Kayla Ogden

Brass Team

Kayla Ogden currently serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at James Bowie Middle School in Fort Bend ISD.

Kayla is a native of Georgetown, Texas. She attended Oklahoma State University and received her Bachelor of Music degree in 2019. During her time at OSU, she studied French horn with Lanette López Compton and performed with the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Horn Octet, Horn Choir, and Cowboy Marching Band.

Her musical experience was positively impacted by DCI. She marched mellophone with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps during the 2013 - 2016 seasons, and aged out in 2017 with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. During her time in DCI, she won the Jim Ott Best Brass Performance Award in both Cadets and Carolina Crown Horn Lines.

Kayla is thrilled to be joining the incredible Blue Stars Brass Staff!

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.

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.