The Muchachos Drum & Bugle Corps of Manchester, NH proudly announce
their instructional and design staff for the 2009 season.

New for 2009 are Judy Aikens, Aaron Boissonnault and Ron Fussell who
will be additions to the color guard, percussion and brass staffs
respectively. Returning from last year are Todd Breen as Percussion
Caption Head, Chris Dufault as Program & Percussion Consultant,
Gretchen Ferland as Color Guard Caption Head, and David A. Lafond as
Program Coordinator and Brass Caption Head.

We are extremely excited about the instructional team for 2009. We
are building on what has been bringing us success over the last few
years, and augmenting that with some very capable additions. Our
members should expect some more individual attention as our staff
grows to meet the demands of a Corps that is growing in size.

"This is by far the best instructional staff assembled for the
Muchachos in recent memory", says Al Gagne, Corps Director. "What's
also exciting is that this talented staff has strong ties to the
activity here in New Hampshire."

Judy Aikens – Judy was a member from the corps competitive days as a
junior corps. She marched in the color guard from 1976 to 1981.
Along with many other alumni she came back to the corps when it
reformed in 1996 and has been color guard captain since 1997. During
her time with the corps she was assisted the instructional staff in
an `unofficial' basis now that she has `retired' she is `officially'
joining our instructional staff.

Aaron Boissonnault - Was a member of the Spartans from 1992 through
1996, learning under the guidance of Chris Dufault and served as
snare section leader the last two years. Prior to marching with the
Spartans, Aaron was a student of Ed Sterling where he learned all
aspects of percussion playing including keyboard and tympani. Aaron
has instructional experience teaching both the Plymouth, MA and
Uxbridge, MA high school bands. Aaron is a NH native and currently
lives in Hooksett, NH.

Todd Breen – Todd Breen is a charter member of the Granite State
Garrison Drum & Bugle Corps from Keene, NH, where he marched from
1983 – 1988, he also marched with the Spartans from Nashua, NH in
1990 and 1991, and was on the percussion staff in 1992. Todd has
also performed with the NH Philharmonic Orchestra in 1992 and 1993.
Todd has been taught by Ed Sterling, Mike Lore, and Chris Dufault.
In addition to his experience teaching the Spartans Todd has also
worked with Monadnock Regional High School Marching Band, Keene High
School Marching Band, and more recently working with Concord High
School Marching Band. Todd has been with the Muchachos since 2006.
Todd lives in Keene, NH.

Chris Dufault - Chris joined the Muchachos staff in the fall of 2007.
Chris has been involved in the Drum Corps community as a player and a
teacher for over 30 yrs. He has been involved with the 27th Lancers,
Boston Crusaders, Fitchburg Kingsmen, Leicester Satellites, Gardner
High School, along with other local New England groups. He also gives
private lessons in the Massachusetts area. In 2006, Chris finished a
20 year stint as Percussion Caption Head with the Spartans of Nashua,
NH, during which time he helped the Spartans win several DCI Division
II World Championships and a percussion title. Chris currently lives
in Fitchburg, MA.

Gretchen Ferland – 2009 will be Gretchen's 2nd year with the
Muchachos and 1st year as Caption Head for the Golor Guard. Gretchen
performed with the Central High School (Manchester, NH) color guard
from 1996 - 2000. While at the University of Miami (2000 – 2005),
she participated in the color guard and learned under the leadership
of April Gilligan. Gretchen has been teaching Central High School
color guard since 2006 and has been with the Muchachos since 2008.
Gretchen lives in Manchester, NH.

Ron Fussell – Ron marched with the Nashua Spartans from 1987 to
1993. In 1994 Ron was a member of the Star of Indiana/Brass Theater
performance group. Ron has an extensive teaching background from
teaching groups like the Spartans and East Coast Jazz, to Merrimack
Middle School and still is the Brass Coordinator for Reading, MA
Memorial School. Ron also is an adjudicator for YEA/USSB. Ron has a
BS in Music Ed. from Plymouth State University, an MS in conducting
from Southern Oregon University, and an M. Ed from Rivier College.
Ron is currently the Vice-Principal at Bishop Guertin High School in
Nashua, NH. Ron is a native of Nashua, NH and currently lives in
Manchester with his wife and two children.

David A. Lafond – David is also a charter member of the Granite State
Garrison Drum & Bugle Corps from Keene, NH where he marched from
1983 – 1986. David continued his Drum Corps career with the Boston
Crusaders where he was a soloist and section leader and was taught by
Jerry Noonan and Joe Taylor. David also studied at Berklee College
of Music where he studied under Lou Mucci and Ray Kotwicka. He also
marched with the 27th Lancer Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps from 1994 –
1996, and was mentored by Jim Wedge while instructing the horn line
in 1995 & 1996. After about an eight year absence from the activity,
he joined the Muchachos in the fall of 2004 and was quickly elevated
to the instructional staff. David also directs Amoskeag Sound, the
Muchachos competitive mini-corps. David lives in Manchester, NH with
his two children.