Tim Darbonne
Visual Caption Head
Drill Designer

The Academy is thrilled to welcome Tim Darbonne as Visual Caption Head and Drill Designer for the upcoming season.  Tim, an alumnus of the Blue Devils, has spent 12 years on the corps’ visual staff (2011-2017, 2023-2026) earning 5 DCI Championships and 5 DCI High Visual Awards. He has designed for ensembles in 25 different states, China, and Canada. Tim made his drum corps design debut in 2011 with Music City and then went on to be the drill designer for Pacific Crest in 2013. Tim was a co-founder of the Louisiana Stars where he was also the Visual Designer/Supervisor in 2014 – 2015.  Tim was the drill designer for The Guardians during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
In addition to being a full-time drill designer, Tim has also been a Visual Instructor/Caption Head for numerous nationally acclaimed high school bands including The Pride of Broken Arrow, Flower Mound High School, Hebron High School, William Mason High School, LD Bell High School, and the Blue Springs Golden Regiment.  He has also instructed the Academy, the
Madison Scouts, and the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the Visual Caption Head of the Madison Scouts from 2020-2022 before returning to the Blue Devils Visual Staff in 2023.

Jared Littleton
Color Guard Caption Head

The Academy is excited to have Jared Littleton return as Color Guard Caption Head.  Jared, an Indianapolis native, has been involved in the marching arts since 2005. Jared was a member of his high school band and orchestra who began his performing arts education as a music education major at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was during his time at Marian that he discovered his passion for color guard and began performing. Jared has performed with Onyx, O2, Zydeco, and Third Coast Independent winter guards as well as the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. 

Jared moved to Houston, Texas in 2018 and has instructed numerous scholastic guards in the area including Magnolia West High School, Magnolia High School, and Seven Lakes High School. Jared is a current staff member of the Music for All Summer Symposium, where he serves as a clinician for the color guard track. Prior to moving to Texas, Jared was on the instructional staff at the Avon High School (Avon, IN) band program for both the high school and cadet guards. Jared also served Spirit Independent (Houston, TX) in a range of positions including technician, choreographer, and educational director. Jared’s drum corps educational experience includes being the Assistant Caption Head at the Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps as well Music City Drum and Bugle Corps color guard staff. Most recently, Jared has spent his recent summers here at The Academy, where he has been on staff as a choreographer and technician since 2023. 

Currently residing outside Indianapolis, IN, Jared serves as the Color Guard Director at Northview High School (Brazil, IN).  In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog Milo, playing videogames with his friends, and reading. 

Dakota McConnell
Percussion Caption Head

The Academy is excited to have Dakota McConnell return in the role of Percussion Caption Head.  Dakota is a percussionist and educator residing in Tempe, Arizona.  Originally from Casa Grande, AZ, Dakota is an alumnus of The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps where he marched from 2014-2017, leading the section in ‘15 – ‘17. Dakota also marched with Pulse Percussion in the 2017 and in 2018 led the group to a 4th place finish. Dakota has a Bachelor of Arts from ASU in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in business and economics.

Dakota has taught Casa Grande Percussion Ensemble since fall 2016, Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps 2019-2022, and has been teaching with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps since 2018.  He is the Founder and Director of the World-Class Flux Indoor Percussion based in Arizona.  Dakota previous instructors include Glen Crosby, Ike Jackson, John Mapes, Cisco Hance, Rick Barclay, Ryan Anderson, Ezekiel Lanser, Connor Yasuda, Drew Guy, Will Edmonds, Stevie Hagel, and John Sutton.

Zack Whittier
Audio Caption Head

The Academy welcomes Zack Whittier to the role of Audio Caption Head.  Zack  is a multi-faceted music educator, percussion instructor, audio engineer and designer, ensemble administrator, composer, and arranger from Tucson, Arizona, currently residing in Glendale. Zack earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance (Percussion emphasis) from Northern Arizona University, under the direction of Dr. Steven Hemphill. Zack’s passion for percussion and education has led him to work with programs across the country, including Arizona, California, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. 

Mr. Whittier serves as the Director of Percussion and Lead Audio Engineer and Designer at Sandra Day O’Connor High School (Phoenix, AZ) where he has been instrumental in establishing the indoor percussion program. He played a critical role in leading that ensemble to become state medalists in their class in their inaugural year. 

Outside of the scholastic setting, Zack is the audio caption lead at The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps (Tempe, AZ; 4 years) and also teaches with Pulse Percussion (CA; 2025). His previous roles in education include serving as the Front Ensemble Caption Head at Breakthrough Indoor Percussion, working as the audio engineer for Flux Indoor Percussion,  serving as both a Percussion and Visual staff member at Northern Arizona University, and holding various roles at several high schools throughout Arizona. 

As a performer, Zack boasts an impressive resume, having been a member of The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps (2010-2012, 2012 Section Leader), Pulse Indoor Percussion (2013), and the University of Arizona “Pride of Arizona” Marching Band (2009, 2010, 2013). 

Zack had the privilege to study with several esteemed instructors, including Dr. Steven Hemphill, Ian Grom, John Mapes, Glen Crosby, Sean Gordon, Homero Ceron, and Dr. Andrea Venet. 

Zack’s dedication to percussion education and his ability to inspire students have earned him respect in the national percussion community. He continues to collaborate with an incredible staff and looks forward to further contributing to the world of percussion and music education.