Location: Pensacola, FL

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 Official 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, Zildjan Cymbals and the Pearl /Adams Drum Company. Mr. Sanders also operates and owns the Mic Check One Two One Two Virtual Percussion Judges Academy.

Location: Modesto, CA

Dan Bryan is the Music Lead for the Stanislaus Union School District. Prior to this appointment, he held positions at Los Banos High School, Grace M. Davis High School, and Joseph A. Gregori High School, where he founded the music department in 2010. Additionally, he teaches for the CSU Stanislaus Teacher Education Department, where he also acts as a student teacher supervisor.

He serves as an adjudicator and clinician for marching bands, indoor ensembles, and concerts bands throughout the United States, and has served as judge for Drum Corps International.

He is an eight-time Winter Guard International World Championship Medal winner (and seven-time WGI Finalist) as an instructor/composer; additionally, he is published internationally through Key Poulan Music and GPG Publications. His music has been performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He has served on the design teams for college marching bands, drum corps, and ensembles across the world.

He is a graduate of Modesto Junior College and CSU Fresno, and holds his Master’s Degree in Band Conducting from Sam Houston State University (ABC).

Location: Pasadena, CA

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 Bands of America (BOA) 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.

Location: Placentia, CA

Mike Spillman has been an active music adjudicator for more than 24 years. A longtime resident of Placentia, California, he studied music at Fullerton College and CSULA under several distinguished instructors. Mike’s background includes work as a woodwind specialist, consultant, and Band Director at Fullerton Union High School before transitioning into leadership roles in business and the nonprofit sector.

He is a Co-Founder and past President of the California State Band Championships and has also served on the American DrumLine Association board. Mike has adjudicated for SCJA/CSBC, ADLA, PPAACC, WGASC, US Bands, NC-PA, and other circuits nationwide, and has presented seminars on visual and effect adjudication, leadership, and organizational development.

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Location: Orange, CA

Fernando Miller is a seasoned Visual judge for NCPA, SCPA, WGI, and a Music judge during CSBC's fall and winter seasons. He has a deep passion for marching band and drumline performances.

Fernando marched in 2001 with Pacific Crest, then moved to the Blue Devils from 2002 to 2004, peaking as the center snare in 2004. Simultaneously, he performed with RCC Indoor from 2002 to 2005, also as center snare from 2003 to 2005.

His teaching career spanned nearly two decades in Southern California, leaving a lasting impact at programs such as RCC Indoor, Mission Viejo HS, Upland HS, and Ramona HS. Beyond borders, Fernando shared his expertise worldwide as a clinician and consultant for many groups. He taught at the Yamato Drum Corps in Kyoto and the Yokohama Scouts in Yokohama, Japan, and also worked with the renowned Bluecoats.

Fernando is a versatile talent skilled in arranging music and designing shows, creating engaging performances that carefully focus on staging and overall concept. As an adjudicator, he brings valuable experience and a keen eye, enriching the marching band and drum line community with his knowledge and passion.

Fernando has been a full-time musician at Disneyland Resort since 2011. He not only entertains audiences with his music but also works with Disneyland Show Directors to arrange music and stage multiple live atmosphere shows, adding magic to every event.

In addition to his musical talents, Fernando is a screenwriter, holding an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Denver and completing the UCLA Screenwriting Program. He lives in Orange, CA, with his wife, Karen, their daughter Lali, and their dog, Lincoln.

Location: Studio City, CA

Walt Omiecinski has been an active member of the adjudication, instruction, and design community for over 30 years.

He began his career as a five-year member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, and after aging out, continued to teach with the corps while also teaching and designing for several Ohio and Michigan bands.

He subsequently took on marching and visual caption responsibilities with the Royal Lancers, 12th Command, and Pioneer drum and bugle corps. With Pioneer, he led them to their first undefeated visual season and first Division II title.

After moving to California, he joined the marching staff at Pacific Crest, where he served as marching caption head for a decade. During his tenure, the corps was promoted to World Class, left California to tour for the very first time, and became a perennial Semi-Finalist.

After transitioning to judging nearly 20 years ago, he has served as a GE Visual, Visual, and Design Analysis judge for numerous outdoor and indoor circuits.

He has also served as a board member for both ADLA and WGASC and is a 2023 inductee into the WGASC Hall of Fame.

In his time away from the activity, he is an award-winning non-scripted television producer with over 60 program credits, including productions in the US, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Costa Rica, The Bahamas, and Vietnam.

He was also a proud member of the Bluecoats 2022 Alumni Corps.

Location: Clearwater, FL

Location: McKinney, TX

Location: Sacramento, CA

Ryan is an active marching arts instructor, visual designer, consultant and clinician, having worked with more than thirty-five competitive ensembles in California, Colorado and Hawaii. Through these experiences, he has been fortunate to work with, and learn from, some of the brightest minds in the activity.

As an adjudicator, Ryan has served as a chief judge, lead visual caption judge and on multiple circuit, regional and state championship event panels across the country. He has judged marching bands, color guards, indoor percussion & indoor winds units in over twenty states for more than thirty circuits / organizations. He is an active visual judge for BOA and WGI's Percussion Division.

Ryan has had many ties with the Sacramento Mandarins organization, as an alumnus, visual instructor for the finalist drum corps, former indoor winds drill designer/choreographer and former program director for the Mandarins Music Academy, which serves instrumental music classes to over one thousand students at more than forty elementary schools in Northern California. In his spare time, he continues to study dance and movement at multiple studios. Ryan currently lives in Sacramento with his wife Kourtney and dogs, Stuart and Bindi.

Location: Eagle, ID

Rob Sullens is currently the Director of Percussion and Winds for the Western Guard Association of Southern California, Percussion Director at Eagle High School, and serves on the Board of Directors for Monarch Independent percussion ensemble in Houston, TX. Rob founded Bandology LLC based in Boise, Idaho to help foster the growth of percussion, leadership, and music education in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain Region through summer camps and other educational outreach programs. Most recently Eagle High School was awarded the 2024 WGI World Championships Scholastic Concert A Class gold medalist in their first-ever appearance at WGI World Finals

Before moving to the Treasure Valley he was the Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion for the Tomball High School feeder pattern in Tomball, Texas from 2013 – 2020. Tomball’s Winter Percussion Ensemble was the 2017 WGI World Championships Percussion Scholastic Concert Open Champions and a 2019 WGI World Championships Percussion Scholastic Concert World Finalist. Under his direction, the Tomball Marching Band attended the UIL 5A State Marching Contest for the 3 consecutive years it was eligible. Rob was the Ensemble Director for the Monarch Independent Percussion Ensemble 2015 (7th in PIO WGI World Championships) and 2016 (4th in PIO PIO WGI World Championships).

Some of Mr. Sullens’ past experiences include serving as on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 held the position of Texas Color Guard Circuit (TCGC) Vice President of Percussion from 2019 – 2020, the Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Westside High School and West Briar Middle School from 2010 – 2012, the Assistant Band Director at Sprague High School, 5th Grade Beginning Band Educator, the General Music Director at Salem Heights Elementary School, and the Director of Percussion for the Sunset High School Band program from 2005 – 2008. Mr. Sullens was also the President of the Northwest Association for Performing Arts (NWAPA) in Beaverton, Oregon. 

Rob has been privileged to work alongside a number of iconic percussion figures in his WGI, DCI, and BOA activities. Some of these people include Thom Hannum, Murray Gusseck, Jeff Queen, and Ray Ulibarri. He also assisted Bill Register with the Fort Mill High School percussion program from 2005 – 2007. The Fort Mill Percussion Ensemble was the 2005 Winter Guard International Percussion Scholastic Concert World Class Gold Medalist and a 2006 WGI Scholastic A Class Finalist. 

Earlier in his career, Mr. Sullens was the Director of Percussion for the Tarpon Springs High School Band program from 1995 – 2000. Tarpon Springs has been a consistent Bands of America Grand National Finalist. Other experiences include marching with the Spirit of Atlanta and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. 

Mr. Sullens holds a Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, South Carolina.  While attending the university, he was the Percussion Coordinator for the USC Marching Band and the Percussion Director for Lexington High School Bands in Lexington, South Carolina. 

Rob is an Innovative Percussion Artist, a member of NAfME, PAS, and is a sought-after marching band and winter percussion arranger, music ensemble consultant, leadership clinician, offers private percussion lessons, and adjudicates for various band and percussion circuits around the country and the world.

Location: Hawthorne, NJ

Location: Bedford, TX

Jeff Ausdemore currently serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music for New Mexico State University, where he teaches applied lessons, jazz appreciation, and music education pedagogy classes. Mr. Ausdemore also serves as a percussion faculty member at East Texas A&M University where he teaches applied lessons, technique classes, pedagogy and music entrepreneurship classes. 

In addition to his teaching roles, Mr. 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. 

As a composer, Mr. Ausdemore is published through C. Alan and Tapspace publications, and has contributed original works for piano, guitar, contemporary multimedia, percussion and choir, percussion solo and ensemble pieces, and marching band. Several programs 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 Midwest Clinic, and several PASIC world premieres.

As an author, 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 Director of Music at Grapevine-Colleyville’s iUniversity Prep. In this role, Mr. Ausdemore oversaw all music curricula for all primary and secondary level students. 

Mr. Ausdemore has also served as the Director of Percussion Studies at Colleyville Heritage High School, where his responsibilities included percussion coordination and co-director/composer/arranger of the Colleyville Heritage marching band. The percussion program enjoyed national notoriety, including gold medals in the NTCA Indoor Circuit, PAS Marching Percussion titles, the PAS “Call for Tapes” winners, the PAS Small Ensemble Champions, as well as multiple regional marching percussion accolades.

Prior, Mr. Ausdemore taught previously at the University of Texas Arlington, serving as the percussion arranger/assistant director of the UTA Marching Band.

Jeff has composed, arranged, instructed and consulted with numerous high school and college marching bands throughout the country, including DCI ensembles; the Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. During Mr. Ausdemore’s tenure at the Blue Knights, the percussion program produced several percussion individual solo championships, percussion ensemble championships, and a strong reputation for excellence.

Mr. Ausdemore's professional affiliations include DCI, WGI, BOA, PAS, TMEA, TBA, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Jeff serves as the Vice President of Percussion and Winds for the North Texas Color Guard Association, and is proud to endorse and serve as an artist clinician for Dynasty Musical Instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads and Pro Mark sticks and mallets. 

Location: Mesa, AZ

Dan Hoffman is a marching arts visual specialist based in Mesa, AZ.

In 2015, Dan received a B.A. in Music with a Minor in Dance from the University of Rochester. He then aged out from DCI, marching his third and final summer as a contra with the Boston Crusaders. Since then, he has worked with marching ensembles across the country, including those at Medford HS (MA); the 2023 AZMBA State Champions, Casa Grande Union HS (AZ); and his alma mater, West Genesee HS (NY). He has also served many independent ensembles, including the Oregon Crusaders (OR), Breakthrough Indoor Percussion (AZ), and the Madison Scouts (WI).

As a teacher and choreographer, Dan synthesizes principles of modern dance, yoga, theater, and athletic drills into an inviting and eclectic language of movement.

As an adjudicator, this holistic knowledge of art and the body informs his commentary, allowing for special insights on performance quality; artistic intention; and how both may be maximized in service of students, their staffs, their show designs, and their audiences.

Currently, Dan is an active adjudicator within AZMBA, WGAZ, and NCPA. He also serves as a visual instructor for the Madison Scouts, as well as a performance clinician and production consultant for scholastic groups across the country. Outside of the marching arts, he is a design drafter for a telecom company.

Location: Lansdale, PA

Location: Placentia, CA

Mike Spillman has been an active music adjudicator for more than 24 years. A longtime resident of Placentia, California, he studied music at Fullerton College and CSULA under several distinguished instructors. Mike’s background includes work as a woodwind specialist, consultant, and Band Director at Fullerton Union High School before transitioning into leadership roles in business and the nonprofit sector.

He is a Co-Founder and past President of the California State Band Championships and has also served on the American DrumLine Association board. Mike has adjudicated for SCJA/CSBC, ADLA, PPAACC, WGASC, US Bands, NC-PA, and other circuits nationwide, and has presented seminars on visual and effect adjudication, leadership, and organizational development.

He lives in Placentia with his wife, Allison, and their sons, Zachary and Patrick.

Location: Tom River, NJ

Martin Griffin has a Bachelor of Music Degree from William Paterson University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Kean University. He was a Band Director in New Jersey for 35 years, primarily as the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts at Monroe Township High School. The MTHS Marching Band was crowned NJ State 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 ratings, and they have been selected to perform at Carnegie Hall, the NJ Performing Arts Center, and the NJ State Band Gala. The MTHS Percussion Ensemble has performed at the All Eastern and NJMEA conferences and have been WGI Power East Regional Champions three times. Marty performed for five seasons with the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps, and he has been a percussion arranger for high school bands for more than 30 years. Marty currently judges for numerous organizations including WGI, BOA and DCI and he has been a judge for the Drum Corps Japan Championships. Marty was the Percussion Caption Head for DCA for 12 years and he is currently the judging coordinator for The DCI All Age Class, The Mid Atlantic Percussion Society, and the NJ Marching Band Directors Association. He has served on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Marty was on the staff for the 2022 Music for All Honor Band which performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Currently Marty is an adjunct instructor in Music Education for Rider University.

Location: Collegeville, PA

Bret Mascaro recently retired as 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 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District President and Festival Coordinator and has twice been a clinician at the PMEA Conference. In the interim, Bret spent four years as Director of Education for the Zeswitz Music Company in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Location: Glendale, CA

Location: Round Rock, TX

Mr. Rick Rodriguez is currently the percussion director and Associate Band Director at Cedar Ridge High School, Round Rock TX. Rick has also been the director of the Cedar Ridge Symphonic Band as well as the director of the Cedar Ridge Jazz Ensemble and is currently assisting all of the Cedar Ridge Concert Bands as well as the Cedar Ridge Wind Ensemble.

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 UNT 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.

Since the early 90’s, Mr Rod and his percussion ensembles have several 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.

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 Phantom Regiment, Blue Knights, under Ralph Hardimon, Blue Devils, The Cavaliers, and is currently a consultant with Carolina Crown.

Rick Rodriguez has also been on the adjudicating staff of Drum Corps International, Bands of America and the Wgi percussion judging panel. He is currently endorsed by the Zildjian Cymbal Co., Innovative Percussion, Marimba One and Evans Drum Heads.

Location: Apple Valley, MN

A class will receive 11 total minutes (up from 9)


Open Class will receive 12 total minutes (up from 10)


World Class will receive 13 total minutes (up from 11)

At the conclusion of your show, feel free to reset to a particular moment of your show and run it again. Use the opportunity to get additional reps on challenging parts of the show, exciting parts of the show, things you just learned, or whatever you feel would best benefit your program.


This is not a rehearsal - no metronomes, staff on the floor, etc. - keep it in the spirit of the performance


You should decide ahead of time how you are planning to use your time, and communicate this to your kids, so that it is as seamless and organized as possible


Judges will stop judging at the conclusion of your initial performance; anything you do afterwards is purely in the spirit of providing your kids additional time on the floor


While not factoring into their numbers, Judges will continue to provide constructive commentary on anything you do during post-performance

To ensure you feel comfortable leveraging your full time, we will not penalize you for going a bit over


You will still receive a written record of your original performance time for future planning


A NCPA representative will alert you when there are 2 minutes remaining in your interval time

The best feedback you can receive early in the season is about how your show is coming together, so you can make good decisions on show design while there is still time to make adjustments. Thus we are eliminating the Performance-Music and Performance-Visual captions for this show only, to put more focus on “the big picture”


The Effect-Music and Effect-Visual judges will be encouraged where appropriate to speak outside their captions to help craft the best feedback they believe they can provide for you


Scores will be weighted 60% Effect-Music, 40% Effect-Visual

You will receive 4 minutes with each judge, as opposed to the normal 3 minutes

Location: Stoneham, MA

Charles A. Poole, Jr. began his musical career in 1957 in Connecticut as a percussion student of former world champion individual snare drummer, Robert Redican. During the course of his performing years Mr. Poole was awarded the Connecticut and Northeastern States Individual Snare Drum Championship on four occasions (1966-1969) as well as a three-time winner of the National Individual Championship (1968, 1970, 1971). Additionally, he performed with the national award-winning championship percussion section of the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps.

He received his BA in Political Science from Boston College in 1973, Juris Doctorate from New England School of Law in 1977, and Master of Music Education from Boston University in 2008.

He has taught, arranged for and adjudicated marching bands, drum corps, and percussion ensembles throughout the United States, Canada and Japan.

His arranging and instructional credits include 27th Lancers, Bluecoats, Star of Indiana, East Coast Jazz, Connecticut Yanks Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, 27th Lancers Reunion Corps, Boston Crusaders Senior Drum Corps, Boston College Marching Band, Dartmouth (MA) High School, Nazareth (PA) High School, Malden (MA) High School.

He has served as an adjudicator for the following circuits and associations: Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Associates, Winter Guard International, New England Scholastic Band Association, Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association, Indiana State Scholastic Music Association, Maine Band Directors Association, Musical Arts Conference, US Bands, Western Bands Association, Indiana Percussion Association, Mississippi Indoor Association, Louisiana Mississippi Color Guard and Percussion Circuit, Rocky Mountain Percussion Association, Mid Atlantic Percussion Society, Michigan Alliance for the Performing Arts, Keystone Indoor Drill Association, Northern California Percussion Alliance, Atlantic Indoor Association

New England Scholastic Band Association Chief Assigning Judge
1997-2000
2022-Present

In 2019 he concluded his education career as a member of the music faculty of the Everett (MA) Public Schools where he served as an instrumental teacher, as well as holding the positions of Assistant Marching Band Director (1998-2011), Marching Band Director (2012-2019) and Percussion Ensemble Director (1998-2019). Under his tutelage, the Everett Crimson Tide Marching Band and Percussion Ensemble won numerous awards, including multiple-time New England Scholastic Band Association and Winter Guard International Regional Championships.

He is a member of the Drum Corps International, World Drum Corps, Boston Crusaders and Massachusetts Drum Corps Halls of Fame. Additionally, he is the recipient of the United States Association of Rudimental Drummers Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a clinician and signature artist with Loyal Drums, Pro-Mark Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbal, and Pearl Drum Companies. He has presented clinics at PASIC, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and Ohio Music Educators Annual Conferences and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society, National Association for Music Educators, Massachusetts Music Educators Association, the National Association of Rudimental Drummers and Massachusetts Judges Association.

Location: Pasadena, CA

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 Bands of America (BOA) 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.

Location: San Jose, CA

Location: Plano, Texas

Location: Murfreesboro, TN

David England currently directs the Blackman Middle School Band in Murfreesboro, TN where he was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2008 and 2017. He has been teaching middle school band since 1994 and has been at BMS since it opened in 2002. The BMS Percussion section was selected to perform at PASIC in 2024 as winner of the International Percussion Ensemble Competition and has twice performed at the TN State Music Educator’s Conference. David graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1994 where he studied with Lalo Davila.

From 1993-2023, Mr. England was the percussion arranger and an instructor and designer at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, TN. Father Ryan won three WGI World Championships and was a perennial WGI Finalist, medalist and fan favorite. Father Ryan was also a three-time winner of the PASIC indoor marching percussion standstill competition as well as several local and state awards. Mr. England is a composer for Row-Loff Productions and an artist/clinician with Innovative Percussion and Mapex/Majestic. He is an active clinician having presented at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic, NAfME National Conference, ASBDA Regional conference, TnMEA Conference, TN PAS, and many others.

Mr. England is currently the President of the Tennessee Chapter of PAS. He is also a very active adjudicator for marching bands and indoor percussion/winds traveling to various states and circuits. Mr. England was the percussion supervisor and the percussion arranger for the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps from Nashville, TN for the 2017 and 2018 seasons after consulting for the corps from 2013-2016. He marched with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from Hackensack, New Jersey and he also served as an instructor for the Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corps under Matt Savage. David and his wife Jennifer have four children, Breanna, Aaron, Angel and Damien, and three grandchildren, Aliza Dimple, John David and Elizabeth Daisy.

Location: Pasadena, CA

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 an MA in Economics from California State University Long Beach. Eduardo has been a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association since 2007.

Location: Marietta, Georgia

Scott Brown is currently the Assistant Band Director at Dickerson M.S. and Percussion Coordinator for the Bands of America Summer Camp Concert Band Division. He is also co-Director of the North Georgia Percussion Camp and Atlanta Percussion Symposium and serves on the PAS Education Committee. Through his career working with the Lassiter and Walton High School Bands, Scott has been fortunate to be part of two Bands of America National Championships, numerous BOA Regional Championships, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Tournament of Roses Parade. His concert percussion ensembles have performed multiple times for The Midwest Clinic, PASIC, the GMEA Conference, and the Music for All National Festival. The Dickerson Middle School Percussion Ensemble was named “National Winner” in the 2023 Mark of Excellence/National Percussion Ensemble Honor’s Project. Scott has served as an adjudicator for competitions throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America and presented clinics for The Midwest Clinic, PASIC, MEA conferences and at several universities and international events.

Location: Studio City, CA

Location: Orange, CA

Fernando Miller is a seasoned Visual and Music adjudicator for SCPA, their counterpart from NorCal, NCPA, and CSBC's fall and winter seasons. He has a deep-rooted passion for marching band and drum line performance. Fernando's drum corps journey began in 2001 with Pacific Crest, paving the way for his illustrious career. He donned the Blue Devils uniform from 2002 to 2004, achieving the pinnacle as center snare in 2004. Simultaneously, he excelled in indoor percussion, marching with RCC Indoor from 2002 to 2005 and leading as center snare from 2003 to 2005.

Transitioning from performer to educator, Fernando dedicated himself to shaping the next generation of musicians. From 2005 to 2009, he taught at Yamato Drum Corps in Kyoto and Yokohama Scouts in Yokohama, Japan, extending his impact to the renowned Bluecoats in 2010 and 2011. His teaching career spanned Southern California from 2002 to 2019, leaving an indelible mark at institutions such as RCC Indoor, Mission Viejo HS, Upland HS, Ramona HS, and John W. North HS. Beyond borders, Fernando shared his expertise globally as a clinician and consultant for numerous groups.

A multifaceted talent, Fernando's contributions extend beyond instruction. He excelled in arranging music and designing shows, crafting captivating performances with meticulous attention to detail in staging and overall concept design. As an adjudicator, he brings a wealth of experience and a discerning eye, enriching the marching band and drum line community with his expertise and passion.

Fernando, a full-time musician at the Disneyland Resort since 2011, doesn't just captivate audiences with his music—he also collaborates with Disneyland Show Directors to arrange music and stage multiple live atmosphere shows, adding magic to every event. Beyond his musical talents, Fernando is a screenwriter, holding an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Denver and completing the UCLA Screenwriting Program. He resides in Orange, CA, with his wife, Karen, and their dog, Lincoln.

Location: Plano, Texas

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Location: Orange, CA

Fernando Miller is a seasoned Visual and Music adjudicator for SCPA, their counterpart from NorCal, NCPA, and CSBC's fall and winter seasons. He has a deep-rooted passion for marching band and drum line performance. Fernando's drum corps journey began in 2001 with Pacific Crest, paving the way for his illustrious career. He donned the Blue Devils uniform from 2002 to 2004, achieving the pinnacle as center snare in 2004. Simultaneously, he excelled in indoor percussion, marching with RCC Indoor from 2002 to 2005 and leading as center snare from 2003 to 2005.

Transitioning from performer to educator, Fernando dedicated himself to shaping the next generation of musicians. From 2005 to 2009, he taught at Yamato Drum Corps in Kyoto and Yokohama Scouts in Yokohama, Japan, extending his impact to the renowned Bluecoats in 2010 and 2011. His teaching career spanned Southern California from 2002 to 2019, leaving an indelible mark at institutions such as RCC Indoor, Mission Viejo HS, Upland HS, Ramona HS, and John W. North HS. Beyond borders, Fernando shared his expertise globally as a clinician and consultant for numerous groups.

A multifaceted talent, Fernando's contributions extend beyond instruction. He excelled in arranging music and designing shows, crafting captivating performances with meticulous attention to detail in staging and overall concept design. As an adjudicator, he brings a wealth of experience and a discerning eye, enriching the marching band and drum line community with his expertise and passion.

Fernando, a full-time musician at the Disneyland Resort since 2011, doesn't just captivate audiences with his music—he also collaborates with Disneyland Show Directors to arrange music and stage multiple live atmosphere shows, adding magic to every event. Beyond his musical talents, Fernando is a screenwriter, holding an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Denver and completing the UCLA Screenwriting Program. He resides in Orange, CA, with his wife, Karen, and their dog, Lincoln.

Location: Eagle, ID

Rob Sullens is currently the Drumline Specialist for the Boise State University Blue Thunder Marching Band, Percussion Director at Eagle High School, and serves on the Board of Directors for Monarch Independent percussion ensemble in Houston, TX. Recently, Rob created Bandology LLC based in Boise, Idaho to help foster the growth of percussion, leadership, and music education in the Pacific Northwest through summer camps and other educational outreach programs.

Before moving to the Treasure Valley he was the Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion for the Tomball High School feeder pattern in Tomball, Texas from 2013 – 2020. Tomball’s Winter Percussion Ensemble was the 2017 WGI World Championships Percussion Scholastic Concert Open Champions and a 2019 WGI World Championships Percussion Scholastic Concert World Finalist. Under his direction, the Tomball Marching Band attended the UIL 5A State Marching Contest for the 3 consecutive years it was eligible. Rob was the Ensemble Director for the Monarch Independent Percussion Ensemble 2015 (7th in PIO WGI World Championships) and 2016 (4th in PIO PIO WGI World Championships).

Some of Mr. Sullens’ past experiences include serving as on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021, held the position of Texas Color Guard Circuit (TCGC) Vice President of Percussion from 2019 – 2020, the Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Westside High School and West Briar Middle School from 2010 – 2012, the Assistant Band Director at Sprague High School, 5th Grade Beginning Band Educator, the General Music Director at Salem Heights Elementary School, and the Director of Percussion for the Sunset High School Band program from 2005 – 2008. Mr. Sullens was also the President of the Northwest Association for Performing Arts (NWAPA) in Beaverton, Oregon.

Mr. Sullens holds a Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, South Carolina. While attending the university, he was the Percussion Coordinator for the USC Marching Band and the Percussion Director for Lexington High School Bands in Lexington, South Carolina.

Rob is an Innovative Percussion Artist, a member of NAfME, PAS, and is a sought-after marching band and winter percussion arranger, music ensemble consultant, leadership clinician, offers private percussion lessons, and adjudicates for various band and percussion circuits around the country and the world.

Location: Hawthorne, NJ

Location: Round Rock, TX

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 and blessings 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 teaching / 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 and the Cedar Ridge Wind Ensemble. He is also the primary director of the Cedar Ridge Jazz Ensemble and the Cedar Ridge percussion program. Since the early 90’s, Mr. Rodriguez 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. Rick’s latest Cedar Ridge Percussion Ensemble had also performed at the Midwest Clinic and TMEA San Antonio alongside with the Cedar Ridge Low Brass Choir. Mr. Rod is also a busy and active percussion arranger and versatile clinician. In his younger days, Rick was the “center snare” of the infamous University of North TX PASIC Drum Line and was attending the University of North TX under Dr. Robert Schietroma. Rick was also a snare drummer for the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Concord Blue Devils. He has also been on the working staff of the Blue Devils, Phantom Regiment, Blue Knights under Ralph Hardimon, and is currently on percussion staff of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also been on the adjudicating staff of Drum Corps International (DCI), is currently on the Bands of America BOA adjudicating staff, and WGI percussion judging panel still to date. Mr. Rodriguez is currently endorsed by the Zildjian Cym Co., Innovative Percussion, Marimba One, Evans Drum Heads

Location: Collegeville, PA

Bret Mascaro recently retired as 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.

Bret Mascaro has served as an adjudicator across the United States, Canada, and Japan for organizations such as Winter Guard International, Bands of America, 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 many high school bands in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Location: Webster, NY

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, Jordan Elbridge, Oswego, Webster, Mohonasen and Central Square. 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, Ludwig-Musser Percussion and Sabian Cymbals. Ted Currently lives in Webster, NY with his wife Sara and their twin boys Christian and Mason.

Location: Dayton, OH

Marlyn Strickland is the Visual Coordinator and co-founder of the Beavercreek High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble, where he also served as drill writer for five years. Under his guidance, Beavercreek's IPE has been a consistent WGI Regional Medalist and World Championship Finalist, including receiving a silver medal in the 2023 season. Marlyn also continues to work with regional marching bands as a visual staff member and drill writer. Currently, he works on the visual staff of the award-winning Centerville Jazz Band. During his time with the CJB, the ensemble has been a consistent BOA Regional medalist, Super Regional finalist, and Grand Nationals semifinalist.

As a former band director at Beavercreek High School, Marlyn led the marching band to significant growth and competitive success, including regular appearances as a BOA Regional Finalist. He remains active as a visual staff member and drill writer for other area marching bands and holds judging affiliations with CSJA, OMEA, MEPA, and OIPA.

Location: Thompson’s Station, TN

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.

Location: Westminster, CO

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.

A class will receive 11 total minutes (up from 9)


Open Class will receive 12 total minutes (up from 10)


World Class will receive 13 total minutes (up from 11)

At the conclusion of your show, feel free to reset to a particular moment of your show and run it again. Use the opportunity to get additional reps on challenging parts of the show, exciting parts of the show, things you just learned, or whatever you feel would best benefit your program.


This is not a rehearsal - no metronomes, staff on the floor, etc. - keep it in the spirit of the performance


You should decide ahead of time how you are planning to use your time, and communicate this to your kids, so that it is as seamless and organized as possible


Judges will stop judging at the conclusion of your initial performance; anything you do afterwards is purely in the spirit of providing your kids additional time on the floor


While not factoring into their numbers, Judges will continue to provide constructive commentary on anything you do during post-performance

To ensure you feel comfortable leveraging your full time, we will not penalize you for going a bit over


You will still receive a written record of your original performance time for future planning


A NCPA representative will alert you when there are 2 minutes remaining in your interval time

The best feedback you can receive early in the season is about how your show is coming together, so you can make good decisions on show design while there is still time to make adjustments. Thus we are eliminating the Performance-Music and Performance-Visual captions for this show only, to put more focus on “the big picture”


The Effect-Music and Effect-Visual judges will be encouraged where appropriate to speak outside their captions to help craft the best feedback they believe they can provide for you


Scores will be weighted 60% Effect-Music, 40% Effect-Visual

You will receive 4 minutes with each judge, as opposed to the normal 3 minutes

Location: Fontana, CA

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.

Location: Westland, MI

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 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, Bands Of America, Drum Corps International & Winter Guard International.

Location: Murfreesboro, TN

Mr. England currently teaches the Blackman Middle School Band in Murfreesboro, TN where he was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2008 and 2017. He has been teaching middle school band since 1994. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1994 where he studied with Lalo Davila.

From 1993-2023 Mr. England was the percussion arranger, designer and an instructor at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, TN. Father Ryan won three WGI World Championships and was a perennial WGI Finalist, medalist and a fan favorite. Father Ryan is also a three-time winner of the PASIC indoor marching percussion standstill competition as well as several local and state awards.

Mr. England is a composer for Row-Loff Productions and an artist with Innovative Percussion and Mapex/Majestic. He is an active clinician having presented at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic, NAfME National Conference, ASBDA Regional conference, TnMEA Conference, TN PAS, and many others. He is currently the vice-president of TN PAS. Mr. England is also a very active adjudicator for marching bands and indoor percussion/winds traveling to various states and circuits. He marched with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from Hackensack, New Jersey. He also served as an instructor for the Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corps and was the percussion supervisor and percussion arranger for the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps from Nashville, TN for 2017 and 2018.

Mr. England and his wife Jennifer have four children, Breanna, Aaron, Angel and Damien, and three grandchildren, Aliza Dimple, John David, Elizabeth Daisy.

Location: Eagle, ID

Rob Sullens is currently the Drumline Specialist for the Boise State University Blue Thunder Marching Band, Percussion Director at Eagle High School, and serves on the Board of Directors for Monarch Independent percussion ensemble in Houston, TX. Recently, Rob created Bandology LLC based in Boise, Idaho to help foster the growth of percussion, leadership, and music education in the Pacific Northwest through summer camps and other educational outreach programs.

Before moving to the Treasure Valley he was the Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion for the Tomball High School feeder pattern in Tomball, Texas from 2013 – 2020. Tomball’s Winter Percussion Ensemble was the 2017 WGI World Championships Percussion Scholastic Concert Open Champions and a 2019 WGI World Championships Percussion Scholastic Concert World Finalist. Under his direction, the Tomball Marching Band attended the UIL 5A State Marching Contest for the 3 consecutive years it was eligible. Rob was the Ensemble Director for the Monarch Independent Percussion Ensemble 2015 (7th in PIO WGI World Championships) and 2016 (4th in PIO PIO WGI World Championships).

Some of Mr. Sullens’ past experiences include serving as on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021, held the position of Texas Color Guard Circuit (TCGC) Vice President of Percussion from 2019 – 2020, the Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Westside High School and West Briar Middle School from 2010 – 2012, the Assistant Band Director at Sprague High School, 5th Grade Beginning Band Educator, the General Music Director at Salem Heights Elementary School, and the Director of Percussion for the Sunset High School Band program from 2005 – 2008. Mr. Sullens was also the President of the Northwest Association for Performing Arts (NWAPA) in Beaverton, Oregon.

Mr. Sullens holds a Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, South Carolina. While attending the university, he was the Percussion Coordinator for the USC Marching Band and the Percussion Director for Lexington High School Bands in Lexington, South Carolina.

Rob is an Innovative Percussion Artist, a member of NAfME, PAS, and is a sought-after marching band and winter percussion arranger, music ensemble consultant, leadership clinician, offers private percussion lessons, and adjudicates for various band and percussion circuits around the country and the world.

Location: Ray Township, MI

Dave Pickett holds two undergraduate degrees, which he earned simultaneously, from Western Michigan University with majors in Music Education and Business Administration. His Master’s degree is from Michigan State University in the field of Percussion Pedagogy.

He is the Former Assistant Director of Bands at Stevenson High School Sterling Heights, MI, Utica School District.

Dave currently assists as the staff Percussion Specialist for the Romeo School District, Romeo, MI, the Chippewa Valley Schools in Clinton Twp, MI; the New Haven School District in New Haven, MI .

Dave has judged visual and music programs for DCA, DCI, WGI, USBands, MAPS, SCPA, RMPA, IPA, KIDA, TMEA, IHSMA, MCGC and MCBA. He has judged for over 25 years.

He has judged WGI Indoor Percussion World Championships for 15 years as a Visual and Effect Visual Percussion judge.

In 2013 , he judged Percussion on the field at the Preliminary competition of the Drum Corps Associates, World Championships.

In 2014 & 2018, Dave judged Overall Effect at the USBands National Championships, for A-Class marching bands.

Dave has instructed and played in several orchestras, symphonic wind ensembles around Michigan.

He has directed and instructed Utica HS Concert Percussion ensemble; World Class Champion at WGI Troy Regional as well as the Sterling Heights HS Concert Percussion ensemble (S.H.A.P.E.), Open Class silver medalist at WGI Troy Regional.

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Location: San Jose, CA

JJ Pipitone received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Morehead State University and his Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas.

He worked in the public schools as a band and percussion director in Texas for over 20 years at Grapevine High School, Lewisville High School and as an adjunct percussion professor at Texas A&M University Commerce. Over the years, he taught 6th through 12th grade percussion activities of all kinds, in addition to the symphonic band, Music Theory, Music History, Jazz Band and Musical Theater.

JJ has extensive drum corp experience, having marched in numerous drum corps in the up-state New York area: the Dutch Boy, the Phantom Regiment and the Concord Blue Devils. As an instructor, JJ taught the World Champion Phantom Regiment, the Glassmen and the Crossmen.

His extensive judging experience has made him one of the most in demand Music judges in the United States, serving as a judge for BOA, WGI, DCI and numerous high school marching band circuits around the country.

JJ is currently living in San Jose, CA enjoying retirement and a second career as a day trader and a real estate investor, while continuing to judge music and percussion all over the world.

Location: Danvers, MA

Location: Raleigh, NC

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.

Location: Newport Beach, CA

Don resides in the City of Newport Beach, Ca and has been a Visual Designer and Instructor for many high school Marching Bands, Drum Corps, Winter Guards, and Indoor Drum lines for the last 34 Years. After he graduated from Chapman University with B.A. in Marketing in 1991, he began DMG Design, which provides Custom Show Design and instruction for groups throughout the United States. After many years of producing award winning groups and programs, Don was honored in 2009 by becoming a “Hall of Fame” member of the Winter Guard Association of Southern California. Don currently serves as an Ensemble Visual & Visual Effect judge for the follow organization: Western Band Association (WBA), California State Band Championships (CSBC). Northwest Association for Performing Arts (NWAPA), Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC), Winter Guard Arizona (WGAZ), Northern California Percussion Alliance (NCPA) and Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA).

Location: Leechburg, PA

Chad Heiny 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.

Location: Spartanburg, SC

Location: Round Rock, TX

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 and blessings 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 teaching / 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 and the Cedar Ridge Wind Ensemble. He is also the primary director of the Cedar Ridge Jazz Ensemble and the Cedar Ridge percussion program. Since the early 90’s, Mr. Rodriguez 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. Rick’s latest Cedar Ridge Percussion Ensemble had also performed at the Midwest Clinic and TMEA San Antonio alongside with the Cedar Ridge Low Brass Choir. Mr. Rod is also a busy and active percussion arranger and versatile clinician. In his younger days, Rick was the “center snare” of the infamous University of North TX PASIC Drum Line and was attending the University of North TX under Dr. Robert Schietroma. Rick was also a snare drummer for the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Concord Blue Devils. He has also been on the working staff of the Blue Devils, Phantom Regiment, Blue Knights under Ralph Hardimon, and is currently on percussion staff of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also been on the adjudicating staff of Drum Corps International (DCI), is currently on the Bands of America BOA adjudicating staff, and WGI percussion judging panel still to date. Mr. Rodriguez is currently endorsed by the Zildjian Cym Co., Innovative Percussion, Marimba One, Evans Drum Heads

Location: Houston, TX

Jason Harvey is currently the Director of Bands for Pasadena Memorial High School in Pasadena, TX. Jason’s responsibilities include conducting the Wind Symphony, 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.

Location: Stoneham, MA

Location: Ray Township, MI

Dave Pickett holds two undergraduate degrees, which he earned simultaneously, from Western Michigan University with majors in Music Education and Business Administration. His Master’s degree is from Michigan State University in the field of Percussion Pedagogy.

He is the Former Assistant Director of Bands at Stevenson High School Sterling Heights, MI, Utica School District.

Dave currently assists as the staff Percussion Specialist for the Romeo School District, Romeo, MI, the Chippewa Valley Schools in Clinton Twp, MI; the New Haven School District in New Haven, MI .

Dave has judged visual and music programs for DCA, DCI, WGI, USBands, MAPS, SCPA, RMPA, IPA, KIDA, TMEA, IHSMA, MCGC and MCBA. He has judged for over 25 years.

He has judged WGI Indoor Percussion World Championships for 15 years as a Visual and Effect Visual Percussion judge.

In 2013 , he judged Percussion on the field at the Preliminary competition of the Drum Corps Associates, World Championships.

In 2014 & 2018, Dave judged Overall Effect at the USBands National Championships, for A-Class marching bands.

Dave has instructed and played in several orchestras, symphonic wind ensembles around Michigan.

He has directed and instructed Utica HS Concert Percussion ensemble; World Class Champion at WGI Troy Regional as well as the Sterling Heights HS Concert Percussion ensemble (S.H.A.P.E.), Open Class silver medalist at WGI Troy Regional.

Location: Ft. Worth, Texas

Location: Madison, MS

Location: Clearwater, FL

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 he 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.

Presently, the percussion director at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida, and a member of the music administration team for FFCC.

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

Location: Landsale, PA

Location: Bedford, TX

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, published through Tapspace Publications.

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.

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.

Location: Collegeville, PA

A class will receive 11 total minutes (up from 9)


Open Class will receive 12 total minutes (up from 10)


World Class will receive 13 total minutes (up from 11)

At the conclusion of your show, feel free to reset to a particular moment of your show and run it again. Use the opportunity to get additional reps on challenging parts of the show, exciting parts of the show, things you just learned, or whatever you feel would best benefit your program.


This is not a rehearsal - no metronomes, staff on the floor, etc. - keep it in the spirit of the performance


You should decide ahead of time how you are planning to use your time, and communicate this to your kids, so that it is as seamless and organized as possible


Judges will stop judging at the conclusion of your initial performance; anything you do afterwards is purely in the spirit of providing your kids additional time on the floor


While not factoring into their numbers, Judges will continue to provide constructive commentary on anything you do during post-performance

To ensure you feel comfortable leveraging your full time, we will not penalize you for going a bit over


You will still receive a written record of your original performance time for future planning


A NCPA representative will alert you when there are 2 minutes remaining in your interval time

The best feedback you can receive early in the season is about how your show is coming together, so you can make good decisions on show design while there is still time to make adjustments. Thus we are eliminating the Performance-Music and Performance-Visual captions for this show only, to put more focus on “the big picture”


The Effect-Music and Effect-Visual judges will be encouraged where appropriate to speak outside their captions to help craft the best feedback they believe they can provide for you


Scores will be weighted 60% Effect-Music, 40% Effect-Visual

You will receive 4 minutes with each judge, as opposed to the normal 3 minutes

Location: San Jose, CA

JJ Pipitone received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Morehead State University and his Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas.

He worked in the public schools as a band and percussion director in Texas for over 20 years at Grapevine High School, Lewisville High School and as an adjunct percussion professor at Texas A&M University Commerce. Over the years, he taught 6th through 12th grade percussion activities of all kinds, in addition to the symphonic band, Music Theory, Music History, Jazz Band and Musical Theater.

JJ has extensive drum corp experience, having marched in numerous drum corps in the up-state New York area: the Dutch Boy, the Phantom Regiment and the Concord Blue Devils. As an instructor, JJ taught the World Champion Phantom Regiment, the Glassmen and the Crossmen.

His extensive judging experience has made him one of the most in demand Music judges in the United States, serving as a judge for BOA, WGI, DCI and numerous high school marching band circuits around the country.

JJ is currently living in San Jose, CA enjoying retirement and a second career as a day trader and a real estate investor, while continuing to judge music and percussion all over the world.

Location: Hawthorne, NJ