Lisa Tatum
Brass Caption Head

Lisa Tatum has served as Brass Caption Manager for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps since 2019. She recently completed 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 2022 and 2018 UIL 6A State Marching Contest Participant and has been a 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.

Chris Agwu
High Brass Coordinator

Christopher Agwu is music educator, conductor, and clinician from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. Christopher serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for his teacher and mentor Steven D. Davis. Prior to attending UMKC, he received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas where he studied trumpet with John Holt and Keith Johnson and his Master of Musical Arts at Texas Tech University where he studied conducting with Dr. Sarah McKoin. 

Between receiving his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree, Christopher taught in the North-Texas area at Plano Independent School District and Lewisville Independent School District. Christopher has stayed active in the marching and pageantry arts since marching with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003 and the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2006 and 2007. The ensembles he has worked with or led have been finalists and/or champions in WGI, BOA, and DCI regional and national competitions. 

Christopher strongly believes in the power that music has in creating community among people from all walks of life. Through this belief, he strives to use his love for creating music with others as a way of positively developing himself, developing the ones he creates music with, and developing the ones who get to experience music as audience members. 

Kelli Duncan
Low Brass Coordinator

Kelli Duncan is a doctoral student in euphonium performance and a graduate assistant for the tuba studio at the University of Oregon, where she studies with primary teacher Michael Grose. She holds a Master’s degree in Performance Pedagogy and a Bachelor of Arts 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 for high schools, universities, and drum corps. 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.

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 Victory Lakes Intermediate 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 and coaches in CrossFit 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 responsibilities 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. Chris is incredibly excited to return to the Academy in 2023!

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.

Meredith Lee
High Brass Instructor

Meredith Lee is an elementary music teacher with Metro Nashville Public Schools. She earned her Masters in Education and Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Meredith served on the brass staff of the Blue Devils B corps during their Open Class Championship year in 2014. She has marched with Colts (2009), Bluecoats (2011), and The Blue Devils (2012-2013), and also toured with The Blue Devils International Corps (2015). Meredith currently performs with the Nashville Community Concert Band. She is very excited to begin working with The Academy brass!

Abbigail Ramsey
High Brass Instructor

Abbigail Ramsey has served on brass staff at The Academy since 2020. She is currently an Assistant Band Director in Needville ISD. Abbigail just completed her Master’s of Music in Wind Conducting at Stephen F. Austin State University in Spring 2022 where she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the concert bands, undergraduate conducting classes, the SFA Horn Studio, and the athletic bands. In addition, Abbigail was the Assistant High School Band Director at Mount Enterprise, where she is currently the drill writer and show designer for the marching 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!

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.

Zach Worley
High Brass Instructor

Zach Worley is a freelance trumpet teacher and player currently located in Lubbock, TX. He is currently in his final year of his Master’s Degree in Trumpet Performance at Texas Tech University. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated Cum Laude in Spring 2020. Zach maintains a private studio in Lubbock of 23+ trumpet students ranging from middle to high school. Zach is an accomplished trumpet player, recently being awarded a position as a substitute trumpet player with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. Most of his freelance work includes classical or chamber work, musicals, big bands, and everything in between. Zach has competed at the National Trumpet Competition for three years, twice in the Small Ensemble division, once in the Large Ensemble Division; this last year Zach also advanced to the Semi-Final round of the Graduate Solo Division. Zach marched three summers as a Lead Trumpet, one with The Cadets in 2016, and his final two summers with the World Champion Concord Blue Devils in 2017 and 2018. Zach is excited to return to The Academy this year and can’t wait to push the students to be the best version of themselves!

Ethan Andrews
Low Brass Instructor

Ethan Andrews has been with The Academy brass staff since 2021. Ethan recieved his degree in music education from the University of Arkansas where he graduated in the Spring of 2022. During his tenure, he partcipated in various ensembles including being the principle tuba of the wind ensemble and section leader for the Razorback Marching Band Tubas. He was also a general technician for the Bentonville Pride Marching Band. Currently, he is serving as an assistant band director at Paragould High School where he helped win Paragould’s 7th consecutive Arkansas State 5A Marching Band Championhsip. He teaches AP Music theory and also helps conduct the Symphonic band along with teaching instrumental classes grades 7th-12th. His pagentry experience includes marching with The Academy from 2018-2021 where he marched tuba and was horn sergeant for the 2021 season. Ethan was also named an Army All-American Musician in 2018.

Zachary Bethel
Low Brass Staff

Zach Bethel is entering his second year with The Academy brass team. Currently a freelancing trombonist in the Madison, WI area, Zach regularly plays church services, galas, recitals and a variety of other gigs around the midwest alongside his trombone quartet the Beltline Bones. Zach received his master’s in trombone performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was also a graduate teaching assistant with the Wisconsin Badger Band. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Zach graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Music and English. Aside from the arts, Zach also served as the Art & Culture editor, and later Editor-in-Chief, of the FSView & Florida Flambeau while living in Tallahassee. Zach marched with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps as a baritone player for the 2014 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!

Kirsten Hoogstraten
Low Brass Instructor

Kirsten Hoogstraten (she/her) resides in Lubbock, TX where she is currently working on her DMA in Wind Band Conducting at Texas Tech University with Dr. Sarah McKoin. At TTU, she assists in all facets of the band program including conducting all four major ensembles and working with the Goin’ Band from Raiderland and the Court Jesters Pep Band.

Kirsten has arranged for, conducted, and played in multiple groups including the University of Kansas, University of Central Florida, and Texas Tech University Tuba Euphonium Ensembles. She currently teaches privately both in person and online and has formerly taught beginning through high school band in Kansas, Massachusetts, and Florida.

Kirsten holds a BME with a minor in tuba performance from the University of Kansas where she studied with Dr. John Lynch and Dr. Scott Watson and a MA in Music with an emphasis in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Central Florida where she studied with Dr. Scott Lubaroff.

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!

Kait Oresky
Low Brass Instructor

Kait Oresky has been on The Academy brass staff since 2019. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Music with a concentration in euphonium performance at the University of Central Florida and serves as a graduate teaching assistant for the UCF Bands, including the UCF Marching Knights. Before beginning her graduate studies, Kait freelanced in Northern Virginia, working most notably with the James Madison High School Band. She also completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Central Florida. Kait’s pageantry experience includes performing as a rack percussionist with Infinity Percussion PIW in 2019, and marching six seasons with the Boston Crusaders as a baritone player (2013-2015) and drum major (2016-2018). She could not be more excited to return to The Academy for another season!

Matt Stout
Low Brass Instructor

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 fifth season as the director of the Old Pueblo Brass Band.

Diego Abeytia
Brass Intern

Diego Abeytia is a musician and educator based in Flagstaff, Arizona. Currently, Diego is the music teacher for Montessori School of Flagstaff and the assistant Band Director at Coconino High School. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Diego attended the University of Arizona studying Music Education. During his time at the U of A, Diego performed with The Academy in 2019 on mellophone, in addition to marching with the Pride of Arizona where he performed as a drum major from 2019-2021. Diego graduated from the University of Arizona in 2021 with a Bachelors in Music Education. While staying active in the marching arts through teaching, Diego also performs with the Orchestra Northern Arizona and runs a growing private French horn studio. Diego is extremely excited to be joining The Academy as a brass intern for the 2023 season!

David Norton
Brass Intern

Kaley Rodriguez
Brass Intern

Kaley is currently a student at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL where she is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Music Performance (B.M.) with a focus in Trumpet. Kaley was a member of the Madison Scouts in 2021 as a mellophone player. She continued with the Scouts through her age out season in 2022 as a trumpet player and featured fluglehorn soloist. Kaley has taught marching band and masterclasses at various local high schools. She also has a studio of private lesson students of her own. Kaley is excited to be joining the Academy’s brass team as a 2023 Brass intern.