Student Leadership Team
2023 Drum Majors
Hannah Kirby
Hannah Kirby is currently a junior pursuing a degree in Music Education. She graduated from Obra D. Tompkins High School in 2021, serving as a Mellophone section leader her junior year and Drum Major her senior year. In 2022, she served as a Drum Major for the Bearkat Marching Band. In addition, Hannah is an active member Secretary for the Beta Theta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, a women's music fraternity. She studies French horn under Mrs. Deborah Harvey and has performed with the Symphonic Band. Hannah is also in her second year marching Mellophone with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. She hopes to take that experience and knowledge to help others become better performers on and off the field. After graduation, Hannah plans to start her career as a band director, hoping to share her passion for music with others.
Anna Ng
Anna Ng is in her junior year at Sam Houston State University, majoring in psychology and minoring in forensic science. She graduated from Morton Ranch high school in 2021, where she held many leadership positions, including drum major for the Mighty Maverick Band! At SHSU, Anna also enjoys being a dedicated member of the BMB and the Winter Guard program. After graduation, she plans to kickstart my career as a forensic psychologist to help rehabilitate criminals.
Kynnady Sparks
Kynnady Sparks is a sophomore music education major studying flute under Dr. Lana Kruscer. She graduated from Midlothian Heritage High School in 2022, where she served as a field tech her sophomore year and drum major for her junior and senior years. At SHSU, she has performed with the symphonic band as the principal flute player and joined Tau Beta Sigma, a co-Ed sorority dedicated to serving local bands and the community. This year, Kynnady will be serving as drum major for the Bearkat Marching Band and the music chair and co-educator in the Alpha Omicron chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. After graduating, she hopes to share her love of music as a high school band director and show her students the beauty of music through education.
2023 Student Assistants
Kelly Garrity
Kelly Garrity is currently a junior studying Criminal Justice and American Sign Language. In 2022, she served as a visual tech for the clarinet section in the Bearkat Marching Band and as the Service Coordinator in the Alpha Omicron chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, a co-ed sorority dedicated to serving local bands and the community. In 2023, she will continue to service Tau Beta Sigma as the chapter's President alongside her role as Student Assistant. After graduation, Kelly plans to continue her education to gain an Associate of Applied Science degree in American Sign Language to achieve an interpretation certification.
Alex Kinsel
Alexander Kinsel is a graduate of St. Thomas High School class of 2021 and a third-year music education student at Sam Houston State University. He is a trumpet player in the studio of Mr. Randy Adams, Mr. Steve Warkentin, Dr. Amanda Pepping, and Mr. Brian Fincher. Alex is also a member of the Alpha Omicron chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, currently serving as the organization's service coordinator. He has performed with the SHSU Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Angry Orange Basketball Band, Jazz Lab Band as Lead Trumpet, and Jazz Ensemble.
Rafael Hernandez
Rafael Hernandez is currently a music education major at Sam Houston State University, where he studies clarinet under Dr. Patricia Card. He graduated from Livingston High School in 2020 and began his music education degree at Lone Star College-Kingwood, where he was a member of both the symphonic and jazz bands. Since attending Sam Houston State University, Rafael has been a member of the Bearkat Marching Band and the Wind Ensemble. He's looking forward to dedicating his services to the Bearkat Marching Band.
Harrison Kaufman is currently a junior at Sam Houston State University, where he is pursuing a degree in Music Education. He studies trumpet under Mr. Randy Adams, Mr. Steve Warkentin, Dr. Amanda Pepping, and Mr. Brian Fincher. Harrison graduated from Trinity High School in 2020, where he now teaches as an assistant. He has also been a tech for other surrounding school districts, including as Coldspring-Oakhurst High School. Harrison also plays trumpet for his local church, gigs at banquets, and has a brass quintet during the Christmas holidays. Harrison is also involved in the SHSU tennis club and coaches high school students at Trinity High School. He will serve his final year with the BMB for our transition into the 2023 FBS College Football Division in Conference USA. Harrison is super excited about this upcoming season and can't wait to meet everyone and make new memories. EAT 'EM UP KATS!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________