Luke Zamprelli

Visual Caption Head

Luke Zamprelli is a resident of Houston, Texas where he is a full-time designer and program coordinator for pageantry groups across the United States.  He is also the visual coordinator for Monarch Independent Percussion, a perennial WGI World Class Finalist.

Luke has been involved in the drum corps activity for over a decade.  He was a member of the Phantom Regiment, and he served on the visual staff of the Boston Crusaders beginning in 2013.  Luke joined the Blue Stars in 2016, becoming Caption Head in 2021.

Prior to designing full-time, Luke held band director positions at Morton Ranch Junior High and, most recently, at Paetow High School in Katy ISD.  Luke has been involved in the marching arts as a designer, clinician, and adjudicator with groups all over the United States and Europe.  His groups have earned numerous accolades such as Bands Of America Class Champions and multiple state recognitions including Texas UIL Area Champions and State Finalists.  

Tyler Propfe

Assistant Visual Caption Head

Tyler currently resides in West Chester, PA where he is an elementary music educator. He is also a designer, choreographer, instructor, and drill writer in the mid-Atlantic.

Tyler’s marching career began with the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum & Bugle Corps from 2006 to 2015 and served as horn sergeant in 2015. Tyler spent 2013 and 2014 with the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps.

Tyler has been a part of the Blue Stars organization since 2023. Outside of the Blue Stars he has been with United Percussion since 2019, is the program coordinator and drill designer for Downingtown East Winter Percussion, and is the visual caption head for the Downingtown East High School Marching Band. He has previously served as visual co-caption head for the Jersey Surf in 2016 & 17, served on the Cadets2 staff in 2018, and the Academy visual staff from 2019 to 2023. He has also had roles as caption head, choreographer, designer, and program coordinator for multiple marching bands and indoor ensembles throughout southeastern PA.

Tyler attended West Chester University where he received a dual degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance as a baritone.

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 first 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. 

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.

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.

Brad Furlano

Chief Executive Officer

Brad Furlano joined the Blue Stars organization as a 10-year-old in 1982, marching until aging out in 1993. Prior to becoming the organizations’ CEO in 2006, Furlano held various positions with the corps, including: visual caption head, drill designer, interim corps director, and board member. 

Furlano has a degree in Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, and managed communications teams at several Fortune 500 companies, including Best Buy, Ameriprise Financial, and Eddie Bauer. 

Brad lives in Onalaska, WI with his wife Niki and son Ethan. 

Brad Harris

Director – Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps

Brad’s career with the Blue Stars began in 2011, when he served as Equipment Manager and was subsequently named Director of Operations in 2012. He has been a member of the Blue Stars administrative team ever since, holding numerous leadership roles within the organization. Brad has dedicated countless hours touring, managing corps operations, and coordinating with members, staff, and volunteers to ensure a smooth, successful, and safe drum corps experience each season.

Harris holds Master of Music degrees in Trombone Performance and Instrumental Conducting from Illinois State University (Normal, IL), where he studied trombone with Dr. Stephen Parsons and wind conducting with Dr. Stephen Steele. Brad earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Luther College (Decorah, IA), where he studied trombone with Dr. Michael Smith and conducting with Dr. Daniel Baldwin.

Harris maintains an active performance schedule and is currently a member of the Cincinnati Brass Band and the Jump ‘n Jive Big Band. Additionally, he has performed in the Central Iowa Symphony, Central Iowa Wind Ensemble, the Des Moines Metro Brass Quintet, the Fifth of Brass Quintet, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and Sinfonia da Camera in addition to many academic ensembles. In addition to drum corps touring, Brad has traveled and performed internationally with concert bands in Japan, China, and Norway, and was honored to perform the Derek Bourgeois Trombone Concerto with the Illinois State University Wind Symphony during his graduate studies.

Brad’s professional teaching experience includes serving as a band director in the Johnston Community School District in Johnston, IA from 2013 to 2020. Additionally, he has served as a clinician and adjudicator in numerous music contests and festivals in the Midwest. His additional ensemble direction experience includes serving as Assistant Director of the Cincinnati Brass Band, Director of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony Brass Ensemble, and as a Graduate Assistant of the Bands at Illinois State University.

Brad is a native of Forest City, Iowa and currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lizzie Miller

Director – Organizational Leadership

Lizzie has been involved with the Blue Stars for over a decade, beginning her involvement with the corps as a trumpet player. Lizzie marched for four years, aging out in 2015 as drum major. Since aging out, she has been active on the administrative team, serving in various leadership capacities. 

Lizzie holds her Bachelors in Civil Engineering from University of Dayton, and Masters of Science specializing in Structural Engineering from Iowa State University. Outside of drum corps, Lizzie is a structural engineer in Cincinnati, OH.

Steve Stueck

Business Manager

Steve’s first Blue Stars experience was marching in the Oktoberfest Parade in 1977  after marching with the Royal Knights of Manitowoc WI. for three season. Steve marched three  seasons as a mellophone player in 1978, 79 aging out in 1980. In 1981 & 1982 he joined the  visual instructional staff and the administration team. 

In 1983 Steve helped launch the Blue Star Cadets as an instructional staff member and  continued to support the corps through out the 80’s as a roommate of the Corps Director Brian  Whitty. Brian finally convinced Steve to more actively work with the corps in 1997 as a bus  driver. From there it snow balled into bingo volunteer, brat stand volunteer/coordinator, home  show volunteer, board of director member & corps treasurer eventually taking on the position of  corps Business Manager. 

Steve has served as a DCI show volunteer working in various capacities since 1998. He  was named a DCI Volunteer of the year in 2010 and was inducted into the Blue Stars Hall of  Fame in 2013. Steve graduated from UW-La Crosse with a BS degree in business  administration in 1988. After taking an early pension from the city of La Crosse in 2017 after 24  years of service Steve has been a full time employee of Blue Stars Performing Arts for Youth.

Heather Tollers

Donor Relations, Events, & Merchandise Manager

Heather started volunteering with the Blue Stars in 2011 when her dad, Gary, asked if she’d like to help him with “a few projects” for the corps. Ten years later she’s still helping where there is a need - selling merchandise, driving vehicles, running shows and traveling the country. 

Heather has been going to drum corps shows since before she was born. Growing up DCI finals were part of summer vacation. This activity has always been a part of her life.

Heather holds a BFA in graphic design from Concordia University, Seward, NE. She has worked with several newspapers and owns a design company, HT Designs. Heather lives in Rochester, MN.

Jack Pantaleo

Media Manager

Jack is a performing arts content creator and media professional based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

His past work has involved brands such as: DCI, WGI, UDB, TromboneTimo, Christopher Bill, Midwest Clinic, TMEA, TBA, Fem Forte, Meet The Bus, and The Breakdown Camp, amongst others. 

Jack has been involved with The Blue Stars since 2017- spending the first three years as a performer before transitioning to a staff role in 2021.

He also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he participated in the marching band, varsity band, concert band, and university band.

Introduced to the video industry at a very young age through his late father’s family business, Jack spent many school nights and weekends learning the fundamentals of production while also being afforded opportunities such as operating a camera for concerts and gripping on small-scale shoots. 

Jack’s primary goal during the summer and throughout the year is to create something that inspires a sense of belonging, identity, and pride for any musician, artist, or performer. 

Mike Andrews

Transportation Manager

Mike started his drum corps career as a member of the Titans Drum & Bugle Corps from Elkhorn, WI in 1965 and marched through 1968. In the fall of 1969 he moved to La Crosse WI and joined the Blue Stars as part of the battery playing snare, aging out in 1972. Mike continued on the Blue Stars staff through the beginning of the 1975 tour season serving as Equipment Manager, Driver and Resident Director.

After leaving the corps, Mike obtained his degree in Mechanical Design Technology and worked for the Trane Company in La Crosse until 1977. He then moved to Milwaukee, WI where he enrolled in the Milwaukee School of Engineering, earning his bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1979 and starting his professional career with the Kohler Company as a Construction Project Manager and has held various managerial positions. Mike spent 35 years with the Kohler Company, retiring in 2015.

Following his retirement, Mike returned to the Blue Stars as a volunteer and quickly became active in the build out of their new equipment trailer and then, as an all around volunteer and box truck driver for the 2015 summer tour. In 2016 Mike obtained his CDL-A license to provide a wider range of service to the corps and accepted the position of Transportation Manager.

As Transportation Manager, he is responsible for sourcing of drivers, ensuring DOT compliance, securing rental vehicles for the corps’ summer tour and vehicle maintenance all as continuing to tour with the corps providing driver services as needed in addition to other volunteer activities throughout the year.

Mike and his wife Maria live in Sheboygan WI where they enjoy spending time with their 4 grandchildren .

Sue Wilson

Culinary Director

Sue became involved in the Blue Stars 10 years ago when her daughter Sarah auditioned for a trumpet position. She volunteered on the Cook Truck in that summer and became Assistant Head Cook for the 2013-14 seasons. Sue became the Culinary Manager in 2015 and has spearheaded the Blue Stars food program ever since.

After staying home with her children, she transitioned into a career in food service. Sue holds her ServSafe Manager and allergen certifications.

When she is not managing the Blue Stars food program, Sue works for Panera Bread. Working on Pro Teams and helping to train drive thru associates for new café openings is one of Sue’s favorite Panera activities.

Sue earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and currently resides in St. Louis with her husband Dan. They have 2 children, Ashton (son-in-law Colton) and Sarah Wilson. 

Abby Musick

Assistant Culinary Manager

Abby Musick joined the Blue Stars during their 50th Anniversary in 2014 as a rookie mellophone player, marching until her age out in 2016. She returned to the organization as an Administrative Associate in 2017 and 2018 where she assisted in a variety of jobs including managing day-to-day finances. 

In 2019, Abby joined the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, but continued volunteering whenever possible at audition camps and on the road. Having recently completed her active duty tour, she is returning to us this summer as the Culinary Assistant to serve as Sue Wilson’s right-hand woman in all things cook truck. She is looking forward to being on the road full time and continuing to help serve up the “best food in DCI" for the Blue Stars' 60th Anniversary!

Kyle Winn

Tour Housing & Operations

Kyle has been with the Blue Stars since the 2016 season as the Tour Director for the Corps. Originally from Owasso, OK, Kyle received his undergraduate and MME from the University of Oklahoma where he studied instrumental conducting under Dr. William Wakefield.

Kyle is currently the Associate Director of Bands at Klein Collins High School in Houston, TX, where he directs the Symphonic Band and Tiger Marching Band. In 2014, he founded the WGI PIW group Monarch Independent where he serves as Executive Director.

Fred Feeney

Organizational Consultant

Fred has an extensive background in drum corps, color guard and marching band including being a member of the Blue Stars in the late 1970’s.  He has been a judge for over 40 years, was Chief Judge of the Color Guard Division of WGI from 1993 to 2006, was on the WGI Task Force for 13 years, and was a WGI judge starting in 1983. 

Currently he serves as an at-large member on the WGI Board of Directors and is a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.  He is also Chief Judge of the GulfCoast Judges Association, an organization serving the color guard activity in 5 circuits across the Southeastern United States.  Fred has also judged for DCI, Drum Corps South and has been a judge for marching band contests in many parts of the country. 

He has served on the staff of the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps since 2006 in a variety of positions including program coordinator, staff coordinator, program consultant and as a member of the design team.  He has also served as a visual designer, program coordinator and consultant to competitive marching bands in the Southeastern United States including finalists in the Mississippi marching band championships.

Professionally, in his life outside of the marching arts, he is an attorney and the managing partner of the Gulfport, Mississippi law firm of Franke & Salloum, where he is engaged in a civil litigation practice representing clients in the defense of major litigation including medical malpractice, industrial accidents, construction and coverage litigation. 

He is a member of a number of different professional organizations including the Mississippi Bar, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Defense Research Institute, the American Inns of Court and the Fifth Circuit Bar Association.

Kyle Gillikin

Tour Manager

Kyle resides in Virginia Beach, VA, where he works as a Realtor. He also assists with producing, scheduling and managing the entertainment for Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.

Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theatre from Radford University. Before Kyle was a Realtor, he spent the past 10 years as a professional Stage Manager. Working for Radford University, Roanoke Children’s Theatre, Heritage Theatre Festival, Weston Theatre Company and Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. While at Busch Gardens Kyle managed a multitude of events and shows, before moving into the Supervisor of Show Production position and overseeing all show products for the park. Kyle is excited to be joining the Blue Stars this season.  

Aaron Meyer

Production Manager

Aaron resides in Virginia Beach, VA, where he works as a family and consumer sciences teacher at Princess Anne High School. He is also an active marching arts instructor, designer, consultant, and adjudicator across the United States.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration and Political Science from James Madison University and is finishing his Master's Degree in Integrative STEM Education from Virginia Tech. As a performer, Aaron began his drum corps career as a member of The Capital Regiment in 2009 and The Boston Crusaders in 2010. He then became a member of The Bluecoats from 2012 until his age-out in 2015.  In addition to being with the Blue Stars visual staff since 2016, Aaron also served as the interim visual caption manager for the 2019 Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps.  Aaron is beyond excited to return for his 9th year at the Blue Stars.