Angie Blum | Front Ensemble Caption Head
Ms. Blum serves as Front Ensemble Instructor for the Kelso High School Marching Band. Raised in Kelso, Angie originally fell in love with music after listening to the album (yes, a vinyl album) Tubby the Tuba, and was musically influenced at an early age by her mother Marilyn Boyer, who was a long-time performer in the community. Marching in Kelso High School’s band was a highlight of her public school education. In addition, Angie performed with the Marauders Drum and Bugle Corps for two years. She is currently the general music teacher and choir director at Carrolls Elementary School, and continues to perform locally with the Lower Columbia Symphonic Band, Northwest Wind Ensemble, Astoria Community Band, and Go 4th Marching Band. Angie met her trombonist husband Doug in band, and they have two children: Alex, a freshman trombonist at Lower Columbia College, and Grace, a graduating violinist-turned-drummer at Western Washington University.
Eric Bloombaum | Drumline Caption Head
Eric grew up in Beaverton, OR and attended Beaverton High School. After four years of drumline, the last of which he was section leader, he moved on to the University of Oregon. During his college career he was the drumline section leader, the drumset player and director of both the Yellow and Green Garter Bands, and was the Alumni Relations chair of the National Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi. At UO he also founded, wrote the constitution, and established funding for a student drumline called Rhythm O. With over ten years of drumline experience, Eric has instructed lines at Beaverton High School, Whitford Middle School, and came on as a technician at Kelso high in 2014. When he's not up in Kelso, he is the Lead Instructor for the Camp Fire Before and After School Program at Sunset Primary School in West Linn, OR.
Brandon Stillwell | Drumline Tech
**under construction**
Kelly Jensen | Color Guard Caption Head
Kelly entered the world of marching band via a childhood of music enthusiasm. She marched in her high school marching band as first chair clarinet and spun for the color guard during the winter seasons. Through her undergraduate studies at Central Washington University, Kelly participated in color guard during fall field shows and competitive winter guard, serving her last year as Principal Dancer. After taking a hiatus from the color guard world to complete her Masters in Teaching at Washington State University Vancouver, Kelly joined the Kelso High School staff for the winter guard season. This year, Kelly is looking forward to teaching 7th grade in the Longview School District and working with Kelso High School for both fall and winter seasons.
Christopher McCurdy | Band Camp Assistant Director
Mr. McCurdy is an educator in the Willamette Valley area of Oregon. He holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Education (B.M.) from the University of Oregon and is currently pursuing his Masters in Music Education (M.M.E.) As a saxophonist, Mr. McCurdy has performed in the most elite bands at the University of Oregon such as the Oregon Wind Ensemble and the scholarship jazz/funk groups, the Green and Yellow Garter Bands. Mr. McCurdy is currently a Graduate Teaching Fellow for the Oregon Athletic Bands where he assists in the direction and logistics of the Oregon Basketball Band and the Oregon Marching band, the largest student-led group at the Pac-12 school. Mr. McCurdy brings a wealth of experience in music and athletic band performance as he has conducted bands at the Rose Bowl and the Inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship. Mr. McCurdy will be joining us for our 2015 Band Camp where he will co-direct both music and drill rehearsals with Mr. Hartley.
Raimey Hoff | Visual Tech, Band Camp
Raimey attended the University of Oregon to study music, psychology, and special education. While at Oregon she played saxophone in some of the most competitive groups such as the Oregon Marching Band, Green and Yellow Garter Bands, the Oregon Jazz Ensemble (OJE), and the Oregon Symphonic Band. Raimey went above and beyond the role of musician and found herself in a multitude of leadership roles amongst these ensembles including: Drum Major for the OMB, Section Leader for the OMB, Musical Director for the elite Green Garter Band, and held various roles on the Oregon Athletic Band Council. Her favorite part about performing in these high caliber groups was the visual aspects of drill and dance! Currently, Raimey is the General Manager at Complete Nutrition in Bend, OR pursuing a career in health and fitness. As a certified personal trainer, Raimey will be serving our students by teaching all marching technique, body movement technique, physical fitness exercises, and keeping our students safe via proper stretching. Raimey is one of the most fun professionals that Mr. Hartley has ever worked with, but she also expects perfection out of every individual and we are excited that she will be spearheading the marching/body awareness aspect of our camp.
Hana Kamata | Leadership Tech, Band Camp
Hana is currently a student at the University of Oregon pursuing a degree in human physiology. She grew up in Tallahassee, Florida before moving to Eugene, Oregon to attend Sheldon High School. During her tenure at Sheldon, Hana served as drum major for two years and attended the Scott Reese Superior Leadership Camp prior to both of those years. Hana marched flute for two years at Oregon and served as Assistant Flute Section Leader. Next year she will serve as one of the four Drum Majors at the University of Oregon. Outside of rehearsal, Hana is an active member of the national band service fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi, through which she spreads music throughout the UO campus and Eugene community. Hana is one of the most organized, diligent, and tenacious leaders Mr. Hartley has ever seen. She is very excited to work with the Kelso Marching band and will be coaching our Drum Major and Section Leader team on how to improve as leaders to their peers.
