Fusion Core Announces 2009 Visual Staff
Matt Risell – Visual Caption Head
Matt Risell returns to Fusion Core as Visual Caption Head for the 2009 season. Matt joined the visual staff for the 2008 season and was part of the team along with the members earning the Class “A” Visual Caption Award. Matt is a music educator with a degree in music education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During college, Matt was section leader (Trumpet) and performed with the Legend IUP Marching Band. Since graduating college, Matt has instructed the Daniel Boone High School Marching Band from September 2005 thru May 2008 serving as Brass Caption Head for the 2006 season.
Living in Southeastern Pennsylvania Matt began his drum corps career in 1999 marching years with the Crossmen. His drum corps experience also includes 2006 Champions the Reading Buccaneers and Bushwackers. Matt is very excited to be given the opportunity to continue the success of Fusion Core as we move into the future.
Meg joins Fusion this season as Visual Instructor with a wealth of music and marching experience. Though this is Meg’s first experience as staff for drum corps, she is an experienced public school band director. Meg holds both a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees from Mansfield University. She has taught at all levels throughout PA, NY, and NJ. Currently, Meg teaches middle and high school band in the Rahway School District, where she is the Assistant Director for the High School Marching Band. Meg has also taught marching band for the Cranford High School and Southern Lehigh High School, and spent two years as the Assistant to the Director of Bands for Mansfield University. While at Mansfield, she also worked with the Pride of PA Mountie Marching Band.
Meg’s drum corps experience is equally varied, having marched both baritone and mellophone from 1996-2006 for the Lehigh Valley Chieftains, the NY Skyliners, and the Reading Buccaneers. She also spent the last two years as a Drum Major for Fusion Core. Meg is very excited to be a part of the amazing Fusion Core staff!
Scott Berkuta is a graduate of Rowan University and is currently a Band Director for Hightstown High School and is looking forward to continuing to being a part of team Fusion. Scott began his drum corps career in 2001 marching contra with the NY Skyliners and marched 2002, 03 and 06 with the Bushwackers. In 2005 Scott was a member of the visual staff of the NY Skyliners and served as a soldier/ musician with the 63rd Army Band for eleven years.
Fusion is dedicated to providing the best drum corps experience to all members while providing world-class instruction and programming. Visit us at our OPEN HOUSE, Saturday, December 6th, Jefferson High School, Oak Ridge, NJ. 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
