Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts

The Academy is pleased to announce the design team for the 2013 corps.  Returning designers include Richard Hinshaw - Design Coordinator/Drill Designer, Michael Raiford - Artistic Director, Ryan George - Music Designer,  Ike Jackson - Percussion Caption Head, Percussion designer Bryan Nungaray and T. André Feagin, Brass Caption Head. New to the team are Mykail Costner - Colorguard Designer/Caption Head and Jason Bentley, Visual Caption Head.

Here is a bit more on each of the team members:

Richard Hinshaw, Program Coordinator/Drill Designer

Richard Hinshaw is a visual designer and music educator from Danville, Indiana, where he lives with his wife Jennifer and their newborn son McKinley. Growing up in Indiana, Richard was introduced to music at an early age, and he was "hooked" for life. Prior to his teaching and design career, some of Richard's performance experience included being a member of the Glassmen Drum & Bugle corps and being a trumpet student at the Indiana University School of Music.

Richard is the drill designer and lead visual instructor for the Avon High School Marching Black & Gold, three-time BOA National Champions (2008-2010). He has enjoyed working with the bands, color guards, and percussion ensembles at Avon since 2002. Richard is currently the program coordinator and drill designer for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps from Tempe, Arizona, where has worked since 2009. From 2003 to 2007, Richard was a visual instructor with the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, and he previously was an instructor with Spirit (2002) and Phantom Regiment (2001).

For nearly a decade, Richard has been a successful visual designer for high school marching bands, indoor percussion ensembles, and winter guards around the country. Richard's passion for music education and visual design has turned into a very fulfilling career. Much of this success has been made possible by Richard's mentors, who include Daniel Wiles, Leon May, Joe Wever, Keith Potter, and Jay Webb. With these influences and a continued desire to learn, Richard is constantly working to improve at his craft.

Michael Raiford, Artistic Director

Michael B. Raiford is a freelance designer based in Austin, TX. He has Choreographed, staged and designed in DCI, BOA and WGI for 30 years.  He is very fortunate to have had a project in either a National or Regional finals for 28 years running including more than 20 appearances in a National Finals and participation in 7 national titles. His early years in Drum Corps was focused on 6 time DCI finalist Suncoast Sound. Originally the Choreographer and Production Designer, he also began staging during his tenure at Suncoast as well as turns at show and staff coordinator.  He conceived the famed "Vietnam" show pioneering theatrical elements in the world of Drum Corps including the use of sign language.. HIs next major project in Drum Corps: Magic of Orlando.  For 6 seasons Michael worked as part of the creative team and Production Designer including 4 finals appearances with such  innovative projects  as "Danse Animal "  and " Twelve Seconds to the Moon".  1998 to 2008 Michael was part of the creative team for 5 time WGI Champion " Fantasia". Michael worked with Karl Lowe as the Production Designer and Performance coach. In addition to these projects Michael has has  staged shows for bands in a BOA Regional or National finals for 20 years running. Favorite projects include: Central Cabarrus HS, a 10 time regional finalist and 3 time National finalist. James Bowie HS, 7 time regional finalist and a National Finalist; and,  Ayala HS, 3 time California Regional Champion.  Recently Michael was the Performance coach and theatrical consultant for Scott Chandler's: Odyssey: Brass Angels Tour, Japan. He has also been seen as a performance and design clinician for WGI's Spinfest.  Michael's work in the Band, Winter Guard and Drum Corps lead him to a parallel career in Scenic and Costume Design for Theatre, Opera and Dance.

In addition, Michael is a scenic and costume designer based in Austin, Texas. His work is seen in Regional Theatre's and Opera's around the country. Currently he is working on his Fifth season designing for the Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville.  He has had the pleasure to design premier productions of; Jennifer Haley's  "Neighborhood 3" ,  Marc Bamuthi Joseph's  "The Breaks", Craig Wright's  "The Unseen", Carlos Murillo's " Dark Play or Stories for Boys",  Zoe Kazan's "Absalom" and "Wild Blessings, The Poetry of Wendell Barry" adapted by Marc Masterson and Adrien -Alice  Hansel .  Also at Actors Theatre he has designed "Rock and Roll, The Reunion Tour", "Shipwrecked" and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch".  Other favorite Regional Theatre productions include:  "Well", "The Chosen" and "Inherit the Wind",  at Cleveland Playhouse; "Give ‘em Hell Harry"  and the US primer of "The Young Lady from Rwanda" at Kansas City Repertory Theatre; "Guys and Doll's" and "Tintypes"  at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre (with director Danny Pelzig); "The Fantastick's " at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C.; "What Goes Up" at the New Victory Theatre in New York and "Rigoletto" for Austin Lyric Opera.  Also in Austin , Michael has been a resident designer at the Zachary Scott Theatre Center for 20 years where he has designed almost 100 productions including:"Rent",  "Let me Down Easy",  "Caroline or Change", "Porgy and Bess",  "Take Me Out", "Urinetown", "Aida", "I Am My Own Wife", "The Exonerated" and "The Laramie Project".  Michael received his MFA from the University of Texas at Austin, where he subsequently taught design for 10 years.  He is also a member of United Scenic Artists.

Online theatrical Portfolio:   Michael B. Raiford's photosets on Flickr

Ryan George, Music Designer

Ryan George currently resides in Austin Texas where he is active as an arranger and composer. His work, ranging from music for the stage to music for the football field has been performed throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe.

As a specialist in music design for marching ensembles, Ryan's work has been performed by some of the nation's elite ensembles at state, region, and national venues. His roster of clients hail from 12 states and include perennial Bands of America (Music for All) regional champions, regional finalist, Grand National Finalist, as well as state championships in 3 states. Some of his clients have included James Bowie HS (Austin, TX), Harrison HS (Kennesaw, GA), North Hardin HS (Ratcliff, KY), Mt Carmel HS (San Diego, CA), and Ooltewah HS (Ooltewah, TN).

Ryan recently expanded his writing into the concert world having finished his first commission in the fall of 2007. Since then his music has received performances at the American Bandmasters Association Convention, the MidWest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the MidEurope Festival in Schladming Austria, the National CBDNA Conference (March 2011), and the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference. His works have also been performed at several state music educators conferences as well as region, honor, inter-collegiate, and all-state ensembles. His first work for advanced wind ensemble, "Firefly", was recently recorded by the University of North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene M. Corporon and will be featured in the upcoming edition of "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band" vol. 8.

Ryan graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in music education. While a student there Ryan sat principal horn for 4 semesters in the wind ensemble, was a drum major for the Wildcat Marching Band and also performed with various other ensembles including the UK orchestra. During the summer months Ryan was a performer with the 1998 DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and the 1999 DCI World Champion Concord Blue Devils. Ryan also served on the visual staff for the Phantom Regiment and Carolina Crown.

Ryan's professional affiliations include ASCAP, TMEA, and the American Composer's Forum. Ryan's wife Sarah currently produces nationally recognized music festivals in Chicago and Austin. They have 2 daughters, Sophia and Nyla, and recently welcomed their new son Teller into the world.

To find out more about Ryan and his work please visit www.forninemusic.com

Mykail Costner - Colorguard Caption Head/Designer
Mykail has been an instructor, designer, performer, and choreographer for 5-time WGI Independent World Class Champion Fantasia, and the Riverside Community Marching Tigers. He has instructed the Santa Clara Vanguard, the Crossmen, and the Glassmen, as well as Logan High School (CA), Mt. Carmel High School (CA), Valencia High School (CA), James Bowie High School (TX), John North High School (CA), Little Elm High School (TX), Dripping Springs High School (TX), Dekaney High School (TX) , and Winston Churchill High School (TX). Mykail has worked with the 2007 BOA Grand National Champion LD Bell High School (Hurst, TX), and 2006 BOA Grand National Champion Broken Arrow High School (OK). Mykail is currently on staff at Connally High School in Austin, TX. Mykail is often called upon as a design consultant and clinician for bands and guards across the United States, and is currently a clinician for WGI Spinfest and Spinfest on Tour.

Ike Jackson, Percussion Caption Head/ Arranger

Ike Jackson has been working as a highly prolific/contemporary percussion designer since 1991.  In his twenty-two years as an adjudicator and percussion designer/instructor, he has worked with more than 45 different percussion programs at the high school, college, and drum corps levels. As an innovative percussion arranger and drill designer, Ike has worked with various percussion ensembles all across the Southwest.

His competitive marching career started in his teens as a member of the Sound Machine Youth Organization; then as tenor player for the Riverside Community College Marching Tigers from1992 to 1994. Finally, he finished his marching career by becoming a member of the 1994 Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps going on to win the title of World Champion. 

Ike is currently Vice President of the Southern California Percussion Alliance and a founding member of SCPA. He is also a member of the Winter Guard International Percussion Advisory Board and Steering Committee and was recently the President of Pulse Independent World and Open Percussion Ens.

Ike is a Tama Drums Featured Artist, as well as Endorsed by Innovative sticks and mallets,Sabian Cymbals, and Remo heads. Ike has recently worked on research and development with Randy May,Yamaha,Pro Mark,Tama Drums and Inventor of the Xymox snare pad.

Ike has helped his percussion ensembles win 7 WGI World Championship medals, 20 WGI World Championship Finalist placements, 40 Regional Finalist placements, 14 Regional Championship titles, and a Bands of America Grand National Finalist appearance in 2004, as well as, he was the Corps Director of the 2006 div 3 World Champion Impulse Drum and bugle corps and the founder of Pulse indoor percussion ensemble . Locally his ensembles have won 10 SCPA Championship medals and over 60 first place awards. Ike currently lives in Ontario California with his four children.

Bryan Nungaray - Percussion Arranger

Bryan Nungaray is currently one of the most active educators in the realm of marching percussion, assuming the role of both instructor and arranger for several groups in the Southern California region, such as the 2010 WGI Percussion Scholastic World and the 5 time Percussion Scholastic Concert World Champion, Ayala High School from Chino Hills, CA, as well as the 2011 SCPA Bronze Medalist, Arroyo High School from El Monte, CA.

His performance experience extends back to his participation with the Mission Viejo High School Percussion Ensemble, where Bryan played tenors with the Indoor Percussion ensemble, as well as mallet percussion for the Concert Indoor Percussion Ensemble under the instruction of Mike Jackson and Jim Wunderlich. Both groups earned immense praise, earning the 2004 WGI Percussion Scholastic World Silver Medal and Percussion Scholastic Concert Open Gold Medal - along with the 2005 WGI Percussion Scholastic World Silver Medal. Following high school, Bryan also participated with the world-renown ed Riverside Community College Marching Tigers as a mallet player, as well as participating with Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps during the summer.

Bryan's instructing/arranging career has brought about numerous accolades in a short amount of time, as his first year with Ayala High School earned the ensemble an unprecedented Scholastic World Class sweep at the 2010 Winter Guard International World Championships - earning gold medals in the PSW and PSCW categories and the 2009 WBA High Percussion trophy in the 4A/5A classification.

The high school ensemble regularly competes in other well-known circuits, such as Bands of America (BOA), the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA), the Western Band Association (WBA) and Winter Guard International (WGI).

Bryan also teaches at Cypress High School in Anaheim, CA where the ensemble earned the 2010 SCPA Silver Medal in the Percussion Scholastic A category, as well as Arroyo High School in El Monte, CA. He also serves as the
Percussion Director for Etiwanda High School in Etiwanda, CA and Colony High School in Ontario, CA - maintaining a busy schedule that is not solely limited to instructing, but arranging for several groups as well. Among them: Gold Drum & Bugle Corps from Oceanside, CA, West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch, CA and Hanna High School from Brownsville, TX.

Bryan is a proud endorser of Innovative Percussion and also endorses Remo, Sabian, Tama, and Yamaha products. He currently resides in Ontario, CA.

T. André Feagin, Brass Caption Head

T. André Feagin is Assistant Professor of Music, Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Texas at El Paso. His duties include the artistic and musical guidance of the Symphony Band, Chamber Players and director of the Sound of the Southwest Marching Miner Regiment and Miner Basketball Pep Band. In addition, he teaches courses in wind literature, theory and graduate conducting. Under his leadership the Marching Miners have performed throughout the southwest region and have recently been invited to perform at the UIL Texas State Marching Band Championships in 2011.

Professor Feagin holds a master of music degree in instrumental wind conducting from the University of Memphis and a bachelor of music degree in performance. He is currently pursuing the doctorate of musical arts degree in wind conducting at the University of North Texas where he is a conducting student of Eugene Migliaro Corporon. He is a past winner of the National Band Association young conductors mentor project and a recipient of the Golden Apple Teacher Award. He has taught in the public schools of Tennessee, Texas, and California. As a conductor, he has made appearances across the United States and made his professional conducting debut with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America. His mentors include Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Dennis W. Fisher, Kraig A. Williams, James Gholson, Denise Gainey, Steve Cohen and Lapraydia King-Jones. He continues to be in high demand as a guest conductor and travels regularly as a clinician and lecturer throughout the United States and Canada. He has been a recording production assistant for the GIA Windworks series and is a contributing author in the eighth volume of the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series.

Professor Feagin is also an active program coordinator, adjudicator, clinician and music arranger for some of the countries finest high school, drum corps and university band programs. For the past three years he has been a staff member of the United States Army All-American Marching Band. Most recently the National Association for Music Education appointed him the 2012 and 2013 Director of the US Army All-American Band who will perform at the NBC televised Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. In addition, he has served as wind master of the Spirit of America Band from Orleans, MA. Active in the drum corps activity, Professor Feagin has worked at Carolina Crown (Fort Mill, SC), Memphis Sound (Memphis, TN), and most recently the Santa Clara Vanguard (Santa Clara, CA). Professor Feagin served these organizations in many capacities including brass staff/program coordinator, brass caption head and executive director. In addition to winning the visual, high brass and percussion captions with Memphis Sound in 2007, Drum Corps International named him Division III Director of the year. He is a former four-year conductor of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and a past recipient of the Drum Corps International Jim Jones Leadership Award.

Professor Feagin's professional memberships include the National Association of Music Education (MENC), Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) and an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.