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FACULTY
| Stilwell, Kansas |
| Avian Bear :: Director of Bands |
Ms. Avian Bear, Director of Bands
at Blue Valley High School, is the 2013-2015
President of the Kansas Music Educators
Association and the 2006-2008 Past President
of the Northeast District of KMEA. She was
also the KMEA State Band Chair in 2002-2003.
Ms. Bear is an active clinician in Kansas,
Oklahoma and Missouri, and hosts the
Northeast KMEA Band Mini Convention and
the Regional Solo/Ensemble Festival for the
KC-metro area schools. Prior to assuming her
duties at Blue Valley, Ms. Bear taught at Free
State High School and Lawrence High in
Kansas. She received her BME from Central
Methodist College and her MS from Oklahoma
State University. She received the Mayor's
Outstanding Educator Award from the mayor
of Lawrence in 2004 and the Northeast Kansas
Outstanding High School Band Director in
2000. Her bands have received consistent
Superior Ratings for 38 years. She is a member
of KMEA, NAfME, and Phi Beta Mu.
at Blue Valley High School, is the 2013-2015
President of the Kansas Music Educators
Association and the 2006-2008 Past President
of the Northeast District of KMEA. She was
also the KMEA State Band Chair in 2002-2003.
Ms. Bear is an active clinician in Kansas,
Oklahoma and Missouri, and hosts the
Northeast KMEA Band Mini Convention and
the Regional Solo/Ensemble Festival for the
KC-metro area schools. Prior to assuming her
duties at Blue Valley, Ms. Bear taught at Free
State High School and Lawrence High in
Kansas. She received her BME from Central
Methodist College and her MS from Oklahoma
State University. She received the Mayor's
Outstanding Educator Award from the mayor
of Lawrence in 2004 and the Northeast Kansas
Outstanding High School Band Director in
2000. Her bands have received consistent
Superior Ratings for 38 years. She is a member
of KMEA, NAfME, and Phi Beta Mu.
| Ben Strain :: Front Ensemble Assistant |
| Carol Lowman :: Assistant Director of Bands |
| Katie Burris :: Drill Team Coordinator |
Ben Strain graduated from the University of Nebraska in with a degree in music
education with an emphasis in percussion. He received his masters of music
education from the University of Kansas City – Missouri. After graduating, he
served as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion at Blue Valley
High School in Stilwell, Kansas for 10 years where his bands and percussion
ensembles at Blue Valley consistently received superior ratings and placements at
the local and national level levels. Ben is starting his fifth year as Director of Bands
at Blue Valley Middle School and enjoys being able to assist with percussion duties
at the high school. Ben is an active clinician and performer in the Kansas City area
and is an educator clinician for Vic Firth Percussion. He holds membership in the
Percussive Arts Society and Music Educators National Conference. His proudest
accomplishment is his family: wife Karen, daughter Cecilia, and son Dominic.
education with an emphasis in percussion. He received his masters of music
education from the University of Kansas City – Missouri. After graduating, he
served as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion at Blue Valley
High School in Stilwell, Kansas for 10 years where his bands and percussion
ensembles at Blue Valley consistently received superior ratings and placements at
the local and national level levels. Ben is starting his fifth year as Director of Bands
at Blue Valley Middle School and enjoys being able to assist with percussion duties
at the high school. Ben is an active clinician and performer in the Kansas City area
and is an educator clinician for Vic Firth Percussion. He holds membership in the
Percussive Arts Society and Music Educators National Conference. His proudest
accomplishment is his family: wife Karen, daughter Cecilia, and son Dominic.
Carol Lowman, from Topeka, Kansas, is Assistant Director of Bands at Blue
Valley High. Her duties include Marching Band, Concert Band, Honors Music
Theory and Instrumental Music at Sunrise Point, Stanley and Stilwell
Elementary Schools. She graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2010
with a B.M.E. in Music Education with emphasis in low brass performance.
During her time at the University of Kansas, Carol studied the tuba and bass
trombone, performing with the KU Marching Jayhawks, KU Wind Ensemble,
Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensembles, University Band,
Tuba/Euphonium Consort, Trombone Choir, the KU Volleyball Band and Men's
and Women's Basketball Bands; she also had the honor of serving as Drum
Major for the Marching Jayhawks during the 2007 and 2008 fall marching
seasons. For the summers of 2007, 2008 and 2009, Carol marched Contra for the
Colts Drum & Bugle Corps of Dubuque, Iowa. She is continuing her passion for
drum corps by serving on the Visual and Brass Staff for the Colt Cadets Drum
& Bugle Corps. She is a member of KMEA and NAfME.
Valley High. Her duties include Marching Band, Concert Band, Honors Music
Theory and Instrumental Music at Sunrise Point, Stanley and Stilwell
Elementary Schools. She graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2010
with a B.M.E. in Music Education with emphasis in low brass performance.
During her time at the University of Kansas, Carol studied the tuba and bass
trombone, performing with the KU Marching Jayhawks, KU Wind Ensemble,
Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensembles, University Band,
Tuba/Euphonium Consort, Trombone Choir, the KU Volleyball Band and Men's
and Women's Basketball Bands; she also had the honor of serving as Drum
Major for the Marching Jayhawks during the 2007 and 2008 fall marching
seasons. For the summers of 2007, 2008 and 2009, Carol marched Contra for the
Colts Drum & Bugle Corps of Dubuque, Iowa. She is continuing her passion for
drum corps by serving on the Visual and Brass Staff for the Colt Cadets Drum
& Bugle Corps. She is a member of KMEA and NAfME.
Paul Bessetti is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and his marching experience
began at age 13. He has been a member of the Lake Erie Regiment (97’-99’)
and Crossmen (02’) Drum and Bugle Corps (both were DCI Finalists) as well
as his high school marching bands in PA and MO. Since 2002, Paul has
consulted and worked for several high schools in the Kansas City area,
including Blue Valley West High School (05’-08’); These groups received
yearly recognition at Bands of America’s Regional, Super Regional and
Grand National competitions, including Finalist Performances and Caption
Awards. In 2009-10’, Paul was a staff member for the Crossmen Drum and
Bugle Corps (DCI), where he was the trumpet instructor. Currently, Paul is
completing a Master’s Degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of
Missouri-Kansas City, where he also received his Bachelor’s Degree in
Music Education (2006). Paul is an active teacher and performer in the
Kansas City area, and is a member of the Fountain City Brass Band, who are
the current 4-time defending North American and 3-time defending US Open
Champion, as well as being one of the top brass band’s in the world today.
began at age 13. He has been a member of the Lake Erie Regiment (97’-99’)
and Crossmen (02’) Drum and Bugle Corps (both were DCI Finalists) as well
as his high school marching bands in PA and MO. Since 2002, Paul has
consulted and worked for several high schools in the Kansas City area,
including Blue Valley West High School (05’-08’); These groups received
yearly recognition at Bands of America’s Regional, Super Regional and
Grand National competitions, including Finalist Performances and Caption
Awards. In 2009-10’, Paul was a staff member for the Crossmen Drum and
Bugle Corps (DCI), where he was the trumpet instructor. Currently, Paul is
completing a Master’s Degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of
Missouri-Kansas City, where he also received his Bachelor’s Degree in
Music Education (2006). Paul is an active teacher and performer in the
Kansas City area, and is a member of the Fountain City Brass Band, who are
the current 4-time defending North American and 3-time defending US Open
Champion, as well as being one of the top brass band’s in the world today.
| Paul Bessetti :: Visual Coordinator |
| Andy Foerschler :: Percussion Coordinator |
Andy Foerschler grew up in Lawrence, KS, and graduated in 2006 from Free State High
School, where he was active in marching, concert, and jazz bands, as well as choir. After a
year of percussion study at the University of Kansas with acclaimed marimbist Kevin Bobo,
Andy followed Bobo to the renowned Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in
Bloomington, IN, where he graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Music with Honors
in Percussion. Andy has been a performing member of the illustrious Marching Jayhawks, the
perennial DCI finalist Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, and the KC Chiefs RUMBLE
Drumline. Mr. Foerschler is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Percussion at
University of Missouri Kansas City, where he studies with Christopher McLaurin of the KC
Symphony.
School, where he was active in marching, concert, and jazz bands, as well as choir. After a
year of percussion study at the University of Kansas with acclaimed marimbist Kevin Bobo,
Andy followed Bobo to the renowned Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in
Bloomington, IN, where he graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Music with Honors
in Percussion. Andy has been a performing member of the illustrious Marching Jayhawks, the
perennial DCI finalist Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, and the KC Chiefs RUMBLE
Drumline. Mr. Foerschler is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Percussion at
University of Missouri Kansas City, where he studies with Christopher McLaurin of the KC
Symphony.
| Chris McDonald :: Choreographer |
This is Chris McDonald’s fourth year working with the Blue Valley Tiger Marching
Band, as a marching technician in 2008, and as the color guard choreographer in 2009
and 2011-2012. He has worked as a color guard choreographer/clinician for seven years
in many award winning schools in Missouri and Kansas such as Odessa, Lees Summit,
Savannah and Raytown in Missouri and Blue Valley and Blue Valley West in Kansas. He
has been an elementary music teacher in the Odessa, MO School District since 2008.
Chris is proud to have marched in the color guard in the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle
Corps in 2004. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Missouri
Western State University in 2008 and his Masters of Arts in Education at Baker
University in 2010. He is currently attending classes at Arkansas State University to
reach his goal of an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership by May 2013.
Band, as a marching technician in 2008, and as the color guard choreographer in 2009
and 2011-2012. He has worked as a color guard choreographer/clinician for seven years
in many award winning schools in Missouri and Kansas such as Odessa, Lees Summit,
Savannah and Raytown in Missouri and Blue Valley and Blue Valley West in Kansas. He
has been an elementary music teacher in the Odessa, MO School District since 2008.
Chris is proud to have marched in the color guard in the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle
Corps in 2004. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Missouri
Western State University in 2008 and his Masters of Arts in Education at Baker
University in 2010. He is currently attending classes at Arkansas State University to
reach his goal of an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership by May 2013.
Tess is a dance instructor at LE Dance Studio in Overland Park, KS. She received her BLA at
the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Tess is excited to be returning to the BVHS Band
Program again this season. Tess has been recognized for her choreography both regionally
and nationally, and she spends her free time doing choreography for local high schools and
Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park.
the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Tess is excited to be returning to the BVHS Band
Program again this season. Tess has been recognized for her choreography both regionally
and nationally, and she spends her free time doing choreography for local high schools and
Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park.
| Tess Pattison-Wade :: Drill Team Assistant |
| Alex Vallar :: Drumline |
Alexander Vallar is from Columbia, MO. In addition to Blue Valley High, he has taught at
Rockbridge HighSchool (MO), Marshall High School (MO), Blue Valley West, and has
been clinician for numerous Missouri high schools. Alex has over 10 years experience in
the marching percussion activity. In 2003, Alex was a performer with the Missouri
Rhythm Movement, silver medalist at MCCGA Championships and honors in WGI
Championships. After graduation from Hickman High School, Alex marched with Blue
Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (LaCrosse, WI) in 2004 and 2005, and was section leader in
2005. Also during his time with Blue Stars, Alex received a bronze medal and Division II
Finalist in DCI Division II Championship. Alex has also performed with Marching
Mizzou, the Missouri Drumline, and The Kansas City Chiefs “Rumble.” Alex has studied
with Bret Kuhn and Mike McIntosh, and judges for the Judge’s Association of Mid-
America since 2009.
Rockbridge HighSchool (MO), Marshall High School (MO), Blue Valley West, and has
been clinician for numerous Missouri high schools. Alex has over 10 years experience in
the marching percussion activity. In 2003, Alex was a performer with the Missouri
Rhythm Movement, silver medalist at MCCGA Championships and honors in WGI
Championships. After graduation from Hickman High School, Alex marched with Blue
Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (LaCrosse, WI) in 2004 and 2005, and was section leader in
2005. Also during his time with Blue Stars, Alex received a bronze medal and Division II
Finalist in DCI Division II Championship. Alex has also performed with Marching
Mizzou, the Missouri Drumline, and The Kansas City Chiefs “Rumble.” Alex has studied
with Bret Kuhn and Mike McIntosh, and judges for the Judge’s Association of Mid-
America since 2009.
Katie is currently the Blue Valley Tigerette's dance team coach and enjoys spreading her love of
dance to the team! Katie’s enthusiastic attitude and passion for dance began at a young age. She
received her dance training through the Starfire Dance Company. Katie has assisted in several
opening numbers for national competitions and choreography across the United States. She has
won many awards throughout her years as a dancer and choreographer. She’s currently on faculty
staff at Midwest Movement and remains connected in the dance world. Katie has performed at the
Tanzommer Dance Festival touring Austria, Germany, and Italy. She also has performed at Disney
and Miss Teen America events, commercials, music videos, and industrials. Her most recent
accomplishment was being a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader for 4 years being a co-caption. She
has performed as a KCCC for several military bases throughout Iraq, Kuwait, and Alaska. She
loves to choreograph routines for the cheerleaders and many local high school dance and cheer
teams. Currently, Katie teaches dance and enjoys showing her passion through her own
choreograph. She recently added Zumba to her training and welcomes you to any class.
dance to the team! Katie’s enthusiastic attitude and passion for dance began at a young age. She
received her dance training through the Starfire Dance Company. Katie has assisted in several
opening numbers for national competitions and choreography across the United States. She has
won many awards throughout her years as a dancer and choreographer. She’s currently on faculty
staff at Midwest Movement and remains connected in the dance world. Katie has performed at the
Tanzommer Dance Festival touring Austria, Germany, and Italy. She also has performed at Disney
and Miss Teen America events, commercials, music videos, and industrials. Her most recent
accomplishment was being a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader for 4 years being a co-caption. She
has performed as a KCCC for several military bases throughout Iraq, Kuwait, and Alaska. She
loves to choreograph routines for the cheerleaders and many local high school dance and cheer
teams. Currently, Katie teaches dance and enjoys showing her passion through her own
choreograph. She recently added Zumba to her training and welcomes you to any class.
