Stay tuned for upcoming staff announcements.

Administration

Greg Arsenault

Corps Director

Greg Arsenault brings over 30 years of experience in the marching arts and music education. With a commitment to excellence, he has cultivated groups that have a vibrant and dynamic culture.

In the early 1990s, Greg marched in the drumlines of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band and the Boston Crusaders. He then served on Boston’s battery staff for three years and was Tour Director in 1999, the first year the Crusaders made the DCI Finals, placing 9th.

He has been with Cranston High School East Thunderbolt Band in Rhode Island since 1994, becoming Co-Director with Mark Colozzi in 2003 and Director of Bands upon Mr. Colozzi’s retirement in 2016. The Thunderbolt Band has won several USBands New England Championships during his tenure, including the Division 2 New England Championship in 2019.

Greg graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rhode Island College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. In 2002, he received a Master of Music from the University of Rhode Island with a concentration in composition. He completed a Masters Certificate in Music Production and Technology from Berklee College of Music in 2015 and teaches a Career and Technical Education program in Audio Design and Engineering at Cranston High School East.

He founded the Cranston East Percussion Ensemble program in 2001, began competing in 2010 and opened the program city-wide in 2012. Cranston Combined Percussion won a WGI New England Regional Championship in 2015 and three New England Scholastic Band Association Championships in 2015, 2022, and 2024. The group was a WGI Scholastic A Semi-Finalist in 2024.

With 7th Regiment since 2023, Greg first served as Tour Manager and then as Director of Operations. As a director and educator, Greg is passionate about fostering teamwork, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the marching arts. He emphasizes the importance of both individual growth and collective achievement, ensuring that each member feels valued and empowered. He believes in the power of collaboration and mentorship, inspiring young musicians to reach their fullest potential. Greg looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving 7th Regiment as Director bringing the Corps to new levels of success, on and off the field.

When not involved with music and marching arts, Greg enjoys camping, skiing, watching Marvel movies, and spending time with his family. Greg lives in Cranston, Rhode Island with his wife, Rebecca, sons Lucas and Nathan, and their dog Sundae.

DESIGN TEAM

Alec Smith

Alec Smith

Program Coordinator & Visual Design

An Alumnus of 7th Regiment, Alec Smith is proud to return for his 9th year with the Corps.

Drawing on his experience in Connecticut theatre and education, Alec aims to provide a visual program that is both entertaining and a vehicle for performers to develop high-level visual performance skills. Alec works in collaboration with band and color guard directors to target an area of growth in their visual program. He then writes and designs technique & drill exercises, show drill, and staging that will engage students in those new and developing skills. For groups that regularly perform high intensity shows, Alec can highlight the specific skills needed to make the most of the visual design. asmith.drillanddesign@gmail.com

Alec has been working with the “home team” since 2017 and was the Drum Corps’ Visual Caption Manager & Staff Coordinator for four seasons before moving to the design team. Alec performed several seasons with 7th Regiment before aging out with The Cadets. Alec is currently the Visual Caption Head at Trumbull High School, a band director in Naugatuck, CT, and an active drill writer in the Northeast. He received his Masters in Education from the University of Bridgeport.

Alessandra Greco

Alessandra Greco

Color Guard Designer & Caption Manager

Alessandra is very excited to return to 7th Regiment in the roles of Color Guard Designer and Color Guard Caption Manager. Originally from Massachusetts, Alessandra has over 10 years of combined marching and instructing color guard experience. Throughout her color guard career, she has been a member of A, Open, and World Class WGI and DCI organizations including The Cadets, Blessed Sacrament World, The Spartans, and Salem Blue Independent. As an instructor, she has been involved with many marching ensembles as a designer, caption head, choreographer, clinician, and on technical staff. Currently, she is an ensemble visual designer and color guard caption head for South Plainfield High School in New Jersey.

Outside of the marching arts Alessandra works in the energy industry, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 

 

Dan Shinohara

Dan Shinohara

Battery Arranger

Dan Shinohara is excited to return as the battery arranger for the 2025 edition of the 7th Regiment! He has served in this role since 2023 and had previously served as the Percussion Caption Head in 2022 and Battery Manager in 2021. He has also taught with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, and numerous high school percussion programs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Dan is currently the percussion director of the Timber Creek High School cluster in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to his appointment at Timber Creek, Dan graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance. While at UMass, he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the UMass Drumline, Marimba Bands, and Percussion Studio. Mr. Shinohara was fortunate to have studied with Thom Hannum, Ian Hale, and Ayano Kataoka.
Prior to his time at UMass, Dan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas. At UNT, Mr. Shinohara studied with Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Stockton Helbing, Ed Smith, Dennis Fisher, and Dr. Nicholas Williams. He was also the section leader of the UNT Drumline and Symphonic Band as well as a performing member in the PASIC Quad Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Bands, and Gamelan Ensemble.
Dan’s performance resume includes four summers with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015-2018, appearances with the Boston Pops and U.S. Air Force Band and the Boston Celtics Drumline in the 2022 NBA Finals. He has also been a member of the Dallas Mavericks Drumline since 2018 and was a part of their 2024 NBA Finals run.
Dan is a proud endorser of Vic Firth sticks and mallets and Zildjian Cymbals.

Ray Fallon

Music Design & Brass Caption Manager

Ray Fallon is excited to return to the 7th Regiment in the role of Brass Caption Manager. Ray previously served in the role from 2010-2014, culminating in a 3rd place finish for the brass line in DCI Open Class Finals, and the organization achieving placement in World Class Semifinals.

Ray performed with the Boston Crusaders for nine years, serving as section leader in 1999, the corps’ first year as a DCI finalist, and receiving the distinction of Crusader of the Year during his ageout season of 2004. Ray has gone on to instruct marching programs across the country including Seminole, FL, Riverton, UT, East Lyme, CT, Blackstone-Millville, MA, and Dartmouth, MA. Ray was also a member of the Boston Crusader visual staff from 2008-2010 and the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps brass staff for their Open Class Championship winning 2024 season.

Ray has a BA in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and is the Director of Bands at Boston Latin Academy. Ray is a member of the Massachusetts Judges Association and served as a marching band adjudicator in 2024 for both USBands and the Indiana State School Music Association. Ray is also a freelance trumpet player and won’t shut up about his dog, Sadie, and the Boston Celtics.

 

Sean Ferguson

Sean Ferguson

Brass Arranger

Sean Ferguson is returning for his third year as brass arranger for 7th Regiment. As a staff member since 2020, he has worked in various roles such as a visual instructor, choreographer, and assistant visual caption manager.

Sean is a graduate of The College of New Jersey and is currently finishing his Masters in Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Throughout his time in academia, Sean’s research focuses on making music more inclusive for educational communities. His work includes building a culturally responsive curriculum that centralizes the student’s strengths, experiences, and values.

Sean is currently the Director of Bands at Somerville High School in New Jersey. Since arriving, Sean has tripled enrollment in music classes and ensembles. He currently serves over 250 music students across 9 ensembles, 2 AP Music Theory courses, and 2 music technology courses. The award-winning Marching Pioneers were promoted to USBands Open Class in his second year as the director and have won numerous awards and competitions since then. In addition to his own school, he has written music, drill, and full-show designs for over 15 groups in the NY/NJ metropolitan area. 

Outside of music, Sean is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion efforts for marginalized groups and his communities. He is currently an advisor for Somerville’s Spectrum Alliance (LGBTQ+ advocacy group) and Asian Student Association. 

Sean is excited to work with all the amazing individuals at 7th Regiment for the 2025 season!

Seth Lampert

Front Ensemble Arranger & Sound Design

The 2025 season marks Seth’s inaugural year with the 7th Regiment organization.  Previously, Seth taught The Cadets Drumline from 2020-2023 and was a member of the quadline from 2016-2019. During his time at The Cadets, Seth performed under Colin McNutt and DCI Hall of Fame member Tom Aungst. Prior to his time at The Cadets, he spent his first season of drum corps (2014) playing cymbals and his second (2015) playing quads with The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps.

Originally from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Seth discovered his passion for music at an early age learning to play the drum set. His passion continued throughout high school. He was heavily involved in the music program in the Portsmouth School District, studying under percussion director, Steve Cirillo, performing and earning a WGI Scholastic Concert Open Class championship with the high school’s winter percussion ensemble.  As an active young performer, he participated in numerous ensembles throughout the community. These early experiences led him to pursue a career in music.

Seth received his bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. As an active musician, he had the opportunity to teach, arrange, and perform with the UMass Percussion section, the UMass Marimba Bands/Ensembles and several other ensembles on and off campus. He served as a member of the marching band/percussion section leadership team for two years. To expand upon his classical training he was selected by studio professor, Ayano Kataoka, to perform in the McCormick Marimba Festival at the University of South Florida in January of 2019. He also had the opportunity to study under artists in residence Victor Caccese and Terry Sweeney from contemporary chamber percussion group, Sandbox Percussion, in the spring of 2019.

Following his undergraduate studies, he returned to UMass to pursue a master’s degree in Music Education. During his two years of grad school, he served as teaching assistant to professor Thom Hannum. As a teaching assistant, he had the privilege of working with the marching band’s percussion section, the Hoop/Ice Band, and the Marimba Bands/Ensembles. The opportunity allowed him to work closely with Professor Hannum as well as current Associate Band Director, Ian Hale. Prior to graduating in the spring of 2021, he took on the responsibility of coordinating and directing the UMass Marimba Band for the ’20-’21 school year.

Seth currently resides in Austin, TX. He is an active educator, percussion arranger, sound designer, and sound technician. He previously served as Director of Percussion for the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in the Austin Independent School District and continues to serve as Assistant Director of Percussion for Glenn High School and Danielson Middle School in the Leander Independent School District. In addition Seth teaches a considerable amount of private percussion lessons around the LISD area. Seth is a proud member of the Vic Firth and Zildjian education teams.

CAPTION MANAGERS

Alessandra Greco

Alessandra Greco

Color Guard Designer & Caption Manager

Alessandra is very excited to return to 7th Regiment in the roles of Color Guard Designer and Color Guard Caption Manager. Originally from Massachusetts, Alessandra has over 10 years of combined marching and instructing color guard experience. Throughout her color guard career, she has been a member of A, Open, and World Class WGI and DCI organizations including The Cadets, Blessed Sacrament World, The Spartans, and Salem Blue Independent. As an instructor, she has been involved with many marching ensembles as a designer, caption head, choreographer, clinician, and on technical staff. Currently, she is an ensemble visual designer and color guard caption head for South Plainfield High School in New Jersey.

Outside of the marching arts Alessandra works in the energy industry, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 

 

Alex Douthat

Battery Caption Manager

Alex Douthat is a music educator and performer based out of Northern NJ. Alex has been on the Battery staff at 7th Regiment since 2021, and is excited to be returning for his third season as Battery Caption Head in 2025.

Alex is a proud alumnus of United Percussion (2017), 7th Regiment (2016), the Rutgers Drumline (2015-16), and Fusion Core (2014-15). As a member of these groups, he received instruction from Paul Nalesnik, Alex Beltran, Jeff Bickford, and Omi Batan, among others. Alex is also an alumnus of the Rutgers University percussion studio, where he attended from 2015-2019 as a music education major. During his time there he studied under Joe Tompkins, Javier Diaz, Kyle Zerna, and Mike Truesdell, and performed in a variety of ensembles including the Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Afro Cuban Ensemble.

Aside from teaching at 7th Regiment, Alex works as an elementary band director in Westwood, NJ, and is a member of the battery staff at Fair Lawn high school. He has also taught percussion at Old Bridge and Wayne Valley high schools, with both groups earning multiple championships and awards during his time on staff. Alex has been a performer with Blue Devils Entertainment on the NY Giants drumline since 2019, and currently serves as their quad section manager. He also performs frequently with parade bands, church groups, and musical theater productions local to the North Jersey area.

Henry Lin

Front Ensemble Caption Manager

Henry Lin is excited to be returning for his fourth season with 7th Regiment and third season as Front Ensemble Caption Manager with the group. He looks forward to helping each member grow as musicians and as individuals during their time with the group. In addition, he strives to foster a love for drum corps and the 7th Regiment organization by putting the member experience first and foremost.

He is currently the Assistant Band Director at Morgan County High School in Madison, GA.

Henry is also a Front Ensemble technician for Q2 indoor percussion in Atlanta, GA. His previous teaching experiences include working as the assistant band director at Piney Grove Middle School in Cumming, GA. In addition he has worked as a front ensemble technician for Jersey Surf, the Assistant Percussion Coordinator for Upper St. Clair High School in Pennsylvania, the Front Ensemble Director and Arranger for Franklin Regional High School in Pennsylvania, and as a Percussion technician for Villa Rica High School

 

Rachel Rubino

Staff Coordinator

Rachel is an educator and musician based out of central Connecticut. She is excited to return to 7th Regiment for her second year as staff coordinator. Rachel has served the drum corps in varying capacities since 2018, including serving as brass caption head during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Currently, Rachel is the director of bands at Suffield Middle School, where she directs the school’s multiple concert bands, jazz band, and pep band. During the fall marching band season, Rachel works with the Cheshire High School marching band. Prior to this year, she served as the assistant band director of the Trumbull High School Marching Band. She saw the ensemble through a Bands of America Regional Championship win, a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day performance, and most recently, a USBands New England Group IV Open Championship win. 

Rachel is an active trumpet player and enjoys performing in both musical theater and wind band settings. Rachel performed in the 7th Regiment brass line during its 2013 and 2014 seasons. 

Kobe Emmons

Visual Caption Manager

Kobe currently serves as the Visual Caption Manager for 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps. Kobe has served as a visual instructor for the drum corps since 2022.

Kobe is a native of the Southeast-Texas area, born and raised in Port Neches, TX. While attending Lamar University, Kobe began his independent marching arts journey in 2017 by playing baritone in the hornline at Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, where he would return for the following two seasons. Kobe also had the opportunity to perform as a visual cast member for Monarch Independent Percussion in 2019.

Through his performance endeavors, Kobe was able to find a true passion for visual instruction within the marching arts. Kobe has worked with several marching ensembles including the Lumberton High School Marching Band and the Port Neches-Groves High School Marching Band, as a visual technician and choreographer. Kobe has also ventured into the indoor winter guard scene by working with ensembles such as the Lumberton High School Winter Guard as a visual technician and the Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School Winterguard as a visual designer.

Kobe is a graduate of Lamar University and served three years as the Assistant Band Director and Color Guard Director at Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas.

In his time there, Kobe coordinated all aspects of the visual caption, including drill design, technique and choreography, leading the marching band to multiple sweepstakes awards. Kobe also led the non-varsity concert band to consistent sweepstakes awards. Currently, Kobe serves as the Assistant Band Director at Waller High School in Waller, Texas. Kobe has helped lead the marching band and sub-non-varsity concert band to sweepstakes awards, as well as working with the Waller Indoor Percussion as a visual instructor.

Kobe Is incredibly excited for what’s in store for 7th Regiment in 2025!

Ray Fallon

Music Design & Brass Caption Manager

Ray Fallon is excited to return to the 7th Regiment in the role of Brass Caption Manager. Ray previously served in the role from 2010-2014, culminating in a 3rd place finish for the brass line in DCI Open Class Finals, and the organization achieving placement in World Class Semifinals.

Ray performed with the Boston Crusaders for nine years, serving as section leader in 1999, the corps’ first year as a DCI finalist, and receiving the distinction of Crusader of the Year during his ageout season of 2004. Ray has gone on to instruct marching programs across the country including Seminole, FL, Riverton, UT, East Lyme, CT, Blackstone-Millville, MA, and Dartmouth, MA. Ray was also a member of the Boston Crusader visual staff from 2008-2010 and the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps brass staff for their Open Class Championship winning 2024 season.

Ray has a BA in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and is the Director of Bands at Boston Latin Academy. Ray is a member of the Massachusetts Judges Association and served as a marching band adjudicator in 2024 for both USBands and the Indiana State School Music Association. Ray is also a freelance trumpet player and won’t shut up about his dog, Sadie, and the Boston Celtics.

 

Dr. Gregg Gausline

Associate Brass Caption Manager

Dr. Gregg Gausline is Associate Director of Bands at the University of New Haven. Gregg was a member and soprano soloist with the Garfield Cadets and The Cadets. He taught in the public schools of Florida and several universities, as well as a presenter at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.

Gregg has been an instructor for the Cadets, Cavaliers, Magic of Orlando, and Southwind.

EDUCATIONAL TEAM

Battery Staff

Devon Buchanan

Snare Technician

Devon Buchanan (she/her) is a marching percussion specialist & performer based in Central NJ, and this will be her third season with the 7th Regiment. During the school year, she holds the Percussion Caption Head & Indoor Drumline Co-Director positions for the award-winning New Providence High School Marching Band, and also works as a Theater Technician at the Brookdale Performing Arts Center in Lincroft, NJ.

Devon’s marching experience began with the Shawnee High School Marching Band in her hometown of Medford, NJ. From there, she went on to march with the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps, the Hawthorne Caballeros, and the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps. Currently, Devon is the Ensemble Lead of the New York Giants “G-Line”, and performs under BD Entertainment.

Ethyn Corfield

Snare Technician

Ethyn Corfield is a music educator and performer based out of Buckeye, Arizona. He is excited to be returning to the 7th Regiment Educational Team as a snare drum technician.

Ethyn is a proud alumnus of Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps (2018-2019), The Colts Drum and Bugle Corps (2021), and Breakthrough Indoor Percussion (2022). During his time, Ethyn learned from notable percussion instructors such as Richard Hinshaw, Gary Juarez, Josh Nelson, and Miles Kenobbie.

Ethyn has been teaching since late 2018, working with over a dozen high schools in the greater Phoenix area. Ethyn is currently the Percussion Caption Head for Agua Fria High School in Avondale, Arizona. In 2023, Ethyn took on the role of snare tech with Breakthrough Indoor Percussion helping lead them to their 17th place semi-finals placement in the WGI Open Class finals in Dayton, Ohio.

Ethyn proudly endorses Vic Firth Drumsticks and Zildjian Cymbals.

Sean Charles

Quad Technician

Sean Charles is a performer, composer, and educator of the percussive arts. Sean earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Kansas. As a graduate teaching assistant, he was heavily involved in the school of music, where he taught the percussion methods class for undergraduate music education majors and gave private lessons to underclassmen in the percussion studio. Under the direction of Dr. Sam Um, he also provided expertise within the KUPG percussion group by coaching undergraduate percussionists in a chamber music setting. Also at KU, Sean was invited to perform at the Graduate Honors Chamber Recital and competed in the Kansas PAS Marimba Competition, where he took second place.

Sean completed his Bachelor’s degree from Western Connecticut State University, where he studied with Dr. Greg Haynes and Doug Perry. While he is classically trained, Sean’s performance journey started in high school as a percussionist in the marching arts, where he performed with renowned DCI corps such as the Madison Scouts and the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. He has been an avid educator in marching percussion, teaching CT groups like Trumbull High School and Westhill High School for over seven years.

Ian Hartman

Quad Technician

Ian Hartman is a marching arts educator based in Massachusetts. He has over seven years of combined teaching and marching percussion experience. Throughout his career, he has marched at several open class independent groups both in WGI and DCI, including 7th Regiment (2019), Spartans Indoor percussion (2022), and the Spartans Drum and Bugle corps (2022, 2023). He has also taught the drumline at Wakefield Memorial High School in Massachusetts, with their indoor percussion group earning back to back championship medals during his time on staff. As an Alumni of 7th Regiment, Ian is very excited to be joining the staff for this season!

Outside of the marching arts, Ian is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Jakub Wala

Bass Technician

Jakub Wala is a musician and educator located in the Greater New York City Area, specializing in modern and contemporary dance accompaniment. He earned his B.M, with a concentration in music education and percussion, from Montclair State University under the direction of Barry Centanni, Matt Smallcomb, and Minhe Ju. Wala currently serves as an adjunct with Montclair’s Dance and Theater Department, as well as being an in-house musician and composer for The Steffi Nossen School of Dance and The Taylor School, Paul Taylor Dance Company’s education division. Jakub Wala is a proud alumnus of Fair Lawn High School (2010-14), The Raiders (2012-13), and The Cadets (2014-16).

Jakub has been on the Battery staff at 7th Regiment since 2023, and is excited to be returning for his third season teaching the Bass Drums.

Sean Maher

Bass Technician

Sean is an active percussion performer and educator from Central NJ. This is his third year with 7th Regiment and second on staff.

His performance experience includes Crossmen, 7th Regiment, Encorps, The West Chester University INCOMPARABLE Golden Rams Marching Band, and Crossmen Alumni Corps. He has been teaching battery percussion since 2020 at New Providence HS, Somerville HS, and Downingtown East HS.

He is currently studying music education at West Chester University and has an associates degree from Raritan Valley Community College.

Sean is very excited for another fun filled summer with the corps!

Front Ensemble Staff

Catherine Smith

Front Ensemble Technician

Catherine Smith is a percussionist from Long Island, NY. She received her degree in music education from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. This will be her fourth season on the front ensemble staff at 7th Regiment and she is a proud alumnus of the corps. She is looking forward to working with the outstanding percussion staff to give the 2025 members a rich, informative experience.

Ross Bello

Front Ensemble Technician

Ross Bello is a composer, percussionist, and educator based in New York City. This will be his third season as a Front Ensemble Technician with 7th Regiment. Ross believes in the educational value of the marching arts and seeks to ensure that all participants receive a quality, well rounded education, and positive personal growth through drum corps.

Ross was involved in marching arts for 8 years and is an alumnus of 7th Regiment (2019). He also had the opportunity to perform with Spirit Winter Percussion (2019-20) and was a contracted member of Jersey Surf in 2020. Additionally, he has performed solo recitals, and worked in large and chamber ensemble formats. Notably, Ross was the 2021 Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition winner at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, performing Gillingham’s 2nd Marimba Concerto.

Ross holds a BM in Music Composition for New Media from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, with an additional degree in Music Performance, with a focus in percussion. He is currently attending the Manhattan School of Music for a MM in composition.

Yoonjae Song

Front Ensemble Technician

Yoonjae is very excited to be returning for her third season at 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician. Witnessing how much students grow throughout a season and love what they do has been the highlight of teaching here, and she is looking forward to the upcoming 2025 season.

Music has always been a part of her life. Her experience as a musician includes performance in Lincoln Center as a classical pianist (2018) and playing percussion in Tufts Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, concert band, and jazz band. In college, she performed in UMass Minuteman Marching Band (2020-2022), Marimba Band/Ensemble, and 7th Regiment (2021, 2022) where she was a co-section leader for the 2022 season. Wanting to share her love for marching art and provide meaningful experience to young musicians, she now teaches in 7th Regiment (2023, 2024) and Westford Academy Marching Band (2024).

Yoonjae studied Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and BDIC Expressive Therapy at the University of Massachusetts. Aside from working as a front ensemble instructor, she is currently working in Massachusetts General Hospital as a research technician.

Minjae Song

Front Ensemble Technician

Minjae Song was a Front Ensemble Technician at 7th Regiment for the 2023 and 2024 seasons and is excited to be returning to teach in 2025. Her previous teaching experience includes 7th Regiment Front Ensemble (2023), North Andover High School Percussion (2023), and Westford Academy Front Ensemble (2024).

Minjae is a proud alumnus of the UMass Amherst Minuteman Marching Band Drumline Pit (2020-2022) and 7th Regiment Front Ensemble (2021, 2022) being a co-section leader in the 2022 season. Other than marching band, Minjae has been part of Marimba Band/Ensemble from UMass Amherst. She graduated from Concord-Carlisle Regional High School, where she was involved in Concert Band, Jazz Band A, and Pit Orchestra. She has 15 years of musical training and experience in piano and 8 years in percussion. She performed at the Lincoln Center as a classical pianist in 2017, and she also performed at MICCA Senior District and All-State for percussion in 2018 and 2019.

Minjae studied Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and BDIC: Animal-Assisted Therapy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Aside from working as a front ensemble instructor, she is an Emergency Medical Technician at Armstrong Ambulance Service.

She loved her time with 7R and is very excited to come back to help young musicians to have a valuable and unique experience!

Jackie Javier

Front Ensemble Technician

Jackie Javier is a front ensemble educator based out of New Jersey. She is excited to return for her third season on the 7th Regiment front ensemble staff, and her fourth year with the drum corps overall. Jackie worked with the front ensemble in 2023 and 2024, and led the drum corp’s medical team in 2022.

Jackie is a proud alumnus of United Percussion (2018), Fusion Core (2018-19), the Raiders (2014), and Fair Lawn High School (2010-15). As a member of these groups, she received instruction from Dave Osworth, Lindsey Hartfelder, Andrew Monteiro, Jim Stelmach, Jamie Szeinberg, and Dan Burbank, among others. Aside from her work as a front ensemble instructor, Jackie is a cardiac nurse at Hackensack Meridian Health.

In addition to teaching at 7th Regiment, Jackie has also served as Front Ensemble Caption Head at Fair Lawn High School since 2022, and has been a member of their percussion staff since 2015. During her time on staff, the Fair Lawn marching band has won numerous best percussion awards at USBands state and national championships. Additionally, their indoor percussion ensemble (FLIP) has won A Class WGI World Championships (2017), been an Open Class WGI finalist (2019), and been promoted mid-season to WGI World Class (2023).

Michael Williams

Front Ensemble Technician

Michael Williams (he/him) is a percussionist, and music educator based out of northeastern Massachusetts. Michael’s performance credits include seasons with the University of Massachusetts Lowell Marching Band, Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps (‘19 – ’21), United Percussion (‘21), and Spartans Indoor Percussion (‘22). 

Michael is a front ensemble technician at his alma mater, Wakefield High School (MA). Formerly, Michael has also taught at North Reading High School, and Burlington High School (both MA) during their marching band and indoor percussion seasons.

Michael graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Studies. In the winter of 2022, Michael graduated with a Master’s in Music Education, also from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. At UMass Lowell, Michael was a member of the marching band, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, orchestra, and jazz combo lab, among many other ensembles. Michael studied under Jeff Fischer and Andy Fordyce.

Outside the marching arts, Michael is an elementary music teacher in Saugus, MA. 

Michael is excited to return for his second year teaching the front ensemble at 7th Regiment!

Design TEAM

Sean Ferguson

Sean Ferguson

Brass Arranger

Sean Ferguson is returning for his third year as brass arranger for 7th Regiment. As a staff member since 2020, he has worked in various roles such as a visual instructor, choreographer, and assistant visual caption manager.

Sean is a graduate of The College of New Jersey and is currently finishing his Masters in Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Throughout his time in academia, Sean’s research focuses on making music more inclusive for educational communities. His work includes building a culturally responsive curriculum that centralizes the student’s strengths, experiences, and values.

Sean is currently the Director of Bands at Somerville High School in New Jersey. Since arriving, Sean has tripled enrollment in music classes and ensembles. He currently serves over 250 music students across 9 ensembles, 2 AP Music Theory courses, and 2 music technology courses. The award-winning Marching Pioneers were promoted to USBands Open Class in his second year as the director and have won numerous awards and competitions since then. In addition to his own school, he has written music, drill, and full-show designs for over 15 groups in the NY/NJ metropolitan area. 

Outside of music, Sean is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion efforts for marginalized groups and his communities. He is currently an advisor for Somerville’s Spectrum Alliance (LGBTQ+ advocacy group) and Asian Student Association. 

Sean is excited to work with all the amazing individuals at 7th Regiment for the 2025 season!

Alec Smith

Alec Smith

Program Coordinator & Visual Design

An Alumnus of 7th Regiment, Alec Smith is proud to return for his 9th year with the Corps.

Drawing on his experience in Connecticut theatre and education, Alec aims to provide a visual program that is both entertaining and a vehicle for performers to develop high-level visual performance skills. Alec works in collaboration with band and color guard directors to target an area of growth in their visual program. He then writes and designs technique & drill exercises, show drill, and staging that will engage students in those new and developing skills. For groups that regularly perform high intensity shows, Alec can highlight the specific skills needed to make the most of the visual design. asmith.drillanddesign@gmail.com

Alec has been working with the “home team” since 2017 and was the Drum Corps’ Visual Caption Manager & Staff Coordinator for four seasons before moving to the design team. Alec performed several seasons with 7th Regiment before aging out with The Cadets. Alec is currently the Visual Caption Head at Trumbull High School, a band director in Naugatuck, CT, and an active drill writer in the Northeast. He received his Masters in Education from the University of Bridgeport.

Alessandra Greco

Alessandra Greco

Color Guard Designer & Caption Manager

Alessandra is very excited to return to 7th Regiment in the roles of Color Guard Designer and Color Guard Caption Manager. Originally from Massachusetts, Alessandra has over 10 years of combined marching and instructing color guard experience. Throughout her color guard career, she has been a member of A, Open, and World Class WGI and DCI organizations including The Cadets, Blessed Sacrament World, The Spartans, and Salem Blue Independent. As an instructor, she has been involved with many marching ensembles as a designer, caption head, choreographer, clinician, and on technical staff. Currently, she is an ensemble visual designer and color guard caption head for South Plainfield High School in New Jersey.

Outside of the marching arts Alessandra works in the energy industry, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 

 

Dan Shinohara

Dan Shinohara

Battery Arranger

Dan Shinohara is excited to return as the battery arranger for the 2025 edition of the 7th Regiment! He has served in this role since 2023 and had previously served as the Percussion Caption Head in 2022 and Battery Manager in 2021. He has also taught with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, and numerous high school percussion programs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Dan is currently the percussion director of the Timber Creek High School cluster in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to his appointment at Timber Creek, Dan graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance. While at UMass, he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the UMass Drumline, Marimba Bands, and Percussion Studio. Mr. Shinohara was fortunate to have studied with Thom Hannum, Ian Hale, and Ayano Kataoka.
Prior to his time at UMass, Dan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas. At UNT, Mr. Shinohara studied with Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Stockton Helbing, Ed Smith, Dennis Fisher, and Dr. Nicholas Williams. He was also the section leader of the UNT Drumline and Symphonic Band as well as a performing member in the PASIC Quad Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Bands, and Gamelan Ensemble.
Dan’s performance resume includes four summers with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015-2018, appearances with the Boston Pops and U.S. Air Force Band and the Boston Celtics Drumline in the 2022 NBA Finals. He has also been a member of the Dallas Mavericks Drumline since 2018 and was a part of their 2024 NBA Finals run.
Dan is a proud endorser of Vic Firth sticks and mallets and Zildjian Cymbals.

Caption Managers

Rachel Rubino

Staff Coordinator

Rachel is an educator and musician based out of central Connecticut. She is excited to return to 7th Regiment for her second year as staff coordinator. Rachel has served the drum corps in varying capacities since 2018, including serving as brass caption head during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Currently, Rachel is the director of bands at Suffield Middle School, where she directs the school’s multiple concert bands, jazz band, and pep band. During the fall marching band season, Rachel works with the Cheshire High School marching band. Prior to this year, she served as the assistant band director of the Trumbull High School Marching Band. She saw the ensemble through a Bands of America Regional Championship win, a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day performance, and most recently, a USBands New England Group IV Open Championship win. 

Rachel is an active trumpet player and enjoys performing in both musical theater and wind band settings. Rachel performed in the 7th Regiment brass line during its 2013 and 2014 seasons. 

Alessandra Greco

Alessandra Greco

Color Guard Designer & Caption Manager

Alessandra is very excited to return to 7th Regiment in the roles of Color Guard Designer and Color Guard Caption Manager. Originally from Massachusetts, Alessandra has over 10 years of combined marching and instructing color guard experience. Throughout her color guard career, she has been a member of A, Open, and World Class WGI and DCI organizations including The Cadets, Blessed Sacrament World, The Spartans, and Salem Blue Independent. As an instructor, she has been involved with many marching ensembles as a designer, caption head, choreographer, clinician, and on technical staff. Currently, she is an ensemble visual designer and color guard caption head for South Plainfield High School in New Jersey.

Outside of the marching arts Alessandra works in the energy industry, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 

 

Alex Douthat

Battery Caption Manager

Alex Douthat is a music educator and performer based out of Northern NJ. Alex has been on the Battery staff at 7th Regiment since 2021, and is excited to be returning for his third season as Battery Caption Head in 2025.

Alex is a proud alumnus of United Percussion (2017), 7th Regiment (2016), the Rutgers Drumline (2015-16), and Fusion Core (2014-15). As a member of these groups, he received instruction from Paul Nalesnik, Alex Beltran, Jeff Bickford, and Omi Batan, among others. Alex is also an alumnus of the Rutgers University percussion studio, where he attended from 2015-2019 as a music education major. During his time there he studied under Joe Tompkins, Javier Diaz, Kyle Zerna, and Mike Truesdell, and performed in a variety of ensembles including the Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Afro Cuban Ensemble.

Aside from teaching at 7th Regiment, Alex works as an elementary band director in Westwood, NJ, and is a member of the battery staff at Fair Lawn high school. He has also taught percussion at Old Bridge and Wayne Valley high schools, with both groups earning multiple championships and awards during his time on staff. Alex has been a performer with Blue Devils Entertainment on the NY Giants drumline since 2019, and currently serves as their quad section manager. He also performs frequently with parade bands, church groups, and musical theater productions local to the North Jersey area.

Henry Lin

Front Ensemble Caption Manager

Henry Lin is excited to be returning for his fourth season with 7th Regiment and third season as Front Ensemble Caption Manager with the group. He looks forward to helping each member grow as musicians and as individuals during their time with the group. In addition, he strives to foster a love for drum corps and the 7th Regiment organization by putting the member experience first and foremost.

He is currently the Assistant Band Director at Morgan County High School in Madison, GA.

Henry is also a Front Ensemble technician for Q2 indoor percussion in Atlanta, GA. His previous teaching experiences include working as the assistant band director at Piney Grove Middle School in Cumming, GA. In addition he has worked as a front ensemble technician for Jersey Surf, the Assistant Percussion Coordinator for Upper St. Clair High School in Pennsylvania, the Front Ensemble Director and Arranger for Franklin Regional High School in Pennsylvania, and as a Percussion technician for Villa Rica High School

 

Visual

Kobe Emmons

Visual Caption Manager

Kobe currently serves as the Visual Caption Manager for 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps. Kobe has served as a visual instructor for the drum corps since 2022.

Kobe is a native of the Southeast-Texas area, born and raised in Port Neches, TX. While attending Lamar University, Kobe began his independent marching arts journey in 2017 by playing baritone in the hornline at Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, where he would return for the following two seasons. Kobe also had the opportunity to perform as a visual cast member for Monarch Independent Percussion in 2019.

Through his performance endeavors, Kobe was able to find a true passion for visual instruction within the marching arts. Kobe has worked with several marching ensembles including the Lumberton High School Marching Band and the Port Neches-Groves High School Marching Band, as a visual technician and choreographer. Kobe has also ventured into the indoor winter guard scene by working with ensembles such as the Lumberton High School Winter Guard as a visual technician and the Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School Winterguard as a visual designer.

Kobe is a graduate of Lamar University and served three years as the Assistant Band Director and Color Guard Director at Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas.

In his time there, Kobe coordinated all aspects of the visual caption, including drill design, technique and choreography, leading the marching band to multiple sweepstakes awards. Kobe also led the non-varsity concert band to consistent sweepstakes awards. Currently, Kobe serves as the Assistant Band Director at Waller High School in Waller, Texas. Kobe has helped lead the marching band and sub-non-varsity concert band to sweepstakes awards, as well as working with the Waller Indoor Percussion as a visual instructor.

Kobe Is incredibly excited for what’s in store for 7th Regiment in 2025!

Front Ensemble

Henry Lin

Front Ensemble Caption Manager

Henry Lin is excited to be returning for his fourth season with 7th Regiment and third season as Front Ensemble Caption Manager with the group. He looks forward to helping each member grow as musicians and as individuals during their time with the group. In addition, he strives to foster a love for drum corps and the 7th Regiment organization by putting the member experience first and foremost.

He is currently the Assistant Band Director at Morgan County High School in Madison, GA.

Henry is also a Front Ensemble technician for Q2 indoor percussion in Atlanta, GA. His previous teaching experiences include working as the assistant band director at Piney Grove Middle School in Cumming, GA. In addition he has worked as a front ensemble technician for Jersey Surf, the Assistant Percussion Coordinator for Upper St. Clair High School in Pennsylvania, the Front Ensemble Director and Arranger for Franklin Regional High School in Pennsylvania, and as a Percussion technician for Villa Rica High School

 

Catherine Smith

Front Ensemble Technician

Catherine Smith is a percussionist from Long Island, NY. She received her degree in music education from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. This will be her fourth season on the front ensemble staff at 7th Regiment and she is a proud alumnus of the corps. She is looking forward to working with the outstanding percussion staff to give the 2025 members a rich, informative experience.

Ross Bello

Front Ensemble Technician

Ross Bello is a composer, percussionist, and educator based in New York City. This will be his third season as a Front Ensemble Technician with 7th Regiment. Ross believes in the educational value of the marching arts and seeks to ensure that all participants receive a quality, well rounded education, and positive personal growth through drum corps.

Ross was involved in marching arts for 8 years and is an alumnus of 7th Regiment (2019). He also had the opportunity to perform with Spirit Winter Percussion (2019-20) and was a contracted member of Jersey Surf in 2020. Additionally, he has performed solo recitals, and worked in large and chamber ensemble formats. Notably, Ross was the 2021 Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition winner at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, performing Gillingham’s 2nd Marimba Concerto.

Ross holds a BM in Music Composition for New Media from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, with an additional degree in Music Performance, with a focus in percussion. He is currently attending the Manhattan School of Music for a MM in composition.

Yoonjae Song

Front Ensemble Technician

Yoonjae is very excited to be returning for her third season at 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician. Witnessing how much students grow throughout a season and love what they do has been the highlight of teaching here, and she is looking forward to the upcoming 2025 season.

Music has always been a part of her life. Her experience as a musician includes performance in Lincoln Center as a classical pianist (2018) and playing percussion in Tufts Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, concert band, and jazz band. In college, she performed in UMass Minuteman Marching Band (2020-2022), Marimba Band/Ensemble, and 7th Regiment (2021, 2022) where she was a co-section leader for the 2022 season. Wanting to share her love for marching art and provide meaningful experience to young musicians, she now teaches in 7th Regiment (2023, 2024) and Westford Academy Marching Band (2024).

Yoonjae studied Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and BDIC Expressive Therapy at the University of Massachusetts. Aside from working as a front ensemble instructor, she is currently working in Massachusetts General Hospital as a research technician.

Minjae Song

Front Ensemble Technician

Minjae Song was a Front Ensemble Technician at 7th Regiment for the 2023 and 2024 seasons and is excited to be returning to teach in 2025. Her previous teaching experience includes 7th Regiment Front Ensemble (2023), North Andover High School Percussion (2023), and Westford Academy Front Ensemble (2024).

Minjae is a proud alumnus of the UMass Amherst Minuteman Marching Band Drumline Pit (2020-2022) and 7th Regiment Front Ensemble (2021, 2022) being a co-section leader in the 2022 season. Other than marching band, Minjae has been part of Marimba Band/Ensemble from UMass Amherst. She graduated from Concord-Carlisle Regional High School, where she was involved in Concert Band, Jazz Band A, and Pit Orchestra. She has 15 years of musical training and experience in piano and 8 years in percussion. She performed at the Lincoln Center as a classical pianist in 2017, and she also performed at MICCA Senior District and All-State for percussion in 2018 and 2019.

Minjae studied Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and BDIC: Animal-Assisted Therapy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Aside from working as a front ensemble instructor, she is an Emergency Medical Technician at Armstrong Ambulance Service.

She loved her time with 7R and is very excited to come back to help young musicians to have a valuable and unique experience!

Jackie Javier

Front Ensemble Technician

Jackie Javier is a front ensemble educator based out of New Jersey. She is excited to return for her third season on the 7th Regiment front ensemble staff, and her fourth year with the drum corps overall. Jackie worked with the front ensemble in 2023 and 2024, and led the drum corp’s medical team in 2022.

Jackie is a proud alumnus of United Percussion (2018), Fusion Core (2018-19), the Raiders (2014), and Fair Lawn High School (2010-15). As a member of these groups, she received instruction from Dave Osworth, Lindsey Hartfelder, Andrew Monteiro, Jim Stelmach, Jamie Szeinberg, and Dan Burbank, among others. Aside from her work as a front ensemble instructor, Jackie is a cardiac nurse at Hackensack Meridian Health.

In addition to teaching at 7th Regiment, Jackie has also served as Front Ensemble Caption Head at Fair Lawn High School since 2022, and has been a member of their percussion staff since 2015. During her time on staff, the Fair Lawn marching band has won numerous best percussion awards at USBands state and national championships. Additionally, their indoor percussion ensemble (FLIP) has won A Class WGI World Championships (2017), been an Open Class WGI finalist (2019), and been promoted mid-season to WGI World Class (2023).

Michael Williams

Front Ensemble Technician

Michael Williams (he/him) is a percussionist, and music educator based out of northeastern Massachusetts. Michael’s performance credits include seasons with the University of Massachusetts Lowell Marching Band, Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps (‘19 – ’21), United Percussion (‘21), and Spartans Indoor Percussion (‘22). 

Michael is a front ensemble technician at his alma mater, Wakefield High School (MA). Formerly, Michael has also taught at North Reading High School, and Burlington High School (both MA) during their marching band and indoor percussion seasons.

Michael graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Studies. In the winter of 2022, Michael graduated with a Master’s in Music Education, also from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. At UMass Lowell, Michael was a member of the marching band, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, orchestra, and jazz combo lab, among many other ensembles. Michael studied under Jeff Fischer and Andy Fordyce.

Outside the marching arts, Michael is an elementary music teacher in Saugus, MA. 

Michael is excited to return for his second year teaching the front ensemble at 7th Regiment!

Colorguard

Alessandra Greco

Alessandra Greco

Color Guard Designer & Caption Manager

Alessandra is very excited to return to 7th Regiment in the roles of Color Guard Designer and Color Guard Caption Manager. Originally from Massachusetts, Alessandra has over 10 years of combined marching and instructing color guard experience. Throughout her color guard career, she has been a member of A, Open, and World Class WGI and DCI organizations including The Cadets, Blessed Sacrament World, The Spartans, and Salem Blue Independent. As an instructor, she has been involved with many marching ensembles as a designer, caption head, choreographer, clinician, and on technical staff. Currently, she is an ensemble visual designer and color guard caption head for South Plainfield High School in New Jersey.

Outside of the marching arts Alessandra works in the energy industry, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 

 

Brass

Battery