Fritz Benz, HS Band Director/Chair, Cultural Arts Department
 Prior to teaching in North Smithfield, he was director of bands at Exeter-West Greenwich Jr/Sr High School and served on the music faculty at the University of RI as a Lecturer and Assistant to the University Bands. Mr. Benz also held teaching positions at Warwick Vets High School and the Moses Brown School in Providence. He holds degrees from the University of Rhode Island and the University of South Carolina where he served as a graduate assistant with the USC Bands. In addition to his teaching duties at N. Smithfield, he serves as part-time music education faculty at Providence College, where he teaches Instrumental Music Methods and Practicum for seniors in PC's music department. Additionally, he has served on the RI State Council on the Arts Arts Learning Network and the State Music GSE team, chairing the music team in creating Music GSE standards for all RI High School students. He also supports RI teachers state-wide as a technology trainer in the RI Technology Training Initiative (RITTI), teaching summer sessions through URI in technology applications and standards-driven curriculum in all subject areas.
He has adjudicated All-State and various music festivals in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and has guest conducted the Connecticut Jr. Regional All-State Band and the RI JR. Division Honors Band. Additionally, he performs regularly as a member of the 9-piece RI-based dance band, "Brass Attack" and also plays solo classical trumpet at many weddings, church services and ceremonies. In 2009, Mr. Benz was honored as a "Distinguished Music Educator" by Yale University's School of Music in New Haven, Ct.
 Regina holds degrees in Music Education, from Rhode Island College, where she served as the graduate assistant conductor for the Rhode Island College Chorus. She is a memebr of the American Choral Directors Association, where she serves as the RI high school Repertoire and Standards chair. Regina is also a member of the Music Educators National Conference, and is presently serving as a member of the RIMEA executive board. She also served as manager of the 2007 - 2011 Rhode Island Senior All State Choirs. In 2002 she was the guest conductor for the RI Junior Division Honors Chorus. In 2012 she will be the guest condcutor for the Jr. All State Treble Chorus. In addition to her teaching duties at North Smithfield, she works as a vocalist, organist and pianist at Christ the King Church, in West Warwick R.I.
John Knasas, MS Band Director/Assistant HS Band Director
 Mr. Knasas holds a B.A. in Music Education from Providence College and M.M. in Saxophone Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). At CCM, he served as a graduate assistant for the Jazz Studies Program and saxophone studio. In addition to teaching in N. Smithfield, Mr. Knasas has taught at Providence College as a jazz combo ensemble director. As a private instructor in saxophone, his students have been members of the RIMEA All-State Band, All-State Jazz Band, and Honors Band ensembles. Mr. Knasas has also served as an adjudicator at the RIMEA All-State and Solo and Ensemble festivals. Mr. Knasas is an active performer playing as a regular member of Brass Attack, the Swing Out Big Band, and the Back Bay Saxophone Quartet. He has performed with the Nightlife Orchestra, Blue Moon Orchestra, the Moonlighters, Compaq Big Band, and has performed in pit orchestras at Massasoit Community College, Woonsocket High School, and Sharon High School.
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