The Percussion Staff Rides Again!

The Troopers are pleased to announce the continuation of the Troopers percussion staff. While there are a few new additions to the team, this group of talented individuals have been cultivated under the steady leadership of Troopers Hall of Famer Lauren Teel, who now enters her twelfth season with the organization.

"I've been proud to work with Lauren Teel since the day I arrived back at the Troopers. She has played a critical role in the growth and development of the Troopers organization. When you have the right consistency, you will see the results. Troopers percussion is a prime example of that thought process. The percussion section that our fans and alumni have come to expect is because of Lauren and her team." -Mike Gough, Troopers Executive Director

Lauren Teel - Percussion Caption Head

Lauren Teel is the Visiting Professor of Percussion at Jacksonville State University. She is in her 12th year with the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, where she serves as the Percussion Caption Head.

Prior appointments include Acting Assistant Director for the Texas A&M University Commerce “Pride" Marching Band, Assistant Director of Percussion & Director of Marching Percussion for Texas A&M University Commerce,Interim Instructor of Percussion for the University of Alabama, and Adjunct Instructor for the Million Dollar Band Front Ensemble as well as Instructor for the University of North Texas Green Brigade Marching Band. She has also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Percussion at several universities, including The University of North Alabama, The University of Alabama- Birmingham, and The University of Montevallo.

Lauren earned her M.M. in Percussion Performance at Indiana University in 2016 and a B.M. in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas 2012. In 2012, Lauren had the privilege of traveling to Chennai, India to perform for an audience of over 75,000 people with Oscar winning composer, A. R. Rahman. Lauren also appeared in the 2013 blockbuster, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, as an on screen timpanist. While living in Atlanta, Lauren performed as a member of the NFL Atlanta Falcons Drum Line.

Lauren proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Marimba One, Zildjian, and Remo.

David Cavazos - Battery Coordinator

North Texas based musician, David Cavazos, is a versatile percussionist with many specialties ranging from orchestral to marching percussion. Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, David uses his unique background to blend different facets of music to create his own distinctive blend of styles. An alumnus from the University of North Texas, he currently resides in Dallas, Texas where he is an active freelancer, maintains a substantial applied lesson studio, as well as arranges. David is also currently an educator with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps where he holds the position of battery coordinator.

As a performer, David has performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic, and the National Repertory Orchestra, among others. He has competed and performed concerts in notable events such as the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and Drumfest in Opole Poland.

As an international clinician, David has presented clinics all over the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.

When not performing, teaching, or arranging, David enjoys cooking and spending time with his yorkie, Keiko and German Shepherd, Tex.

David proudly endorses Zildjian cymbals.

Noah Avelar - Percussion Tech

Noah Avelar is a percussionist, educator, composer, and arranger from Corpus Christi, Texas. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in May of 2023 from the University of North Texas and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Music Performance at East Texas A&M University.

During his time at UNT, Noah studied classical percussion with Mark Ford, Dr. Dave Hall, Christopher Deane, and Paul Rennick. He also studied jazz and world music with professors Ed Smith, Stockton Helbing, Stephen Barnes, Jose Aponte, Gideon Alorwoyie, and Poovalur Sriji. Additionally, he studied with Paul Rennick in percussion composition and arranging.

In his time at East Texas A&M University, Noah has been spending his time teaching, performing, and studying with Dr. Brian Zator, Lauren Teel, Jeff Ausdemore, Dr. Tanner Leonardo, and Michael Huestis. He was a featured performer in the 2023 Percussive Arts Society IPEC Showcase performance; premiering works by Austin Keck, David Maslanka, Dwayne Rice, and Sandi Rennick. He also dedicates his time to creating large-scale projects that diffuse the lines between classical percussion and visual performance art. The most recent being a recital titled Object[ive] Permanence - which blended multi-media visual art with standard percussion repertoire. In these projects, he also premieres works by newer and underrepresented composers.

Throughout his collegiate studies, Noah is dedicated to the pursuit of unique musical experiences that directly benefit his teaching. In addition to teaching at the collegiate lev through his graduate assistantship at ETAMU, he is a freelance private lesson instructor for students in and around the DFW Metroplex. He also maintains educational partnerships with schools around the metroplex as a masterclass clinician, adjudicator, and marching arts consultant.

Brittany Baptista - Percussion Tech

Brittany Baptista currently serves as the Director of Percussion for Lake Travis ISD in Austin, Texas, where her mission is to help young musicians lead with empathy, cultivate a lifelong passion for music, and develop a love and curiosity for learning.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas, where she studied under Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Ed Smith, and Christopher Deane. During her time at UNT, she was involved in classical and contemporary chamber ensembles, symphonic band and orchestra, Gamelan, and the 2 o'clock steel band.

Texas-born and raised, Brittany is a proud alumni of Hebron High School and has taught all across the DFW metroplex, including Newman Smith High School, Boswell High School, and Frisco Liberty High School. She is a staff member for Girls March and previously taught as a front ensemble technician at the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps and Vigilantes Indoor Percussion.

Brittany is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Percussive Arts Society. When she isn’t teaching band, Brittany loves to read, rock climb, and spend time with her husband and dog.

Brice Freeman - Percussion Tech

Brice Freeman has been pursuing a passion for music since childhood. Mr. Freeman’s performance experience includes four summers marching in Drum Corps International. This includes Forte Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012, the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2013, and the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014-2015, winning the Fred Sanford Award for High Percussion in 2014. In addition, Mr. Freeman was a member of the University of North Texas' Green Brigade Marching Band, as well as the UNT Drumline A-Line and percussion ensemble, traveling to Poland in 2014 for the International Drum Festival held in Opole.

Whilst at North Texas Brice participated in multiple snare ensembles, winning first place in the Percussive Arts Society's college small ensemble competition in 2015. While at UNT Brice had the privilege of working with some of the world's finest percussion educators, including Paul Rennick, Mark Ford, and Christopher Deane.

Mr. Freeman graduated from UNT in the spring of 2017 with a degree in music education. Currently, Mr. Freeman works as a percussion educator for the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, and has been the Berkner High School Percussion Director since 2019.

Matt Hammond - Percussion Tech

Matt attended the University of North Texas as a member of the percussion studio, where he studied under Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, and Steve Barnes. He also participated in the Green Brigade Marching Band, both as a member of the bass line and an instructor of the drumline.

Matt began his drum corps career with the Guardians in 2018 before joining the Troopers in 2019. He then aged out in 2021 as the bass line section leader, and is excited to return to the corps he calls home.

Originally from the Houston area, Matt currently lives in Prosper, Texas, where he teaches the Prosper Mighty Eagle Band, assisting with the drumline, as well as teaching lessons and clinics at various middle schools and high schools in the area.

Kaleb Hascall - Percussion Tech

Kaleb Hascall is always looking for a chance to perform and teach. As a performer, Hascall has appeared with the Kansas City Symphony, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and more. Hascall also has been greatly involved with Drum Corps International. He played timpani with the Troopers and the Santa Clara Vanguard. During his time in DCI, he won the timpani Individual and Ensemble, the Fred Sanford award for high percussion, and a world championship in 2018. Outside of performing Hascall loves to teach. He finds great joy in teaching and enjoys seeing students find the love of music that he has.

Hascall received his master’s degree in percussion performance from Indiana University. While at Indiana University he was the winner of the PASIC timpani mock audition. Hascall earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Northwest Missouri State University. While in his undergrad he won the Mid-Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy collegiate timpani division two times. He also was selected as a winner of his school’s concerto competition twice. In his free time, Hascall loves to relax with his wife and two corgis.

Aidan Hatcher - Percussion Tech

Aidan Hatcher is a percussion educator based in North Texas, currently residing in McKinney, Texas. He has contributed to several organization's educational staff, including the McKinney High School Marching Band for several years, the East Texas A&M summer educational team, and many other schools in the DFW area. He also provides percussion private lessons across North Texas.

Aidan has also performed with several world class organizations within the marching arts including the Troopers quad line for the 2022 and 2023 seasons as well as Vigilantes Indoor Percussion quad line for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Alexander Irvine - Percussion Tech

Alex Irvine is from North Richland Hills, Texas. He graduated from Richland High School in 2015. After graduating, Alex marched with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015-2018 as a bass drummer.

After aging out with the Troopers, Alex started teaching in 2019 with The Colony High School. He then worked with The Colony in their inaugural indoor drumline season in 2020. Alex started working with Azle High School in 2021 as a bass technician, and is now the Assistant Percussion Director for Azle ISD. Alex also works as the battery technician at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas. Alex will be joining the staff at Saginaw High School for the 2025 indoor season.

Alex has been on the percussion staff at Troopers since the 2022 season, and is looking forward to another great season.

Matthew Joslin - Percussion Tech

Matt Joslin starts his third year as one of the snare technicians for the 2025 Troopers. His first season with the group was the summer 2023 season.

Matt Joslin is also currently the Percussion Director at Lovejoy High School in Lovejoy ISD, and in the past has served the Heritage High School cluster in Frisco ISD for the 2022-2023 school year as an assistant percussion director.

Matt Joslin has performed with several drum and bugle corps including the 2020-2021 seasons with the Santa Clara Vanguard Percussion Section.

An alumni of the University of North Texas, Mr. Joslin graduated summa cum laude from UNT in 2022 with his degree in music education. During his time at North Texas, Mr. Joslin was the principal timpanist of the UNT Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Itkin, as well as a percussionist in the UNT Wind Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Andrew Trachsel. Mr. Joslin was a member of several UNT Percussion Ensembles including the UNT Classical Percussion Ensembles as well as the 2 O’Clock Steel Band. His mentors include Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, Stockton Helbing, Jose Aponte, Ed Smith, Drew Lang, and Poovalur Sriji.

Izaiah McDowell - Percussion Tech

Izaiah McDowell started his DCI career in 2015 with the Crossmen, he later went on to march with the Santa Clara Vanguard from 2016 to 2018 where he served as bass drum section leader in 2018 and helped contribute to winning the Fred Sanford award for high percussion three years in a row, and the DCI silver and gold medals in 2017 and 2018. He also spent the winter of 2013 with Vigilantes Indoor Percussion from Fort Worth, Texas. After aging out Izaiah went on to join the Troopers percussion staff in 2019.

Based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Izaiah works as a drumline technician & consultant, and lessons teacher. He’s been able to work with some of the best programs in the metroplex including Arlington Martin HS, Birdville HS, Southlake Carroll HS, Byron Nelson HS, Wakeland HS, McKinney HS and Coppell HS. Izaiah also works in audio as part of the Blue Devils audio team, and as a recording and mixing engineer working out of Audio Dallas Recording Studio in Garland, TX.

Webb Sheely - Percussion Tech

Webb Sheely is a percussion performer, educator and arranger/composer from Columbia, Missouri. Webb is currently the Director of the Indiana University Marching Hundred Drumline and is an Associate Instructor with the Percussion Studio. At Indiana University, he is currently studying to get his Masters in Percussion Performance and also holds a Bachelors in Music Education from the University of North Texas. Webb has studied with renowned educators including Paul Rennick, Sandi Rennick, Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, Stockton Helbing, Joseph Gramley, Kevin Bobo and John Tafoya.

Webb has performed as a soloist and in chamber groups across the country and has taken multiple high placements in international percussion competitions across the last 6 years. Webb’s leadership skills have been applied in his current positions as well as previous principal positions with school ensembles at multiple universities. Webb has taught the Booneville and Azle High School Drumlines, as well as the UNT Green Brigade Quadline. In the Spring of 2022, Webb student taught in the Northwest ISD cluster with renowned educator John Bingaman. Webb is a Professional Member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and the Texas Music Educators Association and currently serves on the Marching Committee with PAS.

Kyle Skinner - Percussion Tech

Percussionist Kyle Skinner is a composer, performer, and educator currently based in Newark, Delaware.

As an active performer, he has shared the stage with award-winning ensembles such as the University of North Texas Snare Ensemble, the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, and the University of Delaware Graduate Percussion Group. As a solo performer, he received first place in the Percussive Arts Society’s concert snare drum competition in 2021.

As an educator, he has worked alongside many high schools and middle schools as a drumline instructor and private lessons teacher across the North Texas and Delaware areas. He is currently on the Percussion staff with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps and serves as the Percussion Specialist at the Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware.

He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Delaware. His principal teachers include Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Sandi Rennick, Lauren Teel, Christopher Deane, Dave Hall, Gene Koshinski, and Tim Broscious. Kyle is currently published with Tapspace Publications.

Stephen Symank - Percussion Tech

Stephen Symank is a percussion performer and educator based in Evanston, Illinois. He is a Graduate Assistant at Northwestern University, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance. Stephen was a member of the Troopers front ensemble in 2014 and 2015, aging out in 2016 as a section leader. Stephen has been on staff at the Troopers since 2017.

Stephen received his B.M. in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas, where he performed in the internationally recognized North Texas Wind Symphony, Percussion ensemble, and 2:00 Steel band. During his time at UNT, Stephen had the opportunity to study privately with Paul Rennick, Dr. Robert Schietroma, Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, and Ed Smith. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Stephen served as the Assistant Percussion Director at Birdville High School in North Richland Hills, Texas, where he taught percussion classes, marching band, and private lessons.

Patrick Tierney - Percussion Tech

Patrick Tierney is a percussion educator and performer from Plano, Texas. He graduated from the University of North Texas in 2023, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Patrick currently holds teaching positions with the UNT Drumline, the Byron Nelson High School Drumline, the Azle High School Percussion Program, and the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, while holding a lesson studio that spans throughout the North Texas area as well as a virtual studio.

As a student, Patrick had the opportunity to play with a wide variety of ensembles, such as the UNT Green Brigade Drumline, PASIC, WGI and DCI 1st Place award winning Quad Ensemble, the 2:00 Steel Band, UNT Percussion Ensemble, Wind Orchestra and many more. As a part of these groups, Patrick has gotten to travel and perform at many conferences and venues, such as PASIC, CBDNA, a performance tour in Ireland including The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, and more.

Patrick was a member of the Troopers quadline in 2021, winning the DCI Individual and Ensemble competition with the quad line. He is now entering his 4th year coming back to the Troopers as a quad tech. Patrick has been fortunate enough to have studied with Paul Rennick, Sandi Rennick, Christopher Deane, Stockton Helbing, Ed Smith, Dave Hall and Mark Ford.

Noe Trevino - Percussion Tech

Noe Trevino is a percussion educator based in Denton, Texas where he teaches for the Byron Nelson, Fossil Ridge and Guyer high school clusters. He is also a front ensemble technician for the Troopers Dum and Bugle Corps. In 2022, Noe completed his Bachelor's of Music Education with a concentration in percussion from the University of North Texas, where he studied with renowned educators such as, Jose Aponte, Steve Barnes, Mark Ford, Drew Lang, Paul Rennick, Sandi Rennick, Ed Smith, and Poovalur Sriji. During his time at North Texas he accumulated an abundance of experience in various ensembles, both cultural and classical. He was featured as a soloist with the 8 O'clock Steel Band on lead pan, the section manager for the Brass Band and Concert Band, and was a member of the UNT 2 O'clock Steel Band, UNT Cross-Cultural Ensemble, UNT Wind Ensemble, and the UNT Brazilian Ensemble. He was with the UNT Green Brigade as a member of the pit, then a member of the field technician staff as a front ensemble technician. Noe student taught at the Byron Nelson High School cluster, where he studied under Alycia Bingaman, John Bingaman, Michael Crawford, and Michael Moore. Noe has extensive competition experience. He received 2nd in the Drum Corps International Percussion Ensemble competition, 7th in the PASIC Solo Keyboard competition, was a semifinalist for the Southern California International Marimba Solo Competition, 4th in the inaugural TIERRAS Marimba Competition, and 1st in the Drum Corps International Keyboard Competition. He marched with the Guardians Drum & Bugle Corps in 2019, and was with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Crops from 2020 through 2022. In 2022, Troopers made finals for the first time in over a decade, he was the center marimbaist and section leader for the front ensemble. On his spare time, Noe enjoys to workout, cook, and spend time with his friends and family.

Bryce Turner - Percussion Tech

Bryce Turner is a dynamic music educator, performer, and clinician based out of San Antonio, TX. He currently holds the position of Professor of Percussion at the Texas Lutheran University School of Music in Seguin, Texas. Bryce also serves as a front ensemble staff member for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps.

As an award-winning performer, Bryce has made multiple appearances in various solo and ensemble settings around the world, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, and the United States. Some of his accomplishments include his solo Carnegie Hall debut in 2018, performance at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention as a member of the Baylor Percussion Group, named winner of the 2019 Black Swamp Percussion Solo and Ensemble Showcase multi-solo division, and being selected as a member of the 2019 World Percussion Group Tour. He regularly performs in the percussion section of the Mid-Texas Symphony. During the Summers of 2015 and 2016, Bryce toured and performed with the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps as a member of the front ensemble.

Bryce received both his Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Percussion Performance degrees from Texas Lutheran University while studying under Adam Bedell. He went on to receive his Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance and Literature from Baylor University under the instruction of Dr. Todd Meehan and Chris Sies. Bryce is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in percussion at the University of Texas at Austin where he primarily studies with Dr. Thomas Burritt and Ivan Trevino. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Percussive Arts Society. Bryce proudly endorses Innovative Percussion products.

Eliana Yamouni - Percussion Tech

Eliana is an active member of the marching arts community, most notably known for her accomplishments with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drumline in 2018, 2019, and 2021. During her time in the SCV snare line, she contributed to two back-to-back Fred Sanford High Percussion Awards and the 2018 DCI Championship title. Eliana is also on the instructional staff at Coppell High School and Girls March. Outside of the marching arts, Eliana has kickstarted a career in corporate marketing and recently earned an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Houston Youngman - Percussion Tech

Houston Youngman graduated from the University of North Texas in 2020 with a degree in percussion performance. During his education, he studied under Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, Ed Smith, Poovalur Sriji, Stockton Helbing and other acclaimed faculty. He aged out on the Troopers tenor line in 2019 and placed first in the PASIC 2019 I&E Small Ensemble division with the UNT Quad Ensemble.

Houston is currently the Percussion Director at Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas and has been on staff at the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps since 2021. His current and former students have received numerous caption and placement awards at drumline contests in the DFW area and have achieved success in the Texas All-Region and All-State auditions.