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Staff Bios
Richard K. Pugsley, Director
Under Richard K. Pugsley's inspired direction, creativity, and musicianship, Spirit of America has made twelve tours of the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Korea since 1993. In 2006, he led Spirit of America to South Korea, where the band premiered the performance medium of "wind opera" through Quest for Honor in opera houses throughout the country, and went on to become the champions of the World Association of Marching Show Bands in Jeju. In 2000, he took Spirit of America to the WAMSB Championship in Calgary, Canada, where they placed first in the United States, and second in the world. In subsequent years Mr. Pugsley has conducted the band on a tour of military bases in the Washington, D. C. area, and taken it on a cultural and musical exchange with the people of Australia. His emphasis on inspiring youth with the distinct attitude of American volunteerism has led the band to work with thousands of young people in high school bands. His vision for the band continues to propel Spirit of America to greater performance heights, building on its founding principles of patriotism, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence. Mr. Pugsley received his Bachelor of Music degree with a minor in Community Music from Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio.
Karen Moore, Administrative Director
Karen began her career with Spirit of America in 1983 as a member of the concert and marching band Color Guard. Her passion, dedication, and leadership skills led her to become the Color Guard Captain in 1995. For over 10 years, she has overseen the growth of the Spirit of America Color Guard in movement, style, and precision of technique, leading the guard to the World Championships in Calgary, a multi-cultural tour of Australia, and throughout the United States. Karen became Administrative Director in 2006. Her responsibilities include overseeing staffing, personnel, schedules, budgets, tours, as well as coordinating that all the parts of the show come together. Her love for young people and vision for the opportunity marching and field band bring to them, combined with her many years of experience, continue to inspire the band to attain new levels of artistic and technical performance.
Colin McNutt, Show Coordinator
Colin McNutt is the 2007 percussion caption supervisor of The Cadets, and corps battery arranger for Northern Star. In 2006, he was percussion designer and caption head for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps from Madison, WI. Colin has instructed and arranged music for the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps, and the popular stage production, Blast! He has also written for and instructed the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from Newark, NJ. Colin has served on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he is an alumnus and received degrees in Classics and Music Education. Mr. McNutt is a clinician for the Avedis Zildjian Co., Pearl Corporation, REMO, Inc., and Vic Firth.
Andrew Smith, Brass Director
Joel Sweet, Woodwinds Director
Paul Moore, Percussion Director
Laura Mckendree, Guard Director
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