Allen Leung, Director of Orchestras
Mr. Leung studied at Kansas University and received a bachelor’s degree in music education in 2002. In 2008, Mr. Leung received his master’s degree in music education from University of Maryland. Mr. Leung plays the violin and the piano. He studied violin with Ben Sayevich at the University of Kansas. His piano teachers and professors include Berta Eisberg, Richard Angelleti, and Alice Downs. In addition to directing his school orchestras at Centennial High School, Mr. Leung is a director for the Howard County Gifted and Talented Middle School Chamber Orchestra. He has held this position since 2004. Mr. Leung has guest conducted, adjudicated, and directed throughout the state of Maryland. Under his direction, Mr. Leung’s ensembles have performed at state and national events with high accolades, including at MMEA conferences in Baltimore, Maryland and the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. In his personal life, Mr. Leung enjoys spending time with his wife Marie and two children Peter and Anna. He also enjoys mountain biking, running, and hanging out with his 20-pound cat, Kronos.
Mr. Leung studied at Kansas University and received a bachelor’s degree in music education in 2002. In 2008, Mr. Leung received his master’s degree in music education from University of Maryland. Mr. Leung plays the violin and the piano. He studied violin with Ben Sayevich at the University of Kansas. His piano teachers and professors include Berta Eisberg, Richard Angelleti, and Alice Downs. In addition to directing his school orchestras at Centennial High School, Mr. Leung is a director for the Howard County Gifted and Talented Middle School Chamber Orchestra. He has held this position since 2004. Mr. Leung has guest conducted, adjudicated, and directed throughout the state of Maryland. Under his direction, Mr. Leung’s ensembles have performed at state and national events with high accolades, including at MMEA conferences in Baltimore, Maryland and the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. In his personal life, Mr. Leung enjoys spending time with his wife Marie and two children Peter and Anna. He also enjoys mountain biking, running, and hanging out with his 20-pound cat, Kronos.
David Matchim, Director of Bands
Mr. Matchim was appointed Director of Bands at Centennial High School in Fall 2011. He received a bachelor's degree in trumpet performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a master's degree in music education from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. At the Oberlin Conservatory, he studied trumpet with Roy Poper and conducting with Timothy Weiss. At Peabody, he studied conducting with Dr. Harlan Parker, music director of the Peabody Wind Ensemble and Peabody Preparatory Youth Orchestra. In 2010, he was one of twelve Peabody graduates to be nominated, elected, and inducted into the National Music Honor Society Pi Kappa Lambda, Epsilon Omicron Chapter, thereby recognizing outstanding achievement in scholarship, musicianship, collegiality, and service to the Peabody community. He served as adjunct faculty for the Peabody Music Education Department from 2010 to 2013 and is an alumnus of the Aspen Music Festival and Yale School of Music's Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Under his direction, the Centennial High School Bands have earned high praise at local, state, and national festivals and competitions.
Mr. Matchim was appointed Director of Bands at Centennial High School in Fall 2011. He received a bachelor's degree in trumpet performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a master's degree in music education from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. At the Oberlin Conservatory, he studied trumpet with Roy Poper and conducting with Timothy Weiss. At Peabody, he studied conducting with Dr. Harlan Parker, music director of the Peabody Wind Ensemble and Peabody Preparatory Youth Orchestra. In 2010, he was one of twelve Peabody graduates to be nominated, elected, and inducted into the National Music Honor Society Pi Kappa Lambda, Epsilon Omicron Chapter, thereby recognizing outstanding achievement in scholarship, musicianship, collegiality, and service to the Peabody community. He served as adjunct faculty for the Peabody Music Education Department from 2010 to 2013 and is an alumnus of the Aspen Music Festival and Yale School of Music's Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Under his direction, the Centennial High School Bands have earned high praise at local, state, and national festivals and competitions.
Rebecca Vanover, Director of Choirs
Ms. Vanover is a soprano, pianist, and music educator, born and raised in Gaithersburg, MD. A proud Terp alumn, she graduated from the University of Maryland with a BM in Voice and a BME in Choral Music Education. During her time at UMD, she performed regularly with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center and the Baltimore Symphony at the Meyerhoff and Strathmore as a member of the UMD Chamber Singers. In 2014, she traveled to Seoul to represent the United States at the 10th World Symposium of Choral Music, sharing repertoire with some of the world's best ensembles. In addition to her love of choral music, Rebecca thoroughly enjoys opera and musical theater, and has performed both genres locally in D.C./MD area. Most recently, she's performed in "Show Boat", "Beauty and the Beast", and "Joseph" at Toby's of Columbia. When she's not immersed in music, Rebecca can be found running, hiking, baking, and wearing the Maryland flag as many ways as possible. After several years at Veterans Elementary School, she's looking forward to making beautiful music with the wonderful community at Centennial!
Ms. Vanover is a soprano, pianist, and music educator, born and raised in Gaithersburg, MD. A proud Terp alumn, she graduated from the University of Maryland with a BM in Voice and a BME in Choral Music Education. During her time at UMD, she performed regularly with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center and the Baltimore Symphony at the Meyerhoff and Strathmore as a member of the UMD Chamber Singers. In 2014, she traveled to Seoul to represent the United States at the 10th World Symposium of Choral Music, sharing repertoire with some of the world's best ensembles. In addition to her love of choral music, Rebecca thoroughly enjoys opera and musical theater, and has performed both genres locally in D.C./MD area. Most recently, she's performed in "Show Boat", "Beauty and the Beast", and "Joseph" at Toby's of Columbia. When she's not immersed in music, Rebecca can be found running, hiking, baking, and wearing the Maryland flag as many ways as possible. After several years at Veterans Elementary School, she's looking forward to making beautiful music with the wonderful community at Centennial!