Andrew E. Loft serves as Director of High School Bands for the James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia where he conducts four concert bands and the award winning Marching Rams. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Loft served as Director of Bands at Annandale High School from 2010 to 2012, and opened Colonial Forge High School in 1999, where he served as Director of Bands for eleven years. He has also served as Director of Bands at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia and Assistant Director at Miami Coral Park Senior High School. Bands under his direction have consistently received accolades, superior ratings and the distinction of Virginia Honor Band and the VMEA Blue Ribbon Award. In addition, bands have also participated in the National Band Association Symphonic Band Camp, Virginia Governors' Inaugural Parades, the Jamestown 400th Anniversary and performed at the Kennedy Center. Mr. Loft has also presented performances and clinics at the VMEA Music Educators Conference, Bands of America National Concert Band Festival and NAI Grand National Concert Band Festival. Most recently, the James W. Robinson Symphonic Band has been selected as a featured band for the 2018 Music for All National Concert Band Festival.

Originally from Munford, Tennessee, Mr. Loft holds a M.M. Degree from the University of Miami in Tuba Performance, studying tuba with John Olah and conducting with Gary Green. He also holds a B.M.M.E. Degree Cum Laude in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, studying with Michael Hernon, E.J. Eaton and Dr. Donald A. Anthony. Andrew Loft is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Beta Mu and an Honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma. He was also selected Colonial Forge High School and Stafford County Teacher of the Year for 2006-07, a three-time recipient of the Merit for the Millennium Award and was named a Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher. Presently, he serves as the immediate Past-President of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors' Association and on the Executive Board of the Fairfax Wind Symphony. Mr. Loft is an active musician in the Fairfax Wind Symphony and has performed for President Clinton, four state governors and conducted in Europe with American Music Abroad. Mr. Loft resides in Burke, Virginia with his wife Bridget, son Ian and a hound named Charlie Mac.

Tiffany Hitz is Director of Middle School Bands at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County, VA. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and her Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University. In addition to teaching in Fairfax County, VA since 2001, Mrs. Hitz maintains an active schedule as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator throughout the United States.

A member of the National Band Association, Mrs. Hitz serves as the Virginia State Chair and on the organization’s Board of Directors as a Middle School Representative.

Mrs. Hitz is a 2023 recipient of the Bandworld Legion of Honor from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, an award given to only eight band directors across the country annually. She is also a former nominee for the Grammy Music Educator Award and was previously recognized by School Band and Orchestra Magazine as one of the Fifty Directors Who Make a Difference. She is an inducted member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity and American School Band Directors Association. She is particularly proud to have received the 2018 Outstanding Music Education Alumni Award from her alma mater, VCU School of the Arts.

Active as a member of the Virginia Music Educators Association, Mrs. Hitz serves as Chair of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) Adjudicator Training Committee and is a member of the VBODA Selective Music List Committee. She is also a member of Women Band Directors International and has contributed to their official journal, Woman Conductor, as both an author and as former Elementary Editor.

Mrs. Hitz is a contributing author in the book Women in Wind Band, released in late 2023. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and recently completed a tenure as Secondary Fine and Performing Arts Coach for the FCPS Teacher Induction Program, Great Beginnings: The Next Generation.

Mrs. Hitz continues to teach privately and perform as a hornist and is a regular member of the Fairfax Wind Symphony. She spends her summers teaching at music camps including UNCG’s Summer Music Camp, the University of Maine’s Summer Youth Music Camp, and the Middle School Concert Band Camp at the Music for All Summer Symposium.

Katie Dever serves as the Associate Director of Bands at James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, VA. She works with both the Middle School and High School programs in addition to the award-winning Marching Rams. Before joining Robinson, Mrs. Dever taught Elementary Band in Fairfax from 2020-2021, additionally, she taught Elementary, Middle, and High School Band with the Community Music Scholars Program at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 2018-2020.

Originally from Stafford, Virginia, Mrs. Dever holds a Master of Music degree in French Horn Performance from Temple University, studying with Jeffrey Lang of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She also holds undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from The Pennsylvania State University. Mrs. Dever resides in Warrenton, Virginia with her husband Jeff, son Vergil and their Great Pyrenees mix named Penny.

MARCHING BAND INSTRUCTOR - VISUALS & BRASS

Ethan Bartley joined the United States Navy Band in 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance from the University of Kansas in 2014, and a Master of Music in trumpet performance from Indiana University in 2016. His primary teachers include Steve Leisring and John Rommel. Prior to joining the Navy Band, Bartley was a freelance musician in the Indianapolis area, as well as principal trumpet of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and second trumpet in the Columbus (Indiana) Symphony Orchestra and Terra Haute Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with the Richmond (Indiana) Symphony, Eutiner Festspiele Orchester in Eutin, Germany, the New World Symphony, and the Kansas City Symphony.

Bartley was also a soloist and section leader with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps for four summers. He has attended the Hot Springs Summer Music Festival and the Menlo Summer Brass Institute in San Francisco, where his teachers included Scott Moore and David Bilger. In addition to performing, Bartley has maintained a private trumpet studio and has worked as a clinician and technician with high school bands in Kansas, Indiana, and Virginia.

COLOR GUARD COACH

DIRECTOR OF PERCUSSION

Daniel Heagney, percussionist, is a performer and educator currently based in the Washington, D.C. area. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance and a minor in Experimental Music and Digital Media, a Masters of Music degree from LSU, and a Bachelor of Music from George Mason University.

As an educator Dr. Heagney is currently a percussion instructor & arranger at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia. Previously Dr. Heagney served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Louisiana State University and a Visiting Lecturer of Music at The University of Tennessee - Martin. He also maintains a private studio.

As an avid performer of contemporary solo and chamber music for percussion, he is consistently involved in commissioning, performing, and recording new works for percussion.

Daniel proudly endorses Black Swamp Percussion, Marimba One Marimbas, Sabian Cymbals, and Vic Firth sticks and mallets. See more at www.danielbheagney.com

SAXOPHONE SECTIONAL COACH

Ed Fraedrich, saxophone, joined the faculty of GMU in the fall of 2011 after having established a successful private studio in the area. He has performed solos with many ensembles, including the National Symphony Orchestra and the Fairfax Wind Symphony. As a teacher, he has placed more students into All-District and All-State bands than any saxophone teacher in Virgina. Ed is the principal saxophonist with the Virginia Grand Military Band and plays tenor in the quux saxophone quartet. He lives in Springfield, with his wife, Eileen, and three children.

PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR

A percussionist and music educator, Dwight Fontenot earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and his Master of Music degree from the University of South Florida. For over two decades he has directed bands from middle school to the university level throughout the United States.

As an educator, Dwight’s ensembles have consistently received superior ratings in marching, concert and jazz competitions including six 1st place drum line titles. He officially endorses Innovative Percussion, Inc. and published a rehearsal method book, Drum Line Methodology. He has served as a clinician and judge throughout the United States, as well as a seasonal judge on the Gulf Coast Indoor Circuit in 2008-2009. He has studied with Paul Rennick, Tom Float, Ed Soph, Dr. Brian West, Eugene Corporon, Dr. Robert Schietroma, Leigh Howard Stevens, Jim Chapin, Cloyd Duff, Ron Fink, Rick Dior and many others. Dwight marched with the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps snare line for two years, serving as section leader of the drum line his final year. He also marched on the University of North Texas snare line from 1994-1996, receiving 1st place titles at Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in 1994 and 1996. He has performed with the Great Falls Symphony, Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Harold Nichols Big Band, Pete Wilson Trio, the University of Great Falls Jazz Band and various other rock and funk bands. He has had the privilege of sharing the stage with the Brubeck Brothers, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, The Diamonds, Scott Piper and many others.

He currently freelances as a percussion arranger, advises Virginia Winds Academy, performs with the City of Fairfax Swing Band and teaches music at Laurel Hill Elementary School in Fairfax County, Virginia.

TROMBONE SECTIONAL COACH, TROMBONE CHOIR

Gregory is very active as a music educator. He is sought-after as a low brass clinician in Northern Virginia, and works with a number of schools coaching trombone, euphonium, and tuba sections in some of the top band programs in Fairfax County, Virginia. He maintains a large private studio, and has also taught in Howard County, Maryland and at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC. For over 15 years Gregory has served as Director of the Robinson Trombone Choir at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County. Under his direction the group has appeared twice at the American Trombone Workshop, and also had the privilege of participating in the Towson University Trombone Ensemble Workshop Day in 2014 and the George Mason University Trombone Day in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. As a member of the Monumental Brass Quintet, Gregory has been the trombone instructor for their annual Summer Brass Institute for several years.

MARCHING TECH - WOODWINDS, VISUALS

Zoey Lamb studied at George Mason University, earning degrees in both music education and flute performance. She is currently back at Mason pursuing a master's degree in woodwind doubling where she is continuing her studies in flute, bassoon, saxophone, and clarinet. During her undergrad, she performed with the Mason Symphonic Band, Mason Wind Symphony, and Mason Orchestra. Additionally, Zoey has performed in masterclasses with Leah Arsenault Barrick, Marianne Gedigian and Christopher Chaffee. Along with work in flute performance, Zoey is also an active teacher. She teaches flute and piccolo privately at the Catoctin School of Music in Leesburg. Zoey also has instructed and performed for the Mason Community Art’s Flute Academy. There, she worked with young students on flute basics, ensemble playing, and introducing piccolo. Zoey is a passionate teacher and performer who strives to help her students find excellence, joy, and growth through music.

FRENCH HORN SECTIONAL COACH

French hornist James Nickel has been a member of the National Symphony Orchestra since 2008, where he currently holds the position of Third horn and serves as the Acting Associate Principal horn for the 2022-2023 season. Prior to joining the NSO, James served as Assistant Principal horn with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and as Associate Principal horn with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra He has also served as the Principal hornist for the Arizona Musicfest and has had the pleasure of performing as a guest Principal horn with esteemed ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

James is an active chamber musician, performing with groups in the Washington, D.C. area such as the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, and the 21st Century Consort. He has also participated in esteemed festivals including Mainly Mozart in San Diego, the Garth Newel Music Festival in Warm Springs, Virginia, the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango, CO, and the Sun Valley Summer Symphony in Idaho, showcasing his versatility and passion for music.

In addition to his demanding performance schedule, James is a dedicated educator, serving as Professor of Horn at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He maintains a large private studio of high school students, and is actively involved in mentoring young musicians through the Kennedy Center's Youth Fellowship Program and the Washington Musical Pathways Initiative, where he shares his knowledge and experience with aspiring musicians.

TRUMPET SECTIONAL COACH

Lawrence Oates grew up in Fairfax County and is an honors graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, University of Florida (Bachelor Music Education) and The Catholic University of America (Masters in Orchestral Instrument). He has been a member of the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra since its founding in 1981 and was a member of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra 1987 - 2015. He has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera, Arena Stage, Prince Georges Opera, and Opera International. Mr. Oates studied trumpet under Adel Sanchez and David Flowers of the National Symphony Orchestra and Vincent Penzarella of the New York Philharmonic. As a clinician he works with Fairfax County high school and middle school trumpet sections.

He has been teaching trumpet in Northern Virginia since 1980. He has adjudicated Solo Festivals and District Band and Orchestra auditions in both Virginia and Maryland. His students have consistently received superiors and excellent ratings at Solo and Ensemble Festival. Each year many of his students audition and are accepted for All District Band or Senior Regional Orchestra. His higher placing students at the District level have gone on to audition and participate at the All State level.

COLOR GUARD COACH

Angel has been coaching color guard since she graduated high school in 2017. She began her coaching career at Millbrook High School in Winchester, VA where she served as the Weapon Tech for one year, Assistant Coach for two years, and Head Coach for two and a half years. After five and a half wonderful years at Millbrook, she came to Robinson in January 2022 as a guard weapon choreographer and has become one of the three Color Guard Coaches. She focuses on weapon skills and choreography and has significant experience choreographing for unique and non-standard equipment. In addition to coaching at Robinson, Angel choreographs weapon for Virginia Tech's Indoor Color Guard, ValianT, and regularly teaches weapon clinics in and around Virginia.

Angel holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance and a Master of Science in Performing Arts Leadership and Management with a focus in Development, Fundraising, and Special Events. She is also currently pursuing a Master of Music in Music Education with a focus on Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom. When she's not at practices, Angel works at George Mason University as the Membership Coordinator for Performing Arts Centers.

PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR

Eric Plewinski received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Florida. During his Tampa, FL residency, he performed in various theater productions and as an orchestral percussionist with The Florida Orchestra and the Southwest Florida Symphony. Eric was also a member of the national touring ensembles backing operatic tenor Michael Amante and Grammy award-winning Broadway singer Bernadette Peters and can be heard as a member of the McCormick Percussion Group on Music For Keyboard Percussions,The Music of Gui Sook Lee, and Concerti for Strings With Percussion Orchestra all of which are distributed through NAXOS.

Eric completed his Master of Music degree at the University of Maryland, College Park where he studied with the principal percussionist of the National Symphony Orchestra, Eric Shin. Additionally, he has studied with Jauvon Gilliam and Tony Ames. In 2019, Eric served as acting principal percussion of the Charlottesville Opera Orchestra. Previously, Eric has performed with such groups as the Baltimore Symphony, National Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, National Philharmonic,Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Virginia Opera, Washington Chorus,Congressional Chorus, New Orchestra of Washington, Great Noise Ensemble and regularly with GRAMMY-nominated, Inscape Chamber Orchestra. Eric has participated in multiple summer festivals including the National Orchestral Institute and four summers at the AIMS festival in Graz, Austria. Eric is currently on faculty at Washington College, Robinson Secondary School and West Springfield High School.

FLUTE SECTIONAL COACH

Jaime Santucci is an experienced performer, accompanist, and teacher specializing in piano, flute, and piccolo performance and education. She has been teaching for the last 25 years in the private music studio and secondary school setting, as well as in various capacities as adjunct faculty. Over the years many of her students have gone on to win scholarship opportunities to study music at top universities, as well as win high-level placement in music competitions. Jaime is currently based in the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia area. She has been active in various areas of the arts community for many years and across the United States due to many moves as a military veteran. She has won national and international accolades on all three of her instruments providing her the unique opportunity to perform as a soloist at venues such as the Kennedy Center and White House, as well as venues in Europe such as Westminster Abby. Locally, Jaime has soloed with the Washington Chamber Symphony and has been a member of the Capital Wind Symphony, Capital City Symphony, Columbia Flute Choir, and other community ensembles and orchestras. Jaime has a passion for teaching and passing on the pedagogical wisdom she has gleaned over the years of studying with classical music artists such as Laurel Zucker, Leon Buyse, William Bennett, Joyce Catalfano, and Paul Price on flute; the late Dr. Christina Kefferstan, the late Dr. James Breckenridge, Dr. Ed Gates, Dr. Jane Magrath, and Dr. Valerie Cisler on piano. Jaime studied Flute Performance and Piano Pedagogy as one of her undergraduate degrees at West Virginia University, as well as Music Performance during her graduate studies. As an avid science scholar, Jaime also holds a Master of Arts in Medical Sciences; she teaches as a certified therapeutic riding instructor at Cloverleaf Equine Center in Clifton and also loves to tutor the biological sciences in her free time. Updated Website Coming Soon. Contact Jaime at Symphonia.Encore@gmail.com or 916.316.7245.

CLARINET SECTIONAL COACH & CHAMBER MUSIC DIRECTOR

Clarinetist Kristen Grattan Sheridan has dedicated her career to teaching. In 2001 she established the Sheridan Studio of Music in Fairfax, VA and has consistently maintained a roster of 50 students. Her students regularly earn top positions in district, regional, and state ensembles, gain admission to prestigious summer programs, receive scholarships to study music at the collegiate level, and go on to become music educators and professional clarinetists. She is an Adjunct Professor of Woodwinds at George Mason University and is in demand as an adjudicator, guest clinician, recitalist, lecturer, and freelance performer.

An exciting and engaging clinician, Kristen is the woodwind advisor for the Virginia Winds Academy and is the weekly clarinet specialist for more than a dozen middle and high school bands in Fairfax County, VA. She co-founded the Sewanee Clarinet Academy, is a sponsored artist for Backun Musical Services and D’Addario Woodwinds, and was a D’Addario Woodwind Method Program clinician. She has been a guest on music education and business podcasts, presented clinics at universities and state music education conferences.

Kristen strongly believes that private studio teaching is a viable career path for talented musicians. Using her business acumen, deep musical knowledge, and genuine interest in the success of others, she has mentored many aspiring teachers in the musical, business, and educational aspects of establishing and growing their own successful studios.

Kristen earned her Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance at the University of Michigan as a scholarship student of Fred Ormand, a member of the Symphony Band under H. Robert Reynolds, and the winner of the University Concerto Competition. She earned her Master of Music in Clarinet Performance at the Manhattan School of Music in New York as a scholarship student of Ricardo Morales and is an alumna of the Sewanee and Aspen Summer Music Festivals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, performing with the Fairfax Wind Symphony, and volunteering.

COLOR GUARD COACH