Mrs. Angela Adkins, Director of Bands
High School Marching/Symphonic/Jazz Director, 5th-8th Bands, History of Rock and Roll, Music Theory
Angela Adkins is a veteran music educator with more than 25 years of experience leading high school and middle school band programs. Since joining Crestwood in 2019, she serves as Director of Bands, leading the Crestwood Scarlet Guard Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band. She also team-teaches the 6th–8th grade bands and teaches Music Theory and History of Rock and Roll. Under her leadership, Crestwood ensembles consistently earn Superior ratings at OMEA District and State adjudicated events in both concert and marching band. In 2021, she is recognized as an Ohio Lottery Partners in Education Teacher of the Month for her dedication to student growth and program excellence. Prior to Crestwood, she spent 18 years as the 6th–12th grade Director of Bands at Waterloo Local Schools. Mrs. Adkins holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Kent State University and a Master’s degree in K–12 Technology Integration from Nova Southeastern University. She values musical excellence, hard work, having fun, and creating a positive, inspiring band family where students grow as musicians, leaders, and individuals. Outside of school, Mrs. Adkins enjoys spending time with her husband, Jacob, and their children, Noah and Zoey, in Cuyahoga Falls.
Mrs. Michaela Walsh, 4th grade music, 5th-6th Bands, Assistant Director
Michaela Walsh is in her fourth year on the Crestwood Local Schools teaching 4th–5th Grade Intermediate Band, Choir, and Music, as well as her fifth year with the Crestwood Scarlet Guard Marching Band. Mrs. Walsh is a 2022 graduate of Kent State University’s Hugh A. Glauser School of Music, where she earned her degree in Music Education with flute as her primary instrument. She has also worked with area band programs as a woodwind specialist. Outside of school, Michaela enjoys spending time with her husband Nick, family and her puppy, Kima.
Mr. John Fitch, 5th-8th Bands, MS Jazz Band, Assistant Director
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John Fitch is in his third year at Crestwood Local Schools and his fourth year teaching music. He began his teaching career at Warren City Schools, teaching kindergarten through eighth grade music, including middle school band. Mr. Fitch earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Youngstown State University in 2023, with euphonium as his primary instrument. He is an active performer with the Cleveland Winds, Brass Band of the Western Reserve, and Lowellville Mt. Carmel Band. Mr. Fitch enjoys sharing his passion for music with students and helping them grow as musicians and individuals. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, family, and friends, attending local performances, and playing video games.
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Additional Crestwood Bands Staff
Mr. Jacob Adkins, Drill & Visual Designer
Jacob Adkins is an experienced brass, visual, and drill designer with more than 20 years of experience teaching and designing in the marching arts. A Northeast Ohio native and Kent State University graduate, Mr. Adkins earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree while studying music, leadership, and tuba with Gary Adams. Throughout his career, he has worked with numerous band programs across Ohio as a brass teacher, visual instructor and designer, helping ensembles achieve high levels of musical and visual excellence. Mr. Adkins brings his experience, creativity, and passion for the marching arts to the Crestwood Bands, where he enjoys helping students grow, challenge themselves, and strive for their highest potential. Outside of the Crestwood Band family, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends at musical events, soccer games, Disney, and Hilton Head Island.
Mr. Michael Skotko, Brass Specialist
Michael Skotko is an accomplished trumpet performer and music educator in Northeast Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Kent State University and a Master’s degree in Music Performance from Penn State University. Mr. Skotko has performed with the Brass Band of the Western Reserve as an Eb Soprano Cornet player since 2006 and currently serves as Principal Trumpet of the Video Game Orchestra in Cleveland. Since 2019, he has served on the Brass Staff for the Crestwood Scarlet Guard, bringing his expertise in brass performance and marching arts to the program. He also works regularly with the Crestwood Symphonic Band & Jazz Band, leading full brass sectionals and coaching individual sections. In addition, Michael teaches private trumpet lessons and enjoys helping young musicians develop their skills and confidence. Outside of music, he enjoys golfing, paddle boarding, and hiking with friends.
Ms. Elizabeth Zollar, Woodwind Specialist
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Elizabeth Zoller is a proud Crestwood alumna and passionate musician and joins the Crestwood staff for her second season as woodwind and visual specialist.. As a clarinetist, Elizabeth performed with the Crestwood marching, symphonic, and jazz bands, as well as the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and Kent State University Honors Band. During her time at Crestwood, she was honored to receive the John Philip Sousa Award for her musicianship, leadership, and dedication to the band program. Since graduation, Elizabeth has worked in administration at the Aurora School of Music. She enjoys helping students feel supported, confident, and excited about their musical journey. Elizabeth is attending Kent State University while remaining passionate about music, leadership, and making a positive impact on the students. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her animals. While remaining active in extra curricular music programs.
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Ms. Juliet Eagon, Colorguard Director
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Juliet Eagon is entering her third year with the Crestwood Scarlet Guard as Color Guard Director. A former performer herself, Juliet brings experience from both high school and independent winter guard, including performing with Collage Winter Guard, a WGI World Championship Finalist. She was a member of the Firestone High School Marching Band and Color Guard before earning her degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Earth Science from Kent State University. Juliet is passionate about developing confident, committed performers and creating a positive team environment where students can grow, challenge themselves, and achieve their goals.
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Araceli Ramirez, Colorguard Staff
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BIO COMING SOON! |
Mr. Grant Swigonski, Percussion Staff
BIO COMING SOON! |
Mr. Hayden McElhaney, Sound Designer
Hayden McElhaney serves as Sound Designer for the Crestwood Scarlet Guard Marching Band, a role he has held since joining the program in 2019. Hayden brings extensive experience in the marching and pageantry arts as both a performer and instructor. As a performer, he was a member of Matrix Independent World Percussion, competing in WGI Independent World Finals. He has also worked in Drum Corps International as an audio engineer intern with Music City. A graduate of Norton High School, Hayden performed with the BOA National Semifinalist Norton Marching Band and WGI Scholastic Finalist Indoor Drumline. Hayden currently works with Pageantry Innovations and serves on the percussion staff for the Hoover Marching Band. He is passionate about sound design, percussion, and creating meaningful performance experiences for the students of the Crestwood Scarlet Guard.