Jacob Gall

Battery Caption Manager

Jacob Gall resides in Dallas, TX where he currently serves as Director of Percussion for Richland High School in Prosper ISD. Prior to his teaching appointment in Prosper, Jacob worked in the Leander Independent School District as Director of Percussion for Glenn High School. It was during his time at Glenn where he led the Glenn Indoor Percussion group to three consecutive state champion titles within the Texas Color Guard Circuit. The group was also named regional champions at the WGI Houston and WGI Dallas shows during both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Jacob is best known for his work with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where he taught the Corps from 2009-2023 and held the positions of Snare Technician (2009-2011), Battery Coordinator (2012-2016), and Battery Caption Manager (2017-2023). Jacob was inducted into The Cadets Hall of Fame in the fall of 2021. In addition to The Cadets, Jacob has held teaching positions at the Crossmen and Genesis. As a performer, Jacob began his playing career as a tenor player for Jersey Surf in 2002, and then performed as a snare drummer in Crossmen 2005, and then The Cadets from 2006-2008, where he was section leader his age out year.

Jacob holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Pennsylvania State University, and a Masters degree in Music Performance from the University of Massachusetts. Jacob is a proud endorser of Pearl, Zildjian, Remo, and Vic Firth products.

Dave Dumont

Snare Instructor

A longtime educator, designer, and judge, Dave brings experience and a passion for pushing ensembles to the next level. Dave’s marching background includes the CT Hurricanes, Hawthorne Caballeros, Syracuse Brigadiers, Project Percussion (PIW), the Crossmen, and The Cadets, where he aged out in 2007 with a silver medal on snare drum.

As an educator, he began at Trumbull High School before moving to Norwalk High School in 2010, where his percussion ensembles have earned multiple WGI PSO medals and finals appearances. He has also worked with programs across CT, NY, and PA.

In drum corps, Dave has taught the Caballeros, Hurricanes, and served as the inaugural Percussion Caption Head for Cadets2 from 2012–2018, where he also arranged and coordinated staff. In 2016, Cadets2 captured both High Percussion and the DCA Championship. He has since consulted with Fusion Core, the Caballeros, CWP, and instructed at The Cadets. Dave also judges for USBands, NYSPC, MAC, and DCA, and currently serves as Percussion Judge Coordinator for the Musical Arts Conference.

Alex Gilbert

Snare Instructor

Alex Gilbert is a percussionist and music education major at Texas State University. He began his marching career in Central Texas at McNeil High School before venturing into the world of Drum Corps and WGI. Over the years, he’s performed as a snare drummer with world-class ensembles including Genesis and Rhythmic Force Percussion. He later joined The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, marching from 2021 to 2023, where he served as center snare during the 2022 and 2023 seasons and as Battery Captain in his final year. During his age-out season, he was honored with The Outstanding Cadet Award for the battery section.

Outside of performing, Alex has worked with several high school percussion programs across Central Texas along with the Texas State Bobcat Marching Band. He currently helps lead the battery percussion program at Vandegrift High School and has been a snare technician with Rhythmic Force Percussion since 2024, where he now serves as the Assistant Battery Caption Head.

This season marks his second year with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.

John Wolff

Snare Instructor

John Wolff is a dedicated performer, educator, and composer currently pursuing a master's degree in percussion performance at Northern Illinois University. He received his bachelor's degree in percussion performance from East Texas A&M University, where he studied under esteemed educators such as Dr. Brian Zator, Jeff Ausdemore, Lauren Teel, and Sandi Rennick.

While at East Texas, John was an integral part of prestigious events, including performing at the Texas Music Educators Association in 2022 and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2023. John has been a member of the Percussive Arts Society University Student Committee since 2023.

With an extensive background in marching percussion, John currently serves as a snare drum technician for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. He taught with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2025 and was a performing member with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. John is a passionate educator and composer. He has worked with various high school percussion programs in Texas, most notably with The Woodlands High School, Allen High School, and Terrell High School.

John is a private lesson teacher through March Drum Corps online music lessons and a member of the Ensemble Block Team.

Avery Melucci

Tenor Instructor

Avery Lane Melucci brings over a decade of experience in the marching arts as both a performer and educator. He performed with The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2013, and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014 to 2017, serving as drum sergeant in his final 2 years. Since aging out, Avery has held battery technician roles with several DCI ensembles, including Spirit of Atlanta (2018–2019), Music City Drum Corps (2023), and a return to The Cavaliers in 2024 and 2025. He has also worked extensively with high school percussion programs across Florida’s Tampa Bay region, Winter Guard International percussion ensembles of all classes, and hundreds of private lessons students over the years.

Avery currently serves as a percussion specialist in Prosper ISD (Prosper, Texas) within the Rock Hill cluster of schools. Known for his clear instruction, approachable leadership style, and commitment to developing excellence, Avery is fired up to bring his experience, energy, and focus to The Blue Stars as they prepare for a championship-caliber season in 2026.

Avery proudly endorses Innovative Percussion. 

Mauricio González

Tenor Instructor

Mauricio Gonzalez started his DCI marching career as a tenor drummer with Crossmen 2019 at 16 years old. He then continued with the Boston Crusaders until 2024.

Since aging out he has taught at Crossmen 2025 and is excited to join the Blue Stars 2026 percussion team!

Joe Ciancimino

Tenor Instructor

Joe Ciancimino is a seasoned percussion educator originating from Norristown, PA. Joe has been an active member of the drum corps community for the last 15 years.

As a performer, Joe performed as a marching member with the Reading Buccaneers (2010-2011) and The Cadets (2012-2013). Upon his age out, he began working a member of the Cadets2 percussion staff, holding multiple positions including Battery Technician (2014-2015) and Battery Captain Manager (2016-2018). Joe was also a member of The Cadets battery staff from 2017-2021.

In the indoor percussion space, Joe has worked with several east coast percussion groups including both Upper Darby High School and United Percussion. Joe has also been a percussion and music adjudicator with numerous circuits since 2015.

Outside of drum corps, Joe is located in Lansdale, PA where he lives with his wife and daughter and maintains a career outside of the activity. Joe is a graduate of Temple University’s Fox School of Business. 

Wil Wright

Bass Instructor

Wil Wright is from Fort Payne, Alabama, and graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education. 

Mr. Wright is an alumnus of the JSU Marching Southerners (‘18-’21), The Cavaliers (‘22), and Atlanta Quest (‘23). 

Mr. Wright’s teaching experience includes three years at The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and currently teaches at Dobyns Bennett HS, Wakeland HS, Q2 Independent Open, and VIP Independent World.

Mr. Wright joins us as a first season bass tech with Blue Stars.  

Matthew Romero

Bass Instructor

Matthew Romero is a percussionist and educator from Houston, Texas, with a diverse background in the marching arts. He has performed with notable groups including Broken City Percussion, Carolina Crown, Monarch Independent, Sacramento Mandarins, and the Blue Knights. These experiences have molded his skills and fueled his passion for teaching.

Matthew has taught at many high schools in the greater Houston area, spending significant time with Bridgeland High School in Cypress, Texas. He has also served on the instructional staff for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Influenced by exceptional educators like Taha Ahmed, Aundray Edwards, Mike Jackson, Matt Gonzales, Veronica Wicks, and Chris Nguyen, he is thrilled to join the team at the Blue Stars.

Kobe Sanders

Bass Instructor

Kobe Sanders is returning for his second year on staff with the Blue Stars. A passionate percussionist and music educator from Coachella, CA, he is now based in San Luis Obispo, CA. Kobe recently graduated from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music where he earned his B.A. in Music Education and completed his student teaching under the mentorship of acclaimed educator Angela Woo.

Kobe has served as Battery Coordinator at Palisades Charter High School, instructed at SoCal Bass Camp, and performed with world-class ensembles including POW Percussion, the UCLA Bruin Marching Band, Pulse Percussion, and The Blue Devils. In 2023, he also served as Bass Section Leader for the Blue Stars.

Now the Director of Music at Templeton High School, Kobe is dedicated to fostering inclusive, student-centered environments. He believes that meaningful music-making cultivates connection, community, empowerment, and self-expression in all young musicians.

Haruto Kitade

Bass Instructor