Helixx Rocks

The Official Helixx Band Website

Music for the Delaware Valley since 1999

Booking info:
Don MacDonald
(302) 256-0507

Band Member Bios

Don MacDonald

Don MacDonald ('Mac' to his friends and family), lead vocalist, guitar, sax and congas – the face and voice of the band, started his music career at the age of nine. Appearing on Al Albert’s Showcase and Steel Pier, was the beginning of a long musical journey. As a founding member of the areas most popular Pop Rock Band, Anheuser, which enjoyed great success into the late 80s, performing with the intent to “Rock’em Out of There,” was an incredible musical experience. After performing with a couple of local area bands, I reunited with Michael Treco in early 1999 and together formed the base of the Helixx band. We continue to “Rock’em Out of There.” -- Thanks Timmy.

THANK YOU to all of our dedicated fans, all of your support over the years has made Helixx who we are today.

Michael Treco

Michael was taught bass in the early 70's by friend and mentor, Charlie Hengel. During high school he played in various minor rock bands such as Dessert Lake, Hot August and Salts and Pepper. In 1977 he was lucky enough to join Anheuser, one of the areas most popular Pop Rock/Bands. He played with them during their golden era of 1977 to 1986. He had plans to continue in music after that, but a Mr McGuffin interceded and cancelled those plans.

In 1999 he joined Helixx and was happy to reunite with many ex Anheuser band mates, who've been in and out of the band in the last decade. HIs long range goal is still to be the next Sinatra, but unfortunately still can't carry a tune.

Kevin Troise

Kevin, Guitar,Vocals & Keyboards and known to some as ‘RockStar’. After breaking free from years of lessons, I have played my guitar for live audiences throughout the tri-state area. My favorites are Gibson’s Les Paul and Fender’s Stratocaster. They have a distinct sound and feel all their own.

Through the years I have played in several area bands; some remarkable and some to forget. Now as an accomplished musician I am an intricate member of the Helixx Band. Thanks for your support and I hope to see you at an upcoming Helixx event.

Lisa Dolan

Singing and dancing have been a part of my life since the age of four. Dancing school and choir consumed most of my adolescence. As an adult, I sang for friends and families weddings and funerals. I had always wanted to be in a band, but it was just one of those things that never happened. At 35, I realized that if I was ever going to do it, I’d better do it now before I got too old. So, at 35, I joined my first band and a rock band to boot. It was a lot of fun but realized after two years, it was time to pursue a different direction.

I actually found Helixx on Craig’s list and knew already what a great band they were since I had seen them perform. The rest is history. I am very fortunate to be in a band with such talented musicians. It has been a lot of fun and I have learned a lot from them, and have made some lasting friendships.

John Cassidy

As a drummer of 31 years, John has played in a rainbow of musical environments in every style of music from country to fusion, in venues up and down the east coast, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and casinos all over the west and midwestern US. He traveled the world via the cruise ship industry playing in lounge and show bands. In 2003 John returned to his native Delaware and has since been playing in area bands.

John's musical training began on piano at age nine but his interest in drums prevailed 4 years later and picked the guitar as a second instrument along the way. He studied drums with Richard Kenny and Tim Laushey in Delaware and after moving to California, with such notables as Joe Porcaro, Efrain Toro and Ralph Humphrey at LA's famed Musician's Institute where he graduated with honors.

Dan Collins

Originally from Wilmington, DE, Dan began playing trumpet at age nine. He studied music theory and composition at the University of Delaware where he was a four-year member of the student jazz band. Prior to joining Helixx in 2008, Dan worked with a number of bands along the east coast including the New Beginning Band, the Rhythm Doctors, the Moonlighters, the Al Raymond Big Band, 4 In The Pocket, Impulse, and the Baltimore Colts Marching Band. He has been both a musical director and instrumental performer for numerous regional theatrical productions. Dan wrote the horn arrangements for local blues artist Jimmy Pritchard’s 2005 CD, “Shoppin’ For The Blues”, a recording on which he is featured playing trumpet, trombone, and baritone saxophone.

In 2006, Dan opened the Upbeat Music Studio in Wilmington where he teaches all band instruments as well as beginner piano, guitar and drums. Dan is currently the Band Director at Archmere Academy and has previously served as Band Director at Caravel Academy and M.O.T. Charter School. He is also a brass and woodwind instructor at Middletown Music and the Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn. In addition to Helixx, Dan performs regularly as a trumpet soloist and as one half of the jazz/pop duo Smooth Cocktail.

Matthew Hetzler

Matthew Hetzler has been playing music professionally since 1994, where he was a founding member and alto and tenor saxophonist of the Scatologists, a ska and reggae band from Delaware. He was also a founding member of the Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra in 1998 in which he played alto and baritone saxophones, and in 1999 was a member of Impact, a rock and funk band in Wilmington, Delaware and also have performed in a Morphine Tribute band called Cure For Pain since 2003 on baritone saxophone and vocals.

In the 2000’s, Matthew has had a wide variety of musical experiences, including pit orchestra performances for productions of Anything Goes, Hello Dolly, Funny Girl, Annie, Les Miserables, and Evita, playing an assortment of woodwind instruments such as soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet. Also, Matthew has backed up such acts as Billy Paul, The Four Tops, Franco Spoto, and Al Martino, and has played in the Benny Goodman Tribute, The Tim Laushey Orchestra, and The Nelson Riddle Orchestra.

Matthew is a graduate of the University of Delaware as a saxophone performance major, and is currently a full-time private woodwinds instructor.

Don Dittmar

Don Dittmar has been playing professional music since he graduated high School. During his studies at the University of Delaware, Don played with Anheuser a well-known horn band in the Wilmington, Delaware area. Don played trumpet, keyboards, guitar, wrote the arrangements, and was the band’s second vocalist.

After 8 years with Anheuser, Don moved on to a smaller venue, called Magic Touch. Don became one of the band’s lead vocalist and the keyboard player. That band had a long, successful history playing many private parties, clubs and weddings primarily throughout the Delaware market.

In 2002, it was time for a change, and Don moved on to a new project with The Virtual Horns and The Philly Horn Band. That organization did mostly private affairs, Bar Mitzvahs and weddings in Philadelphia, and surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, and South New Jersey, . Don again played keyboards and rhythm guitar, and was that band’s second male vocalist.

After more than 3 years with “The Philly Horn Band,” Don took a well deserved break from the music business; but that break did not last. Don later joined The Decades Dance Band, and took a full time position with Helixx. Don is pleased to bring his keyboard ability, lead vocals, and other various talents to the Helixx band.