I’ve been involved with steel drum bands since 1993 and my journey to this exciting point in time has been a whirlwind adventure!
I grew up in tiny Pitsburg, Ohio. From toddler-hood on, I was always drumming. I can remember myself as a 6-year-old hearing the high school band marching down the street for parade practice. I would run and get my little toy drum with its cardboard head and a twine string strap. As the band went by our house, I would march beside them on the sidewalk playing my drum until I reached my boundary at the edge of my front yard then eagerly await the band’s return so I could complete my parade march. I still have that precious little drum and sticks. How could I possibly have known then where my drumming would take me?
In high school, I gave music lessons to youngsters and fell in love with teaching. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Dayton with the intent of becoming a school band director.
I grew up in tiny Pitsburg, Ohio. From toddler-hood on, I was always drumming. I can remember myself as a 6-year-old hearing the high school band marching down the street for parade practice. I would run and get my little toy drum with its cardboard head and a twine string strap. As the band went by our house, I would march beside them on the sidewalk playing my drum until I reached my boundary at the edge of my front yard then eagerly await the band’s return so I could complete my parade march. I still have that precious little drum and sticks. How could I possibly have known then where my drumming would take me?
In high school, I gave music lessons to youngsters and fell in love with teaching. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Dayton with the intent of becoming a school band director.
For several years, I conducted marching and concert bands in Preble County, Ohio. Next came a position as band director at Fairview Middle School in Dayton, Ohio. Although I had only heard a steel drum band once during a trip to Walt Disney World with my high school band, I became obsessed with the idea of starting steel drum band at my school. I attended several amazing summer workshops conducted by Ellie Mannette, the father of the modern-day steel drum. Then, with assistance from Miami University Steel Drum Band Director Chris Tanner, I launched my steel drum endeavor at Fairview.
I also founded Steel Expressions, a 12-member local adult band that still performs all around my Ohio community.
In 1999, I took a new music director job at the National Trail Schools near New Paris, Ohio, and quickly got busy creating a steel drum program there. It was a huge success, eventually swelling to include 80 middle and high school students in six different bands!
I love music but steel drums are my true passion. Through them have come amazing opportunities and many fantastic experiences for me as well as my students.
I also founded Steel Expressions, a 12-member local adult band that still performs all around my Ohio community.
In 1999, I took a new music director job at the National Trail Schools near New Paris, Ohio, and quickly got busy creating a steel drum program there. It was a huge success, eventually swelling to include 80 middle and high school students in six different bands!
I love music but steel drums are my true passion. Through them have come amazing opportunities and many fantastic experiences for me as well as my students.
The Origin of Wetzel Pan Stands
After starting my first steel drum program in 1993, I quickly realized that the steel drum stands on the market were hard to assemble, flimsy, difficult for my students to move and nearly impossible to store efficiently. Out of sheer necessity, I created my own line of top-quality, highly functional welded steel stands.
After being a school band director for 30 years, I know all too well how tough students are on equipment. My stands are built to last with welded steel that can withstand hard use year after year. In fact, the stands I made for National Trail High School in 2008 still look and handle like new!
Wetzel Pan Stands are also quick and easy to set up and take down. Plus they are ultra-sturdy, completely adjustable, totally collapsible and easy for pan players of all ages to use, move and store. These top-notch, time-proven features coupled with an affordable price make Wetzel Pan Stands the perfect choice for students and professionals alike!
After being a school band director for 30 years, I know all too well how tough students are on equipment. My stands are built to last with welded steel that can withstand hard use year after year. In fact, the stands I made for National Trail High School in 2008 still look and handle like new!
Wetzel Pan Stands are also quick and easy to set up and take down. Plus they are ultra-sturdy, completely adjustable, totally collapsible and easy for pan players of all ages to use, move and store. These top-notch, time-proven features coupled with an affordable price make Wetzel Pan Stands the perfect choice for students and professionals alike!
Mannette, My Canine Panhead
Upon retirement from National Trail Local School in 2012, my students and a colleague surprised me with a yellow Lab named Mannette.
As a puppy, Mannette enjoyed listening to steel drum music from the best seat in the house and helping us pack the pans in their cases at the end of rehearsal. When he is not helping with the band, Mannette enjoys dock jumping and riding around on a golf cart. We recently completed training to become a Certified Therapy Dog Team.
As a puppy, Mannette enjoyed listening to steel drum music from the best seat in the house and helping us pack the pans in their cases at the end of rehearsal. When he is not helping with the band, Mannette enjoys dock jumping and riding around on a golf cart. We recently completed training to become a Certified Therapy Dog Team.
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