Troopers Announce Brass Team

The Troopers are pleased to announce the 2025 Brass Instructional Team under the leadership of Caption Head Matty Parker and Carol Weirich.

"Our Troopers Brass program has been a major part of our recent growth and success. You can expect that growth to continue in 2025. This team is incredible and are already demonstrating next level results."   -Mike Gough, Troopers Executive Director

Matty Parker - Co-Brass Caption Head

Matty has 18 years of DCI teaching experience with the Troopers, Boston Crusaders, Crossmen, Blue Stars, and Madison Scouts. He served as both a Brass Caption Head and Assistant Caption. Matty’s heart is with the low brass, where he served various tech positions for both Baritones and Tubas, including last year, when he was both Asst. Brass Caption and Lead Tuba Tech. For a couple of years he worked simultaneously as both brass and visual staff. Matty marched in the Sunset Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from Tucson from ‘87-’90, where he was a Baritone Soloist. He holds a degree in English and American Literature with a minor in Philosophy. Currently, Matty works with several Marching Bands in Arizona, including The Sudler Trophy winning Pride of Arizona Marching Band of which he is a proud alumnus.

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Carol Weirich - Co-Brass Caption Head

Carol Weirich is in her seventh year as the assistant band director at Discovery Middle School, part of the Penn-Harris-Madison school corporation in Mishawaka, Indiana. The Discovery band program consists of 277 students spanning grades 6-8. Carol’s responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Band, Intermediate Jazz Band, all beginning band classes, and assisting with Concert Band, Honors Band, and Pep Band. At Penn High School, Carol serves as an assistant marching band director and After School Jazz Orchestra director.

Carol’s groups consistently earn Gold with Distinction ratings at state contests. The Discovery Honors Band was selected to perform at the 2024 Indiana Music Educators Association Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Carol is an active adjudicator for ISSMA Solo & Ensemble and Organizational contests. She received a Quinlan & Fabish Michiana Outstanding Music Educator Award in the spring of 2023 through her active participation in her instrumental music education community.

Carol graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, where she studied piano with Dr. Kate Boyd and horn with Dr. Gail Lewis. While at Butler, Carol participated in the Butler University Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Orchestra, Jazz Combo, Marching Band, Basketball Band, student brass ensembles, and was an active accompanist. Carol also spent a semester abroad at the Piteå Musikhögskolan in northern Sweden studying piano and conducting, while actively performing in several ensembles, including the inaugural Arctic Brass Quintet.

Carol marched mellophone with the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2015-2017. As a mellophone tech, she has worked with Pioneer (2018), Mandarins (2019, 2020), and the Troopers (2021-2024). Carol is incredibly excited and honored to serve as one of the brass caption heads for the 2025 season at her home corps!

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Patrick Keeley - Assistant Brass Caption Head

Patrick is currently the Assistant Band Director at Washington High School in Washington, Indiana, but spent the majority of his career at Jasper High School. 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.

Pat’s marching band was an Indiana state finalist 27 consecutive years, had 12 top three

finishes, and two state championships. His band was also a 24 time Indiana Concert Band state finalist, and Patrick’s jazz band was one of eight bands in the state selected as an Indiana State Jazz Finalist in 2017.

Patrick 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 Buffy in the Star Alumni Corps in 2004 and 2010. This is his 11th straight year teaching Drum Corps, being on the brass staff of both the Troopers and Mandarins. His drum corps highlights include teaching his daughter in the Trooper’s hornline, and being part of the teams that got both Troopers back into DCI Finals and Mandarins into Finals for the first time ever.

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Samuel Elmore - Trumpet Tech

Samuel is a high school music teacher in the Greater Sacramento Area. A graduate from California State University, Sacramento, Samuel has been affiliated with drum corps in some capacity for over 10 years. Having marched Mandarins for 4 years and taught their Brass Academy and their Elementary Programs, Samuel chose to expand further East in 2021 where he began his first season with the Troopers as a Trumpet Tech. As he heads into his 5th year with the drum corps, Samuel looks forward to building upon what the team has created since 2021 and reach even greater heights.

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Ben Fetzer - Trumpet Tech

Ben studies Music Education at Missouri State University and has been teaching at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Missouri. Ben has been a music and visual instructor with the Kickapoo Golden Arrow Marching band since 2019. He also teaches brass fundamental technique and sectionals for the concert bands. Throughout the school year Ben continues his work as a visual instructor for the Kickapoo Indoor Percussion. Ben has been a private lessons instructor in the Springfield area since 2022.

Ben studies trumpet with Dr. Grant Peters, and has performed in the Missouri State Wind Ensemble, Jazz Studies Ensemble, and the Pride of Missouri State Marching Band. He was a finalist in the national trumpet competition, small ensemble division, placing third in the nation with the Missouri State University trumpet ensemble. Ben marched The Cavaliers from 2019 to 2021. He has been a trumpet tech with the Troopers since 2023 and is excited to continue helping the Drum Corp reach new heights.

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Jonathan Leveque - Trumpet Tech

Jonathan Leveque is finishing up his master's degree in trumpet performance at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington. He received his bachelor's degree in trumpet performance at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. At Indiana University, Jonathan has been a finalist in the IU Brass Department Concerto Competition. He also advanced to the Quarterfinals in the Solo Division and Large Ensemble Division at the National Trumpet Competition in Kingsville, Texas. Jonathan was also a second-place winner in McNeese State University's Concerto Competition. This past summer, he had the luxury of attending Chosen Vale, a trumpet seminar in New Hampshire. Jonathan Leveque has a variety of teaching experience. He is currently an associate instructor in the band department at Indiana University, where he works with the Marching Hundred, Crabb Band, and Big Red Basketball Band. Jonathan has been on music and visual staffs at Louisiana Stars, Southwind, and Genesis and has experience being a field tech for high schools in Louisiana and Texas. He's also given trumpet masterclasses and taught sectionals at summer music academies. Jonathan is super excited for his first year at the Troopers and to work alongside a phenomenal staff!

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Tom Lizotte - Trumpet Tech

Tom Lizotte recently retired after 32 years in public education, most notably in Norwood. MA., Biddeford, ME and Cape Elizabeth, ME. At Cape Elizabeth he developed a program that in jazz included three big bands and five combos -- in a school of just under 550 students. The Cape band was a consistent finalist in the Berklee Jazz Festival.

Tom, known as TL, was recipient of the 2019 John LaPorta jazz educator of the year award, given by the Jazz Education Network and Berklee College of Music for outstanding work as a high school jazz educator. He is a member of four teaching halls of fame -- Maine Music Educators, Massachusetts Drum Corps, Boston Crusaders and Colts. He has taught Drum Corps International World Class corps – including Boston Crusaders, Cadets, Glassmen and Colts – for many years and is active as an adjudicator for jazz, concert band and marching band.

He is recipient of the Massachusetts Association of Jazz Educators Lifetime Achievement Award. Tom is acting chief judge for MAJE.

A published author, he is a frequent contributor to The Instrumentalist Magazine.

Tom is a graduate of University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with degrees in wind conducting and music education. He also received a degree in journalism from Northeastern University. His principal jazz education influences are Dave Sporny, Paul Alberta, Herb Pomeroy, Don Doane and Steve Massey.

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Ryan Haines - Mellophone Tech

Ryan Haines, a lifelong drum corps enthusiast, can trace his musical journey to even before he was born. Growing up in the vibrant drum corps culture, his early years have ignited a deep-seated passion for music. 

Ryan has had the pleasure of marching with the Mandarins and the Blue Devils. Performing with these ensembles helped further his love for drum corps and for performing and teaching music. 

Today, Ryan wears the hat of a devoted music educator, kindling the same musical flames in students across the Las Vegas, Nevada area. With nearly a decade of teaching experience, he has taught students of all ages and skill levels.

Ryan is currently the band director at Jack Lund Schofield Middle School in Las Vegas, Nevada, and serves as the lead mellophone technician for the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps. Ryan graduated with a degree in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he was awarded a full-ride scholarship, performing with the world-renowned UNLV Wind Orchestra. His musical talents have brought him onto stages shared with renowned artists like Jose Sibaja, Jeff Conner, Domingo Pagluica, Eric Marienthal, Joe Alessi, Chris Castellanos, and an impressive list of others. Ryan's life remains dedicated to the causes of education and his enduring love for music, a journey that he is excited to share with The Troopers.

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Brian Reel - Mellophone Tech

Brian Reel is currently an assistant director at North Jr. High and North High School in Evansville. This is his 6th year of teaching. He is a graduate of Ball State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in music education. As a performer, he was a member of the Troopers in 2015 and Phantom Regiment in 2016 and 2018. Brian joined the Troopers brass staff in 2024, and is excited to be back this year.

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Owen Rhoads - Mellophone Tech

Owen Rhoads is a current student, trumpet player, and educator from Fort Myers, Florida. Owen attends Florida Gulf Coast University where he studies music. For 3 years, Owen served as the principal trumpet player for FGCU’s premier ensemble, the Wind Orchestra. While in college, Owen has also been fortunate enough to perform with the intercollegiate honor band for the Florida Music Educators Association annual conference.

Owen got started with drum corps at Heat Wave, marching there in 2017 and 2018. A few years later Owen marched with the Troopers in 2021 and 2022. In 2023 Owen joined the Troopers brass team as a High Brass Intern and is now looking forward to his third year on staff.

Outside of music Owen enjoys competitive Pokémon and taking care of his chameleon, Bernard.

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Ethan Hacker - Euphonium Tech

Ethan Hacker is a music educator originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, but currently resides in Bradenton, Florida and is the band director at Braden River Middle School. Ethan graduated from Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) with a degree in Music Education, where he studied trombone with Andrew Hicks of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. While at PFW, Ethan was a member of the Trombone Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, as well as the Wind Ensemble, and joined the Wind Ensemble on their tour of Western Europe in the Summer of 2023.

Ethan's first summer on the Troopers Brass Staff was 2024 working with the euphoniums, and he is incredibly excited to keep the momentum going with the corps for the 2025 season. Ethan spent the summers of 2019-2022 as a member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, where he was a featured soloist in the 2021 and 2022 productions. Ethan was also named the “Madison Scout of the Year” his age out summer in 2022 and Most Valuable Performer in 2021. Ethan served as a member of the Madison Scouts brass staff in 2023. Ethan also spent the 2024 season with Horizon winds, working primarily with the trombone and baritone sections, but transitioning to the role of Music Co-Caption Head for the 2025 WGI Winds Season.

While in Fort Wayne, Ethan has worked with numerous high school bands in the Fort Wayne area such as BOA Grand National Semi Finalists Carroll and Homestead High Schools, as well as ISSMA Class C State Finalist Concordia Lutheran High School. Ethan currently works with the Braden River High School Marching Band of Pirates as a brass instructor.

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Cameron Honnen - Euphonium Tech

Cameron is excited to return as a member of the Troopers brass staff for the 2025 season. Cameron has been a director of bands in Colorado public schools since 2017, with his bands receiving Superior ratings at various festivals and earning the 2023-2024 Colorado Bandmasters Association Exemplary Band Award. Cameron is pursuing his Masters Degree in Wind Band Conducting at Colorado State University, studying with Dr. Rebecca Phillips. He is a graduate teaching assistant for the CSU Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band. A professional bass trombone player, Cameron is a member of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, the Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra, and the Swing City Express.

Cameron's involvement with the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps began in 2011. Throughout his years with the Troopers, he was a baritone performer (2011-2015), horn sergeant (2015), and drum major (2016). Cameron earned the Troopers' Jim Jones Leadership Award in 2015 and 2016.

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Celia Solano - Euphonium Tech

Celia Solano is a graduate of Indiana State University, where she earned her Bachelor's in Music Education in May 2018. During her time at ISU, Celia studied both trombone and piano and participated in multiple performing ensembles, such as the Jazz Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles. She also served on the executive board of the Iota Eta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota from 2016 to 2017.

Celia has an extensive marching background. She began her DCI career in 2013 with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps on euphonium, and continued her membership with the Blue Stars through 2015. In 2016, she was a featured trombonist in the championship Bluecoats production, “Down Side Up.” Celia aged out with the Bluecoats the next summer, where she was featured on bass trombone in the 2017 production, “Jagged Line.”

After aging out, Celia continued to be involved with Drum Corps International on an instructional level. In 2019, she served as a Low Brass Specialist with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2021, Celia joined the Troopers Brass team as a Baritone/Euphonium Brass Technician. She is excited to embark on her fifth season with the corps.

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Joey Salinas - Euphonium Tech

Joey Salinas is currently the Assistant Director of Bands at Resnik Middle School in San Antonio, Texas. In 2023, Joey began his career as a band director with McNair Middle School, and was fortunate to receive the UIL Sweepstakes Award in Concert and Sightreading as a first-year teacher. He is ecstatic to be able to bring his experience to the Resnik Middle School Band. 

Joey holds an Associate’s Degree in Music from Del Mar College along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from The University of Texas at Austin. His education involved being mentored by outstanding musicians/music educators, such as Dr. Abel Ramirez, Professor Charles Villarubia, and Dr. Donald Pinson. With their guidance, he was able to become the musician and educator that he is today.

Joey was a member with The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, where he served as a baritone player between the years of 2016 and 2017. Following this, he participated with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, between the years of 2018-2021. He initially began his time with The Cavaliers as a baritone player, but began to serve as a Drum Major for The Cavaliers between the years of 2019-2021. Joey Salinas had the honor and privilege of receiving the “Cavalier of the Year” award for the 2021 season. Joey has worked with several programs in the Central/South Texas areas.

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Parker Snell - Tuba Tech

Parker Snell graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in Instrumental Music Education in 2018, as well as a Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance at Boise State University in 2023, where he was also a Graduate Assistant with the Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band. Parker was the tuba section leader with the Pride of Oklahoma marching band, and performed with the Symphony Band, Wind Symphony, and Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Parker was a BBb Bass member of the Frontier Brass Band (Norman, OK) and Brass Band of the Treasure Valley (Boise, ID), which are British style brass band ensembles comprised of university professors and other professional musicians. Parker also held multiple leadership positions with the Mu chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Upon graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Parker was a band director for 3 years in Guthrie, Oklahoma and is currently a band director in Paris, Texas. Parker was a member of the Madison Scouts contra section in 2013 and was part of the brass instructional staff with the corps in 2019. He is very eager to work with the Troopers for the upcoming 2025 season!

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Andrew Reader - Tuba Tech

Andrew currently serves as an Assistant Band Director at Lafayette High School and Wildwood Middle School in Wildwood, Missouri. He is a graduate of Missouri State University (BME '19 and MM '23) in Springfield, Missouri. During his time at MSU he played in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Pride Marching Band, and multiple small and chamber ensembles. He also served as a graduate teaching assistant for the Missouri State Pride Marching Band. Previously, Andrew has taught in the Neosho School District in Neosho, MO as an Assistant Band Director, and at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, MO as a student teacher and marching band technician. 

This will be Andrew's 5th year on the brass staff for the Troopers. He also previously served as the Brass Caption Head for the Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps from Salt Lake City, UT in 2023. Andrew's DCI career includes marching two seasons with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, IA and two seasons with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from Fort Mill, SC. During his time with Crown, the corps earned the Jim Ott Award for Best Brass Performance in 2016 and 2017, and the John Brazale Award for Best Visual Performance in 2016. Andrew is excited to continue with the historic climb the Troopers have made the last few years, and is looking forward to "The Final Sunset" in 2025.

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Jason Nippert - Tuba Tech

Jason Nippert is currently the assistant band director at Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio. Jason is a graduate of The Ohio State University School of Music and currently pursuing his master's degree in Music Education at Florida State University in the summer term. In addition to teaching, Jason is an active composer, arranger, drill designer, conductor, choreographer, educational app developer, and clinician in and around Ohio. He has also spent time working with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps as a low brass technician during the 2024 season.

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Jeremiah Moya - Tuba Tech

Jeremiah Moya is from Long Island, New York, where he is currently in his senior year at Hofstra University pursuing a degree in Music Education. While pursuing his Bachelor’s, he has had the pleasure of working with the Hicksville Marching Comets and the Mineola Mustangs, most recently serving as a Brass technician and Visual Caption Head - assisting both in winning 4 State championships in the New York State Field Band Conference.

His first experience in DCI was with the Troopers, marching tuba during the 2018 season. To this day, it remains his most memorable season he has ever marched. Jeremiah continued marching with the Boston Crusaders in 2019, and later finished his marching career at Carolina Crown in 2022. After aging-out, he served on the brass staff at Music City and the Troopers.

Jeremiah is excited to be back home and can’t wait for the 2025 season!

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Gabe Gallegos - Tuba Tech

Gabe Gallegos, a proud Grand Junction, Colorado native, recently graduated from Colorado Mesa University with degrees in Music Business and Music Education. He is currently an elementary music teacher and a director of a community theater. Gallegos continues his playing by participating in local jazz combos and the Grand Junction Rockestra.

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