I
:: Faculty ::
Mr. Daniel Kirk
Staff News
:: Blue Valley West High School Band ::
Ms. Carolyn Knapp
She is credited with building a comprehensive band program that is successful in
many areas. Her high school bands have consistently provided quality performances
for private and community organizations at the national and local levels. Mrs. Knapp
also conducted a summer program for beginning instrumental students for fifteen
years. Mrs. Knapp received her Bachelor of Music Education from Kansas State
University, her Master of Arts from Webster University along with graduate work at the
University of Missouir-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Her concert band experience
includes collaboration with many well know conductors and clinicians. She has
worked with Dr. Frank Tracz, KSU, Dr. Michael Golemo, Iowa State University, Dr.
Patrick Casey, Central Missouri State University, Dr. Craig Miller, Blue Valley West
High School, Dr. Melvin MiIes, Morgan State University; and Mr. Ken Green,
Northwestern in LA. Mrs. Knapp served as Secretary on the Kansas City Youth Wind
Ensemble Board of Directors for two years. Her professional memberships include:
National Band Association, Music Educator's National Conference, Kansas
Bandmaster's Association, Missouri Band Master's Association, Kansas Band Master's
Association and Mu Phi Epsilon.
Carolyn Knapp is Assistant Director of Bands
for Blue Valley West High School. Prior to her
appointment at Blue Valley West, Mrs. Knapp
was Director of Bands at Center High School
in the Center School District. She has spent
thirty-two years in music education teaching
general music, vocal and instrumental music.
Mr. Matt Arnet
Matt has been involved in marching percussion as a
performer, arranger and clinician for over 12 years.
Following his years as a performing member of the
Hickman HS drumline, in Columbia, Missouri, Matt
began a 4-year stint (1997-2000) with the Carolina
Crown Drum and Bugle corps, spending his final 3
years acting as section leader of the drumline as
well as the bass drum section. Matt also spent the
fall of 1997 performing with the Big M of the
Midwest and the Marching Mizzou drumline. Matt's
teaching career began in the fall of 1998 when he
returned to his alma mater to instruct the drumline
at Hickman.
Matt taught and arranged battery percussion for Columbia-Hickman until 2003. In the
fall of 2001, Matt began teaching and arranging for Blue Valley West HS, a position
he currently still holds. In addition to working with the Red and Silver Brigade, Matt
has also established a winter drumline during his time at West. Matt's percussion
ensembles and private students have consistently achieved at a high level, earning
top ratings and rankings in BOA, MCCGA, WGI and Kansas state level festivals and
competitions.
Alexander Vallar is currently a percussion instructor
for Blue Valley West (Overland Park, KS) fall and
winter programs. Aside from his involvement in Blue
Valley West, he has taught at Rockbridge High School
(Columbia, MO), Marshall High School (Marshall, MO)
and clinician for numerous Missouri high schools.
Currently, Alex has over 7 years experience in the
marching percussion activity. In 2003, Alex was a
performer with the Missouri Rhythm Movement, silver
medalist at MCCGA Championships and honors in
WGI Championships. After his marching term with
Hickman High School (Columbia, MO), Alex marched
with Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (LaCrosse, WI)
in 2004 and 2005 seasons. In 2005, Alex was a
section leader of the corps. Also during his time with
Blue Stars, Alex was honored a bronze metal and
Division II Finalist in DCI Division II Championship
Ms. Katie Baca
Mr. Alex Vallar
Katie Baca is currently the Assistant Dance
Team Director, Color Guard Director & Winter
Guard Director for the Blue Valley West fall and
winter programs. She currently holds a B.S. from
Missouri State University and her Master's Degree
from the University of Central Missouri. Before
arriving at West, Katie taught at Blue Springs
High School (Blue Springs, MO) as the Assistant
Director of Color Guard and Blue Valley High
School (Overland Park, KS) as the Drill Team
Director. Currently, Katie has over 10 years
experience in participating and directing
different Color Guard programs. During college,
Katie was involved with the Pittsburg State
University and Missouri State University Marching
Bands. During the time, she competed in a
Mr. Josh Votaw
Josh Votaw joins the BVW Staff for  his third
season in 2010. Previous to his appointment at
West, Josh did choreography for several high
schools around the state of Missiour, but spent
time in full time positions at Kickapoo and Ozark
High Schools. In 2008, he graduated with a
Bachelors Degree in Marketing with an emphasis
in Advertising and Promotions from Missouri State
University as well as a minor in Music. Mr. Votaw
marched in his high school winter guard and
winter drumline at Francis Howell North and was a
drum major for the marching band for three years.
After high school, he marched with the Pride of
Missouri State Winter Guard and fall guard for four
years - of those four, he was a WGI Independent
Open Class Finalist three times. He spent two of
those years as captain of the fall color guard.
William Torres joined the Blue Valley West Marching
Band in 2009 as a visual instructor. William has many
years of experience as a performer, educator,
clinician, and design consultant for the marching
arts. He was worked with bands in the Kansas City
area, Southwest Missouri, and New Mexico. He
comes to Blue Valley West with valuable drum corps
experience marching with the highly acclaimed
Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. At
Phantom Regiment, William played lead euphonium
and was a Silver Medalist at the Drum Corps
International World Championships in 2006. During
his collegiate career at Missouri State University,
William served as Drum Major for the 300 member
Pride Marching Band and Principal Euphonium in
Calvin Dugan is a percussionist currently pursuing a
BM in Music Performance from the University of
Kansas.  During his time at KU, he has served as
principal percussionist of the Symphony Orchestra as
well as performed with the Symphonic Band,
Percussion Ensemble, the Sudler Award-Winning
Marching Jayhawks, Helianthus New Music Ensemble
and the KU Wind Ensemble.   He has toured
nationally and internationally, performing with
various ensembles in Austria, Hungary, the Czech
Republic, Italy and New York's Carnegie Hall.  His
primary teachers include Kevin Bobo, Dr. Julius
Zilinskas and Ji-Hye Jung.
Mr. Will Torres
Mr. Calvin Dugan
Stacy (Wright) Carey is in her third year as Dance
Team Director.  She is also the Spanish teacher at
Stilwell Elementary.  Stacy has a tremendous
passion for dance and has taken classes since she
was in kindergarten.  She danced on competition
dance teams for several years and was a member on
school dance teams throughout middle school and
high school.  She was an Olathe North Eaglette and
continued to dance on the Kansas State University
Classy Cats her freshman year in college.  At K-State,
Stacy choreographed and performed with her sorority
dance group in the homecoming dance
competitions.  She teaches Dance Club at Stilwell
and continues taking classes at a studio in Lawrence.
Charles Lovell is currently pursuing a degree in
Music Education (Percussion) with a minor in
Business at the University of Kansas.  While at
KU, Charles has participated in the KU
Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band,
Percussion Ensembles, Marching Band and
lessons with the world renowned percussionist
Ji-Hye Jung.  He served 4 years on the KU
Drumline, 2 of which he was section leader.  
Charles continues his rudimental drumming
career as a founding member of the Kansas
City Chiefs Rumble Drumline.  This is Charles’
first year teaching percussion at Blue Valley
West after teaching Lawrence High School last
fall.  His interest in Business led him to a
marketing internship with Pearl Drums in
Nashville, TN during the Summer of 2010.  
Mrs. Stacy Carey
The 2010 Marching Band
Staff has been meeting
regularly to discuss and put
together what will be a
spectacular fall program.  We
all look for GREAT things this
year at BV West!
Bryan Cremer is currently pursuing a BME (Bachelor
of Music Education) with emphasis in saxophone
from the University of Kansas School of Music. He has
performed in many large ensembles while at KU
including the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble,
Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensembles I and II, The
Marching Jayhawks, and Men’s Basketball Band. In
addition, Bryan has performed with many small
chamber groups including Saxophone Quartets I, II,
and IV, as well as Jazz Combos III and IV. During his
time in these ensembles, Bryan has performed at a
high level on soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass
saxophones; while saxophone performance is Bryan’s
main focus, he is also proficient at flute and clarinet
and has performed on these instruments in KU Jazz
Ensemble I and numerous pit orchestras.
Mr. Bryan Cremer
Bands at Blue Valley High School, the Tiger Marching Band was crowned class
champions and swept captions at numerous festivals.  Under his direction, the BVHS
Concert Band received a I rating from every judge at every entered festival.
 He has
attended Conducting Symposiums coached by Craig Kirchhoff, Steve Davis, Eugene
Corporon, James Jordan, Rick Blatti, and William Wakefield.Daniel has been a summer
faculty member with the George Parks Drum Major Academy the past three summers –
this summer serving as a faculty member at the Music for All Summer Symposium.  In
2004 and 2005, Daniel toured with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, serving
in the percussion section in 2004 and in the color guard in 2005.  For three fall
seasons, he served as the front ensemble coordinator at Lee’s Summit North High
School. Daniel became a certified winter guard judge in 2006 and travels throughout
the Midwest and eastern United States judging in the individual analysis caption of
equipment.  Marching band consultation and winter guard program design have been
key areas in his professional experiences.  He credits mentors Dr. David Bennett (piano),
Jane Wheat (piano), Dr. Craig Miller, and Avian Bear.  His professional memberships
include KMEA, MTNA, MENC, MMTA, JAMA, Alpha Chi Honors Society, and Kappa
Delta Pi.
Daniel Kirk serves as the Director
of Bands at Blue Valley West High
School in Overland Park, KS.  His
teaching responsibilities include
the Red and Silver Brigade
Marching Band, Symphonic
Band, Jazz Band, AP Music
Theory, and Music Theory.  He
assists with Concert Band and
Freshmen Band.  He graduated
from Missouri Western State
University with a B.S.E. in
Instrumental Music Education
with a piano performance
emphasis in the fall of 2007.  
Formerly the Asst. Director of
Percussion Director
Woodwind Specialist
Dance Team Director
Front Ensemble Coordinator
Visual Technician
Color Guard Instructor/
Choreographer
Asst. Dance Team Director/
Color Guard and Winter
Guard Director
Percussion Instructor
Asst. Director of Bands
Director of Bands
2010 Design Staff
Michael Pote - Music
Kevin Ford - Drill Design
Matt Arnet, Calvin Dugan -
Percussion
Katie Baca, Josh Votaw, Stacy
Carey -
Guard
WGI Independent A Winter Guard called the Sky Ryders (00'-02') based in Kansas
City.She transferred to Missouri State and was a member of The Pride of Missouri
State Independent Open Winter Guard ('03-'04). During her 2 years with the The Pride
Winter Guard, she was a WGI Independent Open Class Finalist! In 2002, Katie
marched the Color Guard with the DCI Southwind Drum and Bugle Corp from
Lexington, KY. This will be Katie's third year working with Blue Valley West. Katie is
very excited to be working with a great staff and amazing students!
Completion. Alex has also preformed with Marching Mizzou and the Missouri Drumline
for both the 2004and 2005 seasons.In addition, Alex has received instruction from a
few of the foremost leaders in marching percussion such as Bret Kuhn and Mike
McIntosh. Because of Alex's music experience, dreams of properly educate as many
students possible in the Mid-West. Along with teaching Blue Valley West; Alex is a
student at the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he is planning to earn a degree
in Business and Education.
After aging out from the program, Josh spent the last year as a Junior Staff member
with the Missouri State Pride Marching Band and participated in the Rose Bowl
Parade with the band. He is very excited to work at Blue Valley West.
the University Wind Ensemble. William is excited to return for the 2010 season with the
Red and Silver Brigade. William currently resides in Lee's Summit, MO, and recently
got married to his wife, Anna, who is the Assistant Band Director and Color Guard
Director at Blue Valley Southwest High School.
In addition to performing, Calvin is an active member of the educational community in
the area.  He maintains a private studio of highly motivated private students in the
Kansas City and Lawrence areas, Calvin has arranged and instructed the percussion
programs at Park Hill South High School in Riverside, MO, and at the BOA
Super-Regional Finalist and Class AA Champion Blue Valley West High School in
Overland Park, KS.
Mr. Charles Lovell
Percussion Instructor
Prior to arriving at KU, Bryan performed on alto and baritone saxophones with many
Region and Area honor bands in Texas. He has performed and was named outstanding
soloist at many Southeastern Texas jazz competitions and has also performed in the
Texas UIL State Marching Band Contest. Additionally, Bryan has been teaching music
privately for many years and has had dedicated students on saxophone, flute, and
clarinet with ages ranging from 8 to 18. Bryan’s main teachers include Vince Gnojek,
Dan Gailey, and Martin Langford.
Mr. Patrick Hunningcake
Visual Technician /
Brass Instructor
Patrick Hunninghake is a senior at the University of
Kansas pursuing a bachelors of music education.
During his time at KU he has had the opportunity to
perform as principle trumpet in the KU Wind
Ensemble, and the KU Symphony Orchestra. Patrick
has also been a featured soloist with the KU
Marching Jayhawks, and has been a member of the
KU Men's Basketball Band and the Helianthus New
Music Ensemble He has performed throughout the
U.S. as well as Asia and Australia as a soloist and
member of the KU trumpet Ensemble. Patrick's
marching experience comes from over eight years
of competitive marching. Patrick is an alumni of the
Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, and was
the winner of the 2009 Drum Corps International
Individual and Ensemble Competition. Patrick is an
active teacher in the area as well. He maintains a small studio of private brass students
and has assisted many school band programs during his time at KU. Patrick has worked
with both Free State and Lawrence High school as a Visual/Brass Tech, and most
recently served as an intern with Johanna Cox at Central Junior High School in
Lawrence.
Mr. Alan Martens
Visual Technician /
Brass Instructor
Alan Martens is pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in
Music Education at Kansas State University. He is
currently a trumpet section leader in the Marching
Band. Alan served as the Principal Trumpet in the
Concert Band for a year and plays lead trumpet in
Jazz Band. He also performed with the Wind
Ensemble, University Band, Basketball Band, Brass
Quintet, and Trumpet Ensemble. He has traveled
with the Trumpet Ensemble to Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania for the International Trumpet Guild
Conference and to London, England performing at
St. Anne's Cathedral and the Royal Academy of
Music. Prior to attending Kansas State, Alan
graduated from Blue Valley Northwest High School. He was a Drum Major for three
years and actively participated in Wind Ensemble, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra,
Pit Orchestra, State Solo and Ensemble Contests, KUKC Youth Wind Ensemble, District
Band and State Band. Alan attended the George Parks Drum Major Academy at the
Bands of America Summer Symposium in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and also participated
in the Prairie Wind Festival at the University of Kansas in 2007 and 2008.