Directors
Patrick Van Arsdale
Director of Bands
patrick.van-arsdale@wayne.k12.in.us - 317-988-7222
Patrick Van Arsdale has been the Director of Bands at Ben Davis High School since 2022. Patrick served as Associate Director of Bands at BD from 2017-2022. Before moving to Indianapolis, Patrick was the Director of Bands at West Jessamine High School in Nicholasville, KY. He completed his Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Kentucky. He perfomed the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Trumpet ensemble. Patrick also served as drum major for two years in the Wildcat Marching Band. Mr. Van Arsdale has played with musicians such as Manhattan Transfer, Bob Mintzer, Roger Ingram, Brandford Marsalis, Vince DiMartino, Joe Lovano, Tom Hooten, Rex Richardson, Steve Hendrickson, Chris Vadala, New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet, and many more. He has also performed at venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, Festival en Beaujolais in France, JEN Conference, International Trumpet Guild, National Trumpet Competition - Soloist, National Trumpet Competition - Ensemble, KMEA Conference, and many musicals with the Kentucky Conservatory Theater.
Van Arsdale has taught for schools such as North Hardin and Lafayette High Schools in KY. As a staff member of Lafayette for 2 years, the marching band won 2 KMEA State Championships and 2 BOA Class Regionals. He also spent time volunteering for arts programs around Lexington such as The Lexington Philharmonic.
When not working, Mr. Van Arsdale enjoys spending time with his wife Mikayla, playing with his dog Maxwell, golfing, all things University of Kentucky and Pittsburgh sports, amusement parks, and auto racing.
Gary Rudolph
Associate Director of Bands
gary.rudolph@wayne.k12.in.us - 317-988-7249
Gary Rudolph has served as Associate Band Director at Ben Davis High School, and the Percussion Specialist for Wayne Township since 2000. Gary enjoys instructing, arranging, and composing for the percussion section of the Marching Giants, the Percussion Ensemble, and the competitive Winter Percussion Ensemble.
He is currently serving on the Indiana Percussion Association Board of Directors as President-Elect. Mr. Rudolph studied percussion at the University of Kentucky while earning a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. He continued his studies as a graduate assistant at Miami University, where he received a Masters Degree in Music Performance. Throughout his college career, he was active in a variety of musical settings as both a teacher and performer. Mr. Rudolph marched with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 1994-1996, and was a member of the instructional staff from 1999-2004. During Mr. Rudolph’s involvement with the corps they were awarded five World Championships, three Best Percussion titles, and 2 Percussion Ensemble Championships.
Besides writing and arranging music, Gary spends his free time golfing, working with computers and traveling with his wife, Mary Beth and their three children, Matthew, Benjamin, and Evynn. The Rudolph family currently resides in Wayne Township.
Lyujohn Williams
Associate Director of Bands
lyujohn.williams@wayne.k12.in.us - 317-988-7198
Lyujohn Williams has served as Associate Band Director at Ben Davis High School since 2022. He is a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He earned his BME at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. At WCU he was able to perform with Symphonic Winds, Jazz Bands, Chorale Orchestra, Show Choir band, and the Knights of Jazz (WCUs advanced jazz combo). During his senior year he won the 2017 William Carey Concerto competition and was able to perform Fandango by Joseph Turrin with the Symphonic Winds. Before coming to Ben Davis, Lyujohn was the Director of Bands at Decatur Middle School. While at Decatur he was responsible for not only overseeing the middle school program but also teaching the high school brass section as well as being an Assistant Director for the Decatur Central Indoor Winds.
Along with teaching, Lyujohn has a passion for performing and plays trumpet for numerous bands around the Indianapolis area, including JoySwing! Jazz Orchestra, the Indiana Wind Symphony, and Pork & Beans Brass Band. When not playing or teaching he enjoys spending time with his wife, Becca, and playing with their dog, Daisy, and cat, Onyx!
Jessica Holcomb
Associate Director of Bands
jessica.holcomb@wayne.k12.in.us - 317-988-7197 (email and phone will be active July 1, 2023)
Jessica Holcomb is a native of Northeast Ohio and is entering her tenth year of
teaching. She studied at Kent State University, serving as drum major of the Marching
Golden Flashes for three years while also competing with the Glassmen Drum & Bugle
Corps (2012) and Matrix Indoor Percussion (2011-2013). Prior to joining the Ben Davis
team in the fall of 2023, Jessica served as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Jazz Studies for
Warren Central High School (IN), Director of Bands for Goshen Middle School (IN),
Assistant Director of Bands for Crestwood Local Schools (OH), and General Music
Teacher at Green Intermediate School (OH).
Jessica is a saxophone specialist and has a passion for the jazz arts as well as
promoting and advocating for women in the jazz scene. In addition to her instrumental
responsibilities she has spent the past five years serving as a color guard director and
dance instructor, and has a long history working as a designer and choreographer for
numerous Ohio and Indiana marching arts ensembles. She has also spent the last
decade teaching privately as a woodwind instructor and performing as a pit musician in
musical theater productions.
Outside of teaching and performing Jessica also deeply enjoys cooking, gardening, and
traveling. She lives in Indianapolis with her partner, cats, and goldfish.
Katie Hein
Junior High Directors
Ashley Watson
Director of Bands - Lynhurst 7th/8th Grade Center
ashley.watson@wayne.k12.in.us - 317-988-8197
Ashley Watson is currently a band director at Lynhurst 7th & 8th grade center. She has been teaching in Wayne Township since 2015. During this time, she has taught music and special education in an inclusion setting, as well as being a director for the drama club. Ashley graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Instrumental Music Education and majored in Oboe. She student taught at Ben Davis High School and is an Indianapolis native. Mrs. Watsons passion is educating students who thrive in an environment that gives them opportunities to grow, not only as a musician, but as an adolescent.
When not teaching, Mrs. Watson loves spending time with her family, especially her husband and two children. She is a Disney fanatic as well as a huge fan of watching movies of all genres.
Shawn McNabb
Director of Bands - Chapel Hill 7th/8th Grade Center
shawn.mcnabb@wayne.k12.in.us - 317-988-8815
Shawn McNabb is the Director of Bands at Chapel Hill. He grew up on the west side of Indianapolis and is an alumnus of Ben Davis High School (86’). After high school, Shawn attended Ball State University where he received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education. Currently Mr. McNabb is finishing his Masters Degree at IUPUI in the Masters of Music Technology program. As Associate Director his current responsibilities are: Conductor of the Symphonic Band, assisting with the Wind Symphony, the Concert Band, two jazz bands, winter guard, and serves as the Head of Brass Instruction at Ben Davis. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Shawn served as the Director of Bands at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his time at Southport High School his responsibilities included directing three concert bands, two jazz bands, marching band, winter guard, winter percussion and three orchestras. Before moving back to his home town, Shawn served as an Assistant Director of Bands at Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School in northern Indiana. While at Lewis Cass, Shawn helped lead the Lewis Cass Marching Kings to the Indiana class C State Marching Band Championships as well as consistent gold ratings in concert band and solo ensemble. His professional memberships include the MENC, IMEA, IBA and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
When not working with the band, Shawn enjoys playing golf, and spending time with his wife Kristina and their two sons Connor and Austin.
Tommy Neidecker
Associate Director of Bands - Lynhurst 7th/8th Grade Center
thomas.neidecker@wayne.k12.in.us - 317-988-8198
Tommy Neidecker is currently a band director at Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center, serving the school since 2020. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Mr. Neidecker studied music education and jazz studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music before teaching in Wayne Township. In addition to teaching, Tommy is an in-demand classical and jazz trombonist. While at IU, he performed with the Concert Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, trombone choir, and athletic bands. In 2019, Tommy was also selected as a member of the Disneyland All-American College Band, performing for guests at Disneyland every day. His other notable performance experience includes the Crossroads Brass Band, Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble, and as trombonist for Chicago-based rapper Big Bill. He frequently performs at venues in and around Indianapolis, notable inclusions being the Palladium and the Jazz Kitchen.
Outside of music, Tommy enjoys tormenting his co-teacher Mrs. Watson, watching High School Musical on repeat, and cooking.
Grace Ishikawa
Associate Director of Bands - Chapel Hill 7th/8th Grade Center
grace.ishikawa@wayne.k12.in.us - 317-988-8805
Ms. Ishikawa is currently a Band Director at Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center. She began teaching at CHC in 2021. She was raised on the west side of Indianapolis and is an alumna of Ben Davis High School (’14). Upon graduating high school, Grace attended Capital University and earned her Bachelors of Music in Music Education. While at Capital, she performed in the Saxophone Quartet, the Symphonic Winds, organized the first Saxophone Choir, and completed part of her student teaching overseas in Auckland, New Zealand. Miss Ishikawa is also a future soldier of the 38th Infantry Division Band with the Indiana Army National Guard and performs frequently with the Indiana Wind Symphony.
Prior returning to her alma mater, Grace served as the Director of Bands at John Adams High School in South Bend, IN. During her time at John Adams High School, her responsibilities included directing the concert band, jazz band, marching band, and pep band. As a staff member, the Jazz Band earned a Gold Rating in Group I at contest and the Concert Band formed an international partnership with Las Cigarreras, an ensemble in Spain. The directors transcribed “Costalero del Soberano” specifically for the John Adams High School Concert Band and news of the performance went viral via local newspapers, radio stations, and YouTube.
At Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center, her duties include co-directing the 7th and 8th Grade Bands and the Jazz Band. Her professional memberships include IMEA, IBA, ISSMA, JEN, and Sigma Alpha Iota.
When not working, Miss Ishikawa enjoys working out (running, cycling, weights), cooking delicious vegan food, making latte art, traveling, and spending time with her family and kitten.
Marching Staff