CJ Longabaugh

Director of Bands, Irondale

Dr. Cameron Longabaugh currently serves as the Director of Bands at Irondale High School in New Brighton, MN. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance with a secondary emphasis in Musicology at the University of Minnesota. He received his Masters of Music degree in Saxophone Performance at the University of Minnesota and his Bachelor of Music Education at Kansas State University. Mr. Longabaugh has studied saxophone with internationally renowned concert artists such as Eugene Rousseau, Anna Marie Wytko, and Preston Duncan.

During his graduate studies Dr. Longabaugh competed at numerous prestigious solo and chamber music competitions and was named a Finalist and a prizewinner at the 2017 William C. Byrd International Concerto Competition, a Finalist and a prize winner at the 2017 Plowman National Chamber Music Competition, and winner of the 2016 Masters Concerto and Aria Competition sponsored by the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Longabaugh previously taught at Inver Grove Heights Middle School in Inver Grove Heights, MN (2019-2021) Tapp Middle School in Powder Springs, GA (2017-2019) and Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, KS (2011-2013).

Tyler Shipe

Visual Coordinator

Tyler is an Irondale graduate and has been working with the marching band since then. He marched with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corp for four years. More...

Ellie Mehr

Front Ensemble Coordinator

Ellie Mehr is an active marching arts educator in the Twin Cities area and beyond. Passionate about facilitating positive musical experiences and opportunities for musical and personal growth, Ellie has served as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for Irondale High School Marching Band and Indoor Drumline since 2015 and as a front ensemble instructor for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps since 2019. 

In addition to her years of experience as an educator, Ellie has also had the opportunity to be a member of the Eagan High School Winter Drumline, River City Rhythm Indoor, Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps, Minnesota Brass Indoor, and the Boston Crusaders. 

In 2018, Ellie graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy and currently works as a Board Certified Music Therapist. Ellie has also served as the Second Vice President of the Minnesota Percussion Association Board of Directors since 2019 and was named the Minnesota Percussion Association Instructor of the Year in 2021. 

Paul Weber

Percussion Coordinator

Paul is an Irondale alum and has been on staff since 1998. He marched with the Madison Scouts for four years and was the Drum Corps Midwest multi-tenor champion in 2001. More...

Andy "AC" Combites

Program Coordinator

AC has been working with the marching band since 1998. He played with the Knights Drum & Bugle Corps and the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. More...

Michelle Koski

Color Guard Coordinator

Michelle is an Irondale alum and participated in many of the bands activities from Concert Band and Jazz Band (String Bass) to Marching Band (Color Guard) and Winter Guard. Michelle is also an MBI Winter Guard alum (2016).

Michelle has been a color guard instructor for many organizations including: Champlin Park Marching Band (2015-2016), Synergy Winter Guard (2016-2017), Patriots Marching Band (2016-2022), and Irondale Marching Band/Winter Guard (2017- current). Michelle currently serves as a board member for the North Star Circuit, the local Winter Guard circuit for the midwest.

Outside of marching band, Michelle works as a Project Coordinator for APi Group, and spends her free time doing portrait photography, and adventuring with her fiance, Chi-Cori.