Staff Biographies

The talented instructors of the Bridgemen Alumni Corps have varied experience but a single-minded goal of turning out the best possible product within the Bridgemen style. Their dedication to crafting an entertaining and demanding show has challenged us to reach inside ourselves to make our shows as entertaining for the audience as they are for the performers.

BRASS INSTRUCTORS

These hornline experts bring years of experience to our rehearsals and have helped us grow as marching horn performers. By emphasizing technique, precision, and musicality, they have pushed our level of showmanship to new heights. Our brass improves annually thanks to their dedication.

LARRY KERCHNER, Brass Arranger

Larry was first a brass player with the famed Blue Rock Drum & Bugle Corps of Wilmington, Delaware in the early 1960s. They are most fondly remembered for playing "Baby Elephant Walk" in their heyday. Larry became the "wonder child"; of the corps for progressing from playing soprano, french horn, mellophone, and contra to arranging new, influential music for them. Along the way, he designed and used the first Flugelhorn bugle. He spent 10 years with Blue Rock, helping them attain national prominence. In time, he decided to pursue a formal music education and tried his hand elsewhere.

Larry moved from one black & gold corps to another when he was invited to begin arranging for and teaching the St. Andrew's Bridgemen in the early 1970s. He furthered St. Andrew's already strong brass line with challenging charts like "William Tell Overture", "My Favorite Things", and "Free". But it was the Bridgemen makeover in 1976 that propelled his writing to new heights, freeing him to explore new avenues of entertainment. His classic charts for the Bridgemen have included "Pagliacci", "Land of Make Believe", "Ritual Fire Dance/Sabre Dance", "Harlem Nocturne", "Spanish Dreams", "In The Stone", and "Thunder & Blazes". These charts are still in demand by many corps and bands to this day for their entertainment value and technically challenging parts.

Larry has written and/or taught over 120 corps, while writing in a variety of genres including classical, latin, jazz, pop, rock, soundtracks. And has even written for The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

He has arranged for and instructed some of the most influential corps of the activity including Blue Rock, Bridgemen junior corps, Hawthorne Muchachos, Royal Brigade, Crossmen, Star of Indiana, Troopers, Sky Ryders, Pioneer, Spirit of Newark, Caballeros, Skyliners, Bushwackers, Reilly Raiders Alumni Corps, The Renegades, Caballeros Alumni, Yankee Rebels Alumni, Music Express, U.S. Naval Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, and Bridgemen Alumni.

As a music and horn judge, he has evaluated drum corps and bands for the Middle Atlantic, Bay State, Cavalcade of Bands, and other judging associations.

Larry has over 300 compositions published and was a Grammy Award Nominee. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2000, the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2001, and the New Jersey Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2006.

PERCUSSION INSTRUCTORS

These drumline experts are Bayonne veterans committed to the "Bridgemen attitude."; Their years of experience in this corps and others make them invaluable in shaping our percussion section into disciplined, aggressive drummers who add the rhythmic backbone as well as musical colors and textures to our show.

DENNIS DELUCIA, Percussion Arranger/Program Coordinator

Dennis has had an extraordinary list of accomplishments in his many years in the activity. Dennis is one of the most renowned percussion arrangers, teachers, clinicians, and judges in North America. He has an admirable work ethic and inspires his drummers to aim high. He is committed to excellence and expects his drummers to reach their potential instead of falling short. This determination, coupled with a gifted insight into music, have had a lasting impact on his students, his drumlines, and the activity as a whole. He has been inducted into both the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame and the Drum Corps International (DCI) Hall of Fame, the first percussionist to achieve this honor.

Dennis began his drumming experience in Bergenfield, NJ back in 1955 under the tutelage of Dr. Bernard Baggs and Bobby Thompson: these well-known, well-loved percussionists set Dennis on a lifelong pursuit of musicianship and excellence.

He marched in a drum corps for just one year; coincidentally the same corps that the creative genius Bobby Hoffman began in! He was in HS band for six years, and the West Point Band "Hellcats"; for 2 years. He is a self-taught drumset player and marching percussion arranger. His college major was in Economics, with minor studies in Psychology and Comparative Theology. He dabbled in the men's clothing business as a buyer/executive before pursuing his talent.

Dennis began instructing and arranging for the Hawthorne Muchachos, the junior corps wing of the famed Caballeros, in 1970. Dennis' diligence paid off as the drumline improved under his guidance and began to gain national recognition. The smooth latin rhythms of the Muchachos made them a crowd favorite and Dennis' drumline was soon on par with their strong hornline. The Muchachos were in shooting distance of the DCI crown in 1975 but fell short. In time their star would fade but they are remembered fondly for their entertainment value.

Under the urging of show coordinator/drill designer Bobby Hoffman (the creative mastermind of the Bridgemen makeover) Dennis cast his lot with the man who was engineering a bold new experiment in drum corps entertainment. Bobby intended to move the Bridgemen away from the militaristic style that defined corps of that era and embark on a journey: to make corps shows far more accessible and enjoyable to audiences than they had ever been before. But still challenge the players to reach inside themselves and turn out the best performances they could achieve.

Dennis set to work in Bayonne breathing new life into the Bridgemen drumline and turning its fortunes around. The new style of the Bridgemen was more flexible, playful, and creative. In the years that followed, their musical choices, show style, and determination to "Give it all you got"; would revolutionize the activity. Dennis took some strong drum players under his wing who would, in time, become instrumental to the Bridgemen drumline's success at the turn of the decade: Bob Dubinski and Pat Scollin. Dennis was left speechless when his dream of top drum honors finally came home to Bayonne in 1980. This win in Birmingham, Alabama opened up a drum dynasty of wins for the Bridgemen drumline that would last three years, until 1982.

Other drumlines were part of his success as Dennis masterminded the turnaround of Fantasia III (Class 1 junior corps, as the division was known at the time) and the Sunrisers (senior corps) as well. 1981 is arguably the pinnacle of Dennis' success in the drum corps activity when the Bridgemen, Fantasia III, and the Sunrisers achieved all three classes of drum corps high drum honors at season's end. This remarkable achievement has been called Dennis Delucia's ";Triple Crown"; and has not been equaled since.

In time, the Bridgemen junior corps' star would fade, but Dennis stayed on for as long as he could. Dennis went on to teach and arrange for other great groups in the years to come including Star of Indiana, The Caballeros, as well as countless marching bands. Plus he served as show coordinator for The Crossmen in 1992 when they achieved their highest placing at DCI Finals. He has racked up sixteen championship High Percussion titles in his percussion career.

He has four books in print and conducts percussion clinics/workshops in 41 states and six countries. Presently, Dennis serves on the task force for WGI Indoor Percussion, is an Associate Professor of Percussion at Rutgers University in NJ (since 1996), teaches at Piscataway High School in NJ, and serves as an educational consultant/clinician for Yamaha Corporation of America, SABIAN Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth, Inc., Row-Loff Productions, and Pro-Mark sticks.

Since 1994, he is best known as a DCI commentator for the broadcast of junior corps championships. Dennis has been to every DCI Championship since its inception in 1972, and is uniquely qualified to bring new insight into DCI corps performances for spectators. Dennis relishes the opportunity to entertain drum corps fans and help draw new fans into the activity with the broadcast into Regal Cinema theaters.

His wife Rene is also a drum corps alumnus, having marched with the Garfield Cadets hornline in 1977 before coming to the Bridgemen as a color guard member, then instructing after she aged out. Rene and Dennis have been married since 1985 and make their home in New Jersey. Their daughter, Chelsea, also follows the drum corps activity, plays bass drum with the Bridgemen Alumni, and will be college-bound in September 2007.

Dennis returned to the Bridgemen when the new corps began anew in 2004. Besides arranging the drumline charts and instructing, he is actively involved with choosing our music, in concert with Larry Kerchner and management, for how best to plot the Bridgemen's course in the new era.

BOB DUBINSKI, Percussion Tech

Bob "Dubie"; Dubinski began performing with the celebrated Garfield Cadets in 1970. He graduated to percussion section leader in 1973, having demonstrated his devotion to his craft. In 1974, he was named "Cadet of the Year"; for his unswerving loyalty to the corps. He marched with "Holy Name"; through 1976.

In 1977, Bob took a job at Collins Music Company, where Dennis Delucia (famed arranger/instructor for the Hawthorne Muchachos) worked as a salesman. Dennis saw something special in Bob and offered him a job with "the bananas."; Bob joined the ranks of the Bayonne Bridgemen as a drum instructor and joined a team that would become renowned in drum corps circles for building one of the greatest drumlines in the history of the activity. Bob was, and still is, a very motivational instructor. He brings a fiery intensity to rehearsals and expects drummers in his line to settle for nothing less than perfection. Bob was a driving force in helping the Bridgemen drumline achieve the High Drumline trophies of 1980-1982, and helping to keep the Bridgemen drumline in the thick of things. Plus he wrote the music for the pit from 1978-1984. Bob urged the drummers under his charge to "Read the poem each night."; This poem, called "The Man In the Glass,"; challenged each member to reach inside themselves to achieve their greatest goals.

In 1978, Bob completed his B.A. in Music Education from Kean College of New Jersey. That year, he also took on the role of Band Director for Lodi High School in Lodi, NJ; a post he would hold through 1986. Bob married his sweetheart Roseanna in 1979 and began to raise a family with the birth of their son, Rob, in 1982.

Bob completed his M.A. in Music Education from Jersey City State in 1983. That year, while he also worked with the Bridgemen, Bob worked with the drumline of Avant Garde corps, of upstate New York, through 1984. His daughter, Allison, came into the world in 1984, blessing Bob and Roseanna with two healthy children.

In 1985, Bob was offered a drum position within the new Star of Indiana corps; a position that would become a turning point in his life. Star of Indiana rose to become one of the premier corps in the activities and left an indelible impact on the activity as a competitive junior corps. In 1988, his daughter Amanda was born, raising the Dubinski household to three children. Star of Indiana's climb culminated in winning the DCI crown in 1991 (with a score of 97.0) with their "Roman Images"; show. Bob worked with Star of Indiana through 1993, after which the Cook Foundation decided to pursue another form of entertainment for its performers. In a sense, they returned to the limelight years later as "Blast".

Bob accepted a position as Band Director of Bloomington H.S. South in 1986, a position he holds to this day. Bob's drive for excellence is apparent in his music program; Bloomington H.S. marching band is a crowd favorite wherever they go. Bob commented, "My marching band has a style similar to the Bridgemen and Velvet Knights. We are loved by the crowds because we do a lot of dancing and jiving around, even while we play."; Indiana is a hotbed for marching music talent that's always in the thick of things, year in and year out. While with Star of Indiana, Bob also worked with the drumline of the Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio, who were another up-and-coming corps that worked their way into DCI Finals and have proven themselves great showmen ever since; Bob worked with the Bluecoats through 1989.

Bob became Director of the Star of Indiana Elementary Band in 1992; where he still leads to this day. He is also the Contemporary Worship Director of the Evangelical Community Church, since 2005.

In the autumn of 2004, "Dubie"; returned to the Bridgemen to pick up where he, Dennis Delucia, and Pat Scollin left off so many years before. Bob proved himself to be as committed to excellence now as he was at the height of the Bridgemen drumline's best years. He has brought his intensity to the Alumni Corps and has made a lasting impression on the members of this drumline to settle for nothing less than their potential. We are blessed to have such talent in our ranks, driving us to greater glory.

DAN BONHAM, Percussion Tech

Biography forthcoming

RON DOLCE, Percussion Tech

Biography forthcoming

JIM MILLER, Percussion Tech

Biography forthcoming

COLOR GUARD INSTRUCTORS

These color guard experts bring visual flair to our show with determination and style. They teach our all-girl guard to handle equipment (flags or rifles) with precision, perform choreographed dance moves, as well as how to move with sexy presence and confidence.

TBA, Color Guard Caption Head/Designer

VISUAL INSTRUCTORS

These seasoned instructors are responsible for the corps' movement on the field, our Marching & Maneuvering (M&M). Their focus on technique, posture, drill spots, starts/stops, and spacing are essential to the visual package that complements the musical selections.

GEORGE LAVELLE, Visual Caption Head/Drill Designer

George has been around The Bridgemen his entire life. He grew up in Bayonne and went to school at St. Andrew & Bayonne High School. His two uncles, Tom "Fluff"; Matthews & Albert Matthews, marched in the corps from 1967 through 1977. George began his drum corps experience in the Kidets (the Bridgemen feeder corps) and marched as a soprano player from 1972-1978. He was eager to move on to the greater challenge and fun that the Bridgemen offered so he joined at the first opportunity in 1979. He marched from 1979-1983, earning his five year ring along the way in 1983. In 1981, George started to instruct the Kidets while he was in the Bridgemen, a skill that would prove beneficial in the years to come. In 1987, he came back as a visual instructor for the corps until the junior corps folded in early 1988.

George has been teaching drum corps & marching bands since 1981 and is currently the drill designer for three marching bands, including Bayonne High School, where he has been drill designer/show coordinator from 1983-1988 & 2000-2007.

In 1991, George and his father founded the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps in their hometown of Bayonne. He was the corps first director from 1991-1997. During his time as director of the Raiders, George served as President of the Garden State Circuit (1994-1995), was the Chairman of the Judging Committee (1996) and in 1996 was voted DCI Division III Director of the Year. Also in 1996 he served as Vice President of Drum Corps East.

Through those years, George kept in touch with the many friends he made in drum corps. In May 2002, George was invited to the New Jersey Drum Corps Hall of Fame banquet (to honor Bridgemen alumnus Father Donovan & Bob Holton), which brought together Bridgemen alumni of different eras. They vowed to continue meeting regularly and forge a new Alumni Association so that many friendships could be rekindled and the name Bridgemen could be legally protected. In time, the impossible dream of resurrecting the drum corps was put forth and George took on a feasibility study to determine if that feat was indeed possible. The Alumni Corps that exists today is the direct result of that endeavor.

George is the Executive Director of the Bridgemen Alumni Corps and also serves on the Board of Directors (the governing authority of The Bridgemen Organization). He is the drill designer for field shows and the lead drill/marching instructor. Because the Bridgemen cannot rehearse as frequently as competing corps, George's challenge is to get the maximum productivity out of the scheduled hours that he has to teach basics and drill to corps members.

George was a computer operator for BMW in Woodcliff Lakes, NJ until recently. He is married to the former Teresa Holmes. George is actively involved in rearing their two children, their daughter Riley Ann & their son Ryan Patrick, to give them all they love they deserve.

DONNA GULINO, Visual Tech

Bio forthcoming

GEORGE RUSE, Visual Tech

Bio forthcoming