Caption
Julie Bierschenk
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Chicago, IL
Julie Bierschenk
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Julie has been around the marching arts for most of her life. Her drum corps career started at the Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, where she marched mellophone in 2004 and 2005. Julie continued her marching career at The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where she marched from 2006 through 2010. During her time at The Cadets, she was the mellophone soloist for several years and the horn sergeant in 2010. Although an avid musician, Julie studied design, photography, and art history at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, where she earned her BFA in Graphic Design. She has since been working as a designer in a variety of fields and industries in Chicago for over a decade.
Julie has gone on to work with various high schools both on and off the field, most recently Victor J Andrew High School, where she served as a visual instructor from 2018—2020, and the visual design team at Burlington High School in Burlington, MA since 2015. Julie also works with various indoor percussion ensembles and color guards with floor and set design, combining her training as an artist and designer with her passion for the marching arts. In 2021 and 2022, she taught on the visual staff of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Outside of the activity, Julie has spent the last eight years as an art director and creative at World Vision U.S. Here, she has helped expand and build out experiences and user journeys within Team World Vision, which is one of the largest endurance charities in the country. The organization equips and guides thousands of athletes to participate in marathons, half marathons, and triathlons, fundraising over $15 million dollars yearly for clean water projects around the world. Julie herself has raced in multiple half Ironmans, Ironman Wisconsin, and is also a five-time marathoner.
Julie has gone on to work with various high schools both on and off the field, most recently Victor J Andrew High School, where she served as a visual instructor from 2018—2020, and the visual design team at Burlington High School in Burlington, MA since 2015. Julie also works with various indoor percussion ensembles and color guards with floor and set design, combining her training as an artist and designer with her passion for the marching arts. In 2021 and 2022, she taught on the visual staff of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Outside of the activity, Julie has spent the last eight years as an art director and creative at World Vision U.S. Here, she has helped expand and build out experiences and user journeys within Team World Vision, which is one of the largest endurance charities in the country. The organization equips and guides thousands of athletes to participate in marathons, half marathons, and triathlons, fundraising over $15 million dollars yearly for clean water projects around the world. Julie herself has raced in multiple half Ironmans, Ironman Wisconsin, and is also a five-time marathoner.
Katie Buelow
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Katie Buelow
Mrs. Buelow is currently the Educational and Caption Facilitator of the Visual Caption of Central States Judges Association (CSJA) Her role as Educational and Caption Facilitator includes training, quality control, and training of current members and prospective judges to the organization. Past adjudication affiliations included: Twenty-five year member of Winter Guard International (WGI) Color Guard Judge and held a five year Adjudicator Advisory Member for WGI, Drum Corps Midwest, Drum Corp Associates, North Star Judges Guild. Michigan Color Guard Circuit and Florida Federation of Judges. Mrs. Buelow is a graduate of the University of Minnesota in Business and has been sales manager for fortune 500 companies and has more than thirty (30) years’ experience in teaching and instructional background in the marching activity including marching band, drum corps, color guard, drill teams and dance line. She is also the co-owner of Visual Performance Concepts, a drill writing and instructional services company. Mrs. Buelow has been a member of Central States Judges Association since 1976 and has served as Caption Facilitator twice – most currently since 2002. She has adjudicated local, state and final competitions throughout the United States and Internationally. In 2008, Mrs. Buelow was named to the Central States Judges Association Hall of Fame for her contributions to the association and the marching activity.
Doug Casteen
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Moseley, VA
Doug Casteen
Mr. Doug Casteen currently resides in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Reiko and son. He works in Project and Program Management Consultant and holds certifications as a SAFe Agilist, Scrum Master, Project Management Professional (PMP), and Six Sigma Black Belt. He is currently the Chief Judge for the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative (VMBC), He was the Chief Judge for the Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) from 2003 to 2020. He has been judging marching bands, drum corps and color guards for over 30 years. He was inducted in the AIA Hall of Honor in 2006 for his contributions to the circuit since its inception. Doug has judged all visual captions for Drum Corps International (DCI) and Bands of America (BOA). He currently judges the overall effect and visual analysis captions for the Winds Division of Winter Guard International (WGI) and also serves on the Winds Steering Committee. He previously served as a General Effect Judge for Color Guard Division of WGI for 12 seasons where he judged numerous Regional & World Championship contests. Doug was a former marching member with the Avant Garde, 27th Lancers, and Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps. He has consulted and been on staff with many marching bands, winter guards, and drum corps.
Robert Chreste
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Spring, TX
Robert Chreste
Bob Chreste is a retired high school band director from Texas, where he is also an active arranger, consultant, and adjudicator. Bob spent 16 years teaching at several prominent programs in Texas. During his career, his bands have won the UIL Texas state championship, multiple Bands of America class championships, and many other marching contests across Texas.
Bob has taught with the Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, Santa Clara Vanguard, and The Cadets. He is one of only a few instructors in DCI that have been a brass caption head and a visual caption head at a DCI finalist corps.
Bob has been a clinician at the Midwest Clinic, MFA Summer Symposium, Texas Bandmasters Association, and many other conferences. Mr. Chreste currently adjudicates for BOA, WGI, UIL, and several other local, regional, and state level circuits.
Shannon Clark
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Lexington, KY
Shannon Clark
Shannon has been an avid member of the marching arts community for over 30 years. Her pageantry performing experience includes the Bluecoats, Crossmen, Phantom Regiment, Chimeras Winter Guard, and the Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard. Previous teaching experience in pageantry arts includes 15 years with the Lafayette High School Marching Band Program from Lexington, KY, Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps, and numerous high school programs from Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Shannon served as the assistant director, designer, choreographer and education coordinator for Lexis World Winter Guard from Lexington, KY from its inception until 2024. She is currently the Auxiliary coordinator of the University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Band Color Guard and Sweetheart Majorettes. Additionally, Shannon serves as education director for Tristate Marching Arts and the division coordinator for the Music for All Summer Symposium Color Guard division. Shannon is actively judging in both indoor and outdoor arenas including multiple local indoor color guard circuits and Drum Corps International. Outside of the pageantry arts, Shannon is a special education facilitator for Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Kentucky.
Bryan Crisp
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: ,
Bryan Crisp
Bryan Crisp has toured the United States extensively as a solo artist and performs regularly with major orchestras including the Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, Dayton Philharmonic, Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra and the Broadway Across America productions in the Cincinnati/Dayton, OH areas.
As a music educator, Mr. Crisp is in demand as a marching arts consultant, brass educator, music advisor, program coordinator, score editor and a clinician for national and state conferences. In addition to Winter Guard International (WGI), Bryan is an active adjudicator with Drum Corp International (DCI), Bands of America (BOA), International Trumpet Guild (ITG) and the National Trumpet Competition. He is founder and Artistic Director of Tri-State Ensembles, a program devoted to chamber music education for high school students in the Cincinnati area.
Bryan holds two undergraduate degrees from Tennessee Technological University in Music Education and Music Performance and a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Mr. Crisp can be heard on ten recordings including the latest available through Summit Records entitled Classic Hymns DCD428, 2005.
Bryan is proud to be a Yamaha Performing Artist and Patrick Mouthpiece Artist
Chip Crotts
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Acworth, GA
Chip Crotts
Dr. Chip Crotts serves as Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Director of Bands at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, GA. Previously, Chip served on the faculties of Samford University, Jacksonville State University and The University of Texas at Austin. A GRAMMY nominated musician, Crotts has performed and recorded for the Disney Company in Europe and the United States, and maintains an active career as a first call musician for national touring shows and orchestral dates throughout the United States. Chip has toured and worked with numerous international artists over the years, including Boston Brass, The Manhattan Transfer, Ray Charles, Rhythm and Brass, Natalie Cole, The O’Jay’s, Frankie Valli, The Temptations and Maynard Ferguson, among others. He received his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University, a Masters of Music in Orchestral Performance from Penn State University, as well as the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance with a Jazz Emphasis from the University of Texas-Austin. Highly involved in the marching arts, Dr. Crotts has served as a brass instructor with Spirit of Atlanta, Phantom Regiment, The Cavaliers, Santa Clara Vanguard and is currently Brass Caption Head for the 20-time DCI World Champion Blue Devils. Chip is active as a clinician and adjudicator and serves in this capacity with organizations such as Bands of America, Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Japan, Taiwan Marching Academy, Winter Guard International and numerous state and national music educator associations. Dr. Crotts is a Bach Performing Artist and Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician.
T. Andre Feagin
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Ellensburg, WA
T. Andre Feagin
Dr. T. André Feagin serves as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Central Washington University where he guides the educational and artistic vision of a comprehensive band program. He heads the graduate wind conducting program and serves as the conductor of the Wind Ensemble, the preeminent wind band at CWU and the Symphonic Band. Under his leadership, the CWU Wind Ensemble was a featured performer at the 2022 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Western/Northwestern Division Conference and at the 2024 World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensemble (WASBE) International conference in Gwangju, South Korea.
Dr. Feagin has appeared as a guest conductor with numerous All-state, honor bands, and professional bands and orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Central and Southwest Europe, and Southeast Asia. As a clinician/presenter, he has been invited to speak on conducting, diversity and inclusivity in music education, and leadership at numerous music educators’ conferences across the United States and around the globe. In 2022 he presented at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) international convention in Prague, Czech Republic. Dr. Feagin holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting from the University of Arizona School of Music where he was a student of Gregg I. Hanson. His doctoral research studies Spanish wind composer Bernardo Adam Ferrero and his wind composition Homenaje a Joaquín Sorolla. He holds a Master of Music degree in instrumental wind conducting from the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.
Dr. Feagin’s experience in Drum Corps International (DCI) and the marching arts expands two decades. Previous appointments include serving as brass caption head of the Santa Clara Vanguard and The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. He has served on the brass staff of the Boston Crusaders, Carolina Crown, and is the former executive director and brass caption head of the 2007 DCI Division III World Champion Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. As a performing member, he served four-years as conductor of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the recipient of the DCI Jim Jones Leadership Award in 2000 and the DCI Division III Director of the Year Award in 2007. Dr. Feagin served on the educational staff for the United States Army All-American Marching Band from 2009-2015 and 2018. He led the organization as head director in 2013, 2014 and 2018.
Todd Fox
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Oakdale, PA
Todd Fox
Mr. Fox has been a music educator for over thirty-five years and was named 2013 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) “Citation of Excellence” award winner. He has held many roles in music education and the pageantry arts. Mr. Fox began as the band director at Brooke High School (WV) for five years, Quaker Valley High School (PA) for fourteen years, marching band director at Gateway High School (PA) for two years and completed his teaching as Band Director at Quaker Valley Middle School. His Concert bands, Marching Bands, Jazz Bands, Winter guards, and Drum line(s) have received countless superior ratings in local, state, regional and national contests, named BOA Regional Finalists, and have been awarded numerous class and grand champion awards throughout the country. Mr. Fox has been a music adjudicator since 1990 and is currently the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges (PFCJ). He has held this elected office for a dozen of these years. He has judged in the music captions for numerous regional and national championship contests in Drum & Bugle Corps, winter guard, indoor percussion, indoor winds and marching bands throughout the U.S. and Canada. He judges for many circuits including Bands of America/Music For All, Winter Guard International (WGI), US Bands and he has judged for Drum Corps International for over twenty-five years. Mr. Fox completed his undergraduate work at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and his graduate work was done at Duquesne University & West Virginia University. Mr. Fox began marching in drum corps in 1976 with the Thunderbirds Sr. Drum & Bugle Corps from Erie, Pa. where he was a member of the percussion section for seven years. Since that time he’s held the role of instructor, designer, composer, & consultant, for many other drum corps, marching bands, winter guards, and indoor drum lines. Mr. Fox resides in the Pittsburgh, PA area with his beautiful wife, Mariann and his two children, Mia and Ryan.
Tim Gray
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Georgetown, KY
Tim Gray
Tim Gray is the Director of Bands at Bourbon County High School, in Paris, KY. He has been involved in instrumental music for over 35 years as a student and educator.
Mr. Gray studied Music Performance on Euphonium at Illinois State University and also holds a degree in Music Education from the University of Iowa. He has been featured as a soloist and guest artist with many regionally and nationally recognized ensembles. He has been an adjudicator for many pageantry arts organizations such as Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, and multiple local competitive circuits throughout the country.
Mr. Gray has an extensive history with successful high school band programs and multiple pageantry ensembles. He marched with the Phantom Regiment. He has taught multiple drum corps, including Phantom Regiment, Bluecoats, Colts, and Blue Knights. While marching Phantom Regiment, he won the Solo and Ensemble competition in 1993 on Euphonium. Mr. Gray has taught marching band methods seminars at several Colleges and Universities. He continues to do program coordination, design drill and staging for many high school and college fall and winter ensembles each year.
Mr. Gray is passionate about teaching, collaborating with staff and faculty, and enabling his students to be steadfast in reaching for their goals. He prides himself on creating solid relationships based on mutual respect with his staff and students.
Randy Greenwell
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Greenfield, IN
Randy Greenwell
Randy Greenwell is an Educational Support Manager for Conn-Selmer. He is is the former Director of Bands and Department Chair for Lawrence Central HS in Indianapolis, IN. Under his direction, the Lawrence Central Marching Band was a two-time BOA National Champion, and an 18-time finalist. In addition they won 4 Class A State Marching Band Championships. His wind ensemble won 5 Concert Band State Championships.
Randy programs, arranges music and works with bands throughout the country during the fall season. He judges for DCI, WGI and BOA and is currently on staff with the Cavaliers Drum Corp.
Bruce Jones
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: N. Huntingdon, PA
Bruce Jones
Bruce Jones is currently living in Fleming Island Florida. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in education, Mr. Jones has been involved in the pageantry arts for 35 years. His experience includes being a performer, designer, instructor and consultant for many national programs in drum and bugle corps, marching bands and winter color guard, many of which have been finalists in Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Associates, Bands of America, and Winter Guard International as well as state champions and state finalists. He has also been involved as a clinician at many national marching band and color guard workshops throughout the United States. Bruce’s judging background spans 20 years in which he has been involved in judging local, regional and international events. He has adjudicated in such prestigious events as Drum Corps International Championships, Drum Corps Japan Championships, Drum Corps Europe Championships and Bands of America along with numerous state and regional marching band, color guard and percussion competitions across the United States.
David Kaiser
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Venice, FL
David Kaiser
David is a recently retired Band Director, after 35 successful years in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. He taught mainly grades 5 – 12 band, and his programs were very active in marching, jazz, and concert band. David is currently serving as Music Caption Head for CSJA, where he has been an active member the past 18 years. He is an independent consultant for marching bands in the Cincinnati/Dayton area, where he also adjudicates various concert festivals. David is also a WGI Winds Adjudicator in Music Analysis, and judges Winds events for various indoor associations, including e-adjudicate (online). He is currently the MEPA Winds Judge Administrator and oversees the judges for MEPA Winds. He has served on the OMEA Adjudicated Events Committee as the Jazz Chair and served as Jazz Chair for OMEA District 13 and 14. David resides with his wife, Deb in Venice, Florida.
Albert Lilly
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Martinsville, IN
Albert Lilly
Dr. Albert Lilly holds a Bachelor of Music degree from DePauw University (Greencastle, IN), a Master of Music degree from Jordan College/Conservatory of Music at Butler University (Indianapolis, IN), and a Doctor of Music degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington, IN). He recently retired from Marian University (Indianapolis, IN), where he taught concert and marching bands, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba lessons, directed the brass choir, taught the brass methods course as well as other courses in music education, electronic music, and arranging. He also served as the arranger for all musical organizations at Marian. He current works with nearly a dozen high school band programs throughout the country as arranger, consultant, or program coordinator. Ensembles he has directed or arranged for have won more than 18 state, circuit, or association titles, and literally hundreds of best music and best general effect awards. Dr. Lilly previously worked with programs including those at Monrovia High School (Monrovia, IN), Carmel High School (Carmel, IN) and Martinsville High School (Martinsville, IN).
Dr. Lilly has been a member of the Central States Judges Association since 1996 and served as Music Caption Head from 2002 to 2016. In 2014, He was named as a member of the Central States Judges Association Hall of Fame. Dr. Lilly has also served as music caption consultant for the Florida Marching Band Tournament. Dr. Lilly has served as a member of the artist-faculty for the National Trumpet Competition and adjudicates state solo contest for ISSMA frequently, serving as a member of the brass revision committee. Al currently also adjudicates for Winter Guard International in the WGI Winds division, a winter indoor marching competition designed for wind groups in the indoor performance arena. Dr. Lilly adjudicates jazz and concert festivals and competitions for the Indiana State School Music Association, the Indiana Music Educators Association, and the Mid-States Band Association. In addition to superb training from WGI and CSJA, Al is an ISSMA Certified Adjudicator.
Dr. Lilly is also a trumpet artist and clinician for the Vincent Bach Corporation, a division of Conn-Selmer located in Elkhart, IN. As a trumpeter, Dr. Lilly currently serves as president of the board of directors, personnel manager, and principal trumpet for the Hendricks Symphony Orchestra as part of the Hendricks Symphonic Society (Avon, IN). Dr. Lilly has served at the principal trumpet of the Lafayette (IN) Symphony Orchestra, the Greencastle (IN) Chamber Orchestra, the Wabash College Chamber Symphony (Crawfordsville, IN), the Bach Chorale Chamber Orchestra (Lafayette, IN), the Indianapolis (IN) Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Bloomington (IN) Symphony Orchestra, and has a long list guest and substitute appearances with orchestras throughout the United States from San Francisco to New York, and many other locations. He has also performed as a guest soloist with many wind ensembles, jazz ensembles and orchestras. His trumpet work can be heard on National Public Radio, ESPN, PBS, and CBS Records, in addition to his substantial commercials and jingles work in the Indianapolis, Greencastle, and Terre Haute (IN) radio and television markets.
Gregory Llacer
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Placitas, NM
Gregory Llacer
Greg Llacer has been a pageantry arts adjudicator and clinician since 1989, judging field show, winter guard, and percussion competitions nationwide. He adjudicates for BOA Regional, Super Regional, and Grand National Championships contests; DCI regular season and World Championships; and most recently has allied with WGI Winds. A former color guard and field show designer, Llacer also has served in leadership roles across the pageantry arts, as a member of the Board of Directors for the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (from which he is recipient of the Order of Excellence and Hall of Fame honors), Chief Judge for the Texas Color Guard Judges Association, and former member of the Field Adjudication Steering Committee for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association.
Llacer lives in the mountain town of Placitas, New Mexico. Affiliated with Harvard University, he is the Global Director of the Amgen Scholars Program, coordinating 25 of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions in biotechnology study and training for undergraduates.
Van Mathews
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: ,
Van Mathews
Van Mathews has been an active educator, consultant, program designer and adjudicator for more than three decades, instructing music and pageantry arts at the highest levels of achievement. Formerly Director of Bands at L.D. Bell High School, his ensembles there earned multiple Bands Of America Regional and Super-Regional Championship Titles, three Texas UIL State Marching Championship Medals and were BOA Grand National Finalists every year they attended. A Drum Corps International participant since 1984 performing with the Suncoast Sound and Madison Scouts. Van instructed with the Madison Scouts, World Champion Concord Blue Devils , earning the Jim Ott Best Brass Award at DCI World Championships on six occasions and the Boston Crusaders. He has designed and coordinated for DCI’s Madison Scouts and Crossmen. Van is a regular adjudicator for Bands Of Amerca Regional, Super-Regional and Grand National Championship events, Indonesia Drum Corps Association, Indiana State School Music Association, and various state championships includng Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina and Colorado. Prior to L.D. Bell, Van directed bands at Haltom, Lewisville and Lake Highlands High Schools. His concert ensembles consistently received the highest ratings at Texas UIL Concert and Sightreading contests performing university caliber literature and inspiring countless students to earn accolades and scholarships, many choosing to pursue musical careers. Van holds degrees from the University of South Carolina and University of Illinois and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Gamma Beta Phi. He lives in North Richland Hills, Texas, with his wife and two children.
Greg Mills
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Loveland, OH
Greg Mills
Mr. Mills is a native of Tennessee where he attended Bolivar Central High School and graduated cum laude from The University of Memphis in 1978. As a music educator, Mr. Mills has taught at Briarcrest High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and retired in June of 2012 after thirty years as Director of Instrumental Music at Kings High School. Concert and Marching Ensembles directed by Mr. Mills consistently garnered Superior Ratings and won many competitions during his thirty-five year career. Mr. Mills is also the Director of the Central State Judges Association, President and co-founder of the Mid-States Band Association, past President of District 13-Ohio Music Educator’s Association, and a member of Phi Beta Mu. In addition, Mr. Mills is a member of the Central States Judges Association Hall of Fame. As a professional trumpeter, Mr. Mills has played with entertainers such as Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Vicki Carr, Dianne Carroll, Roy Clark, John Davidson, Phyllis Diller, Barbara Eden, Peter Nero, Rich Little, Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, Danny Thomas, Lou Rawls, Barry Manilow, and Sonny & Cher. In addition, Mr. Mills has performed with the Memphis Symphony, Memphis Opera Productions, Holiday on Ice, Disney on Parade, and numerous musicals. He has been a member of the solo cornet section of The Ohio Valley British Brass Band for the past twenty-three years and was recently appointed the conductor of this ensemble beginning with the 2017-18 season. In addition, Mr. Mills serves on the brass staff of the William Mason HS Marching Band.
Randy Nelson
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Randy Nelson
Jodie Rhodes
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Canyon Lake, TX
Jodie Rhodes
Jodie Rhodes has been involved in music education for the past 30 years. Ms. Rhodes received the coveted Texas UIL Sweepstakes Award every year of her career. In addition to having taught at both middle school and high school levels during her teaching career, she also serves as a clinician, consultant and program designer/coordinator for several marching bands, drum corps and concert bands around the country. Her groups have been frequent finalists and champions at local and State Championships, Music for All/Bands of America Regionals, Super Regionals and Grand Nationals. Ms. Rhodes is also a frequent adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Winter Guard International and several state and local marching and percussion contests.
Richard Saucedo
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Fishers, IN
Richard Saucedo
Aaron Snipes
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Aubrey, TX
Aaron Snipes
Aaron Snipes, III was born in Frankfurt, Germany and is a native of Americus, Georgia. He currently serves as the head band director at Braswell HS, a position he has held since moving to Texas in 2017. Since that time, the Braswell HS band has grown expeditiously from 75 students to its current size of approximately 220 students. The band program encompasses 3 concert bands, 4 jazz bands, 2 winterguards, a host of percussion ensembles, and a nationally competitive marching band. The Braswell Bands have consistently earned Superior Sweepstakes ratings at UIL events in the areas of concert & marching band. The Braswell Wind Symphony was recently invited as a featured performer at the 77th Annual Midwest Clinic, one of the highest honors for any band to aspire to. In the spring of 2023, they were also selected and invited to perform at the 2023 Music for All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additionally, they have also been named as a Commended Winner of the coveted Mark of Excellence National Honors for the past two years.
Mr. Snipes has been named a Denton ISD “Educator of Influence” (given by the top 10 students) every year since arriving to Texas. Before coming to Braswell, Mr. Snipes served as the Director of Bands at Park Vista HS in Lake Worth, FL. During his 12 year tenure there, the Park Vista Band program won numerous awards, became the state marching champion for 3 consecutive years and was invited to be featured at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, New York. Park Vista quickly became recognized as one of the most elite programs in the state of FL and the Southeastern United States.
Mr. Snipes’ professional affiliations include being a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, the American School Band Directors Association, Drum Corps International and an active member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a certified state of Florida adjudicator in the areas of concert, jazz, and marching. Even in the midst of a very hectic teaching schedule, Mr. Snipes remains active as a clinician, adjudicator and arranger. In his limited spare time, Mr. Snipes enjoys traveling and spending time with his mini-goldendoodle, Koda and his toy poodle, Zeke.
Michael Tarr
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Wyandotte, MI
Michael Tarr
Originally from Wyandotte, Michigan, Michael Brady Tarr has enjoyed a successful career in the pageantry and performing arts spanning over three decades. Michael’s experience includes consulting/ designing, teaching, and leading the visual programs for many of the top drum corps in the activity including The Boston Crusaders, The Cavaliers, The Santa Clara Vanguard, The Bluecoats, and The Glassmen. Additionally, Michael has been fortunate to work with many outstanding university, high school, and international programs including Texas A&M University - Commerce (Commerce, Texas), Lassiter High School (Marietta, GA), Plymouth-Canton High School (Canton, MI), Kennesaw Mountain High School (Kennesaw, GA), Flower Mound High School (Flower Mound, TX), Avon High School (Avon, IN), Carlton J. Kell High School (Marietta, GA), Milford High School (Milford, MI), Owasso High School (Owasso, OK), Yukon High School (Yukon, OK), The Aimachi Band and Color Guard (Nagoya, Japan), Horwang High School (Bangkok, Thailand), and St. Joseph School (Bangkok, Thailand), as well as many other national caliber programs.
As an adjudicator/ clinician, Michael is in high demand judging throughout the world. Michael is an active adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Bands of America/ Music for All, Winter Guard International, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, the Indiana State School Music Association, and the Michigan Competing Band Association. Michael also had the honor to adjudicate the All Thailand Marching Championship and the All Japan Marching Championships.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interpersonal Communication (1997) and a Master of Arts Degree in Communication Arts (1999) from Eastern Michigan University. During his undergraduate studies, Michael’s work on a presentation for the Undergraduate Research Symposium was later expanded and developed into a research article focusing on Adolescent Children and Deception, which was presented at the National Communication Association Convention (1997). In addition, Michael served on the adjunct faculty at Eastern Michigan University, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, and previously served as the Assistant Director of Student Affairs for the Mercer University School of Medicine (Savannah, GA Campus). When not teaching, Michael is avid reader who enjoys traveling, staying active, and studying the works of Benjamin Hoff and W. Timothy Gallwey.
Jeremy Tate
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Medina, TN
Jeremy Tate
Originally from Humboldt, Tennessee, Jeremy currently serves as the music advisor/consultant for the middle and high school band programs in the Gibson County Special School District. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director of Bands at Gibson County High School in Dyer, Tennessee from 2006 until 2021. During his tenure the band consistently received superior ratings as both a marching and concert band. In 2011 (Division II), 2014 (Division I), 2017 (Division I), and 2018 (Division I) the Gibson County High School Band was named the TN Marching Band State Champions. Under his direction, the band has performed a standstill concert at the Statue of Liberty (2010), marched in the Electric Parade in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (2014), and marched in the nation's longest running parade, The 257th Annual NYC's St. Patrick's Day Parade (2018). Tate coordinated a county-wide mass band that marched in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. In addition, the “Marching Pioneers” were the recipients of the “Marching Band of the Year Award” from the Tennessee Music Awards in 2018.
His formal education includes the Humboldt City School System, The University of Memphis, and Bethel College. In 2012, Jeremy was named the Gibson County School District's “Teacher of the Year” for the high school grade level and again in 2014 for the building level “Teacher of the Year” for Gibson County High School. Tate has consulted and taught numerous high schools, colleges, and drum corps in Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Alabama; including but not limited to serving as the Associate Director of Bands at Bethel College (now Bethel University, McKenzie, TN), serving as the visual caption head for the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, and serving on the visual staff with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps and the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps.
Jeremy is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States. His professional memberships include NAfME, WTSBOA, and the Tennessee Bandmasters Association. He is currently on the active adjudicator roster for Drum Corps International (DCI), Winter Guard International (WGI), Bands of America (BOA), and numerous other local and regional associations across the United States. He is a proud alum of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and a former advisor for Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma Music Fraternity and Sorority. He currently resides in Jackson with his wife Erika, daughters Katherine & Cassidy, and their dog Allie.
John Turner
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Mason, OH
John Turner
Active in the Pageantry Arts since 1981 as a technician, caption head and visual designer, John also served as a clinician, consultant, and judge for marching bands, winter guards, and drum and bugle corps. His instructional experience includes units from Northern Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, notably the Pride of Cincinnati and Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard. Since 1994, he is a staff member of the Homestead H.S. Spartan Alliance Marching Band from Fort Wayne, Indiana, 6-time and 2017 Indiana Class A Champions. John has provided Visual adjudication for local marching band, color guard, indoor winds and percussion competitions throughout the United States. He has served on Regional and Championships panels across the country including California, the Carolinas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. Internationally, he judged the 2013 Thailand World Music Championships and 2018 and 2019 WGI UK Winds and Percussion Regional. John was Secretary/Treasurer for the Ohio Judges Association during the late 1980s and 1990s. He was Drum Corp International’s National Judge Administrator from 1997 to 1999 and the since 2003, serves as the DCI Open Class Judge Administrator. He chairs the DCI Rules and Systems Task Force and received DCI’s 2016 George Bonfiglio Director’s Award for Leadership, Service, and Effort. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from The University of Kentucky and is a Vice President in the Information Technology Division of Fifth Third Bancorp, headquartered in Cincinnati, OH.
Katie VanDoren
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
Katie VanDoren
Katie VanDoren is the Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas and has
worked at Vandegrift HS for ten years. Mrs. VanDoren has been at Vandegrift HS since 2014,
and worked at Round Rock HS in Round Rock, TX before that. Originally from Cedar Park, Texas,
Mrs. VanDoren graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a
bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
VanDoren is currently the Assistant Brass Caption Head of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and
Bugle Corps. Prior to this position, she spent 12 years with Carolina Crown. She joined the brass
staff in 2013, after marching with the corps from 2008-2012. VanDoren also works with the
SASI Leadership Faculty, a group of current and former teachers dedicated to developing
student leaders. Since 2013, she has enjoyed getting to be a part of the “SASI Experience”, an
uplifting and empowering environment for both students and staff.
Mrs. VanDoren’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the
Texas Bandmasters Association. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband Evan,
daughter Anna, and their dog, Cooper, where both enjoy being part of a wonderful community
of outstanding music educators
Rich Zamperini
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Connellsville, PA
Rich Zamperini
Rich Zamperini received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his Master of Science degree in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. His marching experience includes stints with the General Butler Vagabonds of Butler, Pennsylvania, the Bridgemen of Bayonne, New Jersey, and the 27th Lancers of Revere, Massachusetts where he was respectively instructed by Bands of America Hall of Fame member Michael Kumer, and Drum Corps International Hall of Fame members Bruno Zuccala, Scott Koter, Dennis DeLucia, Frank Dorrite,and Charley Poole. He has performed in wind ensembles conducted by Frederick Fennell, William Revelli, Eugene Corporan, H. Robert Reynolds, and Jack Stamp, and his jazz teachers include Dom Famularo, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, David Garibaldi, and Jimmy Cobb. Rich’s nearly 40 year career includes experience as a performer, instructor, conductor, director, clinician, composer, arranger, adjudicator, and administrator. As a high school band director, his concert and jazz ensembles consistently performed at superior levels and his marching band’s accolades included two Bands of America regional championships and one Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association crown. He has served as a music judge in 43 states and Canada, including DCA Championships and a six time Drum Corps International finals week adjudicator. Past administrative positions include director of the General Butler Vagabonds drum and bugle corps, assistant director of the Steel City Ambassadors drum and bugle corps, and music caption coordinator of the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges. His students have ranged in age from 4 to 92. Currently, Rich serves as proprietor of the Facebook business page, “Good to Great, Great to Champion”, an independent music education contracting business specializing in marching music ensembles.
T&P
Brian Barfield
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: High Point, NC
Brian Barfield
Eric Beastrom
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Hudson, WI
Eric Beastrom
Chaz Bledsoe
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Mount Juliet, TN
Chaz Bledsoe
Brian Cotner
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Omaha, NE
Brian Cotner
Robin Crawford
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Pearl, MS
Robin Crawford
I received my Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Mississippi in 1984. I then spent 11.5 years as a band director in Mississippi public schools from 1984 to 1995. I left teaching to enter active duty with the Mississippi Army National Guard and retired as a senior warrant officer in April 2015. I served on the staff of the Mississippi Lions' All-State Band in 2004, 2007, and 2013. I have served as the T&P judge for the Mississippi Indoor Association color guard and percussion circuit from 2008 to the present. I have served as the coordinator of the Mississippi Bandmasters' Association/Mississippi High School Activities Association state marching band championship from 2012 to 2021. In June 2024, I retired from my position as an Army JROTC Instructor at Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, MS. I enjoy playing trumpet in our church instrumental ensemble. My primary hobby is triathlon, but I also enjoy playing golf, hiking, and hunting. I currently reside in Pearl, MS with my wife Lisa.
Bob Daffron
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: North Chesterfield, VA
Bob Daffron
Jerrod Fry
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Centerville, OH
Jerrod Fry
Sarah Goslin
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Gilbertsville, PA
Sarah Goslin
Adam Hall
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: ,
Adam Hall
Mark Hartman
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: American Fork, UT
Mark Hartman
Mark Hartman has been involved in the marching arts for more than 25 years as a performer, instructor, and designer. Mark is one of the co-founders of The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he served as corps operations director in 2023 after serving as program director and brass caption head from 2014 to 2022. Mark began his drum corps career with the Blue Knights from Denver, Colorado, as a member of the mellophone section in 2003. In 2008, he was on the visual staff for Revolution from San Antonio, Texas, and was on the support staff for the Blue Knights in 2009, serving as the public relations intern and working in event management.
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Mark graduated from Brigham Young University in 2012 where he was a member of the Cougar Marching Band, serving as drum major and band president in his final year. Following his time at BYU, Mark spent seven years as the assistant director for the award-winning Westlake High School Marching Band from Saratoga Springs, Utah. During his tenure Westlake was the Utah 4A State Champion in 2012 and 2013, was a seven-time Bands of America Regional Finalist in Utah and California, and represented the state of Utah in the 2018 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
In addition to his work at The Battalion, Mark is the assistant director of athletic bands at Farmington High School in Farmington, Utah, where he helped lead the program to competitive success as the Utah 3A State runner up in 2018, back-to-back undefeated Utah 5A State Champions in 2019 and 2020, the Utah 6A State runner up in 2021, and three Bands of America Regional Finals appearances in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Mark also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Intermountain Percussion Association and is an active clinician, designer, and program consultant for many groups across the western United States.
Shawn Humphries
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Greenwood, IN
Shawn Humphries
Currently, Mr. Shawn A, Humphries is a band director in Perry Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to Perry, he was the Director of Bands at New Palestine High School.The New Palestine Band Program consistently received Gold Ratings at Concert Band and Jazz Band Festivals and is a 9 time – ISSMA Marching Band State Finalist, 2 time Mid-State Band Association Class AAA Champion, 19 time – IPA State Finalist, 6 time – Percussion WGI National Finalist, 13 time – IHSCGA State Finalist, 2 time – Guard WGI National Finalist, and 3 time IPA and IHSCGA State Champion. Mr. Humphries holds a Bachelor’s degree from Ball State University where he majored in Music Education and minored in Symphonic Instruments. He was a student of Dr. George Wolfe and Adrian Re’. During his time at Ball State, Mr. Humphries was an active performer and member of numerous collegiate and professional level ensembles. His graduate work is in the Masters of Science and Music Technology program at Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis.
Jesse Hunter
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Arlington, TX
Jesse Hunter
Bob Johnson
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Brooklyn Park, MN
Bob Johnson
Mike Lynch
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Canton, GA
Mike Lynch
Mike Lynch retired in 2016 after thirty-two years of teaching band and percussion in grades five through twelve. The last twenty-four years were spent at Simpson Middle School and Lassiter High School, both Cobb County Schools located in Marietta, Georgia. Mr. Lynch’s middle and high school percussion ensembles have performed at The Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference on seven different occasions, the Music for All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival in 2000, 2002, 2010 and 2015, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2005 and 2011 and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2007. While Mr. Lynch was Director of Percussion at Lassiter, the marching band won the 1998 and 2002 Bands of America Grand National Championships and 12 Bands of America Regional Championships. The band also participated in the 1999, 2004 and 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the 2001, 2005, 2013 and 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
Mr. Lynch is co-author of “Field Level – The Ultimate Band Directors Guide to fielding the Ultimate Marching Percussion Section”, “Rudimental Cookbook” and “Just Desserts” all published by Row-Loff Publications. He is the director of the Southeastern Percussion Ensemble Symposium and is an educational endorser for Mapex, Majestic, Remo, Vic Firth, and Zildjian.
Robert Molloy
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Hatboro, PA
Robert Molloy
Kim Moss
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Plano, TX
Kim Moss
Thien Pham
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Thien Pham
Benja Russell
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Cumming, GA
Benja Russell
Christopher Rutt
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Christopher Rutt
Bryan Scheidecker
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Mesa, AZ
Bryan Scheidecker
Bryan Scheidecker First got involved with music playing the saxophone in 4th grade at Jellick Elementary in Rowland Heights, CA on a big blue hollowed out school bus called the “Note Boat”. Little did he know that by walking onto that bus, his life would be changed forever. Since 1999, Bryan has instructed at various schools and Drum Corps in Southern California and the Boston area in Massachusetts. In addition to instructing, Bryan is also an adjudicator for the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA), Winter Guard Arizona (WGAZ), and Winter Guard International (WGI) indoor percussion circuits, and was formerly the Assistant Director of Education for the Vic Firth Company. As a performer, Bryan has played with artists such as Steve Wilkerson, Jeff Hamilton, the Jazz on the Latin Side All-stars, Poncho Sanchez, and as a soloist for Grammy Award winner Celine Dion. Bryan Currently resides in Mesa, AZ with his wife Monica and currently works at the Fender Musical Instruments Headquarters in Scottsdale.
Ron Schermerhorn
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: McAllen, TX
Ron Schermerhorn
Ron F. Schermerhorn III is currently a Music Instructor – Percussion at South Texas College. Courses: Music Appreciation, American Music, Percussion Ensemble, World Music Ensembles, Indoor Drumline, and Applied Percussion Lessons. The STC Drumline, under the direction of Mr. Schermerhorn, has competed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in San Antonio, TX (Fall - 2015) & Indianapolis, Indiana (Fall - 2017) in the Collegiate Small Ensemble Category “Snare Ensemble”. The STC Drumline has also participated in the Interactive Drumline Clinic at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2015 & 2017. In the Spring of 2017, The STC Percussion Ensemble submitted a live concert recording to The Texas Educators Association Convention Committee and was selected to be a Featured Performing Percussion Ensemble a the TMEA Convention in the Spring of 2018. Mr. Schermerhorn earned a Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Music from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Percussion Performance. He is also a full-time section percussionist of the Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Philip Tanner
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: St. Charles, MI
Philip Tanner
Philip Tanner's experience begins with high school band and supporting the arts from behind the scenes. From that introduction, his love of the performing arts continued to grow while studying electrical engineering at the Saginaw Valley State University. Once through college started Timing and Penalties for MCGC, MCBA, BOA, MFA, WGI and many other circuits in the mid-west. This is his 29th year. I have been with BOA MFA for the past 19 years as Field Manager and Field Operations. Based in Saginaw Michigan he works as a Project Electrical Engineer for Central Michigan University. Moreover, it is his goal to create, provide and expand positively life-changing experiences for all.
Kayla Thornton
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Westminster, CO
Kayla Thornton
Jeremiah Wooten
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Antioch, TN
Jeremiah Wooten
Marc Zirille
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Pataskala, OH
Marc Zirille
Meredith Anderson
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Moraine, OH
Meredith Anderson
Brian Barfield
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: High Point, NC
Brian Barfield
Eric Beastrom
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Hudson, WI
Eric Beastrom
Julie Bierschenk
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Chicago, IL
Julie Bierschenk
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Julie has been around the marching arts for most of her life. Her drum corps career started at the Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, where she marched mellophone in 2004 and 2005. Julie continued her marching career at The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where she marched from 2006 through 2010. During her time at The Cadets, she was the mellophone soloist for several years and the horn sergeant in 2010. Although an avid musician, Julie studied design, photography, and art history at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, where she earned her BFA in Graphic Design. She has since been working as a designer in a variety of fields and industries in Chicago for over a decade.
Julie has gone on to work with various high schools both on and off the field, most recently Victor J Andrew High School, where she served as a visual instructor from 2018—2020, and the visual design team at Burlington High School in Burlington, MA since 2015. Julie also works with various indoor percussion ensembles and color guards with floor and set design, combining her training as an artist and designer with her passion for the marching arts. In 2021 and 2022, she taught on the visual staff of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Outside of the activity, Julie has spent the last eight years as an art director and creative at World Vision U.S. Here, she has helped expand and build out experiences and user journeys within Team World Vision, which is one of the largest endurance charities in the country. The organization equips and guides thousands of athletes to participate in marathons, half marathons, and triathlons, fundraising over $15 million dollars yearly for clean water projects around the world. Julie herself has raced in multiple half Ironmans, Ironman Wisconsin, and is also a five-time marathoner.
Julie has gone on to work with various high schools both on and off the field, most recently Victor J Andrew High School, where she served as a visual instructor from 2018—2020, and the visual design team at Burlington High School in Burlington, MA since 2015. Julie also works with various indoor percussion ensembles and color guards with floor and set design, combining her training as an artist and designer with her passion for the marching arts. In 2021 and 2022, she taught on the visual staff of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Outside of the activity, Julie has spent the last eight years as an art director and creative at World Vision U.S. Here, she has helped expand and build out experiences and user journeys within Team World Vision, which is one of the largest endurance charities in the country. The organization equips and guides thousands of athletes to participate in marathons, half marathons, and triathlons, fundraising over $15 million dollars yearly for clean water projects around the world. Julie herself has raced in multiple half Ironmans, Ironman Wisconsin, and is also a five-time marathoner.
Chaz Bledsoe
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Mount Juliet, TN
Chaz Bledsoe
Katie Buelow
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Katie Buelow
Mrs. Buelow is currently the Educational and Caption Facilitator of the Visual Caption of Central States Judges Association (CSJA) Her role as Educational and Caption Facilitator includes training, quality control, and training of current members and prospective judges to the organization. Past adjudication affiliations included: Twenty-five year member of Winter Guard International (WGI) Color Guard Judge and held a five year Adjudicator Advisory Member for WGI, Drum Corps Midwest, Drum Corp Associates, North Star Judges Guild. Michigan Color Guard Circuit and Florida Federation of Judges. Mrs. Buelow is a graduate of the University of Minnesota in Business and has been sales manager for fortune 500 companies and has more than thirty (30) years’ experience in teaching and instructional background in the marching activity including marching band, drum corps, color guard, drill teams and dance line. She is also the co-owner of Visual Performance Concepts, a drill writing and instructional services company. Mrs. Buelow has been a member of Central States Judges Association since 1976 and has served as Caption Facilitator twice – most currently since 2002. She has adjudicated local, state and final competitions throughout the United States and Internationally. In 2008, Mrs. Buelow was named to the Central States Judges Association Hall of Fame for her contributions to the association and the marching activity.
Doug Casteen
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Moseley, VA
Doug Casteen
Mr. Doug Casteen currently resides in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Reiko and son. He works in Project and Program Management Consultant and holds certifications as a SAFe Agilist, Scrum Master, Project Management Professional (PMP), and Six Sigma Black Belt. He is currently the Chief Judge for the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative (VMBC), He was the Chief Judge for the Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) from 2003 to 2020. He has been judging marching bands, drum corps and color guards for over 30 years. He was inducted in the AIA Hall of Honor in 2006 for his contributions to the circuit since its inception. Doug has judged all visual captions for Drum Corps International (DCI) and Bands of America (BOA). He currently judges the overall effect and visual analysis captions for the Winds Division of Winter Guard International (WGI) and also serves on the Winds Steering Committee. He previously served as a General Effect Judge for Color Guard Division of WGI for 12 seasons where he judged numerous Regional & World Championship contests. Doug was a former marching member with the Avant Garde, 27th Lancers, and Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps. He has consulted and been on staff with many marching bands, winter guards, and drum corps.
Robert Chreste
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Spring, TX
Robert Chreste
Bob Chreste is a retired high school band director from Texas, where he is also an active arranger, consultant, and adjudicator. Bob spent 16 years teaching at several prominent programs in Texas. During his career, his bands have won the UIL Texas state championship, multiple Bands of America class championships, and many other marching contests across Texas.
Bob has taught with the Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, Santa Clara Vanguard, and The Cadets. He is one of only a few instructors in DCI that have been a brass caption head and a visual caption head at a DCI finalist corps.
Bob has been a clinician at the Midwest Clinic, MFA Summer Symposium, Texas Bandmasters Association, and many other conferences. Mr. Chreste currently adjudicates for BOA, WGI, UIL, and several other local, regional, and state level circuits.
Shannon Clark
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Lexington, KY
Shannon Clark
Shannon has been an avid member of the marching arts community for over 30 years. Her pageantry performing experience includes the Bluecoats, Crossmen, Phantom Regiment, Chimeras Winter Guard, and the Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard. Previous teaching experience in pageantry arts includes 15 years with the Lafayette High School Marching Band Program from Lexington, KY, Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps, and numerous high school programs from Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Shannon served as the assistant director, designer, choreographer and education coordinator for Lexis World Winter Guard from Lexington, KY from its inception until 2024. She is currently the Auxiliary coordinator of the University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Band Color Guard and Sweetheart Majorettes. Additionally, Shannon serves as education director for Tristate Marching Arts and the division coordinator for the Music for All Summer Symposium Color Guard division. Shannon is actively judging in both indoor and outdoor arenas including multiple local indoor color guard circuits and Drum Corps International. Outside of the pageantry arts, Shannon is a special education facilitator for Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Kentucky.
Brian Cotner
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Omaha, NE
Brian Cotner
Robin Crawford
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Pearl, MS
Robin Crawford
I received my Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Mississippi in 1984. I then spent 11.5 years as a band director in Mississippi public schools from 1984 to 1995. I left teaching to enter active duty with the Mississippi Army National Guard and retired as a senior warrant officer in April 2015. I served on the staff of the Mississippi Lions' All-State Band in 2004, 2007, and 2013. I have served as the T&P judge for the Mississippi Indoor Association color guard and percussion circuit from 2008 to the present. I have served as the coordinator of the Mississippi Bandmasters' Association/Mississippi High School Activities Association state marching band championship from 2012 to 2021. In June 2024, I retired from my position as an Army JROTC Instructor at Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, MS. I enjoy playing trumpet in our church instrumental ensemble. My primary hobby is triathlon, but I also enjoy playing golf, hiking, and hunting. I currently reside in Pearl, MS with my wife Lisa.
Bryan Crisp
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: ,
Bryan Crisp
Bryan Crisp has toured the United States extensively as a solo artist and performs regularly with major orchestras including the Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, Dayton Philharmonic, Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra and the Broadway Across America productions in the Cincinnati/Dayton, OH areas.
As a music educator, Mr. Crisp is in demand as a marching arts consultant, brass educator, music advisor, program coordinator, score editor and a clinician for national and state conferences. In addition to Winter Guard International (WGI), Bryan is an active adjudicator with Drum Corp International (DCI), Bands of America (BOA), International Trumpet Guild (ITG) and the National Trumpet Competition. He is founder and Artistic Director of Tri-State Ensembles, a program devoted to chamber music education for high school students in the Cincinnati area.
Bryan holds two undergraduate degrees from Tennessee Technological University in Music Education and Music Performance and a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Mr. Crisp can be heard on ten recordings including the latest available through Summit Records entitled Classic Hymns DCD428, 2005.
Bryan is proud to be a Yamaha Performing Artist and Patrick Mouthpiece Artist
Chip Crotts
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Acworth, GA
Chip Crotts
Dr. Chip Crotts serves as Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Director of Bands at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, GA. Previously, Chip served on the faculties of Samford University, Jacksonville State University and The University of Texas at Austin. A GRAMMY nominated musician, Crotts has performed and recorded for the Disney Company in Europe and the United States, and maintains an active career as a first call musician for national touring shows and orchestral dates throughout the United States. Chip has toured and worked with numerous international artists over the years, including Boston Brass, The Manhattan Transfer, Ray Charles, Rhythm and Brass, Natalie Cole, The O’Jay’s, Frankie Valli, The Temptations and Maynard Ferguson, among others. He received his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University, a Masters of Music in Orchestral Performance from Penn State University, as well as the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance with a Jazz Emphasis from the University of Texas-Austin. Highly involved in the marching arts, Dr. Crotts has served as a brass instructor with Spirit of Atlanta, Phantom Regiment, The Cavaliers, Santa Clara Vanguard and is currently Brass Caption Head for the 20-time DCI World Champion Blue Devils. Chip is active as a clinician and adjudicator and serves in this capacity with organizations such as Bands of America, Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Japan, Taiwan Marching Academy, Winter Guard International and numerous state and national music educator associations. Dr. Crotts is a Bach Performing Artist and Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician.
Bob Daffron
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: North Chesterfield, VA
Bob Daffron
Wayne Dillon
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis, Overall Effect, Visual Analysis
Location: Dunedin, FL
Wayne Dillon
Wayne Dillon holds a Masters degree in Jazz performance from The University of Miami (Fl.). Wayne completed both his Honors Fine Arts and Education degrees from York University in Toronto Canada. Wayne is the former Director of Bands at the Upper Academy High School in
Elizabeth NJ. The Elizabeth HS Symphonic and Jazz bands consistently earned superior ratings during Wayne’s tenure, and the Marching Band was awarded three consecutive State Championships from 2005-2007. In 2011,2012 and 2013 the marching band was named USSBA State and National Champions in group VA. Wayne is an active adjudicator for Drum Corps International, and Bands of America. He has judged the prestigious National championships for both organizations over the past thirty years. He is currently the Director for WGI Winds, and is also a music judge liaison for DCI, responsible for judge assignments and training. He also serves as a music judge administrator for FFCC outdoor. Wayne has served as the brass caption head with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps from Boston Mass. He has also worked on the music staff of the ten- time world champion Cadets of Bergen County NJ, serving as the music supervisor in 2002. In 2010-2011, Wayne served as a staff member for the US Army All American Marching Band. As a performer, Wayne has played with The Studio Jazz band and the Art Blakey jazz ensemble from the University of Miami. Outside of school, Wayne has performed and recorded withJeff Healey, Albert Collins, KC and the Sunshine Band, Al Chez (from the Dave Letterman band), Steve Brosky, The Meteors, Jay and the Technics, Don Mayer and The Hamilton Philharmonic. He currently plays with Tower Suite. In 2008, Wayne was awarded the State of New Jersey Governor’s teacher recognition award for his work with the music program at Elizabeth High School.
T. Andre Feagin
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Ellensburg, WA
T. Andre Feagin
Dr. T. André Feagin serves as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Central Washington University where he guides the educational and artistic vision of a comprehensive band program. He heads the graduate wind conducting program and serves as the conductor of the Wind Ensemble, the preeminent wind band at CWU and the Symphonic Band. Under his leadership, the CWU Wind Ensemble was a featured performer at the 2022 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Western/Northwestern Division Conference and at the 2024 World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensemble (WASBE) International conference in Gwangju, South Korea.
Dr. Feagin has appeared as a guest conductor with numerous All-state, honor bands, and professional bands and orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Central and Southwest Europe, and Southeast Asia. As a clinician/presenter, he has been invited to speak on conducting, diversity and inclusivity in music education, and leadership at numerous music educators’ conferences across the United States and around the globe. In 2022 he presented at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) international convention in Prague, Czech Republic. Dr. Feagin holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting from the University of Arizona School of Music where he was a student of Gregg I. Hanson. His doctoral research studies Spanish wind composer Bernardo Adam Ferrero and his wind composition Homenaje a Joaquín Sorolla. He holds a Master of Music degree in instrumental wind conducting from the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.
Dr. Feagin’s experience in Drum Corps International (DCI) and the marching arts expands two decades. Previous appointments include serving as brass caption head of the Santa Clara Vanguard and The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. He has served on the brass staff of the Boston Crusaders, Carolina Crown, and is the former executive director and brass caption head of the 2007 DCI Division III World Champion Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. As a performing member, he served four-years as conductor of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the recipient of the DCI Jim Jones Leadership Award in 2000 and the DCI Division III Director of the Year Award in 2007. Dr. Feagin served on the educational staff for the United States Army All-American Marching Band from 2009-2015 and 2018. He led the organization as head director in 2013, 2014 and 2018.
Todd Fox
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Oakdale, PA
Todd Fox
Mr. Fox has been a music educator for over thirty-five years and was named 2013 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) “Citation of Excellence” award winner. He has held many roles in music education and the pageantry arts. Mr. Fox began as the band director at Brooke High School (WV) for five years, Quaker Valley High School (PA) for fourteen years, marching band director at Gateway High School (PA) for two years and completed his teaching as Band Director at Quaker Valley Middle School. His Concert bands, Marching Bands, Jazz Bands, Winter guards, and Drum line(s) have received countless superior ratings in local, state, regional and national contests, named BOA Regional Finalists, and have been awarded numerous class and grand champion awards throughout the country. Mr. Fox has been a music adjudicator since 1990 and is currently the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges (PFCJ). He has held this elected office for a dozen of these years. He has judged in the music captions for numerous regional and national championship contests in Drum & Bugle Corps, winter guard, indoor percussion, indoor winds and marching bands throughout the U.S. and Canada. He judges for many circuits including Bands of America/Music For All, Winter Guard International (WGI), US Bands and he has judged for Drum Corps International for over twenty-five years. Mr. Fox completed his undergraduate work at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and his graduate work was done at Duquesne University & West Virginia University. Mr. Fox began marching in drum corps in 1976 with the Thunderbirds Sr. Drum & Bugle Corps from Erie, Pa. where he was a member of the percussion section for seven years. Since that time he’s held the role of instructor, designer, composer, & consultant, for many other drum corps, marching bands, winter guards, and indoor drum lines. Mr. Fox resides in the Pittsburgh, PA area with his beautiful wife, Mariann and his two children, Mia and Ryan.
Jerrod Fry
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Centerville, OH
Jerrod Fry
Glenn Fugett
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: San Antonio, TX
Glenn Fugett
Sarah Goslin
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Gilbertsville, PA
Sarah Goslin
Tim Gray
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Georgetown, KY
Tim Gray
Tim Gray is the Director of Bands at Bourbon County High School, in Paris, KY. He has been involved in instrumental music for over 35 years as a student and educator.
Mr. Gray studied Music Performance on Euphonium at Illinois State University and also holds a degree in Music Education from the University of Iowa. He has been featured as a soloist and guest artist with many regionally and nationally recognized ensembles. He has been an adjudicator for many pageantry arts organizations such as Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, and multiple local competitive circuits throughout the country.
Mr. Gray has an extensive history with successful high school band programs and multiple pageantry ensembles. He marched with the Phantom Regiment. He has taught multiple drum corps, including Phantom Regiment, Bluecoats, Colts, and Blue Knights. While marching Phantom Regiment, he won the Solo and Ensemble competition in 1993 on Euphonium. Mr. Gray has taught marching band methods seminars at several Colleges and Universities. He continues to do program coordination, design drill and staging for many high school and college fall and winter ensembles each year.
Mr. Gray is passionate about teaching, collaborating with staff and faculty, and enabling his students to be steadfast in reaching for their goals. He prides himself on creating solid relationships based on mutual respect with his staff and students.
Randy Greenwell
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Greenfield, IN
Randy Greenwell
Randy Greenwell is an Educational Support Manager for Conn-Selmer. He is is the former Director of Bands and Department Chair for Lawrence Central HS in Indianapolis, IN. Under his direction, the Lawrence Central Marching Band was a two-time BOA National Champion, and an 18-time finalist. In addition they won 4 Class A State Marching Band Championships. His wind ensemble won 5 Concert Band State Championships.
Randy programs, arranges music and works with bands throughout the country during the fall season. He judges for DCI, WGI and BOA and is currently on staff with the Cavaliers Drum Corp.
Adam Hall
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: ,
Adam Hall
Jeff Harper
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Jeff Harper
Mr. Jeff Harper is currently in his fifth year as Associate Director of Bands at Lassiter High School in Marietta, GA. Prior to his appointment at Lassiter, Mr. Harper served as the Director of Bands at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA. While at McEachern, the band program was selected as a feature group for the 2012 University of Georgia High School Music Festival and selected as a feature group at the 2013 Georgia Music Educator’s Association. Before his appointment at McEachern High School, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School from 2000 to 2009 and Director of Bands at the West Cobb School (1998-2000). While teaching at Kennesaw Mountain High School, the band program received acclaim through national and regional performances including the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic, Bands of America, and Winterguard International. Mr. Harper received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Music Education Degree from the University of Illinois. While at UGA, Mr. Harper studied trumpet with Albert Ligotti, Moffit Williams, and Fred Mills. His conducting teachers include Dr. Dwight Satterwhite, Dr. John Culvahouse, and Mr. James Keene. Also, Mr. Harper was Drum Major of the University's Redcoat Marching Band. Mr. Harper was a member of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps from Bergenfield, New Jersey in 1996 and In 1998, was a staff member with the Cadets, who won the Drum Corps International World Championship. Mr. Harper serves as a guest clinician throughout the country for presenting sessions to marching bands, concert bands and leadership seminars. In 2002, Mr. Harper began judging for both Drum Corps International and Bands of America and continues to judge throughout the United States and abroad. Mr. Harper has recently served as an adjudicator/clinician for Drum Corps Japan (2009/2011) and the Japan Marching Band Association (2010). In 2012, Mr. Harper was inducted in to Phi Beta Mu and became a four-time recipient of the Citation Excellence Award presented by the National Band Association in 2012, 2013 and 2018. In addition to judging, Mr. Harper has held annual leadership camps and clinics for students at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. Mr. currently resides with his Husband and son in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Mark Hartman
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: American Fork, UT
Mark Hartman
Mark Hartman has been involved in the marching arts for more than 25 years as a performer, instructor, and designer. Mark is one of the co-founders of The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he served as corps operations director in 2023 after serving as program director and brass caption head from 2014 to 2022. Mark began his drum corps career with the Blue Knights from Denver, Colorado, as a member of the mellophone section in 2003. In 2008, he was on the visual staff for Revolution from San Antonio, Texas, and was on the support staff for the Blue Knights in 2009, serving as the public relations intern and working in event management.
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Mark graduated from Brigham Young University in 2012 where he was a member of the Cougar Marching Band, serving as drum major and band president in his final year. Following his time at BYU, Mark spent seven years as the assistant director for the award-winning Westlake High School Marching Band from Saratoga Springs, Utah. During his tenure Westlake was the Utah 4A State Champion in 2012 and 2013, was a seven-time Bands of America Regional Finalist in Utah and California, and represented the state of Utah in the 2018 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
In addition to his work at The Battalion, Mark is the assistant director of athletic bands at Farmington High School in Farmington, Utah, where he helped lead the program to competitive success as the Utah 3A State runner up in 2018, back-to-back undefeated Utah 5A State Champions in 2019 and 2020, the Utah 6A State runner up in 2021, and three Bands of America Regional Finals appearances in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Mark also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Intermountain Percussion Association and is an active clinician, designer, and program consultant for many groups across the western United States.
Shawn Humphries
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Greenwood, IN
Shawn Humphries
Currently, Mr. Shawn A, Humphries is a band director in Perry Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to Perry, he was the Director of Bands at New Palestine High School.The New Palestine Band Program consistently received Gold Ratings at Concert Band and Jazz Band Festivals and is a 9 time – ISSMA Marching Band State Finalist, 2 time Mid-State Band Association Class AAA Champion, 19 time – IPA State Finalist, 6 time – Percussion WGI National Finalist, 13 time – IHSCGA State Finalist, 2 time – Guard WGI National Finalist, and 3 time IPA and IHSCGA State Champion. Mr. Humphries holds a Bachelor’s degree from Ball State University where he majored in Music Education and minored in Symphonic Instruments. He was a student of Dr. George Wolfe and Adrian Re’. During his time at Ball State, Mr. Humphries was an active performer and member of numerous collegiate and professional level ensembles. His graduate work is in the Masters of Science and Music Technology program at Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis.
Jesse Hunter
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Arlington, TX
Jesse Hunter
Bob Johnson
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Brooklyn Park, MN
Bob Johnson
Bruce Jones
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: N. Huntingdon, PA
Bruce Jones
Bruce Jones is currently living in Fleming Island Florida. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in education, Mr. Jones has been involved in the pageantry arts for 35 years. His experience includes being a performer, designer, instructor and consultant for many national programs in drum and bugle corps, marching bands and winter color guard, many of which have been finalists in Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Associates, Bands of America, and Winter Guard International as well as state champions and state finalists. He has also been involved as a clinician at many national marching band and color guard workshops throughout the United States. Bruce’s judging background spans 20 years in which he has been involved in judging local, regional and international events. He has adjudicated in such prestigious events as Drum Corps International Championships, Drum Corps Japan Championships, Drum Corps Europe Championships and Bands of America along with numerous state and regional marching band, color guard and percussion competitions across the United States.
David Kaiser
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Venice, FL
David Kaiser
David is a recently retired Band Director, after 35 successful years in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. He taught mainly grades 5 – 12 band, and his programs were very active in marching, jazz, and concert band. David is currently serving as Music Caption Head for CSJA, where he has been an active member the past 18 years. He is an independent consultant for marching bands in the Cincinnati/Dayton area, where he also adjudicates various concert festivals. David is also a WGI Winds Adjudicator in Music Analysis, and judges Winds events for various indoor associations, including e-adjudicate (online). He is currently the MEPA Winds Judge Administrator and oversees the judges for MEPA Winds. He has served on the OMEA Adjudicated Events Committee as the Jazz Chair and served as Jazz Chair for OMEA District 13 and 14. David resides with his wife, Deb in Venice, Florida.
Albert Lilly
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Martinsville, IN
Albert Lilly
Dr. Albert Lilly holds a Bachelor of Music degree from DePauw University (Greencastle, IN), a Master of Music degree from Jordan College/Conservatory of Music at Butler University (Indianapolis, IN), and a Doctor of Music degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington, IN). He recently retired from Marian University (Indianapolis, IN), where he taught concert and marching bands, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba lessons, directed the brass choir, taught the brass methods course as well as other courses in music education, electronic music, and arranging. He also served as the arranger for all musical organizations at Marian. He current works with nearly a dozen high school band programs throughout the country as arranger, consultant, or program coordinator. Ensembles he has directed or arranged for have won more than 18 state, circuit, or association titles, and literally hundreds of best music and best general effect awards. Dr. Lilly previously worked with programs including those at Monrovia High School (Monrovia, IN), Carmel High School (Carmel, IN) and Martinsville High School (Martinsville, IN).
Dr. Lilly has been a member of the Central States Judges Association since 1996 and served as Music Caption Head from 2002 to 2016. In 2014, He was named as a member of the Central States Judges Association Hall of Fame. Dr. Lilly has also served as music caption consultant for the Florida Marching Band Tournament. Dr. Lilly has served as a member of the artist-faculty for the National Trumpet Competition and adjudicates state solo contest for ISSMA frequently, serving as a member of the brass revision committee. Al currently also adjudicates for Winter Guard International in the WGI Winds division, a winter indoor marching competition designed for wind groups in the indoor performance arena. Dr. Lilly adjudicates jazz and concert festivals and competitions for the Indiana State School Music Association, the Indiana Music Educators Association, and the Mid-States Band Association. In addition to superb training from WGI and CSJA, Al is an ISSMA Certified Adjudicator.
Dr. Lilly is also a trumpet artist and clinician for the Vincent Bach Corporation, a division of Conn-Selmer located in Elkhart, IN. As a trumpeter, Dr. Lilly currently serves as president of the board of directors, personnel manager, and principal trumpet for the Hendricks Symphony Orchestra as part of the Hendricks Symphonic Society (Avon, IN). Dr. Lilly has served at the principal trumpet of the Lafayette (IN) Symphony Orchestra, the Greencastle (IN) Chamber Orchestra, the Wabash College Chamber Symphony (Crawfordsville, IN), the Bach Chorale Chamber Orchestra (Lafayette, IN), the Indianapolis (IN) Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Bloomington (IN) Symphony Orchestra, and has a long list guest and substitute appearances with orchestras throughout the United States from San Francisco to New York, and many other locations. He has also performed as a guest soloist with many wind ensembles, jazz ensembles and orchestras. His trumpet work can be heard on National Public Radio, ESPN, PBS, and CBS Records, in addition to his substantial commercials and jingles work in the Indianapolis, Greencastle, and Terre Haute (IN) radio and television markets.
Gregory Llacer
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Placitas, NM
Gregory Llacer
Greg Llacer has been a pageantry arts adjudicator and clinician since 1989, judging field show, winter guard, and percussion competitions nationwide. He adjudicates for BOA Regional, Super Regional, and Grand National Championships contests; DCI regular season and World Championships; and most recently has allied with WGI Winds. A former color guard and field show designer, Llacer also has served in leadership roles across the pageantry arts, as a member of the Board of Directors for the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (from which he is recipient of the Order of Excellence and Hall of Fame honors), Chief Judge for the Texas Color Guard Judges Association, and former member of the Field Adjudication Steering Committee for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association.
Llacer lives in the mountain town of Placitas, New Mexico. Affiliated with Harvard University, he is the Global Director of the Amgen Scholars Program, coordinating 25 of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions in biotechnology study and training for undergraduates.
Mike Lynch
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Canton, GA
Mike Lynch
Mike Lynch retired in 2016 after thirty-two years of teaching band and percussion in grades five through twelve. The last twenty-four years were spent at Simpson Middle School and Lassiter High School, both Cobb County Schools located in Marietta, Georgia. Mr. Lynch’s middle and high school percussion ensembles have performed at The Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference on seven different occasions, the Music for All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival in 2000, 2002, 2010 and 2015, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2005 and 2011 and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2007. While Mr. Lynch was Director of Percussion at Lassiter, the marching band won the 1998 and 2002 Bands of America Grand National Championships and 12 Bands of America Regional Championships. The band also participated in the 1999, 2004 and 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the 2001, 2005, 2013 and 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
Mr. Lynch is co-author of “Field Level – The Ultimate Band Directors Guide to fielding the Ultimate Marching Percussion Section”, “Rudimental Cookbook” and “Just Desserts” all published by Row-Loff Publications. He is the director of the Southeastern Percussion Ensemble Symposium and is an educational endorser for Mapex, Majestic, Remo, Vic Firth, and Zildjian.
Van Mathews
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: ,
Van Mathews
Van Mathews has been an active educator, consultant, program designer and adjudicator for more than three decades, instructing music and pageantry arts at the highest levels of achievement. Formerly Director of Bands at L.D. Bell High School, his ensembles there earned multiple Bands Of America Regional and Super-Regional Championship Titles, three Texas UIL State Marching Championship Medals and were BOA Grand National Finalists every year they attended. A Drum Corps International participant since 1984 performing with the Suncoast Sound and Madison Scouts. Van instructed with the Madison Scouts, World Champion Concord Blue Devils , earning the Jim Ott Best Brass Award at DCI World Championships on six occasions and the Boston Crusaders. He has designed and coordinated for DCI’s Madison Scouts and Crossmen. Van is a regular adjudicator for Bands Of Amerca Regional, Super-Regional and Grand National Championship events, Indonesia Drum Corps Association, Indiana State School Music Association, and various state championships includng Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina and Colorado. Prior to L.D. Bell, Van directed bands at Haltom, Lewisville and Lake Highlands High Schools. His concert ensembles consistently received the highest ratings at Texas UIL Concert and Sightreading contests performing university caliber literature and inspiring countless students to earn accolades and scholarships, many choosing to pursue musical careers. Van holds degrees from the University of South Carolina and University of Illinois and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Gamma Beta Phi. He lives in North Richland Hills, Texas, with his wife and two children.
Greg Mills
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Loveland, OH
Greg Mills
Mr. Mills is a native of Tennessee where he attended Bolivar Central High School and graduated cum laude from The University of Memphis in 1978. As a music educator, Mr. Mills has taught at Briarcrest High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and retired in June of 2012 after thirty years as Director of Instrumental Music at Kings High School. Concert and Marching Ensembles directed by Mr. Mills consistently garnered Superior Ratings and won many competitions during his thirty-five year career. Mr. Mills is also the Director of the Central State Judges Association, President and co-founder of the Mid-States Band Association, past President of District 13-Ohio Music Educator’s Association, and a member of Phi Beta Mu. In addition, Mr. Mills is a member of the Central States Judges Association Hall of Fame. As a professional trumpeter, Mr. Mills has played with entertainers such as Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Vicki Carr, Dianne Carroll, Roy Clark, John Davidson, Phyllis Diller, Barbara Eden, Peter Nero, Rich Little, Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, Danny Thomas, Lou Rawls, Barry Manilow, and Sonny & Cher. In addition, Mr. Mills has performed with the Memphis Symphony, Memphis Opera Productions, Holiday on Ice, Disney on Parade, and numerous musicals. He has been a member of the solo cornet section of The Ohio Valley British Brass Band for the past twenty-three years and was recently appointed the conductor of this ensemble beginning with the 2017-18 season. In addition, Mr. Mills serves on the brass staff of the William Mason HS Marching Band.
Robert Molloy
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Hatboro, PA
Robert Molloy
Kim Moss
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Plano, TX
Kim Moss
Randy Nelson
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Randy Nelson
Thien Pham
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Thien Pham
Jodie Rhodes
Captions: WGI - Overall Effect
Location: Canyon Lake, TX
Jodie Rhodes
Jodie Rhodes has been involved in music education for the past 30 years. Ms. Rhodes received the coveted Texas UIL Sweepstakes Award every year of her career. In addition to having taught at both middle school and high school levels during her teaching career, she also serves as a clinician, consultant and program designer/coordinator for several marching bands, drum corps and concert bands around the country. Her groups have been frequent finalists and champions at local and State Championships, Music for All/Bands of America Regionals, Super Regionals and Grand Nationals. Ms. Rhodes is also a frequent adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Winter Guard International and several state and local marching and percussion contests.
Benja Russell
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Cumming, GA
Benja Russell
Christopher Rutt
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Christopher Rutt
Richard Saucedo
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Fishers, IN
Richard Saucedo
Bryan Scheidecker
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Mesa, AZ
Bryan Scheidecker
Bryan Scheidecker First got involved with music playing the saxophone in 4th grade at Jellick Elementary in Rowland Heights, CA on a big blue hollowed out school bus called the “Note Boat”. Little did he know that by walking onto that bus, his life would be changed forever. Since 1999, Bryan has instructed at various schools and Drum Corps in Southern California and the Boston area in Massachusetts. In addition to instructing, Bryan is also an adjudicator for the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA), Winter Guard Arizona (WGAZ), and Winter Guard International (WGI) indoor percussion circuits, and was formerly the Assistant Director of Education for the Vic Firth Company. As a performer, Bryan has played with artists such as Steve Wilkerson, Jeff Hamilton, the Jazz on the Latin Side All-stars, Poncho Sanchez, and as a soloist for Grammy Award winner Celine Dion. Bryan Currently resides in Mesa, AZ with his wife Monica and currently works at the Fender Musical Instruments Headquarters in Scottsdale.
Ron Schermerhorn
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: McAllen, TX
Ron Schermerhorn
Ron F. Schermerhorn III is currently a Music Instructor – Percussion at South Texas College. Courses: Music Appreciation, American Music, Percussion Ensemble, World Music Ensembles, Indoor Drumline, and Applied Percussion Lessons. The STC Drumline, under the direction of Mr. Schermerhorn, has competed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in San Antonio, TX (Fall - 2015) & Indianapolis, Indiana (Fall - 2017) in the Collegiate Small Ensemble Category “Snare Ensemble”. The STC Drumline has also participated in the Interactive Drumline Clinic at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2015 & 2017. In the Spring of 2017, The STC Percussion Ensemble submitted a live concert recording to The Texas Educators Association Convention Committee and was selected to be a Featured Performing Percussion Ensemble a the TMEA Convention in the Spring of 2018. Mr. Schermerhorn earned a Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Music from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Percussion Performance. He is also a full-time section percussionist of the Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Aaron Snipes
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Aubrey, TX
Aaron Snipes
Aaron Snipes, III was born in Frankfurt, Germany and is a native of Americus, Georgia. He currently serves as the head band director at Braswell HS, a position he has held since moving to Texas in 2017. Since that time, the Braswell HS band has grown expeditiously from 75 students to its current size of approximately 220 students. The band program encompasses 3 concert bands, 4 jazz bands, 2 winterguards, a host of percussion ensembles, and a nationally competitive marching band. The Braswell Bands have consistently earned Superior Sweepstakes ratings at UIL events in the areas of concert & marching band. The Braswell Wind Symphony was recently invited as a featured performer at the 77th Annual Midwest Clinic, one of the highest honors for any band to aspire to. In the spring of 2023, they were also selected and invited to perform at the 2023 Music for All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additionally, they have also been named as a Commended Winner of the coveted Mark of Excellence National Honors for the past two years.
Mr. Snipes has been named a Denton ISD “Educator of Influence” (given by the top 10 students) every year since arriving to Texas. Before coming to Braswell, Mr. Snipes served as the Director of Bands at Park Vista HS in Lake Worth, FL. During his 12 year tenure there, the Park Vista Band program won numerous awards, became the state marching champion for 3 consecutive years and was invited to be featured at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, New York. Park Vista quickly became recognized as one of the most elite programs in the state of FL and the Southeastern United States.
Mr. Snipes’ professional affiliations include being a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, the American School Band Directors Association, Drum Corps International and an active member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a certified state of Florida adjudicator in the areas of concert, jazz, and marching. Even in the midst of a very hectic teaching schedule, Mr. Snipes remains active as a clinician, adjudicator and arranger. In his limited spare time, Mr. Snipes enjoys traveling and spending time with his mini-goldendoodle, Koda and his toy poodle, Zeke.
Philip Tanner
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: St. Charles, MI
Philip Tanner
Philip Tanner's experience begins with high school band and supporting the arts from behind the scenes. From that introduction, his love of the performing arts continued to grow while studying electrical engineering at the Saginaw Valley State University. Once through college started Timing and Penalties for MCGC, MCBA, BOA, MFA, WGI and many other circuits in the mid-west. This is his 29th year. I have been with BOA MFA for the past 19 years as Field Manager and Field Operations. Based in Saginaw Michigan he works as a Project Electrical Engineer for Central Michigan University. Moreover, it is his goal to create, provide and expand positively life-changing experiences for all.
Michael Tarr
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Wyandotte, MI
Michael Tarr
Originally from Wyandotte, Michigan, Michael Brady Tarr has enjoyed a successful career in the pageantry and performing arts spanning over three decades. Michael’s experience includes consulting/ designing, teaching, and leading the visual programs for many of the top drum corps in the activity including The Boston Crusaders, The Cavaliers, The Santa Clara Vanguard, The Bluecoats, and The Glassmen. Additionally, Michael has been fortunate to work with many outstanding university, high school, and international programs including Texas A&M University - Commerce (Commerce, Texas), Lassiter High School (Marietta, GA), Plymouth-Canton High School (Canton, MI), Kennesaw Mountain High School (Kennesaw, GA), Flower Mound High School (Flower Mound, TX), Avon High School (Avon, IN), Carlton J. Kell High School (Marietta, GA), Milford High School (Milford, MI), Owasso High School (Owasso, OK), Yukon High School (Yukon, OK), The Aimachi Band and Color Guard (Nagoya, Japan), Horwang High School (Bangkok, Thailand), and St. Joseph School (Bangkok, Thailand), as well as many other national caliber programs.
As an adjudicator/ clinician, Michael is in high demand judging throughout the world. Michael is an active adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Bands of America/ Music for All, Winter Guard International, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, the Indiana State School Music Association, and the Michigan Competing Band Association. Michael also had the honor to adjudicate the All Thailand Marching Championship and the All Japan Marching Championships.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interpersonal Communication (1997) and a Master of Arts Degree in Communication Arts (1999) from Eastern Michigan University. During his undergraduate studies, Michael’s work on a presentation for the Undergraduate Research Symposium was later expanded and developed into a research article focusing on Adolescent Children and Deception, which was presented at the National Communication Association Convention (1997). In addition, Michael served on the adjunct faculty at Eastern Michigan University, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, and previously served as the Assistant Director of Student Affairs for the Mercer University School of Medicine (Savannah, GA Campus). When not teaching, Michael is avid reader who enjoys traveling, staying active, and studying the works of Benjamin Hoff and W. Timothy Gallwey.
Jeremy Tate
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Medina, TN
Jeremy Tate
Originally from Humboldt, Tennessee, Jeremy currently serves as the music advisor/consultant for the middle and high school band programs in the Gibson County Special School District. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director of Bands at Gibson County High School in Dyer, Tennessee from 2006 until 2021. During his tenure the band consistently received superior ratings as both a marching and concert band. In 2011 (Division II), 2014 (Division I), 2017 (Division I), and 2018 (Division I) the Gibson County High School Band was named the TN Marching Band State Champions. Under his direction, the band has performed a standstill concert at the Statue of Liberty (2010), marched in the Electric Parade in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (2014), and marched in the nation's longest running parade, The 257th Annual NYC's St. Patrick's Day Parade (2018). Tate coordinated a county-wide mass band that marched in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. In addition, the “Marching Pioneers” were the recipients of the “Marching Band of the Year Award” from the Tennessee Music Awards in 2018.
His formal education includes the Humboldt City School System, The University of Memphis, and Bethel College. In 2012, Jeremy was named the Gibson County School District's “Teacher of the Year” for the high school grade level and again in 2014 for the building level “Teacher of the Year” for Gibson County High School. Tate has consulted and taught numerous high schools, colleges, and drum corps in Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Alabama; including but not limited to serving as the Associate Director of Bands at Bethel College (now Bethel University, McKenzie, TN), serving as the visual caption head for the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, and serving on the visual staff with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps and the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps.
Jeremy is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States. His professional memberships include NAfME, WTSBOA, and the Tennessee Bandmasters Association. He is currently on the active adjudicator roster for Drum Corps International (DCI), Winter Guard International (WGI), Bands of America (BOA), and numerous other local and regional associations across the United States. He is a proud alum of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and a former advisor for Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma Music Fraternity and Sorority. He currently resides in Jackson with his wife Erika, daughters Katherine & Cassidy, and their dog Allie.
Kayla Thornton
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Westminster, CO
Kayla Thornton
John Turner
Captions: WGI - Visual Analysis
Location: Mason, OH
John Turner
Active in the Pageantry Arts since 1981 as a technician, caption head and visual designer, John also served as a clinician, consultant, and judge for marching bands, winter guards, and drum and bugle corps. His instructional experience includes units from Northern Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, notably the Pride of Cincinnati and Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard. Since 1994, he is a staff member of the Homestead H.S. Spartan Alliance Marching Band from Fort Wayne, Indiana, 6-time and 2017 Indiana Class A Champions. John has provided Visual adjudication for local marching band, color guard, indoor winds and percussion competitions throughout the United States. He has served on Regional and Championships panels across the country including California, the Carolinas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. Internationally, he judged the 2013 Thailand World Music Championships and 2018 and 2019 WGI UK Winds and Percussion Regional. John was Secretary/Treasurer for the Ohio Judges Association during the late 1980s and 1990s. He was Drum Corp International’s National Judge Administrator from 1997 to 1999 and the since 2003, serves as the DCI Open Class Judge Administrator. He chairs the DCI Rules and Systems Task Force and received DCI’s 2016 George Bonfiglio Director’s Award for Leadership, Service, and Effort. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from The University of Kentucky and is a Vice President in the Information Technology Division of Fifth Third Bancorp, headquartered in Cincinnati, OH.
Katie VanDoren
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
Katie VanDoren
Katie VanDoren is the Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas and has
worked at Vandegrift HS for ten years. Mrs. VanDoren has been at Vandegrift HS since 2014,
and worked at Round Rock HS in Round Rock, TX before that. Originally from Cedar Park, Texas,
Mrs. VanDoren graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a
bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
VanDoren is currently the Assistant Brass Caption Head of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and
Bugle Corps. Prior to this position, she spent 12 years with Carolina Crown. She joined the brass
staff in 2013, after marching with the corps from 2008-2012. VanDoren also works with the
SASI Leadership Faculty, a group of current and former teachers dedicated to developing
student leaders. Since 2013, she has enjoyed getting to be a part of the “SASI Experience”, an
uplifting and empowering environment for both students and staff.
Mrs. VanDoren’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the
Texas Bandmasters Association. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband Evan,
daughter Anna, and their dog, Cooper, where both enjoy being part of a wonderful community
of outstanding music educators
Jeremiah Wooten
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Antioch, TN
Jeremiah Wooten
Rich Zamperini
Captions: WGI - Music Analysis
Location: Connellsville, PA
Rich Zamperini
Rich Zamperini received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his Master of Science degree in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. His marching experience includes stints with the General Butler Vagabonds of Butler, Pennsylvania, the Bridgemen of Bayonne, New Jersey, and the 27th Lancers of Revere, Massachusetts where he was respectively instructed by Bands of America Hall of Fame member Michael Kumer, and Drum Corps International Hall of Fame members Bruno Zuccala, Scott Koter, Dennis DeLucia, Frank Dorrite,and Charley Poole. He has performed in wind ensembles conducted by Frederick Fennell, William Revelli, Eugene Corporan, H. Robert Reynolds, and Jack Stamp, and his jazz teachers include Dom Famularo, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, David Garibaldi, and Jimmy Cobb. Rich’s nearly 40 year career includes experience as a performer, instructor, conductor, director, clinician, composer, arranger, adjudicator, and administrator. As a high school band director, his concert and jazz ensembles consistently performed at superior levels and his marching band’s accolades included two Bands of America regional championships and one Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association crown. He has served as a music judge in 43 states and Canada, including DCA Championships and a six time Drum Corps International finals week adjudicator. Past administrative positions include director of the General Butler Vagabonds drum and bugle corps, assistant director of the Steel City Ambassadors drum and bugle corps, and music caption coordinator of the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges. His students have ranged in age from 4 to 92. Currently, Rich serves as proprietor of the Facebook business page, “Good to Great, Great to Champion”, an independent music education contracting business specializing in marching music ensembles.
Marc Zirille
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Pataskala, OH
Marc Zirille
