Michael Cook completed his Bachelor of Music Education degree at the University of Maine in 1990. He taught middle and high school instrumental music in the State of Maine for eight years in both the Gray-New Gloucester and Augusta School systems. While an educator in Maine Mr. Cook was active as an honor band conductor throughout the state and for the Maine Summer Youth Music program at the University of Maine. In 1999 he was honored by Bowdoin College with “Maine Distinguished Teaching Award.” He also served as Band Vice-President of the Maine Music Educators’ Association.

In 2001 Mr. Cook completed his Masters Degree in Instrumental Conducting at George Mason University where he served as Assistant Conductor of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Orchestra. He currently teaches at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, VA where his duties include High School Band, High School Jazz, Music Theory, The Robinson Marching Rams, and Pit Orchestra for musical theatre.

Mr. Cook has twice led student performance tours of Western Europe as one of the conductors of the Liberty Tour of American Music Abroad.

He served two terms as District Chairperson for District XI of the Virginia Music Educators Association. He plays tuba in the Fairfax Wind Symphony and is a member of the Music Educators’ National Conference and the National Band Association.

Christopher Vitale earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Delaware in 2004. From 2004-2007 he served as the Director of Bands at Penns Grove High School in Carneys Point, New Jersey. In 2007 Mr. Vitale returned to the University of Delaware to complete his Masters of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting. While at the University of Delaware he studied conducting with Dr. Robert Streckfuss and was a graduate assistant to the University athletic bands including the University of Delaware Marching Band.

Mr. Vitale marched with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 1999, 2001, and was a soloist in 2002. He has served as a visual instructor with the Crossmen, Hawthorne Caballeros, and the DCA World Champion Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps. Currently, Mr. Vitale serves as the Visual Caption Head with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition, he is an active consultant and visual designer for several high schools throughout Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Judy Einuis is a native of Earlham, Iowa and earned her degree in music education and saxophone performance from the University of Iowa. Before becoming Senior Middle School Band Director at Robinson, Mrs. Einuis taught middle school band for twelve years in the Virginia Beach City school system, served as Senior Band Director at Poe Middle School in Annandale, Virginia for four years, and enjoyed two years as Assistant Middle School Band Director at Robinson.

Mrs. Einuis is an active guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and plays saxophone in the Fairfax Wind Symphony. She is a member of MENC, VMEA, NBA, WBDI, Phi Beta Mu, and IAJE.

Tiffany Hitz is currently the Assistant Middle School Band Director at Robinson. In her ninth year of teaching in Virginia, Mrs. Hitz’s most recent position has included teaching elementary band in the Robinson SS feeder system. In addition to her duties at Robinson, she will continue in to assist with three Robinson Area elementary school bands and direct the Robinson Area Band.

Mrs. Hitz is an active horn player and enjoys performing with the Fairfax Wind Symphony and the Capitol Wind Symphony, and is a regular sub with many local symphonic and pit orchestras. She also maintains a strong studio of French horn students.

Mrs. Hitz’s professional affiliations include Music Educators National Conference, National Band Association, International Horn Society, and Fairfax County Band Directors Association, where she is currently serving as Co-President. A member of the Virginia Music Educators Association, Mrs. Hitz was identified by the organization as an Emerging Leader in 2003. She is also a member of Women Band Directors International and has been published in and is the current Elementary Editor of their official journal, Woman Conductor.

Mrs. Hitz is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education degree and is currently working toward completion of a Master’s degree in Music Education from Temple University, where she was awarded the Presser Foundation Scholarship.