dark
and powerful, almost indescribable, tones”; Invicta has given several clinics on solo and chamber music throughout the state of
Connecticut. The duo plans to compete in the Chamber Music Festival of New England and the International Marimba Competition
in Belgium in the coming years.
Active as a freelance musician and deeply involved in musical theater, Jon has played drums or percussion in productions of West
Side Story, AIDA, Seussical, The Pajama Game, Once on This Island, Bye Bye Birdie, Oliver, High School Musical, and The
Producers, to name a few in venues such as the Rich Forum.
Professional affiliations include the American Federation of Musicians, Local 514, The Percussive Arts Society, The National
Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Phi Lambda Theta. Jon studies percussion with David Smith, marimba with Gordon Stout, and
drumset with Roger Post.
Nick Monzi - Marching Coordinator
Nick Monzi is currently serving the band as Visual Coordinator. The 2009 season marks his seventh year of involvement with the
program.
Nick performed as a lead mellophone in Carolina Crown's 2009 production, "The Grass is Always Greener...". The corps earned a
silver medal at the DCI World Championships, and captured the first Jim Ott Memorial Trophy for top brass performance in the
corps' 20 year history. In 2008, he served as a lead mellophone and mellophone soloist with The Brigadiers Drum and Bugle
Corps.
As of August 2007, Nick has attended Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY, where he is pursuing degrees in Marketing and
Entrepreneurship. He is a member of the Honors Program at the university, and works in the Syracuse University Athletics
Department, a position which has afforded him the opportunity to work at numerous sporting events, as well as at the world
premiere of the major motion picture, "The Express", in downtown Syracuse.
At SU, Nick has studied horn under the expertise of the SSO's Jon Garland while performing in the college's Wind Ensemble,
Symphony Band, and Horn Ensemble. In the fall
2008 semester he performed as a charter member of the university's Brass Choir.
Nick is an alumnus of the Arlington Marching Band program. As a member of the band, he performed from 2003-2006 in the
mellophone section, serving as section leader for his final two years in the program. During his years as a member, the
ensemble won one NYSFBC championship, two Musical Arts Conference championships, and was a Bands of America Regional
Finalist and National Semifinalist. Upon graduation, he made the transition to staff member for the 2007 season.
Outside of school, Nick has performed with the NYSSMA All-State Symphony Orchestra, New Paltz College/Youth Symphony
Orchestra, Trinity Players Pit Orchestra, and served as principal horn for the American Music Abroad Gold Tour during the summer
of 2005. During the tour, he enjoyed the ability to perform in four foreign nations including Austria, France, Germany, and
Switzerland.
Nick Coperine - Percussion Instructor
A new addition to the AHS Percussion Staff this year is Nick Coperine. He is a native of Port Chester, NY where he was a member
of the Port Chester High School Marching Band. Nick is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. While at URI, Nick performed in various ensembles including the URI Ram
Marching Band, Concert Band and Symphonic Band. His additional marching experience includes two years with the Boston
University Indoor Percussion Ensemble (WGI). There, he studied under Matt Ramey who currently teaches with the Santa Clara
Vanguard, as well as Chris Dufault and Mike Wasielewski. Nick’s teaching experience includes Plymouth High School from
Plymouth, MA, Port Chester High School, as well as Malverne High School from Long Island, where he has worked for seven years
and currently holds the Percussion Caption Head position.
Mary Krembs - Color Guard Instructor
Biography To Come......
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