Dr. Brad McDavid, Head Director

Dr. Brad McDavid is the head director of the Washington All-State High School Marching Band and is also entering his 19th year as Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Washington. During his tenure at the UW, McDavid has overseen the band's growth from 160 to its current size of 240 winds and percussion. In addition to coordinating one of the nation's most comprehensive collegiate athletic band programs, McDavid is also in demand as a marching and concert band adjudicator and clinician, having worked with bands in 17 states as well as Canada, China, and Japan. In 2008, McDavid was honored by being selected as the lead conductor and head artistic director of the 1700 member Beijing Olympic Orchestra (marching band). Currently Dr. McDavid also serves on the selection committees for the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Trophy, which recognizes outstanding college marching bands as well as the Sudler Shield which recognizes marching bands of merit on the public school level. McDavid is also currently co-authoring a series of instructional DVD's published by GIA entitled The Marching Band Director's Video Toolbox, highlighting the effective teaching and implementation of both contemporary and traditional marching techniques.

Kevin Swisher, Assistant Director

Kevin Swisher is currently Director of Bands at Hanford High School in Richland, Washington. Kevin spent three years as an assistant in the Mead High School band program teaching their Jazz Lab class and assisted with their beginning band and marching band programs. In 2005, he accepted the full time position at Hanford High School, and has been responsible for building an impressive comprehensive band program, including Hanford’s award winning marching band. In 2009, the Hanford Band was 2nd place in their division at the St. George, UT., BOA competition.

In 2003, Kevin played soprano and was a soloist for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. The following year, he served as a member of the brass staff for the Spokane Thunder’s inaugural season. In 2005, Kevin was on the brass staff for the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps. He is an active clinician and adjudicator for Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Wind Band festivals.

Kevin Swisher received his BA in Trumpet Performance and BA in Music Education at Whitworth University in Spokane, WA, while studying under Dr. Dan Keberle. He received his MA in Conducting from the American Band College of Southern Oregon University in 2009, and became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2011.

Kevin resides in Richland with Kristin, his wife of 4 years, and their two children, Kiana (3) and Keaton (1).

Nick Molenda, Drumline Instructor

Nick Molenda is a professional musician and educator who resides in Seattle Washington. Nick received his education from the University of Washington with a BA/BM in Music Performance (Jazz Studies-Drumset and Vibraphone). While at UW, Nick studied with John Bishop, Garey Williams, Tom Collier, Steve Korn, Mark Ivester, Josh Woodman, Jeff Wade and was a member of the UW Drumline under David Reeves. His studies with Reeves opened him to the world of drum corps in 2005 where he went on tour with world class DCI corps The Cascades during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Currently, Nick is the head percussion coordinator/arranger for the University of Washington Husky Marching Band.

Nick also maintains a very busy performing career at the same time performing with MBK Entertainment Artist Allen Stone, Brett Hite, Vintage Pink, and Seattle-based rock opera group "Discs of Fury". Nick can be seen performing every week in the Seattle area as long as his commitments haven't taken him out on the road with one of these groups. Follow Nick on Twitter with handle @nmolenda.

In the past, Nick spent a two year stint as Tenor Technician with the Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps, and has arranged marching percussion music internationally for both the Taipei Yuehfu Drum and Bugle Corps from Taipei, Taiwan, and The Beijing 166 Middle School Golden Sail Marching Band from Beijing, China.

This summer Nick will be touring Japan as an instructor/arranger for a few different high schools including Senshu University Tamana High School Marching Band.

Nick has also worked with Seattle-based classic rock band "Seduction", Tess Henley, Carson Henley, the Seattle Seahawks "Blue Thunder" Drumline, the Seattle Sounders FC "Soundwave" Band, swing dance band "Rainy City Riff Raff," Seattle Supersonics "Jam Session" Drumline, the Spokane Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps, and Edmonds Woodway, Kamiak, Cascade, Mariner, Jackson, Roosevelt, Interlake, and Bainbridge High Schools.

Kristin Swisher, Guard Instructor

Kristin Swisher is currently the guard instructor at Hanford High School. Since starting at Hanford five years ago, the color guard program has grown exponentially and, over the past two years, has won divisional caption awards at multiple marching band competitions throughout the northwest. In addition to coordinating her own guard’s choreography, Kristin has written award winning drill for BOA western division bands.

Kristin received her BA in Vocal Performance at Whitworth University in Spokane, WA, and studied jazz dance and ballet under the direction of Suzanne Ostersmith. She graduated a couple theatre courses short of a dance theatre degree as she focused her studies more on choreography, dance, and voice. While attending Whitworth, Kristin studied color guard with Stephanie Perger and John Lack at Mead High School. Upon graduating and moving to Richland, WA, she accepted the challenge of building the color guard program at Hanford High School. Kristin is married to Kevin Swisher and a mother of two—Kiana (3) and Keaton (1). Prior to having children, she taught elementary music. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, sewing, hanging out with friends, singing with the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, and extreme couponing.

Shermin Davidson, Danceline Instructor

August 2004 to Present: Alumni of the University of Washington. Graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Spent two years on the Husky Cheer Squad, two seasons as a member of the Seattle Supersonics Stunt Team. Former Northwest Territory manager Universal Cheerleaders Association, and was a former staff member for 10 years.

Formerly a Certifier for American Association of Cheerleaders Coaches & Advisors in the state of Washington. Two years as a Washington State Spirit Judges Association judge and two years as a region representative for the Washington State Cheerleaders and Coaches Association. Additional coaching experience includes: one year with the Bellevue Jr. All-stars, two years heading the Blue Thunder Extreme Sr. All-stars, Competition choreographer for Roosevelt High School. Graduated from Kamiak High School, 3 years as a cheerleader.

Married for 5 years to a former UW baseball Player: Tyler Davidson, have 2 children Braeden age 4, Makenna age 18 months.

Also currently in nursing school and will become an RN in 2013.