EMPFIELD

Brian Tychinski

Brian Tychinski 
Director of Bands
Music Department Chair
tychinskib@hasdpa.net

Mr. Tychinski has been teaching in the Hempfield Area School District since 1997, and has been the Director of Bands since 2006. Under his direction, The Spartan Band has traveled coast to coast and performed for hundreds of thousands. Performances at the Statue of Liberty, Flight 93 Memorial and Pearl Harbor are among the band’s most memorable. The band has also frequently paraded in Disneyworld, San Antonio's Fiesta Flambeau Parade, and many local events. In 2019 the band traveled to London England, where they performed for the London New Year's Day Parade and Festival.

     Prior to his arrival at Hempfield, he taught high school bands at Bishop Guilfoyle High School in his hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania and at Falconer Central School in New York State. He also served for two years as percussion teacher for the American Wind Symphony’s educational outreach programs in the Pittsburgh Area.

     Brian received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  He earned the Master of Music degree from Duquesne.

     He has authored a music instruction book, recorded more than two dozen compact discs as a performer and soloist, and served as timpanist and percussionist at Chautauqua Institution and the Orchestra Sinfonico de Trujillo in Peru.  

     He has taught at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan, where he played principal timpani and percussion, and performed as a soloist with the International Youth Symphony Orchestra on a tour of Germany, Austria, and France.  Mr. T conducted the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp’s Southern Wind Ensemble, a group made up of talented high school students from across the United States, as they toured Italy, Germany, France, and Luxembourg. The band won First Prize at the DiffWinds International Band Competition in Differdange, Luxemborg. Other groups in the festival came from Ireland, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany and Latvia.

     Mr. Tychinski continues to perform as a solo and freelance percussionist and enjoys playing the marimba. 

Andy Giles 

Andy Giles 
Assistant Director
gilesa@hasdpa.net

Andy Giles is taking over as the high school Band Director this year after serving as one of the assistants for the past nine years. Andy, an IUP alumni, has been a teacher at Wendover Middle School for the past six years before taking over at the high school this year. Prior to coming to Hempfield, he was employed at the Albert Gallatin School District as well as Brownsville Area School District. Locally, Mr. Giles has performed in multiple performing groups including the Wally Gingers Orchestra, Glass City Swing Band, Westmoreland Symphonic Winds, and multiple pit orchestras. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), Buglers Across America, and the International Trumpet Guild (ITG). He and his wife Elizabeth along with her three (kids, Lucy, Ellie and Cooper) live in Hopwood, PA. He would like to thank the band parents, staff and students for all their efforts and hard work this year.

Nancy Flinner

Nancy Flinner
Assistant Director
flinnern@hasdpa.net

Assistant Director Nancy Flinner is a member of the faculty of West Hempfield Middle School. During the day, her classes include the 6th, 7th and 8th grade choruses, Select Ensemble and General Music. Nancy’s duties also include being the faculty advisor and instructor of the WHMS Colorguard Club. After school, Nancy is pleased to be able to work with the wonderful students of the Hempfield Area Spartan Marching band! Before becoming an Assistant Director, Nancy served as a summer staff member for several years with the band. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Edinboro State College where she majored in Voice in French Horn. She completed master classes at Duquesne University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Nancy is a member of Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) and Westmoreland County Music Educators Association (WCMEA). As the Director of Music at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in West Point, she conducts the handbell choirs, the vocal choirs, special music and performs as a vocal soloist. On a personal note, Nancy wants to thank her daughter and son-in-law for their love and support. Thank you to the Hempfield Band Parent Association and the Hempfield Area Administration for their continuous support of the band and the staff! But most of all thank you to our dedicated students. You’ve all done a wonderful job!

Cassidy Ayers

Cassidy Ayers
Assistant Director
ayersc@hasdpa.net

Cassidy Ayers is a 2011 graduate of Hempfield and a 2015 graduate of Duquesne University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. This is her fourth year teaching full time in the Hempfield Area School District, where is she currently the chorus teacher at Wendover Middle School. Prior to teaching at HASD, Cassidy was the PK-8th grade music teacher at Mother of Sorrows School. She is excited to be heading into her 8th year helping with the band, and her 2nd year serving as assistant band director at her alma mater. Cassidy would like to thank the Band Parents Association and the students for all of their hard work and dedication to the program, along with her husband and family for their constant support.

Ali Troutman

Ali Troutman
Bandfront Director

Ali Troutman is a 2016 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing. During her time at IUP, she was the Captain and President of the Crimson Twirlers, who achieved the title of the Pennsylvania State Small Group Dance Twirl Champions in 2014. Ali has been twirling for 25 years, and coaching for 11 years. This will be her 10th year working with the Hempfield Band and first year taking over as Bandfront Director. Last year she coached the Junior Varsity Twirlers and began the Cadet Twirlers. Both teams had an outstanding season earning the titles of TIA Section 8 Junior Varsity Champions, and the TIA Section 8 Cadet Champions! She is excited to be able to give back to her alma mater and is looking forward to a wonderful marching season. Ali would like to thank her family and boyfriend for their endless love and support, the Band Parent Organization, and all of the students for their continuous hard work and dedication.