While auditions are underway, we have exciting new additions to our instructional staff for 2018!
Joining our percussion staff is Andrew Manzanares, who has participated in the Marching Arts since 2008. He competed in WGI and SCPA circuits in the Scholastic World division with Mission Viejo High School and began his DCI career with Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets. In 2013 he started performing with the Blue Devils A Corps where he marched for four years, earning two gold and two silver medals at World Championships. Andrew was also a member of RCC Indoor Percussion for 5 years, serving as Battery Section Leader his last year.
Also joining our percussion staff is Steven Takeda. Steven’s drum corps career includes the Blue Knights in 2012 and 2013, and the Blue Devils from 2015 through 2017. His marching experience also includes Dark Sky Percussion and RCC as section leader. He has taught at a variety of Southern California high schools, and currently teaches at Anaheim High School and Gahr High School.
Ryse Akiu is joining our percussion staff for the 2018 season as well. Ryse is from Pauoa, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi and started his percussion education at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Ryse began his marching experience at Kamehameha High School and in 2015, marched his first DCI season with the Oregon Crusaders. In 2016 he marched with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle and aged out with the corps in 2017. Ryse is a percussion educator and currently teaches at Kamehameha Schools and enjoys growing the marching percussion arts throughout Hawaiʻi.
Learn more about all of our instructional staff by visiting the Design and Education Staff page.
