Band Camp 2009
STAFF
Director of Bands
Rob Blankenship has been teaching music in Henrico County Schools for nine years. This is his fourth year as the Director of Bands at Freeman. He is an alumnus of DSF (class of ’92) and a graduate of Longwood College where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Instrumental Music Education. Prior to attending Longwood, Mr. Blankenship served in the US Army with the 26th Army Band, Ft. Hamilton, NY and the 1st Cavalry Division Band, Ft. Hood, TX. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), The Commonwealth Winds, and is the associate director of the Richmond Concert Band. He is also an amateur composer and arranger. His music has been performed by many ensembles including the Richmond Concert Band, the Longwood University Wind Symphony, and The University of Richmond Wind Ensemble. Mr. Blankenship lives in Henrico with his wife, son, daughter, and their two dogs, Luke and Leia.
Percussion Instructor
Percussionist Matt Goves has been active in the greater Richmond area as an educator, performer and clinician for over 19 years. Matt’s worked with several schools in the area but he’s been here at Freeman working with both the marching percussion group and the percussion ensemble for over 10 years. Matt also teaches at The Collegiate School as well as maintains a private studio of over 50 students a week.
As a performer Matt’s worked with various national and regional artists including Universal Records recording artists The Ernies, The Kyle Davis Band, The King Pins, Schwa, Time and a Half and most recently country artists The River City Gang. He’s also had the pleasure of performing with The Richmond Symphony, The Commonwealth Winds and as a soloist with the VCU Orchestra as the winner of the 1994 VMTA Concerto Competition.
Pit Instructor
Rebecca has a Bachelor of Music Education from Longwood University. She has taught middle school for Westmoreland County Public Schools and Richmond City Public Schools. Currently she teaches Elementary School band on Church Hill for the City of Richmond. Along with teaching Rebecca plays Clarinet with the Richmond Concert Band and the Commonwealth Winds. She is currently getting her Masters of Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia. She has been working with the DSF Rebel Brigade since 2007.
Woodwind Instructor, Color Guard Sponsor, TMS Director of Bands
Sandra Mistler has been the director of bands at Tuckahoe Middle School since 2005. After completing her Bachelor of Music Education degree at Virginia Commonwealth University, she taught for 1 year at Carver Middle School in Chesterfield, Virginia. She has been enjoyed working with the Freeman Marching Band as a woodwind instructor, color guard sponsor, and assistant director since 2005.
Clarinet Instructor
Lisa Brewer is the clarinet instructor for her third year at the Douglas Freeman band camp. Lisa originally comes from Florida, where she graduated from Stetson University with her Bachelor of Music Education. In 2003, she moved to Richmond to study clarinet at Virginia Commonwealth University where she received her Master of Music. Between Florida and Virginia, Lisa has had the pleasure to perform with many groups including the Bach Festival Orchestra, Seaside Music Theater, Southern Winds, Commonwealth Winds, Williamsburg Symphonia, and the Virginia Wind Quintet. One of her most memorable gigs was playing for a Medieval Society event, where she dressed in Medieval attire. Lisa also has a wide range of teaching experiences including elementary school music, private music lessons, and various levels of master classes. Besides music, Lisa likes to cook, read, and watch good movies.
Maureen Wisniewski is a student at Virginia Commonwealth University and is majoring in music education. She plans to be a high school or middle school band director. At VCU, she plays in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Jazz Orchestra II. This is her first year working with the Freeman High School band.
Brass Instructor
Marching/Drill Instructor
Matt graduated from Salem (Va) High School in 2004 and is currently attending VCU for Business. He marched for 5 years in Drum Corps International, 4 years with The Cavaliers - 2006 DCI World Champions, and marched with Aimachi Marching Band from Nagoya, Japan in 2007.
Currently, he is teaching at several local high schools and works on visual design for marching indoor drumline's in the Mid-Atlantic region.
His interests: Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Modeling, Tennis, Social Media, and the Visual Arts.