Mary Duerkop is currently an Assistant Band Director for Nixa Public Schools where she teaches the high school marching band, high school jazz band, 8th grade band, and 7th grade brass. 

​

Before becoming a band director, Mary was a K-5 General Music teacher for 4 years. In 2013 she graduated with her Bachelors of Arts in Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas, studying tuba under Mr. Christian Carichner. During her time at UCA she was a member of many ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band II, Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, Bear Marching Band, and Bearly Contained, an indoor performing ensemble, in which she performed in and wrote drill for. Mary’s previous drum corps experience was with The Academy from 2007 - 2009. She also had the opportunity to travel to Japan with the production “Odyssey” in 2008. Mary won an audition for Odyssey, which was an all-female cast that toured Japan, while performing 40+ shows over the course of 2 months. Mary was a feature tuba performer in the 2 hour, on-stage show that utilized brass, percussion and guard. 

​

After aging out from The Academy, Mary began working with the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. She worked with the Mandarins from 2010 - 2012 and 2015 - 2020 as a visual and brass instructor. In 2021 Mary was hired as the Brass Caption Head for the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2022 she helped the Troopers in their first return to finals since 2009. She is beyond excited to be with the Troopers for her third year, alongside an incredible team of individuals committed to making the Troopers great.

Jeremy Basso is a graduate of Indiana State University where he studied bass trombone with Dr.Randy Mitchell.  While at Indiana State, he participated in the Jazz Ensembles, University Symphony, The Pride of Indiana Marching Band, multiple chamber ensembles, as well as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. John Boyd.

Jeremy lives in Greenfield, Indiana with his wife Brooke and their two children.  Jeremy is currently the assistant band director at Greenfield Central High School and Junior High where he teaches or co-teaches three high school concert bands, three junior high concert bands, and four jazz ensembles.

In Jeremy's five years at Greenfield Central, the school has twice been the Indiana State School Music Association Class B State Runner-Up in marching band and is the defending State Champion from 2019.  The school has also twice been a Bands of America Grand National Semi-Finalist, the Indiana Percussion Association Winter Winds State Champion, and the Winter Guard International Scholastic World Class Winds Silver Medalist.

Jeremy serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Percussion Association and has been a timing and penalty judge for Indiana Percussion and Winter Guard International.

Jeremy will once again be the Assistant Brass Caption Head for the Troopers as well as taking on the role of Low Brass Coordinator. Jeremy's drum corps career began in 2000 with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps where he marched baritone for two seasons. He has previously served on the brass staff of the Mandarins, Crossmen, Troopers, Blue Stars, and Southwind.

Patrick is currently the Assistant Band Director at Jasper High School in Jasper, Indiana.  He graduated from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a Bachelor of Music Education, studying trumpet with renowned trumpet teacher Bill Adam, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Masters in Wind Conducting from Southern Oregon University.

​

In addition to assisting with the marching and symphonic bands, Patrick directs the concert and jazz band as well as the Jasper brass program.  The Jasper Marching Band has been an Indiana State Finalist for 30 consecutive years, had 11 top three finishes and one state championship.  The symphonic band has been a concert band state finalist 22 times, and Patrick’s jazz band was one of eight bands in the state selected as an Indiana State Jazz Finalist in 2017. 

​

Patrick maintains an extensive private studio where he teaches all of the brass instruments.  He has had over 100 of his private brass students selected to the Indiana All State Band, All State Orchestra, All State Jazz Band, Jr. All State Jazz Band and Jr. All State Band as well as the US Army All American Marching Band, with many of those selected to multiple groups, multiple times.  Many of Pat’s former students are now band directors and professional musicians.

​

Patrick got his start in DCI as a member of the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps and was excited to march with his wife in the Star Alumni Corps.  Patrick spent the past four years on the brass staff of the Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps and served as the Brass Caption Head in 2021.  Prior to that, he was on the Troopers Brass Staff from 2015-2017.

​

Patrick lives in Jasper, IN with his wife Buffy and has two adult daughters.  He enjoys going on adventures with friends and family, watching sports, driving his Jeep, and playing Madden.