Champion of Champions 2024 Judges
Jesse Backes currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and is an active designer, consultant, and judge for marching percussion groups around the US.
Jesse has been actively involved in the drum corps community since 2010. He was a member of Colts (2010) and The Cavaliers (2011-13). During his time with The Cavaliers, the corps earned the Fred Sanford High Percussion Award in 2011 and performed at PASIC in 2013. Further as a performer, he was a member of Green Thunder percussion (2007-09) and Gateway Indoor Percussion (2011) and received a degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
After aging out in 2013, Jesse joined the percussion staff at Phantom Regiment from 2014-16 where he served as a battery visual instructor, snare technician, and battery coordinator. In 2017, he returned to The Cavaliers to work with the snareline and in 2019 became battery coordinator for the corps. He continued in that role through the summer of 2022, a tenure that included aiding in the production and presentation of the group’s 2020 virtual PASIC clinic. Jesse is currently a member of the percussion team at Carolina Crown.
Outside drum corps, Jesse worked with Cavaliers Indoor Percussion from 2012-2018 as a snare technician, battery coordinator, and music ensemble director, and has worked with many wonderful programs around the country as an educator and a designer. These include Fishers HS, St. Ambrose University, Southport HS, Mahomet-Seymour HS, Veritas, Crystal Lake Thunder, Marian Catholic HS, Northern Illinois University, Batavia HS, Lake Central HS, and numerous others. He is proudly endorsed by Innovative Percussion.
Jesse enjoys spending quality time with his lovely wife Alison, his two spunky dogs, Charlie and Goomba, and his other loves; traveling, cooking, and disc golf.
Juan Black began his journey in music education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) as a Music Education major, where his passion for music and marching band performance truly took shape. With over a decade of experience as the visual caption head and brass instructor for a local high school, Juan played a key role in developing the visual and musical talents of students, contributing to numerous successful seasons.
After gaining experience as an educator, Juan sought further training with the Central States Judges Association (CSJA), focusing on the visual caption. This training, combined with a strong foundation in brass performance and visual design, led to an expansive 20-year career adjudicating marching band competitions across the country. Specializing in the visual caption, Juan has had the opportunity to evaluate and guide the performances of bands at all levels, helping them achieve their potential on the field.
In addition to his work in the marching arts, Juan resides in O’Fallon, MO, and works in the software development industry for a Global Technology Solutions provider as a Software Solution Delivery Manager, where he brings the same level of discipline, teamwork, and creativity to his professional career.
Brandt Crocker
Known as the “voice of DCI”, Brandt Crocker has served as the primary DCI announcer since its inception in 1972. Other responsibilities have also included being a contest coordinator, contest promoter and founder of the Tour Event Partner College. He also served two terms on the TEPAC including two terms as chair. In addition to DCI, Brandt also announces for WGI, high school marching band contests, the University of Missouri’s Marching Mizzou and the Missouri State University Ozarko Contest. Being a marching band person, Brandt got involved in the activity as director of the Americare Stepperettes drill team in Des Moines, Iowa in the fall of 1966. In 1969, he moved to Casper, Wyoming, to become Business Manager of the Troppers Drum and Bugle Corps. Brand and his wife Janet have twochildren and five grandchildren. Janet and their son Greg are alumni of the Troopers; Janet 196-1970 and Greg, 1989-1990. Brand is retired, having spent 22 years in education as a teacher and superintendent of schools and 22 years as a residential painting and roofing contractor. Brandt was elected to the DCI Hall of Fame in 2010 and was a Volunteer of the Year in 2011. This past August, Brand t was awarded the DCI Legacy Award for his 52 years of announcing World Championships. He was also honored by Marching Mizzou earned the highly coveted “Marching Mizzou Tiger Token” for his long-time dedication to Marching Mizzou as an alum of Mizzou.
Dr. Andrew Eldridge is the Assistant Professor of Percussion and Coordinator of Percussion at the University of Texas at Arlington. Under his direction, the UTA Percussion Ensemble was selected as a winner of the prestigious 2024 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition. The percussion ensemble also presented the New Literature Session at the 2017 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). The ensemble has performed a Showcase Concert twice at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) annual convention (2017 and 2023). Dedicated to contributing new repertoire to the percussion ensemble art form, the UTA Percussion Ensemble continues to commission music and give world premieres. The most recent projects include world premieres of new percussion ensembles by Dwayne Rice, Clif Walker, Team Islas (Doug Bush and Patricia Islas), Chris Jones, and Dr. Joe W. Moore III.
Andrew currently serves as President of the Texas Chapter for the Percussive Arts Society. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Percussion Ensemble Committee. Andrew served a three-year term on the Lone Star Wind Orchestra Board of Directors and has performed with the group as a section percussionist since 2009. Andrew regularly presents clinics for the Midwest Clinic and Texas Music Educators Association. Most recently, Andrew was honored to select the 2024-2025 All-State Percussion etudes for the state of Texas.
An avid performer of new music, Andrew has individually commissioned and given the world premieres of music written for percussion by Doug Bush, Kyle Kindred, Dwayne Rice, Martin Blessinger, Ryan George, and David Maslanka. Most recently, Andrew was selected to perform in recitals for the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and the College Music Society.
Andrew is endorsed by Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Yamaha Percussion, and Black Swamp Percussion.
Dr. Michael Knight currently serves as Director of Bands and Lecturer of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. His duties at UWGB include directing the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and teaching courses in conducting and music education. Dr. Knight has also served on the faculties of the University of Delaware, St. Norbert College, Iowa Wesleyan University, and the University of Missouri, where his responsibilities included directing Marching Mizzou. His work with the University of Delaware Wind Ensemble is featured on the Bruce Tychinski recording Interplay, highlighting new works for trombone and wind band. Prior to his collegiate teaching career, Dr. Knight taught in the public schools of Missouri. He holds degrees from the University of Missouri, the University of Georgia and the University of Iowa. Dr. Knight has served as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the nation and is a regular contributor to the Teaching Music through Performance in Band textbook series.
John Leonard, a native of Chicago, began his dance studies at the North Carolina School of the Arts and received his Bachelors of Arts, with honors, in dance, from Columbia College of Chicago. Leonard continued his dance studies at Arizona State University where he was a graduate student and teaching assistant on scholarship. Leonard has performed with the Cavaliers and Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, Field of View and Pride of Cincinnati winter guards, Ludwig Dance Theatre, and the national and Japan tours of the Broadway show Blast.
A teacher and choreographer for over twenty-five years, his work has been seen in most of the fifty United States and even abroad in places like Thailand, Indonesia, Italy, and Japan. Mr. Leonard recently finished his twelfth year as director of the Marcus Color Guard program in the Dallas, TX area. He has worked with distinguished organizations such as Fred J. Miller Clinics, Phantom Regiment, Santa Clara Vanguard, Crossmen, First Flight Winter Guard, Field of View Winter Guard, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Arizona State University. In Texas, Leonard served five years on the North Texas Colorguard Association (NTCA) executive Board in various roles such as: Secretary, Vice President of Color Guard, and two years as President. Leonard recently completed a two-year term on the WGI Color Guard Steering Committee as the A/Open representative.
A recent new resident of New York City, Leonard works in arts administration at The Metroploitan Opera. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, running, and enjoying live theatre.
Andrew Rhebergen has been involved in the marching arts community for nearly two decades, as a performer, educator, clinician, designer, and judge. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Andrew began his marching career at Lake Park High School while simultaneously participating in the Drum Corps activity. Following the 2006 season with the Blue Stars, he joined The Cavaliers from 2007-2012, culminating in his leadership role as Drum Major and earning the honor of Cavalier of the Year. In addition to his Drum Corps experience, Andrew was a member of Rhythm X Winds for their inaugural season winning the WGI Winds World Championship in 2015.
As an educator, Andrew has worked with numerous groups including Green Thunder Percussion (2013-2014), Cavaliers Indoor Percussion (2016-2018), Legends (2016), Santa Clara Vanguard (2017-2020, 2022), The Cavaliers (2021), and many high school band programs in Illinois and Indiana. Most recently, he held the position of Visual Caption Head at Fishers High School Marching Band from 2019-2023, contributing to the ensemble's success with two Bands of America Grand National Finals appearances and a performance in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Currently, Andrew resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and works as a Travel Designer at Music Travel Consultants. Additionally, he teaches on the Visual Staff of Phantom Regiment and Rhythm X.
Originally from Wyandotte, Michigan, Michael Brady Tarr has enjoyed a successful career in the pageantry and performing arts spanning over three decades. Michael’s experience includes consulting/ designing, teaching, and leading the visual programs for many of the top drum corps in the activity including The Boston Crusaders, The Cavaliers, The Santa Clara Vanguard, The Bluecoats, and The Glassmen. Additionally, Michael has been fortunate to work with many outstanding university, high school, and international programs including Texas A&M University - Commerce (Commerce, Texas), Lassiter High School (Marietta, GA), Plymouth-Canton High School (Canton, MI), Kennesaw Mountain High School (Kennesaw, GA), Flower Mound High School (Flower Mound, TX), Avon High School (Avon, IN), Carlton J. Kell High School (Marietta, GA), Milford High School (Milford, MI), Owasso High School (Owasso, OK), Yukon High School (Yukon, OK), The Aimachi Band and Color Guard (Nagoya, Japan), Horwang High School (Bangkok, Thailand), and St. Joseph School (Bangkok, Thailand), as well as many other national caliber programs.
As an adjudicator/ clinician, Michael is in high demand judging throughout the world. Michael is an active adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Bands of America/ Music for All, Winter Guard International, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, the Indiana State School Music Association, and the Michigan Competing Band Association. Michael also had the honor to adjudicate the All Thailand Marching Championship and the All Japan Marching Championships. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interpersonal Communication (1997) and a Master of Arts Degree in Communication Arts (1999) from Eastern Michigan University.
During his undergraduate studies, Michael’s work on a presentation for the Undergraduate Research Symposium was later expanded and developed into a research article focusing on Adolescent Children and Deception, which was presented at the National Communication Association Convention (1997). In addition, Michael served on the adjunct faculty at Eastern Michigan University, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, and previously served as the Assistant Director of Student Affairs for the Mercer University School of Medicine (Savannah, GA Campus). When not teaching, Michael is avid reader who enjoys traveling, staying active, and studying the works of Benjamin Hoff and W. Timothy Gallwey.
Clif Walker is a design team member and front ensemble arranger with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. He is the director of the Youth Symphony of Kansas City Percussion KC ensemble and the University of Missouri Marching Mizzou Drumline. He is an active arranger, clinician, adjudicator, and composer with original works performed at PASIC, TMEA, DCI, BOA, WGI and The Midwest Band Orchestra Clinic.
Clif is a member of the WGI Percussion and BOA Adjudication rosters, judging coordinator for the Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) and was a percussion faculty member for the 2019 Music For All Summer Symposium.
Clif was the director of percussion, design team member and arranger for BOA Grand National Finalist Blue Springs High School (2011-2015), and former director of percussion at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Florida (2001-2008), who performed at the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International as the high school IPEC winners.
Clif holds a BSE from Missouri Western State University and an MME from the University of Central Florida and is a former member and instructor with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps.
Clif is published with Tapspace and Musicon Publications and is proud to endorse Yamaha Musical Instruments, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Beetle Percussion and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets.