Basha High School is a 5A senior high school serving the East Valley area in the Chandler Unified School District. The Band Program participates in the AMEA Southwest region and includes many diverse groups, such as the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Bands, Winter Drumline, and Winter Guard.
Basha Bands is supported by the Basha Band Boosters, a non-profit organization of volunteers who lend their time and talents, not only to raise funds, but also for supporting tasks such as equipment transportation, uniform alteration, photo and video production, meal provisions for game days, etc.
Basha Bands is supported by the Basha Band Boosters, a non-profit organization of volunteers who lend their time and talents, not only to raise funds, but also for supporting tasks such as equipment transportation, uniform alteration, photo and video production, meal provisions for game days, etc.
DIRECTORS
Mr. Miles Denny joined the Basha Bear family in 2017. He is currently the head director of bands, teaching such ensembles as symphonic band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, marching band, and winter drumline.
Mr. Denny graduated from Arizona State University in 2016, where he received his B.M. in Music Education. During his time there, he received the Gary Thornton Extra Distance Award in 2013 for leadership & service, in addition to teaching at various ensembles throughout the valley such as Dobson High School, Basha High School, and Poston Butte High School. Upon graduation, Mr. Denny became the director of bands at Smith Jr. High School and Stevenson Elementary before joining Basha in 2017. In 2020, Mr. Denny was awarded the Winter Guard Arizona Percussion Director of the Year award for his continued contributions to the winter guard activity. In addition to his position at Basha, Mr. Denny currently serves as Vice President for Winter Guard Arizona, Member-At-Large for the Arizona Marching Band Association, and is the tenor percussion specialist for Vision Percussion Ensemble. He remains passionate about expanding and enriching the educational experiences for student musicians in Arizona.
Ms. Elissa Travis is honored to join Basha High School as the Associate Director of Bands. She teaches the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, AMS Gold Band, JV Jazz Band, Marching Band, and oversees the Colorguard program.
An active and passionate music educator, Ms. Travis comes to Basha with many years of experience working with ensembles of all ages and skill levels. She served as the Band Director at Highland Arts Elementary in Mesa for two years - one of the largest elementary band programs in Arizona. She has worked with several marching programs in the Valley in musical and visual capacities, most recently with Dobson High School as Brass Caption Head and High Brass Instructor. Ms. Travis graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 2022 with her BM in Music Learning and Teaching. While in college, she was a member of the ASU Horn Studio, ASU Wind Bands, and served the Sun Devil Marching Band as a section leader. Outside of Basha, she is an active alumna of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. As a graduate of Hamilton High School, she is a proud product of the incredible music education found within the Chandler Unified School District. Ms. Travis is thrilled to be a part of the Basha Band family and continue to advance the program's great history of musical excellence and achievement.
INSTRUC
Jaelan Kim is a front ensemble instructor from the West Valley. Since graduating from Perry High School in 2017, he has been teaching front ensemble for numerous programs. That would include Buckeye Union, Desert Mountain, Peoria, PUSD Indoor, Deer Valley, Sandra Day O’Connor, Campo Verde, Millennium, and Vision Percussion. This 2022 fall season he will be on staff with Millennium, Campo Verde, and Basha High school.
Aside from teaching, he has performed with the Sun Devil Marching Band and is a 4 year Alumni of Breakthrough Indoor Percussion. Much of his knowledge comes from performance, as well as personal studies and explorations.
Aside from teaching, he has performed with the Sun Devil Marching Band and is a 4 year Alumni of Breakthrough Indoor Percussion. Much of his knowledge comes from performance, as well as personal studies and explorations.
Aaron Weiland is in his third year teaching with Basha High School as their woodwind tech.
Mr. Weiland is a product of MPS, attending Summit Academy (Frost Elementary), Rhodes Jr. High and graduating from Dobson High School. He also plays clarinet, saxophone, flute and sings professionally in Symphonies, Wind Ensembles, chamber ensembles, pit orchestras, jazz groups and records in studios outside of teaching for Basha High and Mesa Public Schools.
Mr. Weiland has his Master's Degree in Clarinet Performance from Northern Arizona University where he taught Masterclasses, Music theory/Ear Training and tutored clarinetists; and graduated Cum Laude with his Bachelor's in Secondary Instrumental Education from Ottawa University.
He has instructed privately since 2012 and since worked with schools all over the valley including, Isaac Middle School's Summer Band Camp program, Summit Academy, Mesa High School, and Mesa Community Colleges' Summer Band Camp.
Mr. Weiland is a product of MPS, attending Summit Academy (Frost Elementary), Rhodes Jr. High and graduating from Dobson High School. He also plays clarinet, saxophone, flute and sings professionally in Symphonies, Wind Ensembles, chamber ensembles, pit orchestras, jazz groups and records in studios outside of teaching for Basha High and Mesa Public Schools.
Mr. Weiland has his Master's Degree in Clarinet Performance from Northern Arizona University where he taught Masterclasses, Music theory/Ear Training and tutored clarinetists; and graduated Cum Laude with his Bachelor's in Secondary Instrumental Education from Ottawa University.
He has instructed privately since 2012 and since worked with schools all over the valley including, Isaac Middle School's Summer Band Camp program, Summit Academy, Mesa High School, and Mesa Community Colleges' Summer Band Camp.
Born and raised in Chandler, Arizona, Baylee Hough is a front ensemble tech at Basha High School with a focus on electronics and auxiliary percussion.
A 2017 Basha Alumni, Baylee's previous percussion experience includes playing piano/synth, bells, and vibes for various Basha ensembles. During her time at BHS, Baylee also received The Quincy Jones Musicianship Award, which honors students for their creativity and musicianship.
Beyond performance experience, Baylee graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University in 2021 with a BA in Digital Culture (Music). This granted her the opportunity to further explore her passion for music through digital sound production, composition, and computational media application.
A 2017 Basha Alumni, Baylee's previous percussion experience includes playing piano/synth, bells, and vibes for various Basha ensembles. During her time at BHS, Baylee also received The Quincy Jones Musicianship Award, which honors students for their creativity and musicianship.
Beyond performance experience, Baylee graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University in 2021 with a BA in Digital Culture (Music). This granted her the opportunity to further explore her passion for music through digital sound production, composition, and computational media application.
Nate Conell is a multi-instrumentalist currently studying Music Education at Arizona State University. Although his main instrument is Clarinet, he is also well versed in Trombone, Euphonium, and Saxophone. Nate also has a passion for the marching arts, performing as a soloist and section leader for the Basha Bear Regiment from 2017-2021. He also has experience in Drum Corps International, marching with The Academy in 2021 and The Blue Stars in 2022, both on Euphonium. After graduating Nate plans on becoming a Jr. High or High School band director, and continuing to spread his love of music and the arts.
Josh Matarazzo is a battery tech for Basha High School, with a focus in working with the snare drums. He graduated from Basha in 2018, and graduated from Arizona State University in the spring of 2022 with a BA in Film and Media Production. Josh has marched with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, Flux Indoor Percussion, and the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band. He is eager to spread the knowledge he has gained from his time in the marching arts activity so far, and excited to be a part of growing the drumming community in Arizona.
Rheaven NeSmith is a battery instructor working primarily with bass drums. She graduated from Mesquite High School in 2018 and is currently going back to school for nutritional health and wellness. Rheaven has performed with the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band, Vision Indoor Percussion, and The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. She has also taught at McClintock High School, Vista Grande High School, and currently teaches at Corona Del Sol High School. She’s been drumming since she was 9 years old and what once was just a simple form of enjoyment has now turned into a passion to last a lifetime. Grateful for this being her first year with the Basha Bear Regiment she is elated for more seasons to come and more opportunities to grow and to support the students growth throughout their high school careers.
Toby Vance is a front ensemble instructor from Chandler. They graduated from Chandler High School in 2019, and recently graduated from PIMA Medical Institute with their certification as a Nursing Assistant. Toby has performed with the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band, Arizona Ambassadors of Music, and Vision Indoor Percussion. They have also taught at SanTan Junior High School and Highland High School. They are thrilled to have the opportunity to share their knowledge with the students, and help them grow not only as performers, but also as people.
Tina Rodriguez, attended Apollo High School. Performance experience includes Oasis Winterguard , Sun Devil Marching Band , FeniX Independent & the Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps.Attending ASU online pursuing a BA in Social Justice and Human Rights.Began teaching career at 17 years old at Shadow Ridge High School , has also taught at Peoria High School & Casteel High School.Teaching became my passion from the moment I started & my goal is to provide an exceptional educational experience and an environment of inclusivity, love and acceptance. As well as building up the next generation of performers and sharing the love I have for this activity with them.
Hi, my name is Trent Gaiser and I am a recent graduate of ASU, and was a 4 year member of the Fenix Independent World Class Winterguard. My colorguard journey started out in my backyard, teaching myself the basics after my normal band rehearsals as a drum major, to now having taught colorguard for almost two years. In my free time I enjoy exercising, listening to music, and taking care of my plants.
Andres Hinogiante is a color guard instructor born in Tucson, Arizona who recently finished his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Arizona State University. He started his color guard journey at Higley High School and continued to grow his experience at ASU. His performance experiences include Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, Santa Clara Vanguard, and Fenix Independent World. Throughout his color guard career he has taught at Dobson High School, Higley High School and continues teaching color guard at Basha High School. Andres is excited to share his passion of dance and color guard with his students. He hopes to foster a safe and fun environment for the next generation to grown in, while still challenging them to reach new heights in the activity.
