Kevin Sparks, Conductor
Kevin Sparks is pleased to join MNCB for his first season as conductor! Kevin started his musical journey playing guitar followed by clarinet for his high school band. From there, he continued in his love for music at the University of South Dakota where he earned his B.A. in Music Education. After college, he taught in the Omaha Metro area for 3 years. For the last 6 years, Kevin has taught band and orchestra at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School. Kevin also has a proud background of community band participation, having played bass clarinet and clarinet for the Sioux City Community Band, the Omaha Symphonic Winds, and the Merion Concert Band where he is also associate conductor.
Ed Dougherty, Associate Conductor
Ed Dougherty has been a choral, instrumental, and general music educator since 1998. He currently teaches in the Monroe Township Public School District in Williamstown, New Jersey.
Ed graduated from Ridley High School in 1994. While at Ridley, he studied trumpet with fellow MNCB conductor and trumpeter Dr. Bonnie Strang. He graduated from West Chester University
in 1994 with a B.S. in Music Education, and he earned his M.A. in Education from Gratz College in 2010. He has performed with the All Star Buglers, a trumpet ensemble which performed at
various U.S. horse racing events and at Major League Baseball games. He has also played trumpet for weddings and other church services.
Deborah Newnham, Associate Conductor
Deborah Lubey Newnham is a music teacher at Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square, PA) with 35 years of experience educating the very young. Focusing on teaching children to sing, move, and play song games prepares the students to read, write,
and create music. In addition, 4th Grade Band, 5th Grade Band,
Pep Band, and 4th/5th Grade Ensemble Club keep her busy with rehearsals and performances.
Deborah completed her Bachelor of Music Education (1988) and Master of Music (1994) at Temple University.
She resides with her family in Havertown, PA, and enjoys traveling to Band practice with her husband, George. Deb loves playing the clarinet and is excited to build her conducting skills.
Bonnie Strang, Associate Conductor
Bonnie Strang received degrees in BS. Mus.Ed. and M.Ed. from West Chester University and an Ed.D. in Higher Learning from Widener University. After 41 years, Bonnie retired as band director of Ridley Jr.H, MS, and elementary schools. The bands placed first place, superior ratings in major competitions in Niagara Falls, Canada, Ocean City, MD and Washington DC. The Ridley Jr. concert and stage bands were selected to perform at the PMEA Convention as well as the Ridley Elementary Jazz Band under the joint direction of R. Swallow, Terri O’Brien and Bonnie Strang. She was the director of the Delaware Valley Symphonic Band (DVSB) that performed 7 tours throughout Europe, England, Great Britain and Australia. Under her guidance, the DVSB commissioned Claude T. Smith and James Swearingen to compose works, conduct and tour with the DVSB. The Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge Awarded the DVSB 3 George Washington Gold Medals and one Honorable Mention for serving as American ambassadors. During one tour, the DVSB was guest of the Ambassador of Switzerland at her private residence in Bern. Bonnie also was selected as guest conductor of the Chester County Honors Band.
Since her retirement, she has expanded her interests to include softball, pickleball and badminton. While participating in the 2020 Phillies Phantasy Camp she received the prestigious Maje McDonnell Award. She was just selected to the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame class of 2022. The induction ceremony will take place in Delaware in August 2023.