Meet the Directors

B. Kalani Lancaster

Mr. Lancaster was born in Landstuhl, Germany and was raised in SHAPE, Belgium and Indianapolis, IN. Mr. Lancaster is a proud alumni of Lawrence Township as a graduate of Lawrence North High School. Mr. Lancaster is a 2009 graduate of the University of Indianapolis where he obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education.
Mr. Lancaster had the auspicious honor of studying percussion under former Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Principal Percussionist Paul Berns. Before and throughout his college education, Mr. Lancaster worked on his craft teaching while being a music technician for Lawrence North High School, Hamilton Southeastern High School, Fishers High School, and the Performing Arts Institute of Lawrence Township.

Following his education at the University of Indianapolis, Mr. Lancaster began teaching at Lawrence North High School as their percussion director, pep band director, and auxiliary band technician. While he was at Lawrence North, he was able to establish a culture that built the program in to a state finalist percussion group for 3 straight years. In Mr. Lancaster’s final year at Lawrence North, he was part of the team who lead the Lawrence North Regime back to state finals for the first time in 8 years.

In 2012, Mr. Lancaster joined the Belzer Middle School Performing Arts team. As a band director at Belzer, he has seen the numbers of student in the program nearly double all while maintain a culture of excellence. It has been Mr. Lancaster’s dream to have the opportunity to provide support, guidance, care, hope, and community to all of his students. At Belzer Middle School, he has seen those dreams come to fruition. More than anything, Mr. Lancaster has enjoyed teaching music while affecting student’s lifelong trajectory in a positive light.
Mr. Lancaster is also heavily involved in his church and community as The Caring Place Worship Pastor for their music ministry. In addition to leading the music ministry, Mr. Lancaster spends time every month with The Wheeler Mission Homeless Shelter to help encourage those that are in a tough point in their life while leading in music for their chapel service.

Mr. Lancaster’s favorite pastime is spending time with his wife, Sharon, daughter, Eliana, and his family. He enjoys hiking with and training his dog, Paisley, and he really enjoys teaching at Belzer Middle School.

Tom wallis

Tom Wallis is originally from Indianapolis, IN and a 1999 graduate of Lawrence Township. He received his Bachelor's of Music in Music Education from the University of Kentucky and a Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Ball State University. He was the Director of Bands at East Central High School for two years, Lawrence North High School for 14 years, and is currently in his first year at Belzer Middle school. In his spare time, Tom enjoys kayak fishing, working in his yard, playing golf, and spending time with his wife Betsy, and two children Mirabelle and Bennett.

Will Frazier

Will Frazier is trombonist, bassist, and arranger based in Indiana. Besides Swing Shift, Will is currently performing with (among others) Souled Out, Endless Summer, the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra and the Indianapolis Colt’s Showtime Brass. Will is the Assistant Director of America’s Hometown Band in Muncie. In 2012, will completed a highly successful tour of China with the Ball State Jazz Ensemble as guest soloist and assistant director.

Will performed with the national tour of Oliver the Musical, a European tour of A Chorus Line, My Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer, Lorna Luft, Dom Deluise, the Eddy Howard Orchestra, the Ted Weems Orchestra, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Wayne Bergeron, Chuck Findley, Michael Davis, Andy Martin and Marcus Printup. While living in New York City, Will performed in numerous big bands, orchestras, brass quintets and show bands. Will also has played his trombone on Princess Cruise LInes, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Will has a Masters Degree in trombone performance and Bachelors Degree in Music Education. He has also completed all course work towards a Doctorate at Ball State University. While at Ball State, Will has directed the Studio Jazz Ensemble and combo program, taught private trombone and jazz improvisation, and coordinated the annual Dimensions in Jazz Festival. His trombone and jazz teachers include Mark Buseli, James Beckel, John Seidel, Larry McWilliams, Flip Miller, Bernard Pressler, Alan Raph, Eric Goletz and Buddy Baker.