Travis Larson

Brass Caption Head

Travis Larson believes in the power of music to change lives. His passion for music can be traced back to his earliest childhood, when he listened to records non-stop — eager for the day he could finally sign up for band class and learn to play an instrument himself. He first caught the marching arts bug in 1989 as a member of the Velvet Knights, later aging out with the Blue Devils in 1996. 

For over 30 years, Travis has worked with many band programs, encouraging young people to pursue music. He serves as brass instructor, program coordinator, wind composer/arranger and consultant for several high-profile band programs in Arizona,  including Millennium, Mountain View, Williams Field, Red Mountain, Peoria and Desert Ridge high schools. His ultimate goal is to provide a high-quality marching band experience, promoting musical values and arts education.

Born and raised in Mission Viejo, California, Travis was a member, then brass instructor for the Mission Viejo High School Marching Band from 1992-2005. In that time, the ensemble achieved great success, winning two state championships and multiple high music trophies. 

In 1998, Travis was a brass staff member of the Jim Ott Brass trophy-winning Blue Devils. He later joined the brass team for The Cadets from 2014-2016, winning the high brass trophy at the 2015 DCI World Championships. From 2017-2019 Travis joined the new brass team at the Boston Crusaders and helped build some of the most successful horn lines in their history.

Travis received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Grand Canyon University in 2016. He is currently the band director at Mendoza Elementary and Shepherd Junior High School in Mesa, Arizona. 

Travis resides in San Tan Valley, Arizona with his wife, Ann, their two children, TJ and Ava, and their Chihuahua Axl.

Greg Power

Percussion Caption Head

This is Greg’s 3rd season as caption head and 6th season working at Blue Stars. Greg resides in Clovis, CA and is a member of the Vic Firth/Zildjian education team. He received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from Washington State University (2015) and his Master of Music in Percussion Performance at California State University - Northridge (2018). He performed in DCI with the Cascades, Blue Stars and in WGI with Pulse Percussion. 

Greg is currently an Associate Instrumental Director at Buchanan Educational Center, where he directs both Alta Sierra Intermediate Percussion and the Buchanan High School Percussion Studio.

Greg has taught drum corps international and dci students for 9 years. He has had private lesson students march in every active DCI world class drum corps and prior to his employment at Blue Stars, taught at Bluecoats (2020-2022), who won the Fred Sanford award for best percussion in 2022.

Greg is a WGI educator as well, teaching POW Percussion for 6 seasons, as a battery tech, front ensemble coordinator and ensemble coordinator. He currently teaches at RCC indoor.

Greg formerly taught the following high school programs: Arcadia, Thousand Oaks, Sierra Vista and Chino Hills HS. Greg was a former adjunct professor of percussion at California State University, Bakersfield, front ensemble coordinator at Golden Empire and adjunct professor of percussion at Bakersfield College.

Craig Adams

Craig Adams

Brass Caption Manager

Craig Adams is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at Michigan State University where his principal instructor is Dr. Kevin L. Sedatole. Craig also holds the Master of Music degree in Band Conducting and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he was a conducting student of Dr. Eric Wilson.

 At Michigan State, Craig is active in all aspects of the band program and guest conducts the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, and Concert Band. He serves as a graduate assistant for the Spartan Marching Band, Spartan Brass, Campus Band, and is an assistant conductor for the Spartan Youth Wind Symphony.

Prior to graduate study, Craig was the Assistant Director of Bands at Curtis Middle School (Allen, Texas). He led the sub non-varsity band to consecutive UIL Sweepstakes ratings and team-taught beginning and intermediate band classes. Craig also co-conducted the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, which was named the 2023 TMEA MS State Honor Orchestra. Additionally, Craig served as a marching technician for the Allen HS Marching Band. In 2021, the Allen Band was a finalist at the UIL Area E Marching Band Competition.

Craig is an active educator and adjudicator in the marching arts. He is an alumnus of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, and serves as the Brass Caption Manager at the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.

 In 2024, Craig received the Graduate Academic Achievement Award from Baylor University. Craig actively attends conducting symposia and professional development opportunities around the country and has worked with such distinguished conducting pedagogues as Jerry Junkin, Mallory Thompson, Steven D. Davis, Craig Kirchhoff, and Jamie Nix.

Amanda Petro

Amanda Petro

Brass Caption Manager

Amanda Petro has been Assistant Director of Bands at Leander High School since 2022.  Prior to joining Leander ISD, she was an Assistant Band Director at Dripping Springs High School for 3 years.  Amanda is currently in her second year on the Brass Staff with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.  She is an active choreographer for bands across the country, and was recently a presenter during Student Day at the 75th Annual Texas Bandmasters Association Convention/Clinic in 2022.

Amanda received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 2019.  During her time at IU, she studied trumpet with Professor Joey Tartell, as well as performed with the IU Concert Band, IU Marching Hundred, and IU Big Red Basketball Band.  She also served on the board and performed with the Brass Band at Indiana University in its inaugural years. 

Amanda performed with the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from 2015-2018, serving as the horn sergeant in 2018.  She was the 2017 recipient of the Jim Ott Scholarship, Diane Thompson-Wells Scholarship, and Friends of DCI Scholarship.  She served on the Phantom Regiment Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2018-2022, serving as Vice President until 2022.  Amanda also taught on the Visual Staff for Monarch Independent Percussion in 2022.  

Outside of teaching, Amanda enjoys rock climbing and hiking, drinking coffee, and playing with her dog, Luna. 

John Kregler

John Kregler

Color Guard Caption Manager

John Kregler is excited to return to the Blue Stars as Color Guard Caption Manager. John currently lives in Dallas, Texas where he is the Color Guard Director at Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth - a UIL 6A state qualifier and BOA Regional finalist. He has had the privilege of teaching several World-class programs, including West Broward High School (FL), Tarpon Springs High School (FL), Mayflower Winter Guard (UK), and Mirage Performance Ensemble (TX).

John is originally from Tampa, Florida, where he began his marching career at Tarpon Springs High School. He is an active choreographer and designer across the United States and internationally and holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from the University of South Florida.

Malan Messemore

Malan Messemore

Color Guard Caption Manager

Malan Messemore is joining the Blue Stars for his third summer on the color guard staff. Malan co-directs at the Mirage Performance Ensemble and is also the director of color guard at Red Oak High School. He has a Bachelors of Art from The University of Texas at Arlington for Film with a Minor in Drawing.

Aside from teaching color guard, Malan is a freelance graphic designer and a tattoo enthusiast.

Roger Marquis

Roger Marquis

Visual Caption Coordinator

Roger Marquis, graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, is in his fourteenth year as a band director and currently an Assistant Band Director at Tomball Memorial High School in Tomball, Texas. 

Roger has been involved in the drum corps activity for over fifteen years and has led the Blue Stars visual program as a Visual Co-Caption Head and Visual Caption Coordinator since the 2016 season. He began as a member of Revolution Drum & Bugle Corps and aged out after multiple seasons with the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. As a drum corps instructor, he has had a variety of responsibilities with Genesis, Blue Stars, Crossmen, Boston Crusaders, and the Troopers.

Roger is a founder and current Board Member of Monarch Arts Education where he previously served as Visual Coordinator of Monarch Independent Percussion, a perennial Winter Guard International World Class Finalist. Additionally, Roger is a consultant, clinician, and adjudicator for high school marching band programs across the country.

Luke Zamprelli

Luke Zamprelli

Visual Caption Head

Luke Zamprelli is a resident of Houston, Texas where he is a full-time designer and program coordinator for pageantry groups across the United States.  He is also the visual coordinator for Monarch Independent Percussion, a perennial WGI World Class Finalist.

Luke has been involved in the drum corps activity for over a decade.  He was a member of the Phantom Regiment, and he served on the visual staff of the Boston Crusaders beginning in 2013.  Luke joined the Blue Stars in 2016, becoming Caption Head in 2021.

Prior to designing full-time, Luke held band director positions at Morton Ranch Junior High and, most recently, at Paetow High School in Katy ISD.  Luke has been involved in the marching arts as a designer, clinician, and adjudicator with groups all over the United States and Europe.  His groups have earned numerous accolades such as Bands Of America Class Champions and multiple state recognitions including Texas UIL Area Champions and State Finalists.  

Tyler Propfe

Tyler Propfe

Assistant Visual Caption Head

Tyler currently resides in West Chester, PA where he is an elementary music educator. He is also a designer, choreographer, instructor, and drill writer in the mid-Atlantic.

Tyler’s marching career began with the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum & Bugle Corps from 2006 to 2015 and served as horn sergeant in 2015. Tyler spent 2013 and 2014 with the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps.

Tyler has been a part of the Blue Stars organization since 2023. Outside of the Blue Stars he has been with United Percussion since 2019, is the program coordinator and drill designer for Downingtown East Winter Percussion, and is the visual caption head for the Downingtown East High School Marching Band. He has previously served as visual co-caption head for the Jersey Surf in 2016 & 17, served on the Cadets2 staff in 2018, and the Academy visual staff from 2019 to 2023. He has also had roles as caption head, choreographer, designer, and program coordinator for multiple marching bands and indoor ensembles throughout southeastern PA.

Tyler attended West Chester University where he received a dual degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance as a baritone.

Jordan Garza

Jordan Garza

Front Ensemble Caption Manager

Jordan Garza, from Austin, Texas is currently the Ensemble Director and Front Coordinator at Rhythmic Force Percussion (PIW).  He also serves on the band staff at McNeil High School as the Director of Percussion where he coordinates percussion instruction and curriculum for grades 6-12.  Jordan holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Instrumental Emphasis) from Texas State University and is endorsed by the educational programs of Marimba One, Evans Drum Heads, Vic Firth, and Zildjian Cymbals.  He is an active clinician, percussion arranger and instructor for programs across Texas.

Under his direction, Rhythmic Force Percussion has performed at WGI World Championships as a 2018 PIO Finalist, a 2019 PIO Finalist, a 2022 PIW Finalist, and a 2024 PIW Finalist.  In 2021 during the WGI virtual seasons, Rhythmic Force embarked on a standard setting initiative to film their production “Dissolving Boundaries.”  Simultaneously, his percussion ensembles have made appearances at multiple UIL Area Finals Performances, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and are consistent finalists at local and national competitions.  In the spring of 2023, McNeil HS Percussion was invited to perform at the Music for All National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This will be Jordan’s first year with the Blue Stars as the Front Ensemble Caption Manager.

Sarah Santa Cruz

Sarah Santa Cruz

Front Ensemble Instructor

Sarah Santa Cruz is a percussion teacher, composer, and web developer from Round Rock, Texas who currently teaches with Rhythmic Force Percussion, McNeil HS, and Cedar Ridge HS. Previously, she was the percussion director at Westwood High School in Austin, Texas for 8 years. During her time at Westwood, the percussion section performed at Midwest Clinic, and was very competitive with marching percussion, region band, and all-state.

Throughout her 20 years of experience as a private lesson teacher, Sarah has taught several students that have made it to TMEA All-State, with two students earning 1st chair, and others earning spots in the top 10. She has also helped many students make Region Band and Orchestra, as well as earn top ratings in solo competitions.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas, where she performed in the Green Brigade drumline, and many different percussion ensembles, including the Gamelan, Afro-Cuban, South Indian, and traditional percussion ensembles. She was also a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps snare line in 2004. 

Clark Floer

Clark Floer

Front Ensemble Instructor

Clark Floer is a musician and a native of Pontiac, Michigan, helping percussionists and performers of all ages. He works locally at Accent Pontiac, where he teaches percussion. His DCI background includes front ensemble experience with the Crossmen, and aged out with the 2023 Cavaliers. During the winters in the Midwest, Clark performed with WGI groups Motor City Percussion and Rhythm X. He is currently the front ensemble coordinator for Lake Effect Percussion. He is thrilled to be working with the Blue Stars this year!

Adam Whoolery

Adam Whoolery

Front Ensemble Instructor

Adam Whoolery is a percussionist based in North Texas. He has received a bachelors degree in music education from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and he is currently working on a masters degree in music performance from Oklahoma-City University.

Some recent performance opportunities that he has been apart of is the 2023 PASIC performance, featuring IPEC winners Texas A&M University-Commerce. He also is an alumni of the Boston Crusaders front ensemble from the years 2021 and 2022.

Adam has enjoyed teaching throughout the Dallas Metroplex and working with various high schools in the area. Most recently, he has just finished his student teaching at Marcus High School based in Flower Mound, TX. Adam wants to continue to develop his teaching experience while growing as much as possible in the process.

Trysten Cook

Trysten Cook

Front Ensemble Instructor

Trysten Cook, from Round Rock, Texas is currently the Assistant Front Ensemble Coordinator for Rhythmic Force Percussion (PIW). He also serves as the Director of Percussion for Pflugerville High School, as well as its subsequent feeder patterns, maintaining the curriculum and instruction for those 6-12th grade students. Trysten has worked with many other prestigious band programs throughout the state of Texas, including: Weiss High School, Westwood High School, Burleson High School, James Bowie High School, and finally McNeil High School, where he was the primary percussion technician from 2020-2022.

Trysten holds a Bachelor in Music Studies/Education from Texas State University (Concert Percussion emphasis) and had the privilege of learning under Mr. Robert Lopez, as well as Mr. Genaro Gonzalez, and Ms. Kari Klier.

Trysten has performed with many prestigious ensembles within Central Texas, such as the Texas State Symphony Orchestra, served as Principal Percussionist of the Texas State Wind Symphony, the Texas State Bobcat Marching Band, both Texas State Percussion Ensembles, and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corp in 2016. Most notably, Trysten was a member with Rhythmic Force Percussion, performing as a snare drummer in 2019 and 2020, and served as Ensemble Captain and Center Marimba For the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Brad Furlano

Brad Furlano

Chief Executive Officer

Brad Furlano joined the Blue Stars organization as a 10-year-old in 1982, marching until aging out in 1993. Prior to becoming the organizations’ CEO in 2006, Furlano held various positions with the corps, including: visual caption head, drill designer, interim corps director, and board member. 

Furlano has a degree in Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, and managed communications teams at several Fortune 500 companies, including Best Buy, Ameriprise Financial, and Eddie Bauer. 

Brad lives in Onalaska, WI with his wife Niki and son Ethan. 

Brad Harris

Brad Harris

Director – Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps

Brad’s career with the Blue Stars began in 2011, when he served as Equipment Manager and was subsequently named Director of Operations in 2012. He has been a member of the Blue Stars administrative team ever since, holding numerous leadership roles within the organization. Brad has dedicated countless hours touring, managing corps operations, and coordinating with members, staff, and volunteers to ensure a smooth, successful, and safe drum corps experience each season.

Harris holds Master of Music degrees in Trombone Performance and Instrumental Conducting from Illinois State University (Normal, IL), where he studied trombone with Dr. Stephen Parsons and wind conducting with Dr. Stephen Steele. Brad earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Luther College (Decorah, IA), where he studied trombone with Dr. Michael Smith and conducting with Dr. Daniel Baldwin.

Harris maintains an active performance schedule and is currently a member of the Cincinnati Brass Band and the Jump ‘n Jive Big Band. Additionally, he has performed in the Central Iowa Symphony, Central Iowa Wind Ensemble, the Des Moines Metro Brass Quintet, the Fifth of Brass Quintet, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and Sinfonia da Camera in addition to many academic ensembles. In addition to drum corps touring, Brad has traveled and performed internationally with concert bands in Japan, China, and Norway, and was honored to perform the Derek Bourgeois Trombone Concerto with the Illinois State University Wind Symphony during his graduate studies.

Brad’s professional teaching experience includes serving as a band director in the Johnston Community School District in Johnston, IA from 2013 to 2020. Additionally, he has served as a clinician and adjudicator in numerous music contests and festivals in the Midwest. His additional ensemble direction experience includes serving as Assistant Director of the Cincinnati Brass Band, Director of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony Brass Ensemble, and as a Graduate Assistant of the Bands at Illinois State University.

Brad is a native of Forest City, Iowa and currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lizzie Miller

Lizzie Miller

Director – Organizational Leadership

Lizzie has been involved with the Blue Stars for over a decade, beginning her involvement with the corps as a trumpet player. Lizzie marched for four years, aging out in 2015 as drum major. Since aging out, she has been active on the administrative team, serving in various leadership capacities. 

Lizzie holds her Bachelors in Civil Engineering from University of Dayton, and Masters of Science specializing in Structural Engineering from Iowa State University. Outside of drum corps, Lizzie is a structural engineer in Cincinnati, OH.

Steve Stueck

Steve Stueck

Business Manager

Steve’s first Blue Stars experience was marching in the Oktoberfest Parade in 1977  after marching with the Royal Knights of Manitowoc WI. for three season. Steve marched three  seasons as a mellophone player in 1978, 79 aging out in 1980. In 1981 & 1982 he joined the  visual instructional staff and the administration team. 

In 1983 Steve helped launch the Blue Star Cadets as an instructional staff member and  continued to support the corps through out the 80’s as a roommate of the Corps Director Brian  Whitty. Brian finally convinced Steve to more actively work with the corps in 1997 as a bus  driver. From there it snow balled into bingo volunteer, brat stand volunteer/coordinator, home  show volunteer, board of director member & corps treasurer eventually taking on the position of  corps Business Manager. 

Steve has served as a DCI show volunteer working in various capacities since 1998. He  was named a DCI Volunteer of the year in 2010 and was inducted into the Blue Stars Hall of  Fame in 2013. Steve graduated from UW-La Crosse with a BS degree in business  administration in 1988. After taking an early pension from the city of La Crosse in 2017 after 24  years of service Steve has been a full time employee of Blue Stars Performing Arts for Youth.

Heather Tollers

Heather Tollers

Donor Relations, Events, & Merchandise Manager

Heather started volunteering with the Blue Stars in 2011 when her dad, Gary, asked if she’d like to help him with “a few projects” for the corps. Ten years later she’s still helping where there is a need - selling merchandise, driving vehicles, running shows and traveling the country. 

Heather has been going to drum corps shows since before she was born. Growing up DCI finals were part of summer vacation. This activity has always been a part of her life.

Heather holds a BFA in graphic design from Concordia University, Seward, NE. She has worked with several newspapers and owns a design company, HT Designs. Heather lives in Rochester, MN.

Jack Pantaleo

Jack Pantaleo

Media Manager

Jack is a performing arts content creator and media professional based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

His past work has involved brands such as: DCI, WGI, UDB, TromboneTimo, Christopher Bill, Midwest Clinic, TMEA, TBA, Fem Forte, Meet The Bus, and The Breakdown Camp, amongst others. 

Jack has been involved with The Blue Stars since 2017- spending the first three years as a performer before transitioning to a staff role in 2021.

He also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he participated in the marching band, varsity band, concert band, and university band.

Introduced to the video industry at a very young age through his late father’s family business, Jack spent many school nights and weekends learning the fundamentals of production while also being afforded opportunities such as operating a camera for concerts and gripping on small-scale shoots. 

Jack’s primary goal during the summer and throughout the year is to create something that inspires a sense of belonging, identity, and pride for any musician, artist, or performer.