Directors & Staff

MR. BRANDON BUTERBAUGH

Director of Bands

Brandon Buterbaugh is currently in his seventh year as the Director of Bands at Hershey High School in the Derry Township School District (Hershey, PA). At Hershey, he directs the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Trojan Marching Band, and Jazz Band. Ensembles under Brandon’s direction have consistently received Highest Ratings at PMEA Music Performance Assessments. The Hershey HS Wind Symphony was invited to perform at both the 2025 PMEA All-State Conference and the West Chester University’s East Meets West Invitational Concert.

As a performer, Mr. Buterbaugh is a member of the Berks Sinfonietta Chamber Orchestra and Messiah Winds. Past engagements have included the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, the Ringgold Band of Reading, Berks Opera, and the Morgantown Community Orchestra. He freelances in the Reading/Harrisburg Region and maintains a private brass studio in Palmyra. Mr. Buterbaugh also serves as the sixth Music Director of the Lebanon Community Concert Band. 

Mr. Buterbaugh holds a BME from Penn State University, Master’s Degree in Trombone Performance from West Virginia University, and a Master’s Degree in Wind Conducting from Messiah University. While at West Virginia University, Brandon was a Graduate Assistant with the West Virginia University Bands, including three concert ensembles, the Basketball and Volleyball Pep Bands, and the 350-member WVU Mountaineers Marching Band - The Pride of West Virginia. 

Brandon currently serves as President of the Dauphin County Music Educators Association, the Festival Coordinator for PMEA District 7, and is a member on the Board of Directors for Berks Sinfonietta Chamber Orchestra (Reading, PA) where he serves as the Marketing Designer. His other professional affiliations include Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, and International Trombone Association.

MRS. KAITLIN OBIELECKI

Assistant Director of Marching Band

Hershey Elementary Band Director

Mrs. Obielecki is the Director of Bands at Hershey Elementary School, where she directs 4th grade band, 5th grade band, and 5th grade jazz band. Mrs. Obielecki holds a degree in Music Education from Indiana University of PA, a Masters in Instructional Technology Administration from Wilkes University, and a Masters of Music Education from The University of the Arts of Philadelphia. 

Mrs. Obielecki started her career as a middle school general music and choir teacher for Pen Argyl Area School District in the Allentown/East Stroudsburg area. She taught there for 5 years, and was also the high school musical production director. Following PAASD, Mrs. Obielecki worked from Williamsport Area School District teaching elementary band for 2 schools, middle school choir and musicals, and was on the high school marching band staff. 

Mrs. Obielecki has been with Derry Township School District for eight years and aside from teaching elementary band she is the assistant director of the marching band and vocal director for the high school musical. 

When she is not teaching, Mrs. Obielecki loves spending time with her husband, Nick, and son, Oliver. She is also an avid reader and likes to travel. 

MISS GRACE YOUNG

Hershey Middle School Band Director

Miss Grace Young is the Director of Bands and 7th Grade General Music Teacher at Hershey Middle School, where she directs 6th-8th grade bands, Jazz in Blue, Jazz in Orange, and teaches the 7th Grade General Music course. Miss Young holds a B.S. in Music Education-Instrumental and a B.A. in Music-Flute from Lebanon Valley College and is actively obtaining her M.M.E.- Master of Music Education-Instrumental from Messiah University. While at LVC, Miss Young studied with Michelle Barraclough (flute), Johannes Dietrich (violin), and Shelly Moorman-Stahlman (organ). In Spring 2023, Miss Young traveled with the LVC Symphony Orchestra on a tour of Europe traveling to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, performing concerts along the way. During her senior year, Miss Young was able to accomplish the feat of performing not one, but two senior recitals, one on flute and one on organ, after successfully completing two junior recitals on both instruments as well. 

Before coming to Derry Township, Miss Young taught for two years in the Pine Grove Area School District teaching 5th-8th grade Chorus, Band, and General Music. She also served as the Choir Director for four years for Quentin United Church of Christ in her hometown of Lebanon. 

In her free time, Miss Young has an active career and hobby in musical theatre, having performed with both Lebanon Community Theatre and Hershey Area Playhouse. Most recently, starring as Sandy Cheeks in Lebanon Community Theatre’s production of “The SpongeBob Musical” and as Amanda/Sharon in locally written musical, “Lemonade!” during a playwright's week with Hershey Area Playhouse. She has also spent much time behind the scenes of theatre serving as a vocal/music/pit director or performing as a pit musician, having performed in pits for various local high schools and with Hershey Area Playhouse. 

Miss Young resides in Harrisburg city where she lives with her two cats (both named for theatrical roles). 

MR. GRANT BROWN

Percussion Instructor

Mr. Grant T. Brown (pictured on right) is a percussion designer, arranger, and educator based in southern York County, Pennsylvania. He serves as the Director of Percussion for Hershey High School, overseeing the marching percussion programs for both the fall outdoor marching band and winter indoor competitive percussion ensemble. Grant assumed this role in the winter of 2022, though he has been involved with these ensembles in varying capacities since the fall 2021 season.  

The ‘music bug’ first bit Grant at the young age of four years old. He would put on concerts in his parents kitchen using wooden spoons on pots and pans until they bought him his first drumset at age 6. His interest and passion for music and drumming only grew from there, and Grant played his first paid gig as a musician at age 7. Grant has been active in the concert and marching percussion world since that time as a performer, arranger, and designer. 

In addition to Hershey High School, Grant has also worked with Spring Grove High School (York, PA), and Dover Area High School (York, PA) where he also currently serves as Percussion Director, arranger, and audio consultant for the performing arts organizations. Ensembles under Grant’s instruction have performed across multiple competitive circuits including KIDA and TIA, and at venues in Honolulu, New Orleans, Wildwood, NJ, and Williamsburg, VA.  

Grant holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University, and has also completed additional studies through New York University’s Steinhardt School of Music, Masterclasses with Ian Grom, and the educator series presented by Frank Troyka and The Blue Devils performing arts organization. In addition to writing and teaching, Grant is an in-demand percussion accompanist – including the resident percussionist for the York County Honors Choir organization – and plays for various regional and community theaters and houses of worship. He lives in and maintains a private studio in southern York County, and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society. 

MRS. ANGEL LACEY

Color Guard Instructor

Angel is the Color Guard Instructor at Hershey High School, where she has been part of the program since 2020. She brings experience from performing with several color guard programs ranging from the high school level to the senior class level.

Angel holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Science, as well as a Master’s in Secondary Mathematics Education, both from Millersville University. She currently teaches high school math at Penn Manor High School, where she has been since 2022. In addition to teaching, Angel serves as a mentor with Advantage Lancaster for the School District of Lancaster and works with individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities with Friendship Community.

MS. JASMINE SMITH

Assistant Color Guard Instructor

Jasmine is the Assistant Color Guard instructor at Hershey High School, where she has been part of the program since 2026. She has experience from performing in multiple groups over a variety of levels since 2008 and has been part of staffing for technical, design and consultation since 2013.

Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry as well as a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from Cedar Crest College. She is currently a Core Research Technologist at Penn State College of Medicine.

In addition to Hershey High School, Jasmine also coaches Color Guard at Elizabethtown Middle and High School.

MS. MAGGIE VANBRAKLE

Woodwind Instructor

Maggie is the Woodwind Instructor for the Hershey High School Trojan Marching Band. She is a proud Hershey High School alumni and has been on the marching band staff since 2019. Maggie holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Penn State University, as well as a Master's of Music Education with a focus on Trauma-Informed Practices from Elizabethtown College. She currently teaches kindergarten and 1st grade general music in the West York Area School District.

MRS. NICOLA BURKE

Brass Instructor