Reilley Potter

Administrative Specialist - Vehicle Driver

Hi! I’m Reilley Potter I’m a Blue Star Alum and am looking forward to returning this year to help drive everyone. I played the Tuba for 6 years and marched in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

My biggest goal for this season is to be a part of the journey to the championship and leave a strong impression on how to use their skills from Blue Stars in the rest of their lives.

Makayla Lockhart

Photographer

Makayla is a DFW-based photographer. She began her drum corps journey as a photographer with the Crossmen in 2022 and joined the Blue Stars media team in 2023, where she has met her favorite people in the world!

She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photojournalism with a minor in Music from the University of North Texas in 2022. During her time at UNT, she marched cymbals with the Green Brigade for two seasons and served as Student Administrator of Media Management in her final two seasons. She also marched cymbals for 2 seasons with Vigilantes Indoor Percussion, a Fort Worth-based WGI group.

Makayla is also the founder of a real estate media business called Lockhart & Lens, serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Chloe Johnson

Videographer

Chloe Johnson (@finalflagproductions) is a creative video producer specializing in sports and the marching arts. She is excited to be joining the Blue Stars for her second season in drum corps media.

Chloe worked with Phantom Regiment as the media team’s primary video producer in 2025. She is currently the lead creative video producer for the Mighty Sound of Maryland marching band and a content producer for the Old Line Performing Arts indoor ensembles.

Originally from Frederick, Maryland, Chloe graduated from the University of Maryland in 2024 with degrees in Cinema and Media Studies and English. She performed in the Mighty Sound of Maryland in the color guard and served as drum major in her final year. She also interned with the Maryland Athletics creative video department, producing content for the university’s field hockey, wrestling, and baseball teams. Chloe currently works as a Game Presentation Production Associate for the Baltimore Orioles and does freelance videography and broadcast production work in the Baltimore/DC area.

In addition to her production work, Chloe has worked with several color guard programs across Maryland as an instructor and choreographer and studies music part-time on the alto saxophone. She is a life member of Tau Beta Sigma and enjoys baking, traveling, and cheering on her Terps.

Ava Larson

Merchandising Intern

Ava Larson is an incoming freshman at Arizona State University, where she will be studying engineering as a member of Barrett, The Honors College. Throughout high school, she was ranked in the top ten of her graduating class. Ava was actively involved in leadership roles, including serving as vice president of her debate team and varsity cheer captain.

Growing up as the daughter of Travis Larson, she has always been surrounded by music. Ava is excited to spend the summer with the Blue Stars and to have the opportunity to spend time with her dad.

Amelia Kannon

Media Intern

Amelia currently resides in Tulsa Oklahoma and is currently one of the Assistant Directors at Jenks high school. She was recently a Color guard member of Ménage in Mirage performance ensembles in 2024 and 2025.

This is Amelia’s first year with the Blue Stars but her 6th year involved in DCI. Amelia was a captain of the Madison Scouts color guard in 2020-22 and then aged out with the Mandarins in 2023. Since marching she has been a part of the Mandarins Admin team in 2024 and 2025 assisting the corps along the road.

Amelia has always been interested in creating media, playing with cameras since she was a young girl. She fell in love with photography using her pets as her models and even created a stop motion youtube channel. She is very excited to spend a portion of her summer creating with the Blue Stars!

Eli Watkins

Media Intern

Eli is an Arlington, Texas-based photographer and former color guard performer whose work is rooted in a deep passion for the marching arts. They began their performance journey in 2019 and have since performed with the Academy Drum & Bugle Corps (2023) and Mirage Performance Ensembles as a Menage cast member for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. These experiences on the field have shaped Eli’s artistic perspective and continue to influence their visual storytelling behind the lens.

Eli discovered photography in 2020, initially exploring landscape and portrait work before naturally gravitating toward documenting color guard and marching arts performances. With a performer’s perspective and an artist’s eye, their goal is to capture the breath, energy, and passion behind every moment, preserving the emotion and intensity that make each performance unforgettable.

They have worked as a photographer with Nova Independent Winterguard and Richland High School’s color guard programs, building strong connections within the community and a growing portfolio dedicated to the activity they love. Eli is excited to continue blending performance experience with creative vision as they learn from and contribute to the Blue Stars media team.

Emilia Sepulveda

Admin Intern

I am a passionate music educator and clarinetist based in Atlanta, Georgia. A 2026 graduate of Western Carolina University, I hold a degree in Music Education, and during my time at WCU, I served in key leadership roles for the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, both as Drum Major and Staff Coordinator. These experiences sharpened my expertise in large-ensemble logistics, pedagogy, and student leadership development. Now I am involved in local High school marching arts programs, dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians.

Rita Acosta, LAT, ATC, EMT

Director - Medical Program

Rita Acosta is a certified, licensed Athletic Trainer with 5 years of experience in drum corps healthcare. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2021 with a minor in Functional Performing Arts. She furthered her education at Southeast Missouri State University with a Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Science.

Rita started her drum corps career at Spirit of Atlanta, where she served for 3 years as a member of the medical staff in 2018-2021. She then transitioned to Blue Stars, where she served as the Head Athletic Trainer in 2022 and 2023. Rita has assisted in creating medical policies and procedures, providing exceptional care to corps members and staff, and education on health and wellness for members and staff.

While creating her own minor during her undergraduate degree, Rita wrote multiple research papers on biomechanics of dance and COVID-19 policies for marching bands. In graduate school, she wrote her master’s thesis on the impacts of body composition on injury in dancers.

During graduate school, Rita worked in an athletic training clinic, serving the university’s conservatory of theater and dance. She is currently employed as a Clinical Athletic Trainer at TRIA Orthopedics in Minnesota. Additionally, she is a member of TRIA’s Performing Arts Medicine Team, which provides on-site medical services for many performing arts organizations within Minnesota, including Circus Juventas.

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.