Instructional Team
Peter McKendree, Visual Master
Peter brings more than seventeen years of marching band experience as a trumpet player to his role as visual instructor for Spirit of America. In 2006 his technical instruction and vision led band to become world champions in the WAMSB Championships in Jeju, South Korea. During the summer of 2003, he organized and led marching workshops for more than 3000 Australian students. In addition to his marching experience in the University of Massachusetts Minutemen Marching Band and in Spirit of America, Peter has performed throughout the United States and Europe as a member of Gabriel V Brass. Peter studied trumpet with Dana Russian, Steve Emery, and David Ohanian (formerly of Empire Brass).
Donald McKinney, Winds Master
Don McKinney is the Adjunct Professor and Associate Conductor of Duquesne Symphony. His previous experience includes work with Dr. Jack Stamp, Dr. Robert Cameron and Frank Battisti. In addition to his M.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Don's studies led him to New England Conservatory, University of Minnesota, and University of North Texas. He is currently a doctoral conducting student of Eugene Migliaro Corporon. He has been involved in several recording projects, and is the former Music Director of Greater Erie Youth Symphony Orchestra Wind Ensembles, and a current member of College Band Director's National Association and Music Educators National Conference. Jeff Hope, Percussion Master
After graduating with a degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Jeff returned to UMass and earned his masters degree in Percussion Performance. At the University, he has worked as a graduate assistant to Thom Hannum, and has taught the Sudler Trophy-winning Minutemen Marching Band percussion section, as well as taking on other arranging and organizational responsibilities. Since 1997, Jeff has written for and taught numerous high school marching, indoor, and concert percussion groups in Massachusetts and throughout New England. He has also been actively involved with drum and bugle corps since 1999. He is currently percussion arranger for the Targets Drum and Bugle Corps from Springfield, MA. Jeff has served as a percussion technician for both the Madison Scouts and Magic of Orlando. Jeff is a Vic Firth Education Team member. He directed Spirit of America winter percussion's 2005 silver medal-winning show Awakening.
Jennifer LeSeth, Guard Master
Currently the guard caption supervisor for Carolina Crown, Jennifer came to Spirit of America in 2005 with more than nineteen years of performance, design, and instructional color guard experience. She has served as color guard designer and coordinator for the Madison Scouts, instructor and designer for the Bluecoats, Crossmen, and Phantom Regiment. She worked for eight years with the Bands of America title-holding Marian Catholic High School marching band from Chicago Heights, IL, and for another two years with the noted Spring High School of Houston, TX. In drum corps, she has designed for the Bluecoats, Crossmen, and Phantom Regiment. Jennifer's vision has drawn praise from fans, judges, and performers.
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