Our Directors
Melinda Novicki
Director of Operations / COO
Melinda has been teaching with LSM since 2015 and also performed as a clarinetist in LSM ensembles from 2014 to 2018. She is currently a band director in Southgate Community Schools, working with students in grades 5-12.
In addition to music and marching, her performing arts background also includes equestrian vaulting, a sport of gymnastics and dance on horseback.
Melinda graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Music Education and loves sharing the power and joy of music making with her students.
When she is not teaching, she enjoys making music, exercising, cooking, and learning at every possible opportunity.
Our Board of Directors
A Determined Team of Creative Minds
Zack Novicki
Executive Director / CEO
Zack Novicki found his love for pageantry arts in 2006 as a member of the Woodhaven Warrior Marching Band. Three years later, Zack began his first season as a member of the LakeShoremen Drum & Bugle Corps. He is currently the Associate Director of Bands for the Southgate Community School District, where he oversees the district’s award-winning marching band and winter guards.
Zack has served as a member of the WGI Winds Advisory Board since the inception of the winds division in 2015, and has played a role shaping the Winds activity into what it is today. He also serves as a member of the WGI Winds Steering Committee, where he is responsible for the evaluation of scoring systems, philosophies, and ongoing instructor education for the Winds activity. Zack has also hosted educational sessions at WGIcon, the marching arts' largest professional development conference.
Zack has worked as an “Expert Clinician” for WGI 1-on-1, a web service where some of WGI’s most experienced instructors and designers provide virtual consultations. Zack is also the owner of Novicki Music & Design LLC, where he works as a designer and consultant with several pageantry arts programs throughout the United States, Canada, and Costa Rica.
When he’s not spending all of his time in “Band Land”, Zack likes to play video games, read comic books, and spend time with his family.
Doug iggi Courter
President
iggi has been marching, spinning, dancing and doing theater since the age of 7. He grew up in farm country in the middle of Michigan before moving to the Detroit Metro area during 6th grade. He attended Lakeland High School and helped take the marching band to their first Flight II gold medal at State Championships in 1991. He went on to march with the Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle corp for two summers playing the contrabass (Tuba). He then attended college and graduated with degrees in music and sociology.
He brings a wealth of knowledge from the marching band and colorguard worlds as well as the non-profit sector.
His favorite color is orange. He loves playing with and collecting Legos. He currently works in the field of housing managing a Section 8 waitlist for a host of properties in Taylor, MI. In his free time he loves spending time with his friends, exploring new locals with his boyfriend, hiking, binge watching TV and napping!!!
Martha Hancock
Vice President
Martha enjoys volunteering and for the last 17 years has served on multiple boards in several capacities. The most recent being the President of her children’s band program.
She has four children and a loving (and very understanding) husband.
She is super excited to be a small part of such a wonderful organization.
Kaitlynn Perfect
Secretary
Jose Angel
Treasurer
Jose has been performing for various musical and marching ensembles since 2012, including the Southgate Anderson Band Program, Eastern Michigan University Marching Band, and the Henry Ford College Jazz Band. He has also been a performer for LSM Winds since 2015, and has served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer since June of 2022. Jose is currently a music and visual instructor for the Airport Marching Band.
After changing his major 3 years into an accounting degree, Jose is now pursuing a degree in Music Composition at Henry Ford College.
When not completely immersed in all things band, Jose likes to spend his free time unwinding by participating in a film club, reading, rock climbing, and experimenting with new hobbies!
He hopes to use his diverse background, education, and recent experience to help bring new and exciting ideas to our organization.
Chuck Semarjian
Historian
Chuck Semarjian has been involved in the marching arts activity since 2006. He has performed in several different ensembles during this time, including LSM from 2013 - present.
Chuck graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in Secondary Education. Chuck currently works as a substitute teacher and as the Assistant Marching Band Director at Livonia Franklin High School. He also has worked with several high school marching band programs, working with percussion throughout Michigan over the past 10 years.
Chuck was inducted into the LSM Performing Arts Hall of Fame in 2023.
Kaitlynn has been involved in the marching arts since 2015, and joined LSM in 2016. She recently completed her degree in Secondary Education and Psychology from Eastern Michigan University.
LSM has helped Kaitlynn stay connected to the band world as she's broadened her education into other fields. Outside of band, school, and work, Kaitlyn enjoys playing video games, hanging out with her cat, and spending time outside.