Staff

Michael James  

Design & Choreographer

Michael James, born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, graduated from the University of South Florida where he received a BA for Modern Dance Performance.  After college, he performed in the American Stage Company’s “Shakespeare in the Park” Series for five seasons, as well as danced and choreographed for the Children’s Theater Tour. Michael was a scholarship student at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Beckett, Massachusetts, where he studied under Linda Kent and Carolyn Adams. He also danced with The Men Dancers of Jacob’s Pillow International Touring Company, which allowed him to dance and teach in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was also a member of The Repertory Dance Theatre of Utah. As a color guard designer and choreographer, he is currently working with Oviedo HS (SO), McNeil HS (SO), Sunlake HS (2018 Sch. A Silver Medalist) & ( 2022 Sch. Open Bronze Medalist), University of South Florida WG (2018 IA Finalist & 2022 Ind. Open Champion), Santa Clara Vanguard, Phantom Regiment, Madison Scouts, Crossmen, Lowndes HS, Union HS, and Windemere HS. He has worked with University HS - FL, Timber Creek HS - FL, Cypress Creek HS - FL, Seminole HS - FL, Tarpon Springs HS - FL, The Company Winter Colour Guard, Kennesaw Mountain HS (GA), Miamisburg HS (OH), Pope HS (GA), Center Grove HS (IN), and Northmont HS (OH). He’s also been on staff with The Cavaliers, Carolina Crown, The Cadets, Crossmen, and The Magic of Orlando. Michael’s choreography has also been viewed at Pleasure Island with the Pleasure Island Explosion Dancers, University of Central Florida’s Starlet Knights Danceline, Oracle Performance Ensemble, University of South Florida’s Herd of Thunder and winter guard, 1999’s Orlando Fringe Festival, and numerous other high schools and colleges around the country.

Elsa  Ralston

Head Junior Varsity Coach

Elsa Ralston is a current Winona State University student working on her Bachelor’s of Science and Nursing.  She has prior experience with the Irondale Winter Guard from ‘17-‘23 and Irondale Marching Band in ‘21 and ‘22, as well as various ballet, jazz, and stylistic dance classes.  This is her second year with The La Crosse Stars organization but her first year as the head coach for the Junior Varsity team.

Jason Harden

Director & Founder

Jason Harden is a band director at La Crosse Central High School and the La Crosse Polytehnic School with the School District of La Crosse.  His prior teaching experiences include Haines City High School (FL), Daniel Jenkings Academy (FL), and Lincoln Middle School of La Crosse.  His experiences with the marching arts has included performing with Suncoast Sound, Magic of Orlando, the University of Central Florida Marching Knights, as well as teaching various marching bands and drums corps over the years.  

Jason Harden currently volunteers for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (La Crosse, WI), serves on the board of directors for the River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps (Anoka, MN), as well as being a board member-at-large for the North Star Circuit - Color Guard Circuit of the Upper Mid-West.