Northwest Guilford
Viking Band
Follow along!
Greensboro, NC
To Foster the Growth of Empathy and Self-Belief through the Creation of Living Art
Meet our Booster Board
The Band Booster Board is a team of dedicated parents and supporters who work behind the scenes to ensure the success of the Viking Band program. From organizing events and fundraising to supporting students and staff, this passionate group plays a vital role in creating a strong foundation for our band family. Their time, energy, and heart help make every performance, trip, and competition possible. We are grateful for their leadership, commitment, and unwavering support of our band students and directors.
2026-2027 Board Members
President: Carrie Winterhoff
Vice President: Erika Stiff
Secretary: Emily Howes
Treasurer: Cassie Nicholson
Volunteer Coordinator: Wendy Lee
Budget Director: Mark Winterhoff
Competition Support: Dawn Erwin & Sara Hooven
Ways & Means: Leela Thomas & Angel Shirley
Fall Festival Chair: Justin Nicholson
Logistics Director: Carl Couch
Prop Master: Sean Briscoe
Historian & Videographer: Scott Crump
Webmaster & Social Media: Erika Forrester
Booster Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 7:30pm in the Band Room. Please refer to the Calendar tab for the most up to date schedule.
President
Carrie Winterhoff
Hi! My name is Carrie Winterhoff, and I am serving as the 2026-27 President of the NW Viking Band Boosters. This is my 6th year as a parent in this band program.
My daughter, Leah, is a sophomore this year, and she plays the horn/mellophone. My son, Luke, graduated from NWHS in June and is a tuba/sousaphone player. My husband, Mark, is also on the NWBB Board as the Budget Director. I am also on the NWHS PTSO Board and enjoy volunteering in our community. I am a proud Wake Forest alumni and fan, and Mark and I met at WFU. Go Deacs!
I received my master’s degree in occupational therapy, and have worked as an occupational therapist in hospital, rehabilitation, school, and community settings. Our family loves to travel, and my favorite place in the world is Venice, Italy. I’m an avid reader, and enjoy hobbies usually associated with senior citizens: mahjong, pickleball, or puzzles, anyone?
I believe that one of the greatest joys as a parent is watching your children do what they love, and this band program has been a gift for our family. We’ve been able to have a front row seat to our kids’ middle and high school years and have so much fun enjoying band performances at football games, competitions, rehearsals, concerts, and parades. We’ve met wonderful families, made lifelong friendships, and watched our kids grow and thrive due to the wonderful leadership of directors, staff, and volunteers who teach life lessons through music.
I’m looking forward to a great season ahead and am here to answer any questions you may have about our program.
Vice President
Erika Stiff
Hi, my name is Erika Stiff and I am your 2026-2027 NWBB Vice President. This is my second year on the Board and sixth year being active within the Boosters.
My husband is Michael Stiff and we have two boys. Lincoln is a sophomore and is part of the drumline on bass this year. This will be his third year in the band. Oakley Stiff graduated last year after many years in the band.
During the day, I’m an actuary and help companies manage their retirement plans. I grew up in a very small town in Virginia. My husband and I met at Virginia Tech where we still like to get back to every now and again to watch some football and the band! We moved to NC shortly after college and found an amazing home for our family in Stokesdale.
This band has been such a big part of our lives over the last several years. I look forward to another amazing year!
Secretary
Emily Howes
This is my first year serving as Board Secretary, but my 4th year as a very proud “Band Mom.” My daughter, Abby, is a junior who plays flute and piccolo in the Viking Band. She has been a part of the program since 8th grade, and has also been involved in JV Winter Guard and the Winter Winds ensemble.
We also have a 6th grade son, Isaac, who adds to the fun and energy at home. Outside of band life, I work as a data and pharmacy technology consultant for a medical technology company and enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time on the lake. I grew up in Reidsville NC and have been married to my husband, Tim, for almost 18 years.
I am so thankful Abby decided to join band. It has been such a rewarding experience for her and four family.
Treasurer
Cassie Nicholson
Hi, my name is Cassie Nicholson and I will be serving as Treasurer for the Band Boosters for the 2026-27 school year. This is my third year on the board and my sixth year as a band mom.
My husband Justin and I have two daughters. Alyssa graduated from NW last year and was in the marching band for five years. My daughter Carleigh is in 8th grade and this is her third year in the marching band and performs in Front Ensemble.
I was born and raised in Florida, but after several moves with my husband, we decided to settle down in Oak Ridge in December of 2017. I work in local government handling payroll and accounts receivable. We are always busy balancing that home/work/band life, but when I have some free time I love to refinish furniture and sew.
I look forward to another great year as part of this band family and can't wait to meet all of our new band families!
Volunteer Coordinator
Wendy Lee
Hi! My name is Wendy Lee and I will be serving as Volunteer Coordinator for 2026-2027. This is my second year with the marching band and first year on the board.
I have two kids involved in marching band. My daughter, Annabelle, is a junior in her second year with color guard and she has also participated in Winter Guard. My son, Davis, is an 8th grade trumpet player in his second year with the marching band. My oldest daughter, Georgia, will be headed to UNC-Wilmington this year as a freshman.
I was born and raised in Rockingham County, NC, just north of here. My husband and I settled in Oak Ridge in 2015 and we love being a part of this community. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my kids and I joke that I am now a professional volunteer at the schools they attend! I am looking forward to an amazing year helping coordinate what makes our band great - our volunteers!
Budget Director
Mark Winterhoff
My name is Mark Winterhoff and I will be serving as the Budget Director for 2026-2027. This will be my 6th year as a marching band parent and 3rd year serving on the board. My wife, Carrie, and I have 2 children. Our daughter, Leah, is in 10th grade and plays the mellophone/horn & our son, Luke, graduated in 2026 and was also in the marching band.
We moved to Oak Ridge in 2014 and it has been an awesome home for our family. We are grateful for the fantastic opportunity that band has provided for not only our children, but also for Carrie and me as parents. We treasure the experiences that we have been fortunate to share with Luke and Leah so far and are looking forward to creating more memories.
I work in Finance and outside of band activities, I enjoy watching sports (especially Wake Forest), traveling, and staying active.
Competition Support Co-Chair
Dawn Erwin
Hi Northwest Viking Band family! My name is Dawn Erwin, and I am co-chair of Competition Support. Having loved the arts since I was a little girl, I understand how important it is for performers to look good and feel great! Throughout the season, our team makes sure students are properly fitted for every component of their uniforms and have the support they need no matter how big or small.
My husband, Daniel, and I love watching our daughter, Sara, participate in guard, marching band, parades, pep band, and Winter Winds. She is in her fifth year of band and plays the flute.
When I’m not outfitting the band, I work in apparel product development for one of the top jeanswear suppliers. Our family relocated to North Carolina in 2019 and now live near Stokesdale. We have also lived in the Dallas, Texas, and Overland Park, Kansas, areas.
We have three lovable dogs and enjoy sports, traveling, and spending time together.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. We LOVE this band and look forward to an Amazing Year!!!!
Competition Support Co-Chair
Sara Hooven
Hi there! I’m Sara Hooven and I am half of your Competition Support team for 2026-2027. Our role is to make sure our marchers have everything they need for football games and competitions including all their uniform parts!
I am the proud mom of two band kids! Zane is a rising senior on drumline. This is his third year marching and also has performed with our Winter Percussion Ensemble since his freshman year. Lucy is a rising freshman and this is her second year in band. She marches and plays flute in concert band, but has also performed in Winter Percussion Ensemble since 7th grade. This band has been so transformative for both kids and I am so proud to be a Band Mom!
When I’m not band momming, I manage and bartend at a bottle shop and tap room in Summerfield called Village Beverage. It’s such a fun environment and I’m very lucky to love my job. I also love to run, read books, and I live my best life in the summer by the pool.
I’m happy to help with any questions you might have! You won’t regret joining band - it’s an amazing experience. We love this band!
Ways & Means Co-Chair
Leela Thomas
My name is Leela Thomas, and I will be serving as the Co-Chair of the Ways and Means Committee for 2026-2027. This is my fourth year with the band and my second year on the board.
I am the proud mother of two dogs, Pippa and June and my nephew Keegan is a rising junior in the drumline. I am the official unofficial Band Aunt, and I carry that title proudly!! My siblings blessed me with three nephews and a niece while the Viking band blessed me with hundreds!
I moved to North Carolina in 2014 from Kentucky. Since then, I have worked at Gilbarco Veeder-Root in various roles most recently as a Customer Account Manager. I enjoy spending time with my siblings and their families, spending time with my friends, and watching Grasshoppers Baseball!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. If I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you.
Oh, and I LOVE THIS BAND!!!!!!!
Ways & Means Co-Chair
Angel Shirley
I'm absolutely thrilled to introduce myself! My name is Angel Shirley, and I'm so excited to be stepping into the role of Co-Chair for our Ways and Means Committee for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. This marks my third year as part of our incredible band family, and my first time serving on the Board, which is a fantastic new adventure!
You might know my daughter, Kathryn, who’s a 3rd-year trumpeter in the marching band. Her younger brother will be joining us at Northwest this year, so our family is truly all-in with the school spirit!
I’m a lifelong North Carolinian, and Greensboro has been home since my wonderful husband, Keith, and I got married back in 2007. During the day, I work as a Senior Operations Specialist at Volvo Financial Services, but my heart is truly with this amazing band community.
There’s something so special about the bonds and opportunities this program creates for our kids, and I genuinely adore being a part of it. Over the past couple of years, you might have spotted me helping out wherever I could – whether it was handing out water at games, walking alongside the students, or even tackling the art of shako wrapping (it's more intricate than you think!). Those experiences made me realize I wanted to contribute even more, which led me to this new position.
Please, don't ever hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all. I'll do my absolute best to help, and if I don't have an answer right away, I promise I'll go find it for you!
I've got a fantastic feeling about this year – I know it's going to be exceptional! Let's make it the best one yet by all pitching in. Every bit of help, big or small, truly makes a huge difference, and I know you'll find volunteering incredibly rewarding. Let's make some magic happen together!
Fall Festival Chair
Justin Nicholson
Hello, my name is Justin Nicholson and I will be serving as the Fall Festival Chair for the 2025-26 school year. This is my fifth year involved with the band program. I assisted the first two years with props, and the last two years I was the Logistics Director.
My wife Cassie and I have two children, Alyssa plays the flute and Carleigh is in front ensemble. We enjoy being part of the marching band family and seeing the growth in our daughters through band.
We moved to North Carolina in 2017. I work for the American Legion as the Director of Veteran Benefits for the Department of North Carolina. I also have my real estate license. When I am not working or selling houses, I enjoy traveling, cars, cycling, and hanging out with friends.
If you have any questions about the band, fall festival, or how you can help this year, please reach out to me!
Logistics Director
Carl Couch
Hello, My name Carl Couch and I will be serving my second year as Logistics Coordinator for the 26-27 school year. My wife Terri and I have 4 children, two of which are grown, past college age, and out on their own. Our son Logan is a rising Freshman and is playing the Tenor on the Drumline this year. Our youngest, Greyson, is a rising 6th grader and is likely to be in the band next year. I work with the props and this is our 3rd year with the band!
We have lived in Kernersville since 1999 and moved from Forsyth to Guilford 8 years ago. I am an owner of Asyst Controls, Inc., an Engineering firm, and we function in the power industry space. On any given day, I am designing power systems, industrial controls, water/waste water controls, generator and turbine controls, wireless environmental systems, solar power systems, Arc Flash studies, and pretty much anything else that a power plant needs from an electrical perspective. My wife is an Executive Director of Finance at Cone Health.
In our free time, we like to get to the beach often, as well as Disney.
This is a wonderful program and your children couldn't be in a better place. I always need drivers for competitions and help with Fall Festival. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions!
Prop Master
Sean Briscoe
Hi. I’m Sean Briscoe and I’ve been a member of the Northwest Viking Band family since 2023 helping out with props for Mixtape, Just Smile and as Prop Crew co-lead for last year’s Mamma Always Said. This year, I’ll be helping out as the Prop Crew Lead for Poltergeist. It’s going to be an exciting year!
My wife Kim and I have two kids, both currently in the band program. My son Asa is a Sophomore trumpet player and my daughter Celeste is a 7th grader in Color Guard (her first year with the marching band). If we’re not visiting Disney, we’re probably making our kids suffer through visiting a national park.
When I’m not helping my teams build software for work, I’m usually staying busy with cooking / baking, landscaping our yard, building things, or any number of other projects around the house. Except during marching band season…then it’s props, props and more props.
If you’re interested in helping build props or move props on and off the field for competitions, please reach out to me on the band app.
Historian & Videographer
Scott Crump
I’m Scott Crump and I serve as the Videographer for the Band.
My love for the Northwest Guilford Viking Band program spans many decades. I started following the band in the late 70s, while cheering my older cousins on as they marched at Northwest. I, too, became a proud Marching Viking in 1983, playing trumpet until graduating in 1987. Marching band was such an integral part of my life that after graduating, I stayed on as a staff member, assisting Mr. Tommy Smith with teaching drill and marching fundamentals from the fall of 1987 through the spring of 1991. I later marched trumpet as a Mountaineer at Appalachian State University in 1997.
Needless to say, I’m extremely proud that my own children are now Marching Vikings, enjoying what the marching band world has to offer. Watson, a Junior, is starting his 5th season with Northwest and plays baritone during the fall and winter marching seasons and trombone in Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band.
Lillie, a freshman, is starting her fourth season in the colorguard, in addition to Varsity Winter Guard. She also plays euphonium for stage band.
Parran, an eighth grader, started his marching band career in the Front Ensemble, but switched to trumpet for marching band last year and again this year. He has performed in the Winter Percussion Ensemble for the past two seasons.
Anthony, a fifth grader, likes to tagalong to all the band events and looks forward to joining his siblings in the program next year.
As the Videographer for the band, you can expect to see me, along with my wife, Melanie, floating around with a camera anywhere that band activities are occurring. Whether it’s on the practice field, in the band room, pregame shows, competition warmups, or even concerts and winter competitons, we will normally be found trying to document the behind the scenes activities, so all of the students will have access to lasting memories of the season.
If you see me out and about while I’m shooting video, don’t be shy! Give me a big ol’ smile and a wave!
For over 20 years, I’ve worked as a Rental Sales Representative at Ryder Transportation and I help with securing the trucks needed for transporting all of the band’s equipment during the fall and winter seasons.
Webmaster & Social Media
Erika Forrester
Hi! I’m Erika Forrester, and I serve as the Webmaster and Social Media Coordinator for the Northwest Viking Band. This is my fifth year with the band program, and I can truly say, I love being a band mom! This band program is truly exceptional, and I'm grateful to be part of this community.
My husband Joshua and I have two sons on the drumline. Our oldest is a senior (cue the waterworks!) and plays tenors, and our youngest is in eighth grade and on bass drum. In addition to being a part of the fall marching band season, they also both participate in the winter season for the Winter Percussion Ensemble.
We live in Greensboro, and I work in Benefits Technology. Outside of band, we’re very active in our church and love spending time together as a family, especially when we’re traveling and making new memories.
I’ve loved finding ways to tell the story of our students through photos, videos, and updates that keep our band families connected. If you have any questions, or there's anything I can do to help you find your place in this band family, feel free to reach out!
And as always, I love this band!