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 4th year of teaching, and his second year at Hamilton High School. He co-directs the Hamilton Marching Huskies, the Wind Ensemble, and the Concert Band. He is also the director of Hamilton’s top jazz ensemble, Jazz Black.
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.
Ms. Elissa Travis- Brass Staff
Elissa Travis is an active and passionate educator involved in Arizona marching arts since 2016. She has worked with several programs in the Valley in musical and visual capacities, including serving as brass caption head and high brass instructor at Dobson HS since 2022. She is the band director at Highland Arts Elementary in Mesa – the second largest elementary band program in the district. Elissa graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Learning and Teaching and is an alumna of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. Marching experience includes the Sun Devil Marching Band and the US Army All-American Marching Band. Elissa is a product of the Hamilton HS band program and is excited to make her return to the place that started her love for the marching arts.
Mr. Jason Poole- Percussion Staff
(Bio coming soon!)
Mrs. Kim Poole- Percussion Staff
(Bio coming soon!)
Mr. Jacob Gardner- 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. Brandon Kollmorgen- Visual Staff
Mr. Brandon Kollmorgen Earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Arizona State University. Mr. Kollmorgen also has an additional emphasis in Brass Pedagogy. Mr. Kollmorgen is in his 4th year of teaching in Chandler Unified School District as a Middle School Band Director. During his time with CUSD he has also taught General Music, Guitar, Jazz, and Private Lessons. In the Marching Band activity, he has served as Visual Caption head for Perry HS, Hamilton HS, as well as a visual staff member for Foreword Winds.
As a performer, Mr. Kollmorgen was a member of the Sun Devil Marching Band, Blue Devils B Drum and Bugle Corps, and Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. Outside of the marching activity, Mr. Kollmorgen frequently performs with local brass quintets, the Arizona Musical Theatre Orchestra, and as a freelance musician.
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
(Bio coming soon!)
Mr. Max Butler- Colorguard Staff
(Bio coming soon!)