Please get to know (and LOVE) your Band Staff!
Band Director
G. James Miller
Band Director Biography
Mr. G. James Miller holds a Master of Science Degree from Full Sail University (2011), a Master of Arts Degree in Music from Columbia University Teachers College (1985), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from William Paterson College (1983). Mr. Miller has served in many of the tri-state area schools as an Educator, Writer, and Clinician for over thirty five years.
His writing credits include percussion ensemble works performed by University Percussion Ensembles such as East Carolina State University, Jersey City State college, Morehead State University (KY) and Jacksonville State in Alabama. Mr. Miller's exercises and ensemble works have been published and distributed world wide by Premier Percussion, as well as authoring two books on percussion technique and several articles published in trade magazines.
Mr. Miller has composed for and taught many Drum and Bugle Corps such as the Skyliners (NY), Hurricanes (CT), Westshoremen (PA), Chieftains (PA), Bridgemen (NJ), the Star of Indiana (IN), and most notably the Bushwackers (NJ) - who were awarded the "Best Percussion" award at the world championships for five consecutive years.
G. James Miller was the District Teacher of the year in 2023, and has been a finalist for the Teacher of the Year award in Stratford CT, where he is currently employed (since 1986) as the Director of Music at Frank Scott Bunnell High School. At Bunnell he directs the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, the National Champion Indoor Drumline and the eighteen time Connecticut State Champion Marching Band.
Design Team
G. James Miller - Musical Arrangements, Sound Design, Percussion Arrangements
Dennis DeLucia - Percussion Arrangements
Dennis was the first percussionist inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame [1991], along with the late Fred Sanford. He has also been inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame [2006] and the Percussive Arts Society [PAS] Hall of Fame [2015] making him the only person who has ever been inducted into all three of the major “percussion/marching arts” halls.
He grew up in Bergenfield, NJ where he was mentored by the late Dr. Bernard Baggs, Mr. Donald Angelica and Mr. Bobby Thompson.Dennis graduated from Bergenfield HS and Upsala College, and performed in the West Point Band’s prestigious “Hellcats” for three years.
He is best known for his work with drum corps [Muchachos, Bridgemen, Star of Indiana, Crossmen, Sunrisers and Caballeros], the Rutgers University Band and many high school bands, including Piscataway HS in NJ and Bunnell HS in CT.
In 1981 his drumlines won the only “Triple Crown” in drum corps history, winning percussion honors with the Bridgemen [DCI], Sunrisers [DCA] and Fantasia III [DCI Class “A”].
He has appeared as a commentator/analyst on every DCI broadcast since 1994 on PBS, ESPN, DVD’s and in movie theaters for Fathom Events.
Dennis was an Associate Professor of Percussion at Rutgers University from 1996 until 2003.
He has judged band competitions since 1985 and WGI “Indoor” Percussion Championships every year since 1995.
He has written four books on the art of drumming.
He has recorded video drum lesson apps for Drum Guru [drumguru.com].
Dennis is an artist/clinician/consultant for Yamaha drums, Remo drumheads, Sabian cymbals, Malletech eMotion series sticks and mallets, and Row-Loff publications.
Dennis lives in New Jersey with his wife Rene, daughter Chelsea and dog Ernie.
Percussion
Phil Dolan
Mr. Dolan holds a Master of Science degree from Full Sail University (2014), a Master of Arts degree from Fairfield University (2005) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University (2001). Mr. Dolan also completed four years of course work at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. Mr. Dolan is also a graduate of Bunnell High School (1994) and performed as a percussionist in all 4 years of the Bunnell Marching Band.
Mr. Dolan has been a writer and instructor for area marching bands over the last 20 years, working with Masuk High School, Bunnell High School and Westhill High School. Currently Mr. Dolan is the Band Director at Amity High School in Woodbridge, CT where his pit orchestras for musicals have won state championship awards in 2010 (Les Miserable) and 2013 (Sweeney Todd). Mr. Dolan conducts the award winning Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble and has been employed at Amity since 2002.
Mr. Dolan has also performed as a professional with Broadway Method Academy at the Westport Country Playhouse for the shows “Grease”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Evita” and most recently “Annie” as well as a performance in the renowned 54 Below in NYC.
Mr. Dolan lives in Stratford with his wife Natalie, their two children, Kendall and Luke and their dog Toby.
Jim Dugan
Anthony Palumbo
Anthony, a Stratford resident, re-joins the Bunnell Percussion staff for 2014.
Marching Experience:
1959-1964 Saint Raphael’s Musketeers
1965-1968 Saint Raphael’s Buccaneers
1965- 3rd Place Open Class World Open
Teaching Experience
1970-1975 Golden Buccaneers
-Won numerous 1st place drum trophies in the Northeast Circuit
-1975 – best execution drums in the Class B World Open Finals
1974-1978 Norwalk Hot Shots
1976-1980 Trumbull Bengal Lancers
1976 - Class B World Open Champions
1977 - Class A DCI Champions
1977 - American International Open Champions
1980-1985Fairfield Tornados
1982 - DCNY Champions 1st place percussion
1978-1982Connecticut Hurricanes
1978 – 1st Place Percussion Execution DCA World Championships
1980 - 1st Place Percussion Execution DCA World Championships
1981 - 1st Place Percussion Analysis, DCA World Championships
1982 - DCA Regional Champions
1984-1993 Cheshire High School
1988 EMBA Grand Champions with 1st place percussion
1986 -1993 - 7 years in a row - EMBA Grand Champion Percussion Awards
1994-2000 Bunnell High School
1997 - EMBA Class 3 Percussion Champions (perfect score)
2000 – 2005 Trumbull High School
1st place percussion in EMBA Championships
Numerous 1st places with indoor percussion
Bob Wilcox
Paula Latham
Jackson Sprouse
Olivier Sime
Deanna Cronin
Sean Latham
Drill Staff
Phil Vizzo - Drill Designer - Visual Staff Coordinator
Jeff Babey
Jeff, an alumni of Bunnell HS, is in his fifth year on the Marching and Music staff of the Bunnell Band. He is the Director of Instrumental Music at Second Hill Lane in Stratford.
Kelsey Palumberi
Kelsey is an alumni of the Bunnell marching band and served as drum major for two of her four years. She has been on the marching staff since graduating high school. She recently graduated with her masters from Sacred Heart University and is a practicing occupational therapist.
Matthew Kavulich
Matt Kavulich holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from The Hartt School. He is an alumni of the marching band and indoor drum line programs, and is excited to be back for his fifth season as a staff member. Matt is the director of instrumental and vocal music at St Joseph High School in Trumbull Connecticut.
Steve Petrahai
Colorguard
Kori Sheades - Director/Designer/Guard Designer & Technician
Alicia Centopanti - Guard Technician
Jillian Gerardi - Guard Technician
Sean LeClerc - Guard Technician
Music
Jim Marbury - Low Brass
Jim graduated from Bunnell in 1977. He holds an Undergrad degree from the University of Bridgeport and a Graduate degree from SUNY at Stonybrook. He is currently a member of the Ridgefield and Norwalk Symphonies and also performs regularly with the symphonies in Wallingford, New Britain and Waterbury. As a member of the Oakdale Music Theater orchestra, he has played with many different performers including The Temptations, Johnny Mathis and Don Rickels. Jim has been working with the BHS band since 1981 and currently has private students in Stratford, Newtown and West Haven school systems.
Jeff Babey - Woodwinds (see above)
Jeff has been a staff member with the Bunnell High School Marching Band since he graduated from Bunnell in 2003. Jeff has also taught instrumental music in Stratford since 2007. He currently teaches the bands at Second Hill Lane and Franklin elementary schools. Jeff holds a Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education from Elizabethtown College, and a Masters of Music in Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music.
Patrick Barnum
Band Director
G. James Miller
Band Director Biography
Mr. G. James Miller holds a Master of Science Degree from Full Sail University (2011), a Master of Arts Degree in Music from Columbia University Teachers College (1985), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from William Paterson College (1983). Mr. Miller has served in many of the tri-state area schools as an Educator, Writer, and Clinician for over thirty five years.
His writing credits include percussion ensemble works performed by University Percussion Ensembles such as East Carolina State University, Jersey City State college, Morehead State University (KY) and Jacksonville State in Alabama. Mr. Miller's exercises and ensemble works have been published and distributed world wide by Premier Percussion, as well as authoring two books on percussion technique and several articles published in trade magazines.
Mr. Miller has composed for and taught many Drum and Bugle Corps such as the Skyliners (NY), Hurricanes (CT), Westshoremen (PA), Chieftains (PA), Bridgemen (NJ), the Star of Indiana (IN), and most notably the Bushwackers (NJ) - who were awarded the "Best Percussion" award at the world championships for five consecutive years.
G. James Miller was the District Teacher of the year in 2023, and has been a finalist for the Teacher of the Year award in Stratford CT, where he is currently employed (since 1986) as the Director of Music at Frank Scott Bunnell High School. At Bunnell he directs the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, the National Champion Indoor Drumline and the eighteen time Connecticut State Champion Marching Band.
Design Team
G. James Miller - Musical Arrangements, Sound Design, Percussion Arrangements
Dennis DeLucia - Percussion Arrangements
Dennis was the first percussionist inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame [1991], along with the late Fred Sanford. He has also been inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame [2006] and the Percussive Arts Society [PAS] Hall of Fame [2015] making him the only person who has ever been inducted into all three of the major “percussion/marching arts” halls.
He grew up in Bergenfield, NJ where he was mentored by the late Dr. Bernard Baggs, Mr. Donald Angelica and Mr. Bobby Thompson.Dennis graduated from Bergenfield HS and Upsala College, and performed in the West Point Band’s prestigious “Hellcats” for three years.
He is best known for his work with drum corps [Muchachos, Bridgemen, Star of Indiana, Crossmen, Sunrisers and Caballeros], the Rutgers University Band and many high school bands, including Piscataway HS in NJ and Bunnell HS in CT.
In 1981 his drumlines won the only “Triple Crown” in drum corps history, winning percussion honors with the Bridgemen [DCI], Sunrisers [DCA] and Fantasia III [DCI Class “A”].
He has appeared as a commentator/analyst on every DCI broadcast since 1994 on PBS, ESPN, DVD’s and in movie theaters for Fathom Events.
Dennis was an Associate Professor of Percussion at Rutgers University from 1996 until 2003.
He has judged band competitions since 1985 and WGI “Indoor” Percussion Championships every year since 1995.
He has written four books on the art of drumming.
He has recorded video drum lesson apps for Drum Guru [drumguru.com].
Dennis is an artist/clinician/consultant for Yamaha drums, Remo drumheads, Sabian cymbals, Malletech eMotion series sticks and mallets, and Row-Loff publications.
Dennis lives in New Jersey with his wife Rene, daughter Chelsea and dog Ernie.
Percussion
Phil Dolan
Mr. Dolan holds a Master of Science degree from Full Sail University (2014), a Master of Arts degree from Fairfield University (2005) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University (2001). Mr. Dolan also completed four years of course work at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. Mr. Dolan is also a graduate of Bunnell High School (1994) and performed as a percussionist in all 4 years of the Bunnell Marching Band.
Mr. Dolan has been a writer and instructor for area marching bands over the last 20 years, working with Masuk High School, Bunnell High School and Westhill High School. Currently Mr. Dolan is the Band Director at Amity High School in Woodbridge, CT where his pit orchestras for musicals have won state championship awards in 2010 (Les Miserable) and 2013 (Sweeney Todd). Mr. Dolan conducts the award winning Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble and has been employed at Amity since 2002.
Mr. Dolan has also performed as a professional with Broadway Method Academy at the Westport Country Playhouse for the shows “Grease”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Evita” and most recently “Annie” as well as a performance in the renowned 54 Below in NYC.
Mr. Dolan lives in Stratford with his wife Natalie, their two children, Kendall and Luke and their dog Toby.
Jim Dugan
Anthony Palumbo
Anthony, a Stratford resident, re-joins the Bunnell Percussion staff for 2014.
Marching Experience:
1959-1964 Saint Raphael’s Musketeers
1965-1968 Saint Raphael’s Buccaneers
1965- 3rd Place Open Class World Open
Teaching Experience
1970-1975 Golden Buccaneers
-Won numerous 1st place drum trophies in the Northeast Circuit
-1975 – best execution drums in the Class B World Open Finals
1974-1978 Norwalk Hot Shots
1976-1980 Trumbull Bengal Lancers
1976 - Class B World Open Champions
1977 - Class A DCI Champions
1977 - American International Open Champions
1980-1985Fairfield Tornados
1982 - DCNY Champions 1st place percussion
1978-1982Connecticut Hurricanes
1978 – 1st Place Percussion Execution DCA World Championships
1980 - 1st Place Percussion Execution DCA World Championships
1981 - 1st Place Percussion Analysis, DCA World Championships
1982 - DCA Regional Champions
1984-1993 Cheshire High School
1988 EMBA Grand Champions with 1st place percussion
1986 -1993 - 7 years in a row - EMBA Grand Champion Percussion Awards
1994-2000 Bunnell High School
1997 - EMBA Class 3 Percussion Champions (perfect score)
2000 – 2005 Trumbull High School
1st place percussion in EMBA Championships
Numerous 1st places with indoor percussion
Bob Wilcox
Paula Latham
Jackson Sprouse
Olivier Sime
Deanna Cronin
Sean Latham
Drill Staff
Phil Vizzo - Drill Designer - Visual Staff Coordinator
Jeff Babey
Jeff, an alumni of Bunnell HS, is in his fifth year on the Marching and Music staff of the Bunnell Band. He is the Director of Instrumental Music at Second Hill Lane in Stratford.
Kelsey Palumberi
Kelsey is an alumni of the Bunnell marching band and served as drum major for two of her four years. She has been on the marching staff since graduating high school. She recently graduated with her masters from Sacred Heart University and is a practicing occupational therapist.
Matthew Kavulich
Matt Kavulich holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from The Hartt School. He is an alumni of the marching band and indoor drum line programs, and is excited to be back for his fifth season as a staff member. Matt is the director of instrumental and vocal music at St Joseph High School in Trumbull Connecticut.
Steve Petrahai
Colorguard
Kori Sheades - Director/Designer/Guard Designer & Technician
Alicia Centopanti - Guard Technician
Jillian Gerardi - Guard Technician
Sean LeClerc - Guard Technician
Music
Jim Marbury - Low Brass
Jim graduated from Bunnell in 1977. He holds an Undergrad degree from the University of Bridgeport and a Graduate degree from SUNY at Stonybrook. He is currently a member of the Ridgefield and Norwalk Symphonies and also performs regularly with the symphonies in Wallingford, New Britain and Waterbury. As a member of the Oakdale Music Theater orchestra, he has played with many different performers including The Temptations, Johnny Mathis and Don Rickels. Jim has been working with the BHS band since 1981 and currently has private students in Stratford, Newtown and West Haven school systems.
Jeff Babey - Woodwinds (see above)
Jeff has been a staff member with the Bunnell High School Marching Band since he graduated from Bunnell in 2003. Jeff has also taught instrumental music in Stratford since 2007. He currently teaches the bands at Second Hill Lane and Franklin elementary schools. Jeff holds a Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education from Elizabethtown College, and a Masters of Music in Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music.
Patrick Barnum