Leadership

Dr. Michquelena Potlunas Ferguson currently serves as the Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the Pennsylvania State University. In her role, she assists with the direction of the Penn State Marching Blue Band and the “Pride of the Lions” Pep Band, directs the Concert Band, teaches courses in music education and conducting, and supervises student teachers. 

Ferguson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Penn State, a Master of Music in Music Education from West Chester University, a Master of Business Administration from Alvernia University, and a Ph.D. in Music Education from Penn State. Prior to returning to earn her doctorate and teach in higher education, Ferguson taught in the Pennsylvania Public Schools for ten years, primarily in high school instrumental music. Ferguson previously served as the Senior High School Director of Bands and Music Department K-12 Chairperson in the Exeter Township School District in Reading, PA. At Exeter Township, Ferguson was responsible for directing the marching band, the concert band, the auditioned wind ensemble, jazz bands, and teaching AP Music Theory and general music courses in popular music and music technology. 

Ferguson’s research interests include Title IX’s historical effects on women in collegiate athletic bands, investigating the role of women as leaders in music education, athletic band musicianship, and gender equity in collegiate marching bands. She has presented at state, national, and international music education conferences.

Vincent LoRusso ​serves as the Chairman of the Pennsylvania All-State Lions Band Committee.  Mr. LoRusso is the Director of Bands at the Blue Ridge School District in New Milford, PA and the Director of the Marywood University Jazz Ambassadors in Scranton, PA.  He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Education.  He received his M.A. in Music Education with a focus in Instrumental Conducting from Marywood University..  He is an active music educator, conductor, performer, and adjudicator.  

Prior to his accepting his position at Blue Ridge, Mr. LoRusso taught instrumental music for six years for the Montgomery County (MD) Public School system where his ensembles routinely earned Excellent and Superior ratings at he Maryland Music Educators Association Festivals. From 2016 to 2018 Mr. LoRusso directed the Concert Band at East Stroudsburg University.  Mr. LoRusso is a member of the American School Band Directors Association and he was awarded the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020.  

He has been a member of the Pennsylvania Lions All-State Band since his time as a student member of the band (1999) and joined the staff in 2004.  He is a member of the Abington Lions Club in Clarks Summit, PA.​

Cyndi Mancini is the 7-12 Band Director in the Montour School District located in McKees Rocks, PA. In her role she conducts the 7th and 8th Grade Band, Middle School Jazz Band, High School Concert Band, High School Percussion Ensemble, High School Jazz Band and Marching Band. She Is a graduate of Westminster College where she earned her Bachelors of Music Education. She holds a Masters of Music from Boston University in Music Education. Cyndi is a member of Pennsylvania Music Educators Association as District 1 Festival Coordinator, member of the American School Band Directors Association and a 2024 Grammy Outstanding Music Educator Nominee. Outside of education, Cyndi is a member of the North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band and is a freelance trumpet player in the Pittsburgh area.

Cyndi has been a member of the Pennsylvania Lions All-State Band since high school (2001) and joined the staff following her graduation from college. She is a member of the Robinson Township Lions Club in McKees Rocks, PA.

Anthony McDonnell is currently the Director of Bands at Berwick Area High School in Berwick, PA. In this role, he conducts the Concert Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Competitive Marching Band, and teaches courses in Music Theory and Music Appreciation. In addition to this role, he has recently joined the faculty at Commonwealth University, Bloomsburg as an Adjunct Professor of Clarinet, where he teaches Applied Clarinet Lessons and the Woodwind Technique Methods Course. In the spring of 2024, he began serving on the Executive Committee for the Pennsylvania Lions All-State Band. Anthony is a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association as the Columbia-Montour County Representative. 

As a performer, Anthony holds the position of Second Clarinetist with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra. He also performs with the Catawissa Military Band and regularly performs in high school musical pit orchestras throughout the region.

He holds a Master of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance and Wind Band Conducting from the University of Delaware and a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His primary clarinet instructors were Dr. Christopher Nichols and Dr. Rosemary Engelstad, and he studied conducting under Dr. Lauren Reynolds.