WCHS Director of Instrumental Music
Brendan Kaiser is a native of Joliet, Illinois. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Following his semester of student teaching at WCHS under Joel Good, he served as Visual Caption Head for The Force during the summer of 2022, and became the successor to Mr. Good in the fall of 2022.
Driver Middle School Director of Bands, Assistant Band Director WCHS:
Rebecca Cloud is the head director of Driver Middle School Bands. She earned her Batchelor's Degree in Music Education from Ball State. She began her career in the Jay County school system before making the move to Driver Middle School in 2020.
She works primarily with the middle school band but is also heavily involved in the high school concert band, jazz band, pep band and marching band where she takes on the role of assistant director.
Color Guard Director:
Hello! My name is Gail Olsen, and I will be teaching the color guard this summer! I started my guard career at Northwestern High School, before going on to spin independent. I have been with Pioneer, Troopers, The Cadets, Cap City Percussion, and Onyx. I also taught at Noblesville High School before they moved to ISSMA, and Lewis Cass with their indoor winds program. I’m very excited for this season and can’t wait to start!
Color Guard Staff:
Hello, my name is Ally Goelz.This season I will be working with the color guard. I am from Northwest Indiana where I have spent this past school year teaching 1st Grade. I marched 6 years of DCI. I marched Pioneer in 2015 and then Troopers from 2016-2021 where I aged out at Guard Commander. I am super excited to be working with Winchester Color Guard and can’t wait to see what The Force will bring!
Guard Staff
My name is Riley McKissick. I live in Winchester, IN and work at Knapp Supply in Muncie, IN. I started to become familiar with The Force when my sisters marched. I was only 9 years old helping with props, pushing the drum major stands out with my dad, and picking up flags at the end of the show. I started marching with The Force guard in 2015 and became a Force Alumni in 2020. I was one of the two seniors in our 2020 winter guard show to have our season cancelled on us before it was over, so then I decided to come back and help. I was assistant director for the guard from 2021 to 2023. This summer, I will be assisting with the guard
Brass Staff
Hello, I am Ben Schepers. I earned my Music Education degree from Indiana State University in 2012. I served as the Director of Driver Middle School Bands from 2012-2020. I now have my own private studio of (mostly) brass students. I will primarily be working with the brass students in sectionals this summer.
Percussion Director:
Visual/Drum Staff:
Please welcome our drumline instructor Jacob Motz! Finding his start with piano lessons at age 5, The small-town Ohioan has been involved instrumentally and vocally throughout his education and is now an arising senior music ed major at Ball State University. A firm believer that a teacher is only as good as their person, he has invested strongly in himself and his college community, performing with the Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Choir, Cardinal Chorus, and New Music Ensemble. Last March, Motz was featured with the Symphony Orchestra playing Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto! He brings these experiences to his teaching and is excited to be with The Force this summer!
WCHS/DMS Choir Director/ Pit instructor:
I am Rylan Hurd and this is my first semester teaching. I am the Choir/Musical Director for WCHS and DMS. Although I am primarily a singer I was first a percussionist. I graduated with a Musical Education K-12 General Emphasis as a vocal primary and percussion secondary. I'll be working with the pit percussion this summer.
Visual/Brass Staff:
I’m a senior in music Education at Anderson University, I’ve marched 4 years of Drum Corps, 3 of those years being with Carolina Crown, and this is my second year teaching summer marching band in the state of Indiana!
Visual/Brass Staff:
Zach Francis - BME from Ball State University Class of '22. Elementary School Music Teacher at Aurora Elementary School in Aurora, Indiana. Assistant Band Director at South Dearborn High School. Director of the Award-Winning South Dearborn Show Choir Combo Band. Cavaliers 19-21.
Visual/Woodwind Staff:
Jacob Czelusta is a saxophonist going into his senior year at Ball State University getting a degree in music education. He was a member of his high school marching band as well as Cincinnati Tradition Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps. This past year, he was also the tenor saxophonist in Ball State's Wind Ensemble, as well as saxophone section leader in the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band. Currently, Jacob works as venue staff at Pruis Hall and Emens Auditorium on Ball State's campus and is looking forward to completing his degree and graduating.