Meet Our Directors
BRUCE GERKEN
Mr. Gerken has taught in the Lancaster City Schools since 1978, where he presently serves as Director of Bands at Thomas Ewing Junior High, Director of Percussion Studies, Percussion Ensemble Director, and Department Chair. He received his Bachelor of Music Education in 1977, and Master of Applied Percussion in 1978 from Ohio University where he studied with Guy Remonko.
His marching percussion sections have received over 120 superior ratings and awards and his percussion ensembles have been featured at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Conference ten times; five Music Educators National Conferences (MENC) Regional Conferences; and at National Conferences of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), MENC, and the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools. They have performed for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in 1993 and 2001; National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in 1997, 1999, and 2004; the Midwest Clinic in 1985, 1990, and 1999; the Kiwanis International Convention in 1996; the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina in 2007 and 2009; the Rotary International Convention in New Orleans in 2011; and the Lancaster Festival from 1996 through 2011. In May of 1995, the ensemble members were guests of educational, community and government officials from the Orenburg Region of Russia where they gave several concerts during a nine-day tour that helped celebrate the 50th Anniversary of V-E Day.
In 1989, Mr. Gerken was the recipient of the American School Band Director’s Association (ASBDA) Stanbury Award for Ohio in the Senior High Division, and in 1993 he received the Ohio University School of Music Society of Alumni and Friends “Achievement in Music” Award. He was also named Central Ohio “Teacher of the Month” in May 1995, and has been nominated nine times for inclusion in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
In addition to his teaching duties, he is also active as an adjudicator, clinician, arranger, and performer and is presently an educational consultant for Pro Mark. Mr. Gerken’s Professional affiliations include OMEA, MENC, Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Kappa Lambda and the American Federation Musicians Local No. 179.
BART PICKENPAUGH
Mr. Pickenpaugh has been teaching instrumental music since 2004 and took over the Director of Bands position at Lancaster High School in 2007. Prior to coming to Lancaster, Mr. Pickenpaugh taught Orchestra, Choir and Band to Junior High students in Victorville, CA and was the Director of Bands at Tri-Village Local Schools located northwest of Dayton, OH. Currently Mr. Pickenpaugh is responsible for directing the “Band of Gold”, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and the “Swinging Gales.” Under his direction, the “Swinging Gales” were featured in the Lancaster Festival and the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. In addition he also assists with the Thomas Ewing and General Sherman Junior High Bands and working with the woodwinds in the sixth grade.
Mr. Pickenpaugh holds his Bachelor of Music Education from Ohio University and his Masters in Music Education from Capital University. He was a member of the Marching 110, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the Trumpet Ensemble. While attending Ohio University, Mr. Pickenpaugh studied with John Schlabach and Earnie Bastin.
Mr. Pickenpaugh is professionally affiliated with Ohio Music Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, International Trumpet Guild, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. In addition he is a member of the Ohio Education Association.
Mr. Pickenpaugh continues playing trumpet and teaching private lessons in his spare time. He has been a member of the Victor Valley Community Jazz Ensemble and the Ohio Valley British Brass Band. He has also had the honor of performing with the Brass Band of Columbus.
Mr. Pickenpaugh can be reached by e-mailing: b_pickenpaugh@lancaster.k12.oh.us
DAVID BODE
Mr. Bode has been teaching instrumental music since 1992. With the closing of the Stanbery Campus in 2006, Mr. Bode is now the Director of Bands at General Sherman Junior High School. Prior to coming to Lancaster, Mr. Bode taught in Columbus and at the Amanda Clearcreek Local Schools. In his current position at Sherman, Mr. Bode is responsible for directing the Seventh Grade Band, Eighth Grade Band, the Sherman Jazz Band, as well as the beginning and sixth grade bands for the west side of town. In addition to these duties, he also assists with the "Band of Gold" and the Thomas Ewing Junior High Bands.
He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from The Ohio State University where he performed with the Concert Band, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Commencement Band, and Trombone Ensemble. Mr. Bode also completed a Master of Arts degree in music education in the fall of 2001 at The Ohio State University in which he graduated Magna Cum Laude. While working on both degrees at Ohio State, Mr. Bode studied trombone with Joseph Duchi (Professor of Trombone at Ohio State and bass trombonist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Bode is professionally affiliated with the Ohio Music Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, the International Trombone Association, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. In addition, Mr. Bode is also a member of the National Education Association, Ohio Education Association, and the Lancaster Education Association.
Mr. Bodes’ bands from past teaching positions have performed in Chicago, Virginia Beach, and Toronto. While in Lancaster, Mr. Bodes’ freshman concert band has performed under the direction of David Shaffer, Bruce Moss, James Swearingen, and James Curnow. The freshman concert band has also performed with The Ohio State University Trombone Ensemble, and has performed at the Music Showcase Festivals in Sandusky, Ohio. The freshman jazz band has performed twice at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. His ensembles (from past and current teaching positions) have earned top ratings and awards at contests.
Mr. Bode continues to play trombone in the area, gives private instruction on low brass instruments, has had the privilege of playing in the Worthington Civic Band, and has performed a couple of times with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Ohio Valley Orchestra. He has also served as a clinician in the area of trombone and music education. Mr. Bode is also an active marching band adjudicator for the Ohio Music Education Association, has served as a solo and ensemble adjudicator, and has served as the co-director for the Lancaster Festival Community Youth Summer Band Program. Mr. Bode has been nominated twice for inclusion in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and is also included in Who’s Who in America.
Mr. Bode is married to Launa and has a son named Collin and a daughter named Madison. Outside of music and teaching, Mr. Bode enjoys spending time with his family, time in the outdoors, boating, and fly-fishing.Mr. Bode can be reached by e-mailing: d_bode@lancaster.k12.oh.us
Elyse Dwyer
Ms. Dwyer is in her first year teaching instrumental music in the Lancaster City Schools. She is currently the Assistant Director of Bands at Lancaster High School, specializing in woodwind instruction and directing the Concert Band, as well as working at Thomas Ewing Junior High, South and Tarhe Elementary Schools.
Ms. Dwyer earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education from The Ohio State University, where she performed with many ensembles, including the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab Band, and Saxophone Ensemble. Ms. Dwyer studied with Mr. Jim Hill during her time at Ohio State.
Ms. Dwyer is professionally affiliated with the Ohio Music Educator’s Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, and Sigma Alpha Iota National Music Fraternity.
Ms. Dwyer continues playing and performing saxophone in her free time. When not in the classroom, Ms. Dwyer has worked at Interlochen Center for the Arts, performed with big bands throughout Columbus, and currently teaches lessons locally.
Ms. Dwyer is originally from Springfield, Ohio, where her family still resides.
Ms. Dwyer can be reached by e-mailing: e_dwyer@lancaster.k12.oh.us
JENNILEE PRICE
Ms. Jennilee Price has been coaching Color Guard since 2003 and this is her third year working with the Lancaster High School Band of Gold. Prior to coming to Lancaster, Ms. Price assisted with the Madison Plains Color Guard in 2003 and Westland High School Color Guard in 2004. Ms. Price took over the Westland High School Color Guard in 2005 and coached through the 2008 marching band season. Ms. Price has been part of the Lancaster City School system, and a proud Golden Gale since 2007 as a High School Mathematics teacher and Freshman Cheer Coach in 2008/2009.
Ms. Price holds her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Education and her Master’s Degree in Education from The Ohio State University. In high school she was part of the Hilliard Davidson Color Guard and was a student leader of the group. While in both high school and college she was a part of an independent Winter Color Guard, Art 101, based in Columbus, OH. While in this program she developed her performing and spinning skills as well as her leadership skills. While coaching, Ms. Price has received many “Best Auxiliary” awards with both Madison Plains High School and Westland High School, and received several Superior ratings with the Band of Gold during the 2010-2011 season.
Ms. Price can be reached by e-mailing: j_price@lancaster.k12.oh.us
JAMES MERTON
Mr. Merton is the retired Director of Bands at General Sherman Junior High School where he directed the Seventh Grade Band, Eighth Grade Band, the Sherman Jazz Band, as well as the beginning and sixth grade bands for the west side of town. Mr. Merton also works with beginning and second year woodwind students, and is the marching specialist for "Band of Gold."