Velvet Knights 2008 Staff Announcements

VK Youth Arts Organization, and the Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps are pleased to announce the addition of Rich Hinshaw as the Percussion Caption Head, and along with him, Al Peralta as our Staff Coordinator/Recruiter.

Rich Hinshaw is a proficient educator, always striving to achieve maximum success with all his students.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Instrumental Music, from Arizona State University, he comes to us with an extended teaching background.

He has been Assistant Band Director at Gilbert High School in Arizona, and is also currently teaching at Mesquite High School; Desert Ridge Junior High; Highland Junior High…..just to name a few. Along with his high school experience, he has taught at Arizona State University; Glendale Community College and South Mountain Community College PASIC line. He was also a key element for the Momentum Youth Arts Organization, and Momentum Percussion Theater 2003 – 2006, as Caption Head/director, a WGI World Class Finalist.

Al Peralta grew up in the city of Anaheim, CA. Attended Western High School, Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona.

He currently instructs, just to name a few, Anaheim High School; Westminster High School; Mission Viejo High School; Al has also been an instructor for the Troopers, Esperanza, West Coast Sound, Impulse, VK Cadets. He marched VK 1980-1984. He has worked in the entertainment industry since 1988, and is currently working for TMFM in San Juan Capistrano, as a record producer and engineer, as well as playing drums in Mauradian on the Renaissance label.

We welcome Rich and Al with open arms for our 2008 season. We strongly believe they will be valuable additions to our already great, motivated, and experienced staff.

Besides the addition of Rich and Al, we welcome back Clint Matsen, as Brass Caption Head/Arranger; Sean McDermott as Visual/Design Caption Head; John Murray and Arwen Hernandez will be joining Sean once again on the visual staff, with the addition of Drew Gonzalez; Carlos Sanchez, Jose Iraheta, and Joe Enriquez will return as part of the percussion staff.

Welcome Rich and Al……….and definitely, welcome back to all of our great staff! 2008 is looking to be another great season!!