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Artistic Directors

LAURA BLAKE
Pep & Marching Band

Laura graduated from Butler University, and is currently working at Music for All as their Manager of Events. ​Additionally, she sits on an alumni board for Kappa Kappa Psi.

 

Laura has been a member of Pride of Indy Bands since the organization's founding in 2005. She was part of the bands' first Board of Directors and has served in many roles including Marketing Chair, Artistic Director, Operations Manager, and Membership Chair. ​Laura was most recently the co-Artistic Director for the Jazz Band from 2013-2015. 

 

She has served on the board for the Lesbian and Gay Band Association and was most recently the Artistic Director for Gay Games 2015 in Cleveland.  She has served as the Assistant Artistic Director for LGBA's participation in the 2013 Inaugural Parade. She was the Artistic Director for the 2012 March on Washington, the co-chair for this organization’s 2010 conference in Indianapolis, and a committee chair for the 2015 conference.  

CHRIS FORSYTHE
Concert Band

Chris studied music education at the University of Louisville and at Ball State University. He served as the Director of Bands at Lone Oak High School and as the Assistant Director of Bands at Pendleton Heights High School.

 

Chris continues to be active in the Indianapolis music scene as a member of the Indiana Wind Symphony and the Hendricks Symphony Orchestra. He also works on staff with Franklin Central High School. 

 

Chris was most recently the Co-Artistic Director for the Jazz Band from 2013-2015.

DAVID GRIDER
Jazz Band

David is a native of Indianapolis and brings with him an abundance of musical knowledge and experience. He has arranged music, written drill, choreographed color guard routines, and adjudicated for marching ensembles across Indiana and Ohio. Though David still instructs marching ensembles, his true passion is in jazz.

 

David has toured Europe with bands at Indianapolis University and Ball State University. He was the recipient of the top jazz soloist award at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival. He has performed in bands lead by Larry McWilliams, Dominic Spera, Brent Wallarab, and Arturo Sandoval. David has performed alongside local musicians such as Monica Herzig, Rob Dixon, Mark Buselli, Jimmy Cole, and Steve Allee He has also performed with national jazz musicians such as Jon Faddis, Freddie hubert, Jim Pugh, Wycliff Gordon, and the great Louis Bellson.

David has been with Pride of Indy Bands since the spring of 2014 and we are ecstatic to have him leading our jazz program. 

JOHN WELDY
Geeks & Grooves Saxophone Collective

John is just a guy.

He writes & plays cool music, and you can, too!

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Board of Directors

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Derek Herrmann
he/him

President & Community Liaison

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Gwen Touketto
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Vice President & Secretary

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Ray English
he/him

Treasurer

 

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Stephanie Koutek
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Member at Large

Election Committee Chair

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Lilith Kieffer
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Member at Large

Membership Committee Chair

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John Weldy
he/him

Member at Large

 

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Sara York
she/her

Member at Large

 

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Arthur Crippen
he/him

Member at Large

Marketing Committee Chair

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William Leschorn
he/him

Member at Large

 

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