Spencer Hile – Director of Bands
Spencer Hile joined the Hersey band program in 2021. At Hersey, Mr. Hile teaches Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble 1, and the Marching Huskies. Mr. Hile also coordinates all aspects of the Band Program and coordinates the annual Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival. He also is the founder and conductor of the Encore Wind Symphony which is a summer youth honor band composed of students from across McHenry County. Previously he was the band director at McHenry High School in McHenry, Illinois where he taught two jazz bands, three concert bands, percussion ensemble, and music theory. Under his direction, the McHenry Symphonic Band performed at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival, Illinois Music Educators Conference, and was one of sixteen high school bands from across the country selected to perform on the featured stage at the 2020 National Concert Band Festival.
Mr. Hile’s interest in music began when he was required to join the band for his freshman year at Highland Park High School by his high school band director, Dr. Jim Hile. After the kicking and screaming subsided he discovered a deep appreciation for the most important instrument… Euphonium. In 2016, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Instrumental Music Education.
Outside of teaching and music, he is training to run his fifth marathon, obsessing over Apple products, and questioning why he ever became a Chicago Bears fan.
Andrew Burkemper – Jazz Ensemble II Director
Mr. Andrew Burkemper serves as the Jazz Ensemble II Director and a marching band staff member. He has previously taught at Maine South, Glenbard North, and Waubonsie Valley High Schools. Mr. Burkemper graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Illinois. He has also completed a Master’s Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Benedictine University.
While at the University of Illinois, Mr. Burkemper was a member of the Trombone Choir, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Marching Illini. He was recently a member of the Northshore Concert Band and has performed with the Chicago Brass Band, Illinois Brass Band, and Wheaton Municipal Band. Mr. Burkemper is a member of the National Band Association, from which he has received several Citations of Excellence. He is also a member of the Illinois Music Education Association, where he served as the High School Band Representative for District IX. Mr. Burkemper lives in Wheaton with his wife, Jen, and twin daughters, Olivia and Grace.
Arman Sangalang – Jazz Combo Director
Chicago-based saxophonist and composer Arman Sangalang has been garnering attention as one of the up-and-coming jazz musicians on the scene. Sangalang’s intricate originals weave together lyricism and colorful textures to deliver atmospheric soundscapes. Drawing inspiration from Chicago’s genre-bending creative music scene, his music ranges from contemplative to groove-oriented. His current project, the Arman Sangalang Quartet, brings freewheeling and fiery improvisations to audiences. His debut record Quartet (2023, Calligram Records) was awarded Best First Release as Leader by RadioRadioX. Sangalang’s sophomore album Waypoints (2026, Calligram Records) was described by Neil Tesser as “A revelation and a delight, and a quantum leap into another orbit entirely.”
Throughout his career, he’s had the honor of sharing the stage with notable jazz artists such as Jon Irabagon, Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Bruce Forman, Sharel Cassity, Essiet Okon Essiet, Sylvia Cuenca, and countless others. His music has been performed at prestigious venues like the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, and Chicago Jazz Festival. Other notable venues include The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, the Hungry Brain, The California Clipper, The Whistler, Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club and the Logan Center for the Arts.
Sangalang holds a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies (Saxophone) from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he studied with Greg Ward, Tom Walsh, and Walter Smith III. After completing a master’s degree at Northern Illinois University in 2022 where he studied with Geof Bradfield, he received recognition for his creative work. Most recently, Sangalang was named a 2026 Luminarts Jazz Improvisation Fellow. He is also an alum of programs like the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy, the Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency, and the Jazz Institute of Chicago Jazz Links Fellowship. His debut album received grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
In addition to being an active performer, Sangalang is a committed educator. He is currently on the faculty at Harper College, John Hersey High School and Ridgewood High School. While at NIU, Sangalang held a graduate assistantship where he coached jazz combos and taught courses. During the summer he is a teaching assistant at Birch Creek Music Performance Center. He also held positions with the Chicago High School for the Arts, Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL), Santa Catalina School, After School Matters, Stafford Music Academy, and the NIU Community School for the Arts.
Emily Gordon – Color Guard/ Winter Guard Director
Emily Gordon is the Director of the Hersey Color Guard and Winter Guard. She began her color guard career at Prospect High School before returning to the program as a staff member in 2024. Other performance experiences include Allegiance Independent Open (2019), the Northwestern University Marching Band, and the Chicago Pride Guard.
Prior to becoming director, Emily served as an instructor with the Hersey Color Guard from 2021–2023, was the Movement Specialist for Allegiance Independent A in 2025, and directed the Stevenson JV Winter Guard in 2026.
Outside of color guard, Emily is a mechanical engineer, designing the shapes of some of your favorite cookies and crackers (check out her latest collection of limited edition Oreos on a shelf near you). She balances a few other passions turned side hustles between tutoring, dancing, and creating custom art commissions.
Tom Leddy – Percussion Director
Tom Leddy is an active performer, educator and clinician who has been on the Chicago music scene since the early 90’s. He maintains a busy schedule playing all styles of music with some of Chicago’s top bands. During the day, Tom can be found at both John Hersey High School and Elk Grove High School teaching percussion classes, percussion ensemble, marching percussion and private lessons. Tom also serves as a clinician at many of the Northwest Suburban High Schools throughout the year. Tom endorses both Remo and Innovative Percussion.
Tom has performed with Pete Special (The Band, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows) for over 17 years. The Pete Special Band held a steady gig on Sunday nights at the old Lyons Den on Irving Park Rd. and was the place to be to hear the 11 piece horn band. The band’s CD Mozart Street received critical acclaim and was featured on the House of Blues Radio Hour with Dan Akroyd and at Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble. He also toured with his own band, Jak Makral from 1986-1992. Jak Makral had a large following in the Midwest and received college airplay throughout the country. Jak Makral appeared on a Dick Clark TV special, won the Tanqueray Rocks Talent Contest, appeared on TV with Natalie Cole, opened for both Hootie and the Blowfish and The Bodeans and was sponsored by Jägermeister, Old Style Dry and Maxx Drum sticks.
Tom attended both Indiana University and DePaul University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Tom had the privilege to study with George Gaber and Shawn Pelton.