Meet the
Clinicians and Judges

Ward Miller earned his bachelors of music education from Auburn University in 2001. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2003 with a masters in Trombone Performance. He accepted a graduate teaching assistantship at The University of Iowa, where he studied with Dr. Myron Welch in Band Conducting, earning his D.M.A. in Band Conducting. Dr. Miller’s marching band arrangements have been performed at competitions, including in Bands of America regionals, by high schools and colleges across the country, as well as the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. From 2018-2023, Dr. Miller served as the Education Director for Youth in Music, a Minneapolis- based nonprofit organization that hosts marching band events and clinics throughout the upper Midwest. His arrangement of "Campus Clash" is the main title music for the popular EA Sports video game "College Football 2026," and his arrangements were selected as the winners in the inaugural Metallica "For Whom the Band Tolls" competition in the collegiate division.  From 2015 through 2019, Dr. Miller served as the Brass Caption Head for the World Class Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps of La Crosse, WI. He has also served as the Brass Arranger and an instructional consultant for Minnesota Brass, the Louisiana Stars, the Govenaires, and River City Rhythm. He co-authored a textbook with Dr. Cathryn Foster entitled "Developing Error Detection Skills in the Wind Band Educator," published by GIA Publications. He currently resides in Minneapolis, MN.

Christopher Allen is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, and a graduate of the University of South Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master's Certificate in Horn Performance. An accomplished performer, he has been a member of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and has performed with The Florida Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, and the Venice Symphony.

Mr. Allen serves as Orchestra Director at Newsome High School in Lithia, Florida, where his ensembles have earned consistent recognition for musical excellence. He is also Conductor of the Sarasota Youth Symphony with Sarasota Orchestra, mentoring the next generation of musicians. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA), and the Florida Orchestra Association (FOA).

With more than 25 years of Drum Corps International experience, Mr. Allen performed with The Cadets before joining its instructional staff. He served as Brass Caption Head for the Glassmen (1997–2003) and Boston Crusaders (2005), was a brass staff member with the Bluecoats (2012–2013), Brass Ensemble Consultant for the Blue Stars (2014–2018), and returned to The Cadets' brass faculty (2021–2023). He currently serves on the brass staff of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, helping develop elite brass performers at the highest level.

Matt Ferry is a percussionist, music educator, composer, and nonprofit leader from Minneapolis, MN. Matt has spent the past twenty years helping teachers adopt digital curriculum and creativity tools through his work at MakeMusic, Edmentum, K12, and MusicProdigy. In addition to his work in educational technology, Matt has been a sought-after percussion educator, arranger, and technology consultant for marching bands, drum corps, percussion ensembles, and indoor percussion for over 25 years. Since 1999, Matt has composed and arranged music for hundreds of live performance projects for dance, percussion, marching band, and color guard ensembles. In 2025 Matt was named to the MPA Hall of Fame for his work as an educator, designer, circuit board member, contest administrator, and head judge. 

Matt is currently the West Coast Education Manager for MusicFirst where he helps districts and teachers create custom software packages, curriculum, and professional development to help expand creativity and student performance skills. Additionally, Matt serves as the Board President and Designer for Invictus Color Guard from Austin, TX, and is the Co-Head Judge for the MPA Circuit. 

Nick Hansberry teaches band and music courses at Waconia High School in Waconia, MN and has been a member of the department since 2021.  During the school day, Nick sees 4 curricular bands and has taught courses in music theory as well as music appreciation.  Outside of the day, he directs two of the high school jazz bands, the pep band, the fall musical pit and the Waconia High School Marching Band.

In addition to his curricular responsibilities, Nick also is the current Music Director for the Minnesota Valley Community Band, an adult community band based out of the Chaska/Chanhassen area and is a member of the Minnesota Junior Winds-South artistic staff as leader of the Intermediate group as of 2026.

A strong advocate for the marching arts, Nick has served on various marching band and drum corps staff throughout the years most recently on the visual staff of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle corps based out of Denver, CO. In addition to teaching marching bands, Nick has also served as an adjudicator, designer, and consultant throughout Wisconsin and the Twin Cities area.

A native of Iowa, since 2022, Brandt is the band director at Hoyt and Hiatt Middle Schools for the Des Moines Public Schools. Payne began his teaching career as a high school band director in the Red Oak Public Schools in Red Oak, Iowa. Dr. Payne holds a Bachelor of Music degree in trombone performance and teacher certification from the University of Iowa, a Master of Music degree in trombone performance and, Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting, both from Arizona State University, in Tempe.

For seventeen years Brandt held academic appointments as associate director of bands and applied trombone professor at different universities across the United States. Dr. Payne has taught on the faculties of the University of Wyoming and Hawai’i, Youngstown State University, and most recently for one year as a sabbatical replacement at Drake University.

Dr. Payne is active as an author, guest conductor, and clinician. Brandt co-authored the new editions of two textbooks, including the Complete Marching Band Resource Manual, with University of Pennsylvania Press and Conducting; the Art of Communication with Oxford University Press. Brandt has given presentations at the national conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and the CBDNA National Athletic Band Symposium.

Tamara Schmidt, is from Rice, MN & graduated from St Cloud State University with degrees in Operations Management, Marketing, & Human Relations. She currently works as the Business Manager for Complete Grain Systems. 

Tamara marched in Boston Crusaders Drum Corps, MN Brass & Heritage Winter Guard. 

She has taught numerous teams, most notably West Broward High School in Florida. There, she was the color guard classroom teacher for over 100 guard students & played a major role in all guard activities. While in Mn, she directed several different teams. She has been highly active in consulting or choreographing throughout the area. She has been elected to the North Star Color Guard Circuit board of directors repeatedly.

Since having kids, she transitioned into adjudication to stay involved in the activity. She feels the contributions she can make in the activity are very relevant and works hard to make judges feedback accessible to all educators. In 2025, she became Director of Education for the North Star Circuit.  Also in 2025, she started an organization called UMMARCH to allow a space for further collaboration among the marching arts activities in the upper Midwest.

She feels the best part of this activity is the impact on the youth & believes this activity is about life lessons that can be taught through hard work, dedication, accountability, & teamwork. She holds herself to a high standard of driving success through a positive environment filled with information & learning.

Phil Snyder teaches band for the Waconia School District in Waconia, MN. He directs and co-directors curricular middle school bands, high school jazz band, middle school jazz bands, middle school pep band, and The Waconia High School Marching Band. Phil has served the Waconia school district since 2012 and has directed ensembles at every level of the program. In 2022 he was named the ASBDA young band director of the year for the state of Minnesota.

Mr. Snyder is an active adjudicator with Minnesota State High School League, Wisconsin School Music Association Tri-State judging, USBands, Illinois, Iowa, and Western Bands Association.

Phil holds a Masters in music education from Northern State University, a bachelors in music education from the University of Minnesota, and a trumpet performance degree from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Phil maintains a full professional schedule as a guest clinician, adjudicator, trumpet player, jazz educator and marching band drill designer. He has written more than 250 shows for marching bands across the country. Bands that have used his drill designs are responsible for 18 state championships and numerous sweepstakes awards.

Ronald Stary is a highly respected instrumental music educator with 35 years of experience. He recently retired as Director of the Brookings High School Band, where he cultivated a program of exceptional quality. Under his leadership, the band consistently achieved finalist status at the Festival of Bands USA and earned top rankings in regional jazz competitions.

His career includes notable recognition, such as being named one of School Band and Orchestra magazine’s "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" in 2023. Mr. Stary’s commitment to the field is evidenced by his participation in the "Saluting America’s Band Directors" in the 2022 and 2026 Rose Parades, as well as the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He has also received the 2019 School B.E.S.T. Award and the 2018 VFW Teacher of the Year Award.

Currently, Mr. Stary serves as an active judge, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the region. In the 2025-2026 school year, he adjudicated competitions and clinics across Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota, and served as a guest conductor for events like the Willmar Jazz Festival and East Central Honor Band festival. He is a member of the South Dakota Bandmasters Association, SDMEA, and Phi Beta Mu.

For more details on his career and upcoming engagements, please visit his website.

Gary Swanson has been an educator, visual designer, and adjudicator in the marching arts for more than 40 years. Recognized for his innovative visual design and commitment to excellence, he has inspired performers and educators throughout the Midwest and across the United States.

From 1990–2021, Gary served as Visual Director and Color Guard Instructor for the Irondale High School Marching Band and Color Guards in Minnesota. During his tenure, the program earned 26 Minnesota State Winter Guard Championships, multiple Winter Guard International (WGI) Scholastic Finalist appearances, and the 2002 WGI Scholastic Open Class World Championship.

Gary also served as a visual designer and instructor with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps and Minnesota Brass, Inc. Career highlights include helping guide the Blue Stars' return to World Class competition and contributing to Minnesota Brass's Drum Corps Associates National Championship.

Currently, Gary serves as Chief Judge for the North Star Color Guard Circuit and remains active as an adjudicator, clinician, consultant, choreographer, and visual designer for marching bands and color guards nationwide. He was inducted into the North Star Color Guard Circuit Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Minnesota Youth in Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel Design from the University of Minnesota and is a member of the visual staff at Mounds View High School. He lives in Minneapolis.

Brent Turner, M.Ed, is a clinician and adjudicator in the upper Midwest.  He has written drill for drum corps, high school marching band and colleges since 1990.  His teaching experiences include The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, many high school band programs, UWRF, NDSU Goldstar Marching Band, and The University of Minnesota Marching Band.  Brent has judged in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and Minnesota as a visual judge for marching band as well as judging MPA winter drumlines and Northstar winter colorguards.

He continues his public music advocacy through his Youth In Music organization (www.youthinmusic.org), which sponsors scholarships, clinics, band camps and an Upper Midwest Championships.  October 10, 2026 will mark the 22nd year of competition and we’ll be performing in the Minnesota Vikings Home at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Brent Turner taught at Eden Prairie High School in Minnesota for 12 years and currently is a sales representative for American Accessories for Band. He currently lives in Apple Valley, MN with his wife, Karen, and continues to play his trumpet and conduct local ensembles for community and church events.

Since 2001 Jordan Warfield has been involved in the marching arts as an instructor, adjudicator and clinician throughout the country.  He is a former marching member (2001-04) and visual instructor (2010-15) with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.  His other drum corps affiliations include: The Blue Stars, Minnesota Brass Inc, The Govenaires and River City Rhythm.   Jordan has been an instructor for several prominent high school programs including: The Irondale High School Marching Knights, The Eastview High School Marching Band and The Blue Springs Golden Regiment.   Jordan also works alongside Dr. Tammy Fischer and the UW-LaCrosse Screaming Eagle Marching Band as a marching clinician.  Currently, he performs with the Medalist Concert Band in Bloomington, MN where he is also a board member and assists with the annual Summer Youth Band Camp.   Previously,  he worked as an educational sales representative at Groth Music where he provided weekly service to over 200 music educators in the metro and greater MN area.  From 2013-2016 Jordan adjudicated under USBANDS, a national marching contest circuit serving on state, regional and national championship panels.  Jordan is a newly appointed judge with Tri-State Judging and the MPA Circuit (formally known as the Minnesota Percussion Association).  He resides in Shakopee, MN with his wife Jennifer and their daughter Ella.

Barry Dvorak recently retired after fifteen years, acting as drumline instructor for the University of Northern Iowa. Mr. Dvorak maintains a private percussion studio, has performed with area symphony orchestras, and is an adjudicator for All-State auditions and IHSMA State Solo/ Ensemble Festivals. He also performs with the Cedar Falls Municipal Band (since 1996), Musica Ficta Brass Ensemble, and Transformation Worship Band at First United Methodist Church. In addition, he is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and acted as secretary of the Iowa Chapter from 2008-2012.

Ryan Hoagland is a Musician and Music Educator currently residing in Eastern Iowa. He has taught private lessons, percussion ensembles, and drum lines throughout the state as well as adjudicated for IHSMA and the Iowa Indoor Marching Arts Circuit. As a performer, he's performed both nationally and internationally with the Broadway show Jekyll and Hyde, Megan Hilty, and a variety of other musical groups. Ryan proudly endorses Sabian Cymbals. 

Matt Hoskins received his bachelor's degree from Iowa State University.  Currently, he is the band director at Weeks Middle School in the Des Moines Public School District and also serves as the drumline/frontline instructor for Johnston High School.  With over 15 years of experience, Matt has spent most of his teaching career working with drumlines/frontlines with multiple bands in central Iowa including: Ogden, Des Moines Lincoln, West Marshall, Indianola, Knoxville, Pella, Southeast Polk, and Urbandale. His drumlines have received the caption award for “Best Drumline” at multiple competitions.

Matt started his college career at the University of Northern Iowa where he marched in the drumline and was a member of the UNI Wind Ensemble. After transferring to Iowa State, he was a member of the symphonic band, the wind ensemble, and played in multiple groups in the percussion studio. A native of Storm Lake, Iowa, Matt currently resides in Altoona with his wife, Jackie, a Speech-Language Pathologist for Heartland AEA, and his three children, Landon, Carter, and Bennett.

Rebekah (Bekah) Salas brings a diverse background in color guard, dance, and performance, with roots in the Pacific Northwest. She began teaching in 2002 at her alma mater before expanding her experience to numerous middle school and high school programs throughout Washington’s Puget Sound region. During this time, she also performed with the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps, Full Circle of the Sound, and Rhapsody Winterguard, experiences that helped shape her philosophy as both an educator and performer.

In 2014, Bekah relocated to Minnesota and, after taking a brief hiatus from teaching, returned to the pageantry arts. Since then, she has had the privilege of teaching and directing programs throughout the Midwest, working with performers of all ages and experience levels. Her instructional philosophy is rooted in the belief that excellence is built through consistency, trust, and a supportive learning environment.

Bekah has dedicated much of her time in Minnesota to River City Rhythm, where she currently serves as the Director of Winter Guards. She takes great pride in helping create an environment where every member feels valued, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Outside of the pageantry arts, Bekah enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and finding inspiration through new experiences.

Elie Wendinger began her color guard journey with the Mankato 77 Lancers, where she performed for five summer seasons from 2018–2022 and was also a member of the Lancers Winter Guard from 2017–2023. During her collegiate career, she performed with the Minnesota State Maverick Machine Athletic Band color guard in 2021, further expanding her performance experience.

Elie currently performs with the Madison Scouts, where she has been a member for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 seasons. Throughout her marching career, she has developed a strong passion for performance, teamwork, and artistic excellence.

In addition to performing, Elie joined the instructional staff for the Mankato 77 Lancers Color Guard in 2025, where she enjoys helping the next generation of performers grow in both skill and confidence.

As her career continues, Elie is excited to remain involved in the color guard community beyond performance by creating choreography, teaching visual design, and clinicing bands. She looks forward to giving back to the activity that has had such a meaningful impact on her life while inspiring performers to reach their full potential.