SENIOR STAFF
Corey Jahlas
Interim Director of Athletic Bands
Corey Jahlas is in his first year serving as Interim Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Washington. Previously, Corey served as Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Washington, and was the director of the wind ensemble at Seattle Pacific University. He has also spent the past few years as a doctoral teaching assistant with the UW Bands, conducting the UW Concert Band, assisting with the UW Husky Marching Band, and serving as an assistant graduate conductor of the UW Wind Ensemble.
Corey earned his Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Central Michigan University. There, he instructed the 280-member Chippewa Marching Band and served as the conductor for the Symphony Band and the University Band. Prior to his Master’s work, Corey taught for three years in Oxford, MI, leading the middle school band program, the OMS Percussion Ensemble, and assisting with the OHS Wildcat Marching Band. He also holds degrees in Music Education as well as Music Theory and Composition from Central Michigan.
In 2014, Corey served as Assistant Director of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, having marched with the group in 2011. He also serves as a clinician, arranger, and drill writer for high schools and university marching bands across the country and has had his drill featured in six different bowl games, including this past year's 2024 NCAA National Championship game. In the summer, Corey helps to coordinate and run high school drum major and leadership clinics in both Washington and Michigan. Corey holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association and The National Association for Music Education, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
​
Mary Chrambanis
Director of Operations
Originally from Trenton, NJ, Mary Chrambanis is currently entering her third season as Director of Operations for the Husky Marching Band and Spirit. Holding a degree in Performance Communications, she has worked in all aspects of the field. Performing in local east coast theatre and improv groups, she has the experience of the stage, as well as being involved with numerous independent film companies, assisting with production and promotion. Mary has a very diverse background in theater, music, and film, but also has worked as a wedding coordinator, which gave her the foundation of working with large amounts of people and logistics.
After moving to Seattle, her passion for the arts continued. Mary primarily began working in events and helped with music and art festivals around the Seattle area. In addition, she has worked with local bands assisting with tour managing, tying logistics and arts together. Getting to work with HMB, Mary is able to utilize all her skills, and is thrilled to be a part of the team!
David Stewart
Graduate Assistant Director
David Stewart is a Graduate Assistant at the University of Washington, where he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in conducting. David holds degrees in music performance and music education from Central Washington University and received a Master of Music from the University of Montana. A native of the Pacific Northwest, he attended Mercer Island High School and spent his weekends playing in the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. His early experiences working with influential music educators shaped his ambition to become a band director himself. After realizing this dream and teaching at Graham-Kapowsin High School for four years, he decided to further his education and focus on conducting. As a performer, David has achieved notable success. He won his university's concerto competition as a freshman and received the National Band Association's Outstanding Musician Award. In 2018, he was featured as a soloist at the Western/Northwestern CBDNA Conference, where he delivered a standing-ovation performance of Scott McAllister's "Black Dog" for solo clarinet and wind ensemble.
Beyond his musical pursuits, David enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing, and chess. He is also a trained mindfulness teacher, reflecting his well-rounded approach to music and life.
​
Craig Winter
Drumline Instructor
Craig Winter is a passionate music educator and percussion advocate who firmly believes that the leadership and life skills learned through arts education are unique and invaluable. Craig works to provide impactful experiences through music for all his students.
​
Growing up mostly in the Seattle area, Craig studied under noted percussion educators Donn Bennett, Scott Ketron, and David Reeves prior to heading to Arizona State University where he earned his degree in Instrumental Music Education. As an ASU student, Craig studied with Dr. J.B. Smith, Dr. Mark Sunkett, Dom Moio, and Bill Wanser. Also during that time, Craig developed a love for marching percussion and went on to compete as a finalist at the highest levels of Drum Corps and WGI. Thanks to the strong and diverse southwest/west coast percussion community, Craig was extremely fortunate to be directly influenced by educators including Rich Hinshaw, Tom Float, Pete Sapadin, Sean Vega, Antonio Hernandez, Ralph Hardimon, and Jeff Queen in the early years of his marching percussion experience.
​
Over the last 20 years Craig has been a professional performer, band director, adjudicator, and clinician. He was an Assistant Director of the Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline and has taught in WGI and DCI with The Academy, Momentum Percussion Theater, Paragon Competitive Arts, Seattle Cascades, and the Columbians. He is currently a freelance percussionist, private teacher, Founder/Director of Emerald City Boom, instructor of the UW Husky Drumline, and an instructor/consultant for various high schools.
​
Don Sabo
Field Assistant
Don Sabo joined the Husky Marching Band September 1965 and remained until June 1969. He rejoined to the Band in September 1976 and ended his Varsity Band career in June 1979. He was asked to accompany the band as a field assistant for the 1981 Rose Bowl. Don was hired as a staff assistant in August 1981 and continues to enjoy the position and give back HMB.
​
In addition to his work with HMB he has operated a residential design business for 38 years and a residential construction partnership for 29 years.
​
Don has been married to Adrienne (Frank), a 30+ year music teacher, and 1982 HMB Undergrad and Trombonist, for 29 years. Their daughter Paige graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in Dance Performance in 2009; their son Shanley is now a Trombonist in the HMB Alumni Band and has earned a degree in Culinary Arts.
​
Don Curtis
Field Assistant
Don begins his 34th year as a member of the band staff. He is a 1973 graduate of the UW with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration/Accounting and was a member of the Husky Band’s Drumline from 1969 to 1972. Don appeared in the annual varsity/alumni show for 34 consecutive years, and has marched in a Husky Band uniform over a span of 5 decades, for 3 of the 4 UW band directors. He served 4 years on the Board of Directors of the Husky Marching Band Alumni Association.
​
Kathy Curtis
Pressbox Videographer
Kathy begins her 34th year as a member of the band staff. She is a 1974 UW graduate with a BA degree in Business Administration/Accounting, and was a member of the Husky Band’s saxophone section. While attending the UW, she was also on the band’s Student Staff team, played on the UW basketball team and is a current member of the Big W Club. In 1977 Kathy and husband Don were instrumental in creating and organizing the Alumni Band which entertains tailgaters at all home football games. Kathy served as Treasurer of the Husky Marching Band Alumni Association for six years. Don and Kathy have been married 44 years and have two sons who also attended the UW, and have five grandchildren.​
Stan Yantis
Equipment Repair Technician
Stan is a Seattle native with deep ties to the Seattle area, the University of Washington, and the Husky Marching Band. Stan has been repairing instruments for decades, with experience as a music teacher, training and mentoring from Tim Sweeney of “Sweeney’s On the Spot Instrument Repair,” and guidance from former Husky Marching Band Instrument Technician Ben Gary.
​
Stan grew up just a few miles from the University of Washington on Queen Anne Hill, then came to the UW for college and played trumpet in the Husky Marching Band in 1974 and 1975. After graduating in 1979 with a Bachelors of Music and a Bachelors of Education, Stan went on to teach Band, Orchestra, Choir, Guitar, and Percussion, primarily in the North Mason School District. Stan founded two community bands: a concert band called the “Windjammers” (founded in 1985), and a swing dance band called "Swing Fever of Western Washington" (founded 1988). Both groups continue to be very active today with rehearsals and concerts on the Olympic Peninsula and surrounding areas.
​
After his 43-year career, Stan retired from teaching but joined the Husky Marching Band in the role of Instrument Technician, and continues serving the Husky Marching Band Alumni Association (HMBAA) as president and the National Association of Alumni Bands as Northwest Regional officer. He is also a long-time member of the City of Shelton Arts Commission.
​
Stan and his wife April have two daughters and two sons-in-law, all four of whom graduated from the University of Washington and were members of the Husky Marching Band.
Edd George
Field Assistant
Edd George is excited to be wearing Purple and Gold again as a Field Assistant for the Husky Marching Band! As a former member of the HMB trumpet and sousaphone sections, he is thankful for the opportunity to give back to the current students, and learn from his colleagues.
​
Edd currently teaches at Bellevue High School, where he directs the Marching Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and 3 Wind Bands. During his tenure at BHS the band has begun marching at halftime, performed in more parades, and fundraised for new marching band uniforms. The marching band is well respected and appreciated as an integral part of BHS football games. Before taking over the reins at BHS, he taught at Newport High School and Tyee Middle School, both in Bellevue. Prior to 2006, Edd taught in Bellingham at Squalicum High School, Kulshan Middle School, and Whatcom Community College.
​
Mr. George graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1999 and a Master of Conducting from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University in 2005. In November of 2008 he became a National Board Certified Teacher. In addition to teaching band, Mr. George is one of the directors of Soundwave, the band for the Seattle’s Major League Soccer team, the Sounders FC. He does many of the arrangements for the band, as well as running rehearsals, and directing at home matches.
​
Outside of his musical endeavors, Mr. George spends time with his wife Allison (who was the first female sousaphone player in Husky Marching Band), daughter McKenna, son Aidric, and four cats.
​
Marcus Pimpleton
Field Assistant
Marcus J. Pimpleton marched in the Husky Band from 1996 to 2001, serving three years in the trombone section and three years as Husky Drum Major. From there he immediately began serving as a band director in the Seattle Public School District, where he has also been director and program coordinator for the award winning Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band since 2002.
​
From 2002 to 2015, Dr. Pimpleton served as the music department chair at Denny International Middle School during which time he was instrumental in the co-location of Denny International Middle School with Chief Sealth International High School, founding Denny Sealth Performing Arts, the booster organization supporting the two schools’ music programs. When he was teaching full time, Dr. Pimpleton taught concert band, marching band, jazz band, and steel drum ensembles at the middle and high school levels, coordinated over 300 student performances in local, regional, and national events and hosted numerous camps during winter, midwinter, and summer breaks for underserved elementary, middle, and high school students. His commitment to equity and musical excellence was recognized by KCTS which awarded him a Washington State Golden Apple Award and by the Alliance for Education which awarded him the Phillip B. Swain Excellence in teaching award.
​
Presently, Dr. Pimpleton’s day job is serving as the Executive Director of Secondary Schools for the Marysville School District where he supervises and oversees the professional development of middle and high school principals and assistant principals. He has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D) from the University of Washington, a Doctorate in Ministry (D.Min) from the Hardy Academy of Theology, and a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (M.Ed.) also from the University of Washington.
​
John Aguilar
Drum Major Coach
John Aguilar is a 2017 graduate of the University of Washington and is the Director of Bands at Eagle Staff Middle School in the Seattle Public School District. While in the Husky Marching Band, he served as the Drum Major for 3 years and as the Undergraduate Assistant his last year. John earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in June 2017, and is a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity. Outside of the UW, he is an active advocate for music education around the greater Seattle area. In his work with students, John has mentored and provided private lessons to high school drum majors, and has hosted leadership workshops and band clinics for high school marching bands. In the summer, he serves as the Assistant Director of the Seattle All-City Marching Band, which is comprised of high school band members from the Seattle Public Schools and neighboring cities, as well as Associate Director for the Seattle Junior All-City Marching Band.
​
Randy Rowland
Announcer
Randy is returning to the Husky Marching Band for his 2nd season this fall. Randy holds undergraduate degrees from Pacific Lutheran University and People’s Bible Institute. He also holds Masters and Doctoral degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary. Randy has a deep interest in music, movies and sports and how all of these aspects of popular culture can be explored to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Randy is married to Nancy Rowland and has two children, Rachel & Andy. He is an avid scuba diver, reader, movie-goer and boater. He is also the stadium voice for the NFL Seattle Seahawks. Randy is author of two books: Get A Life and The Sins We Love and co-author with Lyle Schaller of Center City Churches.
​
Eric Quach
Media Production Coordinator
Eric is a graduate of the University of Washington, Bothell campus, with a degree in Business. This will be his fourteenth year overall with the Husky Band. He served as section leader of the clarinet section for two years. Eric is a brother of the National Honorary Band Service Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, and was the Service Committee Chair, a position he held for 2 years. During the summer, Eric serves as the Media Coordinator for the Seattle All-City Marching Band. Eric loves cars and is an avid photographer in his free time. Go Dawgs!
​
Aja Utsugi
Field Photographer/Videographer
This is Aja’s 14th year with the Husky Marching Band. Aja was a member of the piccolo section during her time in the band. She graduated from the UW in 2015 with a BA in Law, Economics and Public Policy, and and MA in Public Administration in 2019. Aja is currently the Program Director for Seattle Music Partners.
​
Austin Quach
Field Photographer/Videographer
Austin is a graduate of the University of Washington, Seattle campus, with a degree in Informatics. This will be his eighth year in the band, and third year on media staff. He was in the piccolo section prior to joining staff. Austin is a brother of the National Honorary Band Service Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, and was the Webmaster, a position he held for 1 year. During the summer, Austin can be found working many music festivals all across the world. Austin loves bass music and is a touring EDM videographer in his free time.
Noelle Tyau
Field Photographer/Videographer
Noelle is in her sixth year with the Husky Marching Band. During her time in undergrad, she was a member of the saxophone section as well as a member of the Student Staff. She is thrilled to be back in our community cheering on the Dawgs and the Husky Band! Go Dawgs!
​
JaZee Griffith
Feature Twirler Coach
This is JaZee's seventh year with the Husky Band. She is a 2023 graduate of the University of Washington, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Interaction Design and Entrepreneurship. She served as the Feature Twirler for the UW from 2018 to 2023.
With 19 years of experience as a competitive twirler, JaZee has participated in national and international competitions, earning numerous championship titles. Her expertise extends to coaching colorguard, focusing on weapon line techniques with rifles and sabers, for high school and Drum Corps International (DCI) groups. Currently, JaZee coaches students in the greater Seattle area, sharing her passion and skills with the next generation of twirlers. In her free time, she is a seamstress and enjoys designing, sewing, and crystalling baton outfits as well as other creative projects.
Professionally, JaZee is a UX Researcher and Designer for Costco IT, where she specializes in enhancing mobile and web applications, contributing to user-friendly and efficient digital experiences.
Sara Harnish
Operations Assistant and Webmaster
This will be Sara's first year as Operations Assistant and Webmaster, and her fifth year overall with the Husky Marching Band! Previously, she was a member of the mellophone section as well as the Uniform Manager on the Student Staff. She graduated with a degree in Mathematics and was a Brother, as well as President, of the Gamma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in her time at the UW. She is looking forward to continuing to serve the HMB in the coming years. Go Dawgs!
​