Tyler Ende
Director of Bands
Mr. Ende brings to Sherando a deep passion for music education and a wide depth of experience across concert, jazz, marching, and chamber ensembles. After graduating from Jamestown High School, he earned his degree in Music Education from James Madison University in 2024, graduating Summa Cum Laude, where he was an active and distinguished member of the Percussion Studio under the direction of Casey Cangelosi. Prior to Sherando, he taught in Rappahannock County, and also worked with various renowned programs throughout the Shenandoah Valley.
As a performer, Ende made significant strides at JMU. He was featured as a soloist with the JMU Wind Symphony and Percussion Ensemble. He held several key leadership roles, including principal percussionist of both the Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Band, section leader for the Brass Band percussion section, and percussionist for the university’s production of Chicago. He also served as a drum set player for the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band. Outside of JMU, he gained several years of drum & bugle corps experience, performing with the Jersey Surf (2018), Carolina Crown (2021, 2022), and Boston Crusaders (2023). Today, Ende continues to perform with the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra and Valley Wind Ensemble.
Mr. Ende’s performance accolades include being a finalist in the 2023 JMU Concerto/Aria Competition, winner of the Snare Drum Division in the 2023 Percussive Arts Society VA/DC Percussion Solo Competition, and a two-time champion with the JMU Percussion Ensemble at the 2022 and 2023 North American Brass Band Association Championship Percussion Ensemble Competition.
Mr. Ende is deeply committed to inspiring students through music and to fostering a band culture that values community, excellence, growth, inclusion, and lifelong connection. He is thrilled to lead the next generation of Sherando Warrior musicians and to continue the legacy of this exceptional program.
Kayla Wright
Director of Color Guard
Mrs. Wright is a 2013 graduate of Purdue University where she was a member and technician of the Golden Silks Color Guard in the Purdue All-American Marching Band. Her passion for color guard began at the age of 4 when her dad would take her to Indiana Marching Band State Finals every year. Not only was she an active participant and captain at Westfield H.S. beginning in middle school, other performance opportunities included 2005-06 BOA Summer Symposium, 2007 Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corp, and 2009 BOA Tournament of Roses Honor Band. In 2013, she took on the role of color guard director at Westfield High School in Indiana, and led the team to its first IHSCGA state finals appearance in four years.
New career opportunities led Kayla and her husband Michael to explore the U.S., residing in Arizona and South Carolina after college. They moved to Stephens City, VA in 2018 where she started directing color guard at Sherando H.S. within two weeks. Throughout these past several years, the color guard program has continued to grow in talent and size.
Scott Kittrell
Director of Percussion
Mr. Kittrell was born in Falls Church, VA. He has performed in DCI with several corps between 1990-1994. Dutch Boy (1990 – 1992), Bluecoats (1993), and the DCI World Champion, Blue Devils (1994). He also Marched with the Westshoremen Drum Corps (1995 – 1996), winning high drums in 1995, and going undefeated to win a DCA World Championship in 1996. Scott was a member of the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps from 1997-2001. He retired from the Marines in 2009.
Mr. Kittrell started teaching in 1993 at Franklin High School and won two back to back KIDA Championships in 1993 and 1994. He continued to teach at numerous high schools throughout the years and has taught numerous Drum Corps, including the Bluecoats and Blue Devils.
Devon Stein
Band Assistant
Mrs. Stein is our band instructional assistant and takes on many of the day-to-day administrative tasks for the program, as well as being a second set of eyes and ears for our director. She has been a volunteer with the Sherando Band Boosters over the last several years and fell in love with the “band mom” life. She thoroughly enjoys spending time with this talented group of students, staff, and volunteers.
When she’s not doing band things, Mrs. Stein enjoys photography, playing board games, spending time with family, and is an avid figure skating fan. She’s the proud mom of two Sherando Band students, one currently in color guard, and one recently graduated mellophone/horn player.