Pacific Crest changed its design and instructional staff in preparation for the 2008 season.
In addition to promoting Visual Coordinator Jeff Sterrett to Program Coordinator, the Organization has also hired Matt Altmire as Percussion Coordinator and Adrian Rivas as Marching Coordinator.
Jeff Sterrett will direct the production and design of the 2008 show. He has worked in the pageantry activity for 20 years as an instructor and adjudicator. In 2006, he served as Color Guard Caption Head for the Blue Knights from Denver, Colorado. Prior to that, he spent three seasons as the Color Guard Coordinator for Pacific Crest. Jeff also served as director of the Pacific Crest Winter Guard. Under his leadership, the Winter Guard was twice named Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC) class champions and Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championship Finalists.
Dale Leaman, one of Pacific Crest's founding instructors and designers, will continue to serve as Staff Coordinator and Music Director. He will also continue coordinating the objectives of the winter and spring training camps as well as the daily rehearsal schedules during the season.
In the area of percussion, Matt Altmire has accepted the position of Percussion Coordinator and Arranger. Matt received his Bachelor's and Master's in Percussion Performance from UCLA. He performed with both the Velvet Knights (1988-89) and Santa Clara Vanguard (1990-92). He is a freelance percussionist in Los Angeles and is Professor of Percussion at Santa Monica City College and Mt. San Antonio Community College. He currently instructs at Hart High School and Diamond Bar High School, and his most recent drum corps teaching experiences include Yamato from Riverside, CA and the Colts from Dubuque, IA.
Altmire replaces David Henkel, longtime designer and instructor with Pacific Crest. Since 1996, David has worked tirelessly to develop the percussion program, and played a significant role in advancing Pacific Crest from a fledgling Division II corps into a nationally recognized Division I organization. During his 25 years of teaching, he has had a monumental impact on hundreds of high school and college students.
In the area of visual instruction, Adrian Rivas will assume the role of Marching Coordinator. Adrian has been a performer and instructor in Southern California for nearly 20 years. The 2008 season will mark his 16th year as a member or instructor with Pacific Crest. He is one of Pacific Crest’s original 33 charter members, and he performed with the group for five years, serving as drum major for his final two. He also performed with the Blue Knights from Denver, CO (1995, 1996) and the UCLA Bruin Marching Band (1994 to 1997), where he served as drum major for three of those years. Adrian has worked with a number of local high school programs, and currently is the drill designer and marching instructor for Los Altos High School.
Former Marching Coordinator Walt Omiecinski will leave the organization after ten years of dedicated service. Walt has been one of Pacific Crest's most passionate and devoted instructors. During his early years, he worked closely with Don Gallaher to develop a visual program and style unique to the corps. After taking over as Marching Coordinator, he continued to build upon that success during Pacific Crest’s transformation from Division II to Division I.
Executive Director Stuart Pompel said of these changes, “It’s always difficult to say good-bye to instructors who have given so much. David and Walt will be missed, for sure! I am excited, though, about our changes for 2008, and look forward to the impact that all of our instructors have on our members.”
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ABOUT PACIFIC CREST
The mission of Pacific Crest is to provide artistic performance opportunities for young people that help them develop into well-rounded and responsible citizens. The staff includes an array of Southern California's most impressive designers and teachers, a world-class group of dedicated professionals who consistently challenge our students to meet the highest standards of excellence. The administrative team and Board of Directors include volunteers committed to the stability and fiscal health of the Organization. For more information about the organization and its programs, visit pacific-crest.org.
