Brass

Kyle Gelatka is the Director of Bands at West Morris Central High School in Chester, New Jersey. Currently in his second year at West Morris Central, Kyle directs the WMC Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra, and Highlander Marching Band. He previously taught middle school brass lessons in the South Orange-Maplewood School District and worked with the Columbia High School Marching Band. Kyle grew up in Chester, New Jersey and majored in music education at Rutgers University - Mason Gross School of the Arts where he studied tuba with Alan Baer.

This will be Kyle’s second year with the Core. He joined the brass education team as a tuba technician for the 2023 season. Kyle marched with the Bushwackers in 2018 and the Bluecoats in 2021. He went on to perform with the Bluecoats Alumni Corps in 2022.

Kyle is a member of the New Jersey Music Educators Association. He currently performs with the Princeton Brass Band and the Rutgers Alumni Wind Symphony. Kyle resides in Chester, New Jersey and spends as much time in the great outdoors as possible Jersey and spends asmuch time in the great outdoors as possible

Fusion Core is proud to welcome back Jacobo Medina for his 14th season with the Core, (15th overall) and 4th season on the brass education team as the Brass Caption Manager!

His marching arts career started in 2008 as a freshman in high school with both the Dover High School Marching Tigers from Dover, NJ and Fusion Core. Throughout the years, he has held many positions within the Fusion Core organization. From marching member, section leader, horn sergeant, soloist, in-line brass tech, brass coordinator, administrator, Assistant Operations Manager and Operations Manager.

Jacobo has had a lot of great educators influence him throughout his tenure with the Core, including Willy Carmona, Matt Spatz, Deb Knisely, James Riley, Scott Brown, and Al Chez to name a few. He was fortunate enough to win 2 DCA Class-A championships with the Core (2008 & 2022)

Outside of the Core, Jacobo has been an avid marching band technician for many high school programs throughout the years, which include Pequannock Township High School, Metuchen High School, Metuchen Indoor Percussion, and most recently was a Brass/Ensemble specialist for the 2023 West Morris Mendham Marching Band who claimed gold at their championship performance. He has also been on the instructional team of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, The Highland Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and was a performing member of The Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni and Friends who performed for the highly anticipated Chuck Mangione Tribute at the Final DCA Championships in 2023.

Jacobo studied Music Production at the County College of Morris, receiving many accolades for his production. He spends his free time working on upcoming music projects, producing music, arranging charts and composing as much as possible.

Paul is an upcoming music educator that attends the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College. Paul is excited to be graduating in spring 2024 with a BA in Instrumental Music Education.

Paul is a visual and music instructor with the New York State Champions, Division Avenue Competitive Marching Band (2021-2023). He also teaches privately with a wide range of instrumental students through his local music store. Paul decided to expand upon his high school and DCA experiences by marching upper split lead trumpet at The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2022-2023 DCI Season).

Paul believes in the ability of the marching arts to develop individuals into strong leaders and collaborators. He is determined to help members reach their fullest potential through motivating them to achieve their personal goals. Paul is ecstatic to join the Fusion team and provide members with an enriching drum corps

Jason Is very excited to be joining the instructional team this year. He studied music education at Western Carolina University for four years before leaving to pursue a professional musical career with “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum And Bugle Corps. He additionally had the privilege of being a mellophone performer with the 2018 Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps.

Jason has served at numerous high school programs in North Carolina and Virginia in a variety of roles such as visual instructor, brass instructor, and rehearsal coordinator. When not performing with the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps he serves as an instructor at West Potomac High School where he has been with the band program for three years. In his free time Jason loves weightlifting, video games, and has recently discovered a love for rugby.

Chris Holland is a professional trombone player in NYC/NJ and a Local 802 musician. Chris can be seen in studios and venues ranging from the Gramercy Theatre to The Bitter End to the Basie in Red Bank. Chris has taught for the Sunrisers, Raiders, and state and BOA Champ schools such as Adair County and Boyle County Schools.   He is also a Madison Scouts alumnus.

By day, Chris is a Theatrical Designer and Consultant for dance, concerts, and event spaces.  Chris is the resident designer for Dissonance Dance Theatre and a consultant with Theatre Projects. He’s very excited to work alongside this great brass team and share his skills with Fusion’s members.

Bio coming soon!