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Music and the arts have been a part of Mr. Rawlings’ life since his first performance in 1985. He has performed with a wide variety of groups over the years, eventually joining the instructional staff at numerous High School and community musical groups. It was through his involvement in The Sound Machine of the Inland Empire that Bill recognized the value and importance of providing high-quality, low-cost musical and performance art opportunities in communities where access to these extracurricular programs are limited. This commitment is what led him to become a founding member of the Watchmen Board of Directors.

Although he has been involved in marching and performing arts for many years, Mr. Rawlings’ extensive experience in non-profit leadership, governance and strategic planning brings a unique skill set to the Watchmen Board of Directors. Several years of this experience included helping oversee a budget exceeding $75 million dollars, 350 paid staff and over one thousand volunteers.

With almost 25 years of experience working in higher education, Mr. Rawlings is heavily involved in local, state, and national education policy and has been recognized for his pragmatic leadership and problem-solving.

He believes that the unique skills of the staff and Watchmen’s focus on providing high-quality instruction and educational experiences are key to the organization’s continued growth and success.

My name is Karen Thompson and I currently serve on the Watchmen Arts Association Board of Executives as Secretary. I began my musical journey back in elementary school, as most of us did and played flute through my Sophomore year of high school where I then switched to color guard. I met my husband of 20 plus years in a marching English Hand Bell Choir, after graduation from college. We have two children who both are very talented in music and as of this writing, are marching and playing their second season with Watchmen. They have participated in both Indoor and Corps in the Front Ensemble. My daughter has played just about every instrument in the Front Ensemble, with mallets being her favorite. She also plays cello, piano and is waiting to begin guitar. My son played trumpet until junior high and then switched to the drums and eventually to drum set where he excelled and has been playing ever since. Both have participated in high school field shows, concert percussion and indoor, as well as Watchmen simultaneously.

I began with the Booster Board in 2011, at the high school level, and have served in such capacities as V.P. Administration, Secretary, and chairperson for uniforms and food, and will continue to do so until my son graduates in 2018. I have pushed, pulled, built, fed, fundraised, sewn, hemmed and basically done and will do whatever is needed. My Drum Corp experience began in 2015 and has been incredible. I love to watch from the first practice to the last performance and am always amazed at what our “Watchies” can do. They work hard and never cease to amaze me! To quote my good friend and fellow Board Member Ana, “We see and hear with a mother’s heart and they are always awesome!” I look forward to watching this organization grow, the members excel and plan to continue serving in whatever capacity is needed until my kids age out and beyond.

“Music is Life, that’s why our hearts have beats”
“Music is what feelings sound like”
Both Authors Unknown

Mrs. Heidi Battelo is an educator, mother, and marching arts enthusiast.  As an elementary teacher, Mrs. Battelo  highlights the performing arts, especially music, in her classroom.  She is the mother of, not one, but two tuba/contra bass players. Both of her sons play contra for DCI Open Class corps. Corps members often refer to her as “Mama B” or “Tuba Mom”. She has volunteered with the Blue Devils B Corps for the last three years, and in the summer of 2017 added Watchmen volunteer to her resume. Mrs. Battelo joins  the Watchmen Art Association board of directors as Member-at-Large.  She brings to the position experience in fundraising and volunteer management.   In her spare time she enjoys ballroom dancing with her husband, jazz music, movies, cooking, and her two cats and two dogs.