"The Brave Band"
Mission Statement: The Kamiakin Marching Band blends high-level competition with a "We, not me" culture. We challenge members to pursue excellence today to build a better future for themselves tomorrow. Whether you are looking for artistic growth or a supportive community, remember: here, you come as an individual and leave as family.
The Marching Band and Pep Band program at Kamiakin High School is a vibrant and integral part of the school's spirit and musical community. Led by dedicated directors and supported by enthusiastic students, this program embodies excellence in both musical performance and team spirit.
The Marching Band at Kamiakin High School is a dynamic ensemble that showcases precision, skill, and creativity. From thrilling halftime performances at football games to energetic parades and competitions, the Kamiakin Marching Band captivates audiences with their spirited performances. With a diverse repertoire that ranges from traditional marches to contemporary hits, the band members demonstrate their versatility and musical prowess.
Beyond the football field, the Kamiakin Pep Band keeps the energy high at various school events, including basketball games, pep rallies, and community gatherings. Whether it's pumping up the crowd with popular tunes or providing the soundtrack for school spirit, the Pep Band adds an extra layer of excitement and camaraderie to every occasion.
Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students in the Marching Band and Pep Band program at Kamiakin High School not only develop their musical skills but also learn the value of teamwork, discipline, and dedication. Through rehearsals, performances, and collaborative efforts, students forge lifelong friendships and create unforgettable memories.
The program welcomes students of all skill levels, providing opportunities for growth and personal development. Whether students are seasoned musicians or novices exploring their passion for music, the Kamiakin Marching Band and Pep Band offer a supportive and inclusive environment where every member can thrive.
At Kamiakin High School, the Marching Band and Pep Band program isn't just about making music—it's about fostering a sense of community, pride, and unity. Through their performances, these talented musicians inspire school spirit and leave a lasting impact on audiences, both within the school walls and beyond.
Anilee is a freshman at Kamiakan High School and has been a member of the KAHS marching band for one year. She’s played the trumpet for three years now and is also competent at the piano. Her favorite part of the band experience is the relationships and friendships you gain from it. Anilee understands that leadership is not just about leading and teaching, but also about being a good example and getting to know everyone. Her primary goal for the upcoming season is to bring the different sections together: the brass, woodwinds, percussion, pit, and color guard. She loves getting to know new people and making all kinds of friends. Anilee enjoys puzzling and hanging out with her chickens, as well as listening to music. If she could have a superpower, she would choose time manipulation so that she could spend more time doing the things she loves and have more time to get her to-do list done. Anilee is super excited for this marching band season and is looking forward to working with everyone to make it as great as possible!
My name is Ian Tymecki, I am a junior in the 2026-27 school year, and I have been a part of this ensemble for two years. I play the mellophone, trumpet, and French horn, with my primary instrument being the trumpet. I was previously the assistant trumpet section leader but at times, I was also the assistant high brass section leader. One thing I love about the performing arts or band is that everyone is a family and we all share fun and pain as a whole. Being a leader is very important and carries many different meanings. The most valuable of the bunch is knowing that being a leader is about serving the people for the people. As leaders, we are to support others with care, not order them. Outside of the band hall, I love participating in any sports or athletic activities. I also spend time with many friends, going on adventures, and having fun. If I had to choose a superpower I would choose Psychokinesis. Psychokinesis is the ability to manipulate things with your mind. Being able to move things with your mind would make life so much easier and it would be pretty cool.
Makynna Winden is a junior in the 2026 - 2027 school year at Kamiakin High School. This year will be her third year in the Brave marching band. Her first year, she marched trumpet, but that year’s winter guard season inspired her to join the guard. It will be her fourth guard season, and she has been captain for all of them. The most important part of being a leader to her is the ability to help everyone in need. She loves being outdoors or crafting. If she could have one superpower, it would be animal shapeshifting.
Emmaline is a sophomore, and this will be her second year in marching band and her third guard season. She first heard about Guard through one of her friends and has been in love with it ever since. To her, the most important part of being a leader is clear communication and support for other members. Emmaline is looking forward to strengthening bonds within her section and improving the guard’s skills. When she isn’t at rehearsal, Emmaline loves crocheting, playing viola, and reading various books. If she could have a superpower, she would choose to have the ability to grow plants at will. She is excited to share her passion with other members of the guard this season.
Dorothy is a sophomore at Kamiakin High School, starting her second year of Marching Band and fourth season of Guard. She has four older brothers who have all participated in and loved Marching Band, so she always knew she just had to be a part of it. As soon as she picked up a flag, Dorothy knew that she needed to join the guard. She was Assistant Captain of the Kamiakin Braves Winter Guard in her freshman year and absolutely loved it. Dorothy’s favorite part of leadership is teaching people new things and being able to see the Guard and Marching Band reach their potential. She’s excited to help the Guard grow in members and in skill. Her goal for this marching season is to solidify important foundational techniques that will improve the ensemble. In her free time, Dorothy also enjoys playing the cello and piano, crocheting, and watching movies! If she could choose any superpower to have, she would pick teleportation.
Hello, I’m Conner Michelson, and I play the Trombone. This year, I will be a senior, and Low Brass Captain. I have been a part of Kamiakin’s Performing Arts since my freshman year, and I honestly love the community that everyone has made. It really feels like everyone knows each other here. My goal for this year is to make low brass prominent with their place in the music, and have a fun time. When I’m not at school, I enjoy playing video games, having fun with friends, and game development. If I had any superpower, it would probably be teleportation. Let’s have a fun season, and a fun year!
Greetings, my name is Isaac Clark, and I am a senior here at Kamiakin High School. I play the trumpet, and I hold the position of High-brass section leader. I’ve been a part of the band here at Kamiakin for two years. Ever since I transferred from my hometown in Oklahoma. Last year, I held the position of Assistant drum major, and I also marched mellophone in my first year here. I believe in leading by example and making sure everyone is included. My goal for this year is to have a great last year with the band and to leave a legacy behind. If I could have any superpower I would love to have the ability of teleportation due to just how simple it would make life. Everything is about being on time and if you can get there in an instant you gain so much time with so little effort.
Clara Waite is a Junior who has been playing various woodwinds since middle school. The reason she has stayed in the band is because of the joy of knowing a piece, and the friends made along the way. After watching others lead, Clara is excited to help everyone grow in their own way. What Clara wants to do this year is bring the band together and give everyone a place to do their best. When not doing band things, her favorite activity is being in nature and exploring new hobbies. Clara is excited to see what this year brings. If I were to have any superpower, it would be to read anyone's mind at will.
Tanner is a Sophomore at Kamiakin High School and has been a member of the Marching Band program for 2 years. Throughout his time in the program, he has shown and grown his passion for musicianship and demonstrated a deep, valuable connection towards the Marching Band's needs and expectations.
Having served as a section leader back in his middle school years, Tanner views leadership as a role of building character, value, responsibility, service, and skill/talent. His main goal this upcoming season is to build a fun, positive environment around him and demonstrate the behaviors he expects from others to ensure that everyone is confident and proud in what they do. Outside of music, Tanner enjoys watching online videos and playing video games, but his favorite place to be is performing under the stage lights on concert days. He is honored to serve his purpose in this program with the amount he has experienced in his journey.
Yearly Question Answer: If I could have one superpower, it would be fire powers!
Hello, I’m Alaric, and I am a senior. I have been playing the clarinet for seven years and have been marching for all four years. Two things I want to improve this year are marching technique and visual clarity. I love band for how easy it is to bond with people, and the amazing memories with its great trips. Outside of Band and High school, I enjoy the outdoors, such as hiking and badminton. What leadership means to me as a person is the improvement of everyone, even if they are not in your section, musically, visually, technically, or more. If I had to pick a superpower, it would be the ability to manipulate atoms so I can have anything appear in my hands or move anything. With manipulating atoms, I will be the most powerful person and would save so much money on anything, such as renovations on a house or easily start a restaurant with such ability.
I have been apart of Kamiakin’s marching band for only one year but it was a remarkable year. I loved making the music and making new connections with others.
While I am pit section leader I hope to be able to work in some choreography for the pit since we meet get any. Also I really want to be able to foster the band family feeling. I love band because of the community, there’s no person that feels excluded. I am so incredibly excited for next year’s marching band show and can’t wait!
If I could have a superpower I would want to be able to teleport. I’d like to see the world whenever I wanted. Also it could help with timing, never having to wait for anything or anyone to go places.
Hi, my name is Fiona, but most call me fi or fifi! This is my 5th year playing flute and my third year in percussion! I’m a sophomore, and if I had to pick a superpower, I would want to have telekinesis because it seems like it would make life a lot easier! This isn’t my first time in leadership, as I was flute section leader for the symphony orchestra last year, and I have leadership in karate. I think that leadership is all about mutual respect and understanding! I know I look scary, but I swear I’m not!
Hi! My name is Max, and I’m a senior this year. This will be my fourth season in marching band, and I am so excited to be a drumline captain this year. I can’t wait to get to know everyone, make an amazing show, and absolutely cook during competitions. If I had one superpower, it would be teleportation because then I could go anywhere whenever. I hope to make this season my best one yet and have a run of the show where I don’t hit the rim on my quads at all.
Hi! My name is Kaelynn Epler, and I'm a Junior this year. I march in the drumline and play percussion in concert. I've marched with this band the past two years, and I'm so excited to be with everyone again. These people are everything to me; I want that for everyone else as well. When I'm not with the band, I'm probably watching a movie or baking. If I were able to have any superpower, I'd honestly just want the ability to cast spells or the creation and manipulation of light. I hope this can be the best year for the marching band so far, the way I know it can be with the people we have. I can't wait to march with everyone again!
Logistics Crews
Uniform Crew
Dorothy Jacob
Isaac Clark*
Ian Tymecki
Fiona freeman
Kaelynn Epler*
Makynna Winden*
Emmaline Stavenger
Tanner Khounnala
Field Crew
Conner Michelson
Alaric Gomez*
Bryce Rosas
Hinata Rawlins*
Emmaline Stavenger
Max Parker*
Anilee Lecheminant
Clara Waite
Dorothy Jacob
Kaelynn Epler
Nathan Hibbs
Loading Crew
Isaac Clark
Fiona Freeman*
Ian Tymecki*
Anilee Lecheminant
Bryce Rosas*
Makynna Winden
Conner Michelson
Alaric Gomez
Max Parker
Hinata Rawlins
Nathan Hibbs*
Library
Tanner Khounnala*
Clara Waite*
* = Head of crew
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education - Central Washington University
Masters of Arts in Music (Conducting) - Washington State University
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Jeremy holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Central Washington University and a Master’s of Arts degree in Conducting from Washington State University.
His primary instruments are the bassoon and saxophone, and he has played with many regional professional orchestras and wind ensembles across the Northwest. These ensembles include the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Oregon East Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Wind Symphony, Washington State University's Symphony Orchestra, WSU Wind Symphony, Central Washington University's Symphony Orchestra, Central Washington University Jazz Bands, and the CWU Wind Ensemble.
He recently completed his position as a graduate teaching assistant for the Washington State University Athletic Bands. In this position, he helped to support the Cougar Marching Band, two basketball pep bands, and one volleyball pep band. He was also a Drum Major and Director of Basketball Bands at Central Washington University from 2011-2014.
Jeremy has taught numerous middle and high school programs in the Yakima and Tri-Cities areas of Washington state since 2007. His marching experience includes the Bands of America Tournament of Roses Honor Band 2005, Central Washington University, and the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps. He was a staff member of both the visual and brass captions at the Cascades during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Since 2015, Jeremy has held various roles within the administration team, including administration assistant, tour director, and assistant director.
His high school and middle school teaching experience spans over 18 years in the Naches Valley, Granger, Kennewick, and Richland school districts. Teaching band, orchestra, guitar, choir, and general music has been a blessing to this director.
This is Mr. Bennett's fifth year at Kamiakin. He is excited to teach in his hometown and is happy to be raising his family in the area.
This is Joey's fifth year with the program.
Maddy Davis is a Kamiakin graduate who has her AA Degree and is currently attending WSU Tri-Cities, studying elementary education. She marched two years on piccolo and spun colorguard for six, including two seasons with the Columbians Drum and Bugle Corp, and danced for twelve years.
Maddy has also played the flute for eight years, alto saxophone for four years, piano for three, and has experience with other instruments, including guitar and violin. Her dream is to own her own colorguard and dance studio. She loves spending her free time dancing. When she is not dancing, she is with her friends, family, and/or cats.
This is Maddy's fourth year with the program
