SLADE PRESLEY DENMAN, DIRECTOR OF BANDS
E-MAIL: sdenman@ashland.edu
PHONE: 740-607-4300
YEAR: Second in 2026-27
PREVIOUS COLLEGE: Ohio University '16, '20; University of North Texas (ABD)
AT ASHLAND UNIVERSITY
- Denman is in his second year as Ashland University’s Director of Bands. He conducts the Symphonic Band and Marching Band, leads the pep band, and teaches courses in music education and conducting.
- He is also the founder, artistic director, and conductor of the Mountain Arts Center Wind Orchestra in Prestonsburg, Ky.
BEFORE ASHLAND UNIVERSITY
- Served as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Pikeville (Ky.). He directed the Concert Band and Marching Band and oversaw the Rock Band and Jazz Band.
- Was Professor of Instrumental Studies at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. He conducted the Wind Ensemble and Ram Band and taught conducting and music education.
- At the University of North Texas, taught undergraduate conducting, led the Concert and University Bands, and served as teaching fellow for the Green Brigade Marching Band and Pep Band.
- Was Director of Bands at Allen East Local Schools in Harrod, Ohio, and the district’s only instrumental music teacher. He served 250 music students in a district of 600 and started its first jazz band and piano lab program.
- Led the 150-member Mustang Marching Brass to its 10th consecutive Best in Show award at the Kewpee Showcase of Bands, which made it the winningest band in the event’s history.
- At Ohio University, worked extensively with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, University Band, and Marching 110. He wrote drill and arrangements and helped run rehearsals and events.
PERSONAL
- Denman is a native of Zanesville, Ohio.
- He is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at North Texas, studying with Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Andrew Trachsel, and Daniel Cook.
- He earned his Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from Ohio University, where he studied with Andrew Trachsel, William Talley, and Richard Suk.
- He is an active conductor, pianist, and saxophonist, and is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor.
- His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, International Conductors Guild, Kentucky Music Educators Association, New Horizons International Music Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and the Midwest Clinic.
VALERIE HENRY, FEATURE TWIRLER ADVISOR
E-MAIL: vhenry@ashland.edu
PHONE: 567-224-0750
PHONE: 25th at Ashland University
OTHER COACHING EXPERIENCE: Feature Twirler Coach at Willard High School 2020-2022, Red Marauders Co-Director 2012-2022, Red Marauders Head Director 2022-Present
TWIRLING EXPERIENCE: Valerie R. Henry has been involved with baton twirling her whole life. Her mother, Barb Pfaff was the director of the Red Marauders Baton Corps., in Willard, Ohio. Henry grew up twirling competitively and has won many individual State, Regional and National titles. Henry was a majorette and feature twirler at Willard High School. After graduating high school, she became the Feature Twirler at Ashland University from 1996-2000. After graduating from Ashland University in 2001 she was hired by Mr. Len Salvo to be the Feature Twirler Advisor at Ashland University. Henry is in her 25th year as the advisor, coach and choreographer for the Ashland University Feature Twirlers.
PERSONAL: Henry works for Willard City Schools, and is the director of the Red Marauders Baton Team. She also teaches private lessons for baton students from the age of 5 all the way up to college age students. Henry resides in Willard, Ohio with her husband, Terry. They have three children together, Haley, Landon and Grayson. They also have two cats, Pip and Leo.
MATTHEW DIEHL, PERCUSSION ADVISOR
E-MAIL: mdiehl2@ashland.edu
PREVIOUS COLLEGE: Akron ‘17, Indiana ‘19
AT ASHLAND UNIVERSITY
- Diehl serves as Percussion Advisor for the Ashland University Marching Band, where he writes the band’s custom percussion parts.
- In addition to his AU role, he is the music teacher at Summit Academy in Canton, Ohio, where he teaches steel drum to students in grades 9-12.
PERSONAL
- Diehl earned a bachelor’s degree in percussion performance from the University of Akron in 2017.
- He earned a master’s degree in percussion performance from Indiana University in 2019.
2026-27 ROSTER
| First Name |
Last Name |
Instrument |
| Isabel |
Brenneman |
Piccolo |
| Asethe |
Goble |
Piccolo |
| Alyssa |
Pandrea |
Piccolo |
| Autumn |
Nolletti |
Clarinet |
| Kandyce |
Abbott |
Clarinet |
| Hannah |
Yu |
Alto Saxophone |
| Devin |
Marsh |
Alto Saxophone |
| Auria |
Reyna |
Alto Saxophone |
| Geordan |
Wheitner |
Trumpet |
| Adam |
Policz |
Trumpet |
| Samuel |
Wallace |
Trumpet |
| Anthony |
Reyna |
Mellophone |
| JJ |
Bechtler |
Mellophone |
| Sam |
Plank |
Mellophone |
| Maverick |
Beasley |
Trombone |
| Jake |
Dean |
Trombone |
| Taylor |
Schlosser |
Trombone |
| Diwash |
Rizal |
Baritone |
| Gabby |
Grabowski |
Sousaphone |
| Sheldon |
Stotts |
Sousaphone |
| Jackson |
Policz |
Sousaphone |
| Zachary |
Johnston |
Snare Drum |
| Marcus |
Miller |
Snare Drum |
| Lauryn |
Stover |
Cymbals |
| Gabe M. |
Murawski |
Quads |
| Elizabeth |
Murawski |
Cymbals |
| Landon |
Harvey |
Snare Drum |
| Zachery |
Hotz |
Bass Drum |
| James |
Barrows |
Bass Drum |
| Dylan |
Darlak |
Bass Drum |
| Zoe |
Ritchie |
Bass Drum |
| Briana |
Ewalt |
Twirler |
| Marissa |
Lewis |
Twirler |
| Eiley |
McCardel |
Twirler |
| Saylor |
Starkey |
Guard |
| Haylee |
Vernon |
Guard |
| Rachel |
Clymer |
Guard |
| Autumn |
Miller |
Guard |
| Adi |
Viers |
Guard |
| Sarah |
Winzer |
Guard |
| Edyta |
Decapite |
Guard |
