2027 Leadership Team
Connor Woitte – Ensemble Director
Connor Woite 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. In recent years, Connor has grown to support MBI as assistant director for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
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. Connor is enthusiastic for the season ahead as he steps into the ensemble director role!
Jake Esterberg – Administrative Director
Jake Esterberg 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 supporting as the administrative director for the 2027 season!
Nina Gruys – Leadership and Culture Administrator
Nina Gruys has marched in a handful of organizations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, most recently aging out with MBI Indoor Percussion in 2026 on the bass drum. The last 2 years she was given the opportunity to lead seminars on Women in Percussion and Leadership at ‘Day of Percussion’, put on by the Minnesota Percussion Association (MPA). She has a degree in Human Resources Management and Business Communications and works closely in employee relations and recruiting.
Nina is excited to join the MBI team in 2027, and aims to apply her educational and professional experience into the development of the membership experience at MBI.
Michael Finney – Program Developer
Michael Finney is a St. Paul-based program development consultant and marching arts educator with more than 15 years of success in building and empowering Minnesota communities through music education. Michael got his start in the marching arts through highly competitive programs at Coon Rapids HS, from which he gained the skills needed to march five years with MBI Drum Corps and MBI Indoor Percussion, as well as spending a partial season with the world-class ‘Academy’ Drum Corps. Following his performing years, Michael served both MBI, Chops, Inc., and scholastic programs around Minnesota as an instruction team member and program developer while pursuing a leadership career in disability services.
Leveraging his extensive background in education, disability services, and program development. Michael is excited to transition from his role as executive director to focus more directly on in-need projects and development initiatives for the 2027 season.
2027 Design Team
Joe Asleson – Program Coordinator/Visual Designer/Batterie Arranger
Joe Asleson 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/Sound Design
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 Tri-State 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.
Anthony 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 – Choreographer/Visual Design
Ian Ko 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.
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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).
Tim 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 Directors’ 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.
2027 Front Ensemble Team
Emalee Judeh – Front Ensemble Coordinator
Emalee Judeh 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, MBI Indoor, and MBI Drum and Bugle Corps. Emalee is currently residing in Eagan with her longtime partner Austin, their two dogs Bruce and Teddy, and is excited to continue with MBI Indoor Percussion for the 2027 season!
Andy Nguyen – Instructor
Andy Nguyen is a percussionist from Anoka, MN. He is a front ensemble instructor for the Rosemount High School Marching Band, and for the MBI Drum and Bugle Corps.
As a performer, Andy marched with the River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps (2022) and the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2023-2025). In WGI, he performed with River City Rhythm indoor percussion (2019-2024), MBI indoor percussion (2025), and Music City Mystique (2026).
Outside of the marching arts, Andy enjoys solving puzzles and is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota. Andy is excited to join the indoor percussion staff and to start the season!”
Sierra Appleby – Instructor
Sierra Applyby is a San Jose California native who moved to Reno, Nevada to pursue a degree in Music Performance. After earning her degree, she spent the next 3 years in the Reno/Sparks area focusing on teaching percussion. She taught a range of ages and genres including marching and classical percussion, most notably working with the Pride of the Sierra Wolf Pack Marching Band. Sierra also had the privilege of playing drum set in an all women’s jazz band named Sapphire Jazz. After her time away from academia, Sierra chose to further pursue her education in music. She was admitted into the music program at the University of Minnesota,Twin Cities and is working towards her Masters in Music Performance.
While in the Twin Cities, Sierra has had the opportunity to work with the Lakeville Area Percussion indoor group as well as MBI Drums and Bugle Corps.
Sophie Seegar – Instructor
Sophie Seegar grew up in Farmington, Minnesota, and started performing in the Farmington Tiger Marching Band in 2015. After graduating, Sophie went to Minnesota State University Mankato, where she got a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and participated in the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and continued marching with the Maverick Machine for three seasons. She continued her marching career, marching with MBI indoor percussion for two seasons, aging out in 2025.
Sophie has taught with multiple ensembles such as the Farmington Tiger Marching Band, Rosemount High School Marching Band, Lakeville Area Percussion, MBI Drum and Bugle Corps and is excited to be joining the MBI Indoor Percussion team for the 2027 season! Sophie is currently in her third year teaching Elementary Music in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Jackson Weinberg – Instructor
Jackson Weinberg grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He started marching with chops from a young age and would complete 5 seasons with them before continuing onto Minnesota brass, where he marched 9 seasons with their multiple ensembles, before aging out with the Colts drum and Bugle Corps in 2024. Outside of the marching arts, Jackson received a formal education in orchestral percussion and has led multiple local bands in varying genres and styles from jazz to metal.
Jackson now owns RedEyeExteriorCleaning.com, where he provides exterior cleaning services with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and community development.
2027 Batterie Ensemble Team
Austin Collins – 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.
Jack Weber – Snareline
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.
Following his age out, Jack joined the MBI Indoor Percussion instruction team while teaching with the Sauk Rapids HS marching arts programs. Jack is excited to continue his growth with MBI for the 2027 season!
Joe Jaeger – Snareline
Joe Jaeger has been a music educator, performer, and arranger in the Twin Cities area since 2009, teaching students of all levels from elementary school through adulthood. Since 2019, he has served as the band director at Prairie View Middle School in Otsego, Minnesota. During his tenure at Prairie View, he has fostered the band program’s growth from under 200 students to over 300 students. In addition to teaching at Prairie View, Joe proudly directs the 728 Cadets, an elite, district-wide high school marching arts program encompassing summer marching band, winter drumline, winter winds, and winter colorguard. Widely recognized as one of Minnesota’s premier marching organizations, the program has secured numerous Grand Champion titles and regularly contends for finalist spots at the WGI World Championships.
Joe’s marching career includes four years on snare drum with the Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps and Indoor Drumline, and two years with the Blue Stars. Leveraging this world-class performance background, he has served as an instructor and designer for numerous programs including Rosemount High School, Eden Prairie High School, Minnesota Brass, and the Seattle Cascades. In 2024 he was named the 2024 Minnesota Percussion Association Instructor of the Year.
His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Minnesota, an Associate of Fine Arts in Music from Normandale Community College, and a Master of Music Education degree from the American Band College of Central Washington University.
Outside of the classroom, Joe enjoys snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains and fishing on the tranquil lakes of northern Minnesota. He also stays active as a performer, playing snare drum with the Minnesota Vikings Skol Line and drum set for The Clash Minne Rockers, a local tribute band dedicated to The Clash.
Evan Myrdahl – Snareline
Evan Myrdahl is an Eden Prairie, Minnesota native and a graduate of the University of Minnesota, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Data Science. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota. Throughout his marching career, Evan performed with the Madison Scouts (2022), Minnesota Brass Indoor (2023, 2024), Carolina Crown (2023, 2024), Bluecoats (2025), and moved to Southern California for two spring semesters to march with Broken City Percussion (2025, 2026).
As an educator, Evan has taught and designed for programs throughout the Twin Cities area and beyond, including Eden Prairie High School, Buffalo High School, and Tarpon Springs High School in Florida.
Ike Wiitala – Tenorline
Ike Wiitala is an Alumni of MBI, first joining the organization in 2022 for the summer season. Since then, he has marched for MBI Indoor Percussion for the following 3 seasons (2023-2025), along with 3 years of Drum Corps, once at River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps, and twice with The Mandarins. Most recently, he aged-out with Broken City Percussion in 2026, and is a current member of the Minnesota Vikings Skol Line.
Ike has taught for a few years in ensembles across Minnesota like the Dassel-Cokato Drumline, and Marching Band, along with the Champlin Park Marching Rebels.
Deryck Lawson – Tenorline
Deryck Lawson is a MN native who started his marching arts career with Burnsville High School. After graduating he would go on to march River City Rhythm Indoor/Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017 and 2018. And eventually moved to Akron, OH where he ended his marching arts career with Matrix.
Deryck’s teaching career began back in 2016 working with Burnsville High School and he’s been working with MBI since 2020.
Vlad Boz – Tenorline
Vlad Boz 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.
Isaac Steffen – Bassline
Isaac Steffen 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, consulting for 2024-2026), MBI Indoor Percussion (2019-2022), The Cadets (2021-2022), and Rhythm X (2023). He has been teaching the bass drums at MBI Indoor Percussion since 2025.
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 – Bassline
Jonah Kandikatla 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). He began teaching at MBI and Rosemount High School in 2026, he’s excited to return to MBI’s staff for 2027. Jonah holds a B.S. in Management Information Systems from the University of Minnesota.
Outside of the activity, he works in strategy at a Minneapolis-based construction firm, and in his free time, he loves to write and spend time with friends. As an educator, analyst, and creative writer, Jonah wants to help people grow.
Lindsey Preston – Cymbal Line
Lindsey Preston started her marching career at Irondale High school where she marched from 2016-2020. After high school, she went 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 Cymbals at Irondale High school, River Valley Percussion Theatre, and the 728 Cadets.
Lindsey started teaching cymbals at MBI in 2025 and is excited to continue working with them!
Sarah Barry – Cymbal Line
Sarah Barry is from St. Paul, Minnesota and has been marching since 2018. She began her marching career in high school with River Valley Percussion Theatre and 728 Cadets, where she marched vibraphone, marimba, and cymbals. After high school, Sarah went to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and graduated with a psychology B.S. and developmental psychology minor. During her last year of college, Sarah joined Minnesota Brass Soundsport (2023) and continued to march MBI Indoor Percussion on cymbals her final two seasons (2024, 2025). She has also previously taught frontline and cymbals at Buffalo High School and Grove Area Percussion.
Outside of drumline, Sarah loves to run, spend time with her cats, read, and explore the cities!
2027 Visual Caption Team
Justin Mons – Visual Coordinator
Justin Mons 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!
Ian Ko – Choreographer, Visual Design, and Visual Ensemble
Ian Ko 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.
Jenna Schunk – Movement Specialist
Jenna Schunk is a Twin Cities–based educator and colorguard performer joining the MBI instructional team as a movement specialist. Jenna has been involved in the marching arts since 2013. After graduating from high school, Jenna performed with MBI Drum and Bugle Corps in ‘17 and ‘24, and MBI Winter Guard in ‘18. She also marched with the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps in ‘18 and ‘19. Alongside her performance background, Jenna is an active marching arts educator who has taught with various ensembles, including the Dassel-Cokato Marching Band, Lakeville South Marching Band and Winter Guard, MBI Indoor Winds, and River City Rhythm Indoor Winds.
Outside of the marching arts, Jenna is a public school speech-language pathologist. She is also an avid Minnesota basketball fan who enjoys reading, completing puzzles, gaming, and spending time with her loved ones.
Savanah Kerns – Consultant
Bio coming soon!
Joseph Hayes – Consultant
Joseph Hayes is a San Diego local and has taught multiple programs in Southern California over the past 15+ years. He spent 13 years with the Mira Mesa High School Sapphire Sound, and 10 with Chula Vista High School. In 2014, Joseph joined the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps Visual staff and promoted to Visual Caption Manager (2018-2022) and was a vital contributor to their first ever Finals appearance along with the following years.
Joseph is currently a Firefighter in San Diego where he lives with his Fiancé, Samantha. They have 2 black cats and a corgi.
