Mr. Leo Werner-Director of Bands
Mr. Werner earned his Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Arizona State University; Mr. Werner was Arizona’s first high school music educator to earn certification from the National Board For Professional Teaching Standards. In the past 34 years, Mr. Werner has taught primarily high school band – but has also taught percussion, orchestra, choir, piano, and guitar at various grade levels from elementary through high school.
Mr. Jason Bullock- Associate Director of Bands
Mr. Bullock earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Grand Canyon University. During his time at GCU, Mr. Bullock participated in the Thundering Herd Pep Band, the GCU Big Band, GCU Wind Ensemble, and was a founding member of the Black Canyon Chamber Winds. Mr. Bullock was also a member of Phenom Drum and Bugle Corps (formerly Phenom Soundsport). Mr. Bullock has studied trombone and pedagogy under Dr. Paul Koch, Col. Frank Dubuy, and Dr. Charles Hopkins.
Mr. Bullock is currently in his 5th year of teaching, and his third year at Hamilton High School. He co-directs the Hamilton Marching Huskies and the Wind Ensemble, and is the director of the jazz bands.
Mr. Bullock is a firm believer that the arts are an integral part to the complete education of a student. In his free time, Mr. Bullock enjoys spending time with his wife, Kayla, their dog Loki, and his friends.
Mr. Mike Epping- Instrumental Instructor
Mr. Epping earned his Bachelor’s degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He has studied saxophone and jazz pedagogy with Dr. David Nabb, Michael Kocour, Sam Pilafian, Michael Crotty, and Russ Schmidt. Throughout his performance career, he has performed with the Ruth Haan NY Dance Company, Gunther Schuler, Joe Alessi, and Chris Vadala.
Mr. Davey Aguilera – Brass Staff
(Bio coming soon!)
Mr. Ryan Turner – Brass Staff
(Bio coming soon!)
Mr. Wardell King – Percussion Staff
(Bio coming soon!
Mr. Will Vogus- Percussion Staff
Will Vogus is one of the percussion instructors for the Husky Pride Marching Band, specializing in the front ensemble. He is currently working on a Bachelors in music education at ASU, and is set to graduate in May of 2024. He has been working with Hamilton’s marching band and indoor percussion ensemble for three years now. He has participated in both the Sun Devil Marching Band and Breakthrough Indoor Percussion, as well as some of the top ensembles at ASU. He loves playing all kinds of percussion instruments, but finds the most joy in teaching and playing mallet percussion instruments.
Mr. Jacob Gardner – Percussion Staff
(Bio coming soon)
Mr. Ben Chappell- Visual Staff
Ben Chappell is a woodwind instructor for the Husky Pride Marching Band and has many other roles in the band, including working with the visual caption and instructing the drum majors. He is currently working on his Bachelor of Music in Music Learning and Teaching from Arizona State University and is set to graduate in May of this year. Ben is a proud alumnus of Hamilton High, graduating with honors in 2020, and has worked with the marching band for the past two seasons, along with the winter drumline. He has also taught the Drum Club at Tarwater Elementary for two years alongside his mother, Merri Chappell, and Kim and Jason Poole. During his time at ASU, Ben participated in the Sun Devil Marching Band, the Wind Symphony, the Wind Ensemble, as well as conducting clinics in which he conducted the Wind Symphony. While his main instrument is the clarinet, he also loves to jam out on the alto and baritone saxophones from time to time.
Ms. Jillian Clark- Colorguard Staff
Hello! My name is Jillian Clark and I am the color guard director. I started coaching at Hamilton during winter season of 2021 and I have loved my time here. I grew up in San Diego and moved out to Arizona for color guard opportunities and college in 2018. I have spent many years spinning in DCI and WGI groups including three years at The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, one year at Fenix independent, and two years at Oasis winterguard. I have coached at a few different high schools here in Arizona and spent some time coaching at ASU. Aside from coaching, I am also a nurse and puppy mom! I can’t wait to continue growing with this great program.
Mr. Max Butler- Colorguard Staff
(Bio coming soon!)