Velvet Knights Announce 2009 Staff Additions

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The VK Youth Arts Organization and the Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps would like to welcome the following outstanding additions to our corps for the 2009 season.

Dave Carico – Brass Arranger – Dave comes to us after a very successful career in drum corps. He Marched in Santa Clara 1979, and Blue Devils in 1980-1981. He taught brass with the Blue Devils from 1982-1985, was the Blue Knights Caption Head & Arranger 1986, Velvet Knights Caption Head & Arranger 1987-1989, Blue Devils Brass instructor 1990-1993, Santa Clara Vanguard Caption Head & Arranger 1994 & 1995.

Dave retired to raise a family in 1996 & has been in the mortgage business in Santa Rosa California ever since, keeping his contacts and interests in the drum corps world.

Eric Kitchenman – Drill Designer and Writer – Eric comes to us with a vast experience in drill designing and writing. He began his career in 1982 with the Westshoreman Senior Drum & Bugle corps. He led the Conquest Alliance drum corps from Brighouse in the United Kingdom in 1986. In 1987 he returned to his alumnus, Crossmen, designing programs thru 1991, 1996 – 1997, staff coordinator in 1998, program coordinator and assistant director in 2004. He was the drill designer for the Velvet Knights in 1992 and 1993, the Skyliners 1994 and 1995, the Spirit of Atlanta in 1999, visual coordinator for the Bluecoats in 2001 and then designer in 2002. In 2007 Eric was hired as the assistant program coordinator, and in 2008 he returned as the staff coordinator. Eric also served as the Visual Designer for the Oregon Crusaders in 2008. In addition, Eric is very active in student leader programs throughout the country. He has designed for Indoor Color Guard and Indoor Percussion programs since the early 80’s. He also consults with a variety of teams regarding design and planning. Eric is also an adjudicator for WGI.

Eric and Bob Yarnall own TMAC Inc. Bob’s career in Drum Corps began as a member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps performing in the horn line from 1980-1982. He went on to be a Visual Technician for the Crossmen from 1983-85 and again in 1987. In 1988 and 1989 Bob was the Staff Coordinator for the Crossmen as they reentered the DCI’s top 12. Bob consulted with Crossmen in 1990-91 and 1996, the Velvet Knights in 1992 and 1993 and Teal Sound in 2006.

Jen Swanek – Cymbal Tech – Jen marched in the cymbal line with the Velvet Knights 1986 to 1989. She went on to march cymbals with the Santa Clara Vanguard in 1990. She was the cymbal tech for Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps – 1997 to 2005, as well as RCC Percussion – 2003 to 2006. We welcome Jen along with her husband Bob Swanek, VK drum major 1993, to our staff. Bob will be joining the visual staff for our 2009 season.

Please join us in welcoming them as well as all of our returning staff for another GREAT 2009 season.

Posted by on Thursday, September 18th, 2008. Filed under DCI Open.