MPS Staff

The MPS Staff consists of professional instructors who have worked with Thom in all areas of percussion education. Whether on the stage or on the field, these individuals have mastered the fundamental techniques which are the foundation of the Seminar.

The wealth of information and experience our staff shares with your students will prove invaluable for years to come. Your entire percussion section will gain a new sense of direction and discipline that may become the example for the rest of the band!

Ian Hale

The UMass Drumline is led by Ian Hale. Ian received degrees in percussion performance from the University of Calgary and the University of Massachusetts Amherst where his teachers included Dr. Glenn Price, Eduardo Leandro, and DCI Hall of Fame member and past Associate Director Thom Hannum.

Ian was a member of the music faculty at UMass from 2007-2008 and has served as a percussion instructor and clinician ever since. He was the Assistant Director of Bands for the Calgary Stampede Showband from 2009-2011 and has served as Percussion Director for Spirit Winter Percussion from Orleans, Massachusetts since 2012.

Ian has worked with many national and international ensembles including the Calgary Stampede Showband, Spirit of America, Thomas Jefferson High School, Dartmouth Indoor Percussion, United Percussion, Boston University, University of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

He was a member of the percussion staff for the Madison Scouts, Carolina Crown, and the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He is currently on the percussion staff for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps.

Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson is a freelance percussionist, arranger, composer, and educator based in Western Massachusetts. Currently, Thomas is the Band Director at Shepherd Hill High School. He has worked as the Marching Band Director and Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Anna Maria College and the front ensemble director of the Jersey Surf.

Thomas graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance in May 2018 and he also received a Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance and Composition in 2011.

As an educator, Thomas has been working with many high schools and colleges throughout Massachusetts and beyond for over a decade. He has years of experience working as a band director and music teacher in the public school system. He worked extensively with Shepherd Hill Regional High School where he served as Winter Percussion Director, Show Choir Pit Band Director, Concert Percussion Director, and the Assistant Director of the Marching Band for five years, leading all of these groups to championships in their respective fields during his tenure. He has also served as a clinician for ensembles at WPI, UMass Amherst, Boston University, and New Haven University. Very in demand as a front ensemble specialist, Thomas consistently works with many local college and high school marching bands, several of which he also writes music for.

His marching career began with the Spartans in 2006 and championship year 2007; in 2008 he studied with virtuoso marimbist Leigh Howard Stevens; and in 2009-10 he marched with the Holy Name Cadets. In addition, he marched for four years in the UMass Drumline under the tutelage of Thom Hannum and George Parks. He has served as section leader of every ensemble he’s participated in.

Thomas is also an active performer with the Amherst College Symphony Orchestra, the Valley Winds, the Windham Symphony Orchestra, the Smith Symphony Orchestra, the Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra, the Claflin Hill Summer Winds, and many more local orchestras and wind ensembles. His Master’s Recital in April 2018, entitled “Water”, included challenging contemporary chamber music with musicians from all around the country, and it also featured a commission for percussion, flute and clarinet. During his undergraduate years, Thomas received the Vic Firth Scholarship award from UMass Amherst and the Most Valuable Rookie and Distinguished Service Awards from the Holy Name Cadets.

Andrew Ricketts

Andrew Ricketts is a drummer, educator, and multi-instrumentalist currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. He has been teaching marching percussion, drum set, jazz band, and popular music in a variety of settings for the past 10 years and counting. 

Andrew has also been playing and performing for over 15 years as a freelance drummer and percussionist in the Boston, New York, and Austin TX areas. Through the years he has grown into a love and understanding of numerous musical styles – funk, R&B, jazz, soul, hip hop, fusion, latin, and many more. While studying music in college, Andrew was a two-time recipient of DownBeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards. 

Over the past few years, Andrew has worked freelance in many settings including wedding bands, independent artists, remote recording, musicals, and crafting a solo project of his own. As a growing producer, Andrew has continued to hone skills on guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet, and vocals.

Marching percussion was the initial catalyst for Andrew’s drumming career. Since 2017, he’s served on the percussion staff for the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps. Previously he worked as an instructor for The Cadets from 2013 – 2016, and Jersey Surf from 2013 – 2014. Andrew marched
bass drum in The Raiders from 2008 – 2009, and The Cadets from 2011-2012. Between marching and teaching, his marching accolades include a DCI World Championship and the Fred Sanford High Percussion award. Andrew has also enjoyed multiple performances at PASIC as a performer with the UMass Drumline and educator for the Boston Crusaders. 

Andrew has studied with many incredible drum and percussion educators including Thom Hannum, Colin McNutt, Tom Giampietro, Bob Gullotti, and Scott Strunk. Andrew holds a Masters in Music Performance, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Staff Members

  • Thom Hannum – Camp Director
  • Brad O’Connor – Camp Business Manager
  • Sally Johnson – Assistant Business Manager
  • Cindy Snow — Front Ensemble
  • Neal Flum — Battery
  • Dave Fox — Battery
  • Dr. Alex Casimiro — Battery
  • Danielle Russo — Battery
  • Tom Wilson — Front Ensemble
  • Fran Fazio — Battery
  • Ian Hale — Battery
  • Andrew Ricketts — Battery

Staff Alumni

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