United announces additions to 2017 Staff; tentative 1st audition date set
2017 marks United Percussion's 15th year as an indoor percussion organization dedicated to the development of young performers of all ages through the visual and performing arts. We're excited to announce some additions to our 2017 staff, as well as some information about our auditions coming up this September.
Paul Nalesnik
Battery Caption Head and Arranger
Paul will be heading up our Battery as Caption Head and Arranger for 2017. Paul is a freelance percussionist and educator based out of Central New Jersey. As an educator, he is currently the Caption Head and Arranger for the Rutgers University Drumline. Since the beginning of his involvement, the Rutgers Drumline has appeared on numerous nationally televised events, including 2013 Victoria’s Secret fashion show, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Paul is also Director of Percussion Studies at Immaculata High School, and is a consultant for the Arlington (NY) High School Marching Band. Paul is also an alumnus of United Percussion. You can read more about Paul's marching career here.
Brad Schoener
Snare Technician
Brad is a former member of United Percussion having played snare drum in 2012. After periodically instructing United over the past few years, this will be Brad’s first season as full-time snare technician. He began his marching experience in 2005 with the Bayard Rustin High School marching band. As a senior, Brad auditioned and was selected to represent the state of Pennsylvania nationally in the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band Snareline. Brad continued on in college to perform from 2009 to 2011, two of these as section leader and center snare, with the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band of West Chester University. You can read more about Brad's marching career here.
Alex Beltran
Tenor Technician/Battery Instructor
A current graduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Alex is quickly making a name for himself in the world of marching percussion. After spending a third of his life as a member of drum and bugle corps and marching bands, he is making the transition into educator and arranger; holding teaching positions at both The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and the UMass Minuteman Marching Band. You can read more about Alex's marching career here.
Mark Monaghan
Bass Technician
Mark began his marching career at Cumberland Regional High School in Cumberland County, New Jersey. After graduating, he went on to march bass at United Percussion in 2012 and 2013. During the 2012 season, he was given the opportunity to march for The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps where he remained until 2014. Mark then went on to become a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2014 and aged out with the corps in 2015. You can read more about Mark's marching career here.
Rachel Boatwright
Cymbal Technician
Continuing with helping the cymbal section, Rachel’s marching career started with the Daniel Boone High School Marching Band (2006-2009) playing flute and saxophone and the Daniel Boone Indoor Percussion Ensemble (2008-2010) on cymbals. Rachel also marched cymbals with the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, in 2009, 2011, and 2012. 2009 and 2012 were record-breaking World Championship seasons for the drum corps. Rachel also had the honor of marching with United Percussion in 2013. You can read more about Rachel here.
Stephenie Sofield
Cymbal Technician
Stephenie has extensive performance experience in the community, university, drum corps, and winter guard settings. Her marching career began at the University of North Texas in 2008. She began her WGI career with Tyler Junior College, World Class finalists, in 2011. She then marched with Imperial Percussion Theater in 2012 and United Percussion in 2013. She also marched in Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012. You can read more about Stephenie here.
“We are super excited to welcome Paul, Brad, Alex, Mark and Stephenie to the UP team. We are determined to provide our members with the highest level of instruction while delivering an awesome experience. Paul and his team will help us achieve that goal, along with working aside our returning staff and administration.”
United Percussion would also like to thank Jeff Bickford for his many years of dedication and service to the United Percussion family.
2017 Audition Information
Our 2017 first audition day is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 18th. Exact location (Philadelphia area) and times will be announced at a later date. Our comprehensive audition page and materials will be available for download on this website shortly after DCI World Championships.
In the meantime, if you're interested in being a part of #UP17, join our Facebook Interest group here. We look forward to sharing more exciting announcements as the summer goes along.