directors

Meet Our Directors

D. Michael Lynch

D. Michael Lynch is the Director of Bands at Cherokee High School in Marlton, New Jersey. His responsibilities include directing the Cherokee Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Beginner Band. Under his baton the Cherokee Wind Ensemble has achieved great success while performing at many region, state, and national festivals, and the Cherokee Marching Band has been named at the US Bands 2014 National Champions and 2016 New Jersey State Champions. In addition to directing the performance ensembles, he teaches courses in Music Theory, Music Technology, and Music Appreciation. Spanning nearly two decades of dedication and service to music education, Mr. Lynch has taught and directed instrumental music ensembles and general music courses at the pre-school, elementary school, middle and high school levels.

Mr. Lynch received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Rowan University in 2000, and a Master of Arts in Conducting degree from Messiah College in 2013. He studied conducting with William Stowman, Bradley Genevro, Eugene M. Corporon, and Salvatore Scarpa. While attending Rowan University, Mr. Lynch was a trumpet student of John Thyshen. Mr. Lynch is the Assistant Director of a summer enrichment program entitled Leadership through Education, Adventure, and Discipline (L.E.A.D.).
In 2004, the Conn-Selmer publication, KeyNote Magazine, recognized Mr. Lynch as a "Teacher of Note" for his tireless efforts and service to students of the high school band program in Pitman, NJ. In 2012, South Jersey Magazine named Mr. Lynch as a "Top Teacher" for the quality of education he provides to the students of Cherokee High School in Marlton, NJ.

Mr. Lynch and his wife Katy have two children, Graham Michael and Cecily Marie, and happily reside in the small town of Pitman, NJ.

Earl Phillips

Mr. Phillips EBoard

Mr. Phillips is a graduate, with honors, of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia holding a Bachelor's Degree in Trombone Performance (’04), a Masters Degree in Music Education (’05) and a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance from Rowan University (’11). At Cherokee, he teaches Jazz Band, Jazz Improvisation, Music Technology and AP Music Theory.

As a professional bass trombonist, Mr. Phillips has had the pleasure of performing with such jazz greats as Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Robin Eubanks, Kurt Elling, John Fedchock, Jeff Jarvis, Tim Hagans, Denis DiBlasio, Jim McFalls, Patti Austin, and Gregg Field. Mr. Phillips has also had the pleasure of recording with some of today's largest pop stars, most notably Kid Cudi, Boyz II Men, John Legend, and Will Smith. His session with John Legend was part of an album (So Amazing: A Tribute to Luther Vandross) that won 2 Grammy Awards in 2005.

Mr. Phillips also directs and acts as the chief composer/arranger for theEarl Phillips Big Band, a 17-piece group comprised of some of the finest musicians in the Tri-State area. Earl has also been a staff composer/arranger for Terell Stafford’s “Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia” since 2014. His charts are currently being published and are available internationally by Northeastern Music Publications. Aside from the EPBB, several high schools and Universities in the Tri-State area have performed his charts. Rowan University performed 12 of Mr.Phillips' compositions and arrangements for their November 2010 concert dedicated to his music.

Mr. Phillips is also a published author having articles printed in the "Jazz Education Journal,”, "Downbeat Magazine,” and most recently, “International Trombone Journal.” From 2005-2007, Mr. Phillips was the director of the Philadelphia Grammy Band from 2005-2006, the director of the 2008 and 2012 All-South Jersey Jazz Ensembles, the 2014 All-Central Jersey Jazz Ensemble, and, from 2009-2016, was a clinician and manager with the New Jersey All State Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Phillips has also been a frequent guest clinician with numerous high schools and universities throughout the Tri-State area. He is also working with William Patterson University in the Thad Jones Living Archive as both an engraver and as a contributor to the archive.

Earl resides in West Deptford, NJ with his beautiful wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Madeline and Zachary.

Mitchell Stowman

Mitchell Stowman is the Director of Orchestras at Cherokee High School, and the Assistant Marching Director. In addition to conducting the Cherokee String Ensemble, Cherokee Symphony Orchestra, and Lenape Regional Orchestra, Mr. Stowman also directs the Pep Band and teaches Music Appreciation and Technology in Music.

A Graduate of Temple University, Mitchell earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. As a double bassist, Mitchell performed with the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, Bass Ensemble, and Temple Theaters, in addition to freelance work in the greater Philadelphia area. Mitchell studied double bass with Robert Kesselman of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Regina Barret of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. Additionally Mitchell has studied conducting with Emily Threinen and Koji Otsuki.

Mr. Stowman has worked in a teaching capacity with Play On Philly, The Philadelphia String Project, Mechanicsburg Music Department, and the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz. He was honored to be selected as a guest conductor for the 2017 All-South Jersey Elementary Honors Orchestra. Mr. Stowman maintains a private studio and active performance schedule in the New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia Area. He resides in Marlton with his wife, Sarah.