We are pleased to introduce our 2024 Blue Stars Member Leadership Team! This group of young adults will dedicate their time, talents, and energy to ensure the Blue Stars have a successful, productive, and positive 2024 season.
The 2024 Blue Stars Leadership Team:
Mattie Kleespies, Drum Major
Hannah Kirby, Horn Sergeant
Finn Herrmann, trumpet
Daniel Ramirez, trumpet
Garrett Harrison, mellophone
Josie Santiago, mellophone
Chase Snoots, baritone
Jack Higbee, baritone
Ethan Kornegay, tuba
Bryan McCabe, tuba
Matthew Bartley, front ensemble
Jacob Basil, front ensemble
Payton Yaffe, snare
Zach Schulz, tenors
EJ Ward, bass drum
Daniela Salas, guard
Lucy Emmerman, guard
Diego Lorenzana, guard
Alyssa Polo, guard
MATTIE KLEESPIES, DRUM MAJOR
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Section: Team Time
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2022 and 2023
School/Work: University of Texas at Austin majoring in Human Dimensions of Organizations with a minor in Business
“There are so many things to be excited for this summer, but I’m most looking forward to the 60th anniversary events! Connecting and performing with alumni will be an experience I won’t soon forget”
hannah kirby, horn sergeant
Hometown: Katy, TX
Section: Mellophone
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2022 and 2023
School/Work: Sam Houston State University majoring in Music Education
“The Blue Stars are an organization that has changed my life and helped me grow into the person and performer that I am today. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the organization, as a member of the leadership team, that has made me feel like family. I want to continue the supportive and inviting culture that has been created, and help others find their drum corps home here.”
MATTHEW BARTLEY
Hometown: Canton, TX
Section: Front Ensemble
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2022 and 2023
School/Work: Music Education with a focus in percussion at Texas Christian University
“I cannot wait to build life-long friendships this summer! The time I have spent with friends the past two summers have lead to my fondest memories. The Blue Stars is very welcoming of all and encourages positive relationships!”
JACOB BASIL
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Section: Front Ensemble
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Music education at the University of Florida
“I am looking forward to another season of growth, challenges, passion, outstanding performances, and lifelong memories with this group of people that I love the most. It is an honor, to say the least, to serve on the leadership team for this corps that has changed my life for the better.”
LUCY EMMERMAN
Hometown: Essex, UK
Section: Color Guard
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Receptionist
“I’m so excited to experience this amazing activity once again. I’ve made so many friends and can’t wait to get to know some more wonderful people!”
GARRETT HARRISON
Hometown: Tomball, Texas
Section: Mellophone
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2021-2023
School/Work: Music Education at the University of Houston
“The Blue Stars have been my home for my whole drum corps career. I have made so many incredible memories and met some of my closest friends here, and I can’t wait to finish out my time in drum corps with the home team. FCO!”
FINN HERrMANN
Hometown: Dublin, OH
Section: Trumpet
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Boston University studying Music Education
“The Blue Stars are one of the finest organizations I have ever been a part of. I’m thrilled and grateful to serve one last year alongside a corps of amazing and inspiring people.”
JACK HIGBEE
Hometown: Matthews, NC
Section: Baritone
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Commercial Music and Audio Production at Western Carolina University
“I'm so thankful for my Blue Stars family and I can’t wait to experience this one of a kind summer alongside friends old and new.”
ETHAN KORNEGAY
Hometown: Wills Point, TX
Section: Tuba
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2022
School/Work: Currently a Senior at Wills Point High School
“I’m looking forward to creating some great memories this summer with the people I love.”
DIEGO LORENZANA
Hometown: League City, TX
Section: Color Guard
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Political Science major at the University of North Texas with a minor in Journalism.
“I’m looking forward to an incredible season alongside some very talented members, and bringing to life a phenomenal production along the way!”
BRYAN McCABE
Hometown: Houston, TX
Section: Tuba
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Attending University of Houston in the fall to major in Nursing
“The passion, drive, and energy shown by everyone in this pre-season has me hyped for the season to start. I’m beyond excited to be a member of the leadership team this season and be able to give back to the corps that has given me so much.”
ALYSSA POLO
Hometown: Davie, FL
Section: Color Guard
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Broward College majoring in Elementary Childhood Education
“I am looking forward to all the talent that the new people are going to bring and the family that we will create.”
DANIEL RAMIREZ
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Section: Trumpet
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2021-2023
School/Work: Virginia Commonwealth University - Trumpet Performance
“The Blue Stars really have been like a second family to me. There’s many people I’ve met throughout the years that I’m still connected to and I’m excited to age out with the Blue Stars.”
DANIELA SALAS
Hometown: Coppell, TX
Section: Color Guard
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2021 - 2023
School/Work: UC Merced for Anthropology/Archeology.
“I remember the day I called home after spending the first day with the Blue Stars. The excitement I felt and the emotions spilling out of me as I talked my parents through my day. The Blue Stars truly feels like a second family and I am forever grateful for everyone I’ve met and everywhere I’ve traveled.
Josie santiago
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Section: Mellophone
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2022-2023
School/Work: Ball State University majoring in Media Design and Development with minors in Strategic Communication and Studio Art
“I’m looking forward to celebrating the Blue Stars’ 60th anniversary and getting to meet alumni who have laid the groundwork for what the corps is today. I’m also excited for this to be a memorable season with my friends, as it’s my last summer with the Blue Stars!”
ZACH SCHULZ
Hometown: Elk Grove, CA
Section: Tenor
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Maintenance Assistant at a Post Acute Rehab Center
“I am excited to become a better performer and to experience the journey with a bunch of friends.”
CHASE SNOOTS
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Section: Baritone
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: Majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in music at Clemson University; currently working as a freelance photographer
“I’m looking forward to making more lifelong friendships and memories this year. Also this hornline has got some fire in it so I can’t wait to see what kind of product we can put on the field.”
EJ WARD
Hometown: Cupertino, California
Section: Bass Drum
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: CSU Longbeach, Studio Art
"Blue Stars introduced me to so many long-lasting friendships and opportunities for personal growth. I'm honored that I get to spend another year with this group, and I look forward to pushing the standard of excellence and making great music with my friends."
PAYTON YAFFE
Hometown: Parkland, FL
Section: Snare
Years Marched Blue Stars: 2023
School/Work: The Ohio State University majoring in computer science engineering
“This summer I’m most looking forward to creating an amazing production and pushing the bar that’s been set by past Blue Stars. I’m also super excited and grateful to be able to help lead this year to be the best version of the Blue Stars the world has ever seen.”
