Who's on staff?

To contact a member of the Battery Staff please email Battery@gatewayindoor.org
To contact a member of the Front Ensemble Staff please email FrontEnsemble@gatewayindoor.org
All other inquiries should be directed to Gateway@gatewayindoor.org

Board of Directors

Greg Coonrod
President

Julie Gronneberg
Vice President

Pete Krejci
Treasurer

Troy Bowell
Secretary

Mary Jo Krejci

Marsha Coonrod

Mark Gronneberg

Staff

Paul Richardson
Director

Paul Richardson is one of the founders of Gateway Indoor and has been involved in about every capacity possible over the years. He has been on the design team, instructional staff, board of directors and most often one of the group's executive directors... not to mention bus driver, youth financial advisor, cook and roadie. Paul was a marching member on the quad lines of the Blue Stars and Blue Knights Drum Corps' aging out in 2001. He has been on percussion staff with the Magic of Orlando (2004) as well as teaching, arranging for and judging many local area High Schools. He has been the asst. percussion director for MCCGA and has served on the WGI percussion advisory board. Paul is a proud Innovative Percussion artist.

Paul has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and is currently the IT Director for an audio-visual company, Conference Technologies, Inc. He lives in Maplewood, Missouri with his son, Colin and wife, Genova who is expecting another baby boy soon.

"I have always believed that a group of talented, unselfish people with a common goal can achieve truly great things. I am honored to have been involved with such a group for the past 8 years. I cannot wait to see what will happen next!"

Dana Schwarz
Director

Dana Schwarz was first introduced to Gateway Indoor Percussion as a marching member during the 2008 season. Having recently relocated to St. Louis from North Dakota, Dana is excited to get back involved with organization.

Dana has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is currently a sales and project management professional in the Elevator Industry. She has also been an active color guard instructor/consultant throughout the Midwest since 2005.

Dana lives in St. Charles, MO and looks forward to marrying her fiancé, Marcus (whom she met through Gateway), in the fall of 2012.

Mike McIntosh
Program Coordinator/Percussion Designer

Michael McIntosh is a graduate of Butler University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an emphasis in composition.

In addition to freelance composing and digital sound design, Michael is on the creative team and also one of two percussion designers and arrangers for The Cavaliers drum and bugle corps. In 2011, The Cavaliers were the recipient of the Fred Sanford Trophy for highest achievement in percussion at the DCI World Championships. Since 1997, he has been a percussion specialist at Carmel high school in Carmel, Indiana. As of 2012, Michael will be the program coordinator and design the music for the Gateway Indoor Independent World percussion group.

He is a Yamaha artist/clinician as well as a signature drumstick artist with Innovative Percussion. He also endorses LP Percussion, EVANS drumheads, Zildjian cymbals and Sibelius notation software.

Compositionally, Mr. McIntosh has authored the top selling and standard setting DVD entitled “In the Mix”. He was commissioned to write an original work for the 2009 Midwest Band and Orchestra Convention. Michael was also commissioned to write an original piece for the WestPoint Hellcats. He currently has works published by Row-Loff Publications, Yamaha Sounds of Summer, Tap Space Publications, Key Poulan Music, Drop 6 Media, The Hal Leonard Corporation, Innovative Percussion, Marching Show Concepts, Dynamic Marching, Jair Klarfeld Music and JKS Music.

Michael is an active clinician teaching clinics throughout the US and Asia having performed several recent clinics in Tokyo, Japan. In November of 2010, he was afforded the opportunity to perform a percussion clinic series in Beijing, China.

Richard Hinshaw
Visual Designer

Richard Hinshaw is a visual designer and music educator from Danville, Indiana, where he lives with his wife Jennifer and their newborn son McKinley. Growing up in Indiana, Richard was introduced to music by his parents at an early age and he was "hooked" for life. Prior to his teaching and design career, some of Richard's performance experience included being a member of the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps and being a trumpet student at the Indiana University School of Music.

Richard is the drill designer and lead visual instructor for the Avon High School Marching Black & Gold, three-time BOA National Champions (2008-2010). He has enjoyed working with the bands, color guards, and percussion ensembles at Avon since 2002. Richard is currently the program coordinator and drill designer for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps from Tempe, Arizona, where he has worked since 2009. From 2003 to 2007, Richard was a visual instructor with the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, and he previously was an instructor with Spirit Drum & Bugle Corps (2002) and Phantom Regiment (2001).

For nearly a decade, Richard has been a successful drill designer for high school marching bands, indoor percussion ensembles, and winter guards around the country. Richard's passion for music education and visual design has turned into a very fulfilling career. Much of this success has been made possible by Richard's mentors, who include Daniel Wiles, Leon May, Joe Wever, Keith Potter, and Jay Webb. With these influecnces and a continued desire to learn, Richard is constantly working to improve at his craft.

Alan Miller
Front Ensemble Arranger

Alan Miller currently lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area where he serves as percussion director for Coppell ISD. His duties include teaching 6th-8th grade percussion classes at three middle schools and directing the drumline and percussion ensemble at Coppell High School.

For the last 9 years, Alan has been the front ensemble instructor for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and, in 2011, took on the role of Front Ensemble Arranger. Alan also assists in teaching the full ensemble and percussion ensemble.

Alan began his career with the corps in 1996 as a member of the front ensemble, then returning as section leader in '97 and '98.

Alan attended and received his bachelor's degree from West Texas A & M University, where he studied percussion with Dr. Susan Tariq and conducting with Dr. Gary Garner. During his time at WT, Alan was a member of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, serving as a percussionist and timpanist for 9 seasons.

Alan is also involved in WGI, having served as an instructor and music director for Metro Alliance from 2005-2007.

Alan has arranged both battery and pit music for several Texas State marching band finalists including Coppell HS (3rd place, 2008) and Dripping Springs HS (1st place, 2009). Alan has also arranged for groups outside of Texas and has presented clinics throughout much of the United States, as well as in Japan.

Alan is an Innovative Percussion educational artist and is published through Tapspace and Drop6.

Chad Schaedler
Percussion Staff

Chad Schaedler has been with Gateway Indoor since the 2005 WGI season. During his tenure with Gateway he has served as the Battery Caption Head, Battery Arranger, Program Coordinator and most recently the Education Director and Staff Coordinator. Chad has instructed a number of percussion ensembles including The Crossmen (2010 Percussion Co-Caption Head), The Bluecoats (2006-2009), The Colts (2005), Missouri State University (2003-2004, 2008-2010), and various high school programs across the country. Chad is an Innovative Percussion and Evans drumhead artist. He is the current percussion coordinator for MCCGA and is a member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board.

Chad graduated from Missouri State University in 2000 with a B.S. in General Business. He currently resides in O’Fallon, Missouri with his wife Kim and their three children, Cameron, Dalen, and Ella.

Chad is very excited about the coming season and looking forward to another great year with Gateway Indoor.

Christopher Sakowski
Front Ensemble Music Coordinator

Chris Sakowski grew up in Michigan, and received his bachelor of Music Education from The University of Memphis, in Tennessee. While at Memphis, Chris won the U of M Concerto Competition and performed as a marimba soloist with the University Orchestra.  He was the bass section leader when they won the "Best Bass Line" at the PASIC Competition in 2001. He then went on to spend 3 years as the caption head/arranger for The University of Memphis Drumline before graduating.

Chris’s DCI/WGI percussion experience over the past 15 years includes: Marching and teaching at the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps for 9 years (1997-2005), the Bluecoats for 3 years (2006-2008), the Crossmen in 2009-2010 (serving as Percussion Co-Caption Head for the 2010 season) and just ended his first year on staff with the Cavaliers, who just won the Fred Sanford Award for Best Percussion at the 2011 DCI World Championships. This will be his eighth year teaching at 6-time WGI World Class Finalist, Gateway Indoor. While with Gateway, he has filled several roles, including 3 years as the battery caption head and 2 years as Music Coordinator/Front Ensemble arranger.

Chris is a sought after adjudicator, percussion arranger and wind arranger across the United States and abroad. He has enjoyed heading workshops as a clinician at The University of Oklahoma, Iowa State University, Missouri State University and the University of Memphis. In November, 2009 Chris was a featured percussion clinician in England at the British Youth Band Association Convention. Chris has also written percussion and wind music for many other groups in the U.S. and abroad, including:  Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, Forte Drum & Bugle Corps, Missouri State University, the NFL’s St. Louis Rams Drumline, and the 2005 European Indoor Percussion Champions: 37th Kingswood from Bristol, United Kingdom.

Chris currently lives in the St. Louis, MO area with his wife Lauren. He has taught string orchestra and band in the Rockwood School District the since 2007.  Chris is proud to be an Innovative Percussion Artist.

Josh Farris
Percussion Staff

Josh Farris is a graduate of Missouri State University, with a Bachelors of Music Education. While at Missouri State, Josh was a member of the University Wind Ensemble, Concert Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Studio, and MSU Pride Drumline. He participated in master classes with Pius Cheung, and the Maraca2 Duo, and was honored to perform as a soloist with the Wind Ensemble as a featured player in David Gillingham’s “Concertino for Four Percussion”. While performing with the drumline at MSU, Josh was fortunate to serve as section leader, and later as an instructor for the marching percussion section. Josh is a proud alumnus of Gateway Indoor.

Josh currently lives in Springfield Missouri, where he arranges for, and instructs the Kickapoo High School percussion section during the marching band and winter percussion seasons. While in Springfield, Josh has worked with multiple high school band programs throughout the Midwest, as both an arranger and clinician. He also teaches a private studio where he instructs middle school and high school students on a weekly basis. Josh is an Innovative Percussion Artist.

Drake Melson
Battery Coordinator

Drake Melson has served as a music educator since 2006. He grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Oklahoma in Norman. While at Oklahoma, Drake performed with the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band and was section leader of the Bassline.

Drake's DCI/WGI percussion experience over the last 10 years includes: performing with the Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps where he studied under Mr. Michael McIntosh and Mr. Ray Ulibarri. He served on the percussion staff with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2010; and he joined the staff of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2011 season. This will be Drake's sixth year with 5-time World Class Finalist Gateway Indoor.

Drake is a sought after instructor, percussion arranger, musical and visual design consultant, and performer across the United States. He has worked with numerous high schools across the South and Midwest including Memorial High School in Edmond, Oklahoma and Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri where he currently serves as the Percussion Director.

Drake is proud to be an Evans Performing Artist and Innovative Percussion Artist.

Justin Lewis
Battery Staff

Justin Lewis was born in McAllen, TX and currently lives in Franklin, TN where he attended Centennial High School under Alan Rice and Carl Eppler. He began his career in the summer of 2003 with Spirit of JSU's snareline and went back for another season in 2004. He then spent the next four summers (05-08) with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, serving as center snare the last two years. Along with drum corps, Justin was very much involved with the WGI activity; first marching with Music City Mystique from 2006 through 2008, and aging out at Rhythm X in 2009. 

Justin was also fortunate enough to take his talents overseas to play in the world famous Top Secret Drum Corps of Basel, Switzerland. There, he traveled and performed with the group before returning home to start his teaching career. 

In 2011, Justin was on percussion staff with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps and will be returning for the 2012 season. This is Justin's third season with Gateway Indoor, and he plans to be moving to the St. Louis area to be more involved as the years go on.

Dave Gronneberg
Battery Staff

Dave Gronneberg was raised in St. Charles, MO and received his Bachelors of Music Education at Missouri State University, in Springfield, MO. He spent two years as the drumline section leader of the Missouri State Pride Marching Band and one year as the drumline instructor. While attending college, Dave spent three summers marching with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2004 - 2006) and three years marching with Gateway Indoor, serving as the section leader all three years at Gateway. After aging out of WGI and DCI, He has gone on to instruct Gateway Indoor serving as both the Lead Snare Tech (2007 - 2011) and the Co-Battery Caption Head (2011). Dave is an Innovative Percussion Artist.

Dave currently resides in Grain Valley, MO with his wife Heather.

He is incredibly excited for this upcoming season with Gateway!

Brian Graham
Battery Staff

Lauren Sakowski
Battery Staff

Lauren Sakowski is a native of the St. Louis area. Mrs. Sakowski started her DCI/WGI experience with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. In 1999, she was section leader of the I&E World Championship cymbal line under the direction of Mr. Diaz Clark. After aging out, Lauren returned to the Colts staff to work with Mr. Clark and then became head of the program from 2002-2007. During the summer of 2005, her cymbal line won the I&E World Championship title for a second time. Lauren spent the summer of 2010 with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. For the last eight seasons, Mrs. Sakowski has also been proud to be the cymbal tech for the 6-time WGI Finalist Gateway Indoor Percussion. Besides her teaching responsibilities, she is the uniform and floor designer for the Independent World Finalist group.

Mrs. Sakowski is an active adjudicator, cymbal clinician and visual design consultant working with St. Louis area schools, University of Memphis, Indiana University and most recently, Missouri State.

Mrs. Sakowski received her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Missouri State University and marched in the Pride snare line during that time. She received her Masters of Teaching in Communications and Aesthetic Arts from Webster University and teaches Painting, Drawing and AP Studio at Lafayette High School in the Rockwood School District.

Matt Brusca
Battery Staff

Matt Brusca is currently a graduate assistant for the Illinois State University Big Red Marching Machine. His responsibilities include instructing and arranging for the BRMM drum line. He previously held a position as Professor of Percussion at Messenger College and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Missouri Southern State University. He has been on staff with the Yamaha Sounds of Summer Camp in Joplin for four years. Matt has also been on staff with DCI Open Class Finalist Colt Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and is currently on staff with WGI Independent World Class Finalist Gateway Indoor.

He has instructed the Joplin, Mt.Vernon, Webb City, Carl Junction, and University High School drum lines. He instructed and codesigned drill for the 2009 Joplin High School winter drum line and instructed the 2010 Webb City winter drum line which took 2nd and 3rd place at MCCGA Championships respectively. During the summer of 2011, he was invited to present clinics on marching percussion in Belgrade, Serbia. Matt’s performing experiences include marching five years with Missouri Southern State University’s Lion Pride Marching Band and as a WGI Independent World Class Finalist with Gateway Indoor in 2008 and 2009.

He has performed with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Ozark Festival Orchestra, Peoria Municipal Band, Collide Praise Band, and Forest Park Baptist Church Praise Band. Matt has also preformed for Exit Festival, BELEF Festival, Marion Days Festival, the 2008 Kansas Day of Percussion, 2007 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, and is a current member of the Kansas City Royal Thunder Drum Line.

Eric Abney
Battery Staff

Eric Abney was born and raised in Lawrence, KS, where he is currently studying Music Education at the University of Kansas. During his time at KU, he has been a part of the University's marching band both as a performer and as a technician. Eric's competitive marching experiences include performing with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2009 and 2010 and with Gateway Indoor in 2011. Eric is looking forward to seeing Gateway Indoor turn some heads in 2012.

As an educator, Eric has worked with numerous schools within Lawrence and the Kansas City metro. He has served as a percussion instructor at Free State High School and as a visual technician for Olathe North's indoor percussion ensemble. This past year he served as a guest clinician at Missouri State University's Pride percussion camp. After finishing his degree at the University of Kansas, Eric hopes to become a vocal music educator as well as a percussion educator.

Megan Coonrod
Battery Staff

Megan Coonrod was born in St. Louis, MO. A 2009 graduate of Missouri State University, Megan earned her degree in English Education. While at MSU, Megan was fortunate enough to play with the nationally-recognized Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Saxophone Quartet, and as a featured performer with the Stage Band. She also served as a section leader for 2 of her 3 years in the Pride of Missouri State Marching Band.

Megan's WGI experience includes being a charter member of Gateway Indoor as a member of the cymbal line from 2004-2008. In that span, Gateway was promoted from PIA to PIO (2004) and again to PIW (2005), making World finals in 2005, 2006, and 2008. After aging out, Megan taught the Freedom Indoor cymbal line for the 2010 season. Her DCI experience includes functioning as the the cymbal instructor for Forte`, an Open Class Finalist, in 2010 and 2011.

Megan's teaching experience as both a visual, design, and cymbal staff member includes several groups from both Springfield and St. Louis, most notably the Parkway West Band (2010 GSL Champions) and the Hillcrest High School Band and Indoor Drumline (2008 PSR Silver Medalist).

Megan currently resides in Chesterfield, MO, where she is pursuing a career as a high school educator.

Amanda Petersen
Front Ensemble Lead Technician

Amanda Petersen is a native of Collierville, Tennessee. In May 2011, Amanda graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Music and Spanish.  She currently resides in Memphis, TN and is pursuing a career in Retail Management. She is excited to be returning for her second season on the instructional staff at Gateway.

Amanda began her marching career with Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, she became a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and continued to march there until 2008. Her WGI experience includes marching Gateway from 2006 to 2008 and Rhythm X in 2010.

Amanda has been an active front ensemble teacher for numerous groups throughout Memphis, TN and Dayton, OH. The groups she has worked with include George W. Mason and Collierville High School, where she has been the front ensemble caption head since 2005. She has also taught at Memphis Sound in 2009 and Forte in 2010. In 2011, Amanda served on the administrative team at Carolina Crown as Assistant Tour Manager.

George Stuteville
Front Ensemble Staff

George Stuteville was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and is an active composer/arranger and instructional staff at three local Indianapolis schools. George has completed two years of a percussion performance degree at Butler University. He performed with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps in: 2007, 2008, and was the front ensemble section leader in 2010. George was also a member of Matrix Indoor Percussion Ensemble in: 2009 and 2010, he recently aged out of Gateway in the 2011 season.

This past summer George was an instructor at Music City Drum and Bugle Corps. Currently, George resides in Indianapolis where he has been the Carmel High School front ensemble director for five years.

Tim Linsenbardt
Front Ensemble Consultant

Tim Linsenbardt is excited to make his return to the Gateway family. Mr. Linsenbardt is currently an assistant band director and percussion instructor at Lindbergh High School in St Louis. Prior to that, he served as director of music at Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese Illinois.

Tim graduated from Truman State University with a BA in Music in 2004 and received a Masters of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma in 2007. While at OU, he taught and arranged for the Pride of Oklahoma Drumline. He was a performer with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from 1999 to 2002 and later returned to teach the front ensemble for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. This will be Tim's fifth season with Gateway, being previously involved from 2006 to 2009.

Brian Fronzaglia
Front Ensemble Consultant

Brian Fronzaglia, Professor of Percussion and Director of Athletic Bands at Missouri Southern State University holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Penn State where he was also awarded the Performer’s Recognition Award. He holds a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from Michigan State University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance at the UMKC Conservatory of Music.

Brian, performing on many stages has been seen throughout the United States and Europe. Most recently, Brian has been seen performing throughout Italy and has also been seen performing with the Sunflower Music Festival Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City Symphony Chamber Orchestra, The American Opera Studio, Flint Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Altoona Symphony, Nittany Valley Symphony, Northland Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, Pennsylvania Centre Chamber Orchestra, National Wind Ensemble and the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. Brian, a part-time member of the group Marimba Sol de Chiapas was also a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. Currently, Brian is the Director of the Kansas City Royals “Royal Thunder” drum line and was a founding member of the NFL’s St. Louis Rams “Battering Rams” drum line.

Along with being a clinician for the Yamaha Sounds of Summer camp, Brian has also served on the faculties at Penn State University, the Grumo Music Festival held in Grumo-Appula, Italy and the Flint Institute of Music. He is currently an active adjudicator throughout the Midwest and has been a consultant and arranger for several high schools across the nation. He has been on staff with WGI Independent World Finalists, United Percussion and Gateway Indoor and is currently on staff with The Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps.

Brian is a Yamaha Performing Artist/clinician and is also a performing artist/clinician for SABIAN Cymbals, Remo Drumheads and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets. Brian has given numerous master classes, performances and clinics throughout the United States. As a performer Brian has been active in commissioning and premiering new works for percussion and has been recorded on numerous labels and his compositions are published through Knight Wind Publications, Yamaha Corporation of America and Row-Loff Productions.

April Dalton
Visual Staff

April Dalton grew up in Covington, KY until recently in 2009 when she moved to Saint Louis, Missouri. Currently still residing in Saint Louis she is studying Family and Consumer Sciences along with Physical Education at Southwestern Illinois College and Fontbonne University. She also teaches Aerobics, Yoga, and Conditioning to several groups and community centers in the Saint Louis area.

April’s Drum Corps experience began in 2006 and continued into the 2007 season playing baritone at Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps (KY). In 2008, April aged out with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (OH). Following her age out year she began her indoor percussion season in 2009 marching cymbals with Gateway Indoor (MO).

April’s teaching experience started in 2005 with the Holmes High School Marching Band (KY). From 2005-2010 she has taught clinics, band camps, and volunteered with several high schools such as: Dixie High School (KY), Milford High School (OH), St. Charles West High School(MO), O’Fallon High School, and Ravenwood High School (TN). April also teaches in the Drum Corps and Indoor community with groups such as: Music City Drum and Bugle Corps (TN), Gateway Indoor Percussion (MO), Forte Drum and Bugle Corps, and Freedom Youth Percussion.

In the Drum Corps and Indoor world April specifically is a fitness coordinator and a visual/body tech. She creates fitness programs that best suits for the group and activity, and primarily works with the battery, brass, or cymbal line.

Brad Fuhrman
Visual Staff

Brad Fuhrmann is a full time visual designer and instructor. He's looking forward to joining the Gateway Indoor staff for the 2012 Season. His performing experience in the marching musical activity includes one season with Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps followed by four years with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. He's been involved with visual instruction since 2004 and has taught high schools across the Midwest and served as a consultant around the US.

Among his accomplishments are several Bands of America regional visual titles and championships. In 2007 he taught the DCI world finalist Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and in 2008 he taught the DCI world finalist Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. Brad is an experienced drill writer, having written award winning marching band shows for schools around the nation. He currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri.