Directors & Staff
Jan Verboom, Co-Director of Bands
In his 16th year at Valley Center and 27th year teaching instrumental music, Mr. Jan Verboom Co-Directs all the Instrumental Ensembles 5th through 12th grades at Valley Center. Mr. Verboom is a Graduate of Wichita State University where he performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, WSU Pep Band, Jazz Combos, Percussion Ensembles, Steel Band, Marching Percussion, and “Shocker” Marching Band. Mr. Verboom is a former student of Dr. J.C. Combs, Myles Mazur, Brad Bone, Dr. Victor Markovich, and student teaching with Dr. Charles Menghini in the Olathe School District. He began his music education career as Percussion Instructor for Wichita North High School and was Assistant Band Director and District Percussion Coordinator in the Goddard Public Schools for twelve years prior to coming to Valley Center. Mr. Verboom has been involved with a number of ensembles and organizations as an Instructor or Percussion Arranger including Goddard, Buhler, Derby, Olathe North, the Kansas Lions International and State Bands, Performance Arts Foundation, Kansas Masonic Band, and The Quad City Knights Drum and Bugle Corps along with providing private percussion instruction to students. As an instructor, clinician, adjudicator, and performer, Mr. Verboom has traveled through the United States, Canada, and England.
He was chosen as a “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” in 2002 and is a member of MENC, Kansas Music Educators Association, and the Kansas Bandmasters Association.
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Mary Wagoner, Co-Director of Bands
mary.wagoner@usd262.net
Mary Wagoner will be starting her seventh year of teaching . Ms. Wagoner is a 2016 graduate of Kansas State University where she received her Bachelor's of Music Education with a minor in Spanish. While at K-State, she performed with The Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band, Cat Band, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, University Band and Flute Ensemble. She began her teaching career at Salina South Schools where she taught band grades 5-12 for three years. She then moved to Chanute Schools where she co-taught 6-12 band with her former teacher and mentor, Jan Rogers, for another three years. Ms. Wagoner is a member of the Kansas Music Educator's Association and Kansas Bandmaster's Association.
Crystal Rathburn, Co-Director of Bands
crystal.rathburn@usd262.net
Ms. Crystal Rathburn is from Olathe, Kansas where she attended Blue Valley Southwest High School. She began to discover her passion for education and music and furthered her studies at Kansas State University. While at K-State, she participated in several ensembles including Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and the Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band. She took on many leadership roles within these ensembles and organizations such as head clarinet section leader for the marching band, principal clarinetist for the wind ensemble, and vice president of service for Tau Beta Sigma, the band service sorority. She was eager to begin working with others and began teaching as a private lesson instructor and marching band music and visual technician. She recently graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. Valley Center has an outstanding reputation, a high achieving community, and a positive atmosphere where she is beyond excited to officially begin her teaching career. Outside of school, she enjoys painting, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her friends, family, and two dogs.
Support Staff:
Julianna Sorenson/Caroline Norman-Colorguard
Ashlee Baysinger-Brass/Visual
Bri Parker/Daniel Hammond- Percussion
Kyle Lefler, Brass
Past Directors:
Kara Whitaker, Co-Director 2020-2022
Amanda Jolly, Co-Director 2011-2020
Dr. Michael Mapp, Co-Director 2008-2011
George Naylor, Director 1977-2008
Kimi Sharp, Former Assistant Director
Julie Oliver, Former Assistant Director
Craig Tompkins, Director Late 1960's-1977
Dwight Beckam, Director Late 1950's-60's
