Chris McCarthy brings almost two decades of experience as a professional Color Guard and Visual Designer, Educator, and Consultant. Originally from Binghamton, NY, he started his performing career in middle school singing, then discovered his love for Color Guard, as well as performing as a percussionist. Chris’s marching experience beyond school includes The Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as Spectrum Winterguard. Before moving to Texas in 2013, Chris taught and choreographed for multiple programs across upstate New York.

From 2013 to 2025, Chris served as Color Guard Director at McNeil High School in Austin, TX, where he led the program to two Top Five WGI Scholastic Open Finals placements, multiple top-three state finishes, numerous WGI Regional Finals appearances, and a State Championship title. He is also an Executive Director and Founder of Origins Performing Arts, based in Austin, TX, which fields multiple ensembles, including a perennial Independent Open and World WGI Finalist. His extensive leadership experience includes serving as Caption Head for the Phantom Regiment Color Guard, as well as teaching The Crossmen and Genesis Drum Corps. Chris is a freelance designer who offers multiple services to clients, including but not limited to: Drill, Winter Guard Staging, Program Coordination, Winds and Guard choreography, Soundtrack Design, and general consulting. Several of his past and present clients include Cedar Park HS, Ronald Reagan HS, Dripping Springs HS, Round Rock HS, Cedar Ridge HS, and Cypress Woods HS. Chris has served on The Texas Color Guard Circuit Task Force, the WGI Colorguard Advisory Board, and was also named 2019 Texas Color Guard Circuit Director of the Year.

Chris currently resides in Cedar Park, TX, and serves as Color Guard Director for The University of Texas Longhorn Band. 2026 will be Chris's third season with The Troopers organization. Outside of Color Guard, Chris has an affection for nature, art, coffee, friends, family, and music. He has two dogs, Charlie and Marzipan, whom he adores. He believes that laughter truly IS the best medicine, and enjoys making human connections both in the realm of pageantry and out.