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The Troopers are pleased to introduce our 2025 Visual Instructional Team under the leadership of Caption Head Josh Brenneis.
"Josh has done a great job putting together a team that is going to bring the Troopers visual package to the next level. The team has already been working hard with the members to establish a strong fundamental program that they can build upon throughout the season." -Mary Duerkop, Troopers Corps Director
Joshua Brenneis - Visual Caption Head
Josh Brenneis is an active visual clinician, adjudicator and drill designer from Coral Springs, Florida, who works with marching music programs across the country. He began his DCI career as a performer with the Magic of Orlando in 2004 and later joined The Cadets for the 2006 and 2007 seasons, where he aged out in Pasadena, Calif.
Since 2007, Josh has been working with many Florida marching bands that have been successful in both the FMBC and BOA circuits. Over the last 10+ years, he has held the Visual Caption Head role with Jupiter High School, Stoneman Douglas High School, West Broward High School and Park Vista High School. All ensembles achieved multiple FMBC State Championships and High Visual awards during his time, including Finals appearances and High Visual awards in Bands of America Regionals. Josh continues to write drill for many highly competitive marching bands all over the country.
Josh has been the visual caption head of STRYKE Wynds since 2016 where they won WGI open class in Dayton in his first year as the visual caption head. In 2017 the ensemble was promoted to the WGI World Class division and have received a medal in every single season they have attended the World Championships. In 2022, he became the visual designer of Wynds, winning world championships in both 2023 and 2024
He has been teaching World Class Drum Corps since 2011. He was most recently the Visual Caption Head of The Cadets from 2020-2023. In 2024 he served as a Lead Visual Instructor for the Santa Clara Vanguard. He has also worked with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from San Antonio Texas. And is extremely excited to be joining the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2025 season as the Visual Caption Head!
Tim Heichelheim - Assistant Visual Caption Head
Tim Heichelheim is the Director of Bands at Skyview High School in Vancouver, WA, and a two-time Grammy quarterfinalist for the award in Music Education. Serving as band director since 2013, Skyview High School has earned numerous accolades on and off the field. He earned his Bachelors in Music Education and Masters in Education (Curriculum and Development) from Portland State University. Tim began his DCI career marching Seattle Cascades 2004-2006 then continued to march Santa Clara Vanguard 2007-2009. After aging out he joined the instructional staff as a visual instructor for Spirit of Atlanta 2010-2011, and then served as the assistant visual caption head for the Crossmen 2013-2015. In 2019, he worked with the Madison Scouts as a visual consultant/instructor. Tim began his journey with The Cadets in 2020. While remaining a member of the instructional staff at the Cadets, Tim served as the Brass Co-Coordinator for the Shadow Drum and Bugle Corps out of Madison, Wisconsin, in 2021 and in 2022 served as a visual instructor with the Santa Clara Vanguard before hopping on tour with the Cadets.
Tim is also a freelance musician around the Portland Metro as well as the band leader and sousaphonist for The River City Riot! Brass Band, the trombone player for ZMusikmakers Oktoberfest Band, and is the managing member of The 1905 Jazz Club in Portland, OR, rated as one of the top 100 jazz venues in the world by Downbeat Magazine.
Alejandro Tavarez - Assistant Visual Caption Head
Although Alejandro began his journey in Marching Arts before high school, it was his time at Passaic High School where he learned to excel in marching. After graduation, Alejandro stayed with Passaic High School, where he spent six years teaching. His roles ranged from the Visual Caption Head (Passaic HS 2015-2018), to the Brass Caption Head (Passaic HS 2018), and finally, the Visual Designer (Passaic HS 2021-2023 & Wayne Valley HS 2024). Alejandro has been serving as the Visual Caption Head at Jupiter HS in Florida since 2021.
During his time as an instructor at Passaic High School, Alejandro was also selected to become a member of The Cadets. During his four years within this prestigious group, Alejandro was selected as the Trumpet Section Leader in 2016, and the Horn Sergeant in 2017. He also received numerous accolades in The Cadets. He received the Visual Cadet of the Year in 2016, the Brass Cadet of the Year in 2017, and the Rookie Staff Member of the Year Award in 2018. He also had the privilege of teaching Carolina Crown (Visual 2019) and Santa Clara Vanguard (Visual 2024). This year he will spending his fourth season with Stryke Wynds and is excited to be with The Troopers for the 2024 season.
When Alejandro is not pursuing his teaching in the Marching Arts, he is teaching Mathematics at a middle school in South Florida. There, he is utilizing his Bachelor's Degree in Math Education (K-12) from Montclair State University.
Téa Gagliardi - Visual Choreography
Téa has been involved in the marching arts for over 15 years now, and this is her first season at The Troopers as a visual/movement tech. Téa has always loved performing ever since she was very young, as she had begun dancing at the age of four, pursuing ballet. She soon discovered her love for color guard at the age of twelve, and ever since then she has been involved with the activity.
After graduating from high school, she started her drum corps career at Cadets² in 2015 as a member of the color guard. She then returned in 2016 for their championship season, in addition to winning the caption award for Best Color Guard for the second year in a row. After her last season of DCA, she earned a spot at the The Cadets in 2017 & 2018 as a member of the CBCCG. In addition to performing in the DCA and DCI circuits, Téa has also performed in the Winter Guard International (WGI) circuit as a member of Cadets Winter Percussion in 2016 where she was a featured performer in the visual/dance line.
Téa is very excited to be a part of the 2025 edition of The Troopers, and cannot wait to work with a corps that has such rich history and tradition!
Jamar Morrison - Visual Choreography
Jamar K. Morrison is a Visual Consultant, Choreographer, Program Coordinator, and Drill Designer based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. His journey in the marching arts began at age 14 at Nova High School, sparking a passion that would guide his career. After graduating in 2015, he performed with STRYKE Wynds from 2016 to 2020 and aged out with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017.
Since 2018, Jamar has worked with numerous successful ensembles in the FMBC circuit, including Park Vista, West Broward, Jupiter, and Stoneman Douglas high schools. He served as Visual Caption Head at West Broward from 2021-2022, where the ensemble earned Best Visual in the state and was crowned 4A State Champion. His consulting and choreography work extends to Texas and Oklahoma, where his ensembles have achieved recognition in the BOA circuit, making finals on multiple occasions.
In 2022, Jamar launched his business, JKM | Visual | DSGNS, which has experienced exponential growth in a short period. Currently, he works with STRYKE Wynds during the indoor season, and has worked with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in the summer. He is thrilled to join the Troopers team this summer, bringing his passion for growth and innovation to the program. Known for his commitment to studying and refining his craft, Jamar is excited to contribute his expertise and vision to the Troopers in the upcoming season.
Jamil Sayih - Visual Choreography
Jamil is a Miami-based professional dancer, choreographer, educator, and musician. With 15+ years of teaching experience, Jamil currently works with various dance studios, high school and college teams, bringing a unique and knowledgeable quality to the table, consistently growing and evolving in his craft. Jamil graduated from the University of Florida / New World School of the Arts where he vigorously studied various styles such as ballet, modern, and jazz, earning his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in dance. He has worked and choreographed for various artists such as Latin Grammy winner, Joaquina, and disco legend, KC & the Sunshine Band. He has danced commercially for artists such as JBalvin, Daddy Yankee, and Greeicy and also classically with several dance companies in the Miami area — including being in works by renowned choreographers such as Darshan Singh Bhuller, Peter London, and works by Paul Taylor, amongst others.
Jamil began his journey in the marching arts in Miami Senior High School’s drumline — soon evolving into the FIU Winterguard in 2008 and continued with Braddock Independent World from 2009-2012. He was lead movement specialist with FIU Colorguard/Winterguard from 2016-2020, helping them earn a world championship title, several fan favorite wins and is still involved with the organization today. He has also been a part of the Stryke Wynds Performance Ensemble staff since 2022, also helping them earn several world championship titles. Jamil was part of The Cadets visual team from 2020-2023 and has also shared experiences with several high school groups such as Miami Senior High School, West Broward High School and Jupiter High School. Jamil is excited to continue his journey and share his experience and passion with The Troopers this season!
Mark Willis - Visual Choreography
Mark Willis is a NYC-based dance artist, educator, choreographer and musician whose career spans the worlds of marching arts and professional dance. His journey in the marching arts began as a trumpet player with the Burlington City High School Blue Devils marching band (NJ), where he discovered his passion for music and performance. He later went on to join The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, performing as a member of the colorguard for six seasons, marking a period of remarkable achievements, including a memorable performance at President Barack Obama’s 2009 Inauguration parade and winning the DCI World Championship in 2011. In addition to Drum Corps, Mark was a performer with Alter Ego Winterguard and has choreographed for The Cadets, United Percussion, AMP Winterguard, Fusion Winterguard, The Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps., and several high schools throughout the country.
From the world of pageantry to the realm of dance, Mark has graced both national and international stages as a principal dancer with the José Limón Dance Company and White Wave Dance Company, performing at prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Jacob’s Pillow and Asia Cultural Center (South Korea). A graduate of Montclair State University with a B.F.A. in Dance, Mark’s influence extends globally with teaching and performance credits across five continents. He has taught for institutions such as The José Limón Dance Foundation, Montclair State University, Seoul Tanz Studio, Broadway Dance Center and more.
Mark continues to collaborate, teach and perform with various companies in NYC. He is also a trainer at NYC’s premier barre studio, Physique 57. Mark is thrilled to join the Troopers for their upcoming season and share his passion for movement and the marching arts!
Robby Chapa - Visual Tech
Robby currently resides in Fulshear, Texas, with his wife and two beloved cats. He is an 8th grade U.S. history teacher at Katy ISD, embarking on his third year in the classroom. With over eleven years of experience as a visual tech, Robby has collaborated with numerous schools, including I.H. Kempner, Morton Ranch, Seven Lakes, Fulshear, Mayde Creek, and Obra D. Tompkins High School.
Beyond his teaching career, Robby has a rich background in drum corps, having spent four summers with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps. He joined the visual team in 2017 and 2018 and returned in 2021, eagerly looking forward to his seventh season on the Troopers visual staff. In this role, he is passionate about inspiring and mentoring young performers, helping them develop their skills and confidence.
Stu Cruz - Visual Tech
Stu has joined The Troopers visual staff for his first summer with the program since he marched with The Troopers in 2017. He has been a passionate educator over the last 7 years working with both WGI and high school programs working towards achieving successful seasons. He spent time with Stryke Wynds as a performer (2016-2019) and jumped on to staff (2023-Present) helping with choreography as well as visual technique. The marching arts has been a passion for Stu since high school and finds no greater reward than giving back to students and helping them grow as performers.
Mike Delgado - Visual Tech
Mike Delgado is a Visual Designer and Educator from Miami, FL. Mr. Delgado has designed for and worked with multiple high school state finalist bands and achieved four state championships in Florida. In 2022, Mr. Delgado was the Visual Caption Head for the BOA Orlando Regional Finalist and BOA Grand National Semi-Finalist, Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment. As a performer, Mike toured the United States, Europe, and Canada with The Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and DCI World Class Finalists, The Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps from Toledo, Ohio.
Mr. Delgado has been involved with the WGI Winds activity since its inception and was a founding member of the visual team at FIU World Winds in 2015. During his tenure at FIU, the ensemble became the inaugural WGI Winds Independent Open Class Champion in 2015, the WGI Independent A Class Champion in 2016, and the WGI World Class Bronze Medalist in 2017. In addition to his contributions to the FIU World Winds, Mr. Delgado has also been involved with WGI scholastic groups, including WGI World Class Champion Flanagan Winds, Cooper City Winds, Stoneman Douglas Winds, and the 2023 and 2024 WGI World Class Champion Stryke Wynds.
Mr. Delgado is currently the Visual Caption Head and Program Coordinator for Hialeah Gardens HS and is on the visual team at Stoneman Douglas HS and STRYKE Wynds.
Nicole Diamond - Visual Tech
As a Troopers alumna, Nicole Diamond has been involved in teaching the marching arts for 9 years. Most recently, Nicole was a visual instructor for the Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps during the 2021 to 2023 seasons. Nicole has taught numerous South Florida ensembles as a visual instructor including Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Park Vista High School, and STRYKE Wynds. She served as Visual Caption Head for Coral Springs High School during their 2018 season. Nicole has also consulted at other distinguished South Florida groups including Jupiter High School, Flanagan High School, and West Broward High School.
As a performer, Nicole marched baritone in 2015 with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps and continued on as a euphonium player in the Bluecoats, where she marched from 2016 through 2018. During her age-out season, Nicole served as a brass section leader at the Bluecoats. She began her WGI career as Captain for STRYKE Wynds throughout their inaugural year in 2015 and continued to lead the group through the 2016 and 2017 seasons. From 2018 to 2020, Nicole taught with Silent Command, a leadership training group that specializes in teaching the next generation of leaders in the marching arts.
A South Florida native, Nicole currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, Jake. Nicole is a Registered Nurse at The Johns Hopkins Hospital where she is also involved in professional development and education initiatives.
Kelvin Guevara - Visual Tech
Kelvin Guevara is a proud alumni from The Cadets and Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. He holds a Bachelors in Music Education from Sam Houston State University and is currently the Assistant Band director at Shadow Creek High School in Pearland TX. Previously, Kelvin was part of the visual staff at The Cadets and is honored to be on staff with Troopers.
Kelvin is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmaster Association and an Alumni of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. Kelvin loves to watch formula 1, read, play video games and go to the gym.
Mason Hicks - Visual Tech
Mason's career in the marching arts began with his first year of drum corps at the age of 16. He marched with Jersey Surf in 2015 and 2016, then joined The Cadets in 2017, where he continued to march until 2021. Currently Mason is a member of the "Commandant's Own" United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.
As an educator, Mason has been working as a visual instructor for high schools in Virginia since 2018. In 2022 and 2023 Mason worked as a visual instructor for The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps.
Mason holds a degree in Music Education from Shenandoah University. While there was no marching ensemble at SU during his time there, Mason helped pave the way for the formation of a marching band immediately after his graduation. He formed an indoor winds group for a Conservatory-sanctioned project. In addition to directing and drill design, he also performed in the group.
Currently, Mason spends his time as a drill designer in Northern Virginia, both designing shows and teaching visual technique to performers of all calibers.
Kenny Phetmanivong - Visual Tech
After his time with the Santa Clara Vanguard, Kenny had the privilege of working with various programs across North Texas as a visual instructor. Over the past seven years, he’s held roles such as tech, assistant director, and assistant visual caption manager. Driven by his passion for the performing arts, he’s currently pursuing a music education degree at the University of Texas at Arlington. Kenny’s journey has taught him that success is about personal growth, and that embracing discomfort is key to that growth. In his free time, he enjoys playing drift and racing simulators, as well as diving into horror novels in quiet spaces.
Logan Rice - Visual Tech
Logan Rice is from Potomac Falls, Virginia and went to school at Potomac Falls High School. He began his drum corps with the Cadets for the 2017 season, also marching there for the 2019 and 2021 seasons. During this time he assisted in teaching visual at various Virginia high schools, including Potomac Falls High School, Lightridge High School, and George C. Marshall High School. After aging out in 2021, he joined the Cadets visual staff for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
He went to college at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia and received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering. He is currently working on his Master's degree in Material Science and Engineering from the University of Florida. He currently lives in Vicksburg, Mississippi and works for the US Army Corps of Engineers while also teaching visual with the Warren Central Indoor Percussion program. He is thrilled to begin teaching at the Troopers for the 2025 season.
Sharbel Skaff - Visual Tech
Sharbel is a visual designer and educator based out of the NYC metro area. He maintains a year-round schedule working with groups from the high school, collegiate, and independent levels. Sharbel began marching drum corps in 2015, in 2018 he joined The Cadets and aged out as their horn sergeant in 2021. He then went on to teach The Cadets for the 2022 and 2023 seasons first on the brass then visual team. Sharbel is currently the head of operations at Silent Command, a leadership educational consultancy dedicated to the enrichment of young adults through the marching arts. Outside of the arts Sharbel is a human resources consultant in NYC where he works with organizations to develop organizational strategy, drive compensation initiatives, and help tackle the unique people challenges they face. Sharbel's clients range from professional sports leagues and teams to fortune 500 companies.
Tyler Williams - Visual Tech
Tyler Williams is an Army Musician currently serving at Fort Cavazos with the 1st Cavalry Division Band. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Tyler has dedicated his musical talents to the military, where he plays the tuba in the brass quintet, contributing to various ceremonial and performance events. Tyler's passion for music and the camaraderie of military life continue to shape his journey as a musician in the Army.
Tyler graduated from Florida International University in Miami, FL, where he studied tuba with Jay Bertolet. While at FIU, Tyler participated in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Jazz Combo, Big Band, and was an instructor for the Marching Band.
Since 2017, Tyler has worked with several South-Florida Bands as both a visual and a music technician. Notably, he has worked with the Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment, the Coral Springs Marching Colts and the Cypress Bay Sound of Thunder where he served as the Visual Caption Head and Music Caption Supervisor. Tyler is also active in the indoor winds activity. He was a charter member of the activity marching with Stryke Wynds in 2015 and 2016. In 2022 Tyler helped found the Legacy Production Company an indoor winds group from Miami, Florida, where he served as the Music Arranger and Caption Head from 2022 to 2023. In 2024, Tyler returned to Stryke Wynds as a music instructor and helped the program obtain the gold medal in Winds Independant World where they achieved the current highest score in division history.
Tyler's DCI career began in 2015 as a performer with The Boston Crusaders and then with The Cadets 2016. He was contracted to march his age-out with the 2020 Edition of the Bluecoats which unfortunately did not take the field due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In 2022 and 2023 Tyler was a member of the Visual Staff at The Cadets where he taught marching and movement. Tyler is excited to begin his first year at the Troopers and work alongside an accomplished and phenomenal staff!
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