Kuntal grew up in Cary, NC, studying percussion with Eric Okamoto, Tom Hauschild, and Wayne Viar. Kuntal continued to study with Lynn Glassock and Matt Savage at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in percussion performance. Kuntal is the Percussion Director & Arranger at Enloe High School, battery staff for Green Hope High School, and now the Battery Caption Head & Arranger for Alchemy Independent. Kuntal’s students have gone on to achieve success in many college programs and world-class DCI & WGI groups. While at UNC-CH, Kuntal performed as the principal percussionist with the UNC Symphony Orchestra, a featured soloist for the UNC Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Captain of the Marching Tar Heels for three years, and was awarded the UNC Bands’ Director’s Award in 2012. In 2013, Kuntal continued to serve as the Assistant Instructor of the UNC Drumline under Matt Savage. Kuntal marched snare for Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps in 2010 under the direction of the legendary Jim Mason. As a Madison Scout, he was honored to learn from Thom Hannum, Nick Angelis, and Brian Perez, along with many others. Kuntal was privileged to perform with the 75th Anniversary Corps of Brothers in the 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Kuntal has also been the lead drummer for the Natkhat Indian Cultural Group since 2007 and is a founder and owner of Carolina Indian Arts. Kuntal currently works in the clinical research research in the Triangle area and continues to teach at Enloe, Green Hope, and Alchemy Independent. Kuntal is proudly endorsed by Dynasty USA, Sabian Cymbals, Beetle Percussion, and is an Evans Drumheads educator.
Casey Sagolla-Slamp Front Ensemble Caption Head and Arranger
Casey Sagolla-Slamp is a freelance percussionist, arranger and educator residing in Raleigh, North Carolina. Casey earned a B.M. in percussion performance from James Madison University, studying with C. William Rice, Dr. Michael Overman and Marlon Foster. While at JMU, Casey performed with the Wind Symphony, Brass Band, Steel Drum Band, Marching Royal Dukes and Percussion Ensemble. Casey performed in the 2014 Macy's Day Parade with the Marching Royal Dukes and a year later performed for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. He was also featured, performing David J. Long's "Spirits" in Vic Firth's performance spotlight, as the JMU percussion ensemble timpanist. In 2012, Casey marched with the Cadets 2 Drum and Bugle Corps as a marimbist in the front ensemble. He then returned the following year and served as the front ensemble section leader. As a freelance percussionist, Casey has performed with the Carolina Philharmonic, Raleigh Symphony Orchestra, Durham Symphony Orchestra, Tar River Orchestra, Triangle Brass Band, Mifflin Guard Fife and Drum Corps, National Capital Brass Band and the United States Army Field Band. He has also performed at several state and national conferences, including the College Band Directors National Conference, Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, North American Brass Band Association Championships, Great American Brass Band Festival and the McCormick Marimba Festival. Casey won 2nd place in the 2018 North American Brass Band Association Percussion Solo Competition. Recently, he was commissioned to write a percussion ensemble piece for sculptor, Wayne Vaughn. His piece, “Steel Mask,” was premiered in June 2018 in Graham, North Carolina. Casey is currently the Director of Bands at Washington GT Magnet Elementary School and the concert percussion/front ensemble instructor at William G. Enloe GT Magnet High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is also the front ensemble caption head for Alchemy Percussion and a front ensemble instructor for Green Hope High School and 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to his marching arts positions, Casey serves as the director of the Triangle Youth Percussion Ensemble. Casey is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and an artist endorser for Artifact Percussion, Dynasty USA, and Sabian Ltd.
Jack Fry Alchemy Independent - Visual Caption Head
Jack is a Music Industry Operations and Marketing graduate from East Carolina University. Focusing on marching percussion and marketing promotions for the marching arts, Jack is an independent contractor for Beetle Percussion focusing on artist relations, social media management, and content creation.⠀ ⠀ Highly respected, well spoken and conscientious regarding the music industry, music education, social media and product promotion. Experience includes marching snare Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps in 2013 and 2015 for their productions E=MC & Inferno. Jack also participated in one year of WGI playing snare for Forza East Independent Open in 2013. Jack has been teaching several NC schools since he graduated from Enloe High School in 2012. Jack has also taught more than 40 separate private students online and in person. Recently, Jack has been ok the Visual Staff with the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps for the 2017 & 2018 seasons.