Brian Soules

Visual Ensemble Specialist

Brian Soules has been involved in the performing arts as a drill designer, instructor, and performer for the past 35 years. Brian was the Visual Caption Head of The Cavaliers from 2019-2024. From 2012-2018 Brian was a member of the Carolina Crown visual staff where he helped Crown win the DCI World Championship in 2013 and the John Brazale award for best visual performance in 2012, 2013, 2016. Prior to working with Crown, Brian also worked with several other Finalist corps including the Bluecoats (1999-2000, 2008-2011), the Santa Clara Vanguard (2002-2006) and the Crossmen (1995-1998).

As a performer, Brian played mellophone in the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps from 1987 to 1993 - winning the DCI World Championships in 1991.  Brian also was a member of the 1993 San Jose Raiders winter guard - winning the WGI Independent World Class Championship that season.  

Brian designs and writes drill for numerous bands across the country.

Jonny Zollo

Visual Caption Consultant

With over 32 years of experience in visual instruction, I have dedicated my efforts over the years shaping young performers in both drum corps and high school marching bands.  For the past 22 years, I have served as the Lead Visual Coordinator for the Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts, where I focus on developing innovative visual programs that inspire students to achieve their fullest potential.  

Throughout my journey, I have had the privilege of working with prestigious drum corps, including Spirit of Atlanta, Colts, Boston Crusaders, Blue Stars, Carolina Crown and The Cavaliers.

My professional career spans the last 28 years, helping clients and small businesses navigate their financial journeys and build lasting wealth.  I am a managing partner in a generational Wealth Managment practice and a practicing Certified Financial Planner

Brad Donoris

Visual Caption Consultant

Brad Donoris has been an active educator of the marching arts for over 20 years at the scholastic and independent level. Some of his previous educational endeavors include: Jersey Surf, Lehigh Valley Knights, Teal Sound, The Magic, The Academy, Boston Crusaders, and The Crossmen

Brad is also an active visual designer, consultant, and adjudicator. He has written for various outdoor and indoor ensembles throughout the country, most recently as the drill designer for Pecos High School, (TX). He is currently the Visual Manager for WGI finalist United Percussion.

Jacoby Taylor

Movement Coordinator

Jacoby Taylor’s marching arts career started at Klein Collins high school in Spring, TX. Following graduation, Taylor continued to develop his education and pursue his passion for the activity by performing with various independent groups. He also spent four summers with the Madison Scouts, three of them as the captain of the color guard.

Jacoby has worked with various programs throughout the state of Texas as a director, designer, choreographer and clinician. He currently is the colorguard director at Cypress Springs High School and Paetow High School. He is also the founder and director of Undaunted an independent open colorguard based in Houston.

 Taylor continues to reside in Cypress, TX with his two dogs and along with his color guard career, is studying for his realtors license.

Cheyanne Dougherty

Movement Specialist

​​Cheyanne Dougherty is a performer and marching arts educator from Palm Desert, California.

As a performer, Cheyanne was a colorguard member of The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps (2018-2023), Fantasia Winterguard (2020), and The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps (2017) as well as a visual soloist for POW Percussion (2022). She has served for 4 years as an instructor for multiple marching band and colorguard programs around Southern California, including her alma mater, Palm Desert High School and Palm Desert Charter Middle School.

Cheyanne is a current student at The University of California, Los Angeles and is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

Adara Joiner

Movement Specialist

Following her graduation from Klein Oak High School, Adara Joiner studied at Sam Houston State University for a B.S. in Health Care Administration and a minor in Dance. 

She is the Color Guard Director at Patricia E. Paetow High School in Katy, TX and concurrently a technician at Friendswood HS. Along with that she techs and choreographs at various schools throughout the Houston area. 

Adara has competed in the Scholastic A and Scholastic Open classes in which she has obtained a gold medal and made Open Class finals in the annual Winter Guard International championships, respectively. Adara has performed with various Independent Winter Ensembles including Undaunted Open and Origins World.  Her World Class Drum Corps experience comes from her time with the Phantom Regiment, in which she served as captain in one of two years of membership.

Doug Hall

Performance Coach/Visual Instructor

Doug Hall was a marching member with the Blue Stars, 2002-2004. He continued his involvement with the Blue Stars as a visual tech 2005-2008 and 2015-2022. Doug was also active with high school marching band and winter drumline programs in Indiana, including Tri-West High School, Franklin Central High School, Ben Davis High School and Center Grove High School.

Outside of the marching arts community, Doug is a full-time performer at Walt Disney World, performing in multiple shows and parades. He attributes his success at the "Happiest Place on Earth" to the mentality and work ethic he gained from being a part of the Blue Stars.

"I have been a part of the Blue Stars family in some capacity since 2002 and am thrilled to be a part of the 2022 visual team. I look forward to providing a positive experience for our current members and to instill the values and work ethic that this organization has taught me! FCO."

Chris Hardesty

Visual Instructor

Chris Hardesty is in his 16th year as a music educator and is currently the Band Director at Mooresville Middle School (Mooresville) where he has assisted with the Mooresville High School Marching Band for the past two seasons.  Prior to this appointment, Chris taught for 9 years at Northwest Cabarrus High School (Concord) as well as 5 years at Marvin Ridge Middle School/High School (Waxhaw).

Chris graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music (Music Education) from East Carolina University.  Expanding his instructional opportunities, Chris has worked as a technician/consultant with several notable bands through North Carolina including:  Croatan High School (Newport), East Carteret High School (Beaufort), Green Hope High School (Cary), Northwest Cabarrus High School (Concord), and Butler High School (Matthews).

During his drum corps career, Chris marched with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (2005) and the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps (2007).  Chris has taught as a visual technician with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in 2010-2011 and since 2016, he is excited to start another year with the organization.

Matt Katafiasz

Visual Instructor

Matt Katafiasz joins the Blue Stars visual staff after many years of involvement in the marching arts. His performance experience includes Plymouth Canton Educational Park Marching Band, the Eastern Michigan Marching Band, and four seasons with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. 

 He also has extensive experience as a DCI, WGI and Scholastic Visual Instructor. Some groups he has instructed recently include Northcoast Academy, Monarch Independent Percussion, Genesis, Guardians, Troopers, and the Lake Orion Marching Band. 

Aaron Spiegel

Visual Instructor

Aaron Spiegel is proud to be returning for his fifth year on the visual staff. This will be his 9th consecutive year with the Blue Stars as he marched from 2017-2021, and then immediately joined the visual staff in 2022. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and now residing in Winston Salem, NC, he works in operations management for the automotive industry. Aaron completed his collegiate work at The University of North Carolina, Charlotte, where he received a BSBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management in 2022. In addition to his profession career, he works with local high school marching programs in North Carolina and has began judging in the local circuit.

Andrew Markworth

Music & Sound Composer / Arranger

Andrew Markworth is a composer, arranger, and consultant writing for marching bands, indoor percussion and winds groups and drum corps all over the world.

He is currently the music director for Rhythm X Percussion (3 time WGI Independent World Gold Medalist).   He was the Music Arranger/Coordinator for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from San Antonio, TX from 2015-2020 and the Front Ensemble Arranger/Coordinator for Carolina Crown from 2007-2014.  He is also currently the full ensemble music arranger for Vandegrift High School, Centerville High School and many others.

Andrew is a Yamaha Performing Artist and a proud endorser of Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, and Promark Drumsticks which produces his signature mallet collection.

He currently resides in Centerville, Ohio with his wife Kara, daughter Natalie, and son Brady.

Kevin Ford

Drill Designer

Kevin Ford is the founder and Director of the Leadership Conservatory for the Arts at Tarpon Springs High School. He is presently in his twenty-sixth year of teaching in the public school system as the Director of Bands at Tarpon Springs High School. 

His responsibilities include directing the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Solo and Ensemble Coach, supervising all Conservatory performance ensembles, and developing curriculum for the Conservatory Student Leadership Courses. 

In addition to his duties at Tarpon Springs High School, Mr. Ford is a Yamaha Master Educator and enjoys an active schedule as a leadership speaker and guest clinician throughout the country. Mr Ford was the MENC National Band Director of the Year in 2016 and was just recently elected into the Bands of America Hall of Fame. He is nationally recognized as an innovative show designer and has written for Disney’s BLAST, the Opening Ceremonies for the FIFA World Cup in South Korea, and is the creative director/ drill designer for the Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble. Mr. Ford is also the co-founder/owner of the Inspire.... Music and Entertainment Production Company.

Jim Wunderlich

Music Advisor

Jim has been the music coordinator & brass arranger for the Blue Stars since 2018. Prior to his arrival at the Blue Stars, he held the position of Front Ensemble caption head & arranger for the Blue Devils from 2006-2017, where he helped attain 7 DCI Championships and 4 Fred Sanford High Percussion awards.

Jim is the owner and primary composer of Wunderpit Music (ASCAP), where his arrangements & compositions are performed worldwide by marching bands & percussion ensembles of all ages. His arrangements have been played throughout the years by several BOA Grand National finalists.

In the indoor arena, Jim was the front ensemble arranger/music coordinator for multi-time WGI PIW champion RCC Indoor Percussion from 2004-2020. He has achieved several WGI PSW Championships with Mission Viejo High School and Ayala High School since 2001. Jim has been traveling to Tokyo, Japan since 2007, where he has been the Front Ensemble arranger for the multi-time JMBA champion Soka Renaissance Vanguard.

Jim is a member of the WGI Hall of Fame, and is a founding member of the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA). He resides in Southern California with his daughter Chloe.

Kris Galbreath

Choreographer, Movement Specialist

Kris Galbreath studied marketing at the University of North Texas and graduated with a Bachelor in Business Administration in May of 2017. He started his Drum Corps career in the summer of 2010, marching with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. After graduating from Little Elm high school, he found a home with the Blue Devils during the summer of 2012 where he marched 4 years until his age out in 2015. 

 During the 2017 season, Kris worked with the color guard at the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. In Texas, has taught and choreographed for various high schools in the DFW area including Wakeland high school and Coppell high school. During the winter season, Kris teaches on staff at CGT Dallas where he has helped choreograph since their first year in 2015. Kris has been a choreographer for Blue Stars since the 2018 Season.

Jorden Pugsley

Visual Instructor

With a passion for movement cultivated since childhood through dance, Jorden Charles embarked on her journey in the world of marching arts as a trumpet player at Oviedo High School in 2007. Following her graduation, Jorden's dedication led her to assume the role of visual technician at her alma mater, where she flourished from 2011 to 2018, ultimately serving as the visual caption head from 2015 to 2018.

Expanding her influence, Jorden extended her expertise to various institutions, including University High School, Olympia High School, Windermere High School, and Infinity Percussion I and II. Her commitment to excellence earned her a place in the prestigious Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012, where she honed her skills as a trumpet player until 2015.

Jorden's journey as an educator and mentor continued to evolve as she joined the Infinity II visual staff in 2016, progressing to the visual staff of Infinity I in 2019. Her exceptional leadership qualities led her to assume the role of visual caption head at Infinity II for the 2020 season. Despite a brief hiatus to traverse the Atlantic, Jorden returned to Infinity I as the Visual Ensemble Coordinator, further enriching the program with her expertise.

Presently, Jorden's influence extends across multiple platforms, as she dedicates herself to nurturing talent at Infinity Percussion I, Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, and Windermere High School. Through her unwavering dedication and passion for the arts, Jorden continues to inspire and shape the next generation of performers and educators alike.

Will Carroll

Visual Instructor

Will Carroll is a brass musician and educator hailing from Dallas, Texas, where he currently imparts his passion for music as a middle school band director in the Plano Independent School District. Prior to his tenure in Plano, Will served as a middle school band director in various schools within Dickinson ISD.

Will's journey in music began at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he pursued a degree in Music Education. There, he had the privilege of studying under the mentorship of Dr. Charles Gavin. During his time at Stephen F. Austin, Will actively contributed to several ensembles at the University, including the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra of the Pines, and Opera Orchestra.

Beyond the academic realm, Will Carroll extended his expertise as a music and visual technician to various schools in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas. His journey has been marked by excellent achievements as a performer. Before entering the Drum Corps scene, Will performed with the Hebron High School marching band and Wind Ensemble. After, he dedicated five summer tours to the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle corps, contributing to three top-three placements and a coveted World Championship title in 2016. His musical journey also took him across international boundaries when he performed with the Bluecoats international ensemble, embarking on an unforgettable experience in Hong Kong in 2017.

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, IN Marching Band where he has been teaching since 2014, and the visual designer for Perry Meridian HS, IN for the 2025 season. 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, Music City in 2024, and the Blue Stars in 2025.

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 returning to the Blue Stars in 2026!

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.

Adam Germ

Visual Instructor

Adam Germ is a pageantry arts educator and designer from Allentown, Pennsylvania. He is an alumnus of the Quakertown Community High School Class of 2019.

Adam began his performing career with his high school marching band, and after graduating, went on to perform with other ensembles such as The Cadets2 (2018) and the Blue Stars (2019-2022) drum corps. Since aging out of DCI, Adam has worked with, and designed for, a handful of high school programs around the PA/NJ area, most notably as the Ensemble Coordinator at Central Bucks South High School until 2024. He also taught previously on the visual staffs at the Bushwackers (DCI All-Age), Genesis, and the Blue Stars.

Currently, Adam heads the Visual Caption at North Penn for both their fall marching band and  winter percussion groups, who are now USBands and WGI Finalists respectively. He also heads the visual program at United Percussion 2, a WGI Open Class Finalist, where trains members in preparation for the United Percussion World ensemble. He also acts as the group’s drill and visual designer.

Adam is excited to return to the Blue Stars for another incredible season!