Peter Manzi -Director of Bands
















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​Tollak Rafto - Percussion Caption Head











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David Maynes -Battery Manager







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Lorenzo Everett -Battery Tech















​Andrew Kolbe -Front Ensemble Tech











​Isabella Merino - Color Guard Caption Head












Aileen Loza- Color Guard Tech









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​Alyssa Keene- Brass Tech


















Juan Jasso- Woodwind Tech













​Nick Putnam- Visual Caption Head










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​Colin Armstrong - Visual Tech

Mr. Manzi is a Chicago native who is excited to start his 5th season with the Carlsbad Bands. Mr. Manzi graduated Magna Cum Laude from Millikin University in 2007 with a Bachelors of Music in Instrumental Music Education and in the summer of 2014 graduated with Honors from VanderCook College of Music where he received his Masters of Music Education. Additionally Mr. Manzi is certified in AP Music Theory. Before coming to Carlsbad Mr. Manzi taught 5th grade thru High School Band in the Central A&M School District for six years and spent one year doing 5th grade and High School Bands in Effingham, IL. Mr. Manzi, and his dog Simba, are excited for another great season with the Lancer Band

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​Tollak Rafto works as a percussion instructor and private teacher throughout San Diego county. He teaches marching percussion, drum set and specializes in mallet percussion. He currently works with high schools throughout northern San Diego. Past instructional experience includes WGI World Class ensemble Dark Sky Percussion as well as DCI Open Class ensemble Gold Drum and Bugle Corps. He proudly endorses Innovated Percussion Inc. sticks and mallets.



We welcome Mr. Maynes to our staff in 2019.  More info to come soon. 







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 Mr. Everett is a battery percussion educator currently living in Ontario, CA. As a performer, he marched bass drum at the Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps in 2013, Academy Drum & Bugle Corps in 2015, and the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps from 2016-2018, earning a bronze and gold medal at DCI Finals with the corps in 2018 and 2016, respectively. He also marched with Dark Sky Percussion in 2015, Pulse Percussion in 2016 and 2017, with whom he earned a WGI bronze and gold medal in 2017 and 2016 respectively, and Vessel Indoor in 2018 and 2019.  He currently teaches at Temecula Valley HS and Carlsbad HS as well as Meraki Percussion in the winter. 

We Welcome Mr. Kolbe to our staff in 2019!  More info to come soon
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​Bella Merino has been an instructor at Carlsbad High School for 5 years. She graduated from San Marcos High School and is currently attending Cal State San Marcos to receive a Bachelors degree in Communication. She received her associates degree in Communication Studies in Spring 2017 from Palomar College. She is going on her 5th year marching with Independent Winter Guard Vox Artium. Bella's additional instructional experience includes San Marcos High School, Vista High School, and the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps.


Aileen Loza is a graduate from Rancho Buena Vista High School where she marched all four years with the RBV Color Guard. She is currently attending Cal State San Marcos to receive a Bachelors Degree in Communications in Sciences and Disorders. She marched with the Independent Winter Guard Vox Artium from 2017-2018. This is Aileen's first year as a Guard Instructor with the Marching Lancers.
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Alyssa Keene graduated from UCLA in 2014 with her degree in Trumpet Performance and as a 4 year student of international soloist,Jens Lindemann. She has extensive experience in the classical, jazz, pop, rock, and modern classical genres, having performed with artists such as Stevie Wonder, BB King, Portugal. The Man, Pat Sheridan, and many others. She was a finalist in the 2012 National Trumpet Competition: Ensemble Division, and has also had the opportunity to perform abroad in Europe and at multiple national/international music festivals. She is passionate about young players embracing their fullpotential, and also about teaching them how to enjoy and embrace this unique musical learning process through mental exercises and further self-understanding/awareness.

​Juan Jasso is the current Woodwind Caption Head for the Carlsbad Marching Lancers. His past experience in conducting and woodwind pedagogy influenced him to pursue a degree towards Music Education at California State University Fullerton. An aspiring musician he performs different style of music in multiple settings all over Southern California. Juan is currently a Saxophone Major in which he is part of the Symphonic Winds at CSUF, as well as multiple jazz combos, sax quartets, and small ensembles. Additionally, he is a local music instructor to individuals and groups, including the San Elijo Middle School House Jazz.


Having marched six seasons through DCI; three with the Spokane Thunder (11’-13’) and three with the Madison Scouts (15’-17’), Nick has a strong passion for the marching arts. After aging out of DCI, this past summer, Nick returned to the Madison Scouts as a part of their administration team. He currently works as the Visual Caption Head at Carlsbad High School and as a visual instructor with Vista High School. Nick lives in San Marcos, CA.


We welcome Mr. Armstrong to our staff in 2019!  More info to come soon