United Percussion and Arts, Inc. is very excited for the first of many announcements during the next few weeks about the upcoming 2019 season. The preparations for our new A class ensemble are ongoing and we're now ready to introduce you to our administrative and design teams. Each person chosen for this ensemble has had a prior relationship or experience with United Percussion. Our collective goal is to ensure a great experience for all involved in the first year of the new ensemble.

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

JONATHAN KLINE

DIRECTOR

Jon Kline is an active designer, arranger, and educator in the Philadelphia area. His music career began in elementary school learning how to play general percussion and also taking drum-set lessons from his father. Later, he studied drum set under private instructor Gene Lazowicki. His marching career started at Souderton High School where he discovered his love for performing. While in High School, Jon started marching bass drum with the Lehigh Valley Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. He was a member of the bassline in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, Jon was a member of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps playing in their bassline. The following winter, Jon joined United Percussion for the 2006 season playing bass drum. He continued on to be a member of the bassline for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. To read the rest of Jon's bio, click here.

CHUCK GRIGG

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Chuck is excited to join the 2018 United Percussion and Arts, Inc. team. Chuck began his marching career in 1972 as a Tenor Drummer in Black Watch Drum and Bugle Corps from Willingboro, NJ. During his performing years at Black Watch, he was instrumental in the success of the corps winning several championships culminating in the DCI Class A championships in 1979. In 1981, Chuck moved into an instructional role with Black Watch until the corps folded in the spring of 1985. In May of 1985, Chuck joined the snare line of the Sunrisers Sr. Drum and Bugle Corps and marched as section leader from 1986 thru 1990, winning DCA World Championships in 1987 and 1988. To read the rest of Chuck's bio, click here.

DESIGN TEAM

WILLIAM WOODWARD

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Woody is currently the acting Band Director and Instrumental Music Teacher for Winslow Township High School. His recent achievements include: 2006 Marching Unit Director, Hatboro- Horsham High School- Cavalcade of Bands American Division Champions; 2006-07 Music & Percussion Arranger, Spring-Ford HS, Royersford, PA- Atlantic Coast Championship Group IV, 2004-07 Indoor Percussion Director, Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS- Cavalcade of Bands Indoor Percussion Champions, 2004-06 Arranger & Percussion Instructor, Hammonton HS, USSBA Group I State Champions. Woody has been a performer, Caption Head, composer and arranger for the Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps, Bushwhackers Sr. Drum & Bugle Corps, United Percussion, and Riptide Indoor Percussion. To read the rest of Woody's bio, click here.

BRAD DONORIS

VISUAL Design

Brad has been an active educator and visual designer of the marching arts for over 20 years. His performance experience includes The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (1993-1994), and the Santa Clara Vanguard (1995). He has been involved with many independent groups over the years, including the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, Lehigh Valley Knights, Teal Sound, Crossmen, 7th Regiment, and the Boston Crusaders. Currently, he is a consultant for Q Winter Guard, (WGI IO Finalist 2016, 2017), and on the visual team at the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps (2017-Present).

In addition to working with independent groups, Brad has worked with many scholastic ensembles, most recently with visual instruction at King Philip H.S. from Wrentham, MA. Currently, he is the visual designer for Pecos H.S. from Pecos, TX, and Rancocas Valley Regional H.S. from Mt. Holly, NJ.

Brad was involved with United Percussion in 2004, 2017 and 2018. 2019 will be Brad’s fourth year with United.

KIRBY MARINO

BATTERY CAPTION HEAD

Kirby is a percussion educator and arranger in New Jersey. He started his marching career at Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. He then went on to march quads with the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps (2012-2013) and Fusion “Core” (2015). Kirby aged out with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016 and marched with United Percussion (2014-2017), aging out as battery captain.

Kirby has taught and arranged for numerous high schools in New Jersey but is currently the battery coordinator and arranger for Phillipsburg High School and a battery technician at Bridgewater High School. He was battery coordinator/quad technician at East Coast Percussion during the 2018 season. He also is a quad technician at the Hawthorne Caballeros (2017-2018), Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps (2018), and the Rutgers University Drumline. Kirby is ecstatic and humbled to return to United Percussion in this role.

AUDREY GRIFFIN

FRONT ENSEMBLE Caption Head

Audrey has been a part of United Percussion and our Front Ensemble since her sophomore year of high school. She started in 2009, rejoined in 2011, continued through to 2016 and was on the Front Ensemble staff in 2018. Audrey began her percussion training in 2007 with Rancocas Valley Regional High School. Under the direction of David Britton, her school took home the National Championship title in USBands Group 3 Open, in 2010 and 2011. She also marched in the Raiders Drum and Bugle corps from 2011 through 2013. Audrey has worked her way to becoming center marimba in every ensemble she has marched. She volunteers to teach high schools all over the Tri-State area as a performance consultant, including the Front Ensembles of J.P. Stevens High School and Westfield High School.

Stay tuned specifically for more 2019 A Class Ensemble and United Percussion announcements coming soon! For all the latest, join our Facebook interest group here.