Staff
Instinct 2024 Staff
Marc Young
Creative Director/
Battery Arranger
Jazper Saldaña
Front Ensemble Arranger/Coordinator
James Gow
Drill Designer
Alexis Moreno
Visual Coordinator
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Kaho Akiya
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Art Director
Kaho Akiya
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Art Director
Marc Young
Creative Director/
Battery Arranger
Jazper Saldaña
Front Ensemble Arranger/Coordinator
James Gow
Drill Designer
Alexis Moreno
Visual Coordinator
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Kaho Akiya
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Art Director
Kaho Akiya
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Art Director
Marc Young
Program Director/
Battery Arranger
Jazper Saldaña
Front Ensemble Arranger
James Gow
Alexis Moreno
Drill Designer
Visual Coordinator
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Jeff Ramos
Battery Manager
Leo Delgado
Snare Tech
Yudai Suzuki
Snare Tech
Corwin Hendricks
Andrew Loyola
Greg Vasquez
Tenor Tech
Bass Tech
Bass Tech
Marco Cabrera
Bass Tech
Isabell Liao
Front Ensemble Manager
Alicia Femath
Front Ensemble Tech
Michael Tran
Front Ensemble Tech
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Alan Han
Audio Consultant
Nick Chau
Visu Ensemble Manager
Niko Jasniewicz
Consultant
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 Fort Worth, TX 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
Visual Coordinator
Alexis is currently the visual caption head for Westminster High School. She has captioned for several groups in the Southern California area, including Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps (2019-2020). This will be her second season coordinating for Instinct Percussion. Her design experience includes Edison High School’s indoor drumline, Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps, and Instinct Percussion. Her marching experience includes Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps (2011, 2013) and the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps (2014, 2017).
Outside of the marching arts, Alexis also works with Musical Theatre West in Long Beach. She currently resides in Garden Grove with her cat, and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from California State University, Los Angeles.
Kaho Akiya
Art Director
Kaho Akiya is a Southern California based freelance illustrator/designer and color guard instructor. She holds a BFA in Illustration from California State University, Long Beach.
Kaho started her career as a performer while attending Palm Desert Charter Middle School (2007-2010) and Palm Desert High School (2010-2015). After graduating high school, 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 a color guard instructor. She now works as the colorguard director at Edison High School (2020-present), and the co-director of the colorguard at Westminster High School (2017-present).
In addition to coaching, Kaho has also worked as a sketch artist for color guard and indoor percussion costume and floor designs since 2018. She is a designer for Creative Costuming & Designs, and has created successful custom designs for many groups including Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps and Westminster, Green Hope, Mission Viejo, and Downingtown 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
Snare Tech
Leo has been teaching since 2019 starting as a snare/bass tech at Summit High School and later becoming the battery manager from 2021 to 2022. He also served as a battery tech for Redondo Union High School in 2022. His marching experience includes Catalyst Percussion 2019-2020 as well as Instinct Percussion 2022-2023.
This will be Leo's first year on staff with Instinct.
Yudai Suzuki
Snare Tech
Yudai has performed with Instinct Percussion (2022) and POW (2023).
This will be Yudai's first year on staff with Instinct.
Corwin Hendricks
Quad Tech
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.
Andrew Loyola
Bass Tech
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 3rd season with Instinct.
Greg Vasquez
Bass Tech
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 second season with Instinct!
Marco Cabrera
Bass Tech
This will be Marco's first season with Instinct.
Isabell Liao
Front Ensemble Manager
Isabell graduated from California State University - Fullerton with a B.A. in Music and minors in public relations, entrepreneurship, and entertainment & hospitality management. She marched from 2011 to 2020 at Arcadia HS, Blue Knights DBC, Broken City Percussion, Music City Mystique, Santa Clara Vanguard, and RCC. She has taught at various music programs from 2015 until now, including SCV Cadets, Dark Sky Percussion, Sunny Hills HS, and Colony HS.
This is her first year leading the front ensemble caption for Instinct.
Alicia Femath
Front Ensemble Tech
This will be Alicia's first year with Instinct.
Michael Tran
Front Ensemble Tech
Michael resides in Garden Grove, California. His experiences include seasons with Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps and RCC Indoor Percussion as a performer in the front ensemble. At the moment, Michael is currently teaching front ensembles in Orange County. His other teaching experiences include helping out Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps this past year.
Michael has a BA degree in Music from Cal Poly Pomona. This season will be Michael's first year on staff with Instinct.
Alan Han
Audio Consultant
This will be Alan's first year with Instinct.
Nick Chau
Visual Ensemble Manager
Nick is a visual instructor that currently resides in Chino Hills, CA. He has taught multiple high schools including Summit HS, Riverside Poly HS, Nogales HS, Rancho Cucamonga HS and is currently at Chino Hills HS. Nick will also be teaching at POW percussion for the 2023 season. His performance experience includes marching with Gold Drum & Bugle Corps (2017), Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps (2018), and then being a part of Pulse Percussion’s visual ensemble (2019-2022).
Nick is an avid learner for dancing and has taken dance classes from various SoCal studios such as The Lab, Millennium Dance Complex and the Kinjaz Dojo that focused on contemporary, hip hop/urban. This will be Nick's second year 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.
