- Directors
- John Miliauskas – Director of Athletic Bands, Director of the World Famous Towson University Marching Band
- Taylor Yozwiak – Interim Director of Athletic Bands, Director of Marching Percussion
- Tim Mason – Interim Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, Director of Marching Winds
- Megan Schreck – Athletic Bands Coordinator, Director of Color Guard
- Color Guard Staff
- Jessica Dunkley – Color Guard Instructor/Choreographer
- Devin Kaestner – Color Guard Instructor/Choreographer
- Emily Pontious – Color Guard Instructor/Choreographer
- Peyton Scheller – Color Guard Instructor/EMT
- Percussion Staff
- Jayson Hart-Smith – Battery Coordinator/Bass Drum Technician
- Jordan Brooks – Snare Drum Technician
- Adam Seymour – Tenor Technician (Student Staff)
- David Bailer – Bass Drum Technician
- Kaleb Stateler – Cymbal Technician
- Andrew Pretzello – Front Ensemble Co-Coordinator/Technician
- Natalie Pretzello – Front Ensemble Co-Coordinator/Technician
- Deandre Dill – Front Ensemble Technician
- Nick Gingerich – Head of Audio
- Additional Staff
- Scott Boerma – Music Arranger
- Kanji Takeno – Photographer Emeritus
- Kendall Appleby – Media Production Specialist
- Olivia Evans – Volunteer Coordinator
John Miliauskas
Director of the Towson University Marching Band
jmiliauskas@towson.edu
Mr. John J. Miliauskas III has a lifetime of experiences in instrumental music and marching activities. His father was the band director at Lake-Lehman
High School (Lehman, PA) for thirty-six years. After graduating from Lake-Lehman himself in 1981, John played mellophone in the Penn State Blue Band (University Park, PA) in 1981 and 1982, as well as in the Garfield Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (Garfield, NJ) in 1982 and 1983. John continued his marching experiences at West Chester University (West Chester, PA) as drum major for three years, from 1984-1987. He also was drum major for the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps (Reading, PA) in 1986.
Following his marching experiences, John moved on to gain many accomplishments as a drill designer. He started with his father at Lake-Lehman High School, where he was a member of the instructional staff from 1982-1988, performing various duties including marching and music instruction, programming, drill design, and assistant director. During these years, the band won the Cavalcade of Bands American Class State Championships in 1984 and 1987, as well as the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships in 1984, 1986, 1987, and 1988.
After his father’s retirement, John expanded his high school drill writing to numerous programs including the 1989-2000 Red Land High School Marching Bands (Lewisberry, PA). During this time, the program achieved three Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships, six Chapter VI Championships, and a Macy’s Parade appearance in 1998. John also for the 2001-2003 Quakertown High School Marching Bands (Quakertown, PA), as well as the Cypress Creek High School Marching Band (Orlando, FL), which won its division and made finals at the 1994 Bands of America Southeast Regional, placing fourth overall. In addition to these advanced level programs, John has written dozens of shows at the basic and intermediate levels for bands having anywhere from forty total members to over 250 total members.
In his twenty years of writing since his start at Lake-Lehman, some of the more notable programs he has designed drill for beyond the high school level include the 1992 and 1993 Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (Philadelphia, PA). Crossmen were Drum Corps International World Finalists during both seasons. In 1992, the corps placed sixth in the DCI Finals Championship, earning their highest finish ever to that point. John has also written for the West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band from 1984-1987 and 2000-present, the 1991 Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps (Orlando, FL), the 1988 and 1989 Reading Buccaneers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps, and the 2001-2003 Govenaires Senior Drum and Bugle Corps (St. Peter, MN).
As a well-rounded drill designer, John has written for many indoor color guard and indoor drumline ensembles, including the 1987 and 1988 Threshold Indoor Color Guards (West Chester, PA), the 1996-2000 Red Land High School Indoor Color Guards (Lewisberry, PA), the 2002 Penn State Eclipse Indoor Color Guard (University Park, PA), the 2002-2003 Huntingdon High School Indoor Drumlines (Huntingdon, PA), which was the 2002 TIA All-Chapter Scholastic A Champion, and the 2002-present Bpex Winter Guards (Wilmington, DE). Several of these groups have achieved such accomplishments as Winter Guard International semi-finalists and finalists on both the regional and national levels, along with regional circuit champions.
Mr. John Miliauskas was the Director of Bands at Crossroads Middle School in the West Shore School District (Lewisberry, PA) from its opening in 1993 until 2002. During his tenure, the Crossroads Band Program commissioned Robert W. Smith to compose At The Crossroads, A Dedicatory Fanfare, which was published through Belwin Publications and is widely performed. From 1994-2000, the Crossroads Bands received consistent superior ratings at PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) Concert Band Adjudication Festivals. This culminated with a performance at the PMEA State Conference in April of 2001 by the Crossroads Wind Ensemble. In addition to this honor, the Crossroads Bands have performed with guest soloists including Dr. Brian Bowman on euphonium from the University of North Texas, Mr. Matt Niess on trombone from the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and Capitol Bones of Washington, DC, and Mr. Seneca Black on trumpet from the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra of New York, NY.
A brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Mr. John Miliauskas completed his Masters of Music in Music Education with a performance option in conducting at West Chester University in May 2004. He is a member of the following professional organizations: The National Association for Music Education (MENC), National Band Association (NBA), and College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA).
Taylor Yozwiak
Interim Director of Athletic Bands/Director of Marching Percussion
Taylor Yozwiak is an active percussion performer, educator, arranger, and clinician based out of Baltimore, Maryland. Taylor has established a unique perspective on the percussive arts that combines his background as a jazz drumset player with his passion for solo performance and rudimental technique. Taylor is currently entering his eighth year at Towson. This fall he will be working as the Interim Director of Athletic Bands and Director of Marching Percussion at Towson University.
Taylor received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Massachusetts in 2013. While at UMass, Taylor had the privilege of studying with professors Ayano Kataoka and Thomas Hannum, and was a proud member of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band. Taylor then completed his Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. During this time, Taylor studied with world-renowned percussionist Svet Stoyanov, directed the Miami “Frost Band of the Hour” Drumline, and performed throughout the rich musical scene in Miami.
After graduating from The University of Miami, Taylor moved to Orlando, Florida to work as the Assistant Director of Bands/Director of Percussion Studies at William R. Boone High School. During this time, Taylor maintained an active performance schedule throughout central and southern Florida while appearing with groups such as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Southwest Florida Symphony, and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra.
Throughout his performing career, Taylor has won numerous awards for outstanding musicianship. These awards include the 2012 Vic Firth Scholarship, the Chancellor’s Talent in the Arts Scholarship from the University of Massachusetts, and the “Semper Fidelis” award for Musical Excellence presented by the Marine Corps League. During his two years as the Timpanist for the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Taylor won a World Championship with the Corps in 2011 and was awarded the Cadets Distinguished Service Award in 2012. Taylor was a prize-winning soloist in the 2015 Atlanta Modern Snare Drum Competition and has been featured as a Vic Firth artist and educator.
Alongside his performing career, Taylor serves regularly as a percussion clinician, adjudicator, and educator throughout the country. Taylor has led and arranged for marching percussion programs at the high school and collegiate level, and is actively involved with Drum Corps International. Starting in 2013, Taylor spent four years as a percussion staff member with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. During Taylor’s first year as a Cadet staff member, the Cadets percussion section won the Fred Sanford trophy for high percussion performance. Taylor is currently in his eighth year on staff with the Boston Crusaders where he serves as the Front Ensemble Manager.
Having worked as a musician, educator, and arranger throughout the country, Taylor originally grew up in Columbia, Maryland. Towson University played an important role in Taylor’s music education at that time. In addition to his role with the Towson University Marching Band, Taylor is also the faculty advisor for the Sigma Tau Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Taylor is endorsed by and proudly supports Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo Drum Heads.
Tim Mason
Interim Assistant Director of Athletic Bands/Director of Marching Winds
Tim Mason is the Interim Assistant Director of Athletic Bands and an Adjunct Instructor of Music Education at Towson University. Director of Marching Winds for the 150+ member World Famous Towson University Marching Band, he also teaches courses in marching band techniques and co-leads the Pep Band program for Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Prior to his arrival at Towson, Mason earned a Master of Music in Wind Conducting Degree from the University of Delaware, where he was a teaching assistant for the University of Delaware Marching Band and was a student of Lauren Reynolds and Heidi Sarver.
Megan Schreck
Athletic Bands Coordinator/Director of Color Guard
mschreck@towson.edu
Megan Schreck joins the TUMB staff from the Chicagoland area with extensive experience in the marching arts, having been involved since 2005. Recognizing early on the importance of nurturing a passion for the activity in others, she began teaching in 2008. Megan has performed and taught with groups competing in BOA, DCI, and WGI.
In addition to her role at TUMB, Megan manages an international event planning and coordination business, with a focus on weddings. She is also a devoted owner of three dogs, affectionately known as the “red-headed low riders.”
Megan is enthusiastic about contributing her extensive experience and passion to the TUMB, and is committed to furthering its success.
Jessica Dunkley
Color Guard Instructor/Choreographer
Jessica Dunkley has been a lover of dance until her discovery of colorguard her freshman year at Broadneck High School in 2010. She found a 
passion for the activity and since then has performed over 13 seasons between both marching band and WGI. Jessica has performed with In Theory Youth Services as well as Main Line Independent. She has had formal training in modern dance and is well versed in jazz and ballet. Jessica performed with her high school’s dance company and continued her education in the arts throughout her time in college. In 2016, she had her first DCI audition at Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. Jessica was offered a contract however prior to leaving for spring training suffered a back injury prohibiting her from performing. She took two years away from performing to recover but has been actively teaching as the Colorguard Caption Head at her former high school and is now supporting as movement specialist for the Towson Colorguard.
Jessica holds a Bachelor’s in Marketing/Project Management and a Master’s in Marketing, now working in the private sector. Jessica loves all of the ways we can manipulate the body to explore emotion and music, and believes in the value of the arts.
Peyton Scheller
Color Guard Instructor/EMT
Percussion Staff
Jayson Hart-Smith
Battery Coordinator/Bass Drum Technician
Jayson Hart-Smith is excited to be in his first season as Bass Drum Instructor for the Towson University Marching Band. His drumline experience
started at Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Maryland but after his sophmore year, he joined the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps. There he completed ten seasons over the next twelve years, serving the majority of his time with the bassline, and becoming Percussion Manager in 2016. During those 12 seasons, bass was truly a passion for Jayson and took advantage of the opportunities in other groups. He was honored to play for world class organizations such as United Percussion, Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, and The Reading Buccaneers. With these organizations, he earned the honors of three-time WGI Finalist, DCI Semi-Finalist, and DCA World Champions with Best Percussion. Recently, Jayson was a member of the Baltimore Ravens Drumline for the past 5 seasons, serving in roles ranging from Bass Section Leader to Percussion Director.
When Jayson is not spreading his love and knowledge on the marching activity, he loves to play softball and is the Production Coordinator for Parker Flavors in Baltimore.
Jordan Brooks
Snare Drum Technician
Biography coming soon!
Adam Seymour
Biography coming soon!
David Bailer
Bass Drum Technician
David Bailer is coming to us from Baltimore, Maryland where he
just finished studying Chemistry Secondary Education at Towson University. He currently is teaching high school chemistry in Baltimore County Public Schools at Franklin High School. David has performed in various organizations outside of his high school marching band and indoor program. Throughout his marching career he has marched at the Towson University Marching Band, 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, United Percussion, and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. David has also taught at various high school programs and at The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. David is extremely excited and humbled to be back with the TUMB for his second season teaching bass drum!
Kaleb Stateler
Cymbal Technician
A recent Towson University graduate and TUMB alumni, Kaleb spent the 2019-2023 seasons marching cymbals in the Towson band and led the section as a member of the Student Marching Advisory Council (SMAC) of the band for the latter 3 seasons. Kaleb started his music career in 4th grade band and began marching in high school on cymbals, bass, and tenor drums at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts. Kaleb has returned to instruct the Patapsco high school marching band drumline and front ensemble for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
While attending Towson University Kaleb joined Old Line Independent Percussion marching cymbals with the ensemble in its KIDA and WGI competitions for the 2022 and 2023 seasons where he aged out. By the end of 2023 Kaleb has marched 7 consecutive seasons on cymbals and 8 in total from high school to college band and WGI.
Kaleb is excited to begin his new journey not only as a member of the TUMB percussion staff but also as a new member of the Baltimore Marching Ravens for the 2024 season.
Andrew Pretzello
Front Ensemble Co-Coordinator/Technician
Andrew began his marching career at St. Stanislaus High School in Bay St. Louis, MS in 1998, playing in the front ensemble for 6 seasons (7th through 
12th grade). Andrew was also a member of the Fusion Indoor Percussion Ensemble from Bay St. Louis, MS in 2003 and 2004. After high school, Andrew became a member of the University of Southern Mississippi marching band, The Pride of Mississippi, where he was in the front ensemble and the cymbal line.
Andrew began marching drum corps in 2004 with Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps and after a two year hiatus, finished his DCI career with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2007 and aged-out in 2008. He received the Crossmen Percussion Distinguished Service Award for the 2008 season.
Andrew has been the front ensemble arranger and instructor for Atholton High School from Columbia, MD since 2008 and Marriotts Ridge High School from Marriottsville, MD since 2011. He was a front ensemble instructor for the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016 and has been a member of the Towson University Marching Band staff since 2017. He currently works as a Senior Advisor for Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
Natalie Pretzello
Front Ensemble Co-Coordinator/Technician
Deandre Dill
Front Ensemble Technician
Biography coming soon!
Nick Gingerich
Head of Audio
Music Arranger
Scott Boerma
Music Arranger
Scott Boerma (b. 1964) was the music arranger for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps from 1989-2006 and from 2015-2018. From 2008-2014, 
he was the arranger for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps. In addition to several other corps in the United States, Boerma has arranged for marching bands and drum corps from Japan, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Thailand. Competitive high school bands around the world have enjoyed great success with Boerma’s charts. Other credits include marching band arrangements for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the University of Texas (both Austin and Arlington), the University of Illinois, Purdue University, Towson University, Texas Tech University, Baylor University, and Jacksonville State University, to name just a few. Most of the Big Ten University marching bands have performed Boerma’s arrangements. Boerma has also written arrangements for the Detroit Chamber Winds Brass and the Boston Pops.
Boerma’s original concert band works have been performed by many outstanding ensembles, including “The President’s Own” Marine Band, the Dallas Wind Symphony, the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, the University of Illinois Wind Symphony, the University of Michigan Symphony & Concert Bands, the Interlochen Arts Camp High School Bands, and the Music For All Honor Band of America, to name just a few. His works have been heard in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Hill Auditorium, the Myerson Symphony Center, the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and at the Chicago Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Boerma’s works have been featured in the popular GIA series, “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band.” Most of his concert band works are published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company, Boosey & Hawkes, Arrangers’ Publishing Company, and Carl Fischer Music. He is commissioned each year by high school, university, and community bands to write new works for the repertoire.
Scott Boerma is the Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Western Michigan University, where he conducts the University Wind Symphony and Western Winds. Prior to this appointment, he was Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Michigan Marching Band, and the Donald R. Shepherd Associate Professor of Conducting at the University of Michigan. Before those positions, Boerma was the Director of Bands at Eastern Michigan University, and he began his career teaching music in the Michigan public schools at Lamphere and Novi High Schools. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting at Michigan State University and his Master of Music degree in music education from the University of Michigan, where he studied composition with Pulitzer Prize winning composer William Bolcom. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Western Michigan University, where he studied composition with Ramon Zupko. Scott has also studied composition with Anthony Iannaccone.
Kanji Takeno
“Three…Two…One…” 
For the past 23 years, if you had your picture taken on Towson University’s campus, you’ve probably heard this countdown right before the flash of light comes from the top of a camera.
And if you don’t remember the countdown, then you definitely remember the smile that would come afterwards from the man behind the camera — Towson University’s Director of Photographic Services, Kanji Takeno.
Since starting at TU in 1996, Kanji has taken millions of photos, and has captured so many memories and moments of Towson University’s storied history. And while those 23 years have seen our campus go through an abundance of changes — new campus buildings, five university presidents, and even a name change from Towson State University to Towson University — there has only been one Kanji.
The Fall 2019 academic term is Kanji’s last as the university’s beloved director of photographic services. During these past 23 years, Kanji’s photographs have been Towson University’s public image, with generations of students being attracted to campus because of his efforts.
Media Production Specialist
Kendall Appleby
Kendall Appleby is a recent graduate of Towson University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Media and Film in spring of 2018. She was a member of the flute/piccolo section of the TUMB for all four years of her college education, and is an alumna sister of the National Honorary Band Sorority Tau Beta Sigma.
While at Towson, she was a crew member of the WMJF studio; she helped direct, shoot, and edit videos for Towson University’s own television station.
In 2017, Kendall produced an award-winning PSA for the Maryland State Police Vehicle Theft Prevention Council and the Maryland/DC Anti-Car Theft Committee that is currently playing on WBAL Radio 1090 AM. She has also produced several documentaries, promotional videos, and parody sketches.
Despite being a recent TUMB alumna who is no longer marching, Kendall is excited to remain a part of the TUMB by doing what she loves with who she loves.