2023 Kennesaw Mountain Marching Invitational Judges
Music
Adam Dalton
Bret Kuhn
David Vandewalker
Taylor Watts
Greg Williams
Visual
Patrick Erwin
Andria Foerch
Brian Kraft
Rick Subel
Judge Biographies
~MUSIC~
Adam Dalton
Georgia State Associate Director of Bands; Director of Athletic Bands
Dr. Adam Dalton was the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Marshall University. He oversaw all aspects of a comprehensive band program, including concert bands, the Marching Thunder, and basketball pep bands. He also conducted the Marshall Wind Symphony, taught courses in music education and conducting, and served as the recruitment director for the music department. Before this position, Dr. Dalton served as Director of Athletic Bands at Marshall for five years.
​
Dr. Dalton is a native of Virginia, where he attended James Madison University and earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. After graduating, he moved to Atlanta, GA, where he taught high school at Milton High School, an extensive 5A program in Georgia. He then accepted a Graduate Teaching Assistantship at The University of Alabama, where he received his Master of Arts in Music Education and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting. Dr. Dalton performed with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps for three years earning two world championships and a gold medal in individual and ensemble. He also marched in various independent winter guards in the southeast, consistently making finals at Winter Guard International. His designing and teaching experience includes the 2008 World Champion Phantom Regiment, The Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, The Cadets, Troopers, and Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He is featured on the WGI video, Toss, and served as a clinician and performer for the first everSpinfest Clinic, an annual educational event sponsored by WGI. Dr. Dalton maintains a busy schedule as a designer, consultant, and adjudicator for marching bands and indoor groups nationally and internationally.
​
Dr. Dalton worked with every ensemble at The University of Alabama and was a featured conductor for the 2013 All-State Festival performance with The Alabama Wind Ensemble. His high school band received superior ratings at the Large Group Performance Association. As a percussionist, Dr. Dalton performed with the Alabama Wind Ensemble for four years, including their ten-day tour of Italy in 2012. He is a founding member of the Alabama Winds, a community band based in Birmingham, AL. He has also participated in the Alabama Wind Ensemble recording project, The Glass Bead, available on Albany Records.
Bret Kuhn
Northern Illinois University
Percussion Consultant
Bret is a graduate of Truman State University. During college, he was a member of the Disney World All American band and has performed with such artists as Bobby Shew, Rich Matteson. As a professional player in Chicago, he has played with The Chicago Big Band and the Mayo Tiana Big Band.
​
Bret is adjunct faculty at Northern Illinois University and Prospect High School.
​
Bret served as caption head and percussion arranger for the World Champion Cavaliers who won six World Championships and five High Percussion Awards during his tenure. He also consulted with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps 2006-2008. In 2010 he served as program coordinator for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the battery arranger with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014-2016. Bret is currently on staff with the Cavaliers as an ensemble consultant.
​
Bret is very active as an arranger for various high schools and universities throughout the U.S. and Japan. He also arranges for The Aimachi Marching Band and Indoor Drum line from Nagoya, Japan. He travels extensively, performing and presenting clinics across the United States, Japan and Europe for Yamaha, Zildjian, Remo and Innovative Percussion.
​
Bret has judged Effect Music for WGI since 2013 as well as many other indoor percussion circuits across the country.
​
Bret has written articles for publication in Percussive Notes Magazine and served on the Board of Directors for the Percussive Arts Society from 2005-2012. Bret is also a member of The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, known as ASCAP.
David W Vandewalker
Coordinator of Performing Arts for Fulton County Schools (Atlanta, GA)
David W. Vandewalker is the Coordinator of Performing Arts for Fulton County Schools (Atlanta, GA) supporting the music education and music therapy faculty in 57 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, and 17 high schools who serve nearly 100,000 students. He earned degrees at Baylor University, Central Michigan University, and Boston University where he received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education.
As a performer, Dr. Vandewalker enjoys artistic development as a vocalist, cellist, and clarinetist with twenty-seven years of teaching experiences spanning elementary, middle school, high school, and higher education as a conductor of both choral and instrumental ensembles. Additionally, David studied with
Jos Wuytack, student and friend of Carl Orff, for his Orff-Schulwerk Level 2 certification and served as a lead curriculum writer for both Cobb County School District and the Georgia Department of Education.
He is the founding artistic director and conductor of the professional ensemble, Cobb Chamber Winds, and the administrator, artistic director, and principal conductor of the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble.
Most recently, Dr. Vandewalker served as the associate director of athletic bands/ assistant director of bands at Georgia State University (2012-2016) and Director of Bands at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia (2000-2012). A Conn-Selmer Artist/Educator, he has led concerts before esteemed audiences such as the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference, Music for All National Concert Festival, and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Marching Bands under his direction received honors including participation in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade, 2009 & 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, ranked top-ten nationally by the 2013 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and Bands of America Grand National Finalist (Top 12).
As an avid supporter of new music for the wind band, David W. Vandewalker consistently works with composers, arrangers, and performing artists in the wind band medium. Residencies and collaborations with composers and other conductors are integral to his creative work. Performances under his direction have received the praise of such notable composers/conductors as Steven Bryant, David Dzubay, John Mackey, Scott McAllister, Ray Cramer, Fredrick Fennell, Col. Arnold Gabriel, Gary Green, Michael Haithcock, James Keene, and Kevin Sedatole.
Dr. Vandewalker is a recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor, nine-NBA Citation of Excellence Awards, three National Wind Band Honors Awards, is recognized in multiple editions of Who's Who Among American Teachers, and is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association. He has published numerous articles in professional journals, chapters in multiple volumes of the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band book series (GIA) and Rehearsing the High School Band (Hal Leonard), books including Boosters to the Rescue, and Strategic Plans for a Successful Booster Club (GIA), and Foundations for Wind Band Clarity- Arrangements for Concert Band, Foundations for Wind Band Clarity- Instructional DVD, and Everyday Stuff Every Director Needs to Know (Vision Publications). Additionally, Vandewalker is a nationally-renown staff development presenter with multiple clinician appearances for GMEA, Music for All Summer Symposium, Smith Walbridge Directors Institute, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Midwest Clinic.
David and his wife, Pamela, reside in Marietta where she is Minister of Creativity and Worship Programming at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church where she has over 900 children actively involved in music making each week. Pamela (Master of Music in Choral Conducting - UM/Kansas City Conservatory) is a 2014 Dove Award winner for Best Children’s/Youth Musical in her collaboration with Veggie Tales/Big Idea. Together, David and Pamela created Teeny Tykes and Tunes, an early childhood music curriculum series published in English and Spanish (Vision Publications) along with Teeny Tykes and Tunes: Africa Edition, Volume 1 and 2 (CLMC/Nairobi).
Taylor Watts
Bands Of America
Summer Symposium Faculty
Taylor Watts has served as the Associate Director of Bands at Kell High School since 2013 after graduating from the University of Georgia with his Bachelors in Music Education. At UGA, Mr. Watts led the Redcoat Marching Band for 3 years as drum major and has been teaching leadership across country for the last decade. In 2018, he founded Taylor Watts Leadership to share his passion for, experiences in, and insight on character development, conflict resolution, and leadership with students all across the country. Recently earning his Masters of Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia in 2021, he now actively works with high school and collegiate programs across the country as a clinician, speaker, consultant, and curriculum developer focusing on widening students’ situational perspective while helping them develop communication and interpretation skills to positively inspire change in others.
Greg Williams
Bands of America Adjudicator
Greg Williams spent his professional career as a high school band director and fine arts department chair in the Cobb County School District, located in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. During his career, he received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence three times and was honored as Teacher of the Year twice. He served as Director of Bands at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia for 20 years. The North Cobb Bands won many local and regional contests and were selected to perform at the GMEA in-service conference in 2006 and 2012. Williams was named the Acworth Citizen of the Year in 2016 for his many years of devotion and commitment to the community.
​
Williams earned his Bachelor of Science and master’s degrees in Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. He was a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners, where he also served as drum major for both organizations.
​
Williams enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, fishing, traveling, and judging high school bands. He and his wife of 36 years, Dr. Lisa Williams, reside in Acworth, Georgia.
~VISUAL~
Patrick Erwin
Hillgrove High School
Director of Bands
Mr. Erwin has been a High School band director for 17 years, 16 of those at Hillgrove High School in Cobb County. Having attended the University of Georgia, Patrick studied trumpet with Dr. Edward Sandor and Mr Fred Mills. Patrick’s performing career has included Easter and Christmas gigs at churches around the state of Georgia. In addition, Patrick was a member of the World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps for 2 years (2000 and 2001) as well as on that group’s staff for 4 years (2002-2006). Patrick resides in Dallas, GA with his wife of 17 years, Aaren, and their two boys, William (14, trombone) and Andrew (11, trumpet).
Andria Foerch
Paramount Winter Guard
Assistant Director
Andria, from Atlanta, GA, has been involved with the marching arts since 1993. She is the Assistant Director of Paramount Winterguard based out of Atlanta, GA. Andria’s performance experience includes Seminole High School, The Company Colour Guard, and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.
Since then, Andria has gone on to teach other DCI programs such as Carolina Crown, Phantom Regiment, Santa Clara Vanguard, Bluecoats and Crossmen. Additionally, Andria has previously been a part of Georgia State University Marching band and Winterguard programs, Phantom Regiment Winterguard, and a variety of high school programs across the U.S.
Andria continues to be involved with the local Atlanta based circuit for the past several years, serving as Vice President of the Executive Board. In addition to SAPA, Andria is also on the Board for WGI.
Outside of the activity, Andria works at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in the IS&T department throughout the year.
Andria enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Rick, and two dogs—Buckley and Simon.
Rick Subel
Carolina Crown, DCI
Artistic Director
Rick Subel is the co-founder, co-director, and creative designer for Paramount Winterguard, from Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the Artistic Director and Program Coordinator for Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, from Fort Mill, South Carolina. In addition, Rick has designed and choreographed for many independent and scholastic colorguard programs including Paramount A and Open Winterguards, Georgia State University, the Emerald Marquis, Blessed Sacrament Winterguard, Juxtaposition Winterguard, The Academy Winterguard (from the UK), Chimeras Winterguard, The Knights Winterguard, Phantom Regiment Winterguard, Seminole High School, Miamisburg High School, Kennesaw Mountain High School, Kell High School, Greater Johnstown High School, Lassiter High School, Westfield High School, Harrison High School, South Forsyth High School, and River Ridge High School. Rick has also designed and choreographed for many drum corps including the East Coast Jazz, The Cadets, Magic of Orlando, the Crossmen, the Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment, and Santa Clara Vanguard.
​
With over 20 years of marching band, drum corps, and winterguard experience, Rick is constantly inspired by the creative process and designing, researching, and working with eager and talented creative teams. It is the joy of sharing—through adjudication, consulting, mentoring, and workshopping—that continues to fuel his love and passion for the pageantry arts. Rick is most inspired by student performers and their willingness to be authentic, present, and fully involved in the creative process. Rick is honored to continue to grow, learn, teach, and share the joy of design and performance.
Brian Kraft
Brian Kraft has spent over twenty five years in the band and drum corps activities as an instructor, designer, clinician, and adjudicator. Brian began his drum corps career as a marching member of first the Glassmen and then the Madison Scouts where he aged out in 1992. Brian has taught several of Drum Corps International's top drum corps including The Santa Clara Vanguard, The Bluecoats, and The Blue Stars, who in 2008 as Visual Caption Head helped lead back into DCI World Finals after a 29 year absence. In 2012 Brian joined the staff of Carolina Crown, eventually serving as assistant caption manager, as part of the team that won the 2013 DCI World Championship as well as the John Brazale award for high visual performance in 2012, 2013, and 2016. Brian was also a member and visual instructor for Star United Drum and Bugle Corps from 2007 to 2012, winning the Drum Corps Associates mini-corps division championship each of those 6 years. In 2010 Brian was named Star United Member of the Year.
​
Brian has also been active as a visual and marching instructor for high school band programs across the Midwest and Southeast, where he has worked with many of the region’s best marching band programs including Beechwood High School, Milford High School, Rockwood Summit High School, and Blue Springs High School. In 2018 Brian joined the staff at Kennesaw Mountain as visual coordinator. Most notably Brian was the visual coordinator for the William Mason High School Band from 2006 to 2016. During that time Mason was a 8-time Mid-States Band Association Open Class Champion, a 5-time Bands of America Regional Champion, and from 2011 to 2016 a Bands of America Grand National finalist, having placed as high as 3rd in the nation in 2016. In 2018 Brian returned to the William Mason staff in the role of visual consultant.
​
Outside the marching activity, Brian enjoyed much success as a young composer, having studied with award winning composer Philip Koplow at Northern Kentucky University, and has had many works performed by ensembles at NKU and around Greater Cincinnati. In April of 2005 Brian was selected as one of two composers to have his composition (Margaret, set to the award winning poem of the same name by J.K. Long) performed at Margaret Garner: In Music, Art, and Words, an event jointly held by The Cincinnati Opera and The NKU Freedom Studies Department. From 1997-2005 Brian was also a successful DJ who, performing as DJ James Kraft, performed at many of Cincinnati’s most popular nightclubs including Vertigo, Spy Club, Red Cheetah, and DV8 where he was a resident DJ from 1997-2003. Brian co-founded and was associate captain of the Fianna Hockey Club, winners of multiple ice and in-line recreational hockey leagues during their existence from 1995-2004 .
​
While teaching together at the Blue Stars, Brian met his awesome wife Angie, a drum corps veteran herself who marched mellophone in the legendary 1991 DCI Champion Star of Indiana. Brian and Angie currently reside in Orlando, Florida with their two dogs, Summer and Nymeria.