Bill earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, and his Master of Music Education in Conducting from Wichita State University.  He served on the staff of Kansas Music Ambassadors for two European tours, was a staff member of the K101 Honor Marching Band in Woodward, Oklahoma, for six years, is a member of Kansas Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu - Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa, Kappa Psi - Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Beta Lambda - Honorary Professional Musicians Fraternity, and is currently the Assistant Jazz Chairman of the Kansas Music Educators Association.

Bill was the Director of Bands in Dodge City, Kansas, for 14 years during which time their bands traveled to Washington D.C., Orlando Florida, and Hollywood, California. They were also invited to perform at the Carnegie Hall High School Honors Concert Series in New York City as well as the 40^th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.

Bill was named "Outstanding Young Band Director" by the Kansas Bandmasters Association in 1994. His biography has been listed five times in the Who's Who Among America's Teachers as well as Who's Who in America. Already in his career, he is very active as an adjudicator, consultant, and guest conductor in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois.

Bill enjoys all things technical (when not directing a band). While he was working on his Masters Degree at WSU he was known as “Techno Bill” by the university staff and students for his abilities with their computers and sound equipment. Mr. Thomas has been a sound engineer for the Count Basie Big Band, the Divas Big Band, and contemporary Christian artist Rebecca St. James. He also works with Dr. Larry Blocher from Troy State University in Alabama producing music for the Out Back Bowl & Peach Bowl half time shows as well as the Morehead State University Marching Band in Kentucky and our very own Kansas State University Marching Band.

His wife, Becky, is the Choral Director at Sumner Academy in the Kansas City, KS school district.  He and Becky have taught in the same school for many years, co-producing many musicals and other concerts throughout their time together. They have twins, Preston and Brianna, who will be attending Shawnee Mission West very soon. They are both actively involved in music just like their parents.

Brandon Draper holds a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Arts in Percussion from Bethany College. He has taught and arranged percussion at Eldorado High School, Manzano High School, and Rio Rancho High School in Albuquerque, NM. He has been a clinician at many summer music camps in Kansas and New Mexico and is part of the Vic Firth Education Team.

He has performed in many classical settings including The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and can be heard on the Summit label recording Illuminations featuring Joe Alessi, principal trombonist with the New York Philharmonic, and the UNM Wind Symphony. Brandon has performed with Ottmar Liebert , John Fedchock, Bobby Shew, Frank Mantooth, Mose Allison, Anthony Braxton, Bruce Dunlap, Kenny Werner, Robin Eubanks, Eddie Daniels, and Kevin Hays.

Jay Miller is an active performer and educator in the Kansas City area. He is presently teaching private lessons at Shawnee Mission West.  He focuses on both individual lessons and ensemble teaching.

In the spring of 2008, Jay graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in percussion performance, from Fort Hays University. During his time there he traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal to focus his studies on Tabla playing. He has performed with many groups throughout the Hays and Salina area.

Jay has experience working with musicals, concert band, string academies, percussion ensembles, orchestras, world percussion groups, jazz bands and many more. His most recently venture was with Royal Caribbean Cruise lines as a drummer for the main stage. While on the cruise line, he drummed for performers such as Lenny Welch, Judy Kolba, Julie Grace, stage productions, Broadway singers to tribute groups. Jay would like to maintain an active career both performing and sharing his knowledge and talents with his students in his private studio. He also works at Mattress Warehouse during the day.

Erin is a former West dancer and graduate of Shawnee Mission West. She attended the University of Kansas and received a Bachelor’s in Social Work and then attended Rockhurst University for her Master’s in Elementary Education. Erin was born in Des Moines, Iowa and grew up in Lenexa, Kansas. She now lives in the Overland Park area. Aside from teaching and coaching, she enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, being outdoors, watching KU basketball, and spending time with her family and friends.