Jake Esterberg
Ensemble Director
Jake Esterberg (he/him) is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, holding a Bachelors of Music Education. He now serves as the Elementary Band Director in Waconia, Minnesota where he teaches 5th Grade Beginning Band at three Elementary Schools and 9th Grade Band at Waconia High School. Jake is the Ensemble Director of MBI Indoor Percussion and Corps Director of MBI Drum and Bugle Corps.
Jake’s marching experience consists of 5 years of Drum Corps (Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps, Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps, and Colts Drum and Bugle Corps), 3 years of Indoor Drumline (MBI Indoor Percussion), and 2 years of College Marching Band with the Blugold Marching Band where he served as the Drumline Captain and Percussion Arranger.
As a Marching Arts Instructor and Designer, Jake has taken a variety of roles with groups across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, including MBI Indoor Percussion (2023 WGI PIW Semi Finalist), MBI Drum and Bugle Corps (2025 DCI All-Age Finalists), Colt Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2019, 2023, 2024 DCI Open Class Finalists), River City Rhythm Winterguard (2023 WGI IA Finalist), the Blugold Marching Band, Minnetonka Marching Blue (YIM Outstanding Percussion 2A 2016, 2017, 2018), 728 Cadets/River Valley Percussion Theatre/RVWG, Big River Motion of Menomonie High School (MPA Winds Regional A Champion 2018) and Baldwin-Woodville High School (WSMA Class A Champion 2019, 2023, 2024, Outstanding Percussion 2019). Jake also currently serves on the Board of Directors for MPA.
Jake is very excited to be back with MBI to continue to grow for the 2026 season
Connor Woitte
Assistant Director
Connor began his marching career in 2011 with the Eden Prairie Marching Band. From there, he went on to perform with MBI indoor in 2016 and 2018 and the Oregon Crusaders 2018 Drum Corps as a bass drummer.
He began his teaching career with Eden Prairie HS as a drumline instructor, and ended his time at EPHS as the Visual Coordinator in 2022. He also taught Menomonie HS from 2016-2020, and continues to consult for various other drumlines in Minnesota. He began his teaching career with MBI as a bass instructor in 2019, taught the MBI Soundsport ensemble from 2019-2024, and returns for his 3rd year as Assistant Director of the Indoor Percussion Ensemble in 2026.
Connor is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Stout where he received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He currently works as a software engineer for a student information software company.
Joe Asleson
Program Coordinator / Visual Designer / Batterie Arranger
Joe has been an active marching arts educator and designer in the Twin Cities area for 19 years. Joe worked with the Eden Prairie HS drumline in several roles including Percussion Caption Head, Visual Designer, and Battery Arranger. During his time with Eden Prairie HS they were two-time Percussion Scholastic World Class finalists (2013 and 2014). Joe has served MBI Indoor in various roles since 2010 and is currently the Program Coordinator, Batterie Arranger, and Visual Designer of the ensemble.
From 2019-2023 Joe served as Battery Arranger for River City Rhythm Indoor Drumline and was Program Coordinator for the 2023 Season. Joe also worked with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps as Snare Technician and Battery Choreographer in 2012 and 2013, and has served as battery arranger and visual designer for several ensembles in the Twin Cities metro area and beyond and is currently the Battery Arranger for the Rosemount High School Marching Band.
As a performer Joe was a snare drummer for MBI, Madison Scouts, and Music City Mystique. He is a licensed Social Worker working in the field of adult mental health and resides in South Minneapolis with his wife April and three cats Buffy, Beatrice, and Ramona.
Anthony Gilleland
Front Ensemble Arranger
Anthony Gilleland is a performer and educator based out of Northern Kentucky. He is currently the Percussion Director for Ryle High School in Union, KY where he teaches percussion methods, lessons, and marching ensemble rehearsals. He also designs for many ensembles in the TriState area.
Anthony is currently on the front ensemble staff at the Mandarins. He has also been involved with groups such as Carolina Crown, The Cadets, Blue Stars, Pulse Percussion as well as the design team for George Mason University Indoor Drumline.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in percussion performance from California State University, Fullerton, and is an Educational Artist with Vic Firth and Zildjian.
Ian Ko
Visual Designer / Choreographer
Ian is a Minnesota native and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Finance and management Information Systems degree. During college, he marched various MN groups including RCR DBC, RCR Indoor Percussion, and MBI Indoor Percussion. In 2023, he moved to Ohio to finish his marching career with Matrix World for the 2024 season. After aging out, Ian has served as a music/visual educator for the NE Ohio area, working with Matrix Open, M3, and various local schools.
Aside from band, Ian grew up as a competitive dancer for 10 years at Summit Dance Shoppe in Plymouth, MN.
Ian is moving back to Minnesota Fall 2025 and is beyond excited to get the season underway!
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Tim Fairbanks
Design Consultant
Tim Fairbanks has taught at Centerville HS (OH) since 1997, and serves as the visual Designer for the marching band, winter guard, and indoor drumline, which is a consistent Scholastic World Finalist at the WGI World Championships. Centerville Indoor Drumline is the 1999 Scholastic Open Champion and 2004 WGI Scholastic World Champion. Tim designed for Rhythm X, WGI Percussion Independent World
Class Champion in 2008, 2009, 2013 and has been the Drill Designer for the Bluecoats (Canton, OH), the Blue Stars (Lacrosse, WI), and currently The
Crossmen (San Antonio, TX). He proudly endorses the products of Pearl/Adams, Evans/D’addario, Sabian Inc., and is a signature artist with ProMark. Tim has been the Vice President for WGI Sport of the Arts, serving on the WGI Board of Director’s Executive Committee, in addition to membership on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and Steering Committee. Tim is an internationally in-demand clinician, designer, arranger and adjudicator and lives in Centerville, OH with his wife Jodi, two kids, Logan and Carter, and their dog Archer.
Deryck Lawson
Batterie Coordinator
Deryck started his marching career back in 2014 with Burnsville HS, from there, he graduated in 2015 and went on to march with groups such as the Govenaires and River City Rhythm over the next few years until finally aging out with Matrix in 2019.
Deryck is looking forward to year 7 with MBI Indoor Percussion and couldn’t be more excited to get the season underway.
Austin Collins
Batterie Coordinator
Austin Collins is a percussion educator based in the Twin Cities, Minnesota where he lives with his partner and their two miniature dachshunds. Austin’s marching background includes Seattle Cascades (2014-2016), Dark Sky Percussion (2017), POW Percussion (2018), The Cavaliers (2018-2019), Pulse Percussion (2019-2020), and the Minnesota Vikings Skol Line.
Austin has been teaching various high schools in Washington and Minnesota since 2018 and has taught quads at Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps in 2020-2021, Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps 2023-2024, and is currently on staff at the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. He also taught visual at Santa Clara Vanguard 2022. Outside of teaching drum lines and private percussion lessons, Austin is a certified Radiologic Technologist at Southdale Hospital.
Austin is beyond excited to be a member of the team of undeniable educators and is looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience of excellence and comradery for the members involved as well as a lasting legacy for the Minnesota Brass program.
Alex St. Clair
Front Ensemble Coordinator
Alex St. Clair started his marching career at El Dorado High School Marching Band in 2010 on baritone saxophone. In 2012, he transferred to South St. Paul Secondary and very quickly found a home in their winter drumline with the front ensemble. He has since marched in the front ensemble at MBI Indoor (2014-2017), Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps (2014-2017), and Minnesota Brass Sound Sport (2018-2019). The MBI organization has supported and shaped Alex into the hard-working and passionate educator he is now. Since 2018, he has been teaching the front ensemble at MBI Indoor and hopes to give back the same way his instructors did for him. Alex is also the front ensemble coordinator and arranger at South St. Paul Drumline where he’s been since 2014, the front ensemble coordinator and arranger for the Andover High School Marching Band since 2014, and a Front Ensemble Instructor at Irondale High School since 2020.
Emalee Judeh
Front Ensemble Coordinator
Emalee is a Twin Cities resident born and raised where she began her marching career at Eagan High School. She found a strong passion for the marching arts that led her to an early performing career as a member with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps. After high school, Emalee moved to Southern California and was a member of Pulse Percussion as well as the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. Emalee’s teaching career would begin at POW Percussion in Southern California and she eventually moved back to Minnesota to teach at Rosemount High School, and MBI Indoor. Emalee is currently residing in Eagan with her longtime partner Austin, their two dogs Bruce and Teddy, and is excited to be back again for another amazing season.
Justin Mons
Visual Coordinator
Justin is an Arizona native, and has been involved in the marching arts for 16 years as an instructor, adjudicator, and visual designer. After marching 7 years at The Arizona Academy, he joined the visual staff at the Mandarins. Justin served the Mandarins as a field tech in 2013, Assistant Visual Caption Head ’14-’16, and ‘17-22 returned back to a lead field tech position. Justin also spent a part of the 2015 summer on visual staff for the Academy. Most recently in the 2024 season, Justin was on the visual staff for the Blue Knights, and was the Drill Designer for the All Age Class A champions, Govenaires.
In the world of indoor percussion, Justin served as Visual Caption Head and was a designer for Vision Percussion 2017-2020. During his time with Vision he helped them grow from Independent A to Independent Open, and became WGI San Bernadino regional Finalists in both the A and Open. During his time with Vision, they also took Winter Guard Arizona (WGAZ) gold in A class 2016, Open class ’17, ’19 and silver in Open ’18. Justin has also been a visual analysis judge for the WGAZ circuit from 2018-2020 and MPA from 2021-2024
During the fall Justin has worked with multiple medalist and championship groups in Arizona, Minnesota, and the Houston/Katy Texas areas. These groups include Corona Del Sol HS (Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA)) medalists and BOA regional Finalist), Basha HS (ABODA Finalist and WGAZ medalist), Millennium HS (ABODA finalist), Vista Grande HS (WGAZ medalist), and Gilbert HS (ABODA state champions). James E. Taylor and Clear Creek High Schools in TX, and Hutchinson and Eastview High Schools in MN.
Justin will soon be completing his BA in Organizational Leadership (Project Management) from Arizona State University. In his off time he enjoys attending Twins and Vikings games, musicals, and any theater production his partner Mandy Rae is directing. He is thrilled to continue his journey with MBI Indoor!
Joe Jaeger
Batterie Consultant
Joe has been an active music educator and performer throughout the Twin Cities area since 2009. He has experience instructing, arranging, and directing for marching band and indoor percussion at Rosemount HS, Eden Prairie HS, 728 Cadets, River Valley Percussion Theatre, and many more. At the independent level, Joe has found a home at Minnesota Brass, consistently working as a snare tech and battery coordinator for the summer and winter ensembles. He has also worked as a snare technician with the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps, and the percussion caption head with Chops Drum and Bugle Corps.
Joe studied music at Normandale Community College, and finished his music education degree at the University of Minnesota. Currently, he is the middle school band director and elementary music teacher at Prairie View Elementary and Middle School in Otsego, MN.
Joe’s marching experience includes 6 years of Drum Corps and 4 years of indoor percussion: Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps (2009-2010, 2013, 2016), Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (2011-2012), MBI Indoor Percussion (2010-2013). Other professional performance experiences include the Minnesota Vikings Skol Line, and various rock, funk, hip-hop, and jazz groups around the area.
Vlad Boz
Batterie Instructor
Vlad is a proud alumnus of South St. Paul High School, where he participated in the marching band and indoor drumline 1997–2002. He also marched with the Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps (2001–2002), the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2004–2006), and the Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps (2003, 2007–2008). He has been teaching South St. Paul High School since 2009, Rosemount High School since 2011 and Minnesota Brass since 2010, in addition to having taught several other local groups in the past. And he’s been president of the Minnesota Percussion Association since 2015. Vlad has a degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and works in marketing and communications. In his spare time, he enjoys petting strangers’ dogs and writing his bio.
Marisa Goffman
Front Ensemble Instructor
Coming from a musical family, Marisa has been reading sheet music since the 2nd grade. In high school she found the marching arts and immediately fell in love. Her Marching Career includes Eagan High School drumline, Crossroads Percussion, River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps, Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps, and George Mason University. Marisa also helps teach the Front Ensemble at Eden Prairie High School. Outside of music, Marisa loves to get cozy with a good book, train on the Taekwondo mats, and eat all the carbs available. She’s excited to continue her teaching journey this winter!
Jack Gillie
Batterie Instructor
Jack Gillie, hailing from New Brighton, Minnesota, began his journey with the drumline at Irondale High School, where he graduated in 2017. His dedication to marching arts took him to the River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps, where he performed in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, he marched with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as joining the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2020 season. In addition to his experience with drum corps, Jack dedicated four seasons to MBI Indoor Percussion (2018-2022). Additionally, Jack expanded his performance experience by spending two years with the Minnesota Vikings Skol Line.
Beyond performing, Jack is passionate about education. He began teaching marching percussion at Rosemount High School as a snare instructor in 2018. He has also worked with various other schools, including Irondale, St. Francis, and Brandon Valley High Schools. In 2023, Jack served as a snare instructor at MBI, and he is excited to be back for the 2026 season.
Currently, Jack is a student at Metropolitain State University, where he studies Computer Science.
Jack Weber
Batterie Instructor
Jack Weber started his marching career at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in 2017 and was in Marching Band and Indoor Drumline until graduating in 2021. Jack went on to spend his summers at River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps (2021 – 2022), The Academy (2023), and Carolina Crown (2024). He spent all of his winters from 2022 – 2025 with MBI Indoor as well as the 2025 summer with the MBI All-Age Corps.
Jack has also taught the Sauk Rapids High School Marching band this past season.
Isaac Steffen
Batterie Instructor
Isaac started his marching career at Farmington High School (2015-2018). He then went on to do Chops Drum and Bugle Corps (2016, 2018), Chops Percussion Indoor (2016-2017), Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps and Soundsport (2017, 2019, 2023), MBI Indoor Percussion (2019-2022), The Cadets (2021-2022), and Rhythm X (2023). He has also been the bass tech at Eden Prairie High School since 2019.
Aside from Band, Isaac likes to play video games, hang out with friends, cook tasty food, and pet his cat, Nathan. He is very excited for this upcoming season, and can’t wait to clean some beats!
Jonah Kandikatla
Batterie Instructor
Jonah was a member of the bass drum section at the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps (2021), Minnesota Brass Indoor Drumline (2022), Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (2022-2023), and Rhythm X (2023-2025).
Ben Linser
Batterie Instructor
Ben Linser is from New Brighton, MN, where he went to Irondale High School. While there, he participated in fall marching band and winter drumline. After graduating high school, he went to the University of North Dakota and graduated with a degree in computer science. In college, Ben marched cymbals with River City Rhythm, Minnesota Brass Indoor, Oregon Crusaders, and Cap City Percussion.
Since aging out and graduating college, Ben now works as a software developer in Minneapolis and lives in the metro with his wife, Emma, and two cats, Jynx and Claire. His prior teaching experience includes Irondale High School, Eden Prairie High School, the UND Marching Band, River City Rhythm Drum Corps and Indoor Drumline, and MBI indoor. Ben is excited to be back with MBI again this winter for the 2026 season!
Lindsey Preston
Batterie Instructor
Lindsey started her marching career at Irondale High school where she marched from 2016-2020. Since then, she has gone on to march Cymbals at MBI from 2022-2024 and at Music City Mystique for her-age out in 2025. In the past, Lindsey has taught Cymbal Lines at Irondale High School, River Valley Percussion Theatre, and the 728 Cadets. She is excited to start teaching at MBI this season!
