Directors
Mr. Waite is a recognized teacher of 21 years who has directed award-winning instrumental ensembles of high school students for schools in two states. He graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he studied conducting and saxophone with well-known and respected teachers James Arrowood, David Hastings and Dr. Charles Rochester Young. Mr. Waite completed his Master’s Degree in Conducting through the American Band College of Sam Houston State University in summer of 2017.
Programs under Mr. Waite’s direction have continually garnered reputations for quality and increased participation, enthusiasm and quality.
Mr. Waite was the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee's Teacher of the Year recipient in 2014. He was named Teacher of the Month in November of 2013 by Radio Station B93.3. Mr. Waite has been recognized by Who’s Who as well as the Hamilton Education Foundation (Class Act award recipient, 2010 and 2014 Certificate of Recognition) among others.
Mr. Waite currently serves as Director of Instrumental Music at Hamilton High School in Sussex, Wisconsin, where he directs the Charger Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble 1 and 2, Pep Band and various chamber groups.
Additionally, Mr. Waite has served as resident Director of Symphonic and Jazz Ensembles and instructor of saxophone at the Fine Arts Camp Europe for 7 summers near Prague, Czech Republic and has served as a clinician, soloist, and conductor for several Honor Band festivals in that country. He serves the Wisconsin School Music Association as a judge and clinician for various festivals around the state and also performs professionally in several groups as well as in a freelance capacity. Mr. Waite is on the Board of Directors for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Youth Outreach Wind Ensembles as well as serving on the BOD for the Carroll University Youth Wind Orchestra of Wisconsin.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Melinda, daughters Zyla, Cecelia and dog Daisy, and spending time on his boat.
Programs under Mr. Waite’s direction have continually garnered reputations for quality and increased participation, enthusiasm and quality.
Mr. Waite was the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee's Teacher of the Year recipient in 2014. He was named Teacher of the Month in November of 2013 by Radio Station B93.3. Mr. Waite has been recognized by Who’s Who as well as the Hamilton Education Foundation (Class Act award recipient, 2010 and 2014 Certificate of Recognition) among others.
Mr. Waite currently serves as Director of Instrumental Music at Hamilton High School in Sussex, Wisconsin, where he directs the Charger Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble 1 and 2, Pep Band and various chamber groups.
Additionally, Mr. Waite has served as resident Director of Symphonic and Jazz Ensembles and instructor of saxophone at the Fine Arts Camp Europe for 7 summers near Prague, Czech Republic and has served as a clinician, soloist, and conductor for several Honor Band festivals in that country. He serves the Wisconsin School Music Association as a judge and clinician for various festivals around the state and also performs professionally in several groups as well as in a freelance capacity. Mr. Waite is on the Board of Directors for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Youth Outreach Wind Ensembles as well as serving on the BOD for the Carroll University Youth Wind Orchestra of Wisconsin.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Melinda, daughters Zyla, Cecelia and dog Daisy, and spending time on his boat.
Mr. Alex Chanto is the current band director at Silver Spring Intermediate and Templeton Middle School where he teaches 6th-8th grade concert band, jazz band, and is the current Hamilton Synergy combo band director. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a BFA:EC-A in K-12 Instrumental and General Music education.
While at Milwaukee, Mr. Chanto studied Tuba with Andy Smith of the Chicago Lyric Opera and Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Chanto has acted as principle tubist of the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra as well as numerous appearances in many musical pit orchestras.
Mr. Chanto resides on the east side of Milwaukee where he lives with his 12 plants. In his free time he likes to go biking, hammocking at Veteran's Park, and visiting new coffee shops!
While at Milwaukee, Mr. Chanto studied Tuba with Andy Smith of the Chicago Lyric Opera and Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Chanto has acted as principle tubist of the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra as well as numerous appearances in many musical pit orchestras.
Mr. Chanto resides on the east side of Milwaukee where he lives with his 12 plants. In his free time he likes to go biking, hammocking at Veteran's Park, and visiting new coffee shops!