Calvin Householder

Brass Team

Calvin Householder has been the Assistant Band Director at L.C. Anderson High School in Austin, TX since 2024. He is currently in his third year on the Brass Staff with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps.

A graduate from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors in Music Education, Calvin studied trombone with Professor Paul Compton, and served as Baritone Section Leader and Drum Major for the Cowboy Marching Band. He performed in the OSU Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band.

Calvin marched with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps as a member of the baritone section from 2018 to 2019, and as a Drum Major from 2020 to 2021.

Calvin is excited to return for another season with Blue Stars Brass.

Jared Kaufman

Brass Team

Jared is a native of Atlanta, GA and is currently serving as the Associate Director of Bands at Alpharetta High School in Alpharetta, Ga. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Brenau University as well as a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida. 

He has been involved in the drum corps activity since 2002, starting as a performer with Court of Honor Drum & Bugle Corps, Alliance Drum & Bugle Corps, and The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. Jared has since been an active eductor in the activity serving on staff with Music City Drum & Bugle Corps, Alliance Drum & Bugle Corps, and Genesis Drum & Bugle Corps where he served as the Assistant Visual Caption Head, Brass Caption Head, and ensemble coordinator among a number of roles with the organization over 5 years before joining the brass faculty at the Blue Stars.

Mr. Kaufman holds membership in the Mu Phi Epsilon Music Honors Fraternity, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education.  

Hannah Kirby

Brass Team

Hannah Kirby is an assistant Band Director at Irons Junior High School in Conroe, Texas where she teaches two concert bands and beginner classes.

Hannah graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelors in Music with a Teaching Certification. During her undergraduate studies, Hannah served as a Drum Major for the Bearkat Marching Band. She also performed in the SHSU Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra as principal French Horn during her time at Sam Houston.

Hannah marched with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from 2022 to 2024, serving as the Horn Sergeant for her age out year. Throughout college, she had the privilege of teaching with the Tomball Memorial High School marching band where she was a visual technician. Hannah also taught at Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps with the visual team during the 2025 season. Her love for the visual and performing arts has grown deeply and she is excited to give back to the activity and corps that helped shape her into who she is today.

Let me know if there is anything else I can do.

Jason Rinehart

Brass Team

Dr. Jason Rinehart is currently a Customer Service Supervisor for American Airlines in Pensacola, FL.  Previously he has served as the Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Alabama and the University of Louisiana-Monroe.  Prior to his appointment at USA, Dr. Rinehart taught at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music, Benedictine College, and St. Louis Community College.  

Jason received his Doctorate in Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also holds degrees from Texas Tech University (Bachelor of Music Education) and Southern Methodist University (Master in Conducting). In addition, Dr. Rinehart studied conducting with David Effron and Gunther Schuller at the Brevard Music Center.

Professional ensembles under his leadership include the Fountain City and St. Louis Brass Bands, Monroe (LA) Symphony Orchestra, Atchison (KS) Symphony, and the Kansas City Ballet, in addition to numerous collegiate wind ensembles and orchestras, as well as conducting over forty-five main stage opera and musical productions.  An avid lover of the stage, Jason has conducted over 40 operas and musicals and he has also been the stage director for such musicals as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Les Misérables.  

Dr. Rinehart is in demand as a clinician and has worked with ensembles in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, California, Ohio and Illinois. Jason is in his thirteenth year as third horn with the Monroe (LA) Symphony Orchestra and has played with numerous orchestras in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas and Missouri.  

Dr. Rinehart has been involved with the drum and bugle corps activity for over 25 years beginning as a marching member with the Sky Ryders and Phantom Regiment and has previously taught with Pioneer, Capital Regiment, and The Cadets.  He was Assistant Brass Caption Head for the Boston Crusaders, and was the Brass Caption Head for the Glassmen and Spirit of Atlanta.  He has also served as an adjudicator for Drum Corps International .

He holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Alabama Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. 

Stefan Roose

Brass Team

Stefan Roose, a dedicated musician and educator, hails from O’Fallon, IL. Currently, Stefan holds multiple prestigious roles, including Assistant Director of Bands at O’Fallon Township High School, Tubist in the US Army National Guard Bands, Board of Directors for WGI, and Director of Elevate World Winds.

Stefan's musical journey has been enriched by his experience in the Drum Corps International (DCI) community. He proudly marched with The Cadets and Music City Drum Corps, and later shared his expertise as an instructor at the Madison Scouts and Music City Drum Corps. As a classically trained musician, he also substitutes on tuba for several regional symphony orchestras in the Midwest. With over a decade of experience in teaching marching bands, Stefan continues to enjoy inspiring and shaping the next generation of musicians.

In his personal life, Stefan is happily married to Stacy and cherishes the adventures of parenthood with his energetic 5-year-old son, Jasper.

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.

Bryen Warfield

Brass Team

Bryen Warfield is a sought-after clinician, adjudicator, and conductor from Indianapolis, IN. Bryen has conducted orchestras and bands throughout the United States and Canada, including the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (C.A.), Yakima Symphony Orchestra (W.A.), Philharmonic Orchestral of Indianapolis (IN), Fort Wayne Philharmonic Players Association (IN), Circle City Orchestra (IN), and the Old Crown Brass Band (IN). Bryen specializes in African American classical music, having performed works by Margaret Bonds, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Florence Price, William Grant Still, Omar Thomas, Henry Dorn, and Benjamin Horne, as well as many other pieces by underrepresented composers.

Bryen has assisted and led highly successful band and orchestral programs in Indiana (Whiteland Community H.S., Homestead H.S., Shortridge H.S.) but also significantly contributed to the recognition and honor of many of his ensembles at local, state, and national levels. His work at Homestead High School, where the Symphony Orchestra was invited to perform as a featured ensemble at the 2020 Indiana Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference, is a testament to his impact. The Homestead Wind Ensemble, under his leadership, was one of the consortium members for Brian Balmages’ "Love and Light," Timothy Mahr's "Urge "Urgent Voices," and Parker Long's "Symphony No. 1", as well as presenting at the 2022 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic with Dr. Dan Tembras from Purdue University – Fort Wayne. The Homestead Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensembles, due to his guidance, were invited to perform at the 2023 Music for All National Concert Festival. Bryen maintains an active career in the pageantry arts as an adjudicator, educator, and clinician for high schools, colleges, and drum corps nationwide. He is the Brass Caption Head of the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. Before that, he worked with the brass teams of the Bluecoats, Santa Clara Vanguard, Columbus Saints, and Cincinnati Tradition.

Bryen is currently pursuing a Doctoral of Arts in Wind Band Conducting and Music Education at Ball State University. He attended Vincennes University and studied with Jason King and Sharon “Susie” Jackson before attending and completing his Bachelor of Music degree in Tuba Performance from the University of Louisville, studying with John Jones, Darryl Johnson, and Kimcherie Lloyd. He earned a Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting at The Ohio State University, studying with Dr. Russel Mikkelson and Dr. Scott A. Jones. Bryen has also been privileged to conduct master classes with renowned teachers such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Hugh Wolff, Donald Thulean, Kevin Sedatole, Kevin Noe, John Lynch, Robert Franz, and Robert Ambrose.

Jordan Garza

Front Ensemble Caption Manager

Jordan Garza, from Austin, Texas is currently the Ensemble Director and Front Coordinator at Rhythmic Force Percussion (PIW).  He also serves on the band staff at McNeil High School as the Director of Percussion where he coordinates percussion instruction and curriculum for grades 6-12.  Jordan holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Instrumental Emphasis) from Texas State University and is endorsed by the educational programs of Marimba One, Evans Drum Heads, Vic Firth, and Zildjian Cymbals.  He is an active clinician, percussion arranger and instructor for programs across Texas.

Under his direction, Rhythmic Force Percussion has performed at WGI World Championships as a 2018 PIO Finalist, a 2019 PIO Finalist, a 2022 PIW Finalist, and a 2024 PIW Finalist.  In 2021 during the WGI virtual seasons, Rhythmic Force embarked on a standard setting initiative to film their production “Dissolving Boundaries.”  Simultaneously, his percussion ensembles have made appearances at multiple UIL Area Finals Performances, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and are consistent finalists at local and national competitions.  In the spring of 2023, McNeil HS Percussion was invited to perform at the Music for All National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This will be Jordan’s 2nd year with the Blue Stars as the Front Ensemble Caption Manager.

Sarah Santa Cruz

Front Ensemble Instructor

Sarah Santa Cruz is a percussion teacher, composer, and web developer from Round Rock, Texas who currently teaches with Rhythmic Force Percussion, McNeil HS, and Cedar Ridge HS. Previously, she was the percussion director at Westwood High School in Austin, Texas for 8 years. During her time at Westwood, the percussion section performed at Midwest Clinic, and was very competitive with marching percussion, region band, and all-state.

Throughout her 20 years of experience as a private lesson teacher, Sarah has taught several students that have made it to TMEA All-State, with two students earning 1st chair, and others earning spots in the top 10. She has also helped many students make Region Band and Orchestra, as well as earn top ratings in solo competitions.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas, where she performed in the Green Brigade drumline, and many different percussion ensembles, including the Gamelan, Afro-Cuban, South Indian, and traditional percussion ensembles. She was also a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps snare line in 2004. 

Jacob Gall

Battery Caption Manager

Jacob Gall resides in Dallas, TX where he currently serves as Director of Percussion for Richland High School in Prosper ISD. Prior to his teaching appointment in Prosper, Jacob worked in the Leander Independent School District as Director of Percussion for Glenn High School. It was during his time at Glenn where he led the Glenn Indoor Percussion group to three consecutive state champion titles within the Texas Color Guard Circuit. The group was also named regional champions at the WGI Houston and WGI Dallas shows during both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Jacob is best known for his work with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where he taught the Corps from 2009-2023 and held the positions of Snare Technician (2009-2011), Battery Coordinator (2012-2016), and Battery Caption Manager (2017-2023). Jacob was inducted into The Cadets Hall of Fame in the fall of 2021. In addition to The Cadets, Jacob has held teaching positions at the Crossmen and Genesis. As a performer, Jacob began his playing career as a tenor player for Jersey Surf in 2002, and then performed as a snare drummer in Crossmen 2005, and then The Cadets from 2006-2008, where he was section leader his age out year.

Jacob holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Pennsylvania State University, and a Masters degree in Music Performance from the University of Massachusetts. Jacob is a proud endorser of Pearl, Zildjian, Remo, and Vic Firth products.

Clark Floer

Front Ensemble Instructor

Clark Floer is a musician and a native of Pontiac, Michigan, helping percussionists and performers of all ages. He works locally at Accent Pontiac, where he teaches percussion. His DCI background includes front ensemble experience with the Crossmen, and aged out with the 2023 Cavaliers. During the winters in the Midwest, Clark performed with WGI groups Motor City Percussion and Rhythm X. He is currently the front ensemble coordinator for Lake Effect Percussion. He is thrilled to be working with the Blue Stars this year!

Adam Whoolery

Front Ensemble Instructor

Adam Whoolery is a percussionist based in North Texas. He has received a bachelors degree in music education from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and he is currently working on a masters degree in music performance from Oklahoma-City University.

Some recent performance opportunities that he has been apart of is the 2023 PASIC performance, featuring IPEC winners Texas A&M University-Commerce. He also is an alumni of the Boston Crusaders front ensemble from the years 2021 and 2022.

Adam has enjoyed teaching throughout the Dallas Metroplex and working with various high schools in the area. Most recently, he has just finished his student teaching at Marcus High School based in Flower Mound, TX. Adam wants to continue to develop his teaching experience while growing as much as possible in the process.

Dave Dumont

Snare Instructor

A longtime educator, designer, and judge, Dave brings experience and a passion for pushing ensembles to the next level. Dave’s marching background includes the CT Hurricanes, Hawthorne Caballeros, Syracuse Brigadiers, Project Percussion (PIW), the Crossmen, and The Cadets, where he aged out in 2007 with a silver medal on snare drum.

As an educator, he began at Trumbull High School before moving to Norwalk High School in 2010, where his percussion ensembles have earned multiple WGI PSO medals and finals appearances. He has also worked with programs across CT, NY, and PA.

In drum corps, Dave has taught the Caballeros, Hurricanes, and served as the inaugural Percussion Caption Head for Cadets2 from 2012–2018, where he also arranged and coordinated staff. In 2016, Cadets2 captured both High Percussion and the DCA Championship. He has since consulted with Fusion Core, the Caballeros, CWP, and instructed at The Cadets. Dave also judges for USBands, NYSPC, MAC, and DCA, and currently serves as Percussion Judge Coordinator for the Musical Arts Conference.

Alex Gilbert

Snare Instructor

Alex Gilbert is a percussionist and music education major at Texas State University. He began his marching career in Central Texas at McNeil High School before venturing into the world of Drum Corps and WGI. Over the years, he’s performed as a snare drummer with world-class ensembles including Genesis and Rhythmic Force Percussion. He later joined The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, marching from 2021 to 2023, where he served as center snare during the 2022 and 2023 seasons and as Battery Captain in his final year. During his age-out season, he was honored with The Outstanding Cadet Award for the battery section.

Outside of performing, Alex has worked with several high school percussion programs across Central Texas along with the Texas State Bobcat Marching Band. He currently helps lead the battery percussion program at Vandegrift High School and has been a snare technician with Rhythmic Force Percussion since 2024, where he now serves as the Assistant Battery Caption Head.

This season marks his second year with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.

Trysten Cook

Front Ensemble Instructor

Trysten Cook, from Round Rock, Texas is currently the Assistant Front Ensemble Coordinator for Rhythmic Force Percussion (PIW). He also serves as the Director of Percussion for Pflugerville High School, as well as its subsequent feeder patterns, maintaining the curriculum and instruction for those 6-12th grade students. Trysten has worked with many other prestigious band programs throughout the state of Texas, including: Weiss High School, Westwood High School, Burleson High School, James Bowie High School, and finally McNeil High School, where he was the primary percussion technician from 2020-2022.

Trysten holds a Bachelor in Music Studies/Education from Texas State University (Concert Percussion emphasis) and had the privilege of learning under Mr. Robert Lopez, as well as Mr. Genaro Gonzalez, and Ms. Kari Klier.

Trysten has performed with many prestigious ensembles within Central Texas, such as the Texas State Symphony Orchestra, served as Principal Percussionist of the Texas State Wind Symphony, the Texas State Bobcat Marching Band, both Texas State Percussion Ensembles, and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corp in 2016. Most notably, Trysten was a member with Rhythmic Force Percussion, performing as a snare drummer in 2019 and 2020, and served as Ensemble Captain and Center Marimba For the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Jai Price

Front Ensemble Instructor

Jai Price is a percussionist who has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from the University of Florida. While in college, he was a member of both the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and Rhythm X. He marched 4 years at Bluecoats and 2 years at Rhythm X, all on drum set.

He is currently the percussion director at Deltona High School and Pinecrest Lakes Academy in Minneola, Florida. He is also a front ensemble technician at Orange Park High school and teaches his own private lessons.

His current performance opportunities include his indie band “Lowdive” and solo or group performances that are booked through his website or social media.

John Wolff

Snare Instructor

John Wolff is a dedicated performer, educator, and composer currently pursuing a master's degree in percussion performance at Northern Illinois University. He received his bachelor's degree in percussion performance from East Texas A&M University, where he studied under esteemed educators such as Dr. Brian Zator, Jeff Ausdemore, Lauren Teel, and Sandi Rennick.

While at East Texas, John was an integral part of prestigious events, including performing at the Texas Music Educators Association in 2022 and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2023. John has been a member of the Percussive Arts Society University Student Committee since 2023.

With an extensive background in marching percussion, John currently serves as a snare drum technician for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. He taught with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2025 and was a performing member with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. John is a passionate educator and composer. He has worked with various high school percussion programs in Texas, most notably with The Woodlands High School, Allen High School, and Terrell High School.

John is a private lesson teacher through March Drum Corps online music lessons and a member of the Ensemble Block Team.

Avery Melucci

Tenor Instructor

Avery Lane Melucci brings over a decade of experience in the marching arts as both a performer and educator. He performed with The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2013, and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014 to 2017, serving as drum sergeant in his final 2 years. Since aging out, Avery has held battery technician roles with several DCI ensembles, including Spirit of Atlanta (2018–2019), Music City Drum Corps (2023), and a return to The Cavaliers in 2024 and 2025. He has also worked extensively with high school percussion programs across Florida’s Tampa Bay region, Winter Guard International percussion ensembles of all classes, and hundreds of private lessons students over the years.

Avery currently serves as a percussion specialist in Prosper ISD (Prosper, Texas) within the Rock Hill cluster of schools. Known for his clear instruction, approachable leadership style, and commitment to developing excellence, Avery is fired up to bring his experience, energy, and focus to The Blue Stars as they prepare for a championship-caliber season in 2026.

Avery proudly endorses Innovative Percussion. 

Mauricio González

Tenor Instructor

Mauricio Gonzalez started his DCI marching career as a tenor drummer with Crossmen 2019 at 16 years old. He then continued with the Boston Crusaders until 2024.

Since aging out he has taught at Crossmen 2025 and is excited to join the Blue Stars 2026 percussion team!

Joe Ciancimino

Tenor Instructor

Joe Ciancimino is a seasoned percussion educator originating from Norristown, PA. Joe has been an active member of the drum corps community for the last 15 years.

As a performer, Joe performed as a marching member with the Reading Buccaneers (2010-2011) and The Cadets (2012-2013). Upon his age out, he began working a member of the Cadets2 percussion staff, holding multiple positions including Battery Technician (2014-2015) and Battery Captain Manager (2016-2018). Joe was also a member of The Cadets battery staff from 2017-2021.

In the indoor percussion space, Joe has worked with several east coast percussion groups including both Upper Darby High School and United Percussion. Joe has also been a percussion and music adjudicator with numerous circuits since 2015.

Outside of drum corps, Joe is located in Lansdale, PA where he lives with his wife and daughter and maintains a career outside of the activity. Joe is a graduate of Temple University’s Fox School of Business.