About Us

Directors

Dr. Thomas Bourgault

Thomas Bourgault earned the Doctor of Music Arts in Wind Studies from Rutgers University where he studied conducting with Dr. Kraig Alan Williams. There he conducted all university bands and assisted with all facets of the wind band division. Bourgault holds the Bachelor of Music in Music Education and the Master of Arts in Music from the University of New Hampshire, with a focus in composition and wind conducting.

Prior to his appointment at Bridgewater-Raritan, Bourgault held the positions of Director of Instrumental Music at Lebanon High School, Lebanon, New Hampshire and Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Connecticut, and Band Director at Freedom High School in Orlando, Florida. In addition to his duties at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, he is also the Director of Bands at William Paterson University, where he conducts the university band and teaches instrumental conducting.

As a composer, Dr. Bourgault has received numerous commissions from school and university bands throughout the country, including large symphonic bands, chamber ensembles, and mixed wind, string, percussion, and vocal ensembles. He currently maintains an active guest conducting schedule with public schools and regional honor bands.

Dr. Bourgault is the sole proprietor of his own publishing website which can be viewed here (https://savgamusic32.webs.com). Find out more about his composition and professional affiliates and check out some of his works!

Mr. Nicholas Mossa

Nicholas Mossa, a graduate of Bridgewater Raritan High School, currently serves as a band director for the Bridgewater Raritan High School and has enjoyed teaching music in the Bridgewater Raritan community since 2012. Mr. Mossa has an extensive performance background as a clarinetist including professional appearances with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Adelphi Orchestra, and the Central Park Orchestra. Mr. Mossa has also been recognized as a featured soloist with the Montclair State University Symphony Orchestra and at Kinhaven Music School in Weston, VT. His career performances have included concerts in Providence, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Shanghai, and New York City. Mr. Mossa is a current member of the Eastern Wind Symphony and is an active freelance performer outside of school.

As a director at Bridgewater Raritan High School, Mr. Mossa oversees seven performing ensembles including three curricular concert bands, the marching band, one of the two jazz bands, the winter guard, and the winter percussion ensemble. Mr. Mossa hopes to use his leadership of these student ensembles to create opportunities for student growth in areas of musical development, skill building, citizenry, artistry and character. Mr. Mossa is a part of the performing arts community at Bridgewater Raritan High School that, in various collaborative efforts, aims to celebrate and promote the curricular large ensembles as the core experience of the program which subsequently provides cohesion among all the co-curricular groups.

Mr. Mossa’s professional affiliations include the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education, Central Jersey Music Educators Association, New Jersey Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education. Mr. Mossa occupies the position of Band Performance Chair within the New Jersey Association for Music Education board of directors and is proud to be an advocate for music education in the state of New Jersey.

Auxiliary Staff

Lauryn Heller - Color Guard Director
Lauryn Heller is looking forward to her third season with the BRHS Marching Band! Lauryn has experienced the world of marching arts from a very young age, particularly because of her mother’s influence. She attributes much of her success to her 8 years performing with the WGI A class finalist Haddon Heights HS “High Voltage” color guard program and its exceptional staff (2002-2009). After high school, Lauryn marched indoor color guard with The Light Brigade (2010), Alter Ego (2011, 2012), and The Black Watch (2014, 2016). Additionally Lauryn marched as a color guard performer with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. (2008-2013).
Lauryn’s creative and instructional experience includes Haddon Heights HS (2010 - Present), Washington Township HS (2011 - 2019), Surge Independent (2016 - Present), The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2014, 2015), The Black Watch (2017, 2018), Hatboro Horsham Indoor Percussion Ensemble (2019), United Percussion (2017 - 2020), Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2016 - 2019), Bushwackers Drum Corps (2016 - Present), and other programs in the tri-state area.
In almost every aspect of her life, Lauryn chooses to dedicate her time and efforts to the growth and support of the youth. She has earned an Associate’s degree in social services from Gloucester County College, a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rowan University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Teaching Special Education at New Jersey City University. By day, Lauryn is a special education teacher at Adamsville Primary for kindergarten students. On nights and weekends, she is working with multiple marching arts organizations. Lauryn is looking forward to an exciting season of teamwork, growth, and new memories!

Kirby Marino - Percussion Director
Kirby is a percussion educator and arranger based in New Jersey. He started working with the Bridgewater Raritan High School Marching Band in 2018 and became the Percussion Director in the winter of 2018. Kirby works with the Marching Band and the Indoor Percussion Ensemble, serving as an arranger and designer for both ensembles and director of the Indoor Percussion Ensemble. In addition to his roles with Bridgewater-Raritan, Kirby also teaches other ensembles in New Jersey. He is currently the battery coordinator at the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps.

Joseph Espineira - Percussion Instructor
Joseph Espineira is excited to enter his 12th year teaching the BRHS Marching Band! Joe is currently the full time director is instrumental music at the Manville School District in Manville NJ where he is in charge of grades 5-8 band, marching band, and jazz band. He brings with him 9 years of full time teaching experience, 2 years of drum and bugle corps performing experience; including a DCI High Percussion Award, 2 years of drum corps teaching experience, and maintains an active performance schedule with the Eastern Wind Symphony as a percussionist. Accolades with Eastern Wind Symphony include a performance at the 2015 Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago, IL and a premier and recording session of Julie Giroux Symphony 5 “Elements.”

Rachael Terracciano - Color Guard Instructor
Rachael Terracciano is an alum from BRHS class of 2014. She was a member of the colorguard and winterguard for 9 seasons on saber, rifle and flag. Rachael also studied and performed with a dance company for 15 years. Rachael recently graduated from East Carolina University and has moved home to attend Rutgers University to complete her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Rachael is excited to be back and working with the BRHS marching band!

Matt Sakasitz - Visual Instructor
Matt Sakasitz is currently the Instrumental Music Director at the Peck School in Morristown, NJ. In addition to the Bridgewater Raritan Marching Band, he is also on the Brass Staff of the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps (2019-Present). Matt brings to Bridgewater 6 years of teaching experience teaching instrumental music and marching ensembles throughout New Jersey. He holds a Masters in Wind Conducting and a Bachelors degree in Music Education, both from Rutgers University. Matt is a proud alum of the BRHS Band program, and is excited to work at his alma mater!

Bryan Cook - Visual Instructor
An alumnus of Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Bryan Cook is excited to join the BRHS Marching Band for his first year on visual staff! In May 2021, Bryan graduated from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), where he studied Music Education. During his time at TCNJ, Bryan was principal trumpet of the TCNJ Wind Ensemble, a tutor in various music courses, assumed various leadership positions throughout the music department, and took part in a year-long invitational independent study on conducting and rehearsal philosophy. Through these opportunities, Bryan has gained much experience in performing music, teaching music, general leadership, and being a reliable and inspiring educator.

After his graduation, Bryan accepted a 2 week teaching fellowship at South Shore Conservatory in Hingham, Massachusetts, where he was one of six accepted collegiate fellows. During this program, Bryan had the opportunity to collaborate with music educators from all over the world in various ensembles, groups, and lessons. Working with students from 6th-12th grade, Bryan refined and expanded on valuable education and leadership tools. As a first-year educator, Bryan looks forward to the start of his career as a versatile and dynamic music teacher!

Additional Auxiliary Staff:
Joe Parillo - Color Guard Assistant Director
Mike O'Leary - Percussion Assistant Director
Jonah Nack - Percussion Instructor
Tristan Shafran - Percussion Instructor
Brian Farkas - Visual Instructor
Kevin Bene - Jazz Faculty