All the Wiles
Sep 2, 2009
By Eric Jones
Two thousand nine was an amazing year of winter guard for the Wiles family. Marian Catholic High School, where Debbie Wiles Isoda is an instructor, won the Gold Medal in Scholastic Open. Avon High School, which is under the direction of Daniel Wiles, won the Gold Medal in Scholastic World. Their father, Bob Wiles, was inducted posthumously into the WGI Hall of Fame. Recently I was able to speak with Debbie, Daniel, and their mother, Maryanne Wiles, to get their input on family, color guard, and the lessons they’ve learned through their time with each other in the activity.
Daniel began his marching career with The Cavaliers Cadets in 1980 and then went on to march The Cavaliers from 1985 until 1989. In addition to marching drum corps, he also marched Anthron winter guard from 1985 until 1987. Debbie on the other hand began marching when she was 5 years old with the McHenry Viscounts. After marching with that program for six years, Debbie went on perform with the Rebelaires Winter Guard for seven years. In 1984 she chose to march with Renaissance and then with Anthron in 1985. Debbie said,”(Anthron) was the only time all six of us marched together. It was such a blast and I will always cherish that time.”
Before his children got their start in the world of performing arts, Bob Wiles had already started to make his mark on the activity. Bob began marching with the Red Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. After that he began judging and went on teach the Viscounts Drum and Bugle Corps, in which Debbie marched, as well as the Vaqueros Drum and Bugle Corps. Bob also helped to form Anthron Winter Guard in which Daniel, Debbie, as well as his other children performed with. After Anthron stopped competing, Bob went to volunteer with his wife Maryanne at WGI and also worked on the DCI staff for 27 years.
When asked how Debbie and Daniel were influenced by their family in the activity, both gave their father much credit for their passion and success. “I always respected how my mother and father gave their all to WGI and DCI! I remember being dragged to marching band shows with my dad as he judged. I think by about the age of 12, I knew I wanted to write,” said Daniel.
Bob was influenced by Ernie Zimmy who gave him his start with judging and the drum corps activity. “What led to his success was his way with people and especially the kids. He loved the kids and cared about them very much,” Maryanne, Bob’s wife, said. Debbie added that her father would do whatever it took to make sure the performer’s experience was exceptional.
More recently, Marian Catholic and Avon High schools both experienced huge wins this past season. Debbie and Daniel had different takes on their group’s success. Debbie stated, “I am a very emotional person and when the gates of heaven opened up, I just cried because I knew that watching that show, it was the culmination of a lot of love and devotion from the girls and the whole staff.” Daniel on the other hand had a different take on Avon’s success. “I always thought it would feel incredible, but at the end of the day, it’s all about consistency. I’m mostly proud of what we have accomplished for the past 10 years. Every year and every class had made Avon the great program it has become.” Even though Marian Catholic and Avon will be competing in the Scholastic World class this upcoming 2010 season both Debbie and Daniel say it has no effect on how they approach their seasons or their relationship.
Teaching styles is one place the Debbie and Daniel do split the road. “I am an aggressive person and I don’t apologize for being an aggressive teacher,” Daniel said. “That is how I was taught and I believe in this day and age where lack of accountability from young people is common, it is important to demand a strong work ethic. I love my students as much as my wife and children, but I believe when they leave Avon, they are ready for anything life can throw at them.” Debbie’s teaching style is quite different. “My Marian girls hardly ever hear me raise my voice and are usually shocked if they do. I am the mother figure of the guard,” Debbie stated.
In that same week Debbie and Daniel were relishing their first place victories, Maryanne Wiles was basking in another glory; Bob Wiles was inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame. “In all the years that I have been involved, and that’s a lot, it was the most wonderful experience of my life. I was so proud of him that night and always. He made me very proud,” Maryanne said.
Although Bob Wiles made a huge impact on the futures of Debbie and Daniel, other individuals had an impact as well. Debbie has had the opportunity to be involved with The Cavaliers organization for the past 27 years. Steve Brubaker, who taught The Cavaliers, influenced Debbie as well. “I was always mesmerized by the programs he put together,” Debbie said. Debbie also added she learns a lot from her students, her husband Randy Isoda, and her daughter Katie who is huge supporter of the Marian girls. Debbie also said, “I have had the opportunity to teach with a lot of great people including Pam and Ken Snoeck, Jenifo Lesth, Jamie Oakley, Lamar Branson, Greg Bimm, Marc Whitlock, Bobby Lambert, Andy Toth, Lionell Moore, and Josh Smith. I have continued to learn from all of them.”
Daniel shares Steve Brubaker as an influence with his sister. “Steve Brubaker is the man who gave me my start as an instructor. Most what I know about how to run a program I learned from Steve,” Daniel said. Since then, Thom Vindiola has also had an impact on Daniel in terms of design approach. Daniel and Thom have worked with each other for the past 17 years. Sarah, Daniel’s wife, has also had quite an impression on him. Daniel said, “She has a unique way of making sure I stay grounded and I love her for it and I owe her my life.” Lastly, Daniel has been majorly impacted by Keith Potter. “His mark on me and our activity will be felt for years to come. He should someday be in WGI’s Hall of Fame,” Daniel said.
Like their teaching styles, Debbie and Daniel differ on their view of the future of the winter guard activity. Debbie loves to watch each season as it unfolds and can not wait to see how the designers push the envelope. However Daniel is a bit more skeptical. “I’m scared that not enough young people stop marching early enough to learn how to teach a program from the ground up. Learning and making mistakes with a young group is how most of us who are at this level get our start. I think the no age out rule is hurting this a little. When I was young, we were forced out. If you wanted to stay involved you either judged or taught,” Daniel said.
Finally Debbie, Daniel, and Maryanne were able to give some advice to educators and students of the activity. Debbie said, “Be passionate about whatever you do and (instructors) give your students 100% of yourself. Students, cherish each moment of each day because that is how the memories you will take away from this activity are created.” Daniel advised teachers to “be unique within your program. Each year is another opportunity to go another place inside of you. Always be prepared and be proactive.” To the students, Daniel says “Enjoy being young. I don’t know that I ever appreciated it as much as I do now having children of my own. Seeing the world through their eyes had made every day a new experience. I wish I would’ve done that more frequently before I had them.” Maryanne has one piece of advice for all teachers out there. “Always remember the reason we are here – the kids,” Maryanne said. To the students, Maryanne says, “Always go out and do the best that you can do and have fun always.”
Although the events and triumphs of the 2009 season have been written down in the books for the Wiles family, with Bob Wiles becoming a WGI Hall of Fame member, Daniel taking a program to a Gold Medal finish in Scholastic World, and Debbie succeeding with Marian Catholic in the Scholastic Open class as a Gold Medal recipient, the Wiles family story is long from over. They have made great history in the performing arts and will surely have much success in the future.
View Past Featured Stories>
