Michael Weber
Brass Caption Head

Michael Weber returns to The Academy for his third season as Brass Caption Head. Weber is an accomplished musician, educator, arranger, and drill writer, currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2016, followed by a Master’s in Trumpet Performance from the University of Utah in 2022, where he received a full-ride graduate teaching assistantship.

With over fifteen years of teaching experience, Michael has nurtured the musical development of students from kindergarten through college. His contributions have left a lasting impact on diverse music programs across multiple states, including Utah, Nevada, California, and Texas. Mr. Weber is currently the Associate Band Director at Foothill High School in Henderson, NV. The Foothill Marching Band has achieved recognition as an 18-time Bands of America regional championship finalist and has participated in prestigious events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Waikiki, Hawaii.

Michael’s journey in the drum corps community includes marching with 7th Regiment in 2010 and 2011, followed by the Santa Clara Vanguard from 2012 to 2013. He was a pivotal member of the Blue Devils International Corps during their European tour in 2015. His expertise in brass instruction flourished during his tenure as a brass instructor for the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets from 2017 to 2022, leading to multiple Open Class Championships and “Best Brass” awards. In 2023, he joined the renowned Phantom Regiment brass staff.

Beyond his contributions to the marching arts, Michael remains an active performer with his brass quintet, Twin Peaks Brass. His talent has facilitated collaborations with distinguished ensembles and artists, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Henderson Symphony, Lady A, Eric Marienthal, and Allen Vizzutti, among others.

At the core of Michael Weber’s endeavors is a steadfast commitment to creating a safe and engaging musical environment where students can explore their talents and realize the transformative power of music in their lives and futures.

Robert Peterson
Visual Co-Caption Head

Robert Peterson is a marching arts visual educator and drill writer based in Mesa, Arizona. For the past decade, he has taught and designed for multiple high school programs in his home state of New Jersey and throughout Arizona. Robert earned a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Music Education from Seton Hall University in 2016 and earned his Master of Music (MM) in Brass Performance Pedagogy from Arizona State University in 2023.

During the winter season, Robert serves as drill designer and visual caption head for the open-class WGI Percussion ensemble Breakthrough Indoor. In the fall, he is the lead visual staff member for the Mountain Ridge High School “Pride of the West” in Glendale, Arizona.

Robert started his drum corps journey in 2013 with Cadets2 and subsequently marched with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014 and 2015. Transitioning to teaching after his age out, Robert worked at various drum corps until 2019. In 2020, he relocated to Arizona and joined the visual staff of The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, where he is now in his third year as Visual Co-Caption Head for the 2026 Season.

Andrew Gregory
Visual Co-Caption Head

Andrew Gregory was born and raised in the upstate of South Carolina. He is a graduate of Boiling Springs High School, and studied music education at the University of South Carolina. As a performer, Andrew was a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from 2012 – 2015.

After graduating college and aging out of DCI, Andrew began teaching full time while designing and judging on the side. As an educator and designer, he has experienced success within Bands of America, Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International, and local scholastic circuits. Andrew has been on staff with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps since 2023.

Andrew is currently the Director of Bands at TL Hanna High School in Anderson, SC. Under his direction, the programs offered have grown rapidly and the marching and concert bands have had tremendous success. The TL Hanna marching band has been a consistent finalist in the South Carolina State Marching Contest earning the silver medal in 2021, the bronze medal in 2022, and the school’s first State Championship in 2023. The TL Hanna Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble have also experienced success earning consistent “Superior with Distinction” ratings at state concert assessments. In 2023, TL Hanna repeated their success on stage at the SC Concert Performance Assessment and received the “Outstanding Performance Award” for the first time in school history.

In addition to TL Hanna’s concert and marching bands, Andrew also leads one of the most awarded jazz bands in South Carolina, consults and designs for the school’s winter guards, and he designs for and instructs the Indoor Drumline who were 2022 WGI Open Class semi finalists.

Jared Littleton
Color Guard Co-Caption Head

The Academy is excited to announce Jared Littleton as Color Guard Co-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. 

A current resident of Tomball, Texas, Jared serves as the Color Guard Director of a comprehensive 7th-12th grade color guard program at Magnolia West High School, Magnolia Junior High, and Magnolia Parkway Junior High. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog Milo, playing videogames with his friends, and reading. 

Roxy Lazaro
Color Guard Co-Caption Head

The Academy is excited to announce Roxy Lazaro as Color Guard Co-Caption Head.

Dakota McConnell
Percussion Caption Head

The Academy welcomes Dakota McConnell to 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.