Our staff are an integral part of the Orange Park Raider Band, without them we wouldn’t be where we are today!
Remaining bios will be added as soon as possible!
Brett Pikuritz
Director of Bands
A short bio with personal history, key achievements, or an interesting fact.
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Isabell Shiver
Treasurer & Band Parent Coordinator
Isabell Shiver, a former Orange Park Raider Band Parent of 2 daughters, Stephanie and Katie, has been working with the Raider Band for 13 years. Throughout this time, she has volunteered, chaperoned, acted as the Band Treasurer, and more! Isabell has been working with the band through 5 different directors and many other changes. Isabell shared her passion for music with her daughters as she was a clarinet player throughout her high school career at Umatilla High School in central Florida. She continued her clarinet education at Jacksonville University where she earned a Bachelors degree in Biology and a Bachelors degree in German. Isabell also works at Orange Park High School as the administrative secretary for Ms. Hayes, Mr. Boyer, and Ms. Mayberry, as well as the athletics secretary for Athletic Director Ms. Brightman. Formerly, Isabell was a crossing guard at S. Bryan Jennings Elementary School and OPHS for 20 years!
Louie Laborde
Graphic Designer
A short bio with personal history, key achievements, or an interesting fact.
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Katie Lebow
Web Coordinator
Katie Lebow, an alumna of the Orange Park Raider Band, has been volunteering with the band since the 6th grade as her older sister, Stephanie, was a freshman member of the Raider Band. An alto and soprano saxophone player, Katie participated in the symphonic, all county, and jazz bands. She also participated in the district solo and ensemble competitions both individually and as a member of a group. Katie has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Florida State University and master’s in Aquatic Environmental Science. Though not her chosen career path, music holds a special place in her heart, as does the Raider Band. Katie serves as the band’s social media and website coordinator, as well as the photographer and videographer. Katie works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville, Florida as a NEPA biologist. Katie is the youngest daughter of Isabell Shiver, the band’s Treasurer and Band Parent Coordinator, and as such, is often seen working competitions, football games, gift wrapping, and more.
Neeraja Chandrasekharan
Woodwinds
Neeraja is a senior at the University of North Florida School of Music. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education, and this is her second season with the OPHS Raider Band. She has been playing clarinet for 13 years, and flute for 7. Her aspirations lie in teaching middle school band and teaching English online. She has played in multiple ensembles such as the UNF Wind Symphony, Clarinet Choir, Concert Band, and has done a myriad of work with chamber groups, and period instrument ensembles. Some of her most rewarding masterclasses have been with Richard Stoltzman, the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, and the USAF Heritage Winds Quintet. She has also had the incredible opportunity of playing abroad in Belgium and Spain. She is the current president of UNF’s chapter of the Collegiate National Association of Music Education and is also the Assistant Director of the UNF Osprey Pep Band. She has studied with Dr. Sunshine Simmons in her time at UNF and is currently pursuing teaching opportunities in Greece and Spain. In her off time, she likes to spend time at the beach, road trip, and cook.
Amelia Beaver
Colorguard
Amelia Beaver is one of Orange Park High School Marching Band’s Color guard Instructors. The 2022-2023 season will be her third year teaching. Amelia is 21 years old and an alumni of OPHS having graduated in 2019. As a part of the Color guard for all 4 years and a captain for 3, Amelia grew her leadership and spinning skills. After graduating she spun one year at JU independent and one year at UCF Pegasus A.
Ciara Jordan
Colorguard
Ciara Jordan has been performing since the age of three years old. Either in dance recitals, singing, acting, or putting on shows in her living room, performance has always been a passion of hers. She started playing the piano at age seven and has since picked up the violin as well as the tenor saxophone. In the eighth grade, she discovered Winterguard and fell in love with every part of it. She has competed in nine seasons, planning to march DCI and WGI until her age out, earning a multitude of first place trophies and medals at the state championship. She is so passionate about the sport and so excited to be able to share her love and knowledge of performance with the Orange Park students.
Max Castaneda
Visual & Marching Fundamentals
Max began his marching career at Nease High School. During his time at Nease, the Marching Band Program achieved Finals placement three times at the Florida Marching Band 5A Class Championships. Max also performed in the Nease Indoor Percussion Ensemble, where the group achieved 1st Place and 2nd Place at the FFCC Open Class Championships. The Nease Indoor Percussion Ensemble also performed annually at WGI Open Class Championships, the group earned Semi-Finals placement in 2014 and Finals placement in 2015. Following graduation, Max attended Florida State University. While at FSU, Max joined the Unity Percussion Ensemble for their inaugural season. Max served as their Percussion Captain in 2016 where the group achieved 3rd Place in FFCC A Class Championships and 8th place at the WGI A Class Championships. Max returned to Unity Percussion in 2017, the group achieved 1st Place in FFCC A class Championships and 3rd place in WGI A Class Championships.
In 2019, Max graduated FSU with a Bachelors degree in Computer Science. Upon his return to Northeast Florida, he has worked with a number of groups as a visual instructor, choreographer and drill designer. Max is looking forward to returning to the Orange Park Raider Band in a full time capacity for the 2022 season.
Orange Park High School Band 