Carrollton Schools Director of Bands

Mr. David Dickerhoof is a 1998 graduate of Kent State University where he studied Music Education. He has taught instrumental music grades 5-12 at Carrollton Exempted Village Schools since 2004. He holds a master's degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University. Prior to Carrollton, he served as Percussion Specialist for Coventry Local and Plain Local school districts. 

Mr. Dickerhoof taught private lessons for 12 years at Zampino's Drum Shop in North Canton and was a co-founder of ProLogix Percussion. He is a freelance percussionist and plays with the Canton Concert Band during the summer. He resides in Carrollton with his two boys, Levi and Sam, and his wife Becky. 

Carrollton Schools Assistant Band Director

Mr. Walters grew up in North Canton, OH and graduated from Jackson High School in 2015 and The University of Akron in 2019.

Mr. Walters' prior teaching experiences involve teaching K-6 general music in Loudonville-Perrysville Schools; student teaching with band and orchestra in Westlake City Schools; and assisting summer band camps with Cuyahoga Falls High School, Chagrin Falls High School, Jackson High School, and Benedictine High School. While attending The University of Akron, Mr. Walters held leadership positions in several ensembles, including Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Wind Ensemble, and The University of Akron “Ohio’s Pride” Marching Band.

Carrollton Schools Assistant Marching Band Director

Mrs. Lorie Strader is one of two general music specialists at Carrollton Elementary where she teaches music to students enrolled in Preschool to 5th Grade and co-directs the Carrollton Elementary 5th Grade Band. She graduated from the University of Akron with her bachelor's degree in Music Education.

Carrollton Schools 5th Grade Band Director & Assistant Marching Band Director

Mrs. Dickerhoof is the general music specialist at Carrollton Elementary where she teaches music to students enrolled in Preschool to 5th Grade and co-directs the Carrollton Elementary 5th Grade Band and Marching Band. She graduated from the University of Mount Union in 1994 with her bachelor's degree in Music Education and then earned her master's degree in Orchestral Conducting from Kent State University in 2008. 

She served as the conductor of the Alliance Symphony for several years and is a sought-after guest clinician for instrumental ensembles in the area. Before coming to Carrollton, Ms. Dixon taught at Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools, West Branch Local School District, as well as parochial schools. In addition to her teaching duties, she teaches flute and piano privately and plays piano for her church's praise team.

Carrollton Schools Percussion Instructor

Mr. Nick Kopko is the current Drumline and Steel Band Director at Carrollton High School.  Nick is an alumnus of Hoover High School and Ohio University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance.

Nick has performed with many groups all over Ohio and the U.S. Highlight performances include PASIC 2009 with the Ohio University Percussion Ensemble, OMEA 2010 with the Ohio University Wind Symphony, and OMEA 2012 with the Ohio University Jazz Ensemble.  In 2011, he was selected to participate in the So Percussion Summer Institute at Princeton University, where he performed and premiered contemporary percussion works. He has performed with several rock, pop, and jazz groups through Ohio, and currently performs with Canton local band, Chemical Wonders and the Rush Tribute band, 2112.

In addition to performing, he is an active educator, teaching more than 40 private lessons per week to both children and adults.  He is also a Teaching Artist with ArtsinStark, which allows him to teach core elementary material through music.