Staff

Mr. Devon Melillo

Devon Melillo is a music educator from Sioux Falls, SD and recently graduated from South Dakota State University with his Bachelor of Music Education. Devon’s performance experience includes leading the SDSU Pride of Dakotas Marching Band Drumline on snare drum, as well as serving as principal percussionist in collegiate-level Wind Ensembles and Intercollegiate Bands. Additionally, Devon marched in River City Rhythm Drum & Bugle Corps in 2015 and 2018. In his senior year of college, Devon was awarded the Schultz-Werth Research Grant Award based on his published paper, The Impact of Percussion from John Cage, and named SDSU School of the Performing Arts Honoree. He is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. 

Devon has taught both indoor and outdoor marching programs in the Sioux Falls and Twin Cities area, most notably with Rosemount High School, Brandon Valley High School, and River City Rhythm Drum & Bugle Corps/Indoor Drumline. Last January, Devon was invited to present performance clinics at Minnesota’s annual “Day of Percussion” event. Under Devon’s direction, his private lesson students have been selected to perform in All-State Middle School & High School Band, as well as world-class drum corps and winter guard international ensembles. 

In his free time, Devon enjoys finding new recipes in the kitchen, binge-watching Game of Thrones or The Office, and designing Lennox’s 2020 Marching Band show with the rest of the incredible staff! He cannot wait to be your High School Band Director and meet you all!

​devon.melillo@k12.sd.us

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Miss Ellie Kenkel

Since 2018, Ellie Kenkel has taught band in Lennox, where she directs 6th grade band and junior high band. Currently, she is also filling in as the Oriole Pride Marching Band director and 5th grade band instructor. Miss Kenkel graduated with a music education major and English as a New Language minor from Augustana University in 2017, after student teaching in Lennox. She grew up in Mitchell, SD where she participated in every performing arts opportunity (Go Kernels!). In college she was actively involved in The Augustana Band, Northlanders Jazz Band, brass choir, pep band, and concert choir, as well as serving as the president of the music education club. Outside of teaching, Miss Kenkel enjoys playing trumpet with local groups, leading youth group at her church, and going on runs with her dog Maya.

ellie.kenkel@k12.sd.us