Directors & Staff​

Directors

Dr. Thomas Bourgault

Thomas Bourgault is approaching 20 years in public education, and has been directing the bands at BRHS since 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts in Music from the University of New Hampshire where he studied horn with John Boden and Kendall Betts, composition with Michael Annicchiarico and Andrew Boysen, Jr., and conducting with Boysen and William Kempster. He earned a Doctorate in Wind Studies from Rutgers University, where he studied conducting with Kraig Alan Williams and assisted with all facets of the university’s band program.

At BRHS, Dr. Bourgault conducts all bands, is the artistic lead with the Wind Ensemble and Monday Jazz Band, and teaches Intermediate and Advanced Guitar courses. Outside of his responsibilities at BRHS, he is an active composer and maintains the website   www.bourgaultmusicworks.com. 
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When he's away from teaching, he enjoys running and cycling, reading copious amounts of literature whenever possible, experimenting with Northern European rye bread recipes, and entertaining his family, namely his daughter Gracelynn, with music. 

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​Mr. Nicholas Mossa

Nicholas Mossa, a proud 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. He studied conducting with Dr. Shelley Axelson and Dr. Thomas McCauley, and is currently pursuing his graduate degree in Wind Band Conducting at Montclair State University, serving as an associate conductor for the MSU Wind Symphony for the 2024/2025 school year.

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. His career performances have included concerts in Providence, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Shanghai, and New York City. Mr. Mossa is a member of the Eastern Wind Symphony and enjoys performances throughout the tri-state area each season.

At BRHS, Mr. Mossa is the director of the Marching Band & Symphonic Band, assistant director of the BRHS Wind Ensemble, and co-director of the BRHS Concert Band. He oversees the Winter Guard & Indoor Percussion Ensembles as the director of the Marching Arts Programs, and also directs the Tuesday Jazz Band & BRHS Clarinet Choir. He is a devoted advocate for music education, believing in the unique value of the experiences that come from participating and pursuing excellence within musical ensembles. Throughout each program offering, he aims to maximize students’ opportunities to create meaningful and lasting experiences and growth year over year.

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, and is also the championships Co-Chair for the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association.

Auxiliary Staff

​Lauryn Heller Griffin 

Visual Consultant and Designer

Lauryn Heller Griffin is looking forward to her 6th season with the Bridgewater Raritan Marching Band & Color Guard. Having experienced the world of marching arts from a very young age, particularly because of her mother’s influence, she reflects fondly upon her 13 years of learning and performance as a member of the Haddon Heights marching programs. Lauryn has also performed with The Light Brigade, Alter Ego, The Black Watch, and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. 

As a creator & instructor, her experience is including, but not limited to: The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (‘14, ‘15), Haddon Heights HS (‘10-‘19), The Black Watch (‘17, ‘18), Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (‘16-’19), United Percussion (‘17-’24), The Bushwackers Drum Corps (‘16-’24), The Bluecoats (2024), and Bridgewater Raritan HS (‘19-’24).

Beyond involvement in the marching arts community, Lauryn is an elementary special education teacher in Bridgewater, NJ. She loves to spend free time with her husband, Eddie, and their two dogs - Henry and Murphy. Lauryn is looking forward to the creation of another memorable season with BRHS Marching Band & Color Guard.

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

Rebecca Youngerman

Color Guard Director

Rebecca has been working with the BR Marching Band and Color Guard since 2021 and is excited to be back this season as one of the color guard directors! She is also a staff member at Bushwackers drum corps and has performed with ensembles including Mandarins drum corps,  Raiders, and Black Watch.  Outside of color guard, Rebecca holds bachelors and masters degrees in data science and public health from William & Mary and Harvard. She works as a senior data scientist at CVS/Aetna developing artificial intelligent products for clinicians. At home she is focused on her three cats and her fiancée - our very own BR percussion director, Kirby. ​

​​​Rachael Terracciano

Color Guard Director

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 Instruction

Matt Sakasitz is excited to be back for his fourth year on staff with BRHS! Aside from BRHS, he has worked as a marching instructor with John P. Stevens HS, Jackson Memorial HS, and Rutgers University's Marching Scarlet Knights. He also teaches drum corps and has worked with the Bushwackers for the past 6 years. As a performer Matt marched with Cadets2 and the Bushwhackers, and currently plays tuba with the Princeton Brass Band. He is a proud BRHS alumni and was a member of the marching band in 2010-2013.

Brian Horn

​​Battery Instructor

Brian Horn is a marching percussion educator from Somerset, NJ. His marching percussion career started 15 years ago at Immaculata High School in Somerville, NJ. Brian’s first experience with an independent group was playing snare drum as a member of the Bushwackers (2010). Following the DCA experience, Brian then marched 2 seasons, including his age-out season, at United Percussion (snare drum 2011, 2012). Brian has been the caption head at Westfield High School (US Bands), since 2012. Brian also has WGI, DCA, and DCI teaching, with East Coast Percussion (2018), with United Percussion A (2019), The Hawthorne Caballeros (2018,2019) and most recently with the Jersey Surf (2019).

Ember Hesse

Visual Caption Head

Ember is thrilled to join the Bridgewater Raritan Marching Band staff and contribute to the success of this talented team! He has previously taught with the John P. Stevens Marching Band and Old Bridge High School Marching Band. 

In addition to his teaching background, Ember brings a wealth of performance experience across multiple esteemed marching ensembles, including the Bluecoats, Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps, United Percussion, and the Rutgers Marching Band. 

He is currently studying at Rutgers University, where he is on track to graduate in May 2025 with dual Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Performance.

Additional Auxiliary Staff:

Kevin Bene, Jazz Faculty
Barron Carromano, Jazz Faculty

DJ Mazzarella, Color Guard Designer & Choreographer
Diego Catalan, Color Guard Instructor
Diego Vega, Color Guard Instructor
Joshua Echaluse, Color Guard Instructor

Adam Selph, Visual Instruction
Kaitlyn Ferrari, Visual Instruction
Kevin Sonpar, Visual Instruction

Mike King, Front Ensemble Instructor
Hannah D'Elia, Battery Instructor
Harry Teele, Battery Instructor