Percussion Staff | Reading Buccaneers

2025 Percussion Staff

Travis Peterman - Percussion Captionhead/Battery Arranger & Ensemble Coordinator

Born and raised in Newark, Delaware, Travis began his percussion career in the Christina School District, spending five years with the All-State Junior and Senior Bands. Quickly finding a passion for the marching arts, he went on to perform as a snare drummer with
the Reading Buccaneers, United Percussion, the Blue Stars, and Rhythm X.

He started teaching drum corps with the Cadets2 in 2012 as the Snare Technician and Battery Choreographer, remaining with the corps for three years. Travis previously held the positions of
Director, Program Coordinator, and Battery Arranger for Cadets Winter Percussion during its three year tenure. He served as the Battery Arranger and Director of Percussion for the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2016 through the 2019 season. From 2015 to 2022 Travis held various roles at Carolina Crown, including Percussion Caption Supervisor and Battery Co-Arranger. Peterman spent 2023 with The Cadets percussion section, in what would be their final season.

Currently, Travis is the Program Director of the George Mason University Indoor Drumline (where he also holds the position of Battery/Visual Designer), as well as the Percussion Caption Head, Battery Arranger, and Ensemble Coordinator for the Reading Buccaneers. Peterman is an accomplished adjudicator with circuits such as SCPA, KIDA, and NYSPC. From 2022-2024, Travis served as the Percussion Coordinator for the Atlantic Indoor Association’s North region.

Travis is honored to have studied under educators such as Thom Hannum, Tom Aungst, Tim Jackson, Jim Ancona, Tim Fairbanks, Darick Kelly, Rich Hammond, and Chris Feist. He is a proud member of the Vic Firth, Pearl/Adams, and Remo education teams. Outside of the percussion world, Travis holds an A.A. in Criminal Justice from Delaware Tech, a B.S. in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University, and a M.Ed. in School Counseling (also from WilmU).

Mark Eichenberger - Front Ensemble Arranger

Mark received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and both his Masters of Music Performance and his DMA in Music Performance from the University of Illinois. As a performer, Mark maintains a busy schedule as a freelance
percussionist in the Princeton area. He is a frequent performer for the Princeton Sound Kitchen, premiering new works by composers at Princeton University. He also drums with the bands, Joy on Fire and Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves.

Before moving to New Jersey, he worked at the University of Texas-Brownsville as a lecturer of percussion. Prior to that appointment, he was a freelance performer and teacher in Chicago. Mark was a member of Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from 2000 to 2004. He joined the Capital Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps Staff as a Front Ensemble Instructor in 2006. From 2008 to 2010, Mark served as an Instructor for the Santa Clara Vanguard Front Ensemble, rising to the position of Co-Caption Head for the 2010 season. He then became the Front Ensemble Arranger and Percussion Caption Head for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, a position he held from 2013 through 2019. Currently Mark works with The Cadets as a Front Ensemble consultant. As an educator, Mark currently works at Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, N.J. He serves as director for both the indoor and marching band percussion programs. In the district, he also teaches lessons for grades 5-8. He also works as a percussion arranger for Hylton Music Design.

Mark lives in Lawrence, N.J., with his wife, Juri, and little rescue mutt, Roman. Juri is a composer and on faculty at Princeton University. Mark enjoys performing her works for percussion and being the test subject from time to time for new pieces she is working on.

Known professionally as "Joseph Noah", Sam is a performing artist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Based in Powhatan, Virginia, Sam has collaborated and produced records with the likes of Caydrik, King Los, Waasi, BBY Kodie, Count Slick, and many more. Sam has been involved with the marching arts since 2010, in which he began his performing career at Powhatan High School. After graduating, he became a marching member at George Mason University and Carolina Crown.

Currently, he is serving as Battery Manager at Powhatan High School. Sam has a Bachelor's degree in Economics, from Hampden-Sydney College.

Sam Flemming - Sound Designer

Meet Reed Kimmel. With a lifelong passion for drumming that ignited at the age of 5 and an impressive decade-long career as an audio engineer in the marching arts, he looks to continue his passion with the Reading Buccaneers. Reed lent his talents to renowned ensembles such as The Cadets, Spirit of Atlanta, United Percussion and Towson University, showcasing their productions in the marching arts community. Now in his second year with the Reading Buccaneers, Reed will act as Audio Manager.

Beyond the realm of drums and audio engineering, Reed shares a unique tradition – watching every Marvel movie on release day with the same five friends. With sticks in hand and a passion for perfecting sound, Reed is ready to return to the big stage in Indy.

Reed Kimmel - Audio Manager

Johnny Trujillo - Percussion Consultant

Johnny Trujillo's experience in drum corps started in 2001: marching 3 years in the Phoenix Drum and Bugle Corps (NJ), then 1 year (2004) in The Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps (NJ), and his last 2 years (2005 and 2006) with the Cadets, where he aged out. He taught the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps percussion section from 2007-2010, joined the Cadets instructional team for 2011, and then returned to the Bucs as the caption supervisor and battery arranger from 2012-2019. Johnny graduated from West Chester University with a degree in music education in 2006 and began his tenure at Norristown Area High School (PA), where he conducted the concert band and taught piano classes for 10 years.

In the spring of 2014, he earned his masters degree in education from Cabrini College (PA). In 2016 he became the Band and Orchestra Director at East Norriton Middle School where he currently teaches each day. Johnny is also an active adjudicator (2010-present) for Cavalcade of Bands. He resides happily with his fiancé in Phoenixville, PA.

Dr. Tyler Wales is a performer and educator of percussion currently based out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He has completed his B.A. degree in Music from Kutztown University, M.M. in Music Performance in Percussion from West Chester University, and D.M.A degree in Percussion Performance from Arizona State University. Tyler has most recently worked for 2 years with some of the best high school bands in the country in Fort Worth, Texas. He has marched with Cadets2 in 2015, and the Reading Buccaneers in 2016, both on snare. He is now the Assistant Director of Bands at Shippensburg University, and is ecstatic to be back in the area, giving back to a program that meant so much to him.

Dr. Tyler Wales - Assistant Percussion Caption Head/Front Ensemble Arranger

Ben is returning in 2025 for his third year on staff. He is excited to be entering a new role as the front ensemble coordinator for the coming season. Ben has been teaching the marching arts since 2010 and performed as the timpanist in the Buccaneers front
ensemble from 2015-17. He believes the Bucs bring out the best in himself and wants everyone he teaches to feel the same way as a Buccaneer. WAGM.

Ben Kern - Front Ensemble Coordinator

Sofia Soares - Front Ensemble Technician

Sofia Soares is a clinical laboratory manager at an OB/GYN clinic. Though her career is in healthcare, music has always been a priority in her life. She has performed as a flautist for over a decade with her alma mater, Wilkes University, in the flute choir, civic band, and chamber orchestra. She has taught at numerous high school outdoor and indoor programs alongside many talented educators including most recently, Spring-Ford Area High School.

Sofia began her drum corps career performing with the Skyliners Drum and Bugle Corps in WilkesBarre, PA. It was there that she fell in love with the design and performance of the Reading Buccaneers after watching them perform for the first time. Sofia joined the Buccaneers during their 60th anniversary to perform on synthesizer and has been with the drum corps ever since performing as a featured vocalist in 2018, on marimba, and most recently as part of the instructional staff. She has a deep love for the organization and all the members, volunteers, and staff within it. Sofia is ecstatic to return in her role and to be part of such a talented team of educators.

Peter is a music educator from the Philadelphia area. His drum corps experience began with the Reading Buccaneers in 2015 where he played marimba. He marched with Field of View Indoor (2015) and the West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band (2014-2017). After finishing school, he came back to the Buccaneers again as a member and played marimba in their 2019 season. He has taught for various front ensembles in the region including Great Valley HS, Imperial Dynasty, and Fusion Core.

Peter holds a degree in Music Education from West Chester University and is currently pursuing a Masters. He is very excited to be back with the Buccaneers and looks forward to a great season. In his spare time Peter likes to arrange music, go on hikes, and spend time with family and friends.

Peter Garcia - Front Ensemble Technician

Natalie earned her Bachelor's Degree in Percussion Performance from University of Delaware in 2023. There she practiced percussion under the instruction of Jim Ancona, Dr. Gene Koshinski, Dr. Tim Broscious and Harvey Price. It was there that she gained skills in a wide range of musical areas including orchestral, jazz, Brazilian, West African and Afro Caribbean percussion styles. While in school she performed with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016 and Carolina Crown 2018-2021. Currently Natalie is pursuing her Masters Degree in percussion performance at Oklahoma City University on a full
scholarship studying with Dr. Tommy Dobbs. This will be her third year working with the Reading Buccaneers teaching the front ensemble.

Natalie DiTomasso - Front Ensemble Technician

Jeremy Maytum - Front Ensemble Technician

Payton Leggett is 21 years old and lives in Harrisburg. Payton has been teaching at Central Dauphin East for 3 years as their audio tech. In high school, Payton played marimba and vibes. A fun fact about Payton is that she can’t tell her lefts from her rights.

A native of Colorado, is a graduate of Colorado State University in 2009, where he earned the Master's Degree in Percussion Performance and served as the graduate Teaching Assistant for the award-winning CSU Percussion Studio. Jeremy completed his Bachelor's Degree in Percussion Performance from Colorado State University-Pueblo in 2007. His primary teachers include Aaron Turner and Dr. Eric Hollenbeck. As an orchestral musician, Jeremy has performed with the Cheyenne Symphony in Wyoming, the Fort Collins Symphony, the Greeley and Boulder Philharmonic, the Lexington Philharmonic, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He has also made a guest appearance playing timpani with The United States Army Field Band in Washington, D.C. As an international performer, Jeremy completed a week-long residency at Inner Mongolia University in Hohhot, China , and served as Principal Timpanist for the Prague Summer Nights Music Festival in the Czech Republic. A dedicated performer in the world of the marching arts, Jeremy served as timpanist for the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps in 2005.

Jeremy has formerly taught at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, WY as the Adjunct Professor of Percussion. He has held the position of Director of Percussion Studies at Bear Creek High School in Colorado, as well as serving on percussion staffs at Adair County High School and Beechwood High School in Kentucky, and Urbana High School in Maryland. Additionally, Jeremy served on staff for The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician.

Currently, Jeremy serves as the Coordinator of Marching Percussion at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD,
where he writes and arranges for the UMDrumline and serves as head instructor. In addition, he works as the Communications Director and Inventory Coordinator for UMD Athletic Bands, and is on faculty at the UMD School of Music as Lecturer in Percussion and Coordinator of the World Music Program. During the winter and spring season, Jeremy occupies his weekends serving as the Front Ensemble Manager for George Mason University Indoor Drumline in Fairfax, VA.

Jeremy is completing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Kentucky (currently A.B.D.), where he studies with James Campbell. He regularly performs as timpanist with the Maryland Winds in
Columbia, MD. As a chamber musician he tours nationwide with his percussion quartet BlueSHIFT, giving clinics/masterclasses at universities as well as performing at various Percussive Arts Society “Days Of Percussion”. As a composer, he has contributed to the Blue Book, Vol. 3 from Tapspace Publications. Jeremy proudly endorses Yamaha as a Performing Artist, and serves as an Artist/Clinician for Black Swamp Percussion, Innovative Percussion, Remo Drumheads, and Sabian Cymbals. He remains very active as a member and contributor to the Percussive Arts Society, serving on the Marching & Rudimental Percussion Committee as well as Vice President for the Maryland/Delaware Chapter.

RJ Kelly - Front Ensemble Technician

RJ Kelly is a front ensemble technician from New Castle, Delaware. He was a front ensemble tech for the Reading Buccaneers in 2023 and 2024 and is excited to return for a third season with the BFE in 2025. He was a member of the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band from 2009-2012, a member of the Imperial Dynasty Indoor Drumline from 2010-2013, and marched with the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum & Bugle Corps from 2012-2014. Since 2013, he’s been instructing and arranging at various
high schools in Delaware, including William Penn High School, Middletown High School and Cab Calloway School of the Arts. In 2023, he was a front ensemble tech for the George Mason University Indoor Drumline. Currently, he is the percussion director for Odessa High School in Odessa, DE and a front ensemble tech for Imperial Dynasty Indoor Drumline.

Dan Zell - Front Ensemble Technician

Dan began a passion for playing percussion while attending Kent Island High School under Tim Beall. While attending the University of Maryland Baltimore County, he joined the UMBC Percussion Ensemble under Tom Goldstein and earned a minor in percussion
performance in 2008.

His marching experience includes the Reading Buccaneers (2007, 2011, 2012) and Penn State Indoor Drumline (2008); learning from Frank Franko, Tollie Contento, Jim Ancona, Greg Tsalikas, and Wayne Gibson. Dan has taught at the Reading Buccaneers (2013,
2014, 2023), Towson University (2013), and Imperial Dynasty (2018, 2019) as a front ensemble technician. He has consulted with various high school marching programs in the DMV, most notably at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School 2011-2016. He currently lives in Annapolis, MD with his wonderfully supportive fiancé Christie.

This will be Anthony’s third season as an audio engineer for the corp. He has been working in audio for 6 years and has a degree in Sound & Recording Tech from Rowan of Burlington County. Currently, he works audio, service, and rigging for a company called Starlite where he does corporate events, Theater, and music festivals. He has never actually marched anywhere but in high school was involved in choir and theater.

Anthony Rubano - Audio Engineer

Payton Leggett is 22 and lives in Harrisburg. She has taught at Central Dauphin East High School for 4 years as their audio tech. Currently, she is the audio tech for Central Dauphin High School. In high school, she played marimba and vibes, and got into audio after graduating. She joined Bucs staff in 2023 and is here for another season.

Payton Leggett - Audio Engineer

Sean Moran - Battery Manager

The 2025 season will mark Sean's second season on the percussion staff for The Reading Buccaneers, where he will be returning this year as Battery Manager.

Sean began his drumming career at Norristown High School where he played snare drum
for the duration of his high school years. In 2008 he started his drum corps career with the Reading Buccaneers as a member of the snare line. He continued to march with the Reading Buccaneers in 2010, and 2011 prior to being offered a position with The Cadets in the 2012 snare line. During his time with The Cadets, Sean was a part of an all rookie snare line that went on to receive the collective "Rookie of the Year" award. After aging out
with The Cadets in 2012, Sean continued his drum corps career when he returned to the Reading Buccaneers as the percussion section leader in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Sean was also a member of the snare line for the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band during the
2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.

In 2024, Sean was a part of the Reading Buccaneers Percussion team that won the drum corps' first DCI All Age Class High Percussion Award and DCI All Age Class World Championship. Sean has also previously served as a Snare Technician and Battery Coordinator for The Cadets2 Drum and Bugle Corps from 2016-2018 where he was a part of the drum corps' first DCA World Championship and High Percussion Award in 2016.

Sean has also taught high school percussion in the Downingtown Area School District and has helped to build and sustain a highly competitive percussion program throughout his time there. From 2013-2017, Sean was a part of the percussion staff for the Downingtown West High School Marching Band and Indoor Percussion Ensembles. From there, Sean went on to serve as the Indoor Percussion Ensemble Director in 2019 and 2020. He currently teaches the battery percussion at North Penn High School. Throughout his marching career, Sean has been educated and mentored by numerous world class percussion educators such as Colin McNutt, Johnny Trujillo, Dave Dumont, Rich Hammond, Darren Hazlett, Jacob Gall, and many more.

Outside of drum corps, Sean currently works for Signant Health as an Operational Readiness Manager and resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Brian Selman - Percussion Visual Coordinator/Cymbal Technician

Brian began his marching career at Wilson High School in West Lawn, PA. In 2010, Brian began marching with the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps and continued there for four years. While there, he spent two years in the cymbal line and two years as an assistant drum major. Brian also got the opportunity to perform with United Percussion in 2013.

His teaching experience began with Conrad Weiser High School in 2012 and continued until 2015. He also began working with the indoor percussion ensemble at Governor Mifflin High School in 2014 and continued working with both their marching band and indoor groups until 2017. In addition, Brian has been the cymbal tech for various DCA and WGI groups including Fusion Core, Aftermath Percussion, and East Coast Percussion. Brian also spent time with the Hawthorne Caballeros and United Percussion 2 as a visual technician. This will be Brian’s fourth year with the Reading Buccaneers on staff. Currently, Brian is an active instructor, drill designer and consultant for several indoor percussion, color guards and marching bands across Pennsylvania. Additionally, Brian is an active visual adjudicator with the National Judges Association. Outside of the marching activity, Brian is an English teacher in Eastern York, PA.

Wes Culwell - Snare Technician

Wesley Culwell grew up in the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania area and began his marching career with the Cumberland Valley Marching Band. Wesley was a part of both the indoor and outdoor programs at Cumberland Valley from 2013 to 2018. During this time he began time in DCA by marching at the Hawthorne Caballeros in 2016, followed by the Reading Buccaneers in 2017 and 2018. Most recently, Wesley has spent 3 seasons with the George Mason University Indoor Drumline in 2020, 22, and 23 as well as being contracted with Carolina Crown for the 2020 season.

After graduating high school while gaining experience in the independent marching world, Wesley has taught at a multitude of high school programs in his area. Currently, he is a battery instructor and arranger at Lower Dauphin High School and is looking forward to growing as an educator with the Buccaneers.

Tim Scott - Quad Technician

Tim has been raised in the marching arts, with both of his parents being alumni of various drum corps and indoor groups. From 2007- 2008, he began his drum corps career with the Bushwackers. He also marched with the Sunrisers (2009). After picking up quads he marched Fusion Core (2010, 2011), the Reading Buccaneers (2013), and Carolina Crown (2014). Tim was also fortunate to spend several years marching quads in World Class WGI groups, beginning with United Percussion (2013), and Rhythm X (2015, 2016). Tim spent time as a quad technician teaching Stony Brook University (2011), William Mason High School (2015), and Bellbrook High School (2015). He also spent the summer of 2016 teaching quads for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. He is extremely humbled and excited to serve as a quad technician since 2024 with both George Mason University and the Reading Buccaneers.

Tom Hildebrand is happy to be returning as quad tech for the 2025 Reading Buccaneers. He started his marching career at Cadets2 in 2013 where he marched cymbals, and later quads in the 14 and 15 seasons. He then became a part of the Reading Buccaneers quad line in 2018, 2019, and 2021. In addition to his drum corps experience, he was also a member of the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens Marching Band, and he’s been the director of Urbana High School’s Indoor Percussion Program since 2022. He’s very excited to see all the new and returning faces at membership day!

Tom Hildebrand - Quad Technician

Kennedy Zimnik, 27, joins us from Frederick MD. Kennedy has been a percussion instructor for 6 drum corps seasons- Jersey Surf 2018, 7th Regiment 2019, and Reading Buccaneers from 2022 to the present. He enjoys disc golf and EDM music.

Kennedy Zimnik - Bass Technician

Jacob Cantor - Bass Technician

Jacob Cantor went to Council Rock South High School, where he first began drumming. While learning how to play paradiddles, Jacob also began playing the tuba. In 2018, he filled a tuba spot at the Raiders, beginning his endeavors into the independent marching arts. In 2019, Jacob returned to the Raiders to play bass drum. He then went on to march with the Bushwackers in 2021, United Percussion in 2022, and the Cadets in 2022 and 2023. While marching with independent ensembles, he also marched in the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band in 2021 and 2022. Jacob returned to Council Rock South to serve as a drum tech in 2022, and has been there since, instructing both the marching band and indoor drumline. Outside of the marching arts, Jacob is a studio composition major at West Chester University.

Jarrett began his marching career on the cymbals with the Hempfield High School Indoor Percussion program in 2017 where he participated in three seasons. He played the 2023 and 2024 seasons as a performer with the Reading Buccaneers.

His teaching experience began with Penn Manor High School in the fall of 2022 and continues through the fall of 2024. Jarrett has assisted both the marching band and indoor groups as a cymbal technician. This will be Jarrett’s first year with the organization on
staff. Outside of the marching arts, Jarrett is a project accountant for a staging and automation company.

Jarrett Gretz - Cymbal Technician

Joe DeLosa - Battery Specialist

Joe DeLosa began drumming before he could walk, performing for the first 17 years of his life in his family's parade band "The Blue Crew." From 2009-2014, he played snare in the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens Marching Band. Joe has also marched snare with the Reading Buccaneers (2010, 2011, 2016, 2017) and the Cadets (2012, 2013) where he was fortunate to win a DCI high percussion title. Indoors, Joe has performed at each level of independent WGI competition, marching snare in A Class (Imperial Dynasty 2013), in Open Class (Cadets Winter Percussion 2014), and in World Class (United Percussion 2011).

Joe returned to the University of Delaware (2015-2018) and Imperial Dynasty (17-18/18-19) to serve as a snare tech. He also was a snare tech for Carolina Crown (2020-2022). Currently, he serves as a snare tech with George Mason University (2020 -).

Adam Benner - Percussion Visual Technician

Adam Benner, a native of Emmaus, PA, is a proud graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in Music Management, as well as Lehigh Carbon Community College with a degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Outside of high school and college, Adam has participated as a performing member of the Aftermath Indoor Percussion Ensemble (2003-2006), Penn State University Indoor Drumline (2008), and the Reading Buccaneer Drum and Bugle Corps (2005-2011). He first began teaching marching percussion in 2005 with the Marching Phantoms of Phoenixville Area High School. Since that time, he has had the opportunity to teach several high school programs, and has currently been helping with the drumline at Spring-Ford High School out of Royersford, Pennsylvania from 2016 to the present. Adam was honored to teach the Reading Buccaneers bassline in 2019 and has been back on the percussion staff since the 2024 season.