Meet the Band Directors
Bryan Mara and Todd Blaser
Bryan Mara grew up in Rockford, IL. At the age of 14, he auditioned for and became a member of Phantom Regiment and toured nationally for the next seven summers. He later joined their staff and helped the corps realize a 30-year dream in 1996 when they became World Champions. While attending college, he broke all stereotypes by playing football while earning his music degree at St. Norbert College, in De Pere, WI. He earned his Masters of Education and later a second Masters in School Administration from Hamline University. He has 25+ years teaching experience in Minnesota and Wisconsin, 18 of those in Willmar. He is the varsity golf coach at Willmar Senior High. He is married and has two children. Mr. Mara is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Minnesota Music Educators Association, the Minnesota Education Association, the Minnesota Band Directors Association, and the Minnesota Golf Coaches Association. He was recently inducted into the International Band Masters Fraternity Phi Beta Mu in 2013.
Todd Blaser is originally from Norfolk, Nebraska, where he graduated from Norfolk High School in 1983. At Norfolk High School he was involved in band, intramurals, golf, and served as drum major of the award winning Norfolk High School Marching Band. After high school, he attended Northeast Technical Community College, the University of South Dakota, and eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. In 2006 he received his Master's in Education from St. Catherine's University. While in high school and college he marched in Drum and Bugle Corps spending 5 summers with the Crimson Cadets of Norfolk, and one year with the Phantom Regiment of Rockford, Illinois which placed 4th at the 1984 DCI World Championships.
Todd maintains an active judging schedule working with marching bands, concert bands, jazz bands, and solo ensemble throughout the Midwest. He is a member of the Phantom Regiment alumni association,MMEA, NAFME, MBDA Phi Beta Mu.