Staff
2012 Season Staff
Michael Hench
This will be Michael’s third season as the Lancer Director!
Michael Hench is the Head Band Director at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, SD. He currently teaches the Rough Rider Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Varsity Band, Freshmen Band and Jazz I. Previously Mr. Hench was Director of Bands at Centennial High School in Circle Pines, MN and taught for 8 years as the 5-12 Instrumental Music Director in Pipestone, MN.
Mr. Hench earned his undergraduate in music education from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. He is currently active in SDMEA, MMEA, MENC and serves on the staff of the Mid-West Ambassadors of Music. Past affiliations have included the Waseca Area Big Band, Brassworks and the Mid-American Competing Band Directors Association.
Over his career Mr. Hench’s Symphonic Bands have annually received Superior Star Ratings in Division I literature at the Minnesota State High School League’s and the South Dakota State High School League’s State Large Group Contest. Bands under his direction have competed regionally at the Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis, MO and traveled nationally to the Cherry Festival in Traverse City, MI; The Universal Studios “Lights, Camera, Action” Parade and Walt Disney World Magic Music Days in Orlando, FL; the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.; and the Rosefest Parade in Portland, OR. Internationally he has traveled with bands to the Calgary Stampede Parade and World Show Band Championships in Calgary, Canada; the MACBDA National Championships in Regina, Canada; as well as numerous locations in England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Italy.
Mr. Hench was the winner of the 2009 American School Band Directors Association Distinguished Young Band Directors Award for the state of Minnesota. Email: michael.hench@yahoo.com
Brady Krusemark
This will be Brady’s second season with the Lancers, as the Assistant Director!
Brady is a graduate of Mankato West High School (2001) and Gustavus Adolphus College (2005).
Mr. Krusemark was a member of the trumpet section of the 77 Lancers Marching Band from 1998-2000. He was a member of the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps from 2001-2002.
Mr. Krusemark is in his first year as Director of Bands at Mankato West High School. Prior to teaching at Mankato West, Mr. Krusemark taught for one year at Central High School in Norwood-Young America, and three years at Waconia High School. At Mankato West, Mr. Krusemark conducts the West Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz I, Jazz II, Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble, Woodwind Choir, and Brass Choir. Mr. Krusemark is excited to be joining the 77 Lancers once again!
Louie Delatorre
Louie has been with the Lancer’s for many years and will again be leading the Drumline! Louie Delatorre is a 2005 graduate of Mankato West High School and participated in Lancers for 5 years on the baritone, tuba and snare drum.
He has marched with the Govenaires and Minnesota Brass Inc. This will be his fourth season with the Lancers primarily instructing the percussion and working with the brass as needed.
He is currently working towards an Education Degree in Early Childhood.
Email: luis.delatorre87@gmail.com
Paulette Redman Adams
Paulette Redman Adams has served as a Color Guard Instructor for the Lancers since 1982, and has designed and constructed the flags used each year. She plays the flute with the Minnesota River Valley Wind Ensemble, directs her church choir, and is a past member and color guard instructor for the St. Peter Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps. Paulette has received the “Award of Harmony” from the Mankato Area Riverblenders, and is a member of the 77 Lancers Hall of Fame. Paulette graduated from Minnesota Lake High School and the College of St. Scholastica where she earned a degree in Health Information Administration. She is currently employed at the River’s Edge Hospital and Clinic in St. Peter. Home phone: 507-345-6097 E-Mail: pauletteredman.adams@gmail.com
Roxie Weingartz
Roxie has worked with the Lancers since 1989. Prior to joining the staff, she marched with the Lancer colorguard for 4 years. She was Colorguard Commander, West Rep, and received two MVP Colorguard awards. In 2007 she was inducted into the 77 Lancers Hall of Fame. She has an accounting and finance degree from Mankato State University and is currently employed with Minnesota Elevator, Inc. Phone: 507-382-2780 Email: roxie103@gmail.com
Shane Macklin
This will be Shane’s third year as a Clinician to the Lancers! Shane Macklin is a graduate of Minden High School, NE and graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mr. Macklin was a member of several ensembles while attending UNL and was also a member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in 1986 and 1987. He directed the award-winning Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps, from Omaha, NE, from 1988 through 1992.
Mr. Macklin began his teaching career at Ralston High School in Omaha. He was director of bands there from 1989-2000. During that time period, the Ralston bands gained a reputation for creativity and excellence, winning many superior ratings in all facets of their program.
Pat Kunkel
This will be Pat’s third year with the Lancer’s and he will be leading the Woodwinds! Pat Kunkel has taught middle school band for 15 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Music Education from St. Mary’s University, and a Master of Music Education from the University of Minnesota.
Kunkel also has some practical experience with performance groups outside of his regular teaching duties. As a trumpet major and flute minor, he has performed and taught master classes on both sides of the wind world. He also studied and marched three years with Chopstix Percussion before being one of the key organizers of BrassWorks.
During his tenure at United South Central Schools he organized and directed the Wells Area Community Band and is the founder and past President of the Middle Level Band Directors Association. He was guest conductor of the Southern Minnesota Honor Band in March of 2003, and has worked as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the area. Pat and his wife, Jolene, have four children and reside in Owatonna.
Jeff Wroblewski
Jeff Wroblewski is the founder of J. Enterprises Inc. and Drillplanet.com a visual design company that provides quality services and products worldwide.
Mr. Wroblewski has served on many creative teams and is a highly respected innovator of the contemporary pageantry arts as a designer, clinician, adjudicator and teacher. He has designed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Asia.
Jeff gained worldwide recognition for his visual designs and teaching with the DCI World Champion Star of Indiana, The Cavaliers, Bluecoats, Sacramento Freelancers, Brigadiers, Crusaders drum and bugle corps in addition to numerous competitive marching bands worldwide. As well as serving on the WGI Steering committee, WGI Colorguard Advisory Board and WGI Board of Directors, Jeff has designed for many winterguard units including; The WGI Open Class Champion Franklin Central HS, WGI World Champion Cavaliers, WGI Silver Medalist Warren Central HS, WGI A Class Champion Nolan Independent. His most recent collaborations abroad include Cadence drum and bugle corps (England, DCUK Champions), the Pride of Bristol Winterguard (England, WGUK Bronze medalist), Pegasus Winterguard from Bristol England and the Visa opening ceremonies in Hong Kong.