Our Vision:

The Sunrise Mountain High School Bandwagon booster club exists to support our students, staff, and band programs by providing encouragement, resources, and opportunities for growth.

We are committed to building a culture of excellence, family, and legacy—where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Together, students, families, directors, staff, and boosters create a community that celebrates achievement, supports one another, and inspires confidence, character, musicianship, and leadership.

Through music, service, tradition, and community, we strive to create meaningful experiences and lasting memories while building a strong foundation for generations of musicians to come.

Our students are at the heart of everything we do.

Our family is what makes us strong.

Excellence is what we strive for.

Legacy is what we leave behind.

Meet your 2026 - 2027 Sunrise Mountain High School Band Staff and Bandwagon Board:

Director of Bands: Dr. Malcolm Jones - Maljones@pusd11.net

Dr. Malcolm Jones will be the new Band Director at Sunrise Mountain High School in 2026. Before Sunrise Mountain, Dr. Malcolm Jones was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Athletic Bands/Assistant Director of Wind Bands at the University of Connecticut from 2025-2026. Dr. Jones was Director of Bands/Professional Lecturer of Music at Marist University from 2022-2025. Overseeing all aspects of the band program at Marist, which included directing the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band, the Marching Band, and the Pep Band. Dr. Malcolm Jones was the Director of Bands at Casteel High School in Queen Creek, AZ, from 2020-2022. Dr. Jones served as the Interim Director of Bands at Malone University (OH) and an Adjunct Professor at Kent State University in 2017. He has also served as the Director of Bands in the Maple Heights City School District (OH), teaching grades 5-12 from 2013-2015. 

Dr. Malcolm Jones holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting from Arizona State University, studying with Prof. Gary Hill, Dr. Jason Caslor, and Prof. James Hudson. In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Akron and a Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting from Kent State University. Malcolm enjoys sports, hiking, concerts, traveling, and being around his friends and family. 

Color Guard Caption Head: Rob Ashpole

Rob is in his 2nd year as Color Guard Caption Head at Sunrise Mountain.

Rob started performing in 1993 with Nelson County High School in Lovingston, Virginia. He marched with two time DCI world class finalist Magic of Orlando in 1994 and 1995. As for winterguard he performed with two time WGI Independent A class finalist Dominion Winterguard from 1995 - 1997 and is still an active performer with The Process Independent. 

Rob first started teaching in 1996 and has taught schools in Arizona and Virginia. Most recently as a technician for the Apache Junction High School Winterguard in 2024 and 2025 and the Sunrise Mountain High School fall and winterguard programs from 2023 - 2025. 

He is excited to share his knowledge and expertise with our guard students this season, and continue a tradition of excellence in performance. 

Percussion Caption Head: Mark Crowley

Mark Crowley is an active and passionate percussion performer and educator in the valley. Born and raised in Peoria, Arizona, Mark received a bachelors degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz from Arizona State University under Dom Moio, Michael Compitello, and J.B. Smith. He has performed with the ASU Jazz ensembles, wind symphony, and Sun Devil Marching Band and continues to develop as a performer and educator with every opportunity! 

Mark brings his experiences with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps, and Vision Percussion to further grow the West Valley in marching percussion, and is continually excited about passing down the technical application, tradition, and life skills taught in the upper echelon of the marching arts.

This is Mark’s eighth year with the Pride of Sunrise, having previously served as percussion staff and arranger from 2019-2022, now the percussion caption head from 2023-Present.

Additionally, Mark serves as the Program Director of Convergence Indoor Percussion, providing world class education and national performance opportunities to Arizona students. 

Mark is a loving husband to his wife Chloe (whom he met in high school in the Pride of Sunrise), father to his first child due in December, dog dad to Maisy, and works as a Firefighter in Sun City. He currently teaches private lessons for marching, concert, and jazz percussion and is a desired instructor in his area. He is beyond excited for the upcoming season, a new chapter in the world of the marching arts, and a front row seat to grow the state of Arizona in music!

Brass Caption Head: Lance Bailey

Lance Bailey is a trombone player and Music Education student at Glendale Community College. This is his third year teaching marching band, and second year as Brass Caption Head at Sunrise Mountain High School. He graduated from Sunrise Mountain in 2022. As well as teaching lessons and writing arrangements for various ensembles, Lance likes to tinker with all things technical and mechanical.

President: Brie Landis-President@prideofsunrise.org

Brie Landis is the President of the SMHS Bandwagon Booster Club and is in her fourth year serving on the board. She enjoys being part of a team that supports the students, families, and directors of the Sunrise Mountain High School Band and Guard.

As President, Brie works closely with the Executive Board to keep things organized, support the needs of the band program, and help create a positive and welcoming experience for families. She enjoys bringing people together, building a strong volunteer community, and making sure the students have the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

Brie is proud to be part of the Sunrise Mountain band family and loves watching the students grow, perform, and accomplish things they never thought possible.

Vice President: Lynette Timme-Vicepresident@prideofsunrise.org

Lynette is in her 4th year on the Sunrise Mountain Bands Booster Board and is excited to serve as Vice President for the 2026–2027 school year! She is also a proud band mom to her senior trombone player.

What started as volunteering for her son has turned into a true love for the entire Mustang Band family. Lynette loves helping behind the scenes, supporting events and fundraising, and doing whatever she can to make the band experience amazing for our students.

She believes in Excellence, Family & Legacy and, of course, making plenty of memories along the way!

Secretary: Rachel Mira-Secretary@prideofsunrise.org

Hi, I’m Rachel Mira, proud mom of Kaylee Mira, who is entering her junior year as a saxophone player with the Sunrise Mountain Band.

During the 2025–2026 school year, I served as the Communications Coordinator, and I’m excited to continue supporting the band community. In my professional career as a Chief of Staff, I’ve developed strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills that I bring to my role with the Bandwagon Board.

I enjoy keeping things organized, coordinating meetings and activities, maintaining clear communication, and helping ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Most importantly, I’m passionate about supporting our students and contributing to the incredible family and community that make Sunrise Mountain Band so special. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved and look forward to another great year!

Treasurer: Bertha Avilla -Treasurer@prideofsunrise.org

Hi, I’m Bertha Avila, and I’m excited to continue serving the Sunrise Mountain Bandwagon Board as Treasurer for the 2026–2027 season.

I have been involved with the board since spring 2024, first serving as Fundraising Coordinator before stepping into the Treasurer role for the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 seasons. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue using my experience to support our band and color guard programs.

I’m a proud mom of four boys, with two joining the marching band this season. My son AJ is a senior who plays tuba, while my son Benjamin is a junior and joining the program as a sound tech. My nephew Noah, a senior, also plays trumpet. I’ve been a band volunteer for the past three years and have loved watching this program grow from 3A to 5A.

Professionally, I am a full-time Phlebotomist Team Lead with Sonora Quest Laboratories and a part-time sales associate at Kohl’s. I also spent six years as the Bookkeeper and Office Manager for The Salvation Army Northwest Valley Corps in Surprise, where I managed monetary and food donations, maintained accurate financial records, allocated funds to the appropriate accounts, and handled deposits during major fundraising seasons.

My background in bookkeeping, organization, and financial management, combined with my passion for our band family, makes me excited to continue serving as Treasurer. I look forward to helping support our students, all of our bands and color guard, and the vision of our band director in the coming season.

I’m proud to be part of the Sunrise Mountain Band family and look forward to another great year!

Treasurer: Michael Cox-Treasurer@prideofsunrise.org

Hi, I’m Michael Cox, proud dad of Logan, who plays clarinet and had an incredible freshman year in both Marching Band and Concert Band.

One of my favorite experiences this past season was helping move the pyramid during competitions. It was a great way to support the band while spending meaningful time with my son, and it gave me an even greater appreciation for what makes the Sunrise Mountain Band community so special.

I graduated from Delaware Valley University with a degree in Business Administration with a focus in accounting and have spent the past 18 years working in the insurance brokerage industry. I currently serve as a Senior Accounting Specialist with Gallagher, where I oversee monthly financial closing, reconciliations, and financial analysis for our Arizona and Nevada offices.

I’m excited to bring my accounting experience, attention to detail, and commitment to our students and band family to the Bandwagon Board. I would be honored to serve as Treasurer and help provide clear, accurate, and reliable financial insight as we continue to grow Bandwagon Nation!

Volunteer Coordinator: Heather McElroy-Volunteers@prideofsunrise.org

Hello, this is my second year being booster and the volunteer coordinator. My son plays the trumpet and this will be his third year in marching band. I am incredibly proud to be a band mom and grateful to be part of this amazing band community.

Fundraising: Emily Saeteurn-Fundraising@prideofsunrise.org 

Hi, I’m Emily Saeteurn, and I’m excited to be the Fundraising Coordinator for the 2026–2027 Bandwagon Booster Board.

My daughter, Vivien, was part of the drumline last year, which gave me the opportunity to volunteer with the Pride of Sunrise Marching Band. Seeing firsthand the incredible amount of hard work, dedication, and teamwork that goes into creating a successful show was truly inspiring. It also showed me just how many people it takes behind the scenes to make these students’ experiences possible.

I’m ready to become even more involved in supporting the Sunrise Mountain Band program and bring my experience with nonprofit organizations to the Bandwagon Board. I have served on several nonprofit boards, including the Skating Club of Phoenix, Peoria United Parent Council, Stepping Stones Preschool, and the Apache Parent Teacher Student Organization, serving in roles such as Secretary, Vice President, and President.

Through these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how important fundraising is to the success of nonprofit programs. I have helped organize and promote a variety of fundraising events, including dining-out fundraisers, silent auctions, and raffles.

My goal is to help build a strong and successful fundraising program that not only meets the needs of our Sunrise Mountain bands and color guard, but exceeds expectations. Most importantly, I want to help create opportunities and memories that our students will carry with them long after their time in the band program.

I’m excited about the opportunity to give back, get involved, and help make the this season an unforgettable one for our students and Bandwagon Nation!

Donations: Lyndsay Lewis -

Donations@prideofsunrise.org

Hi, I’m Lyndsey! I’m excited to serve as your Donations Coordinator and be part of another amazing year with the Sunrise Mountain Band family.

This is my second year as a band parent, and I’m so excited to see what this season brings! I’m looking forward to helping our program grow, supporting our students, and making this season one to remember.

Communications: Melissa Maness-Communications@prideofsunrise.org 

My name is Melissa Maness, and this is my first year with the Boosters. In fact, it is my first year with Sunrise Mountain! My son is a freshman clarinet player, so we are navigating the band experience just like many other band families. My background is in training and instructional design, plus I am chronically online, so I am confident that I'll be able to keep everyone updated and engaged through social media. A little more about me, I am a crafter at heart, dabbling in everything from woodworking to quilting. If your student finds a tear in their uniform, have them come find me! I keep a sewing machine in my car for emergencies (this is only partly a joke).