Caption
Sal Adamo
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Belleville, NJ
Sal Adamo
Meredith Anderson
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Moraine, OH
Meredith Anderson
Edward Argenziano
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Clearwater, FL
Edward Argenziano
Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Ed. from William Paterson University.
Masters of Arts Degree, Music Performance, from Montclair State University.
Teacher of secondary school in New Jersey for 34 years. Director of Bands and Orchestra, Jazz Bands, A.P. Music ands I.B. Music at Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway, NJ from 1986 – 2014.
Over those years, served as the North Jersey Area Honors Band President and Conductor as well as the New Jersey Allstate Percussion coordinator. During these years I was also the Music composition/theory Middle College teacher for Fairleigh Dickinson University. Before moving to Florida 2014, I served as the student performance coordinator for the NFL Super Bowl Half Time Show featuring Bruno Mars and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Fine Arts Department Chairperson & Director of Bands and Orchestras at Clearwater High School from 2014 – 2016.
Since 2016, I have been the percussion director at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida.
2023 - The FFCC Percussion Judge Coordinator
In 1997, I began composing for Rowloff Music Publishers from Nashville, TN. Presently, I have over 25 compositions published with Rowloff, as well as Alfred Music Publications that are performed throughout the world.
Educational Artist for Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drum Company, REMO Percussion, Conn-Selmer and Musser/Ludwig Drums.
Since 1987 I have been extremely involved as a music/percussion clinician and music adjudicator and has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Thailand and Japan.
Served as the Drum Corps International Percussion Caption administrator from 1997 -1999 and the Drum Corps Association Percussion administrator 2001-2003.
Presently, Music judge for Winter Guard International and Bands of America
Past member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Steering Committee..
Jeff Ausdemore
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Bedford, TX
Jeff Ausdemore
Jeff Ausdemore currently serves as President and Co-Founder of Stryvemind.com, a revolutionary online music education platform that impacts students and music educators around the world. This venture serves students, music educators and administrators in many capacities, including educational consulting, professional development opportunities, as well as the Stryve Academy.
In addition, Jeff serves as the President of Ausdemore Music, a proprietary composition and arranging house for Mr. Ausdemore’s music catalog.
As a composer, Mr. Ausdemore is published through C. Alan and Tapspace publications, and has contributed original works for piano, instrumental guitar, contemporary multimedia, percussion and choir, percussion solo instruments, percussion ensemble, as well as wind ensemble and marching band. Several ensembles have commissioned and premiered Mr. Ausdemore’s works on recordings, concerts, the Music for All national festival, the Interlochen Fine Arts Academy summer camp, the 2021 Midwest Clinic, and two world premieres at the 2022 Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention.
Mr. Ausdemore also serves on the faculty of Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he teaches lessons, coaches percussion ensemble, as well as technique, pedagogy/methods, and music entrepreneurship classes.
Jeff will be returning to his role of percussion supervisor/composer and music consultant for the Blue Knights drum and bugle corps from Denver, Colorado.
Most recently, Mr. Ausdemore has released his first book; “Breathe, Grow, Share- Fostering Student Impact Through the Lens of a Music Teacher's Best Life” through Ausdemore Music and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
Prior, Mr. Ausdemore served as the Director of Music at Grapevine-Colleyville’s iUniversity Prep. In this expanded role, Mr. Ausdemore oversaw all music curricula, including music theory, music history, music composition/arranging, as well as applied music for all primary and secondary level students. In addition, Mr. Ausdemore created the iMusic Club, a club dedicated to enriching the lives of all students enrolled at iUniversity Prep.
Previously, Mr. Ausdemore served eleven years as the Director of Percussion Studies at Colleyville Heritage High School. In this role, Mr. Ausdemore served as the percussion coordinator, head of jazz studies, and co-director/composer/arranger of the Colleyville Heritage marching band. Under Ausdemore’s direction, the Colleyville Heritage High School percussion program flourished, gaining national notoriety through chamber music, guest artist concerts of all genres, recitals, and ensemble competitions. The percussion program has enjoyed competitive success at many levels, including the 2013 and 2014 gold medal for the North Texas Color Guard Association, as well as capturing the 2008 Percussive Arts Society Marching Percussion title. Other accolades include the Percussive Arts Society’s “Call for Tapes” winners, the Percussive Arts Society’s Small Ensemble Champions, the Plano Drum Line Competition marching percussion champions, as well as the Lone Star Drum Line Competition champions.
In Mr. Ausdemore’s first year at CHHS, he launched the GCISD Percussion Club, expanding the students’ musical education and enriching the lives of GCISD middle and high school percussion students throughout the district. The GCISD Percussion Club presented master classes, clinics, solo and ensemble performances by local and regional professionals throughout the north Texas area. The GCISD Percussion Club has produced a record number of students selected for the GCISD “Select Band”, the Region 24 “All-region Band”, the Region 24 “All Region Jazz Band”, and the Texas “All-State Band”. CHHS is proud to have produced several percussion students who have earned the national title for the Percussive Arts Society’s solo champion on several different percussion instruments as well.
Mr. Ausdemore has featured this unique pedagogical model at many state music conventions throughout the United States, including several Texas Music Educators Association Conventions.
In addition to his teaching duties at Colleyville Heritage High School, Mr. Ausdemore served as the percussion arranger and caption head for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from 2006 through 2010. During Ausdemore’s tenure at the Blue Knights, the percussion program produced several individual solo championships, ensemble championships, and a strong reputation for excellence, placing in the elite “top 12” in the Drum Corps International Championships consistently.
Prior to his appointment to CHHS, Mr. Ausdemore taught at the University of Texas Arlington, as adjunct professor of percussion. In this role, Ausdemore served as the percussion arranger/assistant director of the UTA Marching Band, taught percussion pedagogy/techniques classes, assisted the UTA percussion ensemble, and maintained a full private studio as well.
Mr. Ausdemore's performance background includes section and solo performances with several orchestras, wind ensembles, and percussion ensembles throughout the midwest and southwest United States, including the principal percussionist with the Texas Wind Symphony, and principal percussionist/assistant principal timpanist with the Las Cruces Symphony.
In 1995, Ausdemore recorded/toured with Benson Records recording artists Nouveaux, compiling three #1 singles on the CCM music charts between 1995 and 1999. While living in Nashville, Ausdemore participated in many recording sessions, both commercial and proprietary albums.
As a clinician, Mr. Ausdemore has given performances, clinics and workshops throughout the U.S. at several Percussive Arts Society’s “Days of Percussion”, including Arizona, Tennessee, New Mexico, California, Arkansas, Utah, Colorado, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (Columbus, Ohio 2002, Indianapolis Indiana 2009, 2011) and the International Horn Society Convention (Beijing, China 2000). Ausdemore has served as a featured clinician at the 2009 and 2011 Texas Music Educator’s Association Conference as well.
In addition to teaching/performing, Mr. Ausdemore has composed/arranged, instructed and consulted with numerous Drum Corps International drum and bugle corps, college marching bands, and high school marching bands throughout the United States, including the Blue Knights, Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, Limited Edition, Northern Aurora, and Southwind.
Ausdemore has served as music director/composer for the Insignia Independent Percussion Ensemble. The Insignia Independent Percussion Ensemble participated in the Winter Guard International circuit locally and regionally, winning the 2004 NTCA gold medal in their inaugural season.
Jeff Ausdemore is proud to endorse and serve as a clinician for Dynasty/Bergerault Musical Instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads, and Pro Mark sticks and mallets. The D’Addario/Pro Mark corporation released the Jeff Ausdemore “signature series” snare drum sticks in early fall of 2009.
Mr. Ausdemore's professional affiliations include adjudication roles for Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, Bands of America, a percussion committee member for the Percussive Arts Society, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and currently serves as the current Vice President of Percussion and Winds on the executive board of the North Texas Color Guard Association.
Mr. Ausdemore holds a Master of Music degree with distinction from New Mexico State University (2002), as well as Bachelor of Music degree with high honors from Belmont University (1999).
Jeff was recently inducted into the North Texas Colorguard Association’s Hall of Fame in 2017 for his role as VP of Percussion and Winds, and his work and contributions to the circuit at large.
Jeff Ausdemore lives in Bedford, TX with his wife, Pam Davis Ausdemore. In addition to Pam's pageantry background with the Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment, Blue Knights, Glassmen, and Southwind drum and bugle corps, she has also performed with the Pride of Cincinnati and instructed many performing groups, including Cypress Independent winterguard, Beechwood, Dixie Heights, Seguin, Colleyville Heritage, Keller, William Mason and Prosper High School. Pam is a gifted artist and teacher at Sendera Ranch Elementary School in Northwest ISD.
Lee Beddis
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Waterloo, Ontario,
Lee Beddis
Lee Beddis A native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Beddis spent his youth with the Peterborough Krescendos, the Canadian Knights, and the Dutch Boy Drum Corps. He would later move south to join the ranks of the World Champion Garfield Cadets, in order to become part of the now-legendary “perfect” percussion line of 1987. After winning his second title in 1990, he aged out, swiftly moving into the role of instructor. His instructing experience includes the Madison Scouts, Star of Indiana, and the Phantom Regiment. It was there, in 1996, that Beddis helped capture the World title with his ambitious leadership and musical compositions for “The Defiant Heart”, an all-Shostakovich program. In 1997, he turned his skills to the rebuilding of the Toledo, Ohio, Glassmen. Within the year, his expertise found immediate reward, moving that section into the forefront world-class recognition. After the successful 2000 season, he moved to the Crossmen, where he remained until his appointment as Percussion Coordinator to the Madison Scouts. Beddis’ unique reputation as a program builder prepared him for the role of returning the 2005 and 2006 Madison line to elite status. In 2007, Lee’s unique reputation of building quality percussion programs with success in short periods of time fit in right with Carolina Crown’s desired level of success. Through the 5 seasons with Carolina Crown, Lee’s leadership and team brought the percussion program to within striking distance of the best percussion section in the world along with contributing to the overall success of the drum corps. During his time with Carolina Crown, Lee took on the responsibilities of the percussion arranging and consulting for the Crossmen in 2011. His leadership and strong advice lead The Crossmen back into finals in 2012 for the first time since 2004, the last time Beddis lead the percussion caption for the corps. After much evaluation, Lee decided to return to the Madison Scouts in 2012-2014 and The Cadets in 2015 and 2016. He began his percussion instruction in Madison in 1991 and marched with the Cadets in 1987-1990. He recognized these moves as being a great challenge and it proved to be successful in building and maintaining the percussion program at elite status with both groups. Lee’s experience at all levels of instruction from tech, to caption head, arranger and percussion coordinator has made him the perfect choice for assisting Tom Aungst with the Cadets in 2018. Lee will also continue maintaining his role as consultant with the Academy, where he began in 2017. In addition to drum corps experience, Beddis is in demand throughout the United States and Canada as a highly-regarded judge for Winter Guard International. He started teaching and arranging for WGI groups in 1994 and moved into judging in 1999. He proudly endorses high-quality industry names such as Yamaha, Remo, Vic Firth, and Zildjian, while conducting marching percussion clinics across North America and beyond.
Kevin Bell
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Orlando, FL
Kevin Bell
Kevin Bell has been involved in pageantry for most of his life. Coming from parents who were both actively involved in the marching activity, Kevin has followed in their footsteps. Kevin’s involvement in the marching activity has taken on the role of performer, designer and adjudicator over the past 28 years. Currently Kevin lives in Orlando, Florida and is recognized primarily as a visual designer, clinician and adjudicator for some of the most esteemed Winter Guard and Percussion circuits around the country, as well as many State Marching Band Championships. Kevin is also a former WGI Color Guard judge, DCI Visual judge and DCA Visual judge.
Bret Cappelluti
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Madera, CA
Bret Cappelluti
Bret Cappelluti is currently the Director of Bands at Madera High School in Madera California. He holds a BA in Music Performance from San Jose State University as well as a Masters in Teaching from George Fox University. His band director resume includes, Turlock High School, Centennial High School (Gresham, Or.) and Wilsonville High School. As a percussion eduator, he has worked with Oak Grove High School, Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets, Sunset High School, Argonauts Summer Band and Valley Fever drum and bugle corps. His performing background in music includes being a member of The Santa Clara Vanguard, The California Dons and the Valley Fever Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also served for many years as an adjudicator for Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International, Western Band Association, Northwest Association for Performing Arts and the Southern California Percussion Alliance. Bret currently resides in his hometown of Madera with his wife Stephanie and their two children Isabella and Christopher.
Omar Carmenates
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Greenville, SC
Omar Carmenates
Omar Carmenates is currently the Associate Professor of Percussion at Furman University in Greenville, SC where he oversees all aspects of the percussion program including classical, jazz, and world percussion studies. He holds a Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University, a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Central Florida. Under his direction, the Furman University Percussion Ensemble has become known for its performances and recordings of ecoacoustic music, helping promote Furman’s standing as one of the nations academic leaders in sustainability. Most recently, the ensemble received major support from the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability to collaborate with composer Matthew Burtner on the premiere recordings of his Six Ecoacoustic Quintets and a new interdisciplinary work written expressly for the ensemble, "Avian Telemetry", to be released through PARMA Records. Students of the ensemble have also presented interdisciplinary performances and research on sustainability and music at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Ecomusics and Ecomusicologies conference, the nief-norf Summer Festival Research Summit, and the Esri International GIS User Conference. Omar is also a versatile musician with a strong interest in performing and recording contemporary solo and chamber music. His debut solo recording, entitled The Gaia Theory, was released through Rattle Records in 2013 and he can also be heard on the Cantaloupe Records release of John Luther Adams’ concert-length Inuksuit for 9-99 outdoor percussionists, a work that he both co-commissioned and directed in its United States premiere. He is also the director, producer, and arranger of the “John Psathas Percussion Project”, a multi-year collaboration aimed at recording and performing percussion ensemble arrangements of the works of New Zealand’s most prominent composer, John Psathas. The recordings and scores from this project are published through PARMA Records and Promethean Publications respectively. Also active in the marching arts, Omar has been the Percussion Arranger for the Cadets, the Spirit of Atlanta, and the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as for numerous ensembles in all levels of the activity. Omar is a proud endorser/artist for Grover Pro Percussion, Vic Firth, Inc. Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Pearl Corporation/Adams Musical Instruments.
Steve Collins
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Apple Valley, MN
Steve Collins
Steve Collins has been active in the Marching Arts since he began his performance career as a Bass Drummer for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991 and 1992. He then spent from 1993 – 2006 as a visual instructor for such drum corps as The Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, and The Glassmen. During those years Steve was also the Director of Education for Carolina Crown (1998-2000) and Staff Coordinator for the Glassmen (2003-2006). Steve began his involvement in Winter Percussion in 1998, and remained an active director, arranger, and visual designer until 2012. Steve is an active judge for Winter Drumline Circuits throughout the United States, and Winter Guard International. Steve has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at St. Paul Central High School in Minnesota. Steve currently resides in Apple Valley, MN with his wife Kate and their two children, Sam (16 years old) and Eliza (13 year old).
Kim Corney-Kuhn
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Westland, MI
Kim Corney-Kuhn
Kim (Corney) Kuhn has played various roles during her 24 year involvement in the pageantry arts. As a performer, designer, director, instructor and clinician, Kim has been involved with many groups making appearances in BOA, DCI, and WGI semi-finals and finals. Continuing to stay active in the activity, she works with multiple fall and winter programs as a designer, consultant, and technician. Kim is an active visual adjudicator for Drum Corps International (DCI), Bands of America (BOA), and Winter Guard International (WGI) as well as various fall marching band and winter circuits across the country.
Charles Craig
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Westminster, CO
Charles Craig
Charles started his marching percussion career when he marched as a performer with the Anaheim Kingsmen and the Santa Clara Vanguard. He was one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association (as well as serving as President and Chief Judge) and is a member of their Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was the founding director of the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble (both World and Open class units). During his time as the visual designer for the Arvada Reds Percussion Ensemble they were WGI finalist 7 of the 9 times they attended finals including Open Class Champions (in 1998)
Charles works as a visual judge for indoor percussion associations throughout the country. He has judged for the RMPA, SCPA, IPA, WGAZ and the MPA. He also works as visual judge during the marching band season for the Colorado Band Masters Association as well as several independent shows in Indiana and the Friendship Cup competitions sponsored by the Blue Knights.
Charles is happily married to his wife Jennifer, and has three wonderful daughters Ziporah, Hava and Shira.
Julie Davila
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Music
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Julie Davila
Julie has been involved with WGI for 23 years and was inducted in to the 2014 WGI Percussion Hall of Fame for her contributions to the activity as both an instructor/designer and as an adjudicator. She is currently still active as a performer as a member of the chamber percussion ensemble the CAIXA TRIO, winner of a 2011 “Drummie” award by Drum Magazine. In addition to her membership in the CAIXA TRIO, she serves as the President of the Percussive Arts Society, and served several terms on the Percussing Advisory Board for WGI. Julie is the percussion coordinator and arranger for the Middle Tennessee State University Band of Blue Drumline and is an adjunct professor of percussion at MTSU. Prior to her work at MTSU, she was the percussion specialist at several high schools in Nashville, Tennessee. Many of her groups have medaled in all divisions of the WGI activity and in 1996 the John Overton high school Indoor drum line, under her direction won a National Championship. She is an active clinician specializing in contemporary and marching percussion, and has taught and performed in Seoul, South Korea, Paris, France, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Peru and extensively throughout the United States. Julie received her degree from the University of North Texas where she was a part of three consecutive National Championships as a member of the acclaimed UNT Drumline. She has published numerous marching and concert percussion features through Row-Loff Productions and Drop6 Media. Julie is the author of the "Modern Multi-Tenor Techniques and Solos” and “Impressions on Wood” published by Row-loff, and is a co-author of “Aptitude” an innovative solo snare book. Julie is an endorser and clinician for the Pearl Corporation, Innovative Percussion, the Avedis Zildjian Company, Grover Pro Percussion and Evans Drum Heads.
Jonathan Duke
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Jonathan Duke
Jim Dwyer
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Manheim, PA
Jim Dwyer
James J. Dwyer is a 2014 WGI Hall of Fame member and the Visual Caption Head for WGI Percussion. He has served on the WGI Steering Committee. He is a founding board member of the Mid-Atlantic Percussion Society. He has judged extensively throughout the United States as well as Japan and Europe. Jim has been involved in the Marching Arts for over forty years. He was a snare drummer for the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from 1980 through 1983. He served as the Director of Percussion for North Penn High School from 1981 through 1987. Jim, along with Tom Kelly, were the Directors of Percussion for the Undefeated Champion Conquest Alliance Drum Corps in England for the 1984 season. He is currently a sort after adjudicator and clinician focusing on indoor percussion. He is the host of the WGI "Visual Buzz"educational DVD. Jim is a member of the WGI Hall of Fame, inducted in 2014.
Peter Furnari
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Danvers, MA
Peter Furnari
Peter L. Furnari is a percussionist, instructor and adjudicator with over 40 years of experience as a performer and educator. He has performed as a drummer-percussionist in a number of club bands in the Greater Boston area and was also a percussionist in the Collins Center Orchestra. Specializing in arranging for marching band, drum corps and indoor percussion, he’s had the opportunity to be a percussion arranger for numerous independent and scholastic percussion ensembles across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. He has been the percussion arranger for the U.Mass Lowell Marching Band from 1983 to present day, and served as the director of marching percussion at UML from 1983-2007. He was the program coordinator and percussion arranger for the Spartan Drum Corps from 1995 -2007, 2010-11 and program coordinator in 2015. He is currently the percussion instructor and arranger for the Danvers High School Marching Band and their Winter Percussion Ensemble. He joined the Mass Judges Association in 1976 and has been an adjudicator at a national and international level ever since. He has been an active judge for DCI (Drum Corps International) from 1983 to present, WGI (Winter Guard International) from 2000 to present. He has been invited to judge marching band festivals, drum corps and indoor percussion competitions throughout the United States and Canada. He has had the privilege of being a guest adjudicator for the championships of Drum Corps Europe, the United Kingdom and Japan. In 2009, he was inducted into the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame. He currently lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters.
Michael Gaines
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: San Francisco, CA
Michael Gaines
Jeff Gentry
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Plainfield, IN
Jeff Gentry
Jeff Gentry,
Since 1985 Jeff has written & designed for numerous Marching Bands, Color Guards, Drum Lines and Drum & Bugle Corps.
His visual designs have been awarded 6 consecutive World Class, 5 Open Class, 1 A Class and 1 AA Class Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) State Championships. This is a unique distinction as he is the only designer to have had groups win all four of IPA's movement classes and at least one IPA Champion for 8 consecutive years. On the International stage he is in rare company having designed for back to back WGI Scholastic World Class Champions in 2005 & 2006.
His marching band designs have accumulated multiple State titles, hundreds of Visual/GE Visual caption awards and been consistent Indiana State Finalist.
Notable programs Jeff has designed for include: Avon HS - IN, Carmel - HS - IN, Center Grove HS - IN, Escambia HS - FL, Franklin Central HS - IN, Germantown - HS - MS, Great Lakes Percussion - MI, Hilliard Darby HS - OH, Irmo HS - SC, I2 - IN, Northview HS - IN, Plainfield HS - IN, Tate HS - FL and Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps.
Ken Giese
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Henderson, NV
Ken Giese
Ken Giese is an instructor, designer, and adjudicator with many years of experience in the competitive pageantry activity. He has served as an instructor, designer, and consultant for numerous Drum and Bugle Corps, High School Bands, Winter Guards, and Indoor Percussion Ensembles. He is currently a working visual caption judge for Winter Guard International (Percussion Division), Drum Corps International, and Bands of America. He has also served as an adjudicator for many local color guard and percussion circuits in the United States and Europe. Mr. Giese currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he is a High School Mathematics teacher.
Austin Greene
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Raleigh, NC
Austin Greene
Austin Greene is a professional visual designer and educator from Raleigh, NC. He is in regular demand as adjudicator throughout America for Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and numerous local circuits. Austin joined the instructional staff for The Cavaliers after serving as education director for Blue Knights and visual judge for DCI. Austin previously instructed The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2012-2015 and served as Visual Caption Head from 2014-2015.
Previously, Austin was Director of Bands at Concord High School in Concord, NC, and Director of Bands and Performing Arts Department Chair at Durham School of the Arts. In 2010, he was hired as an adjunct instructor at the Dublin Institute of Technology’s National Conservatory of Music in Dublin, Ireland. He has served for 10 years as a program consultant and clinician for the Bands of America Grand National Finalist Kennesaw Mountain High School Marching Band. Austin attended Western Carolina University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education in 2003. He went on to earn his Master of Music in Conducting Degree from the University of Connecticut in 2006. He is in regular demand as a designer, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad.
Martin Griffin
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Toms River, NJ
Martin Griffin
Martin Griffin received his Bachelor’s Degree in music from William Paterson University where he performed with the NJ Percussion Ensemble and the NJ New Music Ensemble. He has been a Band Director in NJ for 28 years and he is currently the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts at Monroe Township High School. His responsibilities include directing the Marching Band (17 years), Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble as well as teaching AP Music Theory. The MTHS Marching Band was crowned NJ State and National Champions in 2013 and they were selected to represent New Jersey at the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in 2016. In addition, the MTHS Wind Ensemble has received multiple Gold and Superior ratings since its inception in 2006 and the Percussion Ensemble twice represented Middlesex County at the NJ Teen Arts Festival. Marty performed for five seasons with the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps and he has been a percussion arranger for high school bands throughout NJ since 1987, currently the arranger for the 2017 US Bands Group 6 NJ State Champions, JP Stevens High School. Marty currently judges for numerous organizations including Winter Guard International, Bands of America and Drum Corps International. In 2006 Marty was selected to judge for the Drum Corps Japan Championships held in Yokohama, Japan and he is currently the Percussion Caption Head for Drum Corps Associates as well as judging coordinator for The Mid Atlantic Percussion Society. Marty also has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Kean University.
Rich Hammond
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Lansdale, PA
Rich Hammond
Rich Hammond, hailing from Lansdale, PA, boasts a remarkable career in the world of drum corps and marching bands. He served as Program Coordinator, Percussion Caption Head, and Arranger for the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, winning 13 DCA Championships. He also contributed to Crossmen, Glassmen, Westshoremen, and Jersey Surf, securing the DCI Open Class High Percussion trophy.
At USBands, Rich directed the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Cadets2, Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard, even founding Cadets2, Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard. Under his leadership, Cadets Winter Percussion claimed the 2014 WGI Open Class World Championship.
Rich has an extensive background in North Penn High School Marching Knights Staff and the North Penn School District, spanning 21 years. Additionally, he is a respected judge for various Marching Band and Winter Percussion circuits, including Winter Guard International.
Ron Hardin
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Kamuela, HI
Ron Hardin
Ron Hardin serves as the Regional Sales Manager of Stanbury Uniforms for the North Central and North West portion of the United States and Hawaii. Born and raised in the Midwest, Ron now resides on the Big Island of Hawaii and spends about half the year on the mainland working for Stanbury, teaching high school bands, drum corps and adjudicating. Ron’s uniform designs can be seen on bands throughout the country.
As a drill designer, Ron is very active and closely connected with the pageantry activity. Ron has designed hundreds of shows for bands, drum lines, winter guards and drum corps. His visual designs have appeared in several BOA regional finals, won numerous state championships, circuit contests and have won three WGI Percussion Gold Medals.
Ron is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the world, having done many clinics throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Since 1999, Ron has served as a visual judge for Winter Guard International, annually adjudicating for many circuits, regionals and world championships.
Ron has performed judging clinics for numerous state circuits, WGI and local indoor percussion circuits.. Ron has produced several instructional videos, and has appeared in WGI's "Meet the Judge" and “Top Secrets” series. He has also recorded several podcasts with Marching Roundtable. Ron has led instructional sessions in Japan, Thailand and in the Netherlands.
As an instructor, Ron has led visual teams earning six DCI World Championships and ten High Visual Awards, most recently including the 2012, 2013 & 2016 John Brazale Best Visual Award, and the 2013 & 2015 Steve Brubaker Best General Effect Award.
Ron's experience in the drum corps activity is extensive, spanning over twenty years. As a performer, he spent the 1991 and 1992 seasons with the Star of Indiana. Upon the completion of his performing career, Ron joined the Blue Devils as a member of their visual staff. After eight seasons, he then spent five years as the Visual Caption Head of the Santa Clara Vanguard, and four years as Visual Caption Head of the Canton Bluecoats before his last stop as Visual Caption Head of the World Champion Carolina Crown, where he led the caption from 2012 to 2018.
In addition to instructing, Ron has designed visual programs for several drum corps, and mentored staff at many others. Ron has served as an instructor representative on the DCI Instructors' Task Force, Rules & Systems Task Force, the DCI Medical Project Advisory Board and WGI Percussion Advisory Board.
Before his career with Stanbury, Ron Hardin served as the director of Bands at Papillion - La Vista South High School. Ron took this position in 2014, and quickly led the program to national level recognition over two years. Prior to that appointment, Ron was the director of Bands at Bellevue East High School for 14 years and led the Chieftains to many successful performances in all areas, including Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Bands, Indoor and Concert Percussion, Chamber Ensembles and Indoor Color Guard. Under his watch, the band programs have performed in ten different states. Ron spent the first six years of his career as the Director of Bands at Clayton Valley High School in Concord, CA.
Ron also has extensive history as a professional music educator and performer. He was the founder and past conductor of the Diablo Wind Symphony, and the Principal Conductor of the Omaha Symphonic Winds. In addition, he was the recipient of the Jack R. Snyder Young Band Director Award. Ron spent two terms as the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Marching Band Chair. He has also served as president of the Contra Costa County Band Director's Association and Vice-President and Contest Coordinator of the Western Band Association. His greatest pride and joy is his family: his wife, Molly, and their daughters, Emma and Celeste.
Jason Harvey
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Houston, TX
Jason Harvey
Jason Harvey is currently the Director of Bands for La Porte High School in La Porte, TX. Jason’s responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, assisting with the other wind bands, and coordinating and administering the curriculum for the marching and concert band programs. Jason is a visual judge for Winter Guard International (WGI) Percussion Division. In addition to his adjudication role with WGI, Jason has judged nationally for many regional circuits including, MAPS, SCGC, SAPA, GCGPC, CWEA, IPA, MIA, FFCC, TCGC, NTCA, MEPA, OPIA, SCPA, NCPA, and RMPA. Jason’s involvement in the marching activity spans more than 20 years. Jason performed with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps (1990-1992), and the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (1993-1996) where he was a member of the 1995 DCI World Championship corps. Upon aging out of the Cavaliers, Jason taught on the visual staff of the Cavaliers. From 2002 to 2005, Jason was the director and visual caption head of Velocity Indoor drumline, an independent open (PIO) ensemble from Chattanooga, TN. Velocity was a consistent finalist at WGI World Championships and the silver medalist in (PIA) 2002 and bronze medalist in (PIO) 2004. Jason’s education includes completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and post graduate work at the University of South Carolina as a graduate assistant. He holds memberships with the Texas Bandmasters Association and Texas Music Educators Association.
Chad Heiny
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Leechburg, PA
Chad Heiny
Chad Heiny, born April 26, 1980 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is a multifaceted freelance musician and educator residing in the Greater Pittsburgh Area (PA).
A versatile and regularly commissioned composer, Chad has created music for ensembles and performers across the globe. His works, including world premieres at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) and 2022 Midwest Clinic, are published by both Tapspace Publications and C. Alan Publications. In 2021, Hamiruge – The LSU Percussion Group released an album of Chad’s music entitled Beacons of Light – Percussion Music of Chad Heiny.
He is a member of the percussion quartet Dead Resonance, an instrumental band of percussionists comprised of LSU alumni, who performed at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention and in 2020 released their debut album Silence is Not a Transition.
Chad is also an acclaimed percussion and wind arranger for high school marching bands across the country. His work throughout the fall has won the hearts and minds of students, staffs, fans, and adjudicators. Accolades here include a 1st Place finish in Class AA (and the award for High Music) with the Norwin High School Marching Band at the 2021 Bands of America Grand National Championships, and a 3rd Place finish overall (and the award for High Music) with the Hebron High School Marching Band at the 2019 Bands of America Grand National Championships. He is also a proud adjudicator for Winter Guard International.
Chad holds degrees from Louisiana State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of both the Percussive Arts Society and ASCAP, and is a proud endorser of Innovative Percussion, Majestic Percussion, and Remo Drumheads.
Chris Hestin
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Effect-Visual, Music, Visual
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Chris Hestin
Chris Hestin has been an active WGI Percussion adjudicator, serving recently on the WGI Percussion Steering Committee and currently as the WGI Percussion Judge Coordinator. He also serves as the Percussion Judge Coordinator for the Mid-East Judges Association, the Indiana Percussion Association, the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges. Chris also annually presents judge training clinics for various circuits in anticipation of the winter season. In the fall he adjudicates for Bands of America/ Music for All, PIMBA of Western Pennsylvania, and several other circuits around the country.
Chris served from 2011-2013 as the Percussion Caption Head and Arranger for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, having previously served in the same capacity for the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps and as Percussion Specialist for the Kiski Area School District. His passion for the activity began as a member of the Phantom Regiment and has continued through years of teaching, coordinating, and arranging.
He holds BAs in Music Education and Music Composition from Indiana University of PA having studied with Dr. Gary Olmstead, Dr. Jack Stamp, and Daniel Perlongo. While pursuing a Masters in Music Technology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh he focused on commercial scoring and sound design with Bill Purse. He continues to be inspired by the endless possibilities of melding acoustic and electronic sound mapping in the pageantry arts. Chris currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Nellie and their son Edward.
Gifford Howarth
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Gifford Howarth
Dr. GIFFORD HOWARTH is currently Associate Professor of Percussion at Bloomsburg University located in Bloomsburg, PA. He is also an Instructor of Percussion at Penn State University in State College, PA. His previous teaching duties included teaching at Michigan State University and Nazareth College (Rochester, NY). Dr. Howarth received his DMA degree from Michigan State University, his Masters from Kent State University, and his Bachelors degree from Ithaca College. He has presented clinics and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. These include teaching in Singapore, Thailand, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Malaysia. Also he has presented at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), several MENC All-State Conferences and PAS Day of Percussion events. The focus for most of the workshops is geared around percussion education. Dr. Howarth is also heavily involved in different competitive marching activities. He has been on the percussion staffs for such groups as the Drum Corps International ensembles The Cadets and The Rochester PatriotsWGI ensembles Northcoast Academy and The Project along with several BOA level high school marching bands throughout the country. He is currently a national adjudicator for DCI, WGI, and BOA along with several state wide marching band and indoor percussion circuits. Dr. Howarth is a National Yamaha Performing Artist, a Signature Artist for the Vic Firth Company, and a clinician for the Zildjian Cymbal Company and Remo Drumheads. He has several works published through Tap Space publications.
John Howell
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: North Huntingdon, PA
John Howell
John Howell resides in North Huntingdon Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh. He is currently employed as a Business Education Teacher in the Hempfield Area School District where he teaches Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Web Page Design, Video Game Programming and Financial Literacy. He currently presides at the BCIT Department Chair K-12 John holds a Bachelor of Administration in Business Management and an Accounting minor from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a visual designer and has taught and written shows for various nationally acclaimed marching bands, drum and bugle corps and indoor winter colorguards and continues to conduct clinics and consultations for bands, winter colorguards, and judging associations across the United States. He has been a visual adjudicator over 30 years and judges for BOA, DCI, DCA and various other judging associations and has had the opportunity to judge internationally on numerous occasions. He also conducts both the Trinity Handbell and Hand Chime choirs at his church in which he has performed for over 35 years.
Jeremy Hunt
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Austin, TX
Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt is a six time DCI finalist visual designer, 8 time BOA finalist visual designer and a multi medalist designer in WGI percussion. Recently, Jeremy has written for four different drum corps finalist. The Cavaliers (2023),The Phantom Regiment (2015, 2021), Spirit of Atlanta (2010-2013), and the Colts (2007-2009). Since 2004 Jeremy has designed for multiple BOA Grand National Finalists, Semifinalists and regional finalist. Most recently with Leander High School and Jenks High School. Leander High School was named the 2019 & 2016 BOA class AAA national champion. He has written for Ten UIL (Texas) State Finalist bands since 2008 and 16 state championship bands throughout the country. His notable WGI percussion ensembles are Homer Hanna HS who finished 7th place in PSW at the 2015 & 2017 World Championships, North Shore HS with a 4th place finish in 2014, and Mariner HS the 2006 PSA gold medalist. Additionally, 21 of his groups have medaled in the Texas Colorguard circuit since 2012 In addition to designing, Jeremy has also taught and judged in several different capacities. He was on the visual staff with Carolina Crown, Glassmen, and the Madison Scouts where he served as Visual Caption Head. Jeremy also serves as a judge for Winter Guard International and has presented clinics for WGAZ and the Texas Bandmasters. Jeremy attended Western Kentucky University and currently resides in Austin, TX.
Scott Johnson
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: The Sea Ranch, CA
Scott Johnson
SCOTT JOHNSON: Personal awards include twenty-one D.C.I. Gold medal championships, fourteen D.C.I. High Percussion titles, two W.G.I. Gold medal championships, three DCA Gold medal championships, two DCA High Percussion titles, ten DCE championships, nine DCE High Percussion titles, 12 High Percussion titles in Japan, and 1977 D.C.I. & 1978 P.A.S. Individual Snare champion.
Scott is very honored to have been inducted into the 2012 class of the DCI Hall Of Fame, and the 2012 WGI Hall Of Fame. Scott was also inducted into the 2015 World Drum Corp Hall Of Fame.
Although the primary focus of his teaching career has been in the Drum Corps idiom, Scott has taught privately and arranged percussion scores at the elementary, junior, senior high, and university levels.
Scott's judging assignments have included numerous marching band and percussion competitions throughout the world, including P.A.S. championships, W.G.I. championships, South African Championships, Indonesia Championships, and the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
Scott is one of the most sought after Marching Percussion clinicians in the world today.
He has held numerous percussion clinics throughout the United States, Japan, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Indonesia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Australia, China, and Italy.
Scott's current endorsements:
Drums and Hardware: Ludwig
Sticks and mallets: Pro Mark
Cymbals: Zildjian
Drumheads: Evans
Drum pads: Offworld
Bobby Jones
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Hawthorne, NJ
Bobby Jones
S. Jay Kennedy
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Chicago, IL
S. Jay Kennedy
Jay Kennedy’s career has followed a unique trajectory initially encompassing highly successful experiences as an entrepreneur and composer, arranger, producer of music for commercials, television, and motion pictures. Subsequently, he transitioned to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, one of the world’s leading music schools, becoming a widely respected educator and administrative leader.
His career underscores his life-long commitment to music education. “The musical and educational experiences I had throughout middle school, high school, and college affected me profoundly about the value of music in a person’s life.” While working in the music industry in Chicago and LA, Jay remembered how music and his teachers had positively impacted him and he committed to pass those experiences on to others, continuing to write for high school and college ensembles, conduct master classes and workshops for students, and frequently being an adjudicator and clinician for high school ensembles.
He retired from Berklee College of Music at the end of 2022 as Vice President for Academic Affairs/Vice Provost after 28 years in which he held several administrative positions, including department chair, dean, and vice president.
During his career, he has composed music for hundreds of television and radio commercials and his music has been heard in feature films, including Wayne’s World, Electric Horseman, and Lethal Weapon 2. His published compositions include works for concert band, percussion ensemble, and marching band.
Kennedy has been an active adjudicator for marching band, drum corps, and indoor percussion competitions for over 35 years and has written for several drum and bugle corps. He was elected to the DCI Hall of Fame in 2007 for longtime contributions as an adjudicator, judge administrator, arranger, and composer.
He received the Ph.D. from Boston College and Master of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Northwestern University.
Scott Koter
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Delmont, PA
Scott Koter
Scott Koter retired as assistant superintendent for the Kiski Area SD and previously served as a principal, fine arts coordinator and band director in the same district beginning in 1982. His ensembles received numerous honors including appearances at the Midwest Clinic, MENC, IAJE and PMEA conventions and captured numerous state and BOA regional titles while being named BOA Grand National finalist seven times and a Grand National class champion two times. Scott received citations for teaching excellence from PMEA, NBA, IAJE as well as Duquesne University, St.Vincent College and California University of PA. Scott served as program coordinator for the Santa Clara Vanguard of Santa Clara, CA. and The Cavaliers of Rosemont, IL winning six DCI world championships during that time. He also serves as a creative consultant for Fannin Musical Productions and as an educational consultant for Innovative Percussion Inc. Scott was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2015.
Blair Kuhn
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Westland, MI
Blair Kuhn
Blair Kuhn received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communication & Film Studies from Eastern Michigan University. Blair’s been active in the pageantry art for over 30 years, having performed as a percussionist with the Saginaires Drum & Bugle Corps 1982-84, Northern Aurora Drum & Bugle Corps 1985 & The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps 1986. Along with his background in percussion, Blair is an accomplished Color Guard & Drill designer, with over 25 years of experience. Blair was the visual designer for Eastside Fury Percussion, from 2007-2010 & Co-Director / Designer of Ancora Winter Guard 2007-2014. Blair currently designs for The University of Michigan Winter Guard. Blair currently holds the position of Judge Coordinator for the Michigan Color Guard Circuit, Michigan Alliance For the Peforming Arts & Visual Caption Administrator for the Michigan Competing Band Association. Currently Blair is an active adjudicator for The Michigan Competing Band Association, Michigan Color Guard Circuit, Drum Corps International & Winter Guard International.
Bret Kuhn
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Hoffman Estates, IL
Bret Kuhn
Bret Kuhn Clinician/Arranger and Performing Artist Bret is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University with a Bachelors degree where he studied percussion with Dan Peterson. He also performed with the Disney World All American band and has performed with such artist’s as Bobby Shew, Rich Matteson as well as playing with The Chicago Big Band and the Mayo Tiana Big Band. Bret is adjunct faculty at Northern Illinois University and Prospect High School. He was the Battery Arranger with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014-2016. Bret is also adjunct faculty at Northern Illinois University and Prospect High School. Bret served as Caption Head and Percussion Arranger for the World Champion Cavaliers who won 6 World Championships and 5 High Percussion Awards during his tenure. He also consulted with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps 2006-2008. In 2010 he served as Program Coordinator for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. Bret is very active as an arranger for various high school’s and universities through out the US and Japan. He also arranges for Northern Illinois University and The Aimachi Marching Band and Indoor Drumline from Nagoya, Japan. He travels extensively performing and presenting clinics across the United States, Japan and Europe for Yamaha, Zildjian, Remo and Innovative Percussion. Bret has judged Effect Music for WGI since 2013 as well as many other indoor drumline circuits across the country. Bret has written articles for publication in Percussive Notes Magazine and served on the Board of Directors for the Percussive Arts Society from 2005-2012. Bret is also a member of The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, known as ASCAP. If you wish to contact Bret regarding clinics, arranging or commissioning a percussion ensemble, go to www.bretkuhnmusic.com or e-mail him at bretkuhnmusic@sbcglobal.net.
Mike Leitzke
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Thompson's Station, TN
Mike Leitzke
Mike Leitzke began his music career at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, IL, and went on to become a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and Rhythm X Indoor percussion ensemble. During his tenure at Rhythm X, the group earned their first WGI World Class Championship.
Mike has taught, arranged, and consulted for many high schools and indoor programs across the United States. Mike served as the front ensemble caption head and arranger for Palmetto Percussion, winning the WGI Open Class Championship in 2010 and making World Class Finals for the first time. On the drum corps side, Mike has served on the faculty of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps as well as worked as a clinician and consultant for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Additionally, Mike served as a designer and educator for the WGI PSW finalist Mt. Juliet Band of Gold and Indoor Drumline.
Presently, Mike is the percussion director at Franklin High School (TN), a Sudler Shield band program. Mike is an active adjudicator for Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International. Mike presently serves on the DCI Judge Leadership Team and on the WGI Steering Committee. Mike is the percussion/winds coordinator of the CWEA, MEPA, and WGASC/ADLA indoor circuits. Mike is proud to be an artist and clinician for Yamaha, Remo, Innovative Percussion, and Zildjian.
Eduardo Martinez
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Pasadena, CA
Eduardo Martinez
Eduardo Martinez has worked with high school marching bands and independent winter guard programs in the Middle Atlantic and Southern California since 1995 as a director and visual designer/consultant.
Past program affiliations include Broad Run HS (Ashburn, VA), McLean HS (McLean, VA), Solution Performance Ensemble (Huntington Beach, CA), Revelation (Richmond, VA), and Stonewall Independent (Manassas, VA). Eduardo is currently a design consultant with George Mason University Winter Guard (Fairfax, VA). He has judged for fall marching band and winter guard/percussion circuits throughout the U.S since 2000. He has judged with Drum Corps International (DCI) since 2018 and Winter Guard International (WGI) since 2024. Eduardo previously served as circuit president for Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) and percussion and winds coordinator for Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC).
Eduardo is a Forecast Manager with Southern California Gas Company. He graduated with a BA in International Business from California State University Fullerton and a MA in Economics from California State University Long Beach. Eduardo has been a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association since 2007.
Teddy Mascari
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Webster, NY
Teddy Mascari
Ted Mascari has been involved in all aspects of percussion since 1980 as a performer, educator and arranger and is considered one of the top marching percussion minds in Upstate New York.
He graduated from Cicero-North Syracuse High School in 1988. Ted holds an AAS from Onondaga Community College and a Bachelor of Science and Music from Syracuse University. Over the past 25+ years, he has directed and arranged for several marching band and indoor percussion programs in NY, he served most recently as the Director and Music Designer for Victor High School Percussion, a NYSPC/WGI Scholastic A percussion ensemble finalist, from 2006-2014, winning 8 State Championships between indoor and marching band. He has and still is involved with quality programs like ESM, CNS, East Irondequoit and Jordan Elbridge, He is very proud of the many students from these high schools who have gone on to march in top Drum Corps (DCI/DCA), WGI drum lines and go on to teach. He is often sought out for private instruction and consultation.
Ted's drum corps instructional career began in 1993 with the Syracuse Brigadiers, then Rochester Crusaders from 1994-1996. In addition, Ted has served as Percussion Coordinator, Percussion Arranger and Consultant for the Empire Statesmen All Age Drum and Bugle Corps from Rochester, NY, where he served from 1997-2012. He also works with the Kidsgrove Scouts since 2010, DC United Kingdom and 2015 DC Europe Champions as percussion advisor and currently holds the title of Percussion Arranger for the NY Skyliners since 2016. Ted has been strongly influenced through past experiences with Chris Calhoun, Chris Thompson, Joeseph Guadagnino, Thom Hannum, and Colin McNutt.
Ted has a newly appointed position serving as the Judging Coordinator and Education Director for the New York State Percussion Circuit. He is an adjudicator for marching band, indoor percussion and color guard in circuits throughout Pennsylvania, Michigan, Utah, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina and NY. He is also an endorser for, and on the educational team of Innovative Percussion, Mapex-Majestic. Ted Currently lives in Webster, NY with his wife Sara and their twin boys Christian and Mason.
Bret Mascaro
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Collegeville, PA
Bret Mascaro
Bret Mascaro is an adjunct professor and supervisor of student teachers at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Previously, Bret completed a full career as a music teacher, band director, and Music Department Coordinator for the Methacton School District. During that time, Bret served as a PA Music Educators Association District President and Festival Coordinator and has twice been a clinician at the PMEA Annual In-service Conference. In the interim, Bret spent four years as Director of Education for the Zeswitz Music Company in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Bret Mascaro has served as an adjudicator across the United States, Canada, and Japan for organizations such as Bands of America, Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International and several state pageantry associations. Bret has been a designer or instructor for the Crossmen, Troopers, and Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and several high school bands in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Brian Mason
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Morehead, KY
Brian Mason
Dr. Brian S. Mason is Professor of Percussion and Coordinator of the Percussion Studies Program at Morehead State University, directing the percussion ensembles, MSU Steel, and the award-winning marching percussion ensemble, featured on the vicfirth.com web-based instructional video series Marching Percussion 101. He has been a member of the Percussive Arts Society Board of Advisors, Past President of the PAS KY Chapter, is Associate Principal Percussion with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, is Principal Timpanist for the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra, and appears as a guest artist with high school and university percussion ensembles across the US. Among his many accolades he is the recipient of the MSU Distinguished Teacher Award, the MSU Distinguished Faculty Service Award, the KMEA College/University Teacher of the Year Award, the and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Boyle County High School.
A highly respected innovator of the contemporary marching percussion ensemble, Brian’s career in the Drum Corps International activity spanned more than two decades, claiming two World Championships and three High Percussion titles, along with many other awards and honors during his tenure with the Cavaliers (1987-1996), Yamato (1997-1999), Phantom Regiment (1998-2002), and the Santa Clara Vanguard (2006-2010). He also serves as a member of the Winter Guard International Percussion Judge team, one of the most respected and highly regarded rosters of adjudicators in the marching arts. In high demand as a clinician, performer, arranger/composer, and adjudicator, Brian has appeared throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, Canada, and Mexico, and his compositions have been performed around the world.
Brian received his D.M.A. and B.M. as a student of James B. Campbell at the University of Kentucky and his M.M. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a student of Dr. Dean Gronemeier. Brian has published articles in Percussive Notes, and has been interviewed in Modern Drummer and Band and Orchestra Magazine. Brian is a performing artist for Mapex Drums, and Majestic Percussion, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Zildjian cymbals, Evans drumheads, Black Swamp Percussion, and Etymotic Hearing Protection, and his original works and arrangements are published through Row-Loff Productions, Tap Space Publications, and Bachovich Music Publications.
Jay McArthur
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Madison, MS
Jay McArthur
Jay McArthur retired as Director of Bands for Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton Beach, FL after having served as a band director in Mississippi and Florida for 34 years. McArthur’s bands were consistently recognized for their quality including a tradition of All Superior ratings and 2 State Marching Band Championships for the Ridgeland High School Band where he founded the band program and spent the 11 years. He has served in leadership positions on state and national levels including the Executive Board of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association twice. McArthur was a charter member of Memphis Blues Brass Band in 1980, was a marching staff member of the 1987 Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps, and was percussion caption head and program coordinator for the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 1994-1996. His performance experiences include the University of Mississippi Wind Ensemble, the Mississippians Jazz Band, Tupelo Symphony, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Symphonic Winds, and the DownBeat Jazz Orchestra. An active clinician, adjudicator, and consultant for bands and events across the country, McArthur is life-time member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, the Mississippi Indoor Association, and is especially honored by his association with Winter Guard International’s percussion division. Jay is married to the former Amy Lewis of Quitman, MS. They have two sons, John Thomas, III, and Cadden Moore, who have recently run away from home to seek to conquer the world while paying for their own food and lodging.
David McCarthy
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Marietta, GA
David McCarthy
Dave McCarthy is a native of Revere, Massachusetts, and began his marching arts career with the 27th Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps in 1981 through 1986. From 1988 to 1991 he was a member of The Garfield Cadets and then Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps. As a member of the 1990 Cadets, he was part of both the DCI World Championship and High Percussion Award. Upon aging out, Dave taught the Boston Crusaders and The Marauders Drum and Bugle Corps. Over the years he has worked with and consulted for high school band programs in Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida and Texas. Dave is currently a visual judge for Winter Guard International (WGI) Percussion Division. In addition to his adjudication role with WGI, Dave has judged nationally for many regional Circuits including, SCPA, MAPS, SCGC, SAPA, IPA, FFCC, OIPA, MEPA, TCGC and GIPA. During the fall marching season, Dave is also a nationally recognized visual judge. He has judge marching band contest across the Southeast and Midwest. From 1995 to 2001 Dave was part of the design team for King Philip Regional High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble. King Philip was a finalist in the WGI Percussion Scholastic World Class each year including the 2000 WGI PSW Gold medalist. Over the better part of the last 20 years, Dave has been a staff member of the two-time (1998 and 2002) BOA Grand National Champion Lassiter High School Marching Band of Marietta, Georgia. Over those year he has served as the Visual Caption head, Visual Tech, Consultant and is currently back as the Visual Caption head of the Lassiter marching band program. Dave is currently employed as a Senior Consultant with Newport Group in Atlanta Georgia where he resides with his wife Shoie and his two beautiful daughter Ava and Quinn. Dave earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Michael McIntosh
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Shakopee, MN
Michael McIntosh
Mr. McIntosh is a graduate of Butler University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an emphasis in Composition.
In addition to designing, coordinating, consulting and composing for many marching bands all over the United States, Michael is the Percussion Coordinator for the Music For All Summer Symposium as well as the Percussion Caption Supervisor, Music Coordinator and one of two Percussion Designers for The Cavaliers drum and bugle corps. From 1997-2011, Mr. McIntosh was a percussion specialist at Carmel high school in Carmel, Indiana and an integral part of programs named the 2001 and 2017 AAA National Champion as well as the 2005, 2012, 2016 and 2017 BOA Grand National Champions.
Mr. McIntosh is an active clinician and adjudicator, giving clinics throughout the US, Europe and Asia, having performed clinics in Japan and Beijing, China. Michael is a current adjudicator for WGI and Bands of America.
Compositionally, Michael has had works commissioned for the Midwest Band Directors Convention as well as the West Point HellCats. Currently, he has works published by SmartMusic, Row-Loff Publications, Yamaha Sounds of Summer, Tap Space Publications, Key Poulan Music, Drop 6 Media, The Hal Leonard Corporation, Innovative Percussion, Marching Show Concepts and Dynamic Marching.
Michael is a Yamaha artist/clinician as well as a signature drumstick artist with Promark. Mr. McIntosh also endorses EVANS drumheads, Zildjian cymbals and Planet Waves Cables.
Michael resides in Minnesota with his wife Joy and their two beautiful daughters, Scotlyn and Graysen.
Jon Merritt
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Austin, TX
Jon Merritt
Jon Merritt is a percussion teacher in the NEISD school district of San Antonio Texas. Jon is a graduate of Ohio University in Athens Ohio. He also marched with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Jon was the percussion section leader for the World Champion Cadets Drum Corps in 1993. He also enjoys performing with Several Brass Bands and Orchestras. After graduating from Ohio University with his Music Education Degree Jon has been a band director for 13 years in Columbus Ohio. He just recently moved to Texas, and is extremely excited to be Teaching and Performing with some of the finest educators in the country.
Mark Metz
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Lansdale, PA
Mark Metz
Dr. Mark Metz, a former music educator, is a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents. He has taught at all educational levels—from kindergarten through graduate school. Mark remains active in all aspects of marching music, and brings with him over 35 years of experience as a performer, instructor, designer, coordinator, consultant, and adjudicator. His affiliations include a long list of notable programs, including the Cavaliers, Crossmen, and Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps, the Cavaliers and Threshold Winter Guards, and numerous championship high school marching units. Mark is a former Judging Coordinator and Director of Education who has served as a clinician and championship-level adjudicator throughout North America. His national affiliations include Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Associates, and WGI Sport of the Arts.
Frank Miller
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Bradenton, FL
Frank Miller
FRANK MILLER Being literally born into a Drum Corps life style with his father as a lead soprano player for the Pittsburgh Rockets Frank was a mascot for the drum corps the day he was born. At a very young age (6) Frank had the privilege of beginning his percussion studies privately under some of the premier orchestral and rudimental specialists known in the percussion world at that time. Early on with instruction from William Hammond, (and Bill's student Mary Sorick) his passion to contantly want to drum lead him to become one of the youngest members of NARD performing in individual snare drum contests throughout the Midwest and East coast while winning numerous individual events before the age of 12 and also placing in the top ranks of DCI's snare drum individuals at the early age of 13. He continued his studies with several other private teachers in the likes of Michael Blazer, Michael Kummer (Duquense Univ), Jan Fung and his esteemed collogue and friend Rande Sanderbeck (director of percussion at ETSU) while marching his way through several small drum and bugle corps before joining the well known drumline of the Finleyville Royal Crusaders where he stayed until 1981. In 1982 Frank was hired as the percussion caption head for the Steel City Ambassadors a Sr. Drum and bugle corps from Pittsburgh, PA where he stayed to teach for the next 10 years. Now, during all this time, Frank had always had a very strong interest in art, painting, architecture, and many types of design and had been writing for winter guards and marching bands in the local Pittsburgh area but really wanted to find a way to utilize these artistic qualities into his life outside of the pageantry world. The answer was the Gateway Institute of Design where he studied CAD and was reassured of his true love for design. Frank is also very proud to be one of the founding members of the Pittsburgh Percussion Project where he has been credited for introducing the students of the Pittsburgh region to the indoor percussion activity. PPP successfully performed in the PIW divison for WGI as finalists in 2003-2006. Currently Frank is recognized primarily as a visual designer, clinician, and judge, his involvement in the marching music activity from a student, to teacher, designer and consultant spans over 40 years. He's been an accredited adjudicator with some of the most esteemed judging associations and pageantry organizations around the globe including the AIA, FFJC, MEJA, PFCJ, PIMBA, Drum Corps Europe, Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, Bands of America and Music for All, just to name a few. In his current work as a visual design specialist, he continues efforts to educate in the importance of individual student training, and design quality within a variety of marching music activities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. In his professional life, Frank is the Vice President of a corporation in the fashion industry. He currently resides in Bradenton, FL with his wife Judy and daughter Laura.
J.J. Pipitone
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: San Jose, CA
J.J. Pipitone
JJ is a happily retired band director, who has served in almost every facet of music education. Most recently as an adjunct professor of percussion at Texas A&M Commerce. Prior to that, he served in the public schools for 20 years as an assistant band director in the Lewisville and Grapevine Independent School Districts. In addition to all of the percussion responsibilities from 6th-12th grade, his duties have included Concert Band, Music Theory, Music History, Jazz band, and the Musical Theater Orchestra. JJ has extensive drum corp experience, having marched for 9 years in Drum Corps International including numerous drum corps in the up-state New York area, the Dutch Boy, the Phantom Regiment, and the Concord Blue Devils. He won the DCI Multi tenor competition in 1989, The PAS Multi Tenor competition in 1990 and placed 2nd at the PAS marimba competition in 1992. As an instructor, JJ taught the World Champion Phantom Regiment in 1995 & 1996. In 1997, JJ was the caption head and writer of the battery percussion. He went on to teach the Glassmen in 1998 & 1999, the Crossmen in 2000 & 2001 and was the percussion designer for the Empire Statesmen Drum & Bugle Corp from 2010-2013. JJ’s extensive judging experience has taken him around the globe since 2003 with extensive affiliations with Bands Of America, US Bands, Winter Guard International, Drum Corp International and Drum Corp Japan. JJ is currently enjoying a second career as a Real Estate Investor in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex while living in San jose, California.
Jeff Prosperie
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: West Point, NY
Jeff Prosperie
Jeff Prosperie arrived to the West Point Band as a member of the Legendary Hellcats in December of 2006, and currently serves as both the Section Leader and Principal Drummer of the Percussion Section. Jeff is a World Snare Drum Champion and the first and only individual to capture the “triple crown” of solo competition (DCI, PAS, DCA). In 2018 Jeff was inducted into The World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. In addition to his duties as a Hellcat he also performs on occasion with the West Point percussion ensemble, steel band, and concert band. Additionally, Jeff has served as the percussion arranger/instructor for the nationally televised Army All-American High School Marching Band. Prior to these positions he served as Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Principal Percussion with the Baton Rouge Symphony, and as the percussion designer/caption-head for the World Champion Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle corps of Rockford, Illinois. He actively serves as a championship level adjudicator for DCI and WGI and as a marching percussion committee member for PAS. Jeff earned his B.M.Ed from LSU, his MM from The University of North Texas, and has completed all course work for the DMA from UNT. Jeff has performed, presented clinics, and adjudicated throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan as well as PASIC, TMEA, TBA, and The Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention. Jeff’s compositions and solo performances can be seen in his book/DVD “Aptitude- A Conversation in snare soloing” published by Row-Loff Publications. This publication received the very rare rating of a perfect “10” from Modern Drummer Magazine declaring it a classic. Jeff can also be seen as a featured artist on the DVD “The Rudiment Project” by the Percussive Arts Society as well as several performances on YouTube and downloadable apps with DrumGuru.com. Jeff is a performing artist endorsed by Pearl/Adams, Sabian, Innovative Percussion, and Evans.
Thomas Rarick
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Laurel, MD
Thomas Rarick
Tom is the Director of Percussion for the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. He previously held the position of Front Ensemble Designer (2002-2008) and assumed the role of Percussion Designer/Composer in 2009. During his tenure, the Bluecoats have positioned themselves as one of the premier organizations in Drum Corps International, highlighted by winning the 2016 DCI World Championship and the 2022 Fred Sanford Best Percussion Award.
For more than two decades, Tom served as a percussionist with the United States Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass in Washington DC. He was honored to perform at Super Bowls XLIX and LIV, six Presidential Inaugurations, and contributed to thousands of other ceremonies ranging from White House arrivals to full honor funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to his work for the Bluecoats, Tom is a composer, arranger, and consultant for several bands and pageantry organizations that include Vista Ridge High School (TX), Blue Springs High School (MO), and the University of Alabama. He has also been a percussion adjudicator for Winter Guard International since 2007.
Tom is a signature artist for Innovative Percussion Inc, and assisted in the development of the FS-TR drumstick as well as a seven-model line of marimba/vibraphone mallets. He is also proud to endorse Tama I Bergerault marching & concert percussion, Evans drumheads, and Zildjian cymbals.
Rick Rodriguez
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Round Rock, TX
Rick Rodriguez
Rick Rodriguez is from McAllen, TX and grew up in the Rio Grande Valley nine miles north of Mexico. He became interested in percussion in 1971 at the age of six when his father Henry Rodriguez started him on percussion. Many years later, Rick is in the Blue Devils snare line under Tom Float and Scott Johnson and eventually earns a degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas under Dr. Schietroma. Some of his college colleague’s include Mike McIntosh, Paul Rennick, Ben Maughmer, Jeff Prosperie, Jim Reilly, Kevin Murray, Dr Brian West, Jason Sutter and Jeff Ausdemore. Mr Rodriguez now has well over 30 years of percussion and band ensemble/masterclass experience.
Mr. Rick Rodriguez is currently the percussion director and Associate band director at Cedar Ridge High School, Round Rock TX. Rick has been the director of the Cedar Ridge Symphonic Band and is currently assisting all of the Cedar Ridge Concert Bands, the Cedar Ridge Wind Ensemble and has been the primary director of the Cedar Ridge Jazz Ensemble and percussion program.
Since the early 90’s, Mr Rod and his percussion ensembles have been fortunate to have several appearances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic held annually in Chicago IL. During his work at Spring High School, the Spring Percussion Ensemble was scouted by John Paynter in 1994 and was invited to perform with John Paynter and the North Shore Concert Band of Chicago at Northwestern University. The Cedar Ridge Percussion Ensemble had also performed at the Midwest Clinic and TMEA San Antonio along with Cedar Ridge Low Brass and Percussion Choir.
Rick Rodriguez is an active percussion arranger and versatile band and percussion clinician. In his younger days, Rick was the “center snare” of the infamous University of North TX PASIC Drum Line and was also a snare drummer for the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Concord Blue Devils. He has been on the working staff of the Blue Devils, Phantom Regiment, Blue Knights under Ralph Hardimon, as well as on the percussion staff of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps under Mike McIntosh. Rick Rodriguez has also been on the adjudicating staff of Drum Corps International, Bands of America and the Wgi percussion judging panel. Mr. Rodriguez is currently endorsed by the Zildjian Cym Co., Innovative Percussion, Marimba One and Evans Drum Heads.
Caleb Rothe
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Effect-Visual, Music, Visual
Location: Fontana, CA
Caleb Rothe
Caleb Rothe is the Percussion Education Coordinator for WGI Sport of the Arts. He has previously served as a program director, arranger, and instructor for Ayala HS (1997-2009), Pulse Percussion (2004-2007), and Rancho Cucamonga HS (2000-2004). Caleb is an internationally sought-after adjudicator and clinician and has written for numerous groups across the United States and Japan.
Mr. Rothe has served as an adjudicator at events across the United States, Europe, and Asia. His judging experience includes work with WGI Sport of the Arts, Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Drum Corps Japan, the Malaysia World Band Competition, and many local and regional marching arts organizations and events across the United States.
Caleb is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorses Promark sticks and mallets and Remo drumheads. He was a founding member and now serves as President of the Southern California Percussion Alliance. Caleb has previously served as the Vice President of Percussion for the Winter Guard International Board of Directors and has previously been a member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Percussion Steering Committee.
Caleb was inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame in 2020.
Mr. Rothe received his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2003, his teaching credential from the University of Redlands in 2007, and his master's degree in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University in 2021. He currently serves as an Educational Technology Coach for the Redlands Unified School District, working with teachers on instructional pedagogy, student engagement, and 21st-century lesson design.
Caleb lives with his wife Kelly and two sons in Fontana, California.
Mr. Rothe has served as an adjudicator at events across the United States, Europe, and Asia. His judging experience includes work with WGI Sport of the Arts, Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Drum Corps Japan, the Malaysia World Band Competition, and many local and regional marching arts organizations and events across the United States.
Caleb is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorses Promark sticks and mallets and Remo drumheads. He was a founding member and now serves as President of the Southern California Percussion Alliance. Caleb has previously served as the Vice President of Percussion for the Winter Guard International Board of Directors and has previously been a member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Percussion Steering Committee.
Caleb was inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame in 2020.
Mr. Rothe received his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2003, his teaching credential from the University of Redlands in 2007, and his master's degree in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University in 2021. He currently serves as an Educational Technology Coach for the Redlands Unified School District, working with teachers on instructional pedagogy, student engagement, and 21st-century lesson design.
Caleb lives with his wife Kelly and two sons in Fontana, California.
Terry Sanders
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Pensacola, FL
Terry Sanders
Terry Sanders – Educator, Clinician and Adjudicator
Terry Sanders received his degrees in Music Education and Computer and Information Science from Troy State University. He studied percussion under Dr. Samuel Frederick, while marching with the “Sound of the South” Trojan Band under the Direction of Dr. Johnny Long from 1980 to 1985. He also studied percussion privately with Sergeant Carl Griggs of the United States Marine Band. Terry was the Co-Percussion Caption Head and arranger for the Florida Wave Drum and Bugle Corps from 1980 - 81. Terry actively serves as a championship level adjudicator for fall marching competitions and indoor percussion and indoor winds competitions across the country. He is a currently an active WGI Percussion Judge. Mr. Sanders currently serves on the WGI Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. Terry is also a member of the 2022-2024 WGI Steering Committee. He has served many years on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board, most recently in 2016. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity, and he is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and currently serves on the PAS Marching Percussion Committee and the PAS Diversity Alliance. Mr. Sanders formerly served from 2018-2022 as the Program Coordinator and as a Music Ensemble consultant for Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps. Terry is currently an Educational Artist endorser for Innovative Percussion, the REMO Drumhead Company, Sabian Cymbals and the Pearl /Adams Drum Company. Mr. Sanders also operates and owns the Mic Check One Two One Two Virtual Percussion Judges Academy.
Jim Shade
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Etters, PA
Jim Shade
Over the past 40 years, Jim Shade has served as instructor, designer and consultant for numerous percussion ensembles, marching bands, drum and bugle corps and color guards across the country. His judging affiliations include the Winter Guard International, Keystone Indoor Drill Association, Maryland Marching Band Association, New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association, Southern California Percussion Alliance, Mid-Atlantic Percussion Society, Southeast Color Guard Circuit, Texas Color Guard Circuit and Drum Corps Associates. Currently, Jim lives outside of Harrisburg, PA with his wife, Denise, and is a Senior Vice President at United Concordia Dental.
KJ Stafford
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Music
Location: Chesapeake, VA
KJ Stafford
K.J. Stafford is a full-time music arranger, educator, adjudicator and consultant with over 20 years of experience teaching, writing and designing for band programs, drum corps and percussion ensembles throughout the United States. Ensembles performing his music include champions, medalists and finalists at national and regional championships in Winter Guard International, Bands of America, and other performing arts circuits. K.J. is also an active adjudicator for Winter Guard International.
K.J. has been involved with Drum Corps International for over two decades. He currently serves as the Assistant Percussion Caption Head for the Santa Clara Vanguard. Since joining the staff in 2011, Vanguard has earned five Fred Sanford Awards for Best Percussion: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 as well as the DCI World Championship in 2018. Beginning with the 2024 season, K.J. joined the design team of the Madison Scouts as the Music Supervisor. Prior to working with Vanguard and the Madison Scouts organizations, K.J. also taught on the percussion staff of the Phantom Regiment (2010 DCI High Percussion Champions) and the Troopers (2007-2009).
From 2006-2022, KJ was the band director and music department chair at Hickory Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia. Under his direction, the bands at Hickory Middle School consistently received superior ratings at state concert band festivals and were selected to perform at the Virginia Music Educators State Conference.
K.J. earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia K.J. proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Remo Drumheads, SABIAN Cymbals and Pearl Drums.
Matthew Stevens
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Columbus, OH
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens has been involved in the marching arts for over 25 years. He currently serves as an adjudicator for Winter Guard International and specializes in Percussion Effect Visual. Matthew also serves as an adjudicator for the Mid East Performance AssociationOhio Indoor Performance AssociationIndiana Percussion AssociationTristate Marching ArtsRocky Mountain Percussion AssociationMid Continent Color Guard Association and the Ohio Music Education Association. Matthew served as the Educational Director for Adjudicators for MEPA during 2012-2014. He is currently designer for Artistry IN BLUE Winter Guard, a WGI Independent A finalists and winner of the Fan’s Favorite award in 2013, 2015 and 2016. He has served as program coordinator and drill designer for many marching bands, winter guards, and winter drumlines in the Midwest. Matthew received his Bachelor of Music Education from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio and a Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Bexley, Ohio. He is currently the Director of Giving for CWS, an international humanitarian aid organization. He lives in Columbus, Ohio and is active in his local community.
Lauren Teel
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Lavon, TX
Lauren Teel
Lauren Teel is the Percussion Caption Head for the DCI World Class Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, Director of Marching Percussion and Assistant Director of Percussion for Texas A&M Commerce and Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Collin College.
Prior appointments include Interim Instructor of Percussion for the University of Alabama, and Adjunct Instructor for the Million Dollar Band Front Ensemble as well as Instructor for the University of North Texas Green Brigade Marching Band. She has also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Percussion at several universities, including The University of North Alabama, The University of Alabama- Birmingham, and The University of Montevallo.
Lauren earned her M.M. in Percussion Performance at Indiana University in 2016 and a B.M. in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas 2012. In 2012, Lauren had the privilege of traveling to Chennai, India to perform for an audience of over 75,000 people with Oscar winning composer, A. R. Rahman. Lauren also appeared in the 2013 blockbuster, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, as an on screen timpanist. While living in Atlanta, Lauren performed as a member of the NFL Atlanta Falcons Drum Line. In 2018, Lauren was invited to perform the solo marimba piece, Free Flight, by composer and pianist Muriel Roth, as part of the 2018 PASIC Focus Day events.
Lauren is a recognized Innovative Percussion Educational Artist, Marimba One Educational Artist, Zildjian Marching Artist and Remo Educational Artist.
Mark Thurston
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Effect-Visual, Music, Visual
Location: Limerick, PA
Mark Thurston
Ray Ulibarri
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: San Antonio, TX
Ray Ulibarri
Ray Ulibarri
Percussion educator, music designer, judge, and father
Mr. Ray Ulibarri began his percussion career in Westminster, Colorado, working
with local marching bands as a percussion technician. He became the director of the
percussion program at Pomona High School in 1995, where the band earned 11 State
Marching Band Championships. The Percussion ensemble was a two-time medalist and
perennial finalist at The WGI World Championships. In 2006, Ray relocated to Texas
and, after a brief stint in Houston, moved to San Antonio in 2009. He began teaching at
Ronald Reagan High School, where he is entering year 14 with the band. Ray has also
been very fortunate to serve as a music educator for the Blue Coats Drum & Bugle
Corps, where he was the percussion caption head from 2005-2008. In addition, he has
been on the percussion Staff for Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, both winter and
summer ensembles.
Ray was privileged to Study and be mentored by Ralph Hardimon, a legend in the
Marching Arts. Mr. Hardimon was instrumental in Ray's development as a music
arranger and teacher. In addition, he studied at the University of Colorado, where he
served as an assistant with the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. Ray studied with Doug
Walter, Mark Foster, and Gray Barrier.
Ray has been fortunate to arrange percussion music for numerous ensembles
and marching bands. He has worked as a music designer with the Blue Knights
Percussion Ensemble, Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, and countless high schools
nationwide. His arrangements have been featured at the Tournament of Roses parades,
the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, the University Interscholastic League's Texas State
Marching Contest, and Bands of America Regional, Super Regional, and Grand
National Championships. Ray has been the percussion arranger for the Ronald Reagan
High School Marching Band since 2010.
Ray also enjoys a unique opportunity to serve the percussion community as an
adjudicator for WGI at all levels.
Ray Ulibarri proudly endorses D'addario, including ProMark Drumsticks, Evans
Drumheads, and Planet Waves cables. He also is proud to be a Zildjian and Yamaha
artist.
Ray currently resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his amazing wife Marissa,
daughter Catarina, and his new baby boy Rey.
Clif Walker
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Kansas City, MO
Clif Walker
Clif Walker is front ensemble arranger and design team member with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and the Director of the University of Missouri “Marching Mizzou” Drumline. He is an active arranger, clinician, adjudicator, and composer with original works performed at PASIC, The Midwest Band Orchestra Clinic, TMEA, DCI and BOA. Clif holds a BSE from Missouri Western State University and an MME from the University of Central Florida and is a former member and instructor with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. Clif was the director of percussion, design team member and arranger for BOA Grand National Finalist Blue Springs High School (2011-2015), former design team member and front ensemble arranger for 11-time WGI PIW Championship Finalist Gateway Indoor. He is the former caption head/arranger for Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps (1999-2003) and former director of percussion at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Florida (2001-2008), who performed at the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International as the high school IPEC winners. Clif was the founding director and arranger for WGI PIW Finalist Timber Creek Independent (2008-2010). Clif is the judging coordinator for Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) and the Central States Percussion Association (CSPA) and is a faculty member for the Music For All Summer Symposium. Clif is published with Tapspace and Musicon and is proud to endorse Yamaha Musical Instruments, Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets.
Mark Waymire
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Mark Waymire
Dr. Mark Waymire is in his thirty-fifth year as a music educator. Though now working fulltime as a consultant, lecturer, adjudicator, and designer, he was most recently a Music education professor at The University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to completing his PhD at The University of Mississippi, Dr. Waymire was Associate Director of Bands at Eastern Michigan University. His public-school experience includes work in Louisiana and Texas, including ten years as Director of Bands, Seguin High School, Seguin, Texas. Personal honors include six H.E.R.O. teaching awards, nine appointments to WHO’s WHO in American Education, and two presentations of the National President’s Award for Education Excellence. National and International lectures based on Dr. Waymire’s research on teaching expertise have been given in California, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Canada, and Scotland. In addition to his high school and collegiate-level designs and directorships, Mark Waymire been a part of the staffs of the following drum corps: Phantom Regiment, Madison Scouts, Spirit of Atlanta, and Glassmen, taking on various roles including both brass and visual caption head positions, as well as designer and program coordination. Dr. Waymire is an active band clinician and adjudicator which includes associations with BOA, WGI, and DCI.
Jay Webb
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Avon, IN
Jay Webb
Retired Director of Bands Avon High School.
Jonathan Yoo
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Houston, TX
Jonathan Yoo
Jonathan Yoo is a full-time designer and audio engineer from Houston, Texas. Previously, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. Jonathan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a degree in Music Education. He spent four years as a performer with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. Jonathan has worked with - the Glassmen, Spirit of Atlanta, Music City, Pacific Crest, and Santa Clara Vanguard. Most recently, he is currently on staff with Carolina Crown as the Audio Caption Supervisor. During the Winter, Jonathan is also an adjudicator for – ISSMA, TCGC, NTCA, MIA, OIPA, SCGC, GCCPC, MEPA, CWEA, WGASC, and IPA.
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. I am currently the 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
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
Rob Keller
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Rob Keller
Brad Love
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Franklin, TN
Brad Love
Brad Love is currently residing in Franklin, Tennessee with his wife Amy Love. He has lived in the Middle Tennessee area since attending Lipscomb University from 1989 to 1993. Growing up in Fort Myers, Florida...the performing arts have been a major part of his life.
In 1988 and 1989, Brad performed with Players Winter Guard...a Scholastic Open Winter Guard from Fort Myers, Florida. He then went on to march with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in 1990 and 1992. Since then, he has performed several roles with a multitude of organizations involved with WGI, DCI and BOA.
Professionally, Brad is an Outside Sales Manager for Carter Lumber located in Tennessee. He has been involved with residential and small commercial construction for the past 25 plus years. He thoroughly enjoys his career and his continued involvement in the arts. His passion for the activity revolves around paying these wonderful gifts forward to all young performers.
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
Marc Zirille
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Pataskala, OH
Marc Zirille
Sal Adamo
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Belleville, NJ
Sal Adamo
Meredith Anderson
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Moraine, OH
Meredith Anderson
Edward Argenziano
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Clearwater, FL
Edward Argenziano
Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Ed. from William Paterson University.
Masters of Arts Degree, Music Performance, from Montclair State University.
Teacher of secondary school in New Jersey for 34 years. Director of Bands and Orchestra, Jazz Bands, A.P. Music ands I.B. Music at Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway, NJ from 1986 – 2014.
Over those years, served as the North Jersey Area Honors Band President and Conductor as well as the New Jersey Allstate Percussion coordinator. During these years I was also the Music composition/theory Middle College teacher for Fairleigh Dickinson University. Before moving to Florida 2014, I served as the student performance coordinator for the NFL Super Bowl Half Time Show featuring Bruno Mars and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Fine Arts Department Chairperson & Director of Bands and Orchestras at Clearwater High School from 2014 – 2016.
Since 2016, I have been the percussion director at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida.
2023 - The FFCC Percussion Judge Coordinator
In 1997, I began composing for Rowloff Music Publishers from Nashville, TN. Presently, I have over 25 compositions published with Rowloff, as well as Alfred Music Publications that are performed throughout the world.
Educational Artist for Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drum Company, REMO Percussion, Conn-Selmer and Musser/Ludwig Drums.
Since 1987 I have been extremely involved as a music/percussion clinician and music adjudicator and has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Thailand and Japan.
Served as the Drum Corps International Percussion Caption administrator from 1997 -1999 and the Drum Corps Association Percussion administrator 2001-2003.
Presently, Music judge for Winter Guard International and Bands of America
Past member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Steering Committee..
Jeff Ausdemore
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Bedford, TX
Jeff Ausdemore
Jeff Ausdemore currently serves as President and Co-Founder of Stryvemind.com, a revolutionary online music education platform that impacts students and music educators around the world. This venture serves students, music educators and administrators in many capacities, including educational consulting, professional development opportunities, as well as the Stryve Academy.
In addition, Jeff serves as the President of Ausdemore Music, a proprietary composition and arranging house for Mr. Ausdemore’s music catalog.
As a composer, Mr. Ausdemore is published through C. Alan and Tapspace publications, and has contributed original works for piano, instrumental guitar, contemporary multimedia, percussion and choir, percussion solo instruments, percussion ensemble, as well as wind ensemble and marching band. Several ensembles have commissioned and premiered Mr. Ausdemore’s works on recordings, concerts, the Music for All national festival, the Interlochen Fine Arts Academy summer camp, the 2021 Midwest Clinic, and two world premieres at the 2022 Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention.
Mr. Ausdemore also serves on the faculty of Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he teaches lessons, coaches percussion ensemble, as well as technique, pedagogy/methods, and music entrepreneurship classes.
Jeff will be returning to his role of percussion supervisor/composer and music consultant for the Blue Knights drum and bugle corps from Denver, Colorado.
Most recently, Mr. Ausdemore has released his first book; “Breathe, Grow, Share- Fostering Student Impact Through the Lens of a Music Teacher's Best Life” through Ausdemore Music and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
Prior, Mr. Ausdemore served as the Director of Music at Grapevine-Colleyville’s iUniversity Prep. In this expanded role, Mr. Ausdemore oversaw all music curricula, including music theory, music history, music composition/arranging, as well as applied music for all primary and secondary level students. In addition, Mr. Ausdemore created the iMusic Club, a club dedicated to enriching the lives of all students enrolled at iUniversity Prep.
Previously, Mr. Ausdemore served eleven years as the Director of Percussion Studies at Colleyville Heritage High School. In this role, Mr. Ausdemore served as the percussion coordinator, head of jazz studies, and co-director/composer/arranger of the Colleyville Heritage marching band. Under Ausdemore’s direction, the Colleyville Heritage High School percussion program flourished, gaining national notoriety through chamber music, guest artist concerts of all genres, recitals, and ensemble competitions. The percussion program has enjoyed competitive success at many levels, including the 2013 and 2014 gold medal for the North Texas Color Guard Association, as well as capturing the 2008 Percussive Arts Society Marching Percussion title. Other accolades include the Percussive Arts Society’s “Call for Tapes” winners, the Percussive Arts Society’s Small Ensemble Champions, the Plano Drum Line Competition marching percussion champions, as well as the Lone Star Drum Line Competition champions.
In Mr. Ausdemore’s first year at CHHS, he launched the GCISD Percussion Club, expanding the students’ musical education and enriching the lives of GCISD middle and high school percussion students throughout the district. The GCISD Percussion Club presented master classes, clinics, solo and ensemble performances by local and regional professionals throughout the north Texas area. The GCISD Percussion Club has produced a record number of students selected for the GCISD “Select Band”, the Region 24 “All-region Band”, the Region 24 “All Region Jazz Band”, and the Texas “All-State Band”. CHHS is proud to have produced several percussion students who have earned the national title for the Percussive Arts Society’s solo champion on several different percussion instruments as well.
Mr. Ausdemore has featured this unique pedagogical model at many state music conventions throughout the United States, including several Texas Music Educators Association Conventions.
In addition to his teaching duties at Colleyville Heritage High School, Mr. Ausdemore served as the percussion arranger and caption head for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from 2006 through 2010. During Ausdemore’s tenure at the Blue Knights, the percussion program produced several individual solo championships, ensemble championships, and a strong reputation for excellence, placing in the elite “top 12” in the Drum Corps International Championships consistently.
Prior to his appointment to CHHS, Mr. Ausdemore taught at the University of Texas Arlington, as adjunct professor of percussion. In this role, Ausdemore served as the percussion arranger/assistant director of the UTA Marching Band, taught percussion pedagogy/techniques classes, assisted the UTA percussion ensemble, and maintained a full private studio as well.
Mr. Ausdemore's performance background includes section and solo performances with several orchestras, wind ensembles, and percussion ensembles throughout the midwest and southwest United States, including the principal percussionist with the Texas Wind Symphony, and principal percussionist/assistant principal timpanist with the Las Cruces Symphony.
In 1995, Ausdemore recorded/toured with Benson Records recording artists Nouveaux, compiling three #1 singles on the CCM music charts between 1995 and 1999. While living in Nashville, Ausdemore participated in many recording sessions, both commercial and proprietary albums.
As a clinician, Mr. Ausdemore has given performances, clinics and workshops throughout the U.S. at several Percussive Arts Society’s “Days of Percussion”, including Arizona, Tennessee, New Mexico, California, Arkansas, Utah, Colorado, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (Columbus, Ohio 2002, Indianapolis Indiana 2009, 2011) and the International Horn Society Convention (Beijing, China 2000). Ausdemore has served as a featured clinician at the 2009 and 2011 Texas Music Educator’s Association Conference as well.
In addition to teaching/performing, Mr. Ausdemore has composed/arranged, instructed and consulted with numerous Drum Corps International drum and bugle corps, college marching bands, and high school marching bands throughout the United States, including the Blue Knights, Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, Limited Edition, Northern Aurora, and Southwind.
Ausdemore has served as music director/composer for the Insignia Independent Percussion Ensemble. The Insignia Independent Percussion Ensemble participated in the Winter Guard International circuit locally and regionally, winning the 2004 NTCA gold medal in their inaugural season.
Jeff Ausdemore is proud to endorse and serve as a clinician for Dynasty/Bergerault Musical Instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads, and Pro Mark sticks and mallets. The D’Addario/Pro Mark corporation released the Jeff Ausdemore “signature series” snare drum sticks in early fall of 2009.
Mr. Ausdemore's professional affiliations include adjudication roles for Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, Bands of America, a percussion committee member for the Percussive Arts Society, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and currently serves as the current Vice President of Percussion and Winds on the executive board of the North Texas Color Guard Association.
Mr. Ausdemore holds a Master of Music degree with distinction from New Mexico State University (2002), as well as Bachelor of Music degree with high honors from Belmont University (1999).
Jeff was recently inducted into the North Texas Colorguard Association’s Hall of Fame in 2017 for his role as VP of Percussion and Winds, and his work and contributions to the circuit at large.
Jeff Ausdemore lives in Bedford, TX with his wife, Pam Davis Ausdemore. In addition to Pam's pageantry background with the Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment, Blue Knights, Glassmen, and Southwind drum and bugle corps, she has also performed with the Pride of Cincinnati and instructed many performing groups, including Cypress Independent winterguard, Beechwood, Dixie Heights, Seguin, Colleyville Heritage, Keller, William Mason and Prosper High School. Pam is a gifted artist and teacher at Sendera Ranch Elementary School in Northwest ISD.
Brian Barfield
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: High Point, NC
Brian Barfield
Eric Beastrom
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Hudson, WI
Eric Beastrom
Lee Beddis
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Waterloo, Ontario,
Lee Beddis
Lee Beddis A native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Beddis spent his youth with the Peterborough Krescendos, the Canadian Knights, and the Dutch Boy Drum Corps. He would later move south to join the ranks of the World Champion Garfield Cadets, in order to become part of the now-legendary “perfect” percussion line of 1987. After winning his second title in 1990, he aged out, swiftly moving into the role of instructor. His instructing experience includes the Madison Scouts, Star of Indiana, and the Phantom Regiment. It was there, in 1996, that Beddis helped capture the World title with his ambitious leadership and musical compositions for “The Defiant Heart”, an all-Shostakovich program. In 1997, he turned his skills to the rebuilding of the Toledo, Ohio, Glassmen. Within the year, his expertise found immediate reward, moving that section into the forefront world-class recognition. After the successful 2000 season, he moved to the Crossmen, where he remained until his appointment as Percussion Coordinator to the Madison Scouts. Beddis’ unique reputation as a program builder prepared him for the role of returning the 2005 and 2006 Madison line to elite status. In 2007, Lee’s unique reputation of building quality percussion programs with success in short periods of time fit in right with Carolina Crown’s desired level of success. Through the 5 seasons with Carolina Crown, Lee’s leadership and team brought the percussion program to within striking distance of the best percussion section in the world along with contributing to the overall success of the drum corps. During his time with Carolina Crown, Lee took on the responsibilities of the percussion arranging and consulting for the Crossmen in 2011. His leadership and strong advice lead The Crossmen back into finals in 2012 for the first time since 2004, the last time Beddis lead the percussion caption for the corps. After much evaluation, Lee decided to return to the Madison Scouts in 2012-2014 and The Cadets in 2015 and 2016. He began his percussion instruction in Madison in 1991 and marched with the Cadets in 1987-1990. He recognized these moves as being a great challenge and it proved to be successful in building and maintaining the percussion program at elite status with both groups. Lee’s experience at all levels of instruction from tech, to caption head, arranger and percussion coordinator has made him the perfect choice for assisting Tom Aungst with the Cadets in 2018. Lee will also continue maintaining his role as consultant with the Academy, where he began in 2017. In addition to drum corps experience, Beddis is in demand throughout the United States and Canada as a highly-regarded judge for Winter Guard International. He started teaching and arranging for WGI groups in 1994 and moved into judging in 1999. He proudly endorses high-quality industry names such as Yamaha, Remo, Vic Firth, and Zildjian, while conducting marching percussion clinics across North America and beyond.
Kevin Bell
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Orlando, FL
Kevin Bell
Kevin Bell has been involved in pageantry for most of his life. Coming from parents who were both actively involved in the marching activity, Kevin has followed in their footsteps. Kevin’s involvement in the marching activity has taken on the role of performer, designer and adjudicator over the past 28 years. Currently Kevin lives in Orlando, Florida and is recognized primarily as a visual designer, clinician and adjudicator for some of the most esteemed Winter Guard and Percussion circuits around the country, as well as many State Marching Band Championships. Kevin is also a former WGI Color Guard judge, DCI Visual judge and DCA Visual judge.
Chaz Bledsoe
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Mount Juliet, TN
Chaz Bledsoe
Bret Cappelluti
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Madera, CA
Bret Cappelluti
Bret Cappelluti is currently the Director of Bands at Madera High School in Madera California. He holds a BA in Music Performance from San Jose State University as well as a Masters in Teaching from George Fox University. His band director resume includes, Turlock High School, Centennial High School (Gresham, Or.) and Wilsonville High School. As a percussion eduator, he has worked with Oak Grove High School, Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets, Sunset High School, Argonauts Summer Band and Valley Fever drum and bugle corps. His performing background in music includes being a member of The Santa Clara Vanguard, The California Dons and the Valley Fever Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also served for many years as an adjudicator for Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International, Western Band Association, Northwest Association for Performing Arts and the Southern California Percussion Alliance. Bret currently resides in his hometown of Madera with his wife Stephanie and their two children Isabella and Christopher.
Omar Carmenates
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Greenville, SC
Omar Carmenates
Omar Carmenates is currently the Associate Professor of Percussion at Furman University in Greenville, SC where he oversees all aspects of the percussion program including classical, jazz, and world percussion studies. He holds a Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University, a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Central Florida. Under his direction, the Furman University Percussion Ensemble has become known for its performances and recordings of ecoacoustic music, helping promote Furman’s standing as one of the nations academic leaders in sustainability. Most recently, the ensemble received major support from the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability to collaborate with composer Matthew Burtner on the premiere recordings of his Six Ecoacoustic Quintets and a new interdisciplinary work written expressly for the ensemble, "Avian Telemetry", to be released through PARMA Records. Students of the ensemble have also presented interdisciplinary performances and research on sustainability and music at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Ecomusics and Ecomusicologies conference, the nief-norf Summer Festival Research Summit, and the Esri International GIS User Conference. Omar is also a versatile musician with a strong interest in performing and recording contemporary solo and chamber music. His debut solo recording, entitled The Gaia Theory, was released through Rattle Records in 2013 and he can also be heard on the Cantaloupe Records release of John Luther Adams’ concert-length Inuksuit for 9-99 outdoor percussionists, a work that he both co-commissioned and directed in its United States premiere. He is also the director, producer, and arranger of the “John Psathas Percussion Project”, a multi-year collaboration aimed at recording and performing percussion ensemble arrangements of the works of New Zealand’s most prominent composer, John Psathas. The recordings and scores from this project are published through PARMA Records and Promethean Publications respectively. Also active in the marching arts, Omar has been the Percussion Arranger for the Cadets, the Spirit of Atlanta, and the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as for numerous ensembles in all levels of the activity. Omar is a proud endorser/artist for Grover Pro Percussion, Vic Firth, Inc. Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Pearl Corporation/Adams Musical Instruments.
Steve Collins
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Apple Valley, MN
Steve Collins
Steve Collins has been active in the Marching Arts since he began his performance career as a Bass Drummer for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991 and 1992. He then spent from 1993 – 2006 as a visual instructor for such drum corps as The Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, and The Glassmen. During those years Steve was also the Director of Education for Carolina Crown (1998-2000) and Staff Coordinator for the Glassmen (2003-2006). Steve began his involvement in Winter Percussion in 1998, and remained an active director, arranger, and visual designer until 2012. Steve is an active judge for Winter Drumline Circuits throughout the United States, and Winter Guard International. Steve has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at St. Paul Central High School in Minnesota. Steve currently resides in Apple Valley, MN with his wife Kate and their two children, Sam (16 years old) and Eliza (13 year old).
Kim Corney-Kuhn
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Westland, MI
Kim Corney-Kuhn
Kim (Corney) Kuhn has played various roles during her 24 year involvement in the pageantry arts. As a performer, designer, director, instructor and clinician, Kim has been involved with many groups making appearances in BOA, DCI, and WGI semi-finals and finals. Continuing to stay active in the activity, she works with multiple fall and winter programs as a designer, consultant, and technician. Kim is an active visual adjudicator for Drum Corps International (DCI), Bands of America (BOA), and Winter Guard International (WGI) as well as various fall marching band and winter circuits across the country.
Brian Cotner
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Omaha, NE
Brian Cotner
Charles Craig
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Westminster, CO
Charles Craig
Charles started his marching percussion career when he marched as a performer with the Anaheim Kingsmen and the Santa Clara Vanguard. He was one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association (as well as serving as President and Chief Judge) and is a member of their Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was the founding director of the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble (both World and Open class units). During his time as the visual designer for the Arvada Reds Percussion Ensemble they were WGI finalist 7 of the 9 times they attended finals including Open Class Champions (in 1998)
Charles works as a visual judge for indoor percussion associations throughout the country. He has judged for the RMPA, SCPA, IPA, WGAZ and the MPA. He also works as visual judge during the marching band season for the Colorado Band Masters Association as well as several independent shows in Indiana and the Friendship Cup competitions sponsored by the Blue Knights.
Charles is happily married to his wife Jennifer, and has three wonderful daughters Ziporah, Hava and Shira.
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. I am currently the 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
Julie Davila
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Music
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Julie Davila
Julie has been involved with WGI for 23 years and was inducted in to the 2014 WGI Percussion Hall of Fame for her contributions to the activity as both an instructor/designer and as an adjudicator. She is currently still active as a performer as a member of the chamber percussion ensemble the CAIXA TRIO, winner of a 2011 “Drummie” award by Drum Magazine. In addition to her membership in the CAIXA TRIO, she serves as the President of the Percussive Arts Society, and served several terms on the Percussing Advisory Board for WGI. Julie is the percussion coordinator and arranger for the Middle Tennessee State University Band of Blue Drumline and is an adjunct professor of percussion at MTSU. Prior to her work at MTSU, she was the percussion specialist at several high schools in Nashville, Tennessee. Many of her groups have medaled in all divisions of the WGI activity and in 1996 the John Overton high school Indoor drum line, under her direction won a National Championship. She is an active clinician specializing in contemporary and marching percussion, and has taught and performed in Seoul, South Korea, Paris, France, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Peru and extensively throughout the United States. Julie received her degree from the University of North Texas where she was a part of three consecutive National Championships as a member of the acclaimed UNT Drumline. She has published numerous marching and concert percussion features through Row-Loff Productions and Drop6 Media. Julie is the author of the "Modern Multi-Tenor Techniques and Solos” and “Impressions on Wood” published by Row-loff, and is a co-author of “Aptitude” an innovative solo snare book. Julie is an endorser and clinician for the Pearl Corporation, Innovative Percussion, the Avedis Zildjian Company, Grover Pro Percussion and Evans Drum Heads.
Jonathan Duke
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Jonathan Duke
Jim Dwyer
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Manheim, PA
Jim Dwyer
James J. Dwyer is a 2014 WGI Hall of Fame member and the Visual Caption Head for WGI Percussion. He has served on the WGI Steering Committee. He is a founding board member of the Mid-Atlantic Percussion Society. He has judged extensively throughout the United States as well as Japan and Europe. Jim has been involved in the Marching Arts for over forty years. He was a snare drummer for the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from 1980 through 1983. He served as the Director of Percussion for North Penn High School from 1981 through 1987. Jim, along with Tom Kelly, were the Directors of Percussion for the Undefeated Champion Conquest Alliance Drum Corps in England for the 1984 season. He is currently a sort after adjudicator and clinician focusing on indoor percussion. He is the host of the WGI "Visual Buzz"educational DVD. Jim is a member of the WGI Hall of Fame, inducted in 2014.
Jerrod Fry
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Centerville, OH
Jerrod Fry
Peter Furnari
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Danvers, MA
Peter Furnari
Peter L. Furnari is a percussionist, instructor and adjudicator with over 40 years of experience as a performer and educator. He has performed as a drummer-percussionist in a number of club bands in the Greater Boston area and was also a percussionist in the Collins Center Orchestra. Specializing in arranging for marching band, drum corps and indoor percussion, he’s had the opportunity to be a percussion arranger for numerous independent and scholastic percussion ensembles across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. He has been the percussion arranger for the U.Mass Lowell Marching Band from 1983 to present day, and served as the director of marching percussion at UML from 1983-2007. He was the program coordinator and percussion arranger for the Spartan Drum Corps from 1995 -2007, 2010-11 and program coordinator in 2015. He is currently the percussion instructor and arranger for the Danvers High School Marching Band and their Winter Percussion Ensemble. He joined the Mass Judges Association in 1976 and has been an adjudicator at a national and international level ever since. He has been an active judge for DCI (Drum Corps International) from 1983 to present, WGI (Winter Guard International) from 2000 to present. He has been invited to judge marching band festivals, drum corps and indoor percussion competitions throughout the United States and Canada. He has had the privilege of being a guest adjudicator for the championships of Drum Corps Europe, the United Kingdom and Japan. In 2009, he was inducted into the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame. He currently lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters.
Michael Gaines
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: San Francisco, CA
Michael Gaines
Jeff Gentry
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Plainfield, IN
Jeff Gentry
Jeff Gentry,
Since 1985 Jeff has written & designed for numerous Marching Bands, Color Guards, Drum Lines and Drum & Bugle Corps.
His visual designs have been awarded 6 consecutive World Class, 5 Open Class, 1 A Class and 1 AA Class Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) State Championships. This is a unique distinction as he is the only designer to have had groups win all four of IPA's movement classes and at least one IPA Champion for 8 consecutive years. On the International stage he is in rare company having designed for back to back WGI Scholastic World Class Champions in 2005 & 2006.
His marching band designs have accumulated multiple State titles, hundreds of Visual/GE Visual caption awards and been consistent Indiana State Finalist.
Notable programs Jeff has designed for include: Avon HS - IN, Carmel - HS - IN, Center Grove HS - IN, Escambia HS - FL, Franklin Central HS - IN, Germantown - HS - MS, Great Lakes Percussion - MI, Hilliard Darby HS - OH, Irmo HS - SC, I2 - IN, Northview HS - IN, Plainfield HS - IN, Tate HS - FL and Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps.
Ken Giese
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Henderson, NV
Ken Giese
Ken Giese is an instructor, designer, and adjudicator with many years of experience in the competitive pageantry activity. He has served as an instructor, designer, and consultant for numerous Drum and Bugle Corps, High School Bands, Winter Guards, and Indoor Percussion Ensembles. He is currently a working visual caption judge for Winter Guard International (Percussion Division), Drum Corps International, and Bands of America. He has also served as an adjudicator for many local color guard and percussion circuits in the United States and Europe. Mr. Giese currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he is a High School Mathematics teacher.
Sarah Goslin
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Gilbertsville, PA
Sarah Goslin
Austin Greene
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Raleigh, NC
Austin Greene
Austin Greene is a professional visual designer and educator from Raleigh, NC. He is in regular demand as adjudicator throughout America for Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and numerous local circuits. Austin joined the instructional staff for The Cavaliers after serving as education director for Blue Knights and visual judge for DCI. Austin previously instructed The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2012-2015 and served as Visual Caption Head from 2014-2015.
Previously, Austin was Director of Bands at Concord High School in Concord, NC, and Director of Bands and Performing Arts Department Chair at Durham School of the Arts. In 2010, he was hired as an adjunct instructor at the Dublin Institute of Technology’s National Conservatory of Music in Dublin, Ireland. He has served for 10 years as a program consultant and clinician for the Bands of America Grand National Finalist Kennesaw Mountain High School Marching Band. Austin attended Western Carolina University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education in 2003. He went on to earn his Master of Music in Conducting Degree from the University of Connecticut in 2006. He is in regular demand as a designer, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad.
Martin Griffin
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Toms River, NJ
Martin Griffin
Martin Griffin received his Bachelor’s Degree in music from William Paterson University where he performed with the NJ Percussion Ensemble and the NJ New Music Ensemble. He has been a Band Director in NJ for 28 years and he is currently the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts at Monroe Township High School. His responsibilities include directing the Marching Band (17 years), Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble as well as teaching AP Music Theory. The MTHS Marching Band was crowned NJ State and National Champions in 2013 and they were selected to represent New Jersey at the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in 2016. In addition, the MTHS Wind Ensemble has received multiple Gold and Superior ratings since its inception in 2006 and the Percussion Ensemble twice represented Middlesex County at the NJ Teen Arts Festival. Marty performed for five seasons with the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps and he has been a percussion arranger for high school bands throughout NJ since 1987, currently the arranger for the 2017 US Bands Group 6 NJ State Champions, JP Stevens High School. Marty currently judges for numerous organizations including Winter Guard International, Bands of America and Drum Corps International. In 2006 Marty was selected to judge for the Drum Corps Japan Championships held in Yokohama, Japan and he is currently the Percussion Caption Head for Drum Corps Associates as well as judging coordinator for The Mid Atlantic Percussion Society. Marty also has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Kean University.
Rich Hammond
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Lansdale, PA
Rich Hammond
Rich Hammond, hailing from Lansdale, PA, boasts a remarkable career in the world of drum corps and marching bands. He served as Program Coordinator, Percussion Caption Head, and Arranger for the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, winning 13 DCA Championships. He also contributed to Crossmen, Glassmen, Westshoremen, and Jersey Surf, securing the DCI Open Class High Percussion trophy.
At USBands, Rich directed the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Cadets2, Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard, even founding Cadets2, Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard. Under his leadership, Cadets Winter Percussion claimed the 2014 WGI Open Class World Championship.
Rich has an extensive background in North Penn High School Marching Knights Staff and the North Penn School District, spanning 21 years. Additionally, he is a respected judge for various Marching Band and Winter Percussion circuits, including Winter Guard International.
Ron Hardin
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Kamuela, HI
Ron Hardin
Ron Hardin serves as the Regional Sales Manager of Stanbury Uniforms for the North Central and North West portion of the United States and Hawaii. Born and raised in the Midwest, Ron now resides on the Big Island of Hawaii and spends about half the year on the mainland working for Stanbury, teaching high school bands, drum corps and adjudicating. Ron’s uniform designs can be seen on bands throughout the country.
As a drill designer, Ron is very active and closely connected with the pageantry activity. Ron has designed hundreds of shows for bands, drum lines, winter guards and drum corps. His visual designs have appeared in several BOA regional finals, won numerous state championships, circuit contests and have won three WGI Percussion Gold Medals.
Ron is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the world, having done many clinics throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Since 1999, Ron has served as a visual judge for Winter Guard International, annually adjudicating for many circuits, regionals and world championships.
Ron has performed judging clinics for numerous state circuits, WGI and local indoor percussion circuits.. Ron has produced several instructional videos, and has appeared in WGI's "Meet the Judge" and “Top Secrets” series. He has also recorded several podcasts with Marching Roundtable. Ron has led instructional sessions in Japan, Thailand and in the Netherlands.
As an instructor, Ron has led visual teams earning six DCI World Championships and ten High Visual Awards, most recently including the 2012, 2013 & 2016 John Brazale Best Visual Award, and the 2013 & 2015 Steve Brubaker Best General Effect Award.
Ron's experience in the drum corps activity is extensive, spanning over twenty years. As a performer, he spent the 1991 and 1992 seasons with the Star of Indiana. Upon the completion of his performing career, Ron joined the Blue Devils as a member of their visual staff. After eight seasons, he then spent five years as the Visual Caption Head of the Santa Clara Vanguard, and four years as Visual Caption Head of the Canton Bluecoats before his last stop as Visual Caption Head of the World Champion Carolina Crown, where he led the caption from 2012 to 2018.
In addition to instructing, Ron has designed visual programs for several drum corps, and mentored staff at many others. Ron has served as an instructor representative on the DCI Instructors' Task Force, Rules & Systems Task Force, the DCI Medical Project Advisory Board and WGI Percussion Advisory Board.
Before his career with Stanbury, Ron Hardin served as the director of Bands at Papillion - La Vista South High School. Ron took this position in 2014, and quickly led the program to national level recognition over two years. Prior to that appointment, Ron was the director of Bands at Bellevue East High School for 14 years and led the Chieftains to many successful performances in all areas, including Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Bands, Indoor and Concert Percussion, Chamber Ensembles and Indoor Color Guard. Under his watch, the band programs have performed in ten different states. Ron spent the first six years of his career as the Director of Bands at Clayton Valley High School in Concord, CA.
Ron also has extensive history as a professional music educator and performer. He was the founder and past conductor of the Diablo Wind Symphony, and the Principal Conductor of the Omaha Symphonic Winds. In addition, he was the recipient of the Jack R. Snyder Young Band Director Award. Ron spent two terms as the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Marching Band Chair. He has also served as president of the Contra Costa County Band Director's Association and Vice-President and Contest Coordinator of the Western Band Association. His greatest pride and joy is his family: his wife, Molly, and their daughters, Emma and Celeste.
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.
Jason Harvey
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Houston, TX
Jason Harvey
Jason Harvey is currently the Director of Bands for La Porte High School in La Porte, TX. Jason’s responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, assisting with the other wind bands, and coordinating and administering the curriculum for the marching and concert band programs. Jason is a visual judge for Winter Guard International (WGI) Percussion Division. In addition to his adjudication role with WGI, Jason has judged nationally for many regional circuits including, MAPS, SCGC, SAPA, GCGPC, CWEA, IPA, MIA, FFCC, TCGC, NTCA, MEPA, OPIA, SCPA, NCPA, and RMPA. Jason’s involvement in the marching activity spans more than 20 years. Jason performed with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps (1990-1992), and the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (1993-1996) where he was a member of the 1995 DCI World Championship corps. Upon aging out of the Cavaliers, Jason taught on the visual staff of the Cavaliers. From 2002 to 2005, Jason was the director and visual caption head of Velocity Indoor drumline, an independent open (PIO) ensemble from Chattanooga, TN. Velocity was a consistent finalist at WGI World Championships and the silver medalist in (PIA) 2002 and bronze medalist in (PIO) 2004. Jason’s education includes completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and post graduate work at the University of South Carolina as a graduate assistant. He holds memberships with the Texas Bandmasters Association and Texas Music Educators Association.
Chad Heiny
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Leechburg, PA
Chad Heiny
Chad Heiny, born April 26, 1980 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is a multifaceted freelance musician and educator residing in the Greater Pittsburgh Area (PA).
A versatile and regularly commissioned composer, Chad has created music for ensembles and performers across the globe. His works, including world premieres at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) and 2022 Midwest Clinic, are published by both Tapspace Publications and C. Alan Publications. In 2021, Hamiruge – The LSU Percussion Group released an album of Chad’s music entitled Beacons of Light – Percussion Music of Chad Heiny.
He is a member of the percussion quartet Dead Resonance, an instrumental band of percussionists comprised of LSU alumni, who performed at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention and in 2020 released their debut album Silence is Not a Transition.
Chad is also an acclaimed percussion and wind arranger for high school marching bands across the country. His work throughout the fall has won the hearts and minds of students, staffs, fans, and adjudicators. Accolades here include a 1st Place finish in Class AA (and the award for High Music) with the Norwin High School Marching Band at the 2021 Bands of America Grand National Championships, and a 3rd Place finish overall (and the award for High Music) with the Hebron High School Marching Band at the 2019 Bands of America Grand National Championships. He is also a proud adjudicator for Winter Guard International.
Chad holds degrees from Louisiana State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of both the Percussive Arts Society and ASCAP, and is a proud endorser of Innovative Percussion, Majestic Percussion, and Remo Drumheads.
Chris Hestin
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Effect-Visual, Music, Visual
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Chris Hestin
Chris Hestin has been an active WGI Percussion adjudicator, serving recently on the WGI Percussion Steering Committee and currently as the WGI Percussion Judge Coordinator. He also serves as the Percussion Judge Coordinator for the Mid-East Judges Association, the Indiana Percussion Association, the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges. Chris also annually presents judge training clinics for various circuits in anticipation of the winter season. In the fall he adjudicates for Bands of America/ Music for All, PIMBA of Western Pennsylvania, and several other circuits around the country.
Chris served from 2011-2013 as the Percussion Caption Head and Arranger for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, having previously served in the same capacity for the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps and as Percussion Specialist for the Kiski Area School District. His passion for the activity began as a member of the Phantom Regiment and has continued through years of teaching, coordinating, and arranging.
He holds BAs in Music Education and Music Composition from Indiana University of PA having studied with Dr. Gary Olmstead, Dr. Jack Stamp, and Daniel Perlongo. While pursuing a Masters in Music Technology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh he focused on commercial scoring and sound design with Bill Purse. He continues to be inspired by the endless possibilities of melding acoustic and electronic sound mapping in the pageantry arts. Chris currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Nellie and their son Edward.
Gifford Howarth
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Gifford Howarth
Dr. GIFFORD HOWARTH is currently Associate Professor of Percussion at Bloomsburg University located in Bloomsburg, PA. He is also an Instructor of Percussion at Penn State University in State College, PA. His previous teaching duties included teaching at Michigan State University and Nazareth College (Rochester, NY). Dr. Howarth received his DMA degree from Michigan State University, his Masters from Kent State University, and his Bachelors degree from Ithaca College. He has presented clinics and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. These include teaching in Singapore, Thailand, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Malaysia. Also he has presented at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), several MENC All-State Conferences and PAS Day of Percussion events. The focus for most of the workshops is geared around percussion education. Dr. Howarth is also heavily involved in different competitive marching activities. He has been on the percussion staffs for such groups as the Drum Corps International ensembles The Cadets and The Rochester PatriotsWGI ensembles Northcoast Academy and The Project along with several BOA level high school marching bands throughout the country. He is currently a national adjudicator for DCI, WGI, and BOA along with several state wide marching band and indoor percussion circuits. Dr. Howarth is a National Yamaha Performing Artist, a Signature Artist for the Vic Firth Company, and a clinician for the Zildjian Cymbal Company and Remo Drumheads. He has several works published through Tap Space publications.
John Howell
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: North Huntingdon, PA
John Howell
John Howell resides in North Huntingdon Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh. He is currently employed as a Business Education Teacher in the Hempfield Area School District where he teaches Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Web Page Design, Video Game Programming and Financial Literacy. He currently presides at the BCIT Department Chair K-12 John holds a Bachelor of Administration in Business Management and an Accounting minor from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a visual designer and has taught and written shows for various nationally acclaimed marching bands, drum and bugle corps and indoor winter colorguards and continues to conduct clinics and consultations for bands, winter colorguards, and judging associations across the United States. He has been a visual adjudicator over 30 years and judges for BOA, DCI, DCA and various other judging associations and has had the opportunity to judge internationally on numerous occasions. He also conducts both the Trinity Handbell and Hand Chime choirs at his church in which he has performed for over 35 years.
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.
Jeremy Hunt
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Austin, TX
Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt is a six time DCI finalist visual designer, 8 time BOA finalist visual designer and a multi medalist designer in WGI percussion. Recently, Jeremy has written for four different drum corps finalist. The Cavaliers (2023),The Phantom Regiment (2015, 2021), Spirit of Atlanta (2010-2013), and the Colts (2007-2009). Since 2004 Jeremy has designed for multiple BOA Grand National Finalists, Semifinalists and regional finalist. Most recently with Leander High School and Jenks High School. Leander High School was named the 2019 & 2016 BOA class AAA national champion. He has written for Ten UIL (Texas) State Finalist bands since 2008 and 16 state championship bands throughout the country. His notable WGI percussion ensembles are Homer Hanna HS who finished 7th place in PSW at the 2015 & 2017 World Championships, North Shore HS with a 4th place finish in 2014, and Mariner HS the 2006 PSA gold medalist. Additionally, 21 of his groups have medaled in the Texas Colorguard circuit since 2012 In addition to designing, Jeremy has also taught and judged in several different capacities. He was on the visual staff with Carolina Crown, Glassmen, and the Madison Scouts where he served as Visual Caption Head. Jeremy also serves as a judge for Winter Guard International and has presented clinics for WGAZ and the Texas Bandmasters. Jeremy attended Western Kentucky University and currently resides in Austin, TX.
Jesse Hunter
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Arlington, TX
Jesse Hunter
Bob Johnson
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Brooklyn Park, MN
Bob Johnson
Scott Johnson
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: The Sea Ranch, CA
Scott Johnson
SCOTT JOHNSON: Personal awards include twenty-one D.C.I. Gold medal championships, fourteen D.C.I. High Percussion titles, two W.G.I. Gold medal championships, three DCA Gold medal championships, two DCA High Percussion titles, ten DCE championships, nine DCE High Percussion titles, 12 High Percussion titles in Japan, and 1977 D.C.I. & 1978 P.A.S. Individual Snare champion.
Scott is very honored to have been inducted into the 2012 class of the DCI Hall Of Fame, and the 2012 WGI Hall Of Fame. Scott was also inducted into the 2015 World Drum Corp Hall Of Fame.
Although the primary focus of his teaching career has been in the Drum Corps idiom, Scott has taught privately and arranged percussion scores at the elementary, junior, senior high, and university levels.
Scott's judging assignments have included numerous marching band and percussion competitions throughout the world, including P.A.S. championships, W.G.I. championships, South African Championships, Indonesia Championships, and the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
Scott is one of the most sought after Marching Percussion clinicians in the world today.
He has held numerous percussion clinics throughout the United States, Japan, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Indonesia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Australia, China, and Italy.
Scott's current endorsements:
Drums and Hardware: Ludwig
Sticks and mallets: Pro Mark
Cymbals: Zildjian
Drumheads: Evans
Drum pads: Offworld
Bobby Jones
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Hawthorne, NJ
Bobby Jones
Rob Keller
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Rob Keller
S. Jay Kennedy
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Chicago, IL
S. Jay Kennedy
Jay Kennedy’s career has followed a unique trajectory initially encompassing highly successful experiences as an entrepreneur and composer, arranger, producer of music for commercials, television, and motion pictures. Subsequently, he transitioned to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, one of the world’s leading music schools, becoming a widely respected educator and administrative leader.
His career underscores his life-long commitment to music education. “The musical and educational experiences I had throughout middle school, high school, and college affected me profoundly about the value of music in a person’s life.” While working in the music industry in Chicago and LA, Jay remembered how music and his teachers had positively impacted him and he committed to pass those experiences on to others, continuing to write for high school and college ensembles, conduct master classes and workshops for students, and frequently being an adjudicator and clinician for high school ensembles.
He retired from Berklee College of Music at the end of 2022 as Vice President for Academic Affairs/Vice Provost after 28 years in which he held several administrative positions, including department chair, dean, and vice president.
During his career, he has composed music for hundreds of television and radio commercials and his music has been heard in feature films, including Wayne’s World, Electric Horseman, and Lethal Weapon 2. His published compositions include works for concert band, percussion ensemble, and marching band.
Kennedy has been an active adjudicator for marching band, drum corps, and indoor percussion competitions for over 35 years and has written for several drum and bugle corps. He was elected to the DCI Hall of Fame in 2007 for longtime contributions as an adjudicator, judge administrator, arranger, and composer.
He received the Ph.D. from Boston College and Master of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Northwestern University.
Scott Koter
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Delmont, PA
Scott Koter
Scott Koter retired as assistant superintendent for the Kiski Area SD and previously served as a principal, fine arts coordinator and band director in the same district beginning in 1982. His ensembles received numerous honors including appearances at the Midwest Clinic, MENC, IAJE and PMEA conventions and captured numerous state and BOA regional titles while being named BOA Grand National finalist seven times and a Grand National class champion two times. Scott received citations for teaching excellence from PMEA, NBA, IAJE as well as Duquesne University, St.Vincent College and California University of PA. Scott served as program coordinator for the Santa Clara Vanguard of Santa Clara, CA. and The Cavaliers of Rosemont, IL winning six DCI world championships during that time. He also serves as a creative consultant for Fannin Musical Productions and as an educational consultant for Innovative Percussion Inc. Scott was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2015.
Blair Kuhn
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Westland, MI
Blair Kuhn
Blair Kuhn received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communication & Film Studies from Eastern Michigan University. Blair’s been active in the pageantry art for over 30 years, having performed as a percussionist with the Saginaires Drum & Bugle Corps 1982-84, Northern Aurora Drum & Bugle Corps 1985 & The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps 1986. Along with his background in percussion, Blair is an accomplished Color Guard & Drill designer, with over 25 years of experience. Blair was the visual designer for Eastside Fury Percussion, from 2007-2010 & Co-Director / Designer of Ancora Winter Guard 2007-2014. Blair currently designs for The University of Michigan Winter Guard. Blair currently holds the position of Judge Coordinator for the Michigan Color Guard Circuit, Michigan Alliance For the Peforming Arts & Visual Caption Administrator for the Michigan Competing Band Association. Currently Blair is an active adjudicator for The Michigan Competing Band Association, Michigan Color Guard Circuit, Drum Corps International & Winter Guard International.
Bret Kuhn
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Hoffman Estates, IL
Bret Kuhn
Bret Kuhn Clinician/Arranger and Performing Artist Bret is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University with a Bachelors degree where he studied percussion with Dan Peterson. He also performed with the Disney World All American band and has performed with such artist’s as Bobby Shew, Rich Matteson as well as playing with The Chicago Big Band and the Mayo Tiana Big Band. Bret is adjunct faculty at Northern Illinois University and Prospect High School. He was the Battery Arranger with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014-2016. Bret is also adjunct faculty at Northern Illinois University and Prospect High School. Bret served as Caption Head and Percussion Arranger for the World Champion Cavaliers who won 6 World Championships and 5 High Percussion Awards during his tenure. He also consulted with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps 2006-2008. In 2010 he served as Program Coordinator for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. Bret is very active as an arranger for various high school’s and universities through out the US and Japan. He also arranges for Northern Illinois University and The Aimachi Marching Band and Indoor Drumline from Nagoya, Japan. He travels extensively performing and presenting clinics across the United States, Japan and Europe for Yamaha, Zildjian, Remo and Innovative Percussion. Bret has judged Effect Music for WGI since 2013 as well as many other indoor drumline circuits across the country. Bret has written articles for publication in Percussive Notes Magazine and served on the Board of Directors for the Percussive Arts Society from 2005-2012. Bret is also a member of The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, known as ASCAP. If you wish to contact Bret regarding clinics, arranging or commissioning a percussion ensemble, go to www.bretkuhnmusic.com or e-mail him at bretkuhnmusic@sbcglobal.net.
Mike Leitzke
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Thompson's Station, TN
Mike Leitzke
Mike Leitzke began his music career at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, IL, and went on to become a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and Rhythm X Indoor percussion ensemble. During his tenure at Rhythm X, the group earned their first WGI World Class Championship.
Mike has taught, arranged, and consulted for many high schools and indoor programs across the United States. Mike served as the front ensemble caption head and arranger for Palmetto Percussion, winning the WGI Open Class Championship in 2010 and making World Class Finals for the first time. On the drum corps side, Mike has served on the faculty of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps as well as worked as a clinician and consultant for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Additionally, Mike served as a designer and educator for the WGI PSW finalist Mt. Juliet Band of Gold and Indoor Drumline.
Presently, Mike is the percussion director at Franklin High School (TN), a Sudler Shield band program. Mike is an active adjudicator for Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International. Mike presently serves on the DCI Judge Leadership Team and on the WGI Steering Committee. Mike is the percussion/winds coordinator of the CWEA, MEPA, and WGASC/ADLA indoor circuits. Mike is proud to be an artist and clinician for Yamaha, Remo, Innovative Percussion, and Zildjian.
Brad Love
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Franklin, TN
Brad Love
Brad Love is currently residing in Franklin, Tennessee with his wife Amy Love. He has lived in the Middle Tennessee area since attending Lipscomb University from 1989 to 1993. Growing up in Fort Myers, Florida...the performing arts have been a major part of his life.
In 1988 and 1989, Brad performed with Players Winter Guard...a Scholastic Open Winter Guard from Fort Myers, Florida. He then went on to march with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in 1990 and 1992. Since then, he has performed several roles with a multitude of organizations involved with WGI, DCI and BOA.
Professionally, Brad is an Outside Sales Manager for Carter Lumber located in Tennessee. He has been involved with residential and small commercial construction for the past 25 plus years. He thoroughly enjoys his career and his continued involvement in the arts. His passion for the activity revolves around paying these wonderful gifts forward to all young performers.
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.
Eduardo Martinez
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Pasadena, CA
Eduardo Martinez
Eduardo Martinez has worked with high school marching bands and independent winter guard programs in the Middle Atlantic and Southern California since 1995 as a director and visual designer/consultant.
Past program affiliations include Broad Run HS (Ashburn, VA), McLean HS (McLean, VA), Solution Performance Ensemble (Huntington Beach, CA), Revelation (Richmond, VA), and Stonewall Independent (Manassas, VA). Eduardo is currently a design consultant with George Mason University Winter Guard (Fairfax, VA). He has judged for fall marching band and winter guard/percussion circuits throughout the U.S since 2000. He has judged with Drum Corps International (DCI) since 2018 and Winter Guard International (WGI) since 2024. Eduardo previously served as circuit president for Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) and percussion and winds coordinator for Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC).
Eduardo is a Forecast Manager with Southern California Gas Company. He graduated with a BA in International Business from California State University Fullerton and a MA in Economics from California State University Long Beach. Eduardo has been a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association since 2007.
Teddy Mascari
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Webster, NY
Teddy Mascari
Ted Mascari has been involved in all aspects of percussion since 1980 as a performer, educator and arranger and is considered one of the top marching percussion minds in Upstate New York.
He graduated from Cicero-North Syracuse High School in 1988. Ted holds an AAS from Onondaga Community College and a Bachelor of Science and Music from Syracuse University. Over the past 25+ years, he has directed and arranged for several marching band and indoor percussion programs in NY, he served most recently as the Director and Music Designer for Victor High School Percussion, a NYSPC/WGI Scholastic A percussion ensemble finalist, from 2006-2014, winning 8 State Championships between indoor and marching band. He has and still is involved with quality programs like ESM, CNS, East Irondequoit and Jordan Elbridge, He is very proud of the many students from these high schools who have gone on to march in top Drum Corps (DCI/DCA), WGI drum lines and go on to teach. He is often sought out for private instruction and consultation.
Ted's drum corps instructional career began in 1993 with the Syracuse Brigadiers, then Rochester Crusaders from 1994-1996. In addition, Ted has served as Percussion Coordinator, Percussion Arranger and Consultant for the Empire Statesmen All Age Drum and Bugle Corps from Rochester, NY, where he served from 1997-2012. He also works with the Kidsgrove Scouts since 2010, DC United Kingdom and 2015 DC Europe Champions as percussion advisor and currently holds the title of Percussion Arranger for the NY Skyliners since 2016. Ted has been strongly influenced through past experiences with Chris Calhoun, Chris Thompson, Joeseph Guadagnino, Thom Hannum, and Colin McNutt.
Ted has a newly appointed position serving as the Judging Coordinator and Education Director for the New York State Percussion Circuit. He is an adjudicator for marching band, indoor percussion and color guard in circuits throughout Pennsylvania, Michigan, Utah, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina and NY. He is also an endorser for, and on the educational team of Innovative Percussion, Mapex-Majestic. Ted Currently lives in Webster, NY with his wife Sara and their twin boys Christian and Mason.
Bret Mascaro
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Collegeville, PA
Bret Mascaro
Bret Mascaro is an adjunct professor and supervisor of student teachers at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Previously, Bret completed a full career as a music teacher, band director, and Music Department Coordinator for the Methacton School District. During that time, Bret served as a PA Music Educators Association District President and Festival Coordinator and has twice been a clinician at the PMEA Annual In-service Conference. In the interim, Bret spent four years as Director of Education for the Zeswitz Music Company in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Bret Mascaro has served as an adjudicator across the United States, Canada, and Japan for organizations such as Bands of America, Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International and several state pageantry associations. Bret has been a designer or instructor for the Crossmen, Troopers, and Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and several high school bands in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Brian Mason
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Morehead, KY
Brian Mason
Dr. Brian S. Mason is Professor of Percussion and Coordinator of the Percussion Studies Program at Morehead State University, directing the percussion ensembles, MSU Steel, and the award-winning marching percussion ensemble, featured on the vicfirth.com web-based instructional video series Marching Percussion 101. He has been a member of the Percussive Arts Society Board of Advisors, Past President of the PAS KY Chapter, is Associate Principal Percussion with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, is Principal Timpanist for the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra, and appears as a guest artist with high school and university percussion ensembles across the US. Among his many accolades he is the recipient of the MSU Distinguished Teacher Award, the MSU Distinguished Faculty Service Award, the KMEA College/University Teacher of the Year Award, the and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Boyle County High School.
A highly respected innovator of the contemporary marching percussion ensemble, Brian’s career in the Drum Corps International activity spanned more than two decades, claiming two World Championships and three High Percussion titles, along with many other awards and honors during his tenure with the Cavaliers (1987-1996), Yamato (1997-1999), Phantom Regiment (1998-2002), and the Santa Clara Vanguard (2006-2010). He also serves as a member of the Winter Guard International Percussion Judge team, one of the most respected and highly regarded rosters of adjudicators in the marching arts. In high demand as a clinician, performer, arranger/composer, and adjudicator, Brian has appeared throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, Canada, and Mexico, and his compositions have been performed around the world.
Brian received his D.M.A. and B.M. as a student of James B. Campbell at the University of Kentucky and his M.M. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a student of Dr. Dean Gronemeier. Brian has published articles in Percussive Notes, and has been interviewed in Modern Drummer and Band and Orchestra Magazine. Brian is a performing artist for Mapex Drums, and Majestic Percussion, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Zildjian cymbals, Evans drumheads, Black Swamp Percussion, and Etymotic Hearing Protection, and his original works and arrangements are published through Row-Loff Productions, Tap Space Publications, and Bachovich Music Publications.
Jay McArthur
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Madison, MS
Jay McArthur
Jay McArthur retired as Director of Bands for Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton Beach, FL after having served as a band director in Mississippi and Florida for 34 years. McArthur’s bands were consistently recognized for their quality including a tradition of All Superior ratings and 2 State Marching Band Championships for the Ridgeland High School Band where he founded the band program and spent the 11 years. He has served in leadership positions on state and national levels including the Executive Board of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association twice. McArthur was a charter member of Memphis Blues Brass Band in 1980, was a marching staff member of the 1987 Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps, and was percussion caption head and program coordinator for the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 1994-1996. His performance experiences include the University of Mississippi Wind Ensemble, the Mississippians Jazz Band, Tupelo Symphony, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Symphonic Winds, and the DownBeat Jazz Orchestra. An active clinician, adjudicator, and consultant for bands and events across the country, McArthur is life-time member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, the Mississippi Indoor Association, and is especially honored by his association with Winter Guard International’s percussion division. Jay is married to the former Amy Lewis of Quitman, MS. They have two sons, John Thomas, III, and Cadden Moore, who have recently run away from home to seek to conquer the world while paying for their own food and lodging.
David McCarthy
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Marietta, GA
David McCarthy
Dave McCarthy is a native of Revere, Massachusetts, and began his marching arts career with the 27th Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps in 1981 through 1986. From 1988 to 1991 he was a member of The Garfield Cadets and then Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps. As a member of the 1990 Cadets, he was part of both the DCI World Championship and High Percussion Award. Upon aging out, Dave taught the Boston Crusaders and The Marauders Drum and Bugle Corps. Over the years he has worked with and consulted for high school band programs in Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida and Texas. Dave is currently a visual judge for Winter Guard International (WGI) Percussion Division. In addition to his adjudication role with WGI, Dave has judged nationally for many regional Circuits including, SCPA, MAPS, SCGC, SAPA, IPA, FFCC, OIPA, MEPA, TCGC and GIPA. During the fall marching season, Dave is also a nationally recognized visual judge. He has judge marching band contest across the Southeast and Midwest. From 1995 to 2001 Dave was part of the design team for King Philip Regional High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble. King Philip was a finalist in the WGI Percussion Scholastic World Class each year including the 2000 WGI PSW Gold medalist. Over the better part of the last 20 years, Dave has been a staff member of the two-time (1998 and 2002) BOA Grand National Champion Lassiter High School Marching Band of Marietta, Georgia. Over those year he has served as the Visual Caption head, Visual Tech, Consultant and is currently back as the Visual Caption head of the Lassiter marching band program. Dave is currently employed as a Senior Consultant with Newport Group in Atlanta Georgia where he resides with his wife Shoie and his two beautiful daughter Ava and Quinn. Dave earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Michael McIntosh
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Shakopee, MN
Michael McIntosh
Mr. McIntosh is a graduate of Butler University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an emphasis in Composition.
In addition to designing, coordinating, consulting and composing for many marching bands all over the United States, Michael is the Percussion Coordinator for the Music For All Summer Symposium as well as the Percussion Caption Supervisor, Music Coordinator and one of two Percussion Designers for The Cavaliers drum and bugle corps. From 1997-2011, Mr. McIntosh was a percussion specialist at Carmel high school in Carmel, Indiana and an integral part of programs named the 2001 and 2017 AAA National Champion as well as the 2005, 2012, 2016 and 2017 BOA Grand National Champions.
Mr. McIntosh is an active clinician and adjudicator, giving clinics throughout the US, Europe and Asia, having performed clinics in Japan and Beijing, China. Michael is a current adjudicator for WGI and Bands of America.
Compositionally, Michael has had works commissioned for the Midwest Band Directors Convention as well as the West Point HellCats. Currently, he has works published by SmartMusic, Row-Loff Publications, Yamaha Sounds of Summer, Tap Space Publications, Key Poulan Music, Drop 6 Media, The Hal Leonard Corporation, Innovative Percussion, Marching Show Concepts and Dynamic Marching.
Michael is a Yamaha artist/clinician as well as a signature drumstick artist with Promark. Mr. McIntosh also endorses EVANS drumheads, Zildjian cymbals and Planet Waves Cables.
Michael resides in Minnesota with his wife Joy and their two beautiful daughters, Scotlyn and Graysen.
Jon Merritt
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Austin, TX
Jon Merritt
Jon Merritt is a percussion teacher in the NEISD school district of San Antonio Texas. Jon is a graduate of Ohio University in Athens Ohio. He also marched with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Jon was the percussion section leader for the World Champion Cadets Drum Corps in 1993. He also enjoys performing with Several Brass Bands and Orchestras. After graduating from Ohio University with his Music Education Degree Jon has been a band director for 13 years in Columbus Ohio. He just recently moved to Texas, and is extremely excited to be Teaching and Performing with some of the finest educators in the country.
Mark Metz
Captions: WGI - Visual
Location: Lansdale, PA
Mark Metz
Dr. Mark Metz, a former music educator, is a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents. He has taught at all educational levels—from kindergarten through graduate school. Mark remains active in all aspects of marching music, and brings with him over 35 years of experience as a performer, instructor, designer, coordinator, consultant, and adjudicator. His affiliations include a long list of notable programs, including the Cavaliers, Crossmen, and Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps, the Cavaliers and Threshold Winter Guards, and numerous championship high school marching units. Mark is a former Judging Coordinator and Director of Education who has served as a clinician and championship-level adjudicator throughout North America. His national affiliations include Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Associates, and WGI Sport of the Arts.
Frank Miller
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Bradenton, FL
Frank Miller
FRANK MILLER Being literally born into a Drum Corps life style with his father as a lead soprano player for the Pittsburgh Rockets Frank was a mascot for the drum corps the day he was born. At a very young age (6) Frank had the privilege of beginning his percussion studies privately under some of the premier orchestral and rudimental specialists known in the percussion world at that time. Early on with instruction from William Hammond, (and Bill's student Mary Sorick) his passion to contantly want to drum lead him to become one of the youngest members of NARD performing in individual snare drum contests throughout the Midwest and East coast while winning numerous individual events before the age of 12 and also placing in the top ranks of DCI's snare drum individuals at the early age of 13. He continued his studies with several other private teachers in the likes of Michael Blazer, Michael Kummer (Duquense Univ), Jan Fung and his esteemed collogue and friend Rande Sanderbeck (director of percussion at ETSU) while marching his way through several small drum and bugle corps before joining the well known drumline of the Finleyville Royal Crusaders where he stayed until 1981. In 1982 Frank was hired as the percussion caption head for the Steel City Ambassadors a Sr. Drum and bugle corps from Pittsburgh, PA where he stayed to teach for the next 10 years. Now, during all this time, Frank had always had a very strong interest in art, painting, architecture, and many types of design and had been writing for winter guards and marching bands in the local Pittsburgh area but really wanted to find a way to utilize these artistic qualities into his life outside of the pageantry world. The answer was the Gateway Institute of Design where he studied CAD and was reassured of his true love for design. Frank is also very proud to be one of the founding members of the Pittsburgh Percussion Project where he has been credited for introducing the students of the Pittsburgh region to the indoor percussion activity. PPP successfully performed in the PIW divison for WGI as finalists in 2003-2006. Currently Frank is recognized primarily as a visual designer, clinician, and judge, his involvement in the marching music activity from a student, to teacher, designer and consultant spans over 40 years. He's been an accredited adjudicator with some of the most esteemed judging associations and pageantry organizations around the globe including the AIA, FFJC, MEJA, PFCJ, PIMBA, Drum Corps Europe, Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, Bands of America and Music for All, just to name a few. In his current work as a visual design specialist, he continues efforts to educate in the importance of individual student training, and design quality within a variety of marching music activities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. In his professional life, Frank is the Vice President of a corporation in the fashion industry. He currently resides in Bradenton, FL with his wife Judy and daughter Laura.
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
J.J. Pipitone
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: San Jose, CA
J.J. Pipitone
JJ is a happily retired band director, who has served in almost every facet of music education. Most recently as an adjunct professor of percussion at Texas A&M Commerce. Prior to that, he served in the public schools for 20 years as an assistant band director in the Lewisville and Grapevine Independent School Districts. In addition to all of the percussion responsibilities from 6th-12th grade, his duties have included Concert Band, Music Theory, Music History, Jazz band, and the Musical Theater Orchestra. JJ has extensive drum corp experience, having marched for 9 years in Drum Corps International including numerous drum corps in the up-state New York area, the Dutch Boy, the Phantom Regiment, and the Concord Blue Devils. He won the DCI Multi tenor competition in 1989, The PAS Multi Tenor competition in 1990 and placed 2nd at the PAS marimba competition in 1992. As an instructor, JJ taught the World Champion Phantom Regiment in 1995 & 1996. In 1997, JJ was the caption head and writer of the battery percussion. He went on to teach the Glassmen in 1998 & 1999, the Crossmen in 2000 & 2001 and was the percussion designer for the Empire Statesmen Drum & Bugle Corp from 2010-2013. JJ’s extensive judging experience has taken him around the globe since 2003 with extensive affiliations with Bands Of America, US Bands, Winter Guard International, Drum Corp International and Drum Corp Japan. JJ is currently enjoying a second career as a Real Estate Investor in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex while living in San jose, California.
Jeff Prosperie
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: West Point, NY
Jeff Prosperie
Jeff Prosperie arrived to the West Point Band as a member of the Legendary Hellcats in December of 2006, and currently serves as both the Section Leader and Principal Drummer of the Percussion Section. Jeff is a World Snare Drum Champion and the first and only individual to capture the “triple crown” of solo competition (DCI, PAS, DCA). In 2018 Jeff was inducted into The World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. In addition to his duties as a Hellcat he also performs on occasion with the West Point percussion ensemble, steel band, and concert band. Additionally, Jeff has served as the percussion arranger/instructor for the nationally televised Army All-American High School Marching Band. Prior to these positions he served as Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Principal Percussion with the Baton Rouge Symphony, and as the percussion designer/caption-head for the World Champion Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle corps of Rockford, Illinois. He actively serves as a championship level adjudicator for DCI and WGI and as a marching percussion committee member for PAS. Jeff earned his B.M.Ed from LSU, his MM from The University of North Texas, and has completed all course work for the DMA from UNT. Jeff has performed, presented clinics, and adjudicated throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan as well as PASIC, TMEA, TBA, and The Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention. Jeff’s compositions and solo performances can be seen in his book/DVD “Aptitude- A Conversation in snare soloing” published by Row-Loff Publications. This publication received the very rare rating of a perfect “10” from Modern Drummer Magazine declaring it a classic. Jeff can also be seen as a featured artist on the DVD “The Rudiment Project” by the Percussive Arts Society as well as several performances on YouTube and downloadable apps with DrumGuru.com. Jeff is a performing artist endorsed by Pearl/Adams, Sabian, Innovative Percussion, and Evans.
Thomas Rarick
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Laurel, MD
Thomas Rarick
Tom is the Director of Percussion for the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. He previously held the position of Front Ensemble Designer (2002-2008) and assumed the role of Percussion Designer/Composer in 2009. During his tenure, the Bluecoats have positioned themselves as one of the premier organizations in Drum Corps International, highlighted by winning the 2016 DCI World Championship and the 2022 Fred Sanford Best Percussion Award.
For more than two decades, Tom served as a percussionist with the United States Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass in Washington DC. He was honored to perform at Super Bowls XLIX and LIV, six Presidential Inaugurations, and contributed to thousands of other ceremonies ranging from White House arrivals to full honor funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to his work for the Bluecoats, Tom is a composer, arranger, and consultant for several bands and pageantry organizations that include Vista Ridge High School (TX), Blue Springs High School (MO), and the University of Alabama. He has also been a percussion adjudicator for Winter Guard International since 2007.
Tom is a signature artist for Innovative Percussion Inc, and assisted in the development of the FS-TR drumstick as well as a seven-model line of marimba/vibraphone mallets. He is also proud to endorse Tama I Bergerault marching & concert percussion, Evans drumheads, and Zildjian cymbals.
Rick Rodriguez
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Round Rock, TX
Rick Rodriguez
Rick Rodriguez is from McAllen, TX and grew up in the Rio Grande Valley nine miles north of Mexico. He became interested in percussion in 1971 at the age of six when his father Henry Rodriguez started him on percussion. Many years later, Rick is in the Blue Devils snare line under Tom Float and Scott Johnson and eventually earns a degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas under Dr. Schietroma. Some of his college colleague’s include Mike McIntosh, Paul Rennick, Ben Maughmer, Jeff Prosperie, Jim Reilly, Kevin Murray, Dr Brian West, Jason Sutter and Jeff Ausdemore. Mr Rodriguez now has well over 30 years of percussion and band ensemble/masterclass experience.
Mr. Rick Rodriguez is currently the percussion director and Associate band director at Cedar Ridge High School, Round Rock TX. Rick has been the director of the Cedar Ridge Symphonic Band and is currently assisting all of the Cedar Ridge Concert Bands, the Cedar Ridge Wind Ensemble and has been the primary director of the Cedar Ridge Jazz Ensemble and percussion program.
Since the early 90’s, Mr Rod and his percussion ensembles have been fortunate to have several appearances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic held annually in Chicago IL. During his work at Spring High School, the Spring Percussion Ensemble was scouted by John Paynter in 1994 and was invited to perform with John Paynter and the North Shore Concert Band of Chicago at Northwestern University. The Cedar Ridge Percussion Ensemble had also performed at the Midwest Clinic and TMEA San Antonio along with Cedar Ridge Low Brass and Percussion Choir.
Rick Rodriguez is an active percussion arranger and versatile band and percussion clinician. In his younger days, Rick was the “center snare” of the infamous University of North TX PASIC Drum Line and was also a snare drummer for the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Concord Blue Devils. He has been on the working staff of the Blue Devils, Phantom Regiment, Blue Knights under Ralph Hardimon, as well as on the percussion staff of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps under Mike McIntosh. Rick Rodriguez has also been on the adjudicating staff of Drum Corps International, Bands of America and the Wgi percussion judging panel. Mr. Rodriguez is currently endorsed by the Zildjian Cym Co., Innovative Percussion, Marimba One and Evans Drum Heads.
Caleb Rothe
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Effect-Visual, Music, Visual
Location: Fontana, CA
Caleb Rothe
Caleb Rothe is the Percussion Education Coordinator for WGI Sport of the Arts. He has previously served as a program director, arranger, and instructor for Ayala HS (1997-2009), Pulse Percussion (2004-2007), and Rancho Cucamonga HS (2000-2004). Caleb is an internationally sought-after adjudicator and clinician and has written for numerous groups across the United States and Japan.
Mr. Rothe has served as an adjudicator at events across the United States, Europe, and Asia. His judging experience includes work with WGI Sport of the Arts, Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Drum Corps Japan, the Malaysia World Band Competition, and many local and regional marching arts organizations and events across the United States.
Caleb is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorses Promark sticks and mallets and Remo drumheads. He was a founding member and now serves as President of the Southern California Percussion Alliance. Caleb has previously served as the Vice President of Percussion for the Winter Guard International Board of Directors and has previously been a member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Percussion Steering Committee.
Caleb was inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame in 2020.
Mr. Rothe received his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2003, his teaching credential from the University of Redlands in 2007, and his master's degree in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University in 2021. He currently serves as an Educational Technology Coach for the Redlands Unified School District, working with teachers on instructional pedagogy, student engagement, and 21st-century lesson design.
Caleb lives with his wife Kelly and two sons in Fontana, California.
Mr. Rothe has served as an adjudicator at events across the United States, Europe, and Asia. His judging experience includes work with WGI Sport of the Arts, Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Drum Corps Japan, the Malaysia World Band Competition, and many local and regional marching arts organizations and events across the United States.
Caleb is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorses Promark sticks and mallets and Remo drumheads. He was a founding member and now serves as President of the Southern California Percussion Alliance. Caleb has previously served as the Vice President of Percussion for the Winter Guard International Board of Directors and has previously been a member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Percussion Steering Committee.
Caleb was inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame in 2020.
Mr. Rothe received his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2003, his teaching credential from the University of Redlands in 2007, and his master's degree in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University in 2021. He currently serves as an Educational Technology Coach for the Redlands Unified School District, working with teachers on instructional pedagogy, student engagement, and 21st-century lesson design.
Caleb lives with his wife Kelly and two sons in Fontana, California.
Benja Russell
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Cumming, GA
Benja Russell
Christopher Rutt
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Christopher Rutt
Terry Sanders
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Pensacola, FL
Terry Sanders
Terry Sanders – Educator, Clinician and Adjudicator
Terry Sanders received his degrees in Music Education and Computer and Information Science from Troy State University. He studied percussion under Dr. Samuel Frederick, while marching with the “Sound of the South” Trojan Band under the Direction of Dr. Johnny Long from 1980 to 1985. He also studied percussion privately with Sergeant Carl Griggs of the United States Marine Band. Terry was the Co-Percussion Caption Head and arranger for the Florida Wave Drum and Bugle Corps from 1980 - 81. Terry actively serves as a championship level adjudicator for fall marching competitions and indoor percussion and indoor winds competitions across the country. He is a currently an active WGI Percussion Judge. Mr. Sanders currently serves on the WGI Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. Terry is also a member of the 2022-2024 WGI Steering Committee. He has served many years on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board, most recently in 2016. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity, and he is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and currently serves on the PAS Marching Percussion Committee and the PAS Diversity Alliance. Mr. Sanders formerly served from 2018-2022 as the Program Coordinator and as a Music Ensemble consultant for Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps. Terry is currently an Educational Artist endorser for Innovative Percussion, the REMO Drumhead Company, Sabian Cymbals and the Pearl /Adams Drum Company. Mr. Sanders also operates and owns the Mic Check One Two One Two Virtual Percussion Judges Academy.
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.
Jim Shade
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Etters, PA
Jim Shade
Over the past 40 years, Jim Shade has served as instructor, designer and consultant for numerous percussion ensembles, marching bands, drum and bugle corps and color guards across the country. His judging affiliations include the Winter Guard International, Keystone Indoor Drill Association, Maryland Marching Band Association, New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association, Southern California Percussion Alliance, Mid-Atlantic Percussion Society, Southeast Color Guard Circuit, Texas Color Guard Circuit and Drum Corps Associates. Currently, Jim lives outside of Harrisburg, PA with his wife, Denise, and is a Senior Vice President at United Concordia Dental.
KJ Stafford
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Music
Location: Chesapeake, VA
KJ Stafford
K.J. Stafford is a full-time music arranger, educator, adjudicator and consultant with over 20 years of experience teaching, writing and designing for band programs, drum corps and percussion ensembles throughout the United States. Ensembles performing his music include champions, medalists and finalists at national and regional championships in Winter Guard International, Bands of America, and other performing arts circuits. K.J. is also an active adjudicator for Winter Guard International.
K.J. has been involved with Drum Corps International for over two decades. He currently serves as the Assistant Percussion Caption Head for the Santa Clara Vanguard. Since joining the staff in 2011, Vanguard has earned five Fred Sanford Awards for Best Percussion: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 as well as the DCI World Championship in 2018. Beginning with the 2024 season, K.J. joined the design team of the Madison Scouts as the Music Supervisor. Prior to working with Vanguard and the Madison Scouts organizations, K.J. also taught on the percussion staff of the Phantom Regiment (2010 DCI High Percussion Champions) and the Troopers (2007-2009).
From 2006-2022, KJ was the band director and music department chair at Hickory Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia. Under his direction, the bands at Hickory Middle School consistently received superior ratings at state concert band festivals and were selected to perform at the Virginia Music Educators State Conference.
K.J. earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia K.J. proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Remo Drumheads, SABIAN Cymbals and Pearl Drums.
Matthew Stevens
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Columbus, OH
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens has been involved in the marching arts for over 25 years. He currently serves as an adjudicator for Winter Guard International and specializes in Percussion Effect Visual. Matthew also serves as an adjudicator for the Mid East Performance AssociationOhio Indoor Performance AssociationIndiana Percussion AssociationTristate Marching ArtsRocky Mountain Percussion AssociationMid Continent Color Guard Association and the Ohio Music Education Association. Matthew served as the Educational Director for Adjudicators for MEPA during 2012-2014. He is currently designer for Artistry IN BLUE Winter Guard, a WGI Independent A finalists and winner of the Fan’s Favorite award in 2013, 2015 and 2016. He has served as program coordinator and drill designer for many marching bands, winter guards, and winter drumlines in the Midwest. Matthew received his Bachelor of Music Education from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio and a Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Bexley, Ohio. He is currently the Director of Giving for CWS, an international humanitarian aid organization. He lives in Columbus, Ohio and is active in his local community.
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.
Lauren Teel
Captions: WGI - Music
Location: Lavon, TX
Lauren Teel
Lauren Teel is the Percussion Caption Head for the DCI World Class Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, Director of Marching Percussion and Assistant Director of Percussion for Texas A&M Commerce and Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Collin College.
Prior appointments include Interim Instructor of Percussion for the University of Alabama, and Adjunct Instructor for the Million Dollar Band Front Ensemble as well as Instructor for the University of North Texas Green Brigade Marching Band. She has also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Percussion at several universities, including The University of North Alabama, The University of Alabama- Birmingham, and The University of Montevallo.
Lauren earned her M.M. in Percussion Performance at Indiana University in 2016 and a B.M. in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas 2012. In 2012, Lauren had the privilege of traveling to Chennai, India to perform for an audience of over 75,000 people with Oscar winning composer, A. R. Rahman. Lauren also appeared in the 2013 blockbuster, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, as an on screen timpanist. While living in Atlanta, Lauren performed as a member of the NFL Atlanta Falcons Drum Line. In 2018, Lauren was invited to perform the solo marimba piece, Free Flight, by composer and pianist Muriel Roth, as part of the 2018 PASIC Focus Day events.
Lauren is a recognized Innovative Percussion Educational Artist, Marimba One Educational Artist, Zildjian Marching Artist and Remo Educational Artist.
Kayla Thornton
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Westminster, CO
Kayla Thornton
Mark Thurston
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music, Effect-Visual, Music, Visual
Location: Limerick, PA
Mark Thurston
Ray Ulibarri
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: San Antonio, TX
Ray Ulibarri
Ray Ulibarri
Percussion educator, music designer, judge, and father
Mr. Ray Ulibarri began his percussion career in Westminster, Colorado, working
with local marching bands as a percussion technician. He became the director of the
percussion program at Pomona High School in 1995, where the band earned 11 State
Marching Band Championships. The Percussion ensemble was a two-time medalist and
perennial finalist at The WGI World Championships. In 2006, Ray relocated to Texas
and, after a brief stint in Houston, moved to San Antonio in 2009. He began teaching at
Ronald Reagan High School, where he is entering year 14 with the band. Ray has also
been very fortunate to serve as a music educator for the Blue Coats Drum & Bugle
Corps, where he was the percussion caption head from 2005-2008. In addition, he has
been on the percussion Staff for Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, both winter and
summer ensembles.
Ray was privileged to Study and be mentored by Ralph Hardimon, a legend in the
Marching Arts. Mr. Hardimon was instrumental in Ray's development as a music
arranger and teacher. In addition, he studied at the University of Colorado, where he
served as an assistant with the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. Ray studied with Doug
Walter, Mark Foster, and Gray Barrier.
Ray has been fortunate to arrange percussion music for numerous ensembles
and marching bands. He has worked as a music designer with the Blue Knights
Percussion Ensemble, Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, and countless high schools
nationwide. His arrangements have been featured at the Tournament of Roses parades,
the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, the University Interscholastic League's Texas State
Marching Contest, and Bands of America Regional, Super Regional, and Grand
National Championships. Ray has been the percussion arranger for the Ronald Reagan
High School Marching Band since 2010.
Ray also enjoys a unique opportunity to serve the percussion community as an
adjudicator for WGI at all levels.
Ray Ulibarri proudly endorses D'addario, including ProMark Drumsticks, Evans
Drumheads, and Planet Waves cables. He also is proud to be a Zildjian and Yamaha
artist.
Ray currently resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his amazing wife Marissa,
daughter Catarina, and his new baby boy Rey.
Clif Walker
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Kansas City, MO
Clif Walker
Clif Walker is front ensemble arranger and design team member with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and the Director of the University of Missouri “Marching Mizzou” Drumline. He is an active arranger, clinician, adjudicator, and composer with original works performed at PASIC, The Midwest Band Orchestra Clinic, TMEA, DCI and BOA. Clif holds a BSE from Missouri Western State University and an MME from the University of Central Florida and is a former member and instructor with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. Clif was the director of percussion, design team member and arranger for BOA Grand National Finalist Blue Springs High School (2011-2015), former design team member and front ensemble arranger for 11-time WGI PIW Championship Finalist Gateway Indoor. He is the former caption head/arranger for Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps (1999-2003) and former director of percussion at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Florida (2001-2008), who performed at the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International as the high school IPEC winners. Clif was the founding director and arranger for WGI PIW Finalist Timber Creek Independent (2008-2010). Clif is the judging coordinator for Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) and the Central States Percussion Association (CSPA) and is a faculty member for the Music For All Summer Symposium. Clif is published with Tapspace and Musicon and is proud to endorse Yamaha Musical Instruments, Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets.
Mark Waymire
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Mark Waymire
Dr. Mark Waymire is in his thirty-fifth year as a music educator. Though now working fulltime as a consultant, lecturer, adjudicator, and designer, he was most recently a Music education professor at The University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to completing his PhD at The University of Mississippi, Dr. Waymire was Associate Director of Bands at Eastern Michigan University. His public-school experience includes work in Louisiana and Texas, including ten years as Director of Bands, Seguin High School, Seguin, Texas. Personal honors include six H.E.R.O. teaching awards, nine appointments to WHO’s WHO in American Education, and two presentations of the National President’s Award for Education Excellence. National and International lectures based on Dr. Waymire’s research on teaching expertise have been given in California, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Canada, and Scotland. In addition to his high school and collegiate-level designs and directorships, Mark Waymire been a part of the staffs of the following drum corps: Phantom Regiment, Madison Scouts, Spirit of Atlanta, and Glassmen, taking on various roles including both brass and visual caption head positions, as well as designer and program coordination. Dr. Waymire is an active band clinician and adjudicator which includes associations with BOA, WGI, and DCI.
Jay Webb
Captions: WGI - Effect-Music
Location: Avon, IN
Jay Webb
Retired Director of Bands Avon High School.
Jonathan Yoo
Captions: WGI - Effect-Visual
Location: Houston, TX
Jonathan Yoo
Jonathan Yoo is a full-time designer and audio engineer from Houston, Texas. Previously, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. Jonathan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a degree in Music Education. He spent four years as a performer with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. Jonathan has worked with - the Glassmen, Spirit of Atlanta, Music City, Pacific Crest, and Santa Clara Vanguard. Most recently, he is currently on staff with Carolina Crown as the Audio Caption Supervisor. During the Winter, Jonathan is also an adjudicator for – ISSMA, TCGC, NTCA, MIA, OIPA, SCGC, GCCPC, MEPA, CWEA, WGASC, and IPA.
Marc Zirille
Captions: WGI - T&P
Location: Pataskala, OH
Marc Zirille
