About | Cincinnati Tradition

Andrea returns for her twentieth season with Cincinnati Tradition. She spent 10 years as a member of the color guard, 6 years as the Assistant Corps Director, achieving 2 Class A Champion titles in the DCA circuit and in 2022 was promoted to the role of Executive Corps Director. In 2024, Cincinnati Tradition achieved the DCI All Age Open Class Champion title.

Andrea has spent many years, starting in 1984, active within the marching band and drum corps community. In December of 2022, Andrea made a shift from her career and was honored to accept the position of Assistant Director of Bearcat Bands for the University of Cincinnati where she coordinates the color guard and twirler programs. Previously she has instructed color guard with numerous high schools in the Cincinnati area, including Moeller, Lawrenceburg, Colerain, Milford, Fairfield , Roger Bacon, West Union, and Peebles High Schools. Her teaching experience also includes tenures with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps as a color guard tech from 1991 through 1994, one year instructing the University of Louisville Marching Band and three seasons as a technician with University of Cincinnati Bearcat color guard.

Andrea's performance experience began in 1984 at Colerain High School, and includes three years with the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps color guard from 1988 to 1990. Andrea most recently participated as a color guard member in the Bluecoats 50th Anniversary ensemble performance at Lucas Oil stadium at DCI championships in August 2022. She also was a member of the Cincinnati Tradition color guard in 1986 &
1987, 2007 & 2008 and 2010 through 2015. In 2016, she moved to the administrative team of CT as Assistant Director and in 2022 assumed the role of Executive Corps Director.

Excited about her new role as Executive Director, Andrea is driven to continue moving Cincinnati Tradition to new levels of achievement and continuing the "Tradition of Excellence" within the activity.
Email: [email protected]

Bryce began his involvement with the marching arts in 2011 playing bass drum in his high school marching band. He joined Cincinnati Tradition in 2014 and played bass drum through 2018. He then marched mellophone in 2021, was a drum major in 2024, and has been on visual staff with Tradition since 2022. Bryce also marched and taught indoor percussion at ConneXus. He was a member of the cymbal line in 2018, returned on bass drum for his age-out season in 2019, and was on battery staff from 2020-2025. Bryce holds a BA in Music Education from Wright State University.

Bryce is also the Director of Bands at Arcanum High School where he teaches grades 5-12. As an instructor, Bryce has held multiple positions with several marching programs across the Dayton area. He is also a battery arranger for Troy and Arcanum High Schools and is an active OMEA marching band percussion adjudicator. Bryce currently resides in Troy, Ohio with his wife, Cheyenna and his cats, Bobby and Berkowitz.

2026 will be Bryce's fifth season on staff with Cincinnati Tradition. Since his rookie season in 2014, he will have been with the corps in one capacity or another for over a decade. Bryce is very excited about his new role and can't wait to see where Cincinnati Tradition goes in the coming seasons.

Dan has spent 50+ years active within the marching arts community as a performer, instructor, adjudicator, visual tech, designer and manager of a pageantry arts. Starting as a drummer in his HS Band and joining the Miller’s Blackhawks, he eventually ended his performance career in the color guard. Dan started instructing color guard for many marching bands in the Tri-State area, the longest tenure at Archbishop Carroll HS in the 80’s. After Dan’s time at Carroll, he became a marching band visual adjudicator in Ohio and Kentucky and he was a timing and penalty adjudicator for WGI from 1988-2019. Dan was one of the original founders of the TriState Circuit now known as TriState Marching Arts. Dan served as an executive director for 17 years growing into to one of the top winterguard and percussion circuit in the country. Recently he was at Waynesville HS as a visual tech and drill designer for the last 10 years. Many of his students have been members of Cincinnati Tradition including his son, Jacob (3 year Alum).

Dan is a self employed, semi-retired professional upholster. Married to Linda for 34 years and has 2 sons Jacob and Jonathan. Other outside interests include coaching both of his boys’ baseball teams when they were younger to now coaching a 17u team of his own.

Dan is excited about his new role as Membership Director working with Andrea and for Cincinnati Tradition.

Email: [email protected]

Brian was born in 1995 in Cincinnati, OH, where he has lived in the area his entire life. He grew up in the suburbs and currently resides on the east side of the city. Brian attended and graduated from Glen Este High School in 2014. It was also where he began his experiences with marching band, participating each year in the "Pride of Glen Este" High School Marching Band. Outside of school and band, Brian was also involved with scouting throughout his youth and earned the rank of eagle scout in 2012. After high school, Brian studied at the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 2019 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. He currently works as a project engineer in the Cincinnati area.

While not majoring in music, Brian continued and grew his passion of performing music during college by joining the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands. He remained highly active in many of the ensembles associated with the Bearcat Bands and was selected as a trumpet section leader during his final two years in the band program. In 2016, Brian also became a member of Tau Beta Sigma, the co-ed national honorary/service sorority for members of collegiate bands. Even after graduating from the University, Brian has remained close to the UC band by being a member of the University of Cincinnati Band Alumni Association (UCBAA). You may find him performing on trumpet (and sometimes french horn or mellophone) for various UC Alumni band and community band functions.

Brian began his involvement with Cincinnati Tradition in the summer of 2017 as a marching member. He returned to the organization in 2022 as a volunteer equipment manager for the CT hornline. Brian enjoyed his time with the corps as both a member and volunteer and looks forward to returning for the 2023 season as a volunteer. Through the duties of his position, he looks apply his leadership skills, musical experience, and engineering mindset.

Sam Gibson, from Cincinnati OH, is an alumni and first year staff member. Sam attended Hamilton High School in Hamilton, OH where he spent 3 years marching in their fall and winter drumlines. While in school, Sam marched his first year of independent drum corps with Cincinnati Tradition on snare for the 2019 DCA season and continued after graduating through the 2021 season serving as snare section leader and co-battery section leader. Sam also spent a year with the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands playing snare while attending school there pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Information Technology and Network Development. He spent his winters marching with Triple Crown Percussion in Lexington, KY from 2021 to 2022, finishing 2022 as a WGI PIO finalist. In 2023, Sam spent his first WGI PIW season on snare with Veritas Percussion in Indianapolis, IN and continued on until his ageout in 2024, finishing with the ensemble’s first finals appearance in PIO. After aging out, Sam spent his first WGI season on staff with Veritas where they earned the gold medal in PIO for the 2025 season. With his career in the marching arts returning to Cincinnati, Sam is excited to give back to such an incredible group and watch the corps continue to grow and achieve!

Jacque is a lifelong music lover and has been following drum corps since 2008. Jacque is a former music teacher who works as a Travel Consultant and Social Media Manager and is a mom to her two children, Carter and Amelia. Jacque stays busy with her kids’ activities and supports her husband, Andrew, in his work with Miamisburg High School Bands and Valhalla Winds. Jacque has a passion for all things Disney and even hosts a Disney Moms podcast every week on TikTok. She is excited to be a part of the Cincinnati Tradition team and looks forward to contributing ideas and creativity to the social media platforms for the corps!

Susie lives in Richmond, Kentucky with her husband, Sergio, and their three children. She brings a wealth of financial expertise to Cincinnati Tradition, drawing from her work in local government finance, her role as co-owner of a small business, and her oversight of financial operations for several others.

Her connection to the marching arts began in high school, where she performed as a member of the color guard. That early love of the marching arts deepened after meeting her husband, a passionate enthusiast of drum corps, and even more so as two of her children have marched with Cincinnati Tradition. Susie has been a dedicated volunteer and enthusiastic supporter of the corps, even in seasons when she didn’t have a contracted member on the field.

CJ Barrow is a composer, musician, and educator, currently serving as a music designer for Synced Up Designs and Fannin Musical Productions. In high demand as a marching arts music designer, he regularly works with around 50 clients each year, including his work as a composer, arranger and sound designer for Music City Mystique, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and Music City Drum Corps.

Outside of the marching arts, CJ is an active composer for film, TV, and video games, having worked on a number of visual media projects around the country. He earned his MM in Music Scoring for Visual Media at Indiana University.

Before pursuing this career full time, CJ served as a band director in middle Tennessee. He completed his BM in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he studied primarily with Julie Hill.

His world-class marching experience includes two seasons with Music City Mystique, 2016 and 2017, aging out with a gold medal in 2017’s The Hand of Man.

CJ currently resides in Bloomington, Indiana with his incredible wife Hannah. He also proudly endorses Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets. You can learn more about CJ and hear some of his work at cjbarrowmusic.com.

He’s excited to start this new journey with the 2024 edition of Cincinnati Tradition!

Michael Carpenter has been an educator in the pageantry arts over the past 14 years. He has served in many capacities at various organizations competing in DCI, WGI, and BOA.

Michael is from Boise, Idaho where he studied Music Education as well as Euphonium and Percussion performance. While in Idaho, he served as Color Guard Director and Assistant Band Director at various programs, including Kuna HS, Skyview HS, and Rocky Mountain HS from 2012 to 2021. Additionally, Michael served as a choreographer and technician for Armada Independent. In 2017 Michael was a founder of the Idaho Indoor Circuit (formerly the Treasure Valley Indoor Association), and served as the education coordinator for 3 years.

In the Summer of 2021, Michael moved to Dayton, OH to be closer to pageantry arts opportunities. He was the Color Guard Director at Fairfield HS from Summer 2021 to Spring of 2026. During his time there, he increased student membership and competition including many successes in both Fall and Indoor seasons.

Michael has also been a choreographer and instructor for Northmont HS Winter Guard since 2022.

In 2021 Michael joined Cincinnati Tradition as a technician. He was a flag choreographer and technician in 2022 and 2023, before becoming the Color Guard Caption Head in 2024, and Artistic Director in 2025/2026. During his time as Caption Head, the Color Guard has received 2 consecutive DCI All-Age Open Class Best Color Guard Awards, and 2nd place Overall Color Guard in 2026.

Michael is looking forward to stepping into the role of Program Coordinator and working with the Design and Education Teams to continue to further develop the success Cincinnati Tradition has established both on and off the field.

Michael J. Miller is an acclaimed composer, arranger, and educator based in Nashville, Tennessee, whose works for concert band, orchestra, and chamber ensembles are published by many of the most respected names in the industry, including Alfred Music, Carl Fischer Music, F.J.H. Music, Excelcia Music, Murphy Music, R.W.S. Music, and Tapspace. His compositions are performed across the United States and internationally, with recent high-profile appearances at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and the Jeju Composition Competition for Wind Ensemble in South Korea.

A leading voice in the world of competitive pageantry arts, Miller designs innovative and award-winning programs for indoor and outdoor ensembles nationwide. As a principal music writer for Synced Up Designs, he collaborates annually with 30–40 ensembles, shaping productions that blend artistry, precision, and audience appeal. His expertise as a brass arranger has contributed to four consecutive Drum Corps International (DCI) World Class Finals appearances (2022–2025) with the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as back-to-back DCI All-Age Open Class Championship titles with Cincinnati Tradition Drum & Bugle Corps (2024-2025). His music for collegiate marching bands has been showcased on the world’s largest stages, including the Super Bowl and numerous BCS bowl games.

Before focusing exclusively on composition and design, Miller enjoyed a distinguished career as a public-school band director. Under his leadership, the Joe E. Newsome High School Band (Lithia, FL) achieved the Florida Bandmasters Association’s Otto Kraushaar Award for superior performance, earned the title of Bands of America Regional Grand Champion, reached WGI World Championships Finals, and marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. His contributions to music education have been recognized with the Hernando County School Board’s H.E.R.O.E.S. Award, the Superintendent’s Excellence Award, and the National Band Association’s Certificate of Merit for outstanding contributions to marching bands.

Miller holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Syracuse University. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, and the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and is a proud brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Michael enjoys traveling the world, playing golf, and exploring exceptional dining experiences, all alongside his wife and closest companion, Vivian.

Alex Beltran is an active writer, teacher, performer, and clinician from New England, now based in Southwest Ohio. He holds a Masters Degree in Music History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he also received an Undergraduate Degree in Percussion Performance studying under Ayano Kataoka and Thom Hannum.

Alex was a member of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2011 through 2014, where he won the DCI World Championship in 2011 and the Fred Sanford High Percussion Award while serving as battery section leader for the 2013 season. Following his age out from The Cadets, he transitioned to the battery staff as the main quad technician for the 2015 and 2016 seasons before joining the percussion staff at the Boston Crusaders in 2017.

In addition for arranging for numerous marching percussion programs across the United States, Alex is the Director and Battery Arranger for consistent WGI Independent World Finalist United Percussion. He is also the Battery Caption Manager for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, where he handles the daily teaching, equipment, and logistical needs of the battery and coordinates the teaching staff. Since moving to Ohio, Alex has worked as the assistant percussion director for the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands program.

He is extremely excited to join the design team at Cincinnati Tradition in the roll of Battery Arranger, and to work with the extremely talented design and instructional staff.

Alex proudly endorses Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Pearl Adams Instruments.

Haley Harrington has 20 years of experience as a performer and instructor in the marching arts. Haley is an active clinician, performer, and instructor throughout the state of Kentucky, and conducts both performance and leadership clinics. Since 2015, Haley has served as the Assistant Band Director at Russell County Schools (KY). She also previously taught at Caldwell County Middle School (KY). During her tenure at Russell County, the marching band was awarded the inaugural John Philip Sousa Sudler Shield for Small Bands (2016) and has been a KMEA State Finalist (2015-2018; 2021-2023), BOA Regional (2016, 2018, 2021, 2023) and Super Regional Finalist (2016), and Super Regional Class A Champion (2022), as well as an AA Regional Class Champion (2018). There are around 200 students under Haley’s instruction in 6th-12th grades.

Haley holds a Bachelor of Music in Education, as well as a Master of Music Education, from Murray State University. While studying her Masters, she authored “Teaching Music Literacy in Beginning Band,” a thesis that has reached over 160 institutions in over 50 countries. Also, while attending Murray State, she served as drum major of the Racer Band for two consecutive years.

Haley's professional affiliations include Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity, KMEA, NAfME, Omicron Delta Kappa, and is a Kentucky Colonel, which was awarded in 2013 when she served as a Residential Advisor for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program (2013-14). She also is an alumna of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, where she marched trumpet in 2012 as a World Class Silver Medalist, Jim Ott, and John Brazale Recipient, and currently serves on the Carolina Crown Alumni Association’s Executive Committee.

Haley currently resides in Russell Springs, KY with her wonderful cats. She is excited to begin this new adventure with the 2025 edition of Cincinnati Tradition!

Hannah Hawryluk is a seasoned performer and educator in the marching arts. She marched with Santa Clara Vanguard in 2022 and the Blue Devils in 2023 and 2024, contributing to world-class visual programs. Graduating from the University of Cincinnati in the spring of 2025, Hannah currently serves on the Cavaliers’ visual staff, manages social media for Breakdown Camp, and teaches at Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, where she choreographs and mentors students in the visual program.

Jon Popham is a visual instructor and designer based out of Georgetown, Kentucky. Jon’s drum corps career began in 2009, marching trumpet with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Over the last 15 years, Jon has worked with the Glassmen, Blue Knights, The Cavaliers, and Mandarins.

In addition to drum corps, he has also worked with Rhythm X Winds, Cap City Percussion, and is the assistant director of the Williamstown “Band of Spirit”. Jon is an active drill designer, clinician, and consultant for high school and college marching bands; as well as WGI groups throughout the United States.

Jon is a graduate from the University of Kentucky and University of the Cumberlands. He holds a Rank I and is a high school special education teacher. Jon is a recipient of the 2023 Excellence in Teaching award presented by Campbellsville University and the 2025 Golden Apple Award for Northern Kentucky. Jon is married to his wife, Morgan, and they enjoy traveling, going to UK games, and spending time with their dog, Maggie.

Alex Dietz is an active music educator and conductor, currently based in Richmond, Kentucky. As a graduate assistant in the Eastern Kentucky University Instrumental Conducting Program, he works closely with the instrumental ensembles, including being on staff with the Marching Colonels. Alex has experience in teaching high school band, as the former 9-12 Instrumental Music Director at Dansville High School in Dansville, NY, where he directed the marching and concert bands. He is a graduate of the Ithaca College School of Music, in Ithaca, NY, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, and is an alumnus of Drum Corps International, where he marched the mellophone for four seasons, aging out in 2022 with the Blue Stars.

Caroline Niederhausen is a former performer for the DCI community. She marched for Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corp in 2023 and 2024. She is currently part of the marching arts by serving as the Head Drum Major for the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Marching Band. She is also currently finishing up her degree in Trumpet Performance and Music Education at The University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music. Caroline has experience giving lessons at Interlochen Arts camp located in Michigan. She also taught for Junior CCM Youth Wind Ensemble as an intern from 2024-2025.

Hiram Dodd is a music educator and saxophonist from Miamisburg, OH. He graduated from Miami University with his Bachelors Degree in Music Education. As a marching arts educator, Hiram has worked with the Hamilton High School marching band as assistant director, as well as with Lakota East and Colerain as a field and woodwind technician. He is an active member of Valhalla Winds since the 2025 season and has performed with Triple Crown Indoor Percussion as a featured performed for their 2022 season.

Trinity Icaza is a recent graduate of Miami University. She holds a degree in Instrumental Music Education with a primary in the clarinet. She now teaches at Mason Middle School and works with their nationally recognized marching band.

Beyond classroom teaching, Trinity has a strong passion for the marching arts, both as a performer and an educator. She was a member of The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps serving as part of the drum major team, and Visual Ensemble member for the World Class indoor percussion ensemble ConneXus. She has extensive experience working with both marching bands and indoor percussion/winds groups, and has developed a love for the visual aspects of the marching arts.

Trinity is beyond excited to be joining such a wonderful team of members and staff. She looks forward to learning and growing and having fun while doing so.

Andrew is originally from Doylestown, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Mount Union with a Bachelor of Music Education in 2013. Andrew performed in the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011 and 2012 in which he was a trumpet soloist. He also served as a trumpet soloist for the Bluecoats Alumni Corps in 2022 and for Rhythm in Blue, the Bluecoats alumni project, where he contributed as an arranger as well, from 2014-2017.

Upon graduation, Andrew began his tenure as the Brass Caption Head for the Miamisburg High School Marching Band, where he has been teaching since 2014. He has also played the same role with the WGI Winds program at Miamisburg since its inception in 2015. Andrew has been assisting the Carlisle High School Marching Band since 2023 as well, and he has held a successful private lesson studio with students from both of these school districts for just as long. Andrew has also been a part of Valhalla Winds since its inaugural season in 2023 as the music coordinator and is excited to be joining Cincinnati Tradition for the 2026 season!

Garrett began his drum corps career with Cincinnati Tradition in 2023 marching mellophone. The following year he marched his age out at The Academy. He also marched 4 years with the University of Cincinnati marching band where he played mello, served as a student conductor, and was a sister of Tau Beta Sigma. He will serve as the mellophone technician this season and is excited to be back where it all started for him.

As a performer I marched with the Bluecoats drum and bugle corp from 2011 until 2013 as a contra player. Currently I am a band director at Bellbrook Middle School and High School. With 12 years of teaching experience I’m extremely excited to be teaching at Cincinnati Tradition this season. “Drum corps was a life changing experience for me and I hope to give that to our members.”

Cameron Everage is in his third year as Director of Bands at Batesville High School, following five years at Switzerland County High School. During his tenure, the Batesville Band program has experienced significant growth in both membership and musical achievement. Under his leadership, the Batesville High School Marching Band has performed throughout the Tri-State area, including appearances at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, MSBA Class AA Finals, and ISSMA Scholastic B Finals, including a silver medal in 2025. Beyond marching season, Batesville band students regularly earn placements in regional honor bands and receive top ratings at local and state-level competitions. In 2025, the Batesville High School Music Department earned the ISSMA Total Department All-Music Award, recognizing outstanding performances across all bands and choirs.

Cameron has been recognized multiple times for excellence in education, including being named the Indiana High School Educator of the Year by the American Legion in 2021 and the Educator of the Year by the Ripley County Community Foundation in 2025.

An active performer and guest clinician throughout the Tri-State area, Cameron brings vibrant energy, musical artistry, and a performer’s perspective to his teaching. He is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University, earning Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance. His professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the National Association for Music Education, the Indiana Music Education Association, and the Indiana Bandmasters Association.

Cameron is thrilled to join the Cincinnati Tradition Brass staff, and looks forward to a wonderful season with the corps!

Bradley Ziegelmaier is a dedicated music educator and Director of Bands at Lawrenceburg High School and Greendale Middle School. Before teaching at Lawrenceburg, he was formerly the Band Director at South Ripley Community Schools. Mr. Ziegelmaier graduated with a Bachelor’s degree Music Education from Ball State University in 2024, where he developed a strong foundation in instrumental music pedagogy and performance.

Mr. Ziegelmaier is the founding member and director of the River City Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble committed to promoting jazz performance and education within the community. In addition to his work in the classroom and with the jazz orchestra, he serves on the brass staff for Cincinnati Tradition Drum and Bugle Corps, where he contributes his expertise in brass instruction and ensemble development.

Michael Carpenter studied Music Education at Boise State University. He played euphonium in the Symphonic Winds, BSU Tuba Euph Ensemble, and the Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band. With over a decade of experience designing and instructing for Colorguard, Michael built one of the top scholastic guard programs in the state of Idaho. In 2017, Michael created the first indoor circuit in the state of Idaho, serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Treasure Valley Indoor Association, he has been the Chief Judge, and Director of Colorguards for the circuit since. Since 2018, Michael has worked as a designer and instructor for Idaho’s only independent Winterguard program, Armada Guard. The Independent program has been WGI regional Finalists in both Regional A, and A. He was a resident dancer for one of Boise’s top performance venues for the last 6 years. This past winter he performed with Juxtaposition Winterguard, and he has recently accepted the position as Colorguard Director for Fairfield HS in Fairfield, OH. Michael is excited to bring his knowledge and understanding of the pageantry arts with him to Ohio and looks forward to building his new life here surrounded by fellow designers and performers.

Deion Curtis is from Dayton, Ohio where he attended and performed at Centerville High School. Deion also marched Art 101 winter guard. Deion has taught at several high schools in the Dayton area over the last 10 years including Piqua High School, Beavercreek, and Kettering Fairmont. He is currently the assistant director at Fairfield High School where he was taught since 2018, and is currently a tech and choreographer at Centerville High School for their junior guard and a tech for their high school guard. Last summer was his first year working with Cincinnati tradition as a color guard tech and is coming back in 2023 for his second summer with them. Deion has extensive experience in choreographing and technique for all three pieces of equipment.

Cody Matson is currently a Visual arts Director for Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Wright State University with a BFA in Fine art in 2019 and is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Art Education. Since then, Cody has worked as an educator around the Dayton area. Cody found a love for pageantry arts during his high school career, where he spun with the Northmont High School color guard. After High school, he went on to teach at Northmont and as their JV Color Guard director and a choreographer and assistant director for their Varsity Program. This year Cody also joined on the Fairfield Color Guard staff for their 2024 season. In 2021 Cody took on the role of Color guard Caption Head with Cincinnati Tradition. After 3 successful seasons as caption head, he stepped back to spend more time focused on his career at Stivers and Northmont's growing success. He returns to CT in a new creative role and is excited to continue sharing his expertise and passion for the activity with the program.

Anna holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and works at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the Emergency department. She currently lives in Dayton, OH. She has taught at various high schools in Ohio, and is currently working at Fairfield High School. Anna is an alumnus of Cincinnati Tradition ‘22 and then joined the staff side in ‘23 and ‘24. She has performed with groups such as Phoenix Independent Open ‘22 and Juxtaposition’23 and ‘24. Anna’s excited to be back for another season at CT!

JJ is an active educator and arranger from Cleveland, Ohio. As a performer he has spent time in marching arts, chamber music, and orchestral ensembles around Ohio. He received his Bachelors of Music Education and Percussion Performance from Wright State University.

JJ is currently the Percussion Director at Bellbrook High School and works as a battery technician and choreographer for Cap City Percussion. He has also worked with groups such as Matrix Performing Arts, Avon Lake High School, Brunswick High School, Kettering Fairmont High School, Miamisburg High School, and many more.

He lives in Dayton, Ohio with his wife Kristen, two dogs Eli and Zaya, and cat Booker. JJ is a proud endorser of Vic Firth and Zildjian products. JJ is thrilled to join the team at Cincinnati Tradition and continue the pursuit of excellence within the percussion caption!

Valerie Dreith is a junior studying Music Composition at the University of Cincinnati, writing music in many different mediums and styles from fixed electronic music to contemporary opera. Outside of this, she has a passion for choral singing and mallet percussion, participating in the University’s Chamber Choir and Percussion Ensemble. After 3 years of being in CT’s front ensemble (2 of which were spent as the section leader), Valerie is excited to be working with the front ensemble this season as a staff member!

Aaron Battle is a percussionist and music educator from Elyria, Ohio. He has performed with several marching ensembles, including Cincinnati Tradition, M3, and the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. In northeast Ohio, Aaron has taught private percussion students and served as a percussion director, overseeing instruction and writing percussion arrangements for programs in the Cleveland area. He is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at Baldwin Wallace University and is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the organization that helped shape his musical journey.

Peyton Vann is currently studying Music Education at Northern Kentucky University. As an active educator in the Tri-State area, Peyton works with several high school percussion programs, including Batesville High School, Lawrenceburg High School, South Dearborn High School, and South Ripley High School. In addition to his work with these programs, he maintains a private lesson studio, supporting the development of young percussionists throughout the region.

Peyton performed with Cincinnati Tradition during the 2023 season, gaining valuable experience as a member of the front ensemble. His time with the corps helped shape his approach to performance, leadership, and instruction, which he now brings into his teaching.

Peyton is excited to return to Cincinnati Tradition as a member of the Front Ensemble Percussion Staff and looks forward to contributing to another successful season with the corps.

Connor Fletcher is a percussionist and educator from Russell Springs, KY. Throughout his career he has performed with multiple marching ensembles including Russell County High School, Tate’s Creek Indoor, Triple Crown, Cincinnati Tradition, and ConneXus. He has instructed and arranged for multiple high schools in the southern and central Kentucky area.

He is currently pursuing a degree in Percussion Performance from Eastern Kentucky University where he is active in multiple performing ensembles.

Connor is excited to begin his third year teaching Cincinnati Tradition!

Colton King is a native of Zionsville, IN and currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

While attending high school, Colton was a member of Zionsville Indoor Percussion. During that time, the group won Indiana Percussion Association State Championships in Scholastic A in 2016, 2017 & 2019. Colton started his independent marching career as a bass drummer with Cincinnati Tradition Drum & Bugle Corps in 2019 and 2021. He also marched bass drum with Triple Crown Indoor Percussion in 2021 and 2022 finishing as a WGI Independent Open Finalist that year. He aged out of his marching career in 2023 with Cap City World playing bass drum and finishing as a WGI Independent World Finalist.

He has taught percussion at Westfield HS, Westfield IN. He has taught and is currently teaching at Zionsville HS, Zionsville IN with both marching band and indoor since 2019, Cincinnati Tradition an all age drum corps since 2024, and Veritas Indoor Percussion since 2025

Ryan Carr is a percussionist and educator from Louisville, Kentucky, recognized for his precision, musicality, and dedication to the marching arts. A native of Louisville, Carr developed a passion for drumming early on, eventually joining some of the most respected ensembles in the activity.

He has performed with Music City Mystique, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and Triple Crown — organizations known for their musical excellence and demanding standards. Through these experiences, Carr has honed a deep understanding of ensemble performance, technique, and sound design. His commitment to his craft earned him the title of PASIC I&E Snare Drum Champion in 2021, a distinction that highlights his technical mastery and creative expression.

Beyond performance, Ryan Carr is active as a percussion educator and clinician, working with students and programs across the region. His teaching emphasizes not only precision and consistency but also musical sensitivity — the ability to listen, adapt, and contribute to a unified sound.

Carr continues to contribute to the drumming community through performances, instructional content, and online collaborations. Whether on the field, in rehearsal, or in the practice room, he embodies a balance of discipline and artistry that has made him a respected voice among modern percussionists.

Nathan is a percussionist from Oxford, Ohio where he is studying Music Performance at Miami University. He has performed and marched at a very high level both indoor and outdoor, earning DCI’s Fred Sanford Award for best percussion as well as a WGI Silver medal. His DCI experience includes the Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, and Carolina Crown. His WGI experience includes Rhythm X, Cap City, and Triple Crown. In addition to teaching privately, Nathan currently teaches percussion at the Lakota West High School Marching Band, and is very excited to get to work with Cincinnati Tradition.

Wyatt Sinclair is an ambitious young percussion instructor from Richmond, Indiana. He has performed in the pageantry arts with Cap City 2019 through 2022, Legends Drum & Bugle Corps in 2019, the Phantom Regiment in 2021, the Cavaliers in 2022 & 2023, as well as Rhythm x in 2023 & 2024.
Wyatt continues his passion for the marching arts by instructing at Noblesville High School, Richmond High School, Cap City Percussion and Cincinnati Tradition Drum & Bugle Corps.

Sam Eifert is a percussionist and composer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is currently finishing his time at Miami University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition with a minor in Arts Management. Sam has performed with several high-achieving organizations, including Cincinnati Tradition, ConneXus, The Cavaliers, and Rhythm X.
In addition to teaching privately, Sam currently teaches percussion at Centerville High School and Sycamore High School, where he works with both the marching band and indoor program. He has also received several awards for his solo vibraphone compositions from the Vibraphone Project and the Heidelberg New Music Festival. As a Cincinnati Tradition alum, Sam is excited to return to Cincinnati Tradition, now as a member of the battery staff!

Sofia Bolda is a percussionist and violinist from Oxford, Ohio. She recently graduated from Miami University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a minor in Arts Management. She has performed with several high-achieving organizations during both the outdoor and indoor seasons. Her outdoor experience includes Cincinnati Tradition and the Colts, while her indoor experience includes Cap City and Music City Mystique.

In addition to teaching privately, Sofia currently teaches percussion at the Lakota West High School Marching Band and at Sycamore High School, where she works with both the marching band and indoor program. As a Cincinnati Tradition alum, Sofia is excited to return to CT, now as a member of the battery staff!

Fin Brown is a biology major and percussion instructor from Nashville, Tennessee. He is set to graduate this Spring with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. He has performed with several high-achieving organizations during both the outdoor and indoor seasons. His outdoor experience includes the Boston Crusaders, the Cadets, and Music City Drum Corps, while his indoor experience includes 3 years at Music City Mystique.

In addition to this upcoming summer, Fin currently teaches percussion at Red Bank High School in Red Bank, Tennessee. He is looking forward to his first teaching job on the other side of drum corps and can’t wait to get to work!

Tom began marching in September of 1971 with a Cincinnati local drum & bugle corps called, Queen City Cadets until they folded in 1977. In 1979, he was on the ground floor of starting Pride of Cincinnati Drum & Bugle Corps.

When the Pride of Cincinnati drum corps folded in 1984, Tom decided to start an all age corps and co-founded Cincinnati Tradition. He served as the director of corps operations until he retired after the 2022 season (38 years). Tom has served as a board member ever since.

In Tom's professional life, he worked as a Cincinnati Police Officer for 33 1/2 years and is presently working for the School for the Creative and Performing Arts for the past 11 years. In his personal life, he is married with 2 children and 4 grand children.

1968 to 1974, Black Shields of Sparta Jr. Corps, one season of DCI in 1974 in the color guard. DCA participant from 1980 to 1999 in various corps… among them, Ohio Brass Factory, Steel City Ambassadors, Westshoremen, Syracuse Brigadiers and Racine Kilties. Marching member of Cincinnati Tradition in 1985 and 1986. Lifetime member of the Pennsylvania Drum Corps Hall of Fame.

Percussion staff of Cincinnati Glory Jr. Corps, 1997, 1998. Percussion staff, University of Cincinnati Bearcats marching Band, 1994 to 2011. Honorary member KKY , TBS. Consultant for Cincinnati Tradition Sr. (all age) corps, 2010. Support staff member of Cincinnati Tradition 2011 to 2024. DCA showmanship award winner in 1990 and 1991 as a performer in the front ensemble of Steel City (1990) and Westshoremen (1991). DCA World Champion with Westshoremen in 1996.

Dan has spent 50+ years active within the marching arts community as a performer, instructor, adjudicator, visual tech, designer and manager of a pageantry arts. Starting as a drummer in his HS Band and joining the Miller’s Blackhawks, he eventually ended his performance career in the color guard. Dan started instructing color guard for many marching bands in the Tri-State area, the longest tenure at Archbishop Carroll HS in the 80’s. After Dan’s time at Carroll, he became a marching band visual adjudicator in Ohio and Kentucky and he was a timing and penalty adjudicator for WGI from 1988-2019. Dan was one of the original founders of the TriState Circuit now known as TriState Marching Arts. Dan served as an executive director for 17 years growing into to one of the top winterguard and percussion circuit in the country. Recently he was at Waynesville HS as a visual tech and drill designer for the last 10 years. Many of his students have been members of Cincinnati Tradition including his son, Jacob (3 year Alum).

Dan is a self employed, semi-retired professional upholster. Married to Linda for 34 years and has 2 sons Jacob and Jonathan. Other outside interests include coaching both of his boys’ baseball teams when they were younger to now coaching a 17u team of his own.

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Sergio Sgro is an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering and Technology at Eastern Kentucky University. He teaches courses in Lean Manufacturing and Operations, Six Sigma, and advanced material processing. He began his early career as a steel worker and certified welder before returning to school to complete his Masters and PhD at Iowa State University in small business development and industrial technology training. He has been an industrial consultant in Six Sigma, industrial training, 3-D solid modeling design, and more recently, in business development.

With a deep-rooted passion for the performing arts, Sergio has been actively involved in the performing and marching arts community since high school and was a brass tech for his high school during college. Since 2018, he has been designing and fabricating props for Madison Central High School (KY) and Winter Guard, as well as supporting ensembles including Cincinnati Tradition and The Cadets. His work bridges technical precision with artistic vision, contributing to the creation of safe, innovative, and visually compelling performance environments.

Becki Argo calls Fairfield, Ohio home, where she lives with her husband, William, and their two sons, Dylan and Cooper. For the past 15 years, Becki has worked in health insurance — but her true passion shines through her family’s deep connection to music and community.

When summer and fall roll around, you can almost always find the Argos on a football or practice field somewhere in the Tri-State area, cheering on performances or lending a helping hand. Both of Becki’s sons are active members of the Fairfield City Schools music programs, and Becki herself plays a role as the Ways and Means Board Member for the school’s music boosters. She also serves on the OMEA Large Group competition committee and takes the lead in organizing the annual JazzFest for the district’s 7th–12th grade jazz band students.

Beyond the school programs, Becki is a volunteer with Cincinnati Tradition, where she helps coordinate meals and snacks during away rehearsals and performances — and she’s currently exploring new fundraising opportunities to support the corp.

Though she wasn’t a brass player herself, Becki’s musical roots run deep. She played both the alto and tenor saxophones for seven years.

Jill Campbell brings more than 30 years of Information Technology leadership experience to her role as a Board Director for Cincinnati Tradition. Throughout her career, she has led enterprise technology strategy, infrastructure modernization, and organizational transformation initiatives across both private industry and the public sector. Jill has held leadership roles with organizations including GE Aerospace, Trimble Navigation, Cintas, and Vantiv, and has also provided executive advisory services as a fractional CIO and IT consultant, helping organizations strengthen operations, governance, and strategic planning. She currently serves as an Acquisition Program Manager supporting the U.S. Air Force within the Department of Defense.

Jill’s connection to the marching arts is deeply personal and long-standing. She began her band journey as a color guard member in high school and has remained passionate about supporting music education ever since. She was actively involved with the Bellbrook High School Band Boosters throughout her son’s band career and, most recently, had the unique honor of being selected to perform as a member of Cincinnati Tradition’s color guard.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jill has extensive nonprofit leadership experience, including board service, advisory roles, and volunteer leadership across multiple organizations. She is excited to bring her governance expertise, strategic perspective, and lifelong love of the marching arts to the Cincinnati Tradition Board, helping support its mission to develop performers, enrich lives, and strengthen community through excellence in the performing arts.

Keith Hildebrand has been in Information Technology for over 20 years. He is currently an Assistant Vice President and Middleware Team Lead for a major U.S. financial institution, where he builds and supports the critical infrastructure for enterprise authentication platforms. With a solid background in information technology leadership, Keith offers extensive experience in strategic planning, systems management, and technical problem-solving to his role on the board.

His passion for the marching arts stems from his time growing up in Connersville, Indiana, where he played the clarinet from seventh grade through high school. As a student musician, he was an active performer across multiple ensembles, including the marching band, pep band, concert band, and clarinet choir.

A dedicated advocate for music education, Keith recently served for three years with the Switzerland County band boosters, including two years as Vice President. During his tenure, he successfully spearheaded fundraising initiatives that supported the local program. Keith is also a familiar face at Cincinnati Tradition, volunteering his time to support and fundraise for the corps' needs—from coordinating food and meal donations to helping move equipment. He is honored to join the Board of Directors and looks forward to applying his combination of corporate leadership and hands-on volunteer experience to support the organization's continued progress and success.

Mission Statement

Vision Statement

About Tradition.

Our History

Admin Team

Andrea Meyer

Bryce Hopwood

Dan Middlesworth

Brian Ginn

Sam Gibson

Jacque Whitman

Susie Sgro

Design Team

CJ Barrow

Michael Carpenter

Michael Miller

Alex Beltran

Visual Team

Haley Harrington

Hannah Hawryluk

Jonathan Popham

Alex Dietz

Caroline Niederhausen

Hiram Dodd

Trinity Icaza

Brass Team

Andrew Whitman

Garrett Frick

Jake Page

Cameron Everage

Bradley Ziegelmaier

Color Guard Team

Michael Carpenter

Deion Curtis

Cody Matson

Anna Taylor

Percussion Team

JJ Frederico

Valerie Dreith

Aaron Battle

Peyton Vann

Connor Fletcher

Colton King

Ryan Carr

Nathan Koenes

Wyatt Sinclair

Sam Eifert

Sofia Bolda

Fin Brown

Board of Directors

Tom Slade

Steve Masters

Dan Middlesworth

Sergio D Sgro, PhD

Becki Argo

Jill Campbell

Keith Hildebrand

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