Fusion Core Announces 2009 Percussion Staff
Caption Head – Adam Kalnick
Fusion is pleased to have Adam Kalnick return as Caption Head for the 2009 season. Adam has been part of the Fusion Team since its inaugural season and has been instrumental in the progress the "Core" has made since its inception. Motivated to continue to provide a music education program for members at all levels which will be challenging, Adam is looking forward to providing the necessary tools to succeed in 2009.
Considered by many who know him to be one of the most quotable instructors in DCA, he has also been described as being one of the best "pure teachers" in the activity. In his own words, "I could teach an Eskimo to surf…if I knew how to surf…and if I knew an Eskimo." One of Adam’s greatest strengths is his ability to adapt his teaching style and technique to meet the needs of the individual member in order to maximize their opportunity for growth and improvement.
Adam’s teaching experience includes Spectra, Sunrisers, and of course, Fusion. In addition to his tenure with the Sunrisers as an instructor, he also spent several seasons as a marching member in the early-mid 1990s. Adam has worked with several New Jersey marching bands as an instructor and consultant and is currently a USSBA Percussion Judge.
When not at drum corps, Adam works as an English teacher for Watchung Hills Regional High school. He also enjoys being a percussionist for Wreck Engine, a popular South Jersey rock band.
Instructor – Robert "Tex" Lazenbery
With over 20 years of experience in the marching percussion activity as an arranger, instructor and consultant, Robert "Tex" Lazenbery joins the Fusion family as a member of the percussion staff. During his 20 years of experience Tex has taught/performed with many groups most recently as a member and percussion staff for the Sunrisers Drum & Bugle Corps.
Front Ensemble Instructor – Ben Schwartz
Ben Schwartz has been teaching and arranging music for competitive groups in New Jersey since 2000. He has arranged music for several bands including Governor Livingston, Sayreville, and Lakewood. Bens drum corps background includes being a marching member of the Raiders, the Sunrisers, and the Bushwackers. While earning his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Ben studied classical percussion with She-e Wu and Dennis Delucia. When not teaching, he enjoys performing as a percussionist, as well as being a music adjudicator for USSBA. Currently, he is the Director of Bands/Percussion Arranger at Elizabeth High School in Elizabeth, NJ. In 2007 Ben was on the percussion staff at Fusion Core as an Instructor and was the Percussion Arranger. He is happy to be returning as the Pit Instructor and hopes to achieve excellent results for 2009!
More percussion staff announcements to be forthcoming. Stay tuned!
Fusion is dedicated to providing the best drum corps experience to all members while providing world-class instruction and programming. If you are interested in becoming a member of the 2009 Fusion Drum and Bugle "Core", please visit our website and fill out the form at http://fusioncorenj.homestead.com/membership.html"
