President

cvilag@performmapa.org

Chris began his marching career with Carlson High School Marching Band where he marched for four years, one year on bass and three on snare. After graduating, he marched for two years in the Eastern Michigan University Marching Band playing snare. He began his winter career marching snare drum with Motor City Percussion, and then moved on to play bass drum at Eastside Fury where he aged out in 2011 as the Ensemble Section Leader. After aging out, he was a performer with the Detroit Lions Drumline for seven years.

Chris recently spent his time working with the West Bloomfield High School Marching Band and Winter Percussion Ensemble where he spent 3 years as a staff member before taking on the role as Percussion Director and Assistant Marching Band Director for the following 5 years. He helped lead West Bloomfield Percussion to two MCGC State Champions, numerous WGI Semi-Finals appearances, and two WGI Finals appearances. His other teaching experience includes Trenton High School, G-Force Winter Percussion, Ypsilanti Winter Percussion, and Ferndale Winter Drumline.

Chris is currently the program coordinator for Motor City Percussion and Lake Effect Percussion. He is also the battery arranger for his alma mater Carlson High School where he works part time with the marching band.

Chris is proudly endorsed by:
Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mallets
Zildjian Cymbals

Vice President

aleithauser@performmapa.org

Anthony began his career in the marching arts by performing with the Athens High School marching band in Troy, Michigan. He then went on to perform with Eastside Fury Percussion for six seasons, as well as the Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, the University of Michigan Marching Band, and the Detroit Lions Drumline.

Anthony has taught several groups around Michigan, and has been the Drumline Director at Grand Blanc High School since 2010, taking the group to multiple medals at state championships and a gold medal at WGI World Championships. Since 2017, Anthony has also been the Drumline Director for the University of Toledo Rocket Marching Band.

Anthony became involved on the administrative side of the Michigan Color Guard Circuit through the Rules Committee from 2013 to 2021 and was elected to the Board of Directors, serving from 2019 to 2021. Anthony holds a BSE in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan and a JD from Wayne State University.

Secretary

ckarow@performmapa.org

Christine Karow is a long-time band parent and super fan of the marching arts. All three of her children were in band, marching band, color guard and winter percussion in middle school and throughout high school. Christine served on the board of the Band Boosters Association of West Bloomfield in all roles including three years as its president. She has chaired and co-chaired many marching band, winter percussion and winter guard competitions at West Bloomfield High School and is honored to bring her experience in event planning and organization to MAPA.

Christine has a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and currently works at Temple Israel of Detroit. She lives in West Bloomfield with her husband, Andy, and their 2 dogs.

Treasurer

wgordillo@performmapa.org

Will Gordillo is the Director of Athletic Bands at Davenport University. He is also the director of percussion studies at Grandville High School. He is a co-founder of both Genesis (PIW) and G2 Percussion (PIA) from Grand Rapids, MI.

Will has his BA in History and Political Science from Western Michigan University and also an associate degree in Medical Assisting from Davenport University. He lives with his wife, Alicia and 4 children in Jenison, MI.

Member at Large

jschnicke@performmapa.org

Jonathan Schnicke earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Cornerstone University in 1997. He earned a Master's Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in 2001 and also a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Cornerstone University in 2011. He was the Director of Bands and choir at Belding High School for 14 years. He then went to Portland Public Schools where he spent one and a half years as the Assistant Principal for the Middle School and High School and a half year as the Principal of Portland Middle School. Jonathan has been at Kent City since 2013. In 2021, he started the Kent City Winter Winds. He is also the Director of Athletic Bands at Davenport University. He is married to Cathy and they have 4 amazing children (Isaac, Lauren, Julia, and Aaron). He also serves as Vice President of the Board for Legends Performing Arts Association and is the President of the Board for the Michigan Competing Band Association.

Member at Large

khanka@performmapa.org

Katie has been a performer, instructor, and designer in the marching arts for the last fifteen years.

She discovered a passion for music at an early age, studying jazz, piano, and percussion throughout middle and high school. After graduating from South Lyon High School, she was fortunate to continue learning from some of the best educators in the activity at both Redline (2008-2011) and the Santa Clara Vanguard (2010).

As an instructor and clinician, Katie has worked with scholastic, collegiate and independent groups throughout the Midwest, and has also performed as a member of the Detroit Lions entertainment team.

Katie holds a BBA in Marketing from Eastern Michigan University and was a member of the drumline during her time there. As a student, Katie discovered a separate passion for the visual arts and created a freelance media and film production company under the LLC Kadence Films.

She currently resides in Plymouth, Michigan with her fiancé Cass, and dogs Finn and Mac.

Member at Large

lzeichman@performmapa.org

Member at Large

jkuerzi@performmapa.org

Judge Coordinator

bkuhn@performmapa.org

Blair Kuhn received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communication & Film Studies from Eastern Michigan University. Blair’s been active in the pageantry art for over 30 years, having performed as a percussionist with the Saginaires Drum & Bugle Corps 1982-84, Northern Aurora Drum & Bugle Corps 1885 & The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps 1986.

Along with his background in percussion, Blair is an accomplished Color Guard & Drill designer, with over 25 years of experience. Blair was the visual designer for Eastside Fury Percussion (2007-2010) and Co-Director / Designer of Ancora Winter Guard (2007-2014). Blair currently designs for The University of Michigan Winter Guard.

Blair currently holds the position of Judge Coordinator for the Michigan Color Guard Circuit, Michigan Alliance for Performing Arts, and is the Visual Caption Administrator for the Michigan Competing Band Association. Blair is an active adjudicator for The Michigan Competing Band Association, Michigan Color Guard Circuit, Drum Corps International & Winter Guard International.