2025 Education Team

Ricky is pumped to return for his 8th consecutive year at Hurcs! This is his fourth year as Battery Caption head. He previously was a member of  the Connecticut Hurricanes, 2009-2014 and served as an in-line technician in 2014. He was a member with United Percussion in 2012 and the Cadets2  in 2015.  He was on the instructional staff at Cadets2 in 2016 (winners of the DCA High Percussion Award & World Championship) and 2017.

Ricky has been involved with Connecticut-based drum lines for over 16 years. He has worked with a multitude of high school organizations such as Brien McMahon, Shelton, Westhill, and Norwalk. He was the Bass Drum Technician at Norwalk High School, a position he held for 6 years (2013-2019). Norwalk Percussion earned back-to-back WGI Percussion Scholastic Open titles in 2014-2016 and 2019. He is currently working with Trumbull High School and has been for the past 5 years as Battery Coordinator.

Ricky can’t wait to see what The Hurricanes will achieve this year, each year brings bigger and better things.

Matt is an active performer, educator, and arts advocate in Connecticut. Matt has been with the Hurricanes for over 10 years as a horn player, brass instructor, brass caption head, and staff coordinator. Matt is excited to return to the brass staff for the 2025 season as a high brass technician while continuing his role as staff coordinator. He has held numerous instructional roles with local high school marching bands, most recently as visual caption head at Naugatuck High School from 2018-2023. 

Matt is the Director of Instrumental Music at Sage Park Middle School in Windsor, CT and is also the Northern Region Director of the Connecticut Music Educators Association. Matt holds a BA in Music from Trinity College, an MS in Secondary Education from the University of New Haven, and a 6th Year Diploma in Educational Administration from the University of Connecticut. Matt is currently a doctoral student at Central Connecticut State University studying teacher retention in Connecticut’s alliance districts. 

Nick is excited to return as the brass caption head for the 2025 season with the Hurricanes! He obtained his Bachelors’ Degree in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University and his Masters’ Degree in Music Composition from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. Nick is currently the band and choir director at Derby High School in Connecticut, taught middle school band and chorus in Plainfield and Thompson, and has previous experience teaching high school instrumental music and special education. Nick has also taught as a private instructor, specializing in all brass instruments and teaching a variety of age groups and experience levels.

He is also an active composer and arranger, most recently releasing an album of electroacoustic music titled “Music for the Autistic Mind” with the goal of writing research-based music that could be used for therapeutic purposes for individuals who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also serves as a composer/arranger for the Newtown High School, Plainfield High School, and Newtown Winter Percussion.

In the marching arts, Nick marched mellophone with 7th Regiment in 2015 and 2016 and marched mellophone with the Hawthorne Caballeros In 2022. As an instructor, Nick has previously taught music and visual at various marching band programs in Connecticut and Massachusetts and at the Highland Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Flemington, NJ. Currently, Nick is a music instructor at the Newtown High School, teaches both music and visual at Newtown Winter Percussion, and has been on the brass staff at the Hurricanes since 2023.

Kayleigh has taught music in the Rochester, NY area for 7 years, and is currently a middle school band director in Pittsford, NY. She received her Bachelor’s of Music Education at the Eastman School of Music in 2016 and her Master’s in Music Education at SUNY Potsdam in 2021. Kayleigh was introduced to the Hurricanes by her now husband Brian White while they were in college and marched in the mellophone line in 2017 and 2023, as well as the trumpet line in 2022. She plays mellophone in Valley Thunder drum and bugle corps and regularly plays her french horn in wind ensembles and pit orchestras in the Rochester area. She is thrilled to be joining the brass staff this year!

Brian White has been a member of the Connecticut Hurricanes since 2008, where he has marched on Baritone, Tuba, and Trumpet. After graduating from Newtown High School in 2011, Brian attended the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2015. Brian currently lives in Rochester, NY with his wife, Kayleigh, who is also a Hurricane, Eastman graduate, and band director. Brian is the Director of Bands at The Aquinas Institute of Rochester and the Conductor of the Mount Hope World Singers. Brian is thrilled to return to the Brass staff in 2023 after helping the Hurricanes win their inaugural Open Class Championship in 2022.

Bio Coming Soon!

Roman is a Southern California based jazz and classical percussionist, educator, arranger, and drill writer. 

He marched with Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps and aged out with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.  Roman has gone on to teach on the percussion staff at the Hawthorne Caballeros from 2017 – 2020, 2022 -2023.

This will be Roman’s second year with the Connecticut Hurricanes and is looking forward to spending another summer with the historic drum corps.

He is currently studying for his Bachelors in Psychology with a focus in Mental Health and Social Work services.

AJ is excited to be returning to the Hurricanes for the 2025 season! He began his marching career at Maloney High School in Meriden, CT where he was a member of the marching band for four years. In 2013, he started at the University of New Haven where he studied Cyber Security and was a member of the marching band for five seasons, serving as percussion section leader in 2016.

He began his drum corps career as a snare drummer for Fusion Core in 2015. In 2016 and 2017 he marched for Cadets2, winning the DCA Championship and the High Percussion Award in the 2016 season.

He currently serves as a percussion instructor at Maloney High School and Cheshire High School, in addition to the University of New Haven. He excited to be working with a great group of educators at the Hurricanes and looks forward to the great season ahead!

Chris is a percussionist, educator and arranger based out of Northern New Jersey. He has been working with the Roxbury High-school Marching Band and Indoor percussion group since 2016, and has held the position of Percussion Advisor since 2019.

Outside of marching percussion, Chris also maintains his own private studio, and works regularly with non-profit music education groups, teaching percussion and spreading his love for music. He is also a Firefighter and EMT, and is pursuing a career in Orchestral percussion. He has had the opportunity to work with many notable performers and educators, has attended several orchestral and percussion institutes and has had the opportunity to study and perform music around the world.

He is currently finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from William Paterson University.

Chris is looking forward to working with this historic drum corps and being able to become a part of the Hurricane family.

Gavin is looking forward to returning to the Connecticut Hurricanes for his 4th year as Tenor Drum Technician. He started marching with the Hurricanes in 2018 and 2019 as both a member and section leader of the tenor line. He was also a member of the Norwalk High School Marching Band and Indoor Drumline from 2013-2017. Norwalk Percussion went on to become 3 time Open Class Scholastic World Championship medalists at WGI Finals. The marching band placed 1st in their class while competing in the MAC circuit on 3 separate occasions as well. They also competed in the US Bands circuit, placing first in their class and receiving the award for best percussion in 2014.

Gavin has previous experience working as a Tenor Drum Tech with New Milford High School (2018-2019), Norwalk High School (2019-2020), and Trumbull High School (2021-2023) where they received the award for best percussion in their class in 2021 and 2022 while competing in the US bands circuit. This will be Gavin’s 7th year teaching and he cannot wait to start the season. He is very excited to be a part of the organization and the growth that continues to take place within it. WPTT!

Anthony Davis, a proud native of Norwalk, CT, first entered the world of marching percussion in 2004 with the Brien McMahon High School (BMHS) Marching Senators. His journey began as a passionate student, but quickly evolved into a dedicated career in percussion education and ensemble leadership.

After graduating in 2008, Anthony began sharing his expertise as a battery technician at his alma mater, BMHS, where he served from 2008 to 2013. In 2014, he was promoted to Percussion Caption Head, a role in which he helped shape and elevate the program’s performance standards and team dynamic. His dedication to BMHS culminated in the establishment of a winter percussion ensemble that flourished under his guidance. This new ensemble successfully completed its inaugural season, setting a strong foundation for the program’s future growth and competitive success.

In addition to his work at BMHS, Anthony expanded his reach by joining Westhill High School’s winter percussion program in Stamford, CT as a quad technician in 2016. He also took on a position with Stamford High School’s Winter Percussion ensemble as a quad technician in 2017, all while continuing to build the BMHS winter percussion program. His experience spans various roles across multiple institutions, allowing him to bring a well-rounded perspective and deep expertise to every team he joins.

Anthony’s drum corps experience includes three seasons performing as a tenor with the Connecticut Hurricanes from 2009 to 2011, and a season on snare with Cadets2 in 2015. Anthony returned to drum corps as a quad technician with the CT Hurricanes in 2017 through 2019. This experience on the field, paired with his years of teaching, gives Anthony a comprehensive understanding of the discipline and artistry required in percussion and ensemble performance.

Returning to his instructional role this year with The Hurricanes, Anthony is eager to contribute his skills, experience, and unwavering enthusiasm to further enrich the program. His focus remains on developing well-rounded, skilled percussionists and fostering a positive, driven team culture. Anthony is excited to work with both new and returning members, helping each one reach their full potential and bringing a renewed energy to the ensemble.

Bio Coming Soon!

Steve is excited to be returning to the Hurricanes for the 2025 DCI season! He began his marching career at Stamford High School. He went on to join Fusion where he marched Drumset, and then went on to Sacred Heart and Saints Brigade.

He currently serves as front ensemble instructor and show designer at Brien McMahon High School, and has worked for Stamford High and Westhill High school.

He is excited to be working with a great group of educators at the Hurricanes and looks forward to the great season ahead!

Bio Coming Soon!

Sophia is a music educator based out of North Jersey. She started her marching career at Pequannock Township High School. She is currently a senior at William Paterson University getting a degree in Music Education with an instrumental focus in Flute.

She marched Trumpet with the Hawthorne Caballeros (2021) and then joined the front ensemble and played Synthesizer for the next three years (2022-2024) becoming Section Leader for the last.

Sophia currently teaches at New Milford CT HS during the winter writing drill and doing visual while also teaching front ensemble in the Fall with Madison HS.

This will be Sophia’s first year with the Connecticut Hurricanes and she is excited to learn from the people around her and to grow as an educator in the Marching Arts along side her colleagues.

Where I’ve Marched:
Norwalk High School band and guard (14-17)
Norwalk high school winter guard (15-17)
Fusion core drum and bugle corps (16,17, and 21)
Sacred heart winter guard (2019)
Fusion world (20-23)

Where I’ve taught:
Norwalk high School Marching band and guard(19-22)
Norwalk high School winter guard (20-23)
Southington high school marching band and guard (2022)
Southington high school winter guard (2023)
Hurricanes drum and bugle corps (2022)

Education: Norwalk High School (14-18)
Attending Norwalk Community College studying business.

Bio Coming Soon!

Henry started his marching career in 2006 with Brien McMahon High School playing tuba. He then began his teaching career as a visual tech with Westhill HS, started to teach at Brien McMahon as a visual tech in 2015, and is currently the visual caption head.

He began his journey with the Connecticut Hurricanes back in 2008 as a tuba player and has marched there consecutively through 2017. Henry was the voice over for the show in 2018 and 2024. In 2019, He became a visual tech at Hurricanes and in 2021 while teaching, he also helped within management as Membership Activity Coordinator.

Henry is ecstatic to continue another season with the Hurricanes as the Visual Caption Head

Ian joins us for his second year on visual staff, and he is very excited for the 2025 season! Ian started his marching journey at Brien McMahon highschool, marching mellophone. He joined the Hurricanes in 2013, becoming a welcome addition to the tuba line. He has continued to march every year since, including filing a late season hole after his DCI tour with the Oregon Crusaders in 2016. 

Ian has taught at Brookfield High School 2013-2017 and currently is on staff with Brien McMahon High School since the 2017 winter season.

Abby is looking forward to working with the Hurricanes in 2025! She grew up watching DCI on PBS while folding section shirts for her older brother’s high school marching band, and couldn’t wait to march despite being an oboist.

Abby marched mellophone with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps 1999-2003 and again with the 50th anniversary alumni corps in 2024. She was part of the visual staff of the Reading Buccaneers in 2005, the Crossmen in 2006, and has been a band director at the elementary and high school level.

Abby holds a BMus in Music Education from the University of Michigan and MMus in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is currently a higher ed administrator in Boston, a USBands event staffer, an avid baker, and an appreciator of a good foot placement into a direction change.

Huy is excited to join this season with the 2025 Connecticut Hurricanes! Huy began his marching career in 2017 at Bunnell High School on Alto & Baritone Saxophone and marched all four years of high school (2017-2021) He was a member of the University of New Haven Marching Band on Alto Saxophone and Mellophone from 2021 through 2023. Huy has marched one summer of DCI playing Mellophone and Trumpet with 7th Regiment in 2022.

Huy has since worked with the Newtown High School Marching Band as a visual tech for the 2024 season, as well as Bunnell High School’s outdoor and indoor ensembles as their lead audio engineer from 2021 through 2024.

Huy is currently finishing up his undergraduate studies in Computer Science and Mathematics and plans to pursue a masters in Aerospace Engineering this coming fall.

Austin has been a freelance teacher and choreographer since the fall of 2004. He has worked with numerous high school groups fall/winter percussion  and drum corps in the northeast area. Some of those places are Norwalk high, Trumbull high, Westhill high, Stamford high, and Dartmouth high. Some of the drum corps he has taught are Connecticut Hurricanes, Hawthorne Caballeros, Fusion Core, Oregon Crusaders and Jersey Surf. Years he has taught or helped out the hurricanes are 2007, 2011-2012, and 2019. Austin is an alumni of Spirit of Atlanta where he marched from 2002-2006 where they made finals 4 out of those 5 years. He also likes to bring a unique style to the groups he teaches or writes choreo for. So they can have their own unique style! He is very excited to be working with his hometown Corp again!

Joe has been involved in the Pageantry arts since performing with the Grenadiers drum and bugle corps of Binghamton NY in 1976.  Joe has participated both as a performer  and a member of the instructional staff.  Joe’s Pageantry journey includes the Watkins Glen Squires, The Empire State Express, The Cadets and then as an instructor with the Cadets, Madison Scouts, Star of Indiana, Bluecoats, Long Island Sunrisers, CT Hurricanes, Bushwackers and is currently an Education Leadership consultant with the Purple Lancers drum and bugle corps here in NYS.

Joe is a member of the New York Federation of Contest judges and is a Retired US Army Veteran.  Joe is currently employed by the Mt Markham School district as a driver and is a freelance clinician and adjudicator in the Pageantry Arts.  Joe has taught Band in New Hartford NY as well as Sherburne-Earlville CSD.