Fusion Core Announes 2009 Brass Staff

Fusion announces the return of Ed Bopp as Staff Coordinator/Assistant Director. With that being said, we are pleased to announce the Brass Caption Head and Instructional Staff for the 2009 season. In keeping with the standards set for the brass ensemble during our first two years we have the following returning and new staff members. Director, Holly Marino said “the brass section continues to expand their technical skills thru the superior musical education provided by our music educators as evidenced by the High Brass Award Class “A”, We look forward to “stepping it up” on the field with our show “Progress”; 2009 will be an exciting year!”

Brass Caption Head – Matthew Spatz

Matthew Spatz returns to Fusion Core for the second year as Brass Caption Head. Matthew joined the Team in 2007 during our inaugural year and was Co-Caption Head for 2007 and Caption Head for 2008. Matthew is the Associate Director of Bands and Brass Specialist for Millburn High School, Millburn, NJ. He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Music Degree in Music Education from Boston University. Matthew has over 10 years of experience with various marching bands and competitive drum corps including Mansfield University “Pride of Pennsylvania” Marching Band, NY Skyliners, and Fusion Core. On the “side” Matthew is a professional freelance trumpet and french horn player, clinician and instructor. He has performed with many artists and ensembles including the Army Rhythm and Blues Ensemble, Paquito D’Rivera, and Bella Fleck and the Flecktones. Professional affiliations include North Jersey School Music Association, Music Educators National Conference and International Trumpet Guild.

Brass Instructor – Deb Knisely

Deb Knisely is also returning to Fusion as Brass Instructor for her second year. Deb currently teaches band, small ensembles, AP music theory, garage band class and instrumental lessons at Cinnaminson High School, where she also runs the marching band, jazz band, percussion ensemble and indoor marching and music ensemble. Deb received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Rowan University. She studied tuba and euphonium with John Turk, Owen Metcalf and Tyrone Breuninger, and conducting with Robert Fleming, Salvatore Scarpa and John Pastin.

Drum and bugle corps is in her blood. As a contrabass player, Deb began marching in DCI corps in the 1980’s with Defenders from Rockland, MA, Alliance from Greater Boston, General Butler Vagabonds from Butler, PA and aged out with the 27th Lancers from Revere, MA. She moved on to perform in DCA with the Steel City Ambassadors from Pittsburgh, PA, the Westshoremen from Harrisburg, PA and the New York Skyliners. Deb has also played with many alumni corps including the Yankee Rebels, Westshoremen Alumni, Steel City Alumni, Reilly Raiders, Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni and is a founding member of The Music Express Drum and Bugle Corps from Cinnaminson, NJ. She has also been on the instructional staff of the Westshoremen, Cabs Alumni and Jersey Surf.

Deb is also quite active with NJMEA (New Jersey Music Educators’ Association) where she manages the All-State Wind Ensemble, and is an active member of the Band Procedures Committee. She is currently President of SJBODA (South Jersey Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association). Deb keeps busy within the region coordinating high school auditions, managing ensembles, coordinating the concert band festival and hosting rehearsals. She conducted the Region III Jr. High Honors Band in 2007. In 2004, Deb was named one of the top 50 music educators in the country by School Band and Orchestra Magazine and in 2008 received the District Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching at Cinnaminson High School.

Brass Instructor – Willy Carmona

Willy Carmona is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College of Pennsylvania. He has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Trumpet Performance and Jazz Performance. He was the principal cornet in the concert band and lead trumpet/soloist in the jazz band, both for three years. Willy began his professional career at the age of 15 performing with various Latin groups in the North Jersey area. He continues to freelance with latin and jazz groups in the tri-state area and does some studio work. Most of Willy’s performance time is dedicated to playing trumpet, congas, and bongos with Concepto Diferente and the rock fusion band, Java.

Willy has taught in the Dover School District, beginning his career in Middle School and was the Brass Caption Head for NY Skyliners, 2006 as well as Fusion Core 2007 and Instructor/Consultant 2008.

Brass Consultant/Technician – Tommy Martin

Tommy Martin’s drum corps career transcends many years and arenas beginning with St. Brigid’s Fife, Drum & Bugle Corps from Ridgewood, Queens, NY. He has performed with the U.S.A.F Drum and Bugle Corps, NY Skyliners, OLA Blue Angels, St. Rita’s Brassmen and OLC Ramblers of Brooklyn to name a few. He has taught many corps including St. Ignatius All-Girls Drum & Bugle Corps, New Image & New Image II. Drum Corps Hall of Fame recipient, June 2005, with a history and participation in the sport which expands more than 40+ years. He is best remembered as an exciting soprano soloist with a super-articulated approach that became well know throughout the drum corps community. Mr. Martin is drum corps’ most wanted “clean up” man with a God given ear. Mr. Martin’s passion not only includes DCA but also Drum Corps International (DCI) where he also volunteers and is a big fan. When asked what Mr. Martin enjoys most about drum corps, he replies “the growth of the activity and how it is forever changing and evolving”. His two sons and daughter continue to support his hobby with his son Tommy Martin Jr., who is also an exceptional soprano player, performing with several drum corps and appearing in Blast.

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