STAFF
Mitchell Reed - Director of Bands
Mitchell was born and raised in Virginia. He comes from a musical family and was singing in choirs and learning music from a very young age. His primary instrument is the Trumpet. Mitchell has earned a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. While at VCU, Mitchell studied trumpet with Yamaha Recording Artist, Dr. Rex Richardson and Richmond Symphony Trumpeter, Brian Strawley. Mitchell studied Music Education and Conducting with Dr. Terry Austin, past president of the American Bandmaster's Association. During his time at VCU, Mitchell was fortunate to perform in China at the Beijing Olympic Celebration, Carnegie Hall, the National Trumpet Competition, and the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four.
After graduation, Mitchell accepted a position as grade 6-12 Director of Bands in West Point, Virginia, a small town near Williamsburg, VA. Mitchell spent six years building the band program from a non competitive band of 18 students to a successful program of 80 students. During those six years the program received superior ratings at concert and marching assessments earning the schools first ever Virginia Blue Ribbon Music Award. Mitchell was named the 2015 High School and District Teacher of the Year. Mitchell instituted new program offerings such as Percussion Ensemble, Pep Band, Brass Quintet, and Musical Pit Orchestra. In 2015, Mitchell traveled to England with a group of students to participate in a co-directed production of West Side Story with a British Military School. While at West Point High School, Mitchell helped create new fundraisers such as the "West Point 5K 4 Music" and "Day of Aid" for local tornado relief.
In 2016, Mitchell was offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship at the University of South Florida. The past two years Mitchell has worked extensively with the USF Herd of Thunder Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Pep Band. He also assisted in teaching undergraduate courses in Conducting, Marching Band Techniques, Woodwind and Brass Methods, and Secondary Band Methods. Mitchell graduated from USF with a master's degree in Instrumental Conducting in May 2018.
Mitchell has enjoyed extensive participation in the marching arts. In addition to leading high school marching bands and working with the USF marching band, he has been active in Drum Corps International performing with the Jersey Surf in 2005 and 2006 and with The Cadets in 2009. Upon aging out, Mitchell joined the brass staff of the Jersey Surf and toured the country as a brass instructor for two summers. He has been active as a marching band designer, consultant, adjudicator, and instructor for many years for programs throughout Florida and Virginia.
In his spare time, Mitchell enjoys attempting to golf, supporting his VCU Rams basketball team and USF football team, and enjoying the awesome beaches that Florida has to offer. Mitchell and his wife Mindee are also regulars at Disney World! Mitchell, Mindee, and their puppy Kala are excited to be a part of the Newsome Wolfpack!
Colorguard Staff
Jamie Dyer - Color Guard Director
Jamie Dyer has worked with numerous programs in Pinellas and Hillsborough County. Jamie, recently designed for Robinson High School in 2012 (Winterguard International Scholastic A finalist) as well as Newsome High School Winterguard from 2014 till current. Jamie's winterguard experience includes being a member of the USF Winterguard from 2003 to 2006. Jamie then spent 2007 through 2012 working with the USF winterguard in open class as well as many different high schools. Jamie has been the director for USF World Winterguard (2014 Winter Guard International Independent World finalist and Fan Favorite, 2015 Winter Guard International Independent World finalist) since 2013. Jamie has adjudicated for FMBC and local marching band shows. When he is not teaching color guard, Jamie is a reading coach in Tampa, Florida where he resides.
Jessica Tinsley - Color Guard Staff
Grayson Schiff-Clark - Color Guard Staff
Conner Cavin - Color Guard Staff
Percussion Staff
Kevin Sayers - Percussion Staff
Zerick Randolph - Percussion Staff
Michael Patri - Percussion Staff
Sammy Alvarez - Electronics and Sound
Wind Staff
Reed Stricsek - Woodwind Technician
Chris Allen - Brass Technician
Mr. Allen is a native Floridian born and raised in St. Petersburg. He is a graduate of Boca Ciega High School in Pinellas County, and the University of South Florida, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Horn Performance. Mr. Allen is a member of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, performs frequently with The Florida Orchestra as well as the Sarasota Orchestra, and is still very active as a freelance horn player. Mr. Allen has served as an adjunct faculty member at Blake Fine Arts High School and has taught elementary music at Robles Elementary in Tampa from 2004-2008, and Cypress Creek Elementary in Ruskin from 2008-2010 where he founded the Manatee Drumline, a forty five piece marching percussion ensemble made up entirely of fourth and fifth grade students. Mr. Allen is currently the Orchestra Director at Newsome High School in Lithia, Florida and Conducts the Sarasota Orchestra Youth Symphony in Sarasota, FL. He is an active member of the Music Educators National Conference, Florida Music Educators Association, and Florida Orchestra Association. He has also been active in the drum and bugle corps activity for over 15 years. He marched with the Cadets of Bergen County, and served as a brass technician and as brass caption head for the GLASSMEN of Toledo, Ohio from 1997 to 2003, and as brass caption head for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2005 season. Mr. Allen has most recently worked with the Bluecoats and Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.