Elise Hawkes

Brass Team

Elise Hawkes is excited to join the Blue Stars brass team this summer. She marched with Crossmen Drums and Bugle Corps, as well as The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, and has spent several summers teaching various world-class groups.

Elise resides in Fort Worth, Texas, works as a medical music therapist, and spends her free time running.

Olivia Ellsworth

Brass Team

Olivia is a freelance musician and music educator based out of the northern Virginia area. 

Her drum corps experience lies deep within tradition, marching trumpet with the Cadets Drum and Bugle corps from 2021 to aging out in 2023. She was a featured cornet soloist in the production titled “Atlas Rising,” showcasing her diverse musical abilities, meshing together drum corps and British style brass band. After her age-out, she was a part of the brass team at the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle corps for their 2024 season. 

Olivia is at the finish line for her degree at James Madison University obtaining a Bachelor’s of Music Performance. At her time at JMU, she was an active performer playing in the British style brass band, Wind Symphony, Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Royal Dukes, and an NTC qualified trumpet ensemble. 

She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Blue Stars teams for their upcoming season! 

Daniel Bartley

Brass Team

Daniel Bartley is currently a student at the University of Arkansas, pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Education and Music Composition. Additionally, he has spent the past two Fall semesters teaching marching band at Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Daniel has also worked with the marching bands at Grand Saline High School and his alma mater, Canton High School, as a choreographer and visual instructor.

Daniel began his DCI journey with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018 and 2019 as abaritone member. He then was a member of the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from 2020 to 2023. From 2021 to 2023, Daniel was a baritone soloist for the Blue Stars, while serving as Horn Sergeant in 2023.

The time Daniel has spent as a performer in the marching arts is something he will always cherish. Daniel is thrilled to be on brass staff for the Blue Stars in 2025.

Tom Santiago

Brass Team

Tom Santiago is currently the Band Director at Riverview Middle School in Huntington, Indiana. In addition to this, he also teaches marching band at both Huntington North High School and Carroll High School.

Prior to teaching at the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, Tom graduated from Ball State University in 2023 with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. At Ball State, he performed with the Ball State Wind Ensemble as principal Euphonium, the Ball State Jazz Ensemble 1 in the trombone section, the Ball State Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, and the Ball State Trombone Choir. Tom currently plays in Old Crown Brass Band as Assistant Principal Euphonium.

Tom was a member of the Blue Stars in the 2021 and 2022 seasons and is ecstatic to be joining the Brass Staff for the 2025 season.