Nathan Stowe | Director of Bands

Mr. Stowe is Director of Bands at Pickerington High School Central. He's in his 10th year of teaching in Pickerington and 18th year of his career. Mr. Stowe holds two bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Performance from Capital University and a master's in Music from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.  

Contact Mr. Stowe by phone at 614-830-2900 or by email.

Tim Gorgas | Assistant Band Director & Percussion Instructor

Mr. Gorgas is an assistant band director and percussion instructor for Pickerington High School Central. He has done arrangements for The Ohio State University Marching Band and three DCI drum and bugle corps. He has also served as the percussion coordinator for the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Band and percussion instructor for the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Mr. Gorgas has written for bands in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in composition from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. 

Contact Mr. Gorgas at 614-830-2900 or email.

Matthew Hakes | Band Instructor

Mr. Hakes is an assistant band director at Pickerington High School Central and Director of the Ridgeview STEM Junior High Band. He's in his 4th year in Pickerington. Mr. Hakes has experience working with marching bands in central Ohio, and has performed in a variety of venues in the Columbus area as a jazz saxophonist. Mr. Hakes graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Capital University. 

Contact Mr. Hakes by phone at 614-830-2900 or by email. 

Paul Trapkus | Orchestra Director

Orchestra is a performance-based class for those students who play string instruments. Special attention will be placed upon proper playing fundamentals and performance techniques. Placement in seventh or eighth grade orchestra may be based upon the student's playing experience and orchestra teacher's approval. For questions about joining the orchestra, contact Mr. Trapkus.

Paul Trapkus began teaching orchestra in 2010 in Colorado and has been teaching at Pickerington Schools since 2020. He has performed with many professional and festival orchestras, including the National Repertory Orchestra, Flint Symphony, and Boulder Philharmonic. In 2014, he created the award-winning documentary "Carry the Tune" with two students, highlighting why and how to continue making music after high school. His writing has been published by the American String Teacher Journal and Grand Mesa Music. Mr. Trapkus received his Master of Music Education from the University of Colorado Boulder and his Bachelor of Music Education and Violin Performance from the University of Michigan.