1998 Staff

Eric Hambrick - Band Director
Eric W. Hambrick, Director of Bands for Portsmouth East High School, is currently in his sixth year of teaching.Mr. Hambrick received his Bachelor's Degree from Marshall University, and is currently completing his Master's Degree in Music Education and Conducting at Marshall University. Mr. Hambrick has previously studied conducting with Eugene Corporon, John Locke, and David Waybright. He has served as band director at Tolsia HS, Glenhayes, WV (1993-96) and Dixon HS, Jacksonville, NC (1996-97). During his tenure, both bands received several awards and superior concert ratings. While in his second year at Portsmouth East, the marching band has received several Grand Championships and a superior rating at OMEA State Finals last year. In addition to its numerous marching band awards, band members participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival, university honor bands, and are also recognized for excellence in their concert band program.

Luvada Smith - Asst. Band Director
Luvada Smith is a 1980 graduate of Portsmouth East HS.  She also holds a degree in Computer Operations from Phillips College. Mrs. Smith has been affiliated with the East Band since 1988 in the following capacities:  Color Guard Instructor, Marching Instructor, and Drill Writer. Her current position is Assistant Band Director. Mrs. Smith also works with the Booster organization and serves as that organization's Vice-President.

Mitzi Carpenter - Color Guard Instructor
Mitzi Carpenter is a 1992 graduate of Portsmouth East HS.  During high school, Mrs. Carpenter was actively involved in marching, concert, jazz, and pep bands.  She was also a member of the East Color Guard, and served as Drum Major. Mrs. Carpenter was a member of the Canton, Ohio based Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and was a staff member with the Fred J. Miller colorguard camps. Mitzi Carpenter currently serves as the East Color Guard Instructor.

Keith Nance - Percussion Instructor
Keith Nance is a graduate of Portsmouth East High School. Mr. Nance attended Morehead State University and holds a Bachelor's Degree from Marshall University in Percussion Performance.  While at Marshall University, Mr. Nance served as music arranger and instructor for the Marshall University Marching Band.  Mr. Nance also served as percussion arranger and instructor for the Mountain Magic Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Nance is currently completing his Master's Degree at the University of Cincinnati and is the assistant band director at McNicholas HS. He has been the head percussion instructor with Portsmouth East since 1988.

Marc Carpenter - Pit Instructor
Marc Carpenter is the pit instructor on our Percussion Staff.  Mr. Carpenter is a 1994 graduate of Marshall University with a degree in Music Education.  While at Marshall, he performed with artists, such as William Roberts, Mike Bump, Lalo Davilla, and David Samuels.  He marched with the Mountain Magic Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991, and performed with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra in 1993.  He has arranged and instructed several bands in the Ohio and Kentucky area.

Dan Shope - Percussion Staff
Dan Shope is a graduate of Portsmouth East High School. Mr. Shope is also a 1990 graduate of the University of Rio Grande, a 1993 graduate of Marshall University (MA, Sociology), and has also attended Morehead State University. Mr. Shope teaches full-time in the Sociology Department at Marshall University, as well as being a candidate for a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

In addition to having been a percussion instructor for Portsmouth East since 1983, with the exceptions of 1990 and 1999, Mr. Shope has also been a Percussion Instructor for the Mountain Magic Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991. He has also taught percussion at many other high schools in the Tri-State area.

Aimee Forshey - Woodwind and Drum Major Instructor
Aimee Forshey is a 1997 graduate of Portsmouth East High School.  Ms. Forshey currently attends Marshall University where she is majoring in Music Education.   Ms. Forshey's principal instrument is Flute.  She currently studies with Dr. Wendell Dobbs.  Ms. Forshey is a member of the Marshall University "Marching Thunder" and serves as one of the band's Drum Majors.  Aimee is currently the woodwind instructor as well as Drum Major instructor for the Portsmouth East Band.

If I have left somebody out, or if you are misrepresented, please feel free to beat me to a pulp, and/or email me at joshuadramsey@hotmail.com.