Students

Zachary Thompson

Zach Thompson (Halifax, PA) is a multi-talented percussionist and guitarist currently in his senior year pursuing a B.A. in General Music. At Messiah, Zach has performed as a member of the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, JazzOne, JazzTwo, Jazz Combo, BrassCross, and the Pit Orchestra. Zach has also performed in the Guitar Ensemble and Men’s Ensemble Choir. In addition to his duties at Messiah, Zach has performed with the Sylvan Chorale, the Calvary Chapel of Lancaster Gospel Band, and was the bassist for the 2017 version of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps.

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William Labossiere

(Dartmouth, MA) is a Junior currently pursuing a B.M. in Music Performance. Before his arrival at Messiah College, Will was a member of the celebrated Dartmouth Indoor Percussion Ensemble, winning a WGI World Championship in 2014. While at Messiah, Will has served as the Principal Percussionist in the both the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, and has served as a member of the Percussion Ensemble, Salsa Band, and BrassCross brass ensemble. Will has accumulated several honors and awards in his time at Messiah. He has performed at Carnegie Hall as a member of the Honors Performance Series, performed as a faculty member in the 2019 Camp of the Woods summer music series, and he most recently won the Keith Lance Kuhlman competition award at Messiah College with his performance of Sejourne’s Marimba Concerto. In addition, Will has been a finalist at several regional and national competitions, including the Boston Pops Concerto Competition and the West Shore Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. With regards to studying percussion at Messiah College, Will believes it to be the “destination for deep practicing, world-class instruction, and long-lasting friendships.”

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Rachel Martin

(Manchester, PA) is currently a Senior completing her B.S. in Music Education at Messiah College. In her time at Messiah, Rachel has been a member of the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds and Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Rachel has been a fixture in the East Coast marching arts scene, first as two-year member and front ensemble section leader for the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, and most recently performing as a front ensemble member of the DCI Finalist Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where she earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and was named Front Ensemble Section Leader in 2019. In 2018 Rachel was invited to give a masterclass performance at the Messiah College Percussion Symposium, performing Michael Burritt’s “Scirocco” for the composer. Rachel has also become well-established as an educator throughout the region, serving as a staff member for several area high schools, including Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, East Pennsboro High School, and Northeastern High School. Rachel has also served as an instructor and arranger for First Capitol Indoor Drum Line.

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Phillip Barrick

(Newville, PA) is a multi-faceted performer and educator currently completing his senior year in in Music Education. In addition to performing as a percussionist in the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds, Phil also performs as a bassist in the Symphony Orchestra, JazzONE and JazzTWO big bands, and Jazz Fusion combo. Phil has also performed as a vocalist in both the Messiah College Men’s Ensemble and Choral Arts Society, the latter of which has led him to perform on stage with the Harrisburg Symphony. In addition to his performance schedule, Phil is also active as a percussion educator throughout the region, working with music students at Northern York Middle School and the Marshall School, as well as serving as front ensemble technician for the Big Spring Marching Band in 2018 and 2019.

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Niall Donaldson

Niall Donaldson (Ellicott City, MD) is a First-Year student currently pursuing his B.S. in Music Education. In his first year at Messiah, Niall has become a member of the Percussion Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, JazzTwo, and Jazz Combo. Prior to his time at Messiah, Niall attended Mount Hebron High School, where he was served as both Percussion Section Leader and Drum Major for the marching band, and he also performed in the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Indoor Drum Line, Jazz Band, Dixieland Band, Show Orchestra, as well as serving as the conductor of the Theater Orchestra. In addition, he earned the John Phillip Sousa award for the Mount Hebron Bands in 2019.

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Matt Langlois

(Malvern, PA) is a Junior currently pursuing a B.S. in Music Education. Matt serves as a percussionist in the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and the Symphony Orchestra, and he also has served as the drummer for JazzTWO. Matt has also performed extensively as a freelance percussionist, performing as a percussionist with the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra, as well as other venues, including Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill, PA. In addition to his duties as a percussionist, Matt has also performed as a vocalist in the College’s Men’s Ensemble, and has served as both a private lessons teacher and Assistant Camp Director at the Malvern School of Music. This past summer, Matt performed as a pit percussionist for the Salt Performing Arts Theater’s production of Willy Wonka.

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Laura Shuey

Laura Shuey (Harrisburg, PA) is a First-Year student currently pursuing her B.S. in Music Education. Laura currently performs as a member of the Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, and JazzTwo. Prior to her time at Messiah, Laura attended Central Dauphin High School, where she was a member of the RamBand Marching Band, WGI Scholastic A World Championship Finalist Indoor Drum Line, Jazz Band, and she served as a Student Assistant for the Freshmen Percussion Ensemble. Laura also earned several awards during her time at Central Dauphin, including “Most Improved Front Ensemble Member,” “Best Concert Band Soloist” at MemphisFest, and was a member both of the Cumberland County Band and the District 7 Honor Band

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Kaci Lehman

(Harrisburg, PA) is currently a senior pursuing a B.A. with a concentration in Music Business. Kaci maintains a busy on-campus performing schedule as a member of the Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, and serving in several capacities in various college Jazz ensembles. She also boasts an active off-campus performing schedule, performing as a member of the Sylvan Chorale and as a worship community member at the Bridge Church, New Life Church, and the Grantham Church. Kaci has also worked extensively in the music industry, having done a semester internship at the Contemporary Music Center in Nashville, TN, where she was named stage manager for their 2018 tour. She is currently the Assistant Promotions Director at iHeart Radio Harrisburg and the Studio Manager for the Messiah College Recording Studio, where she oversees the scheduling and operations of all live recordings in the Department of Music.

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Joshua Davis

Joshua Davis (Westmoreland, NY) is a First-Year student currently pursuing his B.S. in Music Education. At Messiah, Josh performs as a member of the Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Symphony Orchestra. Before arriving at Messiah, Josh attended Westmoreland High School, where he served as Percussion Section leader in the Marching Band, as well performing in the Concert Band Jazz Band. Josh also performed as a vocalist in the Select Choir, Show Choir, and in several musicals. Josh was also selected to perform as a member of DownBeat percussion, performing regularly at Buffalo Bills football games. In 2019, Josh earned 1st chair All-State Percussion at the New York State All-State Conference.

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Gabriela Marin

(Miami, FL) is a Junior currently pursuing her B.M. in Music Performance. In her time at Messiah College, Gabi has performed as a percussionist in the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Symphony Orchestra, and she has served as the drummer for both JazzONE and JazzTWO Big Bands. Gabi is also the founding member of the Messiah College Salsa Band. In addition, Gabi serves as a drummer for the Worship Community on campus, and was appointed the drummer for 2018 version of “Seven,” the college’s premier touring worship band. In 2019, Gabi was selected to give a masterclass performance at the Pennsylvania Day of Percussion, in which she performed Paul Smadbeck’s “Etude no. 1” for marimbist Kevin Bobo. In addition to her duties as a percussionist, Gabi has also performed as a vocalist in the Women’s Ensemble. In 2017, Gabi was named “Outstanding Musician” for MAST Academy in Miami.

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