STAFF BIOGRAPHIES
Ian Faires - Director
Ian M. Faires, from Charlotte, NC, is a 1999 graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Music Education.
While at Appalachian State University, Ian marched with North Carolina’s Band of Distinction. He became a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity in 1996 and served as Secretary, Parliamentarian and Service Coordinator. He was awarded the Fraternity Key while serving in these capacities for exemplary service to the bands at Appalachian. Ian was also a member of the Wind Ensemble, Appalachian Symphony, the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Steely Pan Steel Band, Men’s Glee Club and Tri-Fraternal Council.
Ian began his teaching career in Charlotte-Mecklenburg teaching 5th grade band at nine different elementary schools in the University area. After a short stint, Ian moved to Mooresville Graded School District to teach at Mooresville Intermediate School as an elementary music/band director. He also served as Assistant Band Director at Mooresville High School with the “Pride In Motion Band” for 5 years. While at Mooresville Intermediate School, his 6th grade band consistently received “Superior” ratings at contest. Ian then moved to Porter Ridge High and Middle School in 2005. Since the inception of the schools, both Middle and High Schools have received numerous accolades at the community, district and state levels.
Ian is currently in his 9th year of teaching, 4th at Porter Ridge. In his spare time, Ian is service accompanist at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Weddington, NC. He is a member of MENC (Music Educator’s National Conference), NCMEA, and Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Stephanie Tomberline - Director
Ms. Stephanie Tomberlin graduated from Wingate College in 1993 with a Bachelor of Music Education K-12. She is currently serving as band director at Porter Ridge Middle and High Schools in Union County North Carolina and has been in this position since the establishment of the schools in 2005. Prior to this position, she taught at Monroe Middle and High Schools for eleven years. During her 16 years of teaching, Ms. Tomberlin’s middle school bands have continually received excellent and superior ratings at the North Carolina State District Contest/Festival, with the past 11 years being consecutive superior ratings.
Ms. Tomberlin has served as an adjudicator in the Eastern and Northwest Districts as well as a clinician for several County and District Bands in North Carolina. In 2001, Ms. Tomberlin was named as “Teacher of the Year” for Monroe Middle School. She has a very strong passion for teaching music and works hard to help others as much as possible. With this, she has been serving as a mentor teacher for her schools since 1998.
Ms. Tomberlin is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the South Central District Band Association, and the Union County Band Association. She has just recently been accepted into the membership of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) for the North Carolina Chapter as well as being accepted into the National level of ASBDA.
On a personal note, Ms. Tomberlin resides in Monroe, NC where she lives happily with her daughter Kayla, dog Paco, and cat Shadow. She spends her free time playing racquetball and spending quality time with Kayla. Racquetball is her means of staying physically fit as well as relieving stress.
Micael Rogers - Musical Arrangements
Brian McMath - Marching Drill Writer
Scott Thomas - Marching Percussion Arranger
Andrew Blair - Front Ensemble Arranger
Bridget Burrows - Woodwind Technician
Kayla Cockerham - Brass Technician
Eric Bowlby - Marching Technician
Matthew Andrade - Percussion Instructor
Emerald Johnson - Colorguard Instructor
Cassady Tetsworth - Colorguard Instructor