ADMINISTRATION
ALEX KEENE
Director
Alex Keene is the Director of Breakthrough Indoor. He is a Music Educator and Percussionist based in Phoenix, Arizona and holds a bachelor’s in music education from Northern Arizona University while studying under Jim Nelson and Dr. Steve Hemphill. Alex is an accomplished educator and clinician with over 19+ of teaching young musicians from elementary to College. He has been a percussion instructor for many programs throughout the state including Red Mountain High School, Agua Fria High School and Maryvale High School. Alex actively performs with Rhythm is Life Steel Band, Tempe Symphony Orchestra, and several other musical companies and performing groups throughout Arizona. Alex is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at Tolleson Union High School where he teaches Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Concert and World Percussion, Piano and AP Music Theory. He is also the Director of Tolleson Indoor Percussion.
VANESSA SMITH
Assistant Director
Vanessa A. Smith has a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from Grand Canyon University and has been studying music for 12 years. She started her music journey playing the Alto Saxophone, switched to percussion her freshman year in high school and has been a dedicated percussionist ever since. She is a Breakthrough Alumni, has played with ASU's Sun Devil Marching Band, and currently has 5 years of experience as a front ensemble instructor. Currently, she is Assistant Band Director and teaches front ensemble at Tolleson Union High School.
CHRIS GREGORY
Percussion Logistics Manager
Chris Gregory will be returning to Breakthrough for his fourth season as a Tenor Tech and also as Percussion Logistics Manager. Before working with Breakthrough, Chris taught at Peoria Unified School District Indoor. Chris’s prior marching experience includes the Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band, POW Percussion, and The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. He is currently a PhD student at Arizona State University, studying Materials Science and Engineering with a focus in photovoltaics and electronic materials. In his free time, Chris enjoys exercising and snowboarding.
BRIAN BERG
Media Specialist
Brian Berg is the Media Specialist for Breakthrough Indoor and has been involved with media, photography and video for AZMBA, WGAZ, and WGI events since 2015. He started playing percussion in fifth grade and participated for many years in marching band, jazz band, concert band, and symphony orchestra. Brian has played percussion and drum set at Palmcroft Church in Phoenix for 25 years and performed on stage at Celebrity Theater with Grammy-winning artist Michael W. Smith during his Spirit of Christmas Tour. Brian has also travelled to Slovakia, Hungary, and Vienna to perform percussion. As a professional designer, Brian has done work for Fortune 500 corporations such as Disney, Whirlpool, Motorola, and PetSmart.
BRANDON BERG
Social Media
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JASMINE SALAZAR
Merchandise Manager
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