Marching Cardinals Staff

Marching Band Director: Kevin Fuhrman

Kevin FuhrmanKevin Fuhrman has returned after a one year absence from instructing at Coon Rapids High School for the Marching Band and the Drumline.
In Mr. Fuhrman's previous tenure he instructed for the eleven years and led the Drumline to a state championship in 2008.

Since his first season, the drumline has enjoyed the success of being recognized as "Best Percussion" each fall season. The winter season also has seen dramatic increases in their awards and standings. Even with this success, this is not the test of a truly successful program; what matters is what is accomplished throughout a season and what members take with them on in life.

In this endeavor, Mr. Fuhrman strives to find innovative and, more importantly, highly effective ways to reach musical and personal goals with the group. He is an unceasingly force of service and integrity with these goals.

His background includes: 20 years of instruction in the marching band and drumline setting, 17 years of private percussion instruction, 15 years of professional performance with his own band, 33° North (steel drum band), along with appearances with other artists that range from Sheri Lewis to the Moody Blues.

Mr. Fuhrman is a clinician for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth and Aquarian Drumheads. He continues his performing career in the Twin Cities with many of the top artists in the area. He can be seen playing steel drums, drum set, percussion along with arranging and composing music for organizations. Recently, Warner Bros. published a drum set method book he helped write and was voted #5 of the best drum books by a Modern Drummer poll. He also has written a Mallet Percussion Sight reading book that will train anyone to be able to read music on the instrument.

He currently is a part of the Vic Firth Education Team and the Sabian Education Team. He also endorses Aquarian Drumheads and HQ Percussion.
Contact Kevin at: kevin email

Batterie Instructor

Michael S. Neimeyer

Michael S. Neimeyer Michael S. Neimeyer is enjoying his 4th year at Coon Rapids as the Marching Cardinals Percussion Assistant and the Assistant Winter Drumline Instructor. He began teaching winter drumline at Coon Rapids starting with the 1999-2000 season and added the fall marching band instruction in 2001. Before joining the Coon Rapids music staff, he spent 2 years at Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights.
Michael is an active member and snare drummer of Minnesota Brass Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps where he received Rookie of the Year Award for Percussion in 2000. He also gained experience with the U of MN Marching Band where he marched 5 years (1994-1998) playing snare drum and was Head Stick and Rank Lieutenant for 2 years, 1997 and 1998. He received the Red McLoud Marching Band Scholarship and Outstanding Musician Awards in his final year. After graduating, Michael acted as Assistant Drumline Instructor for 2 years where he wrote show music and cadences.

Michael "Nedge" Neimeyer began his marching career with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, from Dubuque, Iowa, where he played snare drum at the young age of 15! After performing across the county with the Colts in 1991 and 1992, he marched with the crowd pleasing and exciting Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps from Madison, WI. He marched two years with the Scouts (1993-1994) where he learned a lot about dedication, hard work, mental toughness and teamwork which have influenced his teaching and performing methods to this day.

Michael's hometown is Racine, WI where he attended Washington Park High School. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1999 with a degree in Geography. Today, he works for a small research and mapping company, Ameregis, in Minneapolis where he studies cities and makes maps. In his free time he likes to run, go bowling, hang out with friends and play cards.

Frontline Instructor

Hope Grover

Hope Grover Hope Grover is excited to be part of the growing music program at CRHS. As a teacher (band, orchestra, and choir) across the parking lot at CRMS, she has the unique opportunity to work with both energetic beginners and successful intermediate performers. Hope helped teach the winter drumline at CRHS last winter.
Hope's background includes a wide variety of musical experiences. In the marching realm, Hope was fortunate to get to do both three years of high school drumline and three years winter guard (Valley Pride) as well as four years of marching band. Outside of her school experience she has also marched five years (1995-1999) with Chops Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps and two seasons with the DCI World Finalist Colts Drum and Bugle Corps (2000, 2001). While marching in drum corps, Hope placed well as a keyboard percussion soloist at the Drum Corps International World Championships and won the Drum Corps Midwest scholarship. In addition to the marching idiom, Hope has been a member of several successful concert ensembles as well as performed on a Leigh Howard Stevens master class.

Hope has taught the winter drumline and percussion ensemble at Minnetonka High School, the winter drumline at Sauk Rapids High School, and Chops Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps. Hope currently teaches both in the marching band and drumline programs at CRHS, writes/designs for the drumline at Sauk Rapids High School, is the director of the Fridley High School winter drumline, and is a recent addition to the percussion staff for the division one Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Columbus, Ohio. Her professional affiliations include: Golden Key, MMEA, PAS, and the Vic Firth Education Team.

Colorguard Instructor: Carissa Staples

Carissa Staples Carissa Staples has been instructing the Coon Rapids Colorguard for three years.