Marching Band Staff
Embedded Files
George Tepshich - Director
Kelly West - Assistant Director
Ryan Kinzler - Assistant Director
Kristin Tepshich - Assistant Director
Jake Swick - Drumline
John West - Battery & Front Ensemble Tech
Alexa Stewart - Dance Team
Rachel Zacharias - Majorettes
Michael LaBella - Colorguard
Casey Burgh - Front Ensemble Camp Tech
Milan George Tepshich, M.Ed - Director of Bands
Milan George Tepshich, M.Ed - Director of Bands
Milan George Tepshich, known to students as "Mr. T," is the Director of Bands at Shaler Area High School and serves as the Music Department Co-Chair for grades 7–12. He leads the Shaler Area Marching Band and teaches a variety of courses, including Honors Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II, Honors Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Music Theory.
Under his leadership, the Shaler Area Marching Band, Concert Bands, and Jazz Ensembles consistently earn top honors at regional and national competitions. The Marching Band has performed at prestigious events such as the Magic Kingdom Parade at Walt Disney World, the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., the International NATO Parade of Nations in Norfolk, Virginia, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City.
Mr. Tepshich is an active member of NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Education Association), and is the Past President of the Allegheny Valley Band Association. His students regularly audition for and perform in PMEA, NAfME, and Allegheny Valley honors ensembles.
He earned his B.A. in Music Education with a concentration in percussion performance from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and holds a Master of Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Tepshich, a Shaler Alumni, is the Shaler Area High School Choir Director as well as the Assistant Marching Band Director. Mrs. Tepshich graduated from Duquesne University with a B.A. in Music Education and a concentration in piano and vocal performance and a Masters of Education from Edinboro University.
Mrs. West is the Shaler Area Elementary School Choir Director/General Music Teacher and Assistant Marching Band Director. Mrs. West graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Music Education and a concentration in french horn and completed her Masters of Music Technology from the University of Valley Forge in August, 2016.
Ryan Kinzler - Assistant Director
Ryan Kinzler - Assistant Director
Mr. Kinzler is a Shaler Area Middle School Mathematics Teacher and the Assistant Marching Band Director. Mr. Kinzler graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in Secondary Education-Mathematics and a minor in Special Education, as well as being a member of the Pennsylvania State University Marching Blue Band. He also earned his Masters in Educational Leadership from Arizona State.
Alexa Stewart - Dance Team Sponsor
Alexa Stewart - Dance Team Sponsor
Ms. Stewart, a Shaler Area Alumni, is a history teacher at Shaler Area Middle School as well as the Dance Team Sponsor. Ms. Stewart was a member of the dance team when she attended Shaler Area High School. Ms. Stewart graduated from Duquesne University with a B.S. in Elementary Education and went on to receive her middle-level certificate add-on. She is earning a master’s degree in educational psychology from PennWest University.
Rachel Zacharias - Majorette Sponsor
Rachel Zacharias - Majorette Sponsor
Miss Zacharias, an alumni of Shaler Area, is the majorettes sponsor. She was a Shaler Majorette all 4 years of high school. Miss Zacharias graduated from Slippery Rock University with a B.S in education where she was also the co-captain of the Slippery Rock University Twirlers. She is now an English as a Second Language teacher.
Michael LaBella - Color Guard Sponsor
Michael LaBella - Color Guard Sponsor
Michael LaBella holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Bassoon, along with minors in Chamber Music Performance, Music History, and Special Education. He has worked with competitive ensembles such as the Norwin High School Marching Band and served as an assistant with the Blackhawk High School Winter Guard. A proud graduate of Shaler Area, Michael is excited to return to his alma mater as a teacher within the district. In addition to his teaching role, he also serves as the Stage Manager for Shaler Area High School.
John West - Drum Line & Front Ensemble Tech
John West - Drum Line & Front Ensemble Tech
Mr. West is the Shaler Area High School Drumline Tech. Over the last 15 years, he has worked with many Drumline's throughout the state of Pennsylvania including Upper Moreland, Cumberland Valley, Gateway, Kiski and Shaler. He also marched with the Glassmen Drum Corps. Mr. West is a graduate of Penn State Mont Alto.
Jake Swick - Drum Line
Jake Swick - Drum Line
Jake serves as the Shaler marching band's drumline sponsor and indoor percussion director, with a percussion career spanning back to 2010. A graduate of Norwin High School and Saint Vincent College, he accumulated 10 plus years of marching experience, including serving as the drumline captain for three years at Saint Vincent College.
Since 2022, Jake has been an active instructor and arranger in western Pennsylvania, directing the Saint Vincent College drumline and working with multiple schools, including Elizabeth Forward High School. He joined the Shaler team in 2025 and remains an active percussion arranger throughout the greater Pittsburgh area."
Casey Burgh - Front Ensemble
Casey Burgh - Front Ensemble
Miss Burgh is the Drumline Front Ensemble sponsor.
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