Lisa Tatum
Brass Caption Head

Lisa Tatum has served as Brass Caption Manager for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps since 2019. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at Texas Tech University. In 2020 she completed a Master of Music in Wind Conducting at Louisiana State University where she served as a graduate teaching assistant for the band department. She holds a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Utah, where she served as a graduate teaching assistant for the “Marching Utes,” and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Alabama. In 2008 she joined the cast of “Odyssey” an all-female brass theater show that toured Japan. She taught junior high and high school band in the greater Houston area from 2012-2018.  Lisa is also the creator and host of the podcast Ic2us: The Evolving Conductor.  

Eric Weingartner
Assistant Caption Head

Eric Weingartner has been the Assistant Brass Caption Manager at The Academy since 2020. He has been an Assistant Band Director at James E. Taylor High School in Katy, Texas since 2018. The JET Band was a 2018 UIL 6A State Marching Contest Participant and has been a consistent Bands of America Regional Finalist in the Houston area. The Symphonic Band under his direction has received sweepstakes every year at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest. From 2010-2018, Eric was an Associate Director of Bands at Homestead High School in Cupertino, California. Homestead was a 2015 Bands of America Grand National Semi-Finalist and also had performances in the Macy’s Parade, Rose Parade, and Super Bowl 50 events. Eric was a marching member of The Academy on baritone and euphonium from 2002-2008. Eric’s DCI teaching experience includes being the Brass Caption Head for Blue Devils ‘B’ from 2012-2018 earning Open Class Best Brass Performance caption awards in 2014 and 2016. In addition to that experience, Eric was a member of the Blue Devils ‘A’ Corps Brass Staff from 2014-2018. Eric earned his Bachelor of Music from Butler University and completed studies at Arizona State University, studying under the great Sam Pilafian.

Kelli Duncan
Low Brass Coordinator

Kelli Duncan is a doctoral student in euphonium performance and a graduate assistant for the Oregon Marching Band at the University of Oregon. She holds a Master’s degree in Performance Pedagogy and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Arizona State University, where she studied euphonium and tuba performance with primary teachers Dr. Deanna Swoboda, Sam Pilafian, and Dr. Pat Stuckemeyer. Since aging out as a performing member of The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011, she has continued to stay active in the pageantry community as an educator, clinician, and adjudicator. Kelli has served The Academy as a member of the brass staff since 2019, and is thrilled to return to her home corps for another season.

Chris Agwu
High Brass Instructor

Chris Agwu is currently working on his Master’s of Music degree in Wind Conducting at Texas Tech University where he is studying with Dr. Sarah McKoin and is also a graduate teaching assistant for the concert bands, the undergraduate conducting classes, and the athletic bands. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas where he studied trumpet with Keith Johnson and John Holt. Between receiving his Bachelor’s degree and working on his Master’s degree, Chris taught in the north Texas area in the Plano Independent School District and the Lewisville Independent School District. Since marching with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003 and with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2006 and 2007, Chris has stayed active in the marching and pageantry arts. The ensembles he has worked with or lead have been finalists in WGI, BOA, and DCI regional and national final competitions. Chris is very excited to work with the The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps brass staff and hornline again!

Cameron Coday
High Brass Instructor

Cameron Coday has served on brass staff at The Academy since 2019. She holds a Master of Music Education from The American Band College, and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Colorado. Cameron is currently the Assistant Band Director at Deer Park Junior High and resides in Houston, Texas. Cameron was a marching member of The Troopers (2013-2014), Phantom Regiment (2015), and The Cadets (2016). She served as a brass staff member of The Oregon Crusaders (2017-2018) prior to joining The Academy. Cameron loves working with local marching bands, and competes in Olympic weightlifting in her spare time.

Chris Coughlin
High Brass Instructor

Chris Coughlin is a band director and music teacher at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, California where his repsonsibilities include concert and marching band, choir, digital music, and rock band. He has earned degrees in music education and composition from Arizona State University, where he also served as a drum major for the celebrated ASU Sun Devil Marching Band. In addition, he holds a Master’s degree in band directing from the American Band College at Sam Houston State University. Chris began his career in Mesa, Arizona where he taught music and served as Arts Department chair and Technology Liaison at Taylor Junior High School, initiating the district’s pilot program in music technology. During this time he was also an instructor for the multi-year state division champion Mesa High School Marching Band. As a performer, he was principal trumpet of the Tempe Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Having been a member in 2007, Chris is incredibly excited to return to the Academy in 2022!

Patrick Hunninghake
High Brass Instructor

Patrick Hunninghake has been on staff at The Academy since 2019. He has been an active performer and educator for over 10 years. Patrick is a former member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Peoria Symphony, and the Northshore Concert Band and currently serves as band director at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Washington. Patrick holds degrees from the University of Kansas and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.

Micah Laird
High Brass Instructor

Micah Laird is a graduate of Northern Arizona University where he obtained a degree in Instrumental Music Education as the Outstanding Senior in the School of Music. During his time at NAU, Micah was an active member of the school of music. He performed with the Shrines of Ages Choir, Northern Voices Jazz Choir, The Highlanders All-Male Acapella Group, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz band, and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra where he played trumpet. While in college, Micah also toured the country with the World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015 and 2016. Micah currently lives in Blue Springs, Missouri were he is the assistant director of bands at Brittany Hill Middle school and an associate director of bands for the Golden Regiment Marching Band from Blue Springs High School.

Abbigail Ramsey
High Brass Instructor

Abbigail Ramsey has served on brass staff at The Academy since 2020. She is currently in her second year of her Master’s of Music in Wind Conducting at Stephen F. Austin State University. In addition, Abbigail is an Assistant High School Band Director and drill writer for Mount Enterprise ISD, private conducting and French horn lesson teacher, Graduate Teaching Assistant of The Lumberjack Marching Band and Undergraduate Conducting classes, and graduate conductor of the Roarin’ Buzzsaws Basketball Pep Band. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude in Spring 2020. During her undergrad, she served as the Drum Major of The Lumberjack Marching band for two years, performed and toured with the SFA Wind Ensemble on French Horn, played mellophone for the Roarin’ Buzzsaws Basketball Pep Band, and performed in the SFA Horn Choir. Abbigail was a marching performer and mellophone soloist for the Oregon Crusaders for the 2018 season. Abbigail is very excited to work with The Academy brass once again!

Chris Rugila
Brass Consultant

Chris Rugila is a native of Monroe, Michigan. Chris graduated Cum Laude from Eastern Michigan University earning a B.A. in Music Education. While at EMU he performed in the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Marching Band, Symphony Orchestra, Collegium Musicum, and the Huron River Brass Quintet. He has studied with Willard Zirk, David Woike, Scott Boerma, Kevin Miller, and Mark Waymire. He is currently the Director of Bands at Klein Collins HS in Spring, TX. Prior to joining the faculty at Klein Collins he was the Director of Bands at Blythewood High School in Blythewood, SC, South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC, and Decatur High School and Decatur Middle School in Decatur, MI. Under his direction, his bands have consistently earned superior ratings in both concert band and marching band evaluations. In 2018 the Klein Collins Wind Ensemble was a Featured Band at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival.

In addition to his public school experience, Chris spent two years as a performer with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps (2003-2004). He began his drum corps instructional career as a brass instructor with the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps in 2005. He continued on the brass staff at Phantom Regiment (2008-2009), Blue Stars (2013-2014) Oregon Crusaders (2018), and has been on the brass staff at The Academy since 2019. In 2011 he was a member of the administration team at Carolina Crown. Chris is a member of the Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Educators Association. He resides in Spring, TX with his wife Anna and their two daughters Norah and Chloe.

Ryan Salcido
High Brass Instructor

Ryan Salcido is currently serving as Director of Bands at Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona. Ryan Salcido began his professional teaching career at Mesquite Jr High School in Gilbert, Arizona from 2013-2017. Ensembles under his direction have received numerous awards and high recognition at area and state festivals. While serving as the Assistant Director with Mesquite High School Marching Band, the band received 1st place at Arizona Marching Band Championships in 2014 & 2015. Ryan marched with The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps in 2008 and 2009 and served on brass staff with the 2016 Blue Devils “B” Drum and Bugle Corps. Ryan Salcido holds a Bachelors in Music Education from Arizona State University. While at Arizona State, he studied under the direction of James Hudson, Dennis Smith, John Studzinski, Tracy Werner, and David DuPlessis.

Samantha DiMatteo
Low Brass Instructor

Samantha DiMatteo is a native of Old Bridge, New Jersey, and is a graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Bands at Seguin High School in Seguin, Texas.  Samantha is the director of the Seguin HS Wind Symphony, is the visual coordinator for the Matador Marching Band and teaches beginner low brass classes at Briesemeister Middle School.  Prior to her role at Seguin High School, she served as middle school band director in the North East Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas. She is very active with Drum Corps International and was a member of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps for three summers.  Additionally, she has served on staff for the Cadets2, The Oregon Crusaders, and, since 2019 to present, has taught on the brass staff for The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps.  She has been with The Academy Contra section for the last three years and is looking forward to the 2022 season.

Cameron Honnen
Low Brass Instructor

Cameron Honnen has been involved in the drum corps activity for over a decade, with six years as a performer and five as an educator. He holds a Bachelors in Music Education from Colorado Mesa University in western Colorado, where he continues to teach. During his first years in the field of music education, Cameron was awarded the Colorado Bandmasters Association New Teachers Award and Scholarship and grew the band program at West Middle School in Grand Junction, Colorado to double its size. Cameron has recently accepted a new position as the Director of Bands for the eighth and ninth grade bands within the Fruita, Colorado school cluster, and has also been named the Associate Director of Athletic Bands for the Fruita Monument WIldcat Marching, with whom he has worked with since 2017. A sought after bass trombonist in Western Colorado, Cameron is involved with many local ensembles including the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra, and Swing City Express Big Band. He has been on staff with the Academy Drum & Bugle for the past four years as a member of the contra staff and is excited for what the 2022 season will hold!

Marissa Lopez
Low Brass Instructor

Marissa Lopez, a low brass specialist and Orlando native holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Music Education from Florida International University. An alumna of Carolina Crown and the Cadets, she has taught middle and high school band in Orange, Lee, and Palm Beach County. She most recently served as an arts resource teacher- facilitating professional development, curriculum support, and community partnership opportunities for Palm Beach County teachers. She currently teaches at Forest Hill Community High School as their director of bands. Marissa is excited to return for her second summer working with the Academy!

Jordan Nelson
Low Brass Instructor

Jordan Nelson brings a rich history in the marching and pageantry arts activities and has served as an educator, clinician, designer, and adjudicator for years. His love for music began at a young age and soon found himself heavily involved in the marching arts. Jordan’s dedication and passion for marching band grew and flourished into an illustrative performance and educational career as he worked with bands and drum corps across the country including the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps (Canton, OH), Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps (Rockford, IL), The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps (Tempe, AZ), and Phenom Drum & Bugle Corps (Tempe, AZ). Jordan currently serves as an Associate Faculty member at Arizona State University instructing the Sun Devil Marching Band, is on the brass education team at The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, and is the current Corps Director and Brass Caption Head at Phenom Drum & Bugle Corps.

Kait Oresky
Low Brass Instructor

Kait Oresky has been on the Academy brass staff since 2019. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida where she studied euphonium and played in the UCF Wind Ensemble and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble. She now resides in Alexandria, VA as a freelancer, working most notably with the James Madison High School Band. Kait’s pageantry experience includes performing as a rack percussionist at Infinity Percussion World in 2019 and marching six years (2013-2018) with the Boston Crusaders as a a baritone player and ultimately as drum major. She could not be more excited to return to The Academy for another season!

Matt Stout
Brass Consultant

Matt Stout is an accomplished brass performer and educator originally from Mesa, AZ. Graduating in 2006 from the University of Arizona under the tutelage of Dr. Kelly Thomas, he then became the Band and Orchestra Director at Flowing Wells Junior High in Tucson where he has taught since. During the fall seasons he is also the Assistant Director of the Flowing Wells HS Marching Band. Matt has been heavily involved in the Drum and Bugle Corps activity, performing with the Concord Blue Devils from 2002-2005 and then teaching on the visual staff of the Arizona Academy from 2006-2010. From 2010-2017 he performed euphonium with the award-winning quartet Las Tubas de Tucson, completed his Master’s degree from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University, and served on the Governing Board of the Arizona Music Educators Association for four years as the Vice-President of Elementary and Junior High Activities. Since 2018 Matt has been excited to be back on board as a consultant with the Academy brass team, helping out with music instruction in whatever form needed. Matt continues to perform on a regular basis with the Arizona Symphonic Winds as a member, featured soloist and guest conductor. This year will also be his fourth season as the director of the Old Pueblo Brass Band, Arizona’s only British style brass band.

Ethan Andrews
Brass Intern

Ethan Andrews is currently a senior at The University of Arkansas intending to graduate in the Spring of 2022 with a bachelors degree in Music Education. He currently is a visual and brass technician for the Bentonville High School Marching Band. In 2018 he was named an Army All-American Musician by the All-American Games Association. He joined The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps as a performer in 2018 and continued with the organization through 2021 where he also served as horn sergeant for the corps for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Zachary Bethel
Brass Intern

Zach Bethel is a second-year master’s student at University of Wisconsin-Madison studying trombone performance. Zach is currently a graduate teaching assistant with the Wisconsin Badger Band. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Zach graduated at Florida State with a double major in Music and English. Zach marched with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps as a baritone player for the 2014 season.