STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS

*excuse our dust as we are building the new ForteCorps.org

ADMINISTRATIVE

Executive Director, Landon Tooke

Landon performs across the South with the Classic Rock and Country Music group Hank Staples and Thunder Creek.  Landon is a founding member of Three Headed Monster Percussion Group, a performing percussion trio based in North Louisiana. After serving for two seasons as the Percussion Caption Head and Arranger for Masquerade Drum and Bugle Corps of North Louisiana, he served the 2008 season on the administrative staff for Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. Landon attended Louisiana Tech University from 1997-2001 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance while studying percussion with Dr. Mel Mobley. His many performances include appearances with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Longview Symphony Orchestra, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and serves as the principle percussionist for the North Louisiana Baptist Orchestra. Landon also performs regularly with the Temple Baptist Church Praise Band and the Temple Baptist Church Orchestra in Ruston, LA.

Landon has made multiple appearances as a guest performer with the Louisiana Tech University Percussion Ensemble and the University of Louisiana at Monroe Percussion Ensemble. He has appeared as a guest artist at many regional venues including the Louisiana Chapter Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion, the LBA Music Conference, the Ark-La-Tex Band Conference, the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Artist of the Month Concert Series, the Hurley School of Music Piano Festival, the Louisiana Baptist Music Conference, and on KTVE Channel 8 in Monroe, LA.

Landon has written and arranged music for the Louisiana Tech University Drumline, the Louisiana Tech University Percussion Ensemble, the University of Arkansas at Monticello Drumline, the Ruston High School Drumline, the Airline High School Drumline, the West Ouachita High School Drumline, and many other high school and middle school percussion programs. Landon served for two years as the Percussion Instructor at West Ouachita High School and Calhoun Middle School. He travels throughout the South serving as an adjudicator and a clinician for various high school drumlines and percussion programs, and is a Performing Artist and Endorser for Innovative Percussion, Inc.  Landon serves fulltime as the Chief Operations Officer for Impact Healthcare Solutions, based in Ruston, LA, and is the Chief Executive Officer for Tri-Ward General Hospital in Bernice, LA. Executive@fortecorps.org

Corps Director, Chris Green

Chris Green has been a part of the drum corps community since marching with Carolina Crown in the early 90s.  He has served as a Founder, Board of Director's Member and President, Program Coordinator, Brass Arranger, Brass Caption Head, and Corps Director of many corps, both in DCI and DCA.  He has also served as a consultant, arranger and instructors for band programs across the country, and internationally. He is an active adjudicator with USSBA and several local circuits.  Chris serves as a Choir and Band Director in Dallas ISD.  Most recently, Chris was the director of Memphis Sound of Memphis, TN where the idea of starting Forte was born. In fact, many of the staff, members and alumni from that corps have shown their support of Forte now that Memphis Sound is inactive.  Director@fortecorps.org

Assistant Corps Director/Tour Director/Staff Coordinator, Dr. Gary Westbrook

Dr. Gary Westbrook is the Director of The Sound and The Fury, the Tarleton State University Texan Marching Band, and Foul Play, the Tarleton State University Basketball band. He serves as the Associate Director of Bands and teaches percussion at Tarleton State University. Gary previously served as Assistant Director of Bands, Director of Percussion Study and Head of Music Education at Louisiana Tech University.

Gary founded Masquerade Drum and Bugle Corps in Ruston, LA in 2006 and has served as Corps Director of Masquerade and Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps. Additionally he has served on the administrative staffs of The Cadets and The Crossmen, and served on the teaching/design staffs of Carolina Gold, Frontier, and Gulf Coast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps.

Gary is a member of MENC, TMEA, PAS, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and CBDNA. Gary was elected into Pi Kappa Lambda and has been named a National Arts Associate (Distinguished Member) by Sigma Alpha Iota. He also serves as an educational endorsee of Pearl/Adams, Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets, Sabian Cymbals, and Evans Drumheads. Gary resides in Stephenville, TX. ACD@fortecorps.org

Tour Manager, Linnie Rose

Linnie has been on the administrative side of drum corps for a number of years. He started his marching career in 1977.  Under his direction of The Phantom Regiment Cadets, the corps rebuilt its educational program and performance status. The corps rose from thirty-third place in 1995 to fifteenth in 1996 to fifth in 1997 in DCI Division III competition and first place in DCM Division III. This occurred a year earlier than predicted by the staff of The Phantom Regiment and The Phantom Regiment Cadets. As the 1999 Corps Director for the Tarheel Sun I was able to guide the corps and the organization through the difficult transition from Division II to Division I competition and touring. Linnie will be an invaluable asset to the corps operations as we build and shape the organization to enter World Class in the coming years. Linnie resides Tempe, AZ.  tour@fortecorps.org

Operations Manager, Chip Torgeson

Chip has a long history with drum corps as a performer. He marched 3 seasons at Carolina Crown, and then continued on to perform with various DCA Corps as well as the Army National Guard  at various levels including Masquerade, Frontier, Jackson Generals, and even as a featured soloists at CorpsVets. Chip serves as the Operations Manager for Kelly tours in Garden City, GA. Chip resides in Savannah, GA with his wife (a Southwind alum) Kaye and their two children. operations@fortecorps.org

Transportation Coordinator, Jacob Franklin

Jacob is the founder and President of Franklin & Sons Transportation LLC, a freight brokerage company in Keller, Texas. At Franklin & Sons Transportation, Jacob has been responsible for developing logistical and distribution strategies in the manufacturing sector in the United States and around the world.

Prior to starting his company, Jacob was in law enforcement as a police officer and a corrections officer. After his DCI marching career was over, Jacob has stayed active with several drum corps assisting in their logistics/transportation aspects of summer.

Jacob is an alumnus of the Colts, Madison Scouts, and Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps. Jacob marched soprano for the Colts in 1993 and 1994, lead soprano for the 1997 Madison Scouts, and lead soprano for the 1998 Blue Devils. Jacob also studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, during the 1996 Summer in the Music Performance Program for select high school students. Jacob attended Central College of Iowa where he was lead/solo trumpet in jazz band, principal trumpet in Orchestra and band, and participated as a featured player with several other collegiate ensembles. Jacob resides in Keller, TX with his wife and two sons. transportation@fortecorps.org 

Business Manager, Walter Moss

Walter is the Asst. Director and Director of Bands / Coordinator of Music for Ruston HS. He also serves as the Part Time Police Officer / Reserve Unit Coordinator (Chief) for the Ruston Police Department.  He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Louisiana Tech University and a  Master of Music from University of Louisiana at Monroe .  He is an Eagle Scout, and achieved the Rank of Captain in Civil Air Patrol, US Air Force Auxiliary (also trained in search and rescue techniques and communications).  He has Served on the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Music Educator’s Association and is the Jazz Coordinator for the District One Band Director’s Association.  Walter is a percussionist and a was the third member of 'Three-Headed Monster' percussion ensemble (along with Gary Westbrook and Landon Tooke) as well as working as the Business Manager for Masquerade Drum & Bugle Corps.  Walter resides in Ruston, LA business@fortecorps.org

Tour Intern, Jeanne Clark

Jeanne Clark has been involved with Drum Corps since she was 17 years old, being the Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps Front Ensemble leader and in between those years a member of Surround Sound Percussion’s Front Ensemble for four years of WGI.  Spending her last year to perform in DCI with Memphis Sound Drum Corps as the Front Ensemble leader, to now being apart of the administrative side of Forte Drum Corps as an Intern.  She also Interns for the Alvarado School district to help teach the percussionists and gives private lessons.  Jeanne resides in Burleson, TX.

Membership Coordinator, Suzanne Novotnak

As I was considering this bio, I was trying to think of my “training and experience” to serve in this capacity. The only thing I can do is to tell a little about myself, my family and why I love band and drum corps.

As a 5 year old child, I marched as the baton twirler for the Rainbow Trumpet Band, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. That was my first experience with a corps. I love anything musical and signed up in the 5th grade to be a percussionist. I marched in high school band and was featured twirler and then marched in the famed University of Texas marching Band. After those years of experience, I taught baton twirling and color guard for 20 years before “retiring” so I could go back to school to complete my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Oklahoma. (So my blood runs half red/half burnt orange!) During my years teaching twirling and color guard 12 of my 15 children played in band in school.—yes, 15 kids—2 by birth and 13 by adoption. I have been a band booster for so many years I can’t even count them! I have been to hundreds of football games, contests, concerts and parades and other music related events. I have attended numerous DCI corps contests over the years and in the 1980s, one of my sons considered auditioning for drum corps after the Broken Arrow contest caught our attention. Unfortunately, funds did not allow him to participate.

As my daughter, Kelsey began her band career, she had a dream of playing the oboe and marching in the colorguard. Her 8th grade year, she auditioned for Winter guard and my years of running around after and helping colorguard kids began again! I sewed flags, costumes, helped with “cleaning” work and overall just “volunteered” to help out with activities related to Kelsey’s activities. I am known as “Mama Novotnak” to all of Kelsey’s band friends and I love spending time doing things with and for the guard. When Kelsey determined last year that she wanted to audition for drum corps, I never thought that I would become as involved with drum corps as I now am! 

I volunteered to help at all of the audition camps last year for Memphis Sound as well as for Everydays at the beginning of June. The corps uniforms became my “fulltime” job on tour and that provided me with a great means to get to know and love the members of the corps. I traveled with the corps last summer for all but 13 days and was there during the demise of “MO” the food truck, then the semi-trailer, and finally Li’l Mo, the trailer. We all grew closer as we looked at innovative ways to work together to solve our problems! Volunteers, members, staff, and everyone involved with our corps are the basis for our success and will be the basis for the successes we will experience this year with Forte. I look forward to serving again this year and the job of  "Membership Coordinator” fits me best!  Suzanne resides in OK membership@fortecorps.org

Marketing/Web Development, Joe Rattan

After graduating from Texas Tech University in December of 1981 with degrees inDesign Communications and Packaging Design, Joseph Rattan began working with a two-week old company, Hill Design, in Houston. In 1984, Joseph made the move to Dallas, to become a senior art director with Pirtle Design. During this time he began teaching at the University of North Texas. In 1988, when Woody Pirtle closed his shop, Joseph Rattan and Alan Colvin established Colvin Rattan Design. In February, 1991, Joseph Rattan became sole owner of the business.

Joseph has served on the Board of Directors of the Art Director’s Club of Houston and as President of the Board of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Texas Chapter.

Joseph has worked with clients such as: Apple Computer, IBM, Atmos Corporation, NCR Corporation, Steak & Ale, Champion International, US West, Brinker International, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Texas Instruments, Coca-Cola and Mary Kay Cosmetics. He has exhibited work and received awards from the following publications and organizations:

United States Library of Congress Permanent Collection

Communication Arts Magazine

Graphis

Print

American Institute of Graphic Arts

Dallas Society of Visual Communications

New York Art Directors Club

Art Directors Club of Houston

In 1998, Joseph Rattan was awarded the prestigious Obelisk Award presented by the Dallas Business Committee for the Arts in recognition of his work in and support of the arts in Texas.

Joe resides in Plano, TX, and can be reached through his website -www.josephrattandesign.com

Volunteer Coordinator, Marlo Montemayor

Marlo Montemayor is a proud parent of a veteran member of 2009 Memphis Sound, and is known as “Mom” to the award winning Taylor High School Drum Line.  As a long-time fan of drum corps, Marlo deeply believes in not only the musical enrichment that members gain, but the character lessons they learn as well.  Marlo is very active in band boosters, is the Program Coordinator for Espada Indoor Drumline (part of Austin Stars Performing Arts Association), and has always been very involved in her child's activities due to the philosophy that volunteering is an opportunity to thank those who enrich the lives of children.  As a former band member in high school and college herself, Marlo was a three-time Area Band qualifier, a member of the Tx Junior College All-State Band, and attended the first two years of college on a full music scholarship.  Marlo holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from Concordia University in Austin, Tx and resides in Elgin, Tx with her son and husband.  Throughout the spring training and summer tour seasons, look for communications from Marlo offering opportunities for you to give back to Forte!  volunteer@fortecorps.org 

Food Services Manager, Carla Greene

Carla Greene is excited to bring a taste of the South mixed with a Cajun flare to Forte’s Team. As a former member of the Louisiana Air National Guard, Girl Scout Troop Leader and owner/operator/chef of a private catering company in the New Orleans metro area, Carla has an eclectic array of life experiences. She comes to Forte prepared to enhance the Drum Corps experience through the taste buds and tummies of the Forte family.

After the birth of children numbers 3 and 4 in the Greene family, Carla set out to follow a passion for cooking while spending as much time as possible with her children. Once obtaining the equipment necessary to cook in large quantities, word quickly spread to family and friends that business was “cooking” in the Greene house. Through the development of menus and catering specifications for family reunions, private parties, informal lunches, festivals, corporate banquets, and weddings, within a tight budget, it became apparent that people could eat well with little money.

Using this philosophy, a laid back personality and great sense of humor, Carla is working on providing a menu plan that will be nutritious and stress free for both the members and staff on the 2010 DCI Tour with the best new corps in the US, Forte Drum and Bugle Corps.

Carla currently resides in New Orleans with her husband and four children.  food@fortecorps.org

Open Administrative Team Positions: (director@fortecorps.org to apply)

Webmaster

Fundraising Coordinator

Recruiting Coordinator

DESIGN

Program Consultant, James Thomas

James Thomas is currently the colorguard director of Coppell HS and served as the Program Coordinator for the 2009 Memphis Sound.  Since Mr Thomas has been at CHS, the color guard has been promoted from Scholastic-AAA to Scholastic-A class. In his 5 years at L D Bell High School, they won 12 BOA regionals and 2 state championships and came in 4th at BOA Grand Nationals. A graduate of Texas A & M and an alumni of a DCI, and currently coaches Coppell, , Southlake/Carroll, Highland Park, and Northwestern (LA) State University's guard.  JT resides in Dallas, TX

Program Consultant, Daniel Galloway

Daniel Galloway currently is the Director of Bands at Clements High School in Sugarland, Tx. He earned his Bachelors of Music from Stephen F. Austin State University studying with Dr. Kevin Sedatole and is currently pursuing his Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. He currently considers his mentor Mr. Tom Bennett, Retired Director of Bands, University of Houston and Larry Matysiak, Director of Fine Arts for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and former Director of Bands at Clements High School.

The Clements Band has been recognized has one of the premier band programs in Texas in both the concert and marching idioms. The Clements Band has been a consistent UIL 5A State Marching Participant since 1998 and recently earned the Honor of being a National Winner in the National WindBand Honors Competition.
The Clements Band recently performed as the Directors Choice Honor Ensemble at the Southeastern United States Band Clinic/Conference in Troy, Alabama.

Daniel has marched in drum corps with the 1991 Sky Ryders and taught the Kiwanis Kavaliers in both brass and visual captions. He then judged for DCI for 2 summers and then joined the staff of Spirit from JSU as a visual instructor in 2006 and assistant visual caption head in 2007/2008. He has been a consultant for Spirit in 2008 and 2009 and also a visual consultant with Memphis Sound. Currently Daniel has accepted a brass staff position with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps for the upcoming 2010 season. 

Daniel is currently a Texas Circuit EA judge for guard(11 years) and a Visual judge for Percussion(10) years. He currently adjudicates music captions for Music for All and is a member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association in both concert and marching. Daniel is a sought after clinician and adjudicator across Texas and the Midwest for both concert band and marching band. 

He currently resides in Cypress-Fairbanks, Texas with his wife Jackie and two daughters Ashley and Kaitlyn. Jackie is a Deaf Education Itinerant Teacher for Cy-Fair ISD. Ashley is in 11th grade at Langham Creek High School (CFISD) and plays French Horn. Kaitlyn is in 7th grade at Aragon Middle School (CFISD) and plays oboe.

Program Intern, John Martin

John Martin is a native of Marianna FL and just completed his bachelor's degrees in Music and Religion from Huntingdon College in Montgomery AL. He marched in the 2007 Memphis Sound brassline and has worked with the corps since. John currently sings in several ensembles and plans to begin a master's degree in voice performance in the spring. He would like to thank the administration of Forte for keeping his drum corps home alive and giving him this opportunity.

Brass Arranger, George Flores

George Flores is an Associate Director of Bands at Paschal High School in Fort Worth, TX. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. In addition to being a marching member, Mr. Flores spent two years (2000, 2001) on the visual staff for the Bobcat Marching Band. Mr. Flores played soprano on the hornline of the World Class Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. While at Texas State, he studied trumpet under Dr. Keith Winking. In addition, he studied trumpet with Mr. Andrew Gignac of the San Antonio Symphony, Mr. Bernie Nero of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Mr. Pete Bond of the New York Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Flores studied jazz under Dr. James Polk and Dr. John Mills where he was a member of the Texas State Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble. Other influential teachers include the late Mr. John C. King, Mr. James G. Hudson, Mr. Raul Rodriguez and Mr. John Stansberry. At Paschal High School, Mr. Flores’ duties include directing the Symphonic Band and Concert Band and directing the 1st and 2nd Jazz Ensembles. In addition, Mr. Flores is the Brass Caption Head and Music Arranger for the Paschal Panther Marching Band.

George Flores had previously served as Associate Director of Bands at Harlingen South High School in Harlingen, TX. While at Harlingen South, duties included director of the 3rd Concert Band, director of the 2nd Jazz Ensemble and Co-director of the 1st Jazz Ensemble. Other duties included Music Arranger and Brass Caption Head for the 5A State Qualifying Mighty Hawk Marching Band. In 2007, Mr. Flores was selected as a Guest Clinician for the ATSSB Region 15 Jazz Band.  Mr. Flores resides in Fort Worth, TX with his wonderful wife Suzanne, and their spoiled dog, Fergie. In his spare time Mr. Flores is a marching band music arranger and an admitted N.B.A. addict.

Percussion Arranger, Chris Sakowski

Chris Sakowski grew up in Michigan , and received his bachelor of Music Education from The University of Memphis, in Tennessee . While at Memphis , Chris won the U of M Concerto Competition and performed as a marimba soloist with the University Orchestra. Also while attending the U of M, he was the bass captain when they won the "Best Bass Line" at the PASIC college marching percussion competition in 2001. He also spent 3 years as the caption head/arranger for The University of Memphis Drumline.

Chris’s DCI/WGI percussion experience over the past 13 years includes: Marching and teaching at the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps for 9 years (1997-2005), 3 years (06-08) teaching at the Bluecoats, and Crossmen in 2009. He is very excited to be taking on the role of Percussion Caption Head at Crossmen for the 2010 season. During his past five years teaching at Gateway Indoor, he has filled several roles including battery caption head, and this coming year he will be the front ensemble caption head/arranger. 

Chris is a sought after adjudicator, percussion arranger and full band arranger across the country and has also enjoyed heading workshops as a clinician at The University of Oklahoma, Iowa State University, Missouri State University and the University of Memphis. In addition, Chris has written for many other groups in the U.S. and abroad including numerous high schools, Missouri State University, the NFL’s St. Louis Rams Drumline, and the 2005 European Indoor Percussion Champions: 37th Kingswood from Bristol , United Kingdom. 

Chris currently lives in the St. Louis , MO area with his wife Lauren. He teaches string orchestra and band in the Rockwood School District and is proud to be an Innovative Percussion Artist. Chris was very excited to write the battery music for Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps during the 2009 season, and is looking forward to doing all of the percussion arranging for Forte in 2010!

Drill Designer, Kevin Bell

Kevin Bell has been involved in music for most of his life. Coming from parents who were actively involved in drum corps, Kevin was influenced by some of the best the East Coast had to offer. In high school Kevin played the French horn in the marching band and continued his music education in both Junior and Senior Drum Corps. As a senior in high school, Kevin took on the challenge of writing the marching drill. From there Kevin moved on to become a Visual Designer for many award winning programs. To this day Kevin is a heavily sought after designer, having designed for programs in 34 of the 50 US States.

Following in his father’s footsteps in 1994, Kevin started judging with the National Judges Association (NJA) on the east coast. Here he gained valuable knowledge which has helped him in all aspects of the pageantry arts. While with NJA, Kevin became the Director of Education in 1999 a position he held until me moved to the west coast in August of 2007. Kevin’s judging career really took off in 2001 when he started judging for Winter Guard International (WGI), Drum Corps International (DCI) and Drum Corps Associates (DCA). Currently Kevin is a freelance judge for marching band, drum corps and winter guard throughout the United States and Canada.

In August of 2007 Kevin relocated to San Diego, California. Currently Kevin is a member of the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC) and the Western Bands Association (WBA). Kevin has the opportunity to work with some of the most talented judges available today. Constantly trying to improve himself, Kevin has mentored with judges from both coasts and places in between. Kevin is excited to work with programs across the country and hopes to bring a fresh perspective and outlook to performers and staff.

INSTRUCTIONAL

Music Ensemble Coordinator, Jay Wardeska

Jay Wardeska serves as Director of Bands at Brunswick High School and Music Department Chair for the Brunswick City Schools in Brunswick, Ohio. He holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting and a Bachelor degree in Music Education. Wardeska has been the recipient of a number of honors and awards including the Master Teacher Award conferred by the state of Ohio, the National Excellence in Teaching Award, the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Teacher of the Year and being named a Martha Holding Jennings Foundation Scholar. Active as an arranger and visual designer, Wardeska’s marching bands have won countless grand championships and awards including being a perennial Ohio State Marching Band Finalist—earning the highest possible rating every year for the past ten years and becoming a consistent Bands of America Regional Championship finalist. His concert and jazz bands have received numerous honors and awards in adjudicated events and festivals. The bands have accepted a number of performance honors being featured at university concerts, professional conferences and feature performances as well as a performing a feature concert at the Ohio Music Education Association state conference. Wardeska is an active adjudicator, guest conductor and clinician, and continues to perform as a freelance trumpet player in the Cleveland area.

Wardeska’s drum corps experience includes being an alumnus of the DCI finalist Bluecoats Drum and Bugle corps from Canton, Ohio. In 2009 he served as the Brass Caption Head and Staff Coordinator for the Capital Regiment from Columbus, Ohio.

Visual Ensemble Coordinator, Carl Diefenbach

Carl Diefenbach currently hails from Westerville, OH. Carl is currently with the 122nd Army Band in Columbus, OH as the Readiness NCO, Stage Band Director and Drum Major. He is in his 26th year of Service with the Military.

Carl served in the US Marine Drum and Bugle Corps from 29 Palms, CA after graduating high school. He started his drum corps career by spending a short period of time with the General Butler Vagabonds from Butler, PA. Carl aged out of Velvet Knights in 1985 after his Marine contract expired. He then joined the US Army and did tours with Army Bands in Fort Drum, NY, Hawaii, Aberdeen, MD and Washington, DC.

His drum corps and marching band experience include US Marine Drum and Bugle
Corps (29 Palms, CA), US Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, Velvet Knights, Capital Regiment, Empire Statesmen, Kingston Grenadiers, Rochester Crusaders, Sunrisers, Frontier and many Marching Bands and Winter Guards in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

Brass Caption Head, Andrew Lee

Andrew Lee comes to Forte after serving as Brass Caption head for Memphis Sound in 2009.  Aside from his experience teaching drum corps Andrew is an alumni of Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps of Canton, Ohio where he marched Euphonium as a soloist.  Andrew is a proud graduate of Abilene Christian University with a degree in Music Education.  He is also a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, TMEA, and TBA.  Andrew is also in his second year serving as an Assistant Director of Bands at Katy High School in Katy, Texas where his responsibilities include design and concept of the fall marching show, drill design, brass caption head, and director of the jazz project.  Andrew has served as a guest clinician and adjudicator at schools across the state and marching instructor at schools such as Abilene High School, Hawley High School, Cinco Ranch High School, Seven Lakes High School and many others.  Andrew is a proud husband as well and has been married to his amazing and supportive wife Amanda for three years now.  Aside from brass instruction Andrew is also a highly sought after Bass Trombonist specializing in Jazz performance, and drill design.  Andrew enters this year excited to be a part of this great organization and the knows this season will be one of great success. Andrew resides in Katy, TX  brass@fortecorps.org

Brass Technical Staff

High Brass:

Ashley Burgess  is originally from Poteau, Oklahoma. She currently resides in Fayetteville, Arkansas where she is a senior music education major at the University of Arkansas. She is currently a member of the University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band and the U of A Trumpet Studio.  Ashley began her drum corps career in 2005 as a member of the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. She was a member of the trumpet section until 2007, when she became the trumpet section leader. That summer, Memphis Sound won the Brass Trophy, Visual Trophy, and the 2007 Division III World Championship. Ashley finished her performing career in 2009 as a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. Along with her drum corps experience, Ashley has taught at numerous high schools throughout the South. Ashley is very happy to be a member of the staff for the inaugural season of Forte Drum and Bugle Corps. 

 

Ryan Cain  lives in Kansas City, MO where he goes to school full time at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He is an Art/Design major with a focus on Graphic Design. Currently in his junior year he hopes to graduate in the next 3 semesters. Ryan graduated from Francis Howell North high school in St.Charles MO in 2006. He spent four seasons in the marching band and three seasons as a member of the indoor WGI PSA finalist indoor drumline. Ryan's marchign experiences include: Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps back in 2004. He also marched with the Glassmen drum & bugle corps in 2006 (2006 marked the corps' first tour of Europe). Ryan most recently aged out in the 2009 season after marching for one summer with the Bluecoats drum & bugle corps from Canton, Ohio where he played Mellophone. He looks forward to the opportunity of working with Forte.

Julian Sconyers  Jay Sconyers is currently a graduate student at the University of Georgia pursuing a Masters of Music Education. He also received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from UGA where he studied trumpet with Professor Fred Mills. While at Georgia, Jay has performed in a wide variety of instrumental and choral ensembles and performed throughout the United States, Germany, Austria, Italy, and China. In 2006, Jay performed with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. Jay is an alumnus of the Sudler Trophy winning UGA Redcoat Marching Band (2003-2008) and is currently serving on instructional staff with the band. Jay is an active arranger, drill designer, and clinician in the eastern and southern United States. His professional affiliations include College Music Educators National Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Buddy Ames Bio coming soon

John Martin (also serving as a Program Intern) John Martin recently graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomey AL with bachelor's degrees in Music and Religion. He comes to Forte from Memphis Sound, having marched and instructed there since 2007. John anticipates entering a Masters program in January to begin work in Voice Performance where he will continue to broaden his musical education. He has worked and performed with many choirs, bands and other ensembles in the southeastern United States and was honored in 2009 by being selected as a Finalist in the national auditions for Chanticleer, "The World's Reigning Male Chorus." Aside from performance and instruction, John enjoys composing and arranging, especially for liturgical settings. He looks forward to being a part Forte's brass team and helping them set a high standard for the corps' brassline. John currently lives in Montgomery AL.

George Flores (also serving as Brass Arranger) George Flores is an Associate Director of Bands at Paschal High School in Fort Worth, TX. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. In addition to being a marching member, Mr. Flores spent two years (2000, 2001) on the visual staff for the Bobcat Marching Band. Mr. Flores played soprano on the hornline of the World Class Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. While at Texas State, he studied trumpet under Dr. Keith Winking. In addition, he studied trumpet with Mr. Andrew Gignac of the San Antonio Symphony, Mr. Bernie Nero of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Mr. Pete Bond of the New York Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Flores studied jazz under Dr. James Polk and Dr. John Mills where he was a member of the Texas State Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble. Other influential teachers include the late Mr. John C. King, Mr. James G. Hudson, Mr. Raul Rodriguez and Mr. John Stansberry. At Paschal High School, Mr. Flores’ duties include directing the Symphonic Band and Concert Band and directing the 1st and 2nd Jazz Ensembles. In addition, Mr. Flores is the Brass Caption Head and Music Arranger for the Paschal Panther Marching Band.

George Flores had previously served as Associate Director of Bands at Harlingen South High School in Harlingen, TX. While at Harlingen South, duties included director of the 3rd Concert Band, director of the 2nd Jazz Ensemble and Co-director of the 1st Jazz Ensemble. Other duties included Music Arranger and Brass Caption Head for the 5A State Qualifying Mighty Hawk Marching Band. In 2007, Mr. Flores was selected as a Guest Clinician for the ATSSB Region 15 Jazz Band. Mr. Flores resides in Fort Worth, TX with his wonderful wife Suzanne, and their spoiled dog, Fergie. In his spare time Mr. Flores is a marching band music arranger and an admitted N.B.A. addict.

Low Brass:

Johnathan Yoo is joining the Forte staff for the first time in 2009. He is currently the Assistant Director of Bands at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. His responsibilities at Seven Lakes includes directing the marching band, overseeing design, staff, and instruction. Also, he directs the Concert Band, the Jazz Lab Band, and assists with all of the other ensembles.

Jonathan's marching experience includes four years with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps from 2002-2005. There he marched baritone/euphonium in the hornline. He has taught for schools in the Houston area such as Clements HS and Seven Lakes HS. 

In May of 2009, Jonathan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a degree in Music Education. While in college he performed with the marching band, wind ensembles, and the Jazz Orchestra. While in the Jazz Orchestra he has had the opportunity to perform with artists such as Wayne Bergeron, Diane Schuur, Conrad Herwig, and Vincent Herring.

Jonathan's professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity of America, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Bandmasters Association.

Charles Stollon.   Charles "CZ" Stollon comes to the brass staff from a strong background in both teaching and marching. After completing high school, CZ attended Georgia Tech where he marched his first DCI season in 2002 with The Cavaliers of Rosemont, IL. CZ moved back to the DFW area in 2003 and finished his undergrad at the University of North Texas under Nick Williams, Dennis Fisher, Eugene Corporon and Dr. Brian Bowman. Marching his age-out in 2004, CZ came back to UNT as drum major of the Green Brigade Marching Band for two seasons. He has been an active technician with the Newman Smith, Plano East and R.L. Turner marching bands. He is currently an active member of the Texas Music Educators' Association and Texas Bandmasters Association.

He currently resides in the DFW area and is the Assistant Director of Bands at Vivian Field Middle School in Farmers Branch. He is happily married and he and his wife share two very energetic dogs, and is looking forward to an exciting season in the maiden voyage of Forte!!  Charles will also be serving on the Brass Staff

Bretton Orr Bio coming soon

Cliff Dawson.  Cliff, his wife Amanda and two Great Danes reside in Clearwater, Florida. He graduated from Florida State University in ’00 with a degree in English and is now completing a degree in Music Education at the University of South Florida where he studies Trombone with Yamaha Performing Artist and Summit Records recording artist Tom Brantley. 
Cliff brings and extensive background in marching band and drum corps. His corps experience includes 4 years with Carolina Crown from ’93 – ’96 serving as Horn Sergeant in ’96 and 1 year aging out with The Blue Devils in ’97 winning a World Championship. He has worked with a number of High School programs throughout the southeast since his age out as brass and visual technician, drill writer and program consultant including time with BOA AA Grand National Champions, Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble (FL), Choctawhatchee High School (FL), East Lake High School (FL), Clearwater High School (FL), Northeast High School (FL), Duluth High School (GA), Carolina Forest High School (S.C.), Eugene Ashley High School, (N.C.), Knightdale High School (N.C.). Cliff currently spends the majority of his instructional time with Clearwater High School where he serves as Brass and Visual Instructor, drill writer, conductor for brass choir and instructor for smaller brass ensembles. 

 

Consultants:

 

Dale Fremin Bio coming soon

 

Ray Jones Bio coming soon

Ensemble Interns:

 

Kimberly Beene is in her third year as a music educator. Kimberly performed with the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, the Bobcat Marching Band, Salsa del Rio, and Opera Texas while attending Texas State University. She was a section leader for the marching band three years and was drum major in 2006. Kimberly received such awards as the Texas State Band Member Award, Outstanding Conductor, and Outstanding Senior in Instrumental Education. While in college she taught private lessons in San Marcos, Dripping Springs, and Northeast ISD.  
Since graduation, she has taught band in Alvin ISD and has taught at the Texas State Concert Band Camps for the past three summers. She currently teaches in Hays CISD and is looking forward to a wonderful season with Forte. 

 

Britni Dunn is finishing her degree in music education at Texas State University – San Marcos and hopes to teach Band at the middle school or high school level. While there she has been a member of the Wind Ensemble playing clarinet for the past seven semesters and was co-principal for the past four under the direction of Dr. Rodney Schueller. She was a member of the Bobcat Marching Band for three years, acting as clarinet section leader in 2007, and she was one of the Texas State Bobcat Marching Band Drum Majors in 2008 under the direction of Dr. Caroline Beatty. While in college Britni has taught clarinet privately at several surrounding school districts including Hays CISD, Dripping Springs ISD, and Comal ISD, judged at all-district and all-region competitions throughout the area, and worked with and taught several clarinet master classes. Britni has also recently become inducted as a member of Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society and received the Presser Foundation Scholarship for the Texas State School of Music. This past July she also became the 2009 recipient of the Malcolm Helm Memorial Endowed Scholarship through the Texas Bandmasters Association. Also during the summer of 2009, Britni was a counselor and taught at the Texas State Band Camp and also the SASI Drum Major, Leaders and Colorguard Camp. This past year Britni had the opportunity to study trumpet with Professor Jack Laumer and conducting with Dr. Rodney Schueller. She was also invited as a guest conductor of the Texas State Concert Band on their fall 2009 concert. 

 

Ohio Rehearsals:

Jay Wardeska (who also will serve as the Music Ensemble Coordinator) serves as Director of Bands at Brunswick High School and Music Department Chair for the Brunswick City Schools in Brunswick, Ohio. He holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting and a Bachelor degree in Music Education. Wardeska has been the recipient of a number of honors and awards including the Master Teacher Award conferred by the state of Ohio, the National Excellence in Teaching Award, the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Teacher of the Year and being named a Martha Holding Jennings Foundation Scholar. Active as an arranger and visual designer, Wardeska’s marching bands have won countless grand championships and awards including being a perennial Ohio State Marching Band Finalist—earning the highest possible rating every year for the past ten years and becoming a consistent Bands of America Regional Championship finalist. His concert and jazz bands have received numerous honors and awards in adjudicated events and festivals. The bands have accepted a number of performance honors being featured at university concerts, professional conferences and feature performances as well as a performing a feature concert at the Ohio Music Education Association state conference. Wardeska is an active adjudicator, guest conductor and clinician, and continues to perform as a freelance trumpet player in the Cleveland area.

Wardeska’s drum corps experience includes being an alumnus of the DCI finalist Bluecoats Drum and Bugle corps from Canton, Ohio. In 2009 he served as the Brass Caption Head and Staff Coordinator for the Capital Regiment from Columbus, Ohio.

 

Virginia Beach Rehearsals

 

Jovan Whidbee  Bio coming soon

 

Percussion Caption Head, Ryan Pride

Ryan Pride will be heading up the staff as the percussion caption head.  Ryan’s roots drive from his years at Glassmen and Texas State University-San Marcos. Originally from Pflugerville, TX, he has many years of teaching experience from schools in the central Texas area including Hendrickson HS, San Marcos HS, and Dripping Springs HS.  After aging out, Ryan gained further teaching experience with groups such as Crossmen, Austin Independent, and for the past two years, Memphis Sound.  He currently resides in Atlanta, GA where he is an instructor for the Georgia Institute of Technology maching band, Lassiter High School, Mabry Middle School, Barber Middle School, and the world class WGI line Odyssey Percussion Theatre.   Ryan resides in Atlanta, GA percussion@fortecorps.org 

Percussion Technical Staff

Matt Howell will be serving as the Snare Technician and Battery Coordinator.  This will be the third year that Matt and Ryan are working together.  Growing up in Collierville, TN, a suburb of Memphis, he found his love for music and performing while playing snare drum in the Collierville Marching Band. After graduating high school, Matthew then went on to join the University of Memphis Tiger Marching Band and performed two seasons as a snare drummer in 2004 and 2005. As well as performing in the marching band he also participated in the PASIC drumline in 2004 and 2006. Matthew's drum corps experience consists of marching with Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps as the battery section leader and snare drummer in 2005 and 2006 and aging out with the yellow team, Southwind, in 2007. As his drum corps career was winding down he then began performing in gyms and areas. In 2007 and 2008, Matthew marched and moon walked with Independent World Finalist, Gateway Indoor, playing snare drum in the winters of 2007 and aging out in 2008. His teaching experience began right out of high school. Matthew was the battery coordinator for Collierville High School from 2004-2007 and became Caption head of the fall percussion program in 2008. He then went on to teach the snare line at Memphis Sound in 2008 and 2009 as well as the 2009 Independent World Finalist snare line at Gateway Indoor. Matthew has played under the instruction of Michael McCray, Chris Pierceall, Kevin Welborn, Kevin Tabb, Rob Corely, Matt Grimes, Shane Gwaltney, Joe Hobbs and Eric Willie. Matthew now resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with his beautiful girlfriend, Angelina.

Chris Crummel will be taking on the position of Front Ensemble Coordinator.  Chris is currently entering his second year of teaching with Ryan Pride. During the 2007-2008 school year he was employed by Comal ISD and is currently Assistant Percussion Instructor at Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs, Texas, who recently won the Texas State Marching Championship for 2009. Along with teaching private lessons, Chris works with the front ensemble during the marching season, and helps teach percussion ensemble class during the spring semester. Chris taught the front ensemble for Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps during the summer of 2009 and has recently been appointed Front Ensemble Coordinator for the newly named Forte Drum and Bugle Corps. Chris has also taught at the Texas State University Percussion camp in the summer of 2009 alongside Bret Kuhn, Paul Wertico, and Butch Miles. A student at Texas State University, Chris is currently pursuing his degree in Music Education under the instruction of Bobby Lopez, and hopes to one day teach percussion at the high school and middle school level. While at Texas State, Chris has been a member of the Texas State University Wind Ensemble, which included a performance at the Southwestern division of CBDNA, the Texas State Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra, and Bobcat Band. While in Bobcat Band, Chris also performed with the Texas State University PASIC percussion ensemble in 2006. Additionally, Chris was a member of the Front Ensemble for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2007 and 2008 and held the position of section leader in 2008. Chris is excited about returning to Forte for the coming season and hopes to build off the success of last year.

Chihiro Shibayama will be a new addition to the team and serves as one of our Front Ensemble Technicians.  Chihiro Shibayama- Percussion -Born in Yokohama city, Japan. NYC based percussionist, Chihiro is an active performer as a a soloist, member of orchestras, small ensembles such as The Juilliard Orchestra, New Juilliard Ensemble, Juilliard Percussion Ensemble and AXIOM. She is also a co-founder of MuSE (Multicultural Sonic Evolution), which pursues to create a multicultural environment through sound and collaborations with other fields of art such as dance, theater, and film. Chihiro holds BM and MM degree from the Juilliard School where she studied with Daniel Druckman, Markus Rhoten, Greg Zuber, Joseph Peraira and Roland Kohloff. Her former teachers include Mariko Okada, Takahumi Hujimoto, John Alfieri and Keith Aleo.  You can listen to Chihiro on her website: ChihiroShibayama.com.

Amanda Petersen returns to work with Ryan, Matt, and Chris as a Front Ensemble Technician.  Amanda started her marching career with Collierville High School in 2001. She went on to march with Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, she became a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and continued to march there until her age-out year in 2008. Amanda also has Indoor Drumline experience through marching with Gateway Indoor Drumline in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and she will be aging-out with Rhythm X Indoor Drumline in 2010.  She has taught at many Memphis area high schools over the past 5 years, such as Houston, Bartlett, Munford, and Briarcrest. The main school she has worked with is Collierville High School where she has served as the front ensemble instructor since 2005. She also taught at Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2009 season. Currently she is seeking a degree in Public Relations with a minor in music and Spanish from the University of Memphis.

Jay Davis is the last addition to our team and will be joining us with a wealth of experience as the Quad Technician.  Jay lives in the greater Houston area where he attends the University of Houston studying music education.  This fall will mark his fourth season working with the percussion section at Seven Lakes High School.  Jay was a member of the Spartans (00 and 02) and the Blue Knights (03).  After marching drum corps, Jay taught Spartans in 2007 and 2008.  After the corps’ great success in 2007, he returned in 2008 as Caption Head.  Currently, he is the lead percussion instructor for Imperial Percussion Theater and has started working with Cy Fair’s indoor drumline, under the direction of John Nelson.  Besides teaching numerous lessons in the Katy area, Jay recently took on the role of battery arranger for Katy High School.  Jay is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, TMEA, and PAS.

Julian Gonzalez will be our last returning member of the percussion team and serve as the Cymbal and Battery Visual Technician.  Julian is a native of Nashville, Tennessee.  He started his percussion career at Fred J Page High School (Percussion Scholastic World) and graduated in 2005.  While in high school Julian began marching with Music City Mystique (Percussion Independent World), captured 2 world titles, and performed consecutively until his age-out in 2009 including 6 years in the McM Cymbal line.  During his career he helped develop the program and lead the section for 3 years. In 2008 he marched Spirit Drum & Bugle Corps and served as section leader of the cymbal line for his rook-out summer. Hes taught various high schools and universities throughout the southeast, Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, and continues his effort to support the 'Metal Arts.'  Julian credits Joel McCauley, Jake Ansley, Neal Booker, Adam Sones, Eddie Capps, and Mario Taylor for most of his knowledge and experiences as a cymbal educator. His current projects are the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble (Percussion Independent World) and the Forte Drum & Bugle Corps (DCI Open Class Corps) cymbal programs.  He currently resides in Denver, Colorado.  

Jeanne Clark has been involved with Drum Corps since she was 17 years old, being the Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps Front Ensemble leader and in between those years a member of Surround Sound Percussion’s Front Ensemble for four years of WGI.  Spending her last year to perform in DCI with Memphis Sound Drum Corps as the Front Ensemble leader, to now being apart of the administrative side of Forte Drum Corps as an Intern.  She also Interns for the Alvarado School district to help teach the percussionists and gives private lessons.  Jeanne resides in Burleson, TX.  Jeanne will serve as both an intern for the Percussion and Administrative Teams for Forte.

Visual Caption Head, Kenneth Thompson

Kenneth Thompson currently lives in the Dallas area where he serves as a band director for Duncanville ISD. Kenneth has been a clinician/instructor/technician in Texas for the past 8 years.  Kenneth holds a Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Texas A&M Commerce. Kenneth served as a marching member, drum major, and elected undergraduate intern for the Pride Marching Band.  Kenneth marched baritone with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003 and 2004. In 2005 he joined Southwind's visual staff under Mark Palise and Dann Petersen. He continued this role through 2006. In 2007 he joined Southwind's brass staff under Steve Vento. In 2008 Kenneth joined Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps as the visual/brass caption head. In 2009 he continued on as the visual caption head for Memphis. For the 2010 season, Kenneth will return as the visual caption head for Forte Drum and Bugle Corps. Kenneth resides in Duncanville, TX visual@fortecorps.org 

Visual Technical Staff

April Dalton April Dalton began her marching career at age 14 as a member of the Holmes Mighty Bulldog Marching Band in Covington, Kentucky. Her marching background includes Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps and Gateway Indoor Percussion. Since 2005 she has been teaching visual and cymbals at various high schools, including Holmes High School (KY), Milford High School (OH), and Dixie High School (KY). April is now a visual tech at O’Fallon Township High School (IL), the Cymbal/Visual/Drill Tech at St. Charles United Percussion (MO), a Visual Tech at Forte Drum and Bugle Corps (TX), and the Visual Caption Manager and Cymbal Tech at Freedom Youth Percussion. She is attending Southwestern Illinois College, and is pursuing a Bachelors of Science Education in Family and Consumer Sciences

Charles Stollon Charles "CZ" Stollon comes to the brass staff from a strong background in both teaching and marching. After completing high school, CZ attended Georgia Tech where he marched his first DCI season in 2002 with The Cavaliers of Rosemont, IL. CZ moved back to the DFW area in 2003 and finished his undergrad at the University of North Texas under Nick Williams, Dennis Fisher, Eugene Corporon and Dr. Brian Bowman. Marching his age-out in 2004, CZ came back to UNT as drum major of the Green Brigade Marching Band for two seasons. He has been an active technician with the Newman Smith, Plano East and R.L. Turner marching bands. He is currently an active member of the Texas Music Educators' Association and Texas Bandmasters Association.  He currently resides in the DFW area and is the Assistant Director of Bands at Vivian Field Middle School in Farmers Branch. He is happily married and he and his wife share two very energetic dogs, and is looking forward to an exciting season in the maiden voyage of Forte!! Charles will also be serving on the Brass Staff

Benjamin Kelly is the associate director of the Stafford Sound Machine at Stafford Middle School in Frisco, Texas. He currently directs the Advanced Band and Spartans of Swing Jazz Band, and teaches trumpet, horn, and trombone. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Music. While at North Texas Benjamin was involved in the Green Brigade Marching Band where he served as trumpet section leader. He also performed in various Lab bands, Jazz Repertory Ensemble, Concert Band, and Brass Band, under the directions of Jay Saunders, Dr. Brian Bowman, and Dr. Nicholas Williams. He spent two years as a marching member of the Cascades from Seattle, Washington, and aged out in 2007 with the Santa Clara Vanguard. Benjamin has also taught two seasons with the Creekview High School marching band in Carrollton, Texas. He is currently an active member of the Texas Music Educators’ Association.  Benjamin resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with his wife and hyper active dog Boomer. He is extremely excited to be a part of the inaugural year of the Forte Drum and Bugle Corps.

Kraig Reeves is a senior music education major at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he is a member of the marching band, jazz band, wind ensemble, and trumpet studio. He has worked with area high schools including Commerce High School, Cooper High School, and Wills Point High School. He marched with Memphis Sound in 2008 and aged-out with the 2009 Troopers, who earned a spot in the DCI Finals after 23 years outside the top 12. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi and TMEA. Kraig is happy to be a member of the inaugural team for Forte and look forward to taking the organization as far as it can go.

Mike Haunzelka will be starting his first year with Forte. He is a former marching member of Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps. After his 2006 age-out year, he was honored with Southwind's Jamie King Member of the Year Award. Since then, Mike has been involved with various marching groups in southern Minnesota, including the two-time DCA Class A Champion Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps. Outside of drum corps, Mike works as a writer for several newspapers north of the Twin Cities metro. As a former Minnesota State University - Mankato student, he was managing editor of The Reporter student newspaper. He graduated in 2008 with a B.S. in Mass Communications. 

Colorguard Caption Head, Chris Smith

Christopher Smith resides in the Houston area where he serves as the color guard Director at Pearland H.S. since 2005. Prior to relocating from Ohio, Smith had tenures with the North Royalton H.S., Brunswick H.S. and Medina H.S. bands and winter guard programs. Smith was a longtime board member of Mid-East Performance Association (MEPA) as well as serving as an Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) adjudicator. He has held color guard caption head positions with the Limited Edition Drum and Bugle Corps and the Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and has consulted with many high school programs and drum corps throughout the years. He studied dance at the Ohio State University and was a member of the University Dance Company, the Zivili Kolo Ensemble, and worked with choreographers John Giffin and Victoria Uris. Smith served as the Artistic Director for Csardas Dance Company of Cleveland for twelve years. Mr Smith resides in Houston, TX colorguard@fortecorps.org

Colorguard Technical Staff

Meghan Horne is a recent college graduate from Johnson & Wales University where she earned a degree in Travel & Tourism Management as well as Hospitality Management.  Originally from New England where she took part in the St John's of Beverly Winter Guard from 1994-2005 (3XWGi Finalist and 2004 Bronze Medallist) and Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps from 2001-2003 (2001 & 2003 Bronze Medallist).  In 2005, Meghan finished out her performing career with the World Champion Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, who received a Gold medal that season.  Since 2005 she has been teaching colorguard at Blackstone Millville Regional HS (Fall & Winter) and Meghan also serves as the Tour Director for Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps during the 2008 season.  She currently resides in the greater Houston area and is the Guard Director at Katy HS.

Douglas Eden started color guard in 2001 where he marched in the Pulaski County High School Marching band till 2004. He also marched the first year Pulaski County had a winter guard and marched till 2004. While still in High School he marched Capital Regiment in 2003 till 2006 where in 05 and 06 was color guard captain. In 2005 he was asked to march in the 2005 DCI Honor Corp where he was the only male performer. Since 2004 Eden has been writing work and teaching Pulaski County High marching band and winter guard. In 2009 Douglas was the Color Guard Co-Caption head for Capital Regiment. He relocated to Cleveland, Ohio in 2009 to work with Brunswick High School. He is also working with Phoenix Independent winter guard. He is looking forward to a great season with Forte.

Amy Wardeska serves as color guard coordinator/instructor for the Brunswick High School Marching Band in Brunswick, Ohio. Amy is an alumnus of the DCI finalist Bluecoats Drum and Bugle corps from Canton, Ohio. In 2009 she worked on both the visual and color guard staffs with Capital Regiment from Columbus, Ohio. Amy’s indoor experience includes working with both the Brunswick and North Royalton Winter Guards. In 2006 she founded the Brunswick Middle School Color Guard program, which extended the color guard experience to all interested Brunswick students in grades 6-8. Amy holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education and is currently an Intervention Specialist, Grades K-2, for the Buckeye Local School District in Medina, Ohio. 

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