Staff
Instinct Staff
Greg Vasquez
Bass
David Phan
Cymbals
Emma Ferreras
Front Ensemble
Rogelle Zamora
Front Ensemble
About the Team
Marc Young
Creative Director/Battery Arranger
Marc Young was born and raised in Southern California. He is an educator and designer in the marching arts activity teaching a number of groups in the Orange County area and is currently the Percussion Director at Westminster HS and Loara HS. Marc was the Percussion Caption Head and Program Coordinator for Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps (2018 - 2020) and other independent groups he’s taught include Odyssey Indoor Percussion (2017) and Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (2022). Marc is the founder of Instinct Percussion (2019 - Present) where he is also the Creative Director and Battery Arranger. Groups he has marched include Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps (2010 - 2012, 2014) and POW Percussion (2012).
Marc is an active performer for Aerial Experience Productions, a professional performance group that highlights various types of artistry such as aerial acrobatics, dance, and rudimental percussion. In addition to his experience in music, he is also involved in theater where he performs, collaborates, and devizes work in the Los Angeles area and is a founding member of Contigo Theatre Company. Marc attended California State University, Long Beach where he studied Music Performance, and Theater.
Marc is a proud endorser of Vic Firth and Zildjian.
Jazper Saldaña
Front Ensemble Arranger/Coordinator
Jazper Saldaña is currently the Percussion Band Director at Haltom High School in Fort Worth, TX. Prior to that, he worked with numerous groups in the Southern California and Texas areas including Westminster HS, Ayala HS, and Centennial HS. Jazper has also served as the Front Ensemble Caption Head for the Mandarins, Blue Stars, and Vigilantes Indoor Percussion. Additionally, he is on staff with the Concord Blue Devils.
Originally from San Diego, California, he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from California State University, Long Beach. He went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Percussion from the University of North Texas. Indoor marching experience includes Alternative Percussion, Pulse Percussion, and Riverside Community College. DCI credits include the Sacramento Mandarins and the Concord Blue Devils.
Jazper currently resides in San Diego with his wife, son, and two dogs.
James Gow
Drill Designer
James Gow is a Southern California native with years of experience as a visual instructor, designer, and choreographer
As a visual designer, James has worked with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps (2017-2018) and The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2018-2022) and serves as the drill designer and choreographer for multiple high school programs across the country. James also served as the Visual Co-Caption Head of the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps in 2023. He also designs visual programs for scholastic and independent winter drumlines and is currently a choreographer and visual instructor for WGI gold medalist, Broken City Percussion.
James is the current visual caption head and choreographer for BOA semi-finalist Vista Murrieta HS. He has been a member of the visual staff for the Sacramento Mandarins (2011), The Cadets (2012), and The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps (2013-2018).
Alexis Moreno
Assistant Director/Visual
Alexis is a founding member of Instinct as is currently the visual caption head for Westminster and Katella High School. She has captioned for several groups in the Southern California area, including Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps (2019-2020). She works with the design teams of several programs throughout southern California. Her marching experience includes Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps (2011, 2013) and the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps (2014, 2017).
She currently resides in Orange County and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from California State University, Los Angeles.
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Kaho Akiya is an Orange County based designer, choreographer, illustrator, and color guard instructor. She currently works as a Designer at Creative Costuming & Designs in Huntington Beach and holds a BFA in Illustration from California State University, Long Beach.
Kaho started her career as a color guard performer at Palm Desert Charter Middle School and continued at Palm Desert High School. After graduating, she performed as a member of Diamante Winterguard's Independent Open team (2016).
Upon retiring as a performer, Kaho returned to the performing arts as an instructor. She now works as the colorguard director at Katella High School in Anaheim, and has spent the last decade teaching various color guard programs in the SoCal area including Westminster, Edison, and Mater Dei High Schools.
Jeff Ramos
Battery Manager
Jeff Ramos is a musician and instructor with a Bachelor of Music degree from CSU Long Beach with an emphasis in Percussion Performance.
He served as the Battery Manager for Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018 and 2019, and is currently coordinating the Battery for Instinct Percussion who made their debut in 2020. He has also been teaching multiple high school drumlines for the past several years, filling whatever roles were necessary, including music composer, drill writer, visual designer, choreographer, marching instructor, and more.
Aside from teaching drumline, Jeff performs with the NFL Charger's Thunderbolt Drumline, and performs with Sidle Entertainment for various events and artists, including 2 Chainz on Jimmy Kimmel Live, American Ninja Warrior, the LA Kings, and more.
Leo Delgado
Snares
Leo is a Battery Instructor based in the Inland Empire with eight years of experience in the marching arts. After graduating from Ontario High School in 2018, Leo performed and competed with Catalyst Percussion in 2019 and 2020 as well as Instinct in 2022 and 2023. As an educator, Leo started off as a battery tech at Summit High School (Fontana, CA) in 2019 until 2022 and has worked with many high schools across Southern California that include Redondo Union High School (Redondo Beach, CA) in 2022 and 2024 as a battery tech, Costa Mesa High School (Costa Mesa, CA) where he served as battery manager from 2024 to 2026, and is currently on his second year as battery manager at Montclair High School.
This will be Leo's fourth year on staff with Instinct.
Ben Ly
Snares
Immediately after graduating Dublin High School in 2019 (Dublin, CA), Ben began his independent marching-snare career in Open Class with the Blue Devils B Drum and Bugle Corps, under the direction of Sean Clark and Joey Staab. Following this first summer of Drum Corps, he began his college education at Las Positas College in the Bay Area while taking weekend trips to Southern California to start his World Class Indoor career with Vessel in 2020 under the direction of Henry Gillard (Orange County, CA). Post-COVID, Ben transitioned into the World Class Outdoor scene with the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps in 2021 (Sacramento, CA) before moving his Indoor Career and weekend trips to Houston, TX for Monarch Independent in 2022. Also, during this time, he finished his GED and moved from Northern California to UC San Diego to pursue a Degree in Marine Biology- however, decided to take a break from school in 2023 to focus on his age-out seasons for both Indoor and Outdoor (Also with Mandarins and Monarch, under the direction of Ben Pyles and Taha Ahmed)
Amidst his performances in Carnegie Hall, Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Dayton Arena- Ben has taught at several schools in several cities between Northern and Southern California such as Dublin, Irvington, Livermore, Milpitas, Corona, Victorville, and Anaheim to help finance his career. Currently, he is the Battery Caption head at Centennial HS (Corona, CA), Canyon HS (Anaheim, CA) and teaches basic percussion at El Rancho Middle School (Anaheim, CA). Ben has also recently decided to continue his college education at Cal Poly Pomona, now for a Degree in Visual Arts, while also doing Ministry work daily for his Church in Los Angeles.
This will be Ben’s third year with Instinct.
Simon Miller
Snares
Simon Miller is a Percussion Educator based in Southern California.
While pursuing his degree in Music Education, Simon has built an extensive background in both education and the marching arts. He currently serves as Percussion Caption Head and Program Coordinator at Corona High School (2021–Present) and Percussion Caption Head at Centennial High School (2025–Present). Previously, he served as Battery Instructor at Kaiser High School (2024–2025) and Percussion Instructor at Raney Intermediate School (2025–2026). Outside of the local education community, Simon served on the 2026 staff of Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps as a Snare Technician.
Simon began his independent marching career at 16 years old with Instinct Percussion (2020–2021), followed by a contract with Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2021 season. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Simon continued his marching career with RCC Fall from 2021–2024, serving as Battery Captain during his final two seasons with the program.
Throughout his marching career, Simon has performed with a variety of ensembles, including Meraki Percussion (2022), Vessel Drum and Bugle Corps (2022), Dark Sky Percussion (2023), and RCC Indoor (2024–2026). He also completed his DCI career with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps during the 2024 season.
This will be Simon’s first year with Instinct.
Corwin Hendricks
Tenors
Corwin Hendricks is a performing percussionist and educator with an Associates of the Arts-Music Degree from College of the Desert. After graduating from La Quinta High School in 2002, Corwin followed his passion for the art of Rudimental Drumming and toured the country performing in various Percussion Ensembles. Alumnus of the RCC Marching Tigers at Riverside Community College for Fall 2002-2004 and RCC Indoor Percussion Ensemble in 2003. Impulse Drum & Bugle Corps (2002), Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps (2003), Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps (2004), and The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps winning the 2005 Drum Corps International World Championship Title & Drum Caption award.
Corwin began his Percussion Educator, Arranger, and Composer experience at his Alumnus La Quinta High School and its feeder La Quinta Middle School (2002-2006), and Chaffey High School (2003-2006). In 2005, he was the head music teacher for three years at a program that provided education at 8 elementary and 3 middle schools in the Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley. He continued his involvement with DCI on percussion staff at his Alumnus Impulse Drum & Bugle Corps winning the 2006 DCI Div 3 World Championship & Drum Caption Award. Here he called home every summer thereafter working alongside his best friend & colleague Niko Jasniewicz from 2007-2014, and then at Gold Drum & Bugle Corps in 2016. In 2018, Corwin joined the inaugural season at Vessel Drum & Bugle Corps as Percussion Caption Head. Other School Programs Corwin was an Educator and Arranger/ Composer for include Palm Desert Middle and High School (2006-2009), Cathedral City High School (2008-2012). Corwin also has worked with Norco High School, Indio High School and Rancho Cucamonga High School.
Throughout Corwin’s marching music career, he has performed under world renown instructional staff including Sean Vega, Scott Johnson, Dave Henkel, Rudy Garcia, Lee Beddis, Tom Aungst & Niel Lerivee. He has performed in televised parades including the Times Square Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Hollywood Christmas Parade, Pasadena Rose Parade and the 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach. He has performed at theme parks Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventures, Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Knotts Berry Farm, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Corwin has performed halftime shows at sporting events including Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers including game 4 in the 2004 NBA Finals. As a performer he has been featured with the Riverside City College Marching Tigers in American Pie Band Camp, episodes of the Gilmore Girls and Boston Public, and in the music video for N*Sync member JC Chasez single “Blowin Me Up,” and on the Soundtrack for the movie Drumline.
Currently, Corwin Hendricks is known as a performing artist in various bands as a part of the Coachella Valley Music Scene including Captain Ghost, Hundred Forms, Upper Class Poverty & The Lost Keys. Over the years Corwin has received nominations at the CV Weekly Music Awards in the Best Drummer category in 2017, 2018 & 2020.
Terrell Mister-Wilson
Tenors
Terrell Mister-Wilson has marched at Chino Hills HS 2014-2017, Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps 2018, RCC fall 2018 & 2020, and POW Percussion 2019-2020. He has taught at Chino Hills HS, Montclair HS, and Corona HS as part of the battery staff. He is currently the battery manager at San Marino HS and percussion caption head at Orange Vista HS. This will be his 6th year with San Marino and 8th year with Orange Vista.
For independent he was the quad tech at Gold indoor 2022-2023, Gold Drum & Bugle Corps 2022, Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps 2023, and Élan percussion 2024-2025.
This will be Terrell’s second year with Instinct!
Andrew Loyola
Basses
Andrew Loyola is a game developer, performer, and percussion instructor currently living and working in Los Angeles, California.
During his marching career, Andrew was a member of the Blue Devils, Blue Knights, RCC Indoor Percussion, Broken City Percussion (previously known as OCI during his time there), and Impulse. He has also worked as an instructor with various organizations such as System Blue, Dark Sky Percussion, and Instinct Percussion, as well as high schools such as Gahr HS.
When he is not working in his role as a full time game developer, he still participates in the marching activity as a performer with Sidle Entertainment for groups such as the Los Angeles Chargers and as an instructor for various music groups. This will be Andrew's fifth season with Instinct.
Greg Vasquez
Basses
Gregory Vasquez is from Southern California. He is extremely passionate in the marching arts and enjoys helping others reach their marching goals. He has had experience teaching at all levels, from Scholastic A all the way to Independent World. Greg has marched with Orange County Independent in 2013 where he then moved on to RCC Indoor Percussion from 2015-2017. Greg has been a part of Pacific Crest 2012-2013 and The Concord Blue Devils 2014-2016.
Greg is excited for his fifth season with Instinct!
Marco Cabrera
Basses
Marco Cabrera is a battery instructor from Rubidoux, California. His marching experience includes Watchmen Drum & Bugle Corps, Elan Percussion, Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps, POW Percussion, and the Oregon Crusaders. He Currently teaches at Palm Desert High School, Cathedral City High School, and Alhambra high School. He is excited to work alongside everyone. This will be Marco’s fourth year on staff with Instinct.
David Phan
Cymbals
David Phan works in international trade compliance and analysis. He holds a bachelors degree in geography and environmental science from California State University, Long Beach. He also has two weenie dogs.
David was a member of Impulse, Mandarins, POW , and Pulse Percussion. David has also taught at various organizations, including POW percussion, Elan percussion, and Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps.
Logan Gammill
Front Ensemble Manager
Logan Gammill is a composer and educator based in Southern California. He graduated from California State University Northridge in 2023 with a B.M. in Commercial and Media Writing.
Starting in 2015, he marched a total of seven seasons of DCI with Blue Devils C, Mandarins, Blue Stars and Santa Clara Vanguard. His WGI seasons include two years of RCC starting in 2022. He is currently the percussion director and arranger at Westlake High School (Westlake Village), arranger at Leigh High School (Los Gatos, CA), and a front ensemble teacher and sound designer at Ida Price Charter School (San Jose, CA).
Aside from his involvement in the marching arts, Logan is very involved in the film industry where he currently works as an assistant and additional programmer/composer under Max Aruj.
This will be Logan’s third year on staff with Instinct!
Alicia Femath
Front Ensemble
Alicia is a front ensemble instructor based in southern California. She is an alumnus of Instinct 2023 “TRUST,” where she performed a guitar feature role, multipercussion, and xylophone. Alicia currently teaches at other high school front ensembles in San Bernardino County. The 2026 season is her fourth year teaching at Instinct.
Emma Ferreras
Front Ensemble
This will be Emma's second year on staff with Instinct.
Rogelle Zamora
Front Ensemble
Rogelle is an active musician and music educator based in Southern California. As a first-year staff member with Instinct Percussion, he is excited to share the knowledge and wisdom he’s gained from his 10+ years of experience instructing, coordinating, and consulting various music programs and independent organizations across Southern California. The most notable ensembles he has instructed include WGI finalist POW Percussion and award-winning programs from Rancho Bernardo HS and Cypress HS.
Outside of the marching pageantry, Rogelle also supports various orchestra and mariachi programs as a violin/viola instructor. When opportunities arise, he also performs freelance work as a solo musician and teaches private lessons to students of all ages.
Beyond the western idiom, Rogelle is also a cultural artist passionate about sharing his knowledge about the musical cultures and practices of the diverse peoples of his family’s homeland - the Philippines. As a cultural artist, he has represented the Philippines as a teaching artist with the Center for World Music and served as program manager with the Filipino Cultural School. He attributes much of what he has learned from performing with various Philippine performing arts companies throughout California, including Ube Arte, the Rondalla Club of LA, Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, and the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center. Through his work with these groups, he has had the privilege to travel the world and share the stage with master artists and culture bearers from the Philippines and also Grammy award-winning American singer-songwriter, Jason Mraz.
While Rogelle offers a wealth of knowledge and experience to Instinct Percussion, he recognizes himself as an ongoing student of the world, always seeking out more opportunities to learn and expand his knowledge about the world, history, and the arts.
Rogelle resides in Buena Park, CA.
Alex Lee
Sound Engineer
Alex is a sound engineer based in Southern California. He currently works with several groups in the Orange County area.
This will be Alex's third year with Instinct.
Zoë Sage Tracey
Visual
Zoë Sage Tracey is a Los Angeles native who began her marching arts career in Pittsburgh. Starting off as the mascot, she eventually made her way to playing bass drum in her high school marching band and NA indoor percussion. She later marched cymbals with the University of Michigan Marching Band. She also was a member of UM Groove: High Energy Percussion and Performance. Her independent marching experience includes visual ensembles at Redline in 2023 and Rhythm X from 2024 to 2026.
Zoë graduated from the University of Michigan in 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in Global Health and Environment.
Evan Secrist
Treasurer/Administrator
Evan's passion for drumline began in high school, where he honed his skills performing with his school's ensemble. After graduating, he earned a degree in Applied Mathematics from California State University, Long Beach. He now works as a Software Architect specializing in security technology.
Evan's relationship with Instinct began by assisting with the equipment truck, and he has since taken on greater responsibilities within the organization. He currently serves as Treasurer.
Kaz Akers
Photographer
Kaz is a battery instructor based in Orange County. He is an alumnus of Instinct since our genesis year, 2020. This will be Kaz’s second year on staff with Instinct.
Niko Jasniewicz
Consultant
Niko Jasniewicz is an active percussion educator, designer, composer, and performer. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities/Music. He studied music performance, music education, and recording arts.
Niko began his performing career in high school and continued on with the USC marching band and USC concert orchestra. He was also heavily involved with DCI and WGI as a snare drum performer. Niko is an alumnus of Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps, RCC Indoor Percussion, and the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the 2002 WGI Percussion World Champion with RCC, and the 2003 DCI World Champion with the Blue Devils.
Niko is currently the music director for Aerial Experience Productions. He composes, arranges, and performs across the country putting on live cinematic shows. He has also recorded at the legendary Sony Scoring Stage for League of Legends as a snare drummer.
As an educator for the past 16 years and counting, Niko has worked with both scholastic and independent ensembles of all levels and skill sets. These include drum corps, marching bands, drumlines, and percussion ensembles. The knowledge he has acquired as a performer and educator continues to serve the programs, and students he works with on a daily basis.
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