Band Staff
David Thornton Director of Bands | David Thornton is in his third year as the director at Leon High School. Prior to his appointment at Leon High School, he was the Assistant Band Director at Eau Gallie High School and Johnson Middle School in Melbourne, FL. Bands under Mr. Thornton's direction have received consistent superior ratings in marching and concert performance at the district and state levels. He graduated from Florida State University cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance. While at FSU, Mr. Thornton was Head Drum Major for the world-renowned Florida State University Marching Chiefs in addition to participating in FSU's Symphonic Band, Wind Orchestra and Philharmonia. Mr. Thornton is the recipient of the 2006 Manley R. Whitcomb Scholarship, which recognizes potential for significant contributions to the field of music education. Under his direction, the Leon Symphonic Band has been selected to play at the 2010 College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference at the University of Mississippi and the 2011 Florida Music Educators Association Conference. |
Suzanne Ferrell-Locke Colorguard Director | Suzanne Ferrell-Locke grew up in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts and graduated from East Bridgewater High School where she was drum major of the East Bridgewater Viking Marching Band and captain of the East Bridgewater Winterguard. Upon graduating high school, she attended Florida State University, where she earned degrees in Mathematics and Actuarial Science. She was also a proud member of the world renowned Marching Chiefs and captain of the FSU colorguard. Another experience Suzanne brings to the table is her participation in Drum Corps International. She is proud to be a former member of the Boston Crusaders Colorguard and currently serves as their tour director. Before marching with the Crusaders, she was a member of East Coast Jazz. Currently, in addition to pursuing her passion for colorguard by instructing the Marching Redcoats Colorguard, Suzanne is a mathematics professor at Tallahassee Community College. |
Mike Wendeln Percussion
| Mike Wendeln is the Director of Steelbands and Percussion Studies at Leon High School in Tallahassee, Florida, where he directs four student steelbands and two community groups as well as oversee Percussion activities at the school. He is a well-rounded teacher and musician. Teaching experiences include 10+ years of High School drumlins at various schools including state championship groups, 15+ years of private lessons with students as young as 6 and as old at 60, and as a graduate student, taught collegiate Percussion Ensemble, Steelband, and Drumline. In 2004, Mr. Wendeln earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he studied with Dr. William Albin and Dr. Chris Tanner. He performed in various ensembles including the nationally recognized Miami University Steel Band. In 2007, Wendeln graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, earning his Masters degree in Percussion Performance while studying with Percussion Director, Jason Koontz. Mr. Wendeln is excited to bring his passion and knowledge of percussion to Leon High School. |
Barbie Townsend Band Staff | Barbie Townsend is currently in her first year as Director of Bands at Augusta Raa Middle School. Before being appointed to this position she opened Dr. John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel, FL. In Wesley Chapel she served as Director of Bands for four years where her students consistently earned ‘Superior’ ratings at Solo & Ensemble and Concert Music Performance Assessments. Ms. Townsend graduated from the Florida State University College of Music in 2005 with a Bachelor in Music Education. While attending FSU she participated in the Summer Music Camps as a counselor and Dean of Students. Mrs. Townsend graduated from Mainland High School, Daytona Beach, FL. Her primary instrument is flute. |
Kendra Wendeln Band Staff |
Kendra Wendeln has a wide range of experiences in both playing and teaching music. She was graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2004 with a Bachelor Degree of Music in Music Education with a Percussion concentration. She studied and played in several Western and World Percussion Ensembles under the direction of Dr. William Albin, Dr. Chris Tanner and Jason Koontz. She has over 10 years of experience writing and teaching marching band drill and show design, as well as music arranging. She has taught percussion and brass sections of various bands in Ohio, Kentucky and Florida. From 2006-2008, she served as an assistant band director at Woodford County High School in Versailles, KY. From 2008-2009 she directed two middle school bands in Middletown City Schools in Ohio. Kendra is entering her third year on the Leon Band staff. She is currently working towards her Masters Degree in Music Education at Florida State University and also teaches K-5 General Music at Springwood Elementary in Tallahassee and the community steel band of “Pans de Leon” at Leon High School. |
