Mr. Christopher Zanella

Head Band Director

Mr. Zanella leads the Perkins Local Schools band program with passion, fostering a love of music while ensuring every student has the opportunity to excel. As Head Band Director, he directs band classes for grades 9-12, teaches AP Music Theory, Guitar, works with students for Academy Experience, helps with the middle school bands, and has guided his students to earn numerous accolades across marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz ensemble. A passionate advocate for jazz education, Mr. Zanella founded the Perkins Jazz Ambassadors, the high school’s jazz band, which has become a celebrated part of the school’s music program. Mr. Zanella holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master’s degree in Music with a focus on education from Bowling Green State University.

Mr. Noah Rish

Assistant Band Director

Mr. Rish brings enthusiasm, dedication and versatility to the Perkins Local Schools band program. As Assistant Band Director, he directs band for grades 6-8, teaches middle school choir, helps with the high school bands, as well as collaborating with Mr. Zanella for the marching band. Mr. Rish builds genuine connections with students, creating a supportive environment where performers feel confident taking creative risks and pushing their limits. This personal investment transforms his classrooms into a community, and inspires a level of dedication that goes far beyond the notes on the page. Mr. Rish holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University.

Amy Williams

Band Boosters President

As Band Board President, Amy brings a powerhouse of leadership and heart to every season. A graduate of Ohio Business College and a seasoned retail manager, she combines professional expertise with a "get-it-done" attitude that keeps our organization running like a well-oiled machine. Balancing the demands of managing a team with the busy life of a mom of three, she understands exactly what it takes to build a supportive, well-organized community for our students. Her dedication ensures our band family has the solid foundation it needs to thrive, grow, and hit every mark this season.

Judy Willard

Band Boosters Vice-President

Judy, the Band Board Vice-President, brings a powerful blend of scientific insight and heart-led leadership to our team. With a Bachelor’s degree in Geology and a Master’s degree in Education, she combines an analytical mind with a deep passion for student success. She has been a driving force behind the technological advancement of our board to keep us modern and efficient. As a dedicated mom of three, and Reiki master, she brings a balanced, grounded energy to every challenge, ensuring our students and volunteers are always moving forward with purpose and harmony.

Kelly Salyer

Band Boosters Treasurer

Kelly, our Band Board Treasurer, brings a perfect blend of precision, creativity, and entrepreneurship to our organization. With a background in Girl Scouts leadership and years of experience in customer service, she has a natural talent for managing complex details while keeping the needs of our families front and center. When she isn’t meticulously balancing our books or diving into her latest crafting project, she’s busy running a successful hot pepper business alongside her husband bringing that same "spice" and energy to our board! As a dedicated mother of one, she is fully committed to ensuring our band’s finances are as strong and vibrant as the performances on the field.  

Nicole Kessler

Band Boosters Secretary

In her role as Band Board Secretary, Nicole, brings an incredible heart and a sharp eye for detail to everything she does. With a background in Early Childhood Education and fluency in American Sign Language (ASL), she is a natural communicator who knows exactly how to keep our community connected and engaged. Her passion for helping others shines through her work in animal rescue, while her talent as a detailed crafter ensures that every project she touches is handled with precision and creativity. As a busy mom of two, she masters the art of organization with a warm, personal touch, making her the perfect person to keep our band family’s records in tune.

Dawn Whipple

Band Boosters Member-at-Large

Bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our community, Dawn, one of our Board Members-at-Large, is a true champion for our organization. As a dedicated educator with Sandusky City Schools and a former Girl Scout leader, she knows exactly how to guide and inspire the next generation. Her proven track record of organizing and running concessions at the Erie County Fairgrounds makes her a force to be reckoned with, yet her active involvement in her church keeps her grounded in service. With two Perkins Band Alumni of her own and nieces currently thriving in the program, she is a treasure trove of local spirit and her heart is fully invested in our program’s legacy and its future.

Tabatha Stidham

Band Boosters Member-at-Large

Tabatha, one of our Board Members-at-Large, brings a burst of energy and a true passion for service, making her a cornerstone of our volunteer community. With her experience as a Girl Scout leader and her professional experience at Cedar Point, she knows exactly what it takes to manage performers and create world class experiences. As a dedicated mom with one student currently in the band and two more future members waiting in the wings, she is fully invested in the long-term success of our program. Her tireless dedication as a volunteer ensures that every event runs smoothly, making her an invaluable teammate in our mission to support our students and our organization.

Hailey Edwards

Color Guard Instructor

Returning for another season, this committed instructor is a proud Perkins alumna who brings a rich history of performance to our color guard. During her time here, she was an integral part of the color guard leadership team, giving her well-rounded perspective on performance and a deep rooted passion for our program's traditions. Outside of the marching arts, she is a skilled esthetician, a profession that mirrors the same attention to detail and polish she expects from our performers on the field. When she isn’t coaching, she stays busy making memories with her close friends, family, and fiancé. We are lucky to have her expertise, energy, and school spirit back with us for another exciting season!

Rachel Schweinfurth

Color Guard Instructor

We are happy to have a familiar face returning to our instructional staff this season as a dedicated color guard instructor. A proud Perkins alumna, she was involved in the choir, drama, and color guard programs during her time here, giving her a deep appreciation for the artistry and performance traditions of our school. She went on to graduate from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Social Work, a background that shines through in her supportive and student centered approach to coaching. When she isn’t on the field, she is incredibly active with her family, and she brings that same sense of community and connection to our team. We are thrilled to have her leadership and Falcon spirit back to guide our guard to another successful year!

Tim Button

Percussion instructor

Entering his third year, our front ensemble instructor brings a dynamic blend of precision and passion to the pit. Outside of the rehearsal hall, he stays busy as a substitute teacher and is a familiar face in the local community theater scene, experiences that have clearly fuel his creative and engaging teaching style. Known for his ability to connect with students, he has become a favorite among the ensemble, balancing high standards with an infectious energy that keeps everyone motivated. We are thrilled to have his calm presence and unique theatrical flair back on the field for another successful season.

Caroline Gast

Percussion Instructor

We are excited to welcome a familiar face back to the program as our newest drumline instructor. They are an alum of Perkins Schools, and bring a deep understanding of our traditions alongside the higher level training they are currently receiving as a Music Major at Kent State University. With an emphasis in Percussion Performance and firsthand experience as a member of the Kent State Marching Band, they offer a wealth of technical expertise and collegiate level perspective. They are enthused for the upcoming season and are eager to dive in and support our students through every stage of the journey—from the fundamental growth of clinics to the high-energy precision of the performance.

Emma Troyer

Woodwind Instructor

Returning for her third year, our flute instructor brings a wonderful blend of tradition and expertise back to the section. As a proud alumna of the program, she has a unique connection to our students and a passion for seeing this ensemble succeed. She is currently furthering her craft at Kent State University, where she is a Music Education Major . Her transition from student to mentor has been seamless, and her collegiate training continues to elevate the technical proficiency and musicality of our flute players. We are so fortunate to have her leadership and KSU honed talent guiding our woodwinds for another fantastic season.

Julia Zanella

Woodwind Instructor

We are honored to have such a highly credentialed educator returning to our staff to lead our saxophone and clarinet sections. Bringing a wealth of academic and practical expertise, she holds a Bachelor's of Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master's of Music Education Studies from the University at Buffalo. Her extensive training is put to use daily in her professional career as an Elementary Music Teacher at North Ridgeville City Schools, where she hones the foundational skills of the next generation of musicians. Our students benefit immensely from her dual perspective as both a master of her craft and a seasoned professional educator. We are excited to see her continue to elevate our woodwind section's technical precision and musicality this season.

Brian Zapadka

Brass Instructor

We are thrilled to welcome back a dedicated alumnus to our staff this season as a low brass instructor. Bringing a wealth of practical experience and a deep connection to our program’s history, he bridges the gap between our traditions and professional performance. Beyond his work with our students, he is an active figure in the local music scene, performing regularly as a member of the band BottomHat. This real world experience as a gigging musician allows him to offer our brass players unique insights into style, stage presence, and the versatile nature of the instrument. His energy and professional perspective brings a fresh perspective back on the field to lead our low brass section to new heights.

Brass Instructor

Coming soon