Mr. Matt Wyckoff

Director

As the Band Director at Egg Harbor Township High School, Mr. Wyckoff facilitates the success of the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Percussion Ensemble, and Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble. With a deep passion for classical, contemporary, and marching styles of music, he has emerged as a young leader in music education, performance, and composition. Before his time in EHT, Mr. Wyckoff was a Percussion Instructor and Marching Band-Assistant Director at the BOA-award-winning The Woodlands High School. Mr. Wyckoff has worked with Spirit of Atlanta, The Cadets, CWP, and Let Them Drum!, and is sponsored as a signature artist by Artifact Percussion. 

Mr. Marc Spatz

Assistant Director

Mr. Spatz is entering his third year as the Band Director at Fernwood Middle School where he directs the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and South Jersey's only competitive middle school drumline . He  is also the co-director of our Championship Indoor Drumline. Prior to arriving in EHT he taught elementary music in the Atlantic City Schools and also served  as the Assistant and the Marching Band Director at Mainland Regional HS.  Mr. Spatz holds a degree in Music Education from West Chester University performs and frequently perfroms as well as guest conducts with the Atlantic Pops. In addition Mr. Spatz  can be found keeping busy as a freelance percussionist.

         Mr. JJ Aponte

Visual Coordinator/Colorguard 

Mr. Aponte has decided to begin his career in Theater Education with EHT following. His bright, youthful energy, and constant desire for attention creates a fun and exciting environment in the classroom. 

In addition to growing Kindergartners’ Social and Emotional abilities through Theater Performance, Mr. Aponte also has been heavily involved in the Color Guard Community for over a decade. He has marched renown programs such as AMP World Winterguard (2017 IO Gold Medalist, and Three Time Fan Favorite Recipient), and The Bluecoats (2018 Bronze Medalist).  Now bringing his talent and direction to our EHT Indoor and Outdoor Color Guard programs we are excited to see how our students grow on and off the performance field. 

Dawn Donchey 

Woodwind Instructor

Mrs. Dawn  Donchey is a graduate of West Chester University, where she marched and was senior staff for four years.  She taught in the Egg Harbor City School District for six years before leaving to raise her four boys, and is now back to work in the Egg Harbor Township School district.  After teaching 1-8 grade general, choral, and instrumental music, she is currently the band director at Alder Avenue Middle School.  She also has over 20 years tenure with the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, and has taught many students privately in the Egg Harbor Township area.

Mr. Michael Belskis

Percussion Instructor

Mr. Belskis comes to EHT with over 20 years of successful Drum Corps and Marching Band experience.

He both marched and taught The Crossmen, and has written  for and directed several championship Indoor percussion ensembles for TIA.  Mr. Belskis hold a degree in percussion and music education from Temple University and currently teaches music technology for Gloucester Twp Middle School. 

Mr. Michael Benoit

Percussion Instructor

Mr. Benoit has been working with young musicians for over 7 years at the elementary, middle school, high school, collegiate, and professional level. He holds certifications in Music, Social Studies, and English and draws from each in his teaching. He’s a proud Louisianian and brings years of experience in that state and others to New Jersey for a whole new student body. 

Mr. Brandon Matthews

Marching Instructor 

Mr. Matthews graduated from EHTHS in 2009 after being a member of the marching band for four years and also served as Drum Major on 08-09.  He went on to gain experience in marching from both Raiders and the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps as well as the Military.  He has taught as a Marching Instructor for the last five years at Absegami, Mainland and most recently, EHT! Outside of band, he continues to serve in the military, is a local paramedic and still plays baritone as a member of the Atlantic Pops!

Ms. Courtney Daniels

Visual Instructor

Ms. Daniels is currently the Instrumental Music Teacher at Hammonton Middle School. She graduated from Rowan University in May 2018 with two degrees: Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Subject Matter Education and Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music with honors. Her primary instrument is the euphonium (look it up!). She has performed with multiple ensembles such as the Atlantic Pops Community Band, the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, and the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. She has worked with numerous local high school marching band programs including Williamstown High School, Hammonton High School, and, most recently, Egg Harbor Township High School! 

Mr. Omi Batan

Visual/Percussion Instructor

Omi comes from Connecticut where he began his marching percussion career as a sophomore in 2006 with Stamford High School. Since then, he has performed with ensembles such as the University of Connecticut Marching Band, the Connecticut Hurricanes, Jersey Surf, The Cadets, and United Percussion. As an instructor, Omi has refined his pedagogy as a battery and visual instructor by teaching at various high schools including Cranston East High School (RI), New London High School (CT), Stamford High School (CT), Norwalk High School (CT), and Newtown High School (CT). From 2013 to 2016, Omi was the Assistant Band Director at the University of New Haven where he arranged the battery music, taught the battery, and helped organize the band as a whole. During the same time, Omi was Co-caption head and battery arranger for Fusion Core, a Drum Corps Association Bugle Corps based in Jefferson, NJ. Omi has also taught visual and snare drum at world class independent groups such as Cadets Winter Percussion and United Percussion. After taking a two-year hiatus from teaching, Omi is excited to continue learning from and teaching with the EHT Marching Band Staff. He looks forward to the success of this season and future seasons to come!

Dr. Mark Kadetsky

District Supervisor 

Dr. K was a band and orchestra director in EHT for 25 years and currently serves as the District Supervisor for the Arts.  He holds a BA in Music Education from The College of NJ, a MA.Ed in Educational Leadership from Rider University and a Doctorate in Music Education from Shenandoah University.  In addition to his duties at EHT, he is the Director of the Atlantic Pops and an adjunct professor at Rowan University, where he conducts the University's Concert Band,