Staff
Instinct 2025 Staff
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
Assistant Director/Visual
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 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 Westminster High School (2017-present) and has worked at various color guard programs in the SoCal area including Edison High School and Mater Dei High School.
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
Snares
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 and 2024. His marching experience includes Catalyst Percussion 2019-2020 as well as Instinct Percussion 2022-2023.
This will be Leo's second 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 first year with Instinct.
Corwin Hendricks
Quads
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
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 3rd 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 third 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 second year on staff with Instinct.
Zach Freeman
Cymbals
Zach Freeman is a Southern California based designer, educator, and musician. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2020. He has previously performed with Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps, POW Percussion, Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, Pulse Percussion, The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, and the UCLA Solid Gold Sound.
He has previously taught at several different programs, including Gahr High School, Etiwanda High School, Pacific Crest, and Meraki Percussion, and has had the privilege to design for many others, including San Marino High School, Montclair High School, South Pasadena High School.
He is currently on staff at Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, Fountain Valley High School, La Quinta High School, and on the design team at Rowland High School.
Isabell Liao
Front Ensemble Manager
Isabell is an educator based in San Bernardino County. She graduated from CSUF with a B.A. in Music, where percussion was her primary instrument. She also minored in public relations, entrepreneurship, and entertainment & hospitality management.
Isabell marched marimba at Arcadia HS Open & World, Broken City Percussion, Music City Mystique, RCC, Blue Knights DBC, and Santa Clara Vanguard, earning championship titles in 2017 and 2018. She was fortunate to learn under amazing staff and designers, including Meagan & Josh Nelson, Sandi & Paul Rennick, Matt Jordan, Kevin Shah, Jello Ocious, Rob Slack, Daniel Lai, Phil Idell, Rod Kosterman, Chris Murphree, Jay Lee, Ivan Trevino, Drew Tucker, Leigh Howard Stevens, and many other awesome people. The best things about this journey were the friends she made along the way and the sense of awe, wonder, and catharsis from the wondrous accomplishments that humans can achieve together.
Isabell has been an instructor at several scholastic and independent music programs from 2015 to the present. Programs include Arcadia HS, Sunny Hills HS, SCV Cadets ‘22 Somewhere New, Dark Sky Percussion ‘22 GÅP, Southwind DBC ‘19 Caged, Colony HS, Canyon HS, Alvarado IS, Yamaha Music School, and other educational institutions in southern California and beyond. Her students at SCVC won the open class championship title in 2022.
Isabell’s teaching process emphasizes sustainable technique, musicality, expressive performance energy, and healthy social dynamics within teams. Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing students’ growth from the start to end of a marching season, and fully expressing their full span of emotions and inner minds through music performance. The 2025 season is Isabell’s second year leading the front ensemble caption for 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 2025 season is her second year teaching at Instinct.
Justin Page
Front Ensemble/Audio Engineer
Justin is a music educator based in Southern California. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree of music education at CSU Northridge, recently graduating with an associates degree from Riverside City College
Justin went to Martin Luther King HS and graduated in 2015. His independent career includes Watchmen DBC 2014, Pacific Crest 2015-2018, and Dark Sky 2016-2019. As an instructor he’s taught many high schools and independent groups including Savanna HS, Ayala HS, San Marino HS, Vessel Percussion, Dark Sky Percussion, and Pacific Crest to name a few. He currently teaches FE and runs audio at Loara HS and El Camino Real Charter HS.
The 2025 season is his second year teaching the front ensemble and managing audio at Instinct.
KJ Smith
Front Ensemble
KJ is a drum set performer and educator based in Orange County. He is currently pursuing a B.F.A. in graphic design and illustration major at California State University — Fullerton. Aside from the virtual arts, KJ has marched with Aliso Niguel High School, Meraki Percussion, RCC Fall, and Dark Sky Percussion from 2016-2024. He has taught at a variety of schools in the Southern California area, predominantly Savanna High School, La Quinta HS, and Sunny Hills HS. This will be KJ’s first year teaching at Instinct.
Logan Gammill
Front Ensemble
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 first year on staff with Instinct!
Alina Kalani
Visual/Movement
Alina is a hairstylist and freelance digital designer/photographer living in Southern California. She holds degrees in digital design and cosmetology. Alina was a member of the Blue Knights colorguard from 2014-2018 and spent 7 years with the Mililani High School marching band and winterguard programs from 2014-2020.
Alina enjoys doing digital design and photography for local Hawaiian music artists and cosplaying in her own custom cosplay designs. This will be Alina's first year with Instinct.
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 first 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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