Ryan Stratford

Visual Instructor

Ryan lives in Southeast Michigan where he is an independent visual coordinator, choreographer and educator. Ryan marched trumpet with the Blue Stars from 2014 through 2018 and joined the visual staff after aging out through the 2023 season.

As a drum corps instructor, Ryan has also had a variety of responsibilities with the visual teams at Seattle Cascades and Genesis.

He is excited to rejoin the team for the 2025 season!

Jason Schmidt

Visual Instructor

Jason Schmidt is a native to Granger, IN, and currently resides in Indianapolis, IN. He is currently the assistant director and visual designer of the Plainfield Red Pride Marching Band where he has been teaching since 2014. He has also been the visual designer for various other Indiana-based ensembles in both fall and winter seasons.

Jason began his music journey in the Penn-Harris-Madison schools where he was blessed with an immense amount of opportunities, namely performing in the Midwest Clinic in 2008. He then obtained his B.S. in Music Education from Ball State University, and has since remained involved in the performing arts in many capacities. 

Jason was a performing member of the Blue Stars from 2010-2012. Aside from being in the ensemble, he also competed in the I&E competitions and was runner-up in 2011 and champion in 2012 on solo trombone. He then joined the Blue Stars admin team in 2013. More recently he taught on the visual staff at The Academy in 2023 and Music City in 2024.

Outside of the marching arts, Jason has been a trombonist with the Indiana Wind Symphony since 2021. He has enjoyed his experiences with the ensemble and having the opportunity to perform in the beautiful venue of The Palladium in Carmel, IN for the regular concert season.

Jason is thrilled to be joining the Blue Stars in 2025, coming full circle to his drum corps beginnings!

Yukari Nakazawa

Visual Instructor

Yukari began her marching career as a tuba player when she was High school Student at Shijonawate Gakuen High School Burning Bravers. Afterwards she joined the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2010-2013.

After aging out, Yukari start to teaching Shijonawate Gakuen High School Burning Bravers(Osaka,Japan) as Brass and Visual Staff.she is also a choreographer, and drill writer. Yukari has been instrumental in continuing to compete in All Japan Marching Band National Championship for over 10 years.