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

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

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

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

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.