Richard K. Pugsley, Director

Richard K. Pugsley, Spirit Director, began working with Spirit of America in 1993. The Spirit Winter Percussion ensemble was instituted under his tenure, and he led the group to their gold medal win at the WinterGuard International World Championships in 2012, the bronze medal in 2013, their advancement into Open Class in 2014, and their gold medal win in the Open Class in 2015. He has led Spirit of America on tours and conducted workshops in schools around the world, including cultural and musical exchanges in South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and the United States. He founded the annual Day of Percussion on Cape Cod, a music education event that draws students from across New England for a free day of percussion clinics and performances by world-class artists. He received his Bachelor of Music degree, with a minor in Community Music, from Oberlin Conservatory.

Rick

Ian Hale, Percussion Director

Ian Hale has been with Spirit of America Band and Spirit WP since 2007 first as a tech, then as Percussion Director and arranger. He studied with Dr. Glenn Price at the University of Calgary where he received his BA in percussion performance, and received his MA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he studied with Eduardo Leandro and Thom Hannum. He has studied marimba with Leigh Howard Stevens, Gordon Stout, and She-e-Wu. He has taught percussion for the Glassmen, the Magic of Orlando, the Madison Scouts, Carolina Crown, The Cadets, and is presently on staff with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps. Ian was also a music faculty member at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Assistant Director of Bands for the Calgary Stampede Showband. He currently teaches and arranges for numerous bands and percussion ensembles across the United States and Canada. Ian is endorsed by Vic Firth Inc., Remo Inc., and Zildjian Corporation.

Ian

Zach Schlicher, Movement Design & Performance

Zach Schlicher began performing in the marching arts in 1997. As a member of his high school marching band, Zach was exposed to Drum Corps International. In 2001, he earned a position in the snare line with The Cadets and continued to perform there for the next four seasons. Upon aging out, he began teaching the Madison Scouts. After two seasons with the Scouts, he spent the next ten seasons on the faculty of Carolina Crown. Currently, he is on the faculty of the Boston Crusaders. Away from the drum corps field, Zach works with several scholastic and independent programs within Winter Guard International, Bands of America, as well as international ensembles. During the fall and winter months, he occasionally adjudicates marching bands and indoor percussion ensembles around the United States.

Zach studied percussion at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Along with his design/instruction commitments, Zach occasionally performs on cast with Aerial Experience Productions, JQProductions and has performed with Blue Devils Entertainment. For quick educational features, he can be found on VicFirth.com in the video lesson series, “Hybrid Rudiments.” Over the course of twenty years, he has been able to develop a unique set of skills which allow him to take on multiple responsibilities and roles with any ensemble.

Zach

James Sparling, Visual Designer

James Sparling received his degree in Music Education with a minor in Architecture at Miami University. He has been heavily involved in the world music ensemble, Global Rhythms, where he served as Percussion Coordinator and Arranger (2004- 2006) and continues to perform with the ensemble annually.

James has taught percussion in various programs, serving as a Percussion Mentor at Tower Heights Middle School (‘07), Director of Percussion at Bellbrook HS/MS (‘07- ‘08), Assistant Band Director at Baker MS/Fairborn HS (‘10-‘11), Director of Percussion at Kettering Fairmont HS (‘09-‘13), Director of Percussion at Seminole HS (‘13), and is currently serves as the Director of Percussion at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (‘14-Present). He served on the percussion staff for the Glassmen (‘03), the Madison Scouts (‘04-‘06), Carolina Crown (‘07-‘08), the Cadets (‘09-‘11), and Rhythm X (‘05-‘13). He has served as the visual designer for Madison Independent (‘11), Eastside Fury (‘11-‘13), and currently works with Spirit Winter Percussion (‘06-present). He has most been serving as the Caption Head and Arranger of the Madison Scouts (‘12-‘14), Infinity Percussion (‘13-present), and Redline Percussion (‘14-present). In 2015, he was also appointed as the Percussion Director for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. James is proudly endorsed by, REMO Drumheads, Pearl Drums/Adams, TreeWorks Chimes, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mallets, and Zildjian Cymbals.

James

Jennifer LeSeth, Choreographer

Jennifer Leseth is a Chicago native with 30-plus years of performance, instruction and design experience in color guard, drum corps and marching band. Her passion for the art grew from performing with color guards such as Destiny, Guardsmen, State Street Review, and Escapade. Naturally driven to excel she challenged herself with marching with drum corps such as Phantom Regiment and The Cadets.

Jennifer came to Spirit of America in 2005 with more than nineteen years of performance, design, and instructional experience, and started her work with Spirit Winter Percussion in 2012. She travels globally to teach including England, Italy, Canada, Japan, Korea, South Africa, and Thailand. Her experience with drum corps includes serving as Color Guard Caption Head for Bluecoats, Crossmen, Phantom Regiment, Madison Scouts, Carolina Crown, and Santa Clara Vanguard. She has served as the color guard designer and director for the following High Schools; Marian Catholic (IL), Plymouth Canton (MI), Spring High School (TX), Winston Churchill (TX), LD Bell (TX) and Flower Mound HS (TX).  She is currently the color guard designer for the Lincoln Way HS Marching Band (IL).

Jennifer

Sr. Danielle Dwyer, Theatrical Consultant

Classically trained but also skilled in contemporary drama, Sr. Danielle earned her Master of Arts Degree from England’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the University of London. She also studied voice, acting, and writing with Joanna Weir at Central School of Speech and Drama (London, England); David Male of Cambridge University (Cambridge, England); and Shakespeare & Company (Lenox, MA); and studied Shakespeare at the Stella Adler Studio in New York City. Sr. Danielle is the Artistic Director of Elements Theatre Company and helps Spirit to express the drama inherent to their shows.

Sr. Danielle

Steve Ballard, Front Ensemble Instructor

Steve Ballard lives in Manassas, VA with his wife Samantha and daughter Crystal. He has been an elementary school band director for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia since 2003. He is also the winter percussion director and asst. marching band director for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA. His marching arts involvement spans over 20 years of performing, writing and teaching, most notably with Thomas Jefferson HS (since 2003), Carolina Crown ('07-'13, '16), United Percussion ('09-'14) and Spirit Winter Percussion (since '14), as well as several other world class DCI, DCA and WGI ensembles. He has also served as a board member for the Atlantic Indoor Assoc. and judge for US Bands in the fall. Steve is a frequent performer with the Fairfax Wind Symphony and also a member of the Vic Firth Education Team and the National Association for Music Education. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Percussion Performance ('01) as well as his Master of Music in Music Education ('03) from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY.

Steve

Jason Ihnat, Front Ensemble Instructor

Jason Ihnat is an active teacher, performer, composer and arranger. He is a part- time lecturer of music theory at Eastern Michigan University as well as the percussion arranger and instructor for the EMU Marching Band. Mr. Ihnat performs frequently with the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Philharmonic and Macomb Symphony Orchestra. His compositions and arrangements have been performed at universities and high schools in Michigan and across the country.

Jason was a member of The Cadets in 1998 and 1999, winning a DCI World Championship in 1998, and receiving a Distinguished Service Award when he aged out in 1999. Jason went on to serve on the percussion staff with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps for 15 consecutive years, receiving a Cadets Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 for his excellent work, commitment and positive attitude. He also was the director and co-founder of the Eastside Fury Percussion Ensemble from 2000-2014, and has taught the Americanos and Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. Currently, Jason is co-director of the Novi High School Winter Percussion Ensemble, on the percussion staff with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, Spirit Winter Percussion Ensemble, and serves as the director and a performer with the NFL’s Detroit Lions Drumline.

Jason's education includes a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Wayne State University, where he studied percussion under Keith Claeys, and a Master of Music Degree in Composition from Eastern Michigan University, where he studied with renowned composer Dr. Anthony Iannaccone and percussion with professor John Dorsey.

Jason

Mike Bishop, Front Ensemble Instructor

Mike Bishop is an experienced and active educator, designer, producer, musician, and international clinician. He arranges and produces for high school & university ensembles around the United States and Europe, including the West Chester University of Pennsylvania Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band, European X indoor percussion ensemble of The Netherlands, and the Spirit of '52 drum corps from Rastede, Germany. Previously, Mike served as the Front Ensemble Coordinator of the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps (2015-2017), the Front Ensemble Arranger of the George Mason University Indoor Drumline (2017), and on the Front Ensemble Faculty & Social Media Team for the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps (2010-2014), capturing a Drum Corps International World Championship in 2013. Additionally, Mike has served as a member of the Front Ensemble Faculty of Rhythm X & The X Academy and on the Board of Directors as the head of Media & Marketing for Invictus World, Inc. - the first WGI Independent World color guard to be based out of Austin, Texas.

After more than five years living in Austin, TX, Mike has returned to his hometown of Philadelphia, PA with his wife, Kelsey. While in Austin, Mike served as the Front Ensemble Coordinator of the Cedar Park HS Timberwolf Band. Since joining the team in 2011, he and his colleagues have captured two UIL Texas Marching State Championships, a PASIC Marching Championship with Best Front Ensemble Caption, and a Lone Star Classic Drumline State Championship. Previously, Mike lived in the Dayton, OH area as the Percussion Director for Bellbrook HS from 2009- 2011.

As a performer, Mike has over 30 combined seasons of performance experience with scholastic and independent groups in the pageantry arts including Riptide Percussion (2002), the Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps (2002-2005), United Percussion (2003-2008), Carolina Crown (2006-2008), and a Winter Guard International World Championship with Rhythm X (2009). He also has been in performances for the NASCAR All*Star Drumline (2008), the Q-Stix™ Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Drumline (2009), and Aerial Experience Productions (2010).

Immediately following his drum corps age out, Mike joined the staff of the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps (2009) before joining the Carolina Crown's Front Ensemble Faculty in 2010. In the WGI scene, Mike was on the staff of Redline Percussion (2010), European X (2014, 2017-2018) in The Netherlands, and Rhythm X (2015-2016).

As a producer, Mike is experienced in creating soundtracks for short films, dance teams, and color guards, including the 2018 WGI Scholastic World Finalist Miamisburg High School (OH), 2015 WGI Scholastic A Finalist Manor High School (TX), Invictus (TX), The Black Watch (NJ), as well as samples and sound effects for the pageantry arts. He has composed and arranged hundreds of works for various scholastic, independent, and corporate programs.

Mike is a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, a Yamaha Artist, and a proud endorser of Vic Firth sticks & mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo drum heads. He has given clinics at Music For All's Bands of America Summer Symposium and throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Mike

Kirsti Pfeiffer, Front Ensemble Instructor

Kirsti Pfeiffer began marching with Spirit Winter Percussion in 2004 at the age of 9, and continued to march with the ensemble for 13 years, aging out in 2017. She was the Front Ensemble section leader for 5 years, center marimba for 3 years, and has been a member of the Spirit Design Team from 2016-present. From 2013-2015, Kirsti marched with The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps where they won the Fred Sanford High Percussion award in 2013, and where she was co-section leader of the Front ensemble in 2015. Kirsti performed in the Boston Premiere of John Adams Inuksuit with Kadence Arts in 2016. She has studied percussion with Ian Hale, Iain Moyer, Jason Ihnat, Michael Zellers, Colin McNutt, Keith Aleo, and Michael Burritt.

As a performer, Kirsti has traveled to Australia, South Korea, South Africa, Italy, and across the United States, performing and assisting in leading workshops with students in music and the marching arts. Outside of teaching Spirit Winter Percussion, she is a member of world-renowned Gloriæ Dei Cantores, one of the leaders of the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps, and is the Marketing & Communications Director for Spirit Winter Percussion and the Arts Empowering Life Foundation.

Kirsti

Lindsey Kanaga, Front Ensemble Instructor

A seasoned veteran, Lindsey Kanaga brings her vast indoor experience to Spirit Winter Percussion’s front ensemble. Lindsey marched 12 years with Spirit as a member of the front ensemble. She studied percussion privately with Ian Hale from 2007-2017, and has participated in master classes with Eduardo Leandro and Michael Burritt. She performed John Adams’ Inuksuit with Kadence Arts for the Boston Premiere of the work in 2016, and has also performed with the UMASS Marimba band. 

In addition to her experience as a percussionist, Lindsey’s love of the arts and her diverse experiences as an artist, actor, administrator, and singer is an instrumental addition to the Spirit WP staff. Lindsey brings her theater experience as a member of Elements Theatre Company to Spirit WP. In 2015, her show design involvement began with painting the floor design for Spirit’s gold-medal winning show, Tango: Frost on a Burning Rose, and is now an official member of the design team.

Outside of Spirit, Lindsey is a member of the world-renowned Gloriae Dei Cantores, and works at the Mount Tabor Centre, as well as the Development Office for Arts Empowering Life Foundation.

Lindsey

Ted Sullivan, Battery Instructor

Ted Sullivan is originally from Centerville, MA. He started playing drums at age 12, and graduated from Barnstable High School in 2006. He attended UMass Amherst, where he was a member of the marching band under the direction of Thom Hannum and George Parks. While at UMass, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Jazz and African American Music studies. Today he is a full-time musician and teacher working throughout Massachusetts.

Ted

Alex Ollivierre, Battery Instructor

Alex was a member of the Dartmouth High School Marching Band and Indoor Percussion Ensemble from 2008-2012 and is currently a member of the instructional staff. In 2010 he marched with the Bluestars Drum & Bugle Corps. From 2012-2013 he marched with the Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps as the snare drum section leader. He aged out as the percussion section leader at Carolina Crown in 2015. He is a graduate of UMASS Dartmouth, with a degree in music education, and is now the Percussion Specialist for Fall River Public Schools District.

Alex

Alex King, Battery Instructor

Alex King started his musical career at the age of 8 playing both concert percussion and drum set. Since then he has graduated from Barnstable High School, as well as UMass Amherst, majoring in music education. While at UMass, he was a part of a number of musical ensembles, a member of the percussion studio, and section leader of the UMass Drumline. Alex marched four years of drum corps, with East Coast Jazz and with The Cadets. He has been on staff with The Madison Scouts, Carolina Crown, 7th Regiment, and has been working with Spirit of America since 2010. When Alex is not teaching percussion, he is a full time music teacher in Worcester, MA, teaching K-12 general music at Union Hill Elementary and Woodward Day Alternative Middle/High School.

Alex

Aaron Saraiva, Battery Instructor

Aaron Saraiva began his percussion career in 2010 at Dartmouth High School, performing in the marching band and the indoor percussion ensemble there. Throughout his percussion career, he has played all the battery instruments including bass drum, tenors, and snare. 2015-2017, Aaron marched with Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps and was the Quad section leader. He was also a member of the New England Patriots Drumline.

Aaron will be graduating from Umass Dartmouth this spring with a Bachelors degree in psychology. Outside of teaching percussion, he currently works as a Recovery Support Worker for Fellowship Health Resources - A Behavioral Health non-profit organization based out of Fall River, MA. Aaron has taught percussion at Dartmouth High School since 2015. This will be Aaron's first year teaching on the Spirit staff and he's extremely excited to be on board!

Aaron

Chris Vale, Battery Instructor

Chris Vale is no stranger to marching percussion. He began his drum corps career back in 1995 and marched nine seasons through 2003. In his early marching years, Chris was a member of the Royal Columbians, Spartans, and Boston Crusaders. He spent his final five seasons as a member of the snare line with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from Allentown, PA. He served as section leader from 2001-2003, helping the Cadets to three consecutive high percussion trophies.

Chris attended the University of Massachusetts – Amherst where he was a member of the snare line from 2000-2003. In his studies at UMass, Chris learned under Thom Hannum and Colin McNutt and served as section leader for the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

Chris began his teaching career working as the snare tech for the Madison Scouts in 2004. Chris rejoined the Cadets in 2005 as the snare tech and continued to work with the battery percussion section through the 2012 season. In his time with the Cadets, as a member and as an instructor, Chris was a part of three DCI World Championships during the 2000, 2005, and 2011 seasons. In addition, Chris assisted in capturing four High Percussion Awards during the 2001-2003 seasons as well as the 2005 season. Currently, Chris is part of the Boston Crusaders percussion staff.

In addition to his work with drum corps, Chris is currently the percussion director at King Philip Regional High School. He also served as the percussion director at Blackstone-Millville Regional High School from 2013-2017.

Currently, Chris teaches science at Holliston High School and resides in Hopkinton, MA with his wife, daughter, and son.

Chris

Evan Tropp, Visual Instructor

Evan earned his bachelor's degree in Music Education from UMass Lowell in 2005. His marching career began with East Coast Jazz in 2001 where he marched until his age out in 2004. The following year, Evan joined the visual team for ECJ for the 2005 and 2006 season. In the 2007 season, he began working with the Citations Drum and Bugle Corps as Caption Head and visual instructor through the 2008 season. From 2009 to 2014, he was the lead visual instructor at the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. Evan worked with Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015 to 2017 as interim Visual Caption Head, visual tech and visual coordinator respectively. The 2018 Drum Corps season will find Evan sharing his experience and passion for the marching arts with Cadets 2.

Evan has also written for multiple bands in Massachusetts. For the past 10 years, he has been the Assistant Marching Band Director for Belmont High School in Belmont, MA as the visual instructor, drill writer and music arranger. For 2016 and 2017, he was the drill designer for Hendrickson Hawks Indoor Percussion out of Pflugerville, TX. He is also enjoyed success in his first season *(2017) as the drill writer for Upper Darby Marching Royals out of Upper Darby PA.

Entering his 6th year with the program, Evan is excited to continue to work with the talented staff and members of Spirit Winter Percussion.

Evan

Dan Pfeiffer, Visual Instructor

Dan Pfeiffer began his time at Spirit Winter Percussion as a member in 2006 at the age of 12. He marched with the group for a decade, aging out in the snare line in 2016. Simultaneously, he marched as a mellophone player from 2012-2015 at the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps where he served as section leader in 2015. Dan combines yoga, static stretching, interval training, and dance in his approach to movement technique and enjoys the intensely physical aspect of the marching arts.

Currently, he is studying Music Production and Engineering at Berklee College of Music, and spending his weekends with Spirit working as a visual technician and audio system engineer!

Dan