Staff Biographies

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Jennifer Zwissler, Director of Bands

Andrew Solomonson, Low Brass/Visual Instructor

Gary Burcl, Woodwind Instructor

Justin Johnson, Visual/Woodwind Instructor

EJ Dyce, High Brass Instructor

Nicole Gary, Flute/Drum Major Instructor

JC Thatcher, Percussion Instructor

Johnny Xa, Percussion Technician

Jordan Arnett, Percussion Technician

Cory Daniels, Front Ensemble Instructor

JENNIFER ZWISSLER, DIRECTOR of BANDS

Jennifer Zwissler is in her third year as Director of Bands at Cordova High School.  She started working with the Cadets in 2002 as the flute instructor, while teaching general music at Dexter Elementary, Crosswind Elementary, Alturia Elementary and at Woodstock Middle School, as the Choir Director. She is originally from Fairfield, Ohio, where she attended Fairfield Senior High School.  Jennifer was extremely active in all band related groups during her high school career and was named to the OMEA District 13 Honor Band from 9-12 grades….awarded first chair flute her senior year.  She was a member of TRI –M and also the “Fairfield Fantasy” Winter guard.   She was named the piccolo player for the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band in 10^th grade, one of only a small group of high school students asked to be part of this ensemble.  Jennifer also participated in the University of Cincinnati Preparatory Flute Choir.  Aside from music, she took horseback riding lessons for 25 years, showing in both English and Western disciplines and in 1998 was awarded the Cincinnati Reserve Grand Champion in Open English Division and also in Dressage.  She taught beginning and intermediate riding lessons and was the office manager at the Winton Woods Riding Center prior to moving to Tennessee.

 Jennifer attended the University of Kentucky, and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Education in December 1993.  She was a member of the marching band, jazz band, concert band, wind ensemble, Tau Beta Sigma, CMENC, NCAA tournament Basketball Pep Band 1991-1993, 1993 NCAA Final Four Tournament Pep Band, 1993 Peach Bowl participant, and spent two years as flute/piccolo section leader.  After graduating, she returned to Fairfield, Oh to become the Assistant Band Director at Northwest High School (Cincinnati, OH) for seven years.  Jennifer also taught band at up to ten Catholic Schools per year and taught general music for four years at Cincinnati area catholic schools.

 Jennifer met her husband Dave in 1996, and they married in 1998.  Their first child was born in August 2001, and the family moved to TN when Abbi was just two weeks old.  Jennifer was hired to work with Cordova in January 2001, and has been with them ever since.  The Zwissler’s second child came very soon after the completion of band camp in 2003, Elizabeth “Libbi” is the littlest Cadet!  Jennifer is very active with the St. Francis Church Adult choir, where she sings alto and plays flute.  She is also in the Ladies “Knights of Columbus” Auxiliary and the PAC (Parish Activities Club) and is a member of the Arlington Women’s Club.  Until she was hired as Director at Cordova, she played flute with the River City Concert Band and participated with them in performing at the 2005 National Community Concert Band Convention in Hot Springs, AR.  Dave is a chemist…..and is employed by The Alpha Corporation where he is a Gelcoat  Specialist Supervisor (resins division).  He is living proof that those hard calculus equations really are used after high school or college!!!! 

Jennifer has a twin brother, Steve, who lives in St. Louis with his wife and son, and a sister Michelle, who lives with her husband in Chicago.  Her much loved mother died in 2003 from cancer and her father currently lives in Columbus, OH.  She would like to thank her family for ALL of their love and guidance throughout her life, they were the driving force behind her musicianship with their unending support! 

She is very excited to be continuing with the Cadets and thanks her staff for their unending dedication to not just her, but also the Cadets themselves!  What an awesome group of students, parents, alumni and staff which makes up the entire Cadet family!!!!! 

Jennifer would especially like to thank her husband Dave, for staying home with their children while she fulfills her dream of being a Band Director during the many rehearsals and performances.  He is so patient and is a wonderful father and husband! 

ANDREW SOLOMONSON, DRILL DESIGNER/VISUAL INSTRUCTOR. 

Andrew comes to Cordova, originally, from Morton, Illinois.  Andrew graduated from the University of Kentucky, with a BA in Arts Administration with a minor in Business.  Andrew marched and played throughout his high school years at Morton High School, as well as with the University of Kentucky. 

Andrew was a four year member of Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, in the Euphonium section and currently serves as a visual technician for the corps.  He is currently the Visual Caption Head for the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps and writes marching drill for many organizations.  He is the visual designer for the Cordova Independent A Winterguard, as well as writing drill for Memphis Sound, Cordova High School, The University of Memphis, among others.

JUSTIN JOHNSON, VISUAL/WOODWIND INSTRUCTOR

Justin Johnson is currently studying instrumental music education at the Rudi E Scheidt School of Music located at the University of Memphis. There he is a member of the University Wind Ensemble and Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra. He is a student of Allen Rippe and Dr. Jack Cooper.

Mr. Johnson is currently the Visual Caption Head for the Mighty Sound of the South Marching Band at the University of Memphis. He serves as a freelance visual designer throughout the mid-south region and has worked with Bolton High School (TN), Bartlett High School (TN), and Dyersburg High School (TN).

Mr. Johnson’s marching background includes four years with the University of Memphis Marching band, and membership in both the Delta Brigade and Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. 2007 will mark his third year as a member of the visual and brass staffs for the Memphis Sound organization. 
 

GARY BURCL, WOODWIND INSTRUCTOR

Gary was a member of the Cadets for the duration of his high school years
and graduated in 2002.  In addition to marching for the Cadets, Gary was
involved in the Beta Club, Tri-M Music Honor Society, All-West and the
Cordova Wind Ensemble.

Gary Now attends THE University of Memphis where he is studying Journalism
with a concentration in Public Relations.  While at Memphis, Gary has been
involved all over campus.  A member of The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity,
Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Public Relations Student Society of
America, Society of Professional Journalists, Student Activity Council, U of
M Mighty Sound of the South, the U of M Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and
Clarinet Quartet on Music Scholarship.

After gradating in the Spring of 2007, Gary hopes to obtain a career in
sports marketing and eventually move back to his native home of Florida. For
now, he is enjoying his last year as a student and likes to go out with
friends, road trip to the lake, the color blue, meeting as many people as
possible, the 80's weekends on 94.1 the Buzz and of course Memphis Tiger
Sports...GO TIGERS GO!!!... cant forget my Noles though.
 

JC THATCHER, PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR

JC Thatcher is a returning member of the Cadets staff having taught the 2001-2002 drumline and the 2002 production of Encore. He is a 2004 graduate of The University of Memphis with a degree in business and is currently seeking an MBA from Christian Brothers University. While attending The University of Memphis he spent four years as a member of the Mighty Sound of The South drumline, served as captain of the tenor line for two years, and marched in the 2003 PASIC Line. From 1997 to 1999 JC was the tenor captain for The Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps in Appleton, Wisconsin. In addition to having instructed at Cordova, he has also served as an instructor for the Bartlett High School Band, Bartlett Indoor Drumline, and the Mason High School Drumline.

A native of Mason, Ohio, JC enjoys his adopted land of Tennessee and is working as the Development Manager for Youth Villages, a nonprofit organization that helps children and families live successfully.

JC currently lives in Oakland with his wife Elle and their two dogs Lola and Tony. When not working, studying, or drumming he can be found cheering on the greatest team in professional sports…The Cincinnati Reds.

JOHNNY XA, PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR

Johnny Xa's marching experience includes: Bartlett High School Marching Band for four seasons, Bartlett Indoor Percussion for four seasons, University of Memphis PASIC for two seasons, Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corp for one season, Colts Drum and Bugle Corp for one season, The Mighty Sound of The South Drumline for two seasons, and Gateway World for one season. His teaching most heavily involves visual and snare drum techniques. He currently teaches the drumline at Bartlett High Scool, Munford High School, and will begin teaching at the University of Memphis this season. He is happy to be back on staff and looks forward to another great year!

CORY DANIELS, FRONT ENSEMBLE INSTRUCTOR

Cory joins the percussion staff from State College, Pennsylvania.  In the spring of 2006, he traveled to New York twice with the State College Area High School Jazz Band to compete for East Coast and National honors.  The second trip was to the Essentially Ellington competition and festival hosted by legendary jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.  The Festival included only 15 of the top high school jazz bands in the United States. 

In the summer of 2006, Cory traveled overseas with the SCHS Jazz Band and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Jazz A’ Vienna in France and at several private gardens in Paris.  

For the past 5 years, Cory was the principle timpanist/percussionist for the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra.  He attended the Birch Creek Percussion and Steel Band summer program two years in a row in Egg Harbor Wisconsin.  Through music, Cory was an active member in the SCHS Thespians, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra and Concert Choir; all of which received superior ratings and 1^st place respective ratings in competition since 2002.  He is also a member of the Tri-M Music Honors Society.

He has studied privately with Vicky Daniel (no relation) of Appleton Wisconsin, Dr. James Latten of Juniata College and currently with Dr. Frank Shaffer at the University of Memphis.