Ashland Bands - Directors

Mr. Marty Kral

Mr. Kral is the Director of Bands and Music Department Chair for Ashland High School. He directs the High School Bands including the Symphonic, Concert & Marching Bands. He also teaches HS guitar & music technology courses and assists with the Middle School Band. In 2020 Mr. Kral became one of the Co-Producers of the Media Arts program at AHS as well. Along with his teaching duties, he also serves as the District Fine Arts Coach. Mr. Kral has completed all levels of the National Association for Music Education Teaching Guitar Workshops. In 2010, 2020, 2021 & 2022 Mr. Kral was selected as a guest clinician at the Ohio Music Education Association State Conference, most recently co-presenting a clinic on making the fine arts "Non-Negotiable" in education. In 2011 he was also chosen as a featured clinician at the National Technology Institute for Music Educators Conference. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from Ashland University, Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from Nova Southeastern University and Teacher Leadership Endorsement from Concordia University. He serves on various committees for the Ashland County Community Foundation & Ashland University and is a former board member of the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education. Mr. Kral has Master Teacher status with the district, and holds a Lead Professional Teaching License: the top licensure available for educators in the state of Ohio. He has a K-12 Music Licensure as well as a Teacher Leadership Endorsement.

Mr. Cameron Dedrick

Mr. Dedrick serves as Assistant Marching Band Director for AHS. He began his teaching career in 2003 and teaches 3D Foundations, 2D Foundations, Drawing Fundamentals, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Media Arts at Ashland High School. Previous to his high school career, he taught Elementary Art for 15 years. He also serves as Assistant Marching Band Director at AHS and District Technology Coach. In 2021 & 2022, Mr. Dedrick was selected as a featured clinician at the Ohio Music Education Association State Conference, co-presenting clinics on Technology and Advocacy for Fine Arts. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Ashland University with concentrations in Graphic Design and Printmaking, and a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from Baldwin-Wallace College. In his undergraduate program, Mr. Dedrick was heavily involved in the music department, participating in Marching Band, Concert Band, University Choir, and Chamber Singers. He is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and a former Assistant Stage Manager for the Ashland Symphony. Mr. Dedrick is a current member of the Ohio Art Education Association, the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, and both Ohio Arts Council & Ashland County Community Foundation Grant Committees.

Mrs. Tonya Kral

Mrs. Kral serves as an Assistant Director with the AHS Marching Band. With decades of music education experience during her teaching career, she prepares the Field Commanders for each performance. Her attention to detail also makes her essential in preparing students to march with precision and pride. Mrs. Kral holds a Bachelor of Music in Education and a Masters of Education from Ashland University. As a life-long Ashland County resident, she has been a member of the Mapleton Mountie Marching Band and the Ashland University Eagle Marching Band. With her focus in college on brass instruments and conducting, she is a perfect fit as a director with the Arrow Marching Band.

Mr. Zane Aleman

Mr. Aleman is the Director of Bands for Ashland Middle School, the director of the Ashland High School Jazz Bands, and teaches the 5th Grade Beginning Band Class at Taft Intermediate. Mr. Aleman also assists Mr. Kral with the High School Marching and Concert Bands. Mr. Aleman holds a Master's degree in Music Performance on Saxophone from Kent State University where he studied under Dr. Noa Even. At Kent State, he played in the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Orchestra, New Music Ensemble and various chamber groups, in addition to being a graduate assistant for the saxophone studio and Marching Golden Flashes. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in 2017, where he studied with renowned saxophonist and Distinguished Artist Professor Dr. John Sampen. While at Bowling Green, he performed in the Concert and Jazz Bands, Men's Chorus, Saxophone Quartet, and played saxophone and bass drum in the Falcon Marching Band. After college, Mr. Aleman pursued various teaching opportunities, including teaching saxophone lessons at Terra State Community College and leading high school jazz bands, until starting at Ashland City Schools in 2022.

Mr. Aleman aims to help students of all levels to develop excellent musicianship, become the leaders of tomorrow and prepare them for life beyond school by instilling positive values in each of his students. Outside of school Mr. Aleman likes to play multiple woodwinds in musicals, plays many kinds of video games, plays Magic: The Gathering and other trading card games as well as D&D, and enjoys ultimate frisbee and disc golf.

Mr. Adam Kime

Mr. Kime serves as the AHS Marching Band Drumline Instructor. He has formally directed the Mapleton High School Drumline and led the Ashland University drumline while in college. Mr. Kime currently teaches HS English for the Ontario City School District and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English from Ashland University. His talents, high expectations and positive attitude are an asset to the AHS Marching Band. It is through his leadership that the AHS drumline achieves such a high level of precision.

Mr. John McQuate

Mr. McQuate serves as the AHS Marching Band Maintenance Supervisor. He is a life-long Ashland native and AHS Marching Band Alumni. Mr. McQuate is in charge of all things mechanical as well as caring for the student's needs. If you see the AHS Band Trailer moving down the highway, there is a 99.9% chance, John is behind the wheel. Affectionately known to the students as "Bone Crusher," John is always there to make certain the band is running on all cylinders. In his spare time, John can be found crewing for different hotair balloons and enjoying a delicious steak.