Michael Nickens, aka Doc Nix

Founder

Serving as director of Campus Life Ensembles and Collaborative Arts, and as an associate professor of music, Michael W. Nickens (aka Doc Nix) is most recognized as the leader of the “Green Machine,” which in 2015 was named the #1 pep band in college basketball by the NCAA and commended by the Senate and House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition, Nickens launched Mason’s fife and drum corps and WGI world champion drumline, and oversees Mason’s winter guard. This collection of performing units, known as the “Green Machine Ensembles,” are internationally known for their thrilling, high-energy performances at Mason ceremonies and basketball games, professional sports games and events (Washington Capitals, Nationals, Wizards, and Redskins), community events (Celebrate Fairfax and the Nike Women’s Half Marathon), and marching competitions, as well as their popular internet videos that have been viewed more than 100 million times.

Nickens was named the 2016 Faculty Member of the Year by the George Mason University Alumni Association. He served as a faculty representative to the Board of Visitors, chair of the faculty of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), chair of the CVPA Diversity Committee, and as a member of the School of Music’s Graduate Committee. In 2017, he received the Earle C. Williams Medal for Excellence in Social Impact.

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Since he joined the faculty of Mason’s School of Music in fall 2006, he has taught courses in sight-singing/ ear training, popular music in America, improvisatory music, brass methods, applied tuba, composition, chamber music, and jazz improvisation, as well as collaborations with Mason’s School of Dance. In addition, he was a co-founder and co-conductor of the Colonial Athletic Association’s “Breakfast with the Bands” intercollegiate pep band showcase.

During summers, he has taught tuba and euphonium, conducting, jazz performance, composition, improvisation, chamber music, large ensemble performance, and theory at the Performing Arts Institute at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania; the Music, Art, and Theatre Camp in Evanston, Wyoming; and the Northern Arizona University Music Camp in Flagstaff, Arizona, and taught at Mason’s Potomac Arts Academy. He has also coached a professional marching ensemble, “Mix It Up,” at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Nickens was born in Washington, D.C., and attended Fairfax County Public Schools in Alexandria,  Virginia. He completed his academic degrees at the Manhattan School of Music, Yale University, and the University of Michigan.

Travis Peterman

Ensemble Director and Battery Arranger

Born and raised in Newark, Delaware, Travis began his performing career with the All-State Junior and Senior Bands. Quickly finding a passion for the marching arts, he went on to perform with the Reading Buccaneers, United Percussion, the Blue Stars, and Rhythm X.

He began his drum corps teaching career with the Cadets2 as the snare technician and battery choreographer, remaining with the corps for three years. Travis previously held the position of the director, program coordinator, and battery arranger for Cadets Winter Percussion during it’s three year tenure. He served as the battery arranger and director of percussion for the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2016 through the 2019 season. Currently, Travis is the percussion caption supervisor and battery co-arranger at Carolina Crown and the program director of the George Mason University Indoor Drumline, where he is also a battery and visual designer. Travis joined the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2019 summer, serving as the battery designer and consultant. He is an accomplished adjudicator with circuits such as SCPA, KIDA, and AIA.

Travis is honored to have studied under educators such as Thom Hannum, Tom Aungst, Tim Jackson, Jim Ancona, Joel Hilbert, Tim Fairbanks, Darick Kelly, Rich Hammond, and Chris Feist. He is a proud member of the Vic Firth, Pearl/Adams, and Remo education teams. Outside of the percussion world, Travis holds an A.A. in Criminal Justice from Delaware Tech, a B.S. in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University, and a M.Ed. in School Counseling (also from WilmU). 

Will Vinson

Associate Director

Will Vinson is entering his third year on staff at George Mason University Indoor Drumline and second year as Associate Director. Will started his WGI career as the bass guitarist for the George Mason University Indoor Drumline in 2016 and 2017, aging out in 2017 as the Front Ensemble section leader. In 2018, Will returned to Mason Indoor in the role of Marketing and Social Media Assistant where his position extended into a variety of administrative tasks, including prop assembly and maintenance . From there he took on the Associate Director role, spending a majority of the 2019 season making didgeridoos, building monkey bars, and splattering green and pink paint on sweaters.

Outside of the marching arts, Will received a Bachelor's in Conflict Analysis and Resolution with a minor in Arts Management from George Mason in 2017. While at GMU, Will also was a member of the Green Machine Pep Band, receiving a scholarship for 7 of the 8 semesters in which he was active with the ensemble. Will splits his time between work in Washington, DC and his home in the City of Falls Church. In his free time he enjoys cycling, reading, and spending time with his pet hedgehog Ike.

Angie Estay

Operations Coordinator

Angie is thrilled to join the Mason Indoor staff for her first year as Operations Coordinator. She started her marching career at GMU on vibraphone and continued performing with the Front Ensemble from 2016 through 2019. Aging out on marimba, Angie was also a section leader in 2019 and assisted as a student leader with the Green Machine Ensembles. Angie has been a member of the Reading Buccaneers (2017), works as the Marketing Assistant with the Green Machine Ensembles, teaches marching band and indoor drumline at Yorktown High School, and is a Music Education student at the George Mason University School of Music. In her spare time, Angie enjoys day trips with her friends, baking cheesecakes, and taking pictures of her pets.

Dan Schack

Creative Director

Dan Schack is a designer, educator, clinician, adjudicator, and podcast host in the marching arts.

He currently serves as the Creative Director of the George Mason University Indoor Drumline, the Production Manager of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Program Coordinator of the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps.

Dan is the creator/host of the FloMarching program “On the 50,” on which he interviews the brightest minds in the marching arts.

Dan proudly endorses Vic Firth drumsticks, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo drumheads, Pearl/Adams percussion instruments, and Lot Riot apparel.

Outside of his musical endeavors, Dan works as a Program Assistant in the Office of Leadership Development at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Women’s Studies from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s in English and Women’s Studies from Wright State University, where he specialized in contemporary literature.

Andrew Monteiro

Front Ensemble Arranger

Andrew Monteiro is a Music Educator and Percussion Arranger based in Central New Jersey. He has worked with high school marching bands and indoor drumlines in the Mid-Atlantic region including South Brunswick Marching Band, Old Bridge High school Marching Band and it’s respective Indoor Drumline and Norwalk High School Indoor Drumline. 

He has been the Front Ensemble Caption Supervisor for Cadets2 since the corps' establishment in 2012 and Arranger and Sound designer from 2016 - 2018. He was on staff with The Cadets Front Ensemble from 2014 - 2017. Andrew is the Front Ensemble Arranger and Sound designer for the Bushwackers since 2016 and currently on the Front Ensemble and Sound Design Team Staff for Carolina Crown 2019. He was the Front Ensemble Arranger, Coordinator and Sound Designer for Cadets Winter Percussion PIW from 2014 - 2016 where they placed 1st in Independent Open their inaugural year. Andrew was also the Sound Designer for United Percussion PIW in 2017 and 2018. He has studied under many accomplished instructors including Iain Moyer, Jason Inhat, Mike Zellers, Jim Ancona and Tom Aungst. In addition, Andrew studied at New York University under Jonathan Haas, Simon Boyar and Josh Quillen. 2020 will be Andrew's second year with GMU Indoor Percussion. 

Sean McElroy

Drill Designer

Sean McElroy grew up in southwest Denver, Colorado in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, a time where the state was a dominant force in the progression of the marching percussion activity. Through his involvement with Bear Creek High School, Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, and Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble, Sean was exposed to a multiple of percussion greats such as Ralph Hardimon, Mike Nevin, Dave Marvin and other incredible educators. Being exposed to such a strong and healthy percussion community in CO, he cultivated a deep passion for percussion and visual arts by pursuing a busy teaching career as soon as his time as performer in the activity was concluded. 

After many years of teaching and designing for high schools and independent groups around the Denver area, Sean became the visual designer for the Blue Knight’s Percussion Ensemble.  Sean served in this role along with show coordinator for the seasons of 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2013.  The ensemble was awarded 3rd place at the WGI National Championship in 2007, and won the Fan Favorite award in 2011 with the memorable show entitled Physical Graffiti.

In 2004, following his age out season of drum corps with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Sean was invited to teach the bass drum section of the Cadets for the 2004 season.  Sean would remain the bass tech with the Cadets through the summer of 2010.  In 2011, Sean joined the battery staff at Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, serving as the bass tech for 2 seasons.  In 2013, Sean joined the percussion staff at Carolina Crown, a position he has held since.  In total, Sean has 14 consecutive seasons of experience teaching DCI percussion.

In 2008, Sean moved to Canton, Michigan to become the percussion director at the highly acclaimed Plymouth Canton High School.  He would work there for a 6 years during which the percussion would make an appearance in WGI World Class final in 2009 and Open Class Finals in 2013. In 2014, Sean moved to Fort Mill, SC where he was the percussion director at Nation Ford High School from 2014 to 2016.  

Sean is now the Percussion Ensemble Coordinator at Carolina Crown, along with being the drill writer for multiple WGI percussion groups throughout the areas of Colorado, Michigan, and South Carolina. He is an active visual judge in the indoor drum line activity and spends his free time traveling, riding his bike, and snowboarding in current hometown of Silverthorne, CO.

Carolyn Drislane

Choreographer

Carolyn is excited to enter her 5th season as the Choreographer for GMU Indoor Percussion! She has been heavily involved in the marching arts since 2002 as a performer, designer, choreographer, and technician. She has been fortunate to work with numerous performance ensembles, with most recent ventures as a visual designer for George Mason Indoor Percussion, choreographer for George Mason Open Winterguard and visual technician for Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps. Carolyn holds a bachelor of science degree in neuroscience and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy from Marymount University in Arlington, VA. She currently works as a sports physical therapist at the MedStar National Rehabilitation Network in Washington, DC and a research fellow at George Mason University. She is eager to share her passion and expertise of movement to George Mason University Percussion.

Paul Nalesnik

Battery Caption Head and Music Specialist

Paul Nalesnik is a freelance percussionist, arranger, and educator based out of Central New Jersey. He is currently the Battery Supervisor and Music Specialist at George Mason University Indoor Drumline, Battery Arranger for the Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as Battery Specialist at Carolina Crown. Paul also served as the Battery Arranger and Caption Head for United Percussion PIW from 2017 through 2019, Battery Instructor at The Cadets, Battery Arranger at the Caballeros, and the Director/Arranger for the Rutgers University Drumline from 2012 through 2016.  

Along with his marching percussion teaching experience, Paul has instructed percussion classes as an Adjunct Percussion Teacher at Immaculata High School. As a marching performer, Paul marched quads at United Percussion PIW in 2009 and 2010. He then moved on to march the Santa Clara Vanguard for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. As a concert performer, Paul received second place at the 2013 Atlanta Modern Snare Drum Competition, and received first place at the 2014 PAS Kosa NY Chapter Snare Drum Competition. Paul is also credited with playing snare drum on the Wu Tang Clan album “40th Street Black”, along with helping design and perform the opening to the 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show with the Rutgers Drumline. In addition to his performance and education experience, Paul has published a solo snare drum book through Bachovich publications entitled “The Rutgers Solos”, with his solo “Jacks” as a required piece in the 2019 Modern Snare Drum Competition. Paul proudly endorses Vic Firth Drumsticks, and is a member of Team Remo Drumheads. As a dedicated educator, Paul has been inspired by many notable teachers; including Joseph Tompkins, Paul Rennick, Tom Aungst, Javier Diaz, Ken Riehman, and Kyle Zerna.

Alex Kluttz

Front Ensemble Caption Head

Entering his third season as the Front Ensemble Manager for George Mason University, Alex Kluttz is a percussionist and educator in the Washington D.C. area. He is currently in his fourth year as the band director at Key Middle School in Springfield, VA.

Alex has taught percussion at multiple high schools including Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA, Yorktown High School in Arlington, VA, and Northwest Guilford, Eastern Randolph and Central Davidson High Schools in the greater Greensboro, NC area. 

His WGI experience began while assisting Palmetto Percussion in Columbia, South Carolina and Wake Forest Independent percussion ensemble from Winston Salem, North Carolina. He was the front ensemble coordinator for United Percussion in Camden, NJ before joining the team at GMU Indoor Drumline in 2017.

Alex began his pageantry arts experience in 2008 when he joined Carolina Crown, completing five seasons and aging out in 2012. Upon aging out, he taught the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps for two years, coordinating the ensemble in 2014. He recently completed his fourth year on the front ensemble staff at Carolina Crown. 

He was awarded with the Hester Undergraduate Music Scholarship and is an Eagle Scout. While in his undergraduate studies, Alex performed with the UNCG Wind Ensemble at the College Band Directors National Association convention in 2013. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he studied percussion with Dr. Kristopher Keeton. He has also studied with John R. Beck and Peter Zlotnick.  He holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and Music Performance.

Alex Musliner

Battery Manager

Alex Musliner is excited to be a third-year member of the George Mason instructional team for the 2018 season. Most recently, Alex was the snare technician for Imperial Dynasty indoor percussion ensemble and the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle corps for their 2017 seasons. He has performed as a member of Cadets2 , Cadets Winter Percussion, and Carolina Crown. Alex graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in Computer Engineering in 2015 and is currently working as a developer at a website provider.

Ian Jeffrey

Visual Manager

Ian Jeffrey currently lives in Richmond, Virginia where he received his degree in music education at Virginia Commonwealth University. Ian currently works as an Elementary Music Teacher at Gayton Elementary in Henrico County. For High School Band, Ian serves as the Visual Coordinator for Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, VA and has held this position since 2012.

Ian's marching experience began at the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from 2012-2015. He was the tuba section leader for the 2013 and 2014 seasons and the horn sergeant for his age-out year in 2015. He also marched WGI here at George Mason during 2015 and 2016, where he held a section leader position.

During the summer, Ian holds the position as the Assistant Visual Caption Head at the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and has been with the organization since the 2016 season.

Ian is very excited to be back for his fourth year at George Mason University and his second year as the Visual Manager.

Reed Kimmel

Audio Manager

Born and raised in Central Pennsylvania, 2020 will be Reed's third year on the George Mason staff. He has worked with Cadets Drum Corps the past 4 summers, spending most his time on the road with the corps operating as their Audio Caption Manager. Reed's start to the marching arts was in middle school marching from snare to marimba in his 7 years. After graduating in 2012 his marching career came to an end and he pursued a path toward audio. Since then, Reed has been heavily involved in the audio community, working with several high schools, Cadets Winter Percussion, United Percussion, Cadets 2, Towson University and most recently at Cadets.

Outside of his marching arts career he works at a restaurant in Hershey, PA. He also volunteers at his church and other local community events to help run their productions.

Matt Penland

Ensemble Specialist

Matt Penland is a percussion performer, educator, and arranger based out of Washington, D.C. where he is a percussionist in the U.S. Air Force Band, as well an instructor at the George Mason University Indoor Drumline. He has taught and arranged music for marching percussion groups across the country and internationally.

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Displaying a background in both classical and marching percussion, Matt’s performance

accolades include: 3rd prizewinner of the 2014 TROMP International Percussion Competition in the Netherlands, Top prizewinner of the 2013 Atlanta Modern Snare Drum Competition and semifinalist in the 2014 Southern California Marimba Competition. As a marching percussion soloist he was the 2011 DCI I&E Tenor Champion and the 2009 PASIC Collegiate Tenor Solo Champion. Matt has been a featured soloist and clinician at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, the North Texas Marching Percussion Camp and at the 2014 International Percussion Festival Seoul in South Korea. Matt was a marching member of the Santa Clara Vanguard, Phantom Regiment, Carolina Crown, and Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. He has been an instructor at the Santa Clara Vanguard since 2012.
 

Matt holds a Master’s degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas. Find out more about Matt at www.penlandpercussion.com.

Thom Hannum

Program Consultant

Thom Hannum is entering his seventh year as Director of Percussion for the Carolina Crown Drum Corps. He will share the duties of arranging for and directing the Crown percussion program with Percussion Caption Supervisor Travis Peterman and Front Ensemble Supervisor/Arranger Jim Ancona.

Thom Hannum has long been regarded as one of the nation’s foremost percussion arrangers, instructors, and clinicians having presented numerous seminars and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Thom teaches at the University of Massachusetts where he serves as the Associate Director of the Minuteman Marching Band, and the Director of the Marimba Band and Marimba Ensemble program. In 2009 Mr. Hannum was recognized by the university, receiving the prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award. He is a product consultant and clinician for the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Company and Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets where he has developed several Signature Series drumsticks and keyboard mallets. Thom is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society where he serves on the Marching Percussion Committee.

Thom Hannum is also known for his work with the DCI World Champion The Cadets and Star of Indiana, and is a member of the design team for the Tony and Emmy Award Winning show Blast! In the summer of 2001, Mr. Hannum was selected for induction into the DCI Hall of Fame, and in 2008 he was inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. Mr. Hannum is also a member of The Cadets and the Crossmen Hall of Fame.

Jim Ancona

Front Ensemble Consultant

Regarded as one of the premier percussion arrangers in the United States, James Ancona has presented seminars and performances of his works throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Mr. Ancona has over 30 years of experience as an arranger and instructor for Drum Corps International ensembles including The Cavaliers, Star of Indiana, Santa Clara Vanguard, Boston Crusaders and The Cadets. He is currently the Front Ensemble Arranger for Carolina Crown. Mr. Ancona’s honors in the activity include having been a member of the 1990 DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and serving on the instructional staff for Star of Indiana's (1993), Santa Clara Vanguard's (2004), and The Cadets’ (2013) World Champion percussion sections. He also served as the Percussion Caption Head for the 2006 DCI World Champion Cavaliers and as a consultant for the 2011 DCI World Champion Cadets. His Vanguard Percussion Ensembles and Mixed Ensembles have won at the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Championships.

Ivan Fees

Graphic Designer

Ivan Fees is a graphic designer based out of Denver, CO. He has been involved with WGI percussion since 2003 in a variety of roles with ensembles. As a performer he earned the 2004 PSCW bronze medal with Gateway High School of Aurora, CO, as well as a number of finalist placements as a cymbal player for the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble. He also spent a season marching cymbals for the University of Colorado Golden Buffalo Marching Band.

Ivan has served as an instructor, consultant, cymbal technician and designer for a variety of programs in the Rocky Mountain region, including BKPE from 2013-2016, and a few programs around the country. Most notably he spent 7 years with Dakota Ridge High School from Littleton, CO. Dakota Ridge earned 6 RMPA Championships in 5 straight seasons, the 2018 WGI Concert Class Fan Favorite Award, the 2017 WGI PSCO silver medal, and were the 2016 WGI PSCO World Champions.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master’s in Sports & Entertainment Management from the University of Colorado Denver. He is very passionate about the WGI activity, is a huge advocate for concert class ensembles, looks to enter into judge training, and very much enjoys networking with amazing instructors, designers, performers, judges and staff all across the country. You can see a few samples of his design work in parts with the Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps, Imperial Dynasty Percussion, and Black Diamond Percussion, as well as his online portfolio www.ivanfees.com.

Morgan Dean

Social Media

Morgan Dean, an aspiring marketing professional with a passion for the performing arts industry, has actively participated in instrumental music her whole life, most recently playing in the front ensemble with the 2016 Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps and playing oboe in the Ball State Symphony Orchestra. She is going into her final year of study at Ball State University where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Public Relations with concentrations in Graphic Design and Event Planning.

Morgan’s passion for design and marketing combined with her love and support of music education and the performing arts has led her to be involved with a variety of performing arts organizations. Most recently, she has interned with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and Music for All and is currently interning with Emens Auditorium as a Graphic Design Intern. Morgan is also founder and CEO of her own business, Musician Marketing, a nonprofit marketing business that strives to support and help anyone in the performing arts industry excel “beyond the practice room” through a variety of branding, marketing and creative services. 100% of the profits are donated to the Sophie Rinehart Fund in honor of Sophie’s Life and Legacy.

Learn more about Morgan and her work by visiting her online portfolio and learn more about Musician Marketing online or connecting via the Facebook Page.

Joe DeLosa

Snare Technician

Joe DeLosa began drumming before he could walk, performing for the first 17 years of his life in his family's parade band "The Blue Crew." From 2009-2014, he played snare in the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens Marching Band. Joe has also marched snare with the Reading Buccaneers (2010, 2011, 2016, 2017) and the Cadets (2012, 2013) where he was fortunate to win a DCI high percussion title. Indoors, Joe has performed at each level of independent WGI competition, marching snare in A Class (Imperial Dynasty 2013), in Open Class (Cadets Winter Percussion 2014), and in World Class (United Percussion 2011). Joe has also returned to the University of Delaware (2015-2018) and Imperial Dynasty (17-18/18-19) to serve as snare tech.

Megan Huynh

Cymbal Technician

Returning to Mason for her second year on staff is Cymbal Technician, Megan Huynh. 

Megan is a Fairfax, Virginia native. After she entered Fairfax High School she joined the marching band first playing saxophone and shortly after moving on to be drum major. Thereafter, she found interest in her high school's indoor program where she marched two years of cymbals and two years of bass drum. 

In 2014, Megan joined GMUID's cymbal line and served as section leader for two years. The summer of 2014, Megan marched cymbals with Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps and in 2015 she marched Spirit of Atlanta. In 2017, Megan aged out at Infinity Percussion in Orlando, Florida. 

Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University. She currently works at Deloitte Consulting LLP in Washington, DC.

Dani Cunning

Cymbal Technician

Danielle Cunning began her WGI marching career with George Mason Indoor in 2009, where she spent four seasons on their cymbal line. In 2013 she moved to St. Louis, MO where she joined Gateway Indoor, ageing out with the organization in 2014 after two seasons. Her drum corps experience includes two seasons with Spirit of Atlanta from 2011-2012, where she received a gold medal for Individual and Ensemble in the cymbal ensemble category.

Danielle taught Gateway Indoor’s cymbal line from 2015 to 2017, and the George Mason cymbal line from 2018 to present. She has taught drum corps with Spirit of Atlanta in 2015, and Colts in 2019.

While she’s not teaching Danielle works full time as a Massage Therapist and Holistic Wellness Practitioner.

Adrian Amegashie

Cymbal Technician

Adrian Amegashie has been a marching percussionist since high school. He marched cymbals at Jersey Surf from 2015-2017, United Percussion in 2016 and Rhythm X from 2017-2018. His teaching experience includes teaching cymbals, battery, and writing drill. He has taught at United Percussion, and 7th Regiment, as well as several high schools in Maryland and Ohio. Outside of the marching arts, Adrian is training to become a certified yoga teacher, and enjoys sharing his love of cooking with others.

Zach Sellers

Visual Technician

Zach Sellers has been heavily involved with the marching arts beginning his Drum Corps experience in 2013 in the Baritone section at Cadets2, then The Cadets in 2014 aging out with the corps in 2015. He was also a cast member with Rhythm X Winds in 2017.

In addition to Zach’s performance career he has served on the visual staff with multiple DCI corps including Blue Stars, 7th Regiment, Music City, and The Madison Scouts. Zach is also currently the Visual Caption Head at James Madison High School in Vienna VA where he helped guide the program to their first ever BOA Grand Nationals Semifinals performance as well as a BOA Regional Championship earlier in the 2019 season. He has been working with GMU since 2019. 

Zach is currently working on his degree in instrumental music education at George Mason University.

Stephen Patterson

Visual Technician

Stephen Patterson, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, has been performing and teaching in the marching arts since 2008. He is an alumnus of both The Cadets and The Cadets2 organizations where he marched trumpet. He was a member of the inaugural year of Cadets2 in 2012, and continued to perform with the organization in 2013. After taking a year off to study and teach, Stephen completed his age-out with The Cadets in 2015. Stephen returned to The Cadets2 for 2017 and 2018 Seasons as Visual Technician. Scholastically, Stephen proudly served as the Visual and Percussion Caption Head at Spotsylvania High School from 2013-2018. This fall he is returning home to Massponax High School and continues to work with James Madison High School where he has been since 2016. During indoor season, he serves as the Visual Caption Head for DieselCo Indoor, a collective of Spotsylvania County schools that combine resources to create a great educational experience for their percussion students. During the day, he substitutes for band, orchestra, and chorus teachers in Spotsylvania County and maintains a roster of private lesson students. At night and on the weekends, Stephen is a freelance trumpet player.

Chad Riley

Front Ensemble Technician

Chad’s first experiences with music began back home in Powhatan, VA, where he was a member of the marching band and indoor drumline for five years. In 2011, he began his drum corps career in DCA with Carolina Gold. Chad then went on to perform with Carolina Crown in 2013 and 2014, and aged out in 2015 with the Santa Clara Vanguard. Chad was also a member of the front ensemble in the George Mason University Indoor Drumline from 2013 to 2015.

As an instructor, Chad has worked with the front ensembles at South County High School, The Bushwackers, and The Reading Buccaneers. This is Chad’s third year on staff at Mason.

Chad is currently a teacher in Fairfax with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from George Mason University. While at Mason, he studied percussion with John Kilkenny and Ken Harbison.

Angela Bongiovanni

Front Ensemble Technician

Angela grew up outside of Reading, Pennsylvania where she began her marching career with the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps from the years of 2012 to 2014. The following two summers she competed in Drum Corps International, playing both vibraphone and marimba for Carolina Crown. Her time performing in WGI included a year with Cadets Winter Percussion in 2016 and her age out in 2017 with United Percussion. She was also a featured performer at PASIC in 2016 with Carolina Crown’s percussion ensemble.

Angela received bachelor's degrees in both neuroscience and psychology from Temple University in 2017. Presently, she is living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and works at Temple University in the Memory Epigenetics and Addiction Laboratory. As laboratory manager, Angela studies the transgenerational inheritance of opioid addiction, as well as the neurological underpinnings of opioid-based craving and relapse. As a devoted educator of both music and science, Angela has been a professor in Temple’s chemistry department. She has also served as the front ensemble coordinator for the Cadets2 front ensemble and the United Percussion Front Ensemble. 2020 will be Angela’s first year with George Mason University Indoor Drumline, and she is excited to partake in the upcoming season!

David Chung

Front Ensemble Technician

David Chung was the Director of Bands at Former Stonewall Jackson Middle School in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Chung has instructed, adjudicated, and has been an active clinician in the Richmond area since his arrival in 2011. He has coordinated many ensembles including Drum Lines, Front Ensembles, and indoor Drum Lines at Atlee, Powhatan, Douglas S. Freeman, J.R. Tucker, and New Kent High Schools. Chung was the Front Ensemble Caption Head at Carolina Gold's Alchemy Independent Indoor Percussion in its charter year, 2016 and '17. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Music. Chung was also a performing member of the George Mason University's Mean Green Indoor Drum Line in '10, '11, and '13, a front ensemble instructor in '15, and was a member of the 2014 Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, the highest scoring Drum Corps in DCI history. In his spare time, Chung enjoys subbing and performing with various ensembles in the Richmond area, including the Richmond Philharmonic and the Commonwealth Winds.

Colson Meeks

Front Ensemble Technician

Raised in Northern Virginia, Colson Meeks has been an active member of the marching community since his first season of DCA in 2016 with the Hawthorne Caballeros. He then went on to march Carolina Crown 2017-18 and George Mason University Indoor for their 2018 season. He has provided world class instruction for several high performing groups such as Chantilly High School, South County High School, and George Mason University Indoor. Colson is returning this season to provide more high quality instruction through the virtual space. Colson lives in Fairfax, VA, and teaches at Brambleton Middle School in Ashburn, VA.

Dom Palazzo

Sound Technician

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science – Rowan University

During his time at Rowan University, other than his core classes for a degree in CS, Dom also studied orchestral percussion at Rowan with Dean Witten and have also studied timpani with Principal Timpanist Don Liuzzi of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Dom was a member of Cadets Winter Percussion Front Ensemble 2014-2016, Cadets2 in 2014, and Cadets in 2016. He has been on staff at Cadets as part of the Audio Team since 2018.

Dom is currently teaching Clearview Regional High School Marching Band’s Front Ensemble and writing their sound design.

Dom is excited to be part of the George Mason team this coming season!