Staff
Branden Burris, Director of Bands
|
Branden Burris is the Director of Bands for the Washington Community School Corporation. He is currently in his 7th year of teaching and 13th year of music instruction. Before Washington he was the Director of Bands at Gull Lake Community Schools, and he has worked on staff for Holt, Warren Mott, and Lakeview High Schools. Mr. Burris is a Conn Selmer V.I.P Educator, the recipient of the 2020 KRESA Excellence in Special Education Award, and a six time honored educator by high school Distinguished Academic Scholars.
Mr. Burris is a native of Vicksburg, Michigan and Vicksburg High School. After graduation, he received his degree from Western Michigan University. While at WMU he became a member of Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity, and studied saxophone under Trent Kynaston. Mr. Burris has performed and recorded pieces with the WMU Jazz Lab Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and WMU Bronco Marching Band, where he was a section leader and drum major. Branden met his wife, Marleigh, in the WMU Bronco Band. Mr. Burris and Marleigh were married in 2016 at Waldo Stadium, the WMU football stadium where they met.
In his spare time Mr. Burris loves hunting, fishing, video games, anything Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, and spending time with Marleigh and their two children, Pearson (4) and Paisleigh (3).
Mr. Burris is a native of Vicksburg, Michigan and Vicksburg High School. After graduation, he received his degree from Western Michigan University. While at WMU he became a member of Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity, and studied saxophone under Trent Kynaston. Mr. Burris has performed and recorded pieces with the WMU Jazz Lab Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and WMU Bronco Marching Band, where he was a section leader and drum major. Branden met his wife, Marleigh, in the WMU Bronco Band. Mr. Burris and Marleigh were married in 2016 at Waldo Stadium, the WMU football stadium where they met.
In his spare time Mr. Burris loves hunting, fishing, video games, anything Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, and spending time with Marleigh and their two children, Pearson (4) and Paisleigh (3).
Joyce Kim-Rohrer, Winds
Music Professor H. Joyce Kim-Rohrer has been teaching woodwind classes at Vincennes University since the fall of 2019. She received her Bachelors in Science degree in comprehensive music education from the University of Illinois, where she studied applied clarinet with Professor Howard Klug. While earning her Masters degree in secondary education with a music emphasis, Professor Kim-Rohrer performed the Mozart Concerto with the Montana State University orchestra as the school concerto winner. After teaching band and general music for 31 years in the public schools, she retired to babysit her two grandsons. In addition to teaching at VU and babysitting, Kim-Rohrer assists at many area school band programs and directs the Westminster Presbyterian Church choir and the Southwest Indiana Cantata Choir(SWICC).
Music Professor H. Joyce Kim-Rohrer has been teaching woodwind classes at Vincennes University since the fall of 2019. She received her Bachelors in Science degree in comprehensive music education from the University of Illinois, where she studied applied clarinet with Professor Howard Klug. While earning her Masters degree in secondary education with a music emphasis, Professor Kim-Rohrer performed the Mozart Concerto with the Montana State University orchestra as the school concerto winner. After teaching band and general music for 31 years in the public schools, she retired to babysit her two grandsons. In addition to teaching at VU and babysitting, Kim-Rohrer assists at many area school band programs and directs the Westminster Presbyterian Church choir and the Southwest Indiana Cantata Choir(SWICC).
Matt Riney, Percussion
Mr. Riney currently teaches computer science at Washington High School, where he also serves as the percussion instructor for the Golden Pride Marching Band and the WHS Indoor Percussion Ensemble. A Washington native and Purdue Alumnus, Mr. Riney is a veteran of the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band, various Purdue concert bands and orchestras, Lafayette Citizens Band, and the Purdue Percussion Ensemble. The highlights of his playing career include participating in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and performing a concert on the Great Wall of China. Mr. Riney has worked with numerous high school bands throughout the state of Indiana.
Mr. Riney currently teaches computer science at Washington High School, where he also serves as the percussion instructor for the Golden Pride Marching Band and the WHS Indoor Percussion Ensemble. A Washington native and Purdue Alumnus, Mr. Riney is a veteran of the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band, various Purdue concert bands and orchestras, Lafayette Citizens Band, and the Purdue Percussion Ensemble. The highlights of his playing career include participating in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and performing a concert on the Great Wall of China. Mr. Riney has worked with numerous high school bands throughout the state of Indiana.
Marleigh Burris, Color Guard
Coach Burris currently teaches 4th grade at Washington Community Schools. Before 4th grade, Coach Burris was a kindergarten teacher for five years. During virtual teaching, Coach Burris's innovation and creativity to teach virtually was recognized and she taught professional development classes to other educators on best practices for virtual education.
Coach Burris started her career in the visual arts at 18 months, and she grew up dancing and competition in competitive dance and baton. Coach Burris is a multiple time state, regional, national, and international champion in baton, rifle, and sabre. She attended Western Michigan University, where she earned the title of Feature Twirler for the Bronco Marching Band. Coach Burris also has been a member of WGI Interplay, and has been coaching guards for over 15 years.
Coach Burris currently teaches 4th grade at Washington Community Schools. Before 4th grade, Coach Burris was a kindergarten teacher for five years. During virtual teaching, Coach Burris's innovation and creativity to teach virtually was recognized and she taught professional development classes to other educators on best practices for virtual education.
Coach Burris started her career in the visual arts at 18 months, and she grew up dancing and competition in competitive dance and baton. Coach Burris is a multiple time state, regional, national, and international champion in baton, rifle, and sabre. She attended Western Michigan University, where she earned the title of Feature Twirler for the Bronco Marching Band. Coach Burris also has been a member of WGI Interplay, and has been coaching guards for over 15 years.