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Michael Valente
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Kings Park, NY (11/5/2025)
Sunrisers announce Michael Valente Percussion Caption Head for the 2026 Season
The Sunrisers are proud to welcome Michael Valente in his role of Percussion Caption Head for 2026.
Michael Valente is from Long Island, New York where he works as a music educator within the Brentwood school district. Additionally, he currently serves as the Percussion Caption Head for the Mineola Marching Band.
Michael completed his Masters in Percussion Performance from the Pennsylvania State University (2025). Here, he studied directly under Dr. Lee Hinkle and served as the Percussion Graduate Assistant for both the Pennsylvania State Blue Band Drumline and Pride of the Lion Drumline. In 2022, Michael completed his Bachelor in Music Education from Hofstra University, where he studied percussion under Professors Sean Ritenauer and Pablo Rieppi.
His drum corps experience began with the Sunrisers (2016, 2017, 2019) as a front ensemble member and continued with the Stony Brook University cymbal line (2017, 2018). Michael’s experience includes working with outdoor and winter programs for the Sunrisers, Penn State, Mineola High School, and Hicksville High School, and performing with groups such as the New Orchestra of Washington, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Williamsport Symphony, and The Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra.
"Watching Michael grow as a member of the Sunrisers, through university, and then onto his professional career certainly has made us proud. We look forward to Michael leading our percussion team in developing this program". - David Hobart, Executive Director
Sunrisers announce Michael Valente Percussion Caption Head for the 2026 Season
The Sunrisers are proud to welcome Michael Valente in his role of Percussion Caption Head for 2026.
Michael Valente is from Long Island, New York where he works as a music educator within the Brentwood school district. Additionally, he currently serves as the Percussion Caption Head for the Mineola Marching Band.
Michael completed his Masters in Percussion Performance from the Pennsylvania State University (2025). Here, he studied directly under Dr. Lee Hinkle and served as the Percussion Graduate Assistant for both the Pennsylvania State Blue Band Drumline and Pride of the Lion Drumline. In 2022, Michael completed his Bachelor in Music Education from Hofstra University, where he studied percussion under Professors Sean Ritenauer and Pablo Rieppi.
His drum corps experience began with the Sunrisers (2016, 2017, 2019) as a front ensemble member and continued with the Stony Brook University cymbal line (2017, 2018). Michael’s experience includes working with outdoor and winter programs for the Sunrisers, Penn State, Mineola High School, and Hicksville High School, and performing with groups such as the New Orchestra of Washington, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Williamsport Symphony, and The Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra.
"Watching Michael grow as a member of the Sunrisers, through university, and then onto his professional career certainly has made us proud. We look forward to Michael leading our percussion team in developing this program". - David Hobart, Executive Director
