Seattle Cascades Welcome Ray Severns as 2023 Corps Director
THE Northwest Youth Music Association and Seattle Cascades are excited to announce Ray Severns as the Seattle Cascades Corps Director.
Ray Severns has extensive drum corps leadership experience as well as several years leading educational programs across the nation. He will be leading an outstanding Design, Operations and Educational staff during the season as well as coordinating volunteer and marketing efforts.
“The skills of Ray as an educator along with his experience within Drum Corps leading members, students and staff make him a uniquely qualified choice for the Seattle Cascades,” said Michael Leone, Executive Director. “We are so very excited to have him leading our team for the 2023 season.”
Ray Severns has over 30 years of instruction and performance experience in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Prior to being named as Director of the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps, Mr. Severns was a Brass Instructor and Assistant Director for the Oregon Crusaders Open and World Class Drum and Bugle Corps, a Brass Instructor for the World Class Blue Coats Drum and Bugle Corp and a Visual Instructor for the Northern Lights Summer Youth Band.
Mr. Severns was an award-winning member of the Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Devils and Marauders World Class Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Argonauts Summer Youth Marching Band. Mr. Severns has written drill and music and was an instructor and consultant for many high school bands in the Pacific Northwest and Texas and for the University of Oregon Marching Band. Mr. Severns was the band director for the award-winning bands at Glencoe High School in Hillsboro, Oregon and Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas. Mr. Severns holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Oregon where he also was a distinguished and award-winning band member. In addition, Mr. Severns holds a Master of Music degree in Music Education from Boston University. Ray Severns currently is teaching Math and Music at Oregon Virtual Academy.
Mr. Severns lives in Salem, Oregon with his wonderful wife Heather and has a daughter Courtney who is currently doing an internship with the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Florida.
Ray Severns will begin his position immediately focusing on staff hiring and member recruiting.
“I am so pleased to have Ray join the NYMA and Seattle Cascades family. Ray's many years in the music education field and leadership will help form the base for our culture of excellence both on and off the field,” said Brian Fisher, Board Chair.
Founded in 1966, The Seattle Cascades is the Northwest’s last remaining world class drum corps. The Seattle Cascades has helped shaped the lives of more than 5000 young people since 1966, the Seattle Cascades are the Pacific Northwest’s oldest youth organization in the pageantry arts, representing our region throughout the country for more than 50 years. Each season the Seattle Cascades provide youth with exceptional educational and life-enhancing experiences in the performing arts.
Imagine the possibilities….
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