Robert has a long history of being involved with music programs over the years. Some of his past percussion instruction ensembles are Western Albemarle High School (Crozet, VA), Western Branch High School (Chesapeake, VA), Lakeland High School (Suffolk, VA), Tallwood High School (Virginia Beach, VA), Cox High School (Virginia Beach, VA) and Princess Anne High School (Virginia Beach, VA). Robert also did some judging for several marching band circuits and music festivals in Virginia. Robert was also a member of Southern Nights Drum & Bugle Corps that was based in Virginia Beach, VA. After moving to California, he took on the Percussion Instructor for Gahr High School (Cerritos, CA). Later he started an independent drumline for young teenagers in the LA Area. This then transformed into the Mystikal Youth Arts Organization (2004 – 2009). Robert also have experience in visual design as part of his duties with the various high school ensembles and worked closely with his mentors Tim Gauldin, Andy Harnsberger and Kevin Mitchell arranging marching percussion music for the various high school programs in Virginia Beach, VA.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology with a focus on Technical Operations from Old Dominion University and numerous certifications. He is also a member of National Association of Minority Architects (NOMA) and Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity as one of the Charter Members for the Upsilon Beta Chapter. Robert’s professional career is currently administering a contractor development and bonding program for Public Agencies in Downtown Los Angeles.
He currently lives in Long Beach, CA where he enjoys international traveling, off-roading, camping and hiking. He loves his family, the Washington Redskins, New York Yankees and Boston Celtics.
Steven Estudillo was born and raised in Southern California. He is a graduate of La Mirada High School, and studied at California State University, Fullerton. As a performer, Steven was a member of Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps and later performed with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, aging out in 2008.
Steven has been a Visual Designer, Educator, Creative Director, and Adjudicator since 2006. His designs have been represented by ensembles within Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International circuits. Upon aging out in 2008, Steven began his work as an instructor and designer within the drum corps activity. He worked with Pacific Crest as a visual instructor in 2009, then later served as the Visual Designer from 2010 – 2012. After a two year hiatus from the ensemble, he returned as the Visual Designer and Creative Director from 2015 – 2021. Steven is currently on the Visual & Design Team for Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as the Visual Designer.
Simultaneously, Steven was a visual instructor for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2009-2015, serving as the Visual Caption Head starting in 2011. During the winter seasons, Steven has been serving as a Visual Designer and instructor for Pulse Percussion and Chino Hills High School since 2012, and designs for several other award winning indoor percussion ensembles throughout the country.In addition to his work in the United States, Steven has had the opportunity to branch out internationally and work with performing ensembles in South America, providing consultation and clinics to further spread the marching arts in different regions.
Steven Currently resides in Ontario, CA. with his loving wife Lexie, and his three children, Emily, Ezekiel and Elle.
Jimmy began his marching career with the RCC Marching Tigers (2014) and went on to become amember of RCC Indoor Percussion (2016-2018). He also toured with the Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps (2015) and the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps(2016-2017). During his time as a member of these ensembles, he has earned both WGI and DCI world championships. Jimmy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology(with a focus in Education) from UC Riverside and a Master of Science in Higher Education from CSU Fullerton.
Jimmy also teaches percussion at La Quinta HS, RCC Indoor Percussion, and the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. He has had the pleasure of working with many distinguished programs such as Ayala HS, San Marino HS, Fountain Valley HS, Chino HS, Vessel Indoor, and the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and proudly endorses Innovative Percussion and Zildjian Cymbals.
Jimmy resides in Southern California, where he works as an arranger, sound designer, and clinician for band programs across the country.
Zakk started his marching career at Mission Viejo High School under the tutelage of Mike Jackson, Jared Andrews, Jeremy Somers, Fernando Miller, and Roger Carter. After graduating, he went onto perform with The Academy (2012 – 2013), RCC Fall (2012 – 2013), Orange County Independent (2013), Pulse (2014), Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2014), RCC (2015), and aged out with The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps (2015) and RCC (2016). Zakk’s teaching experiences includes Orange County Independent, Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, Dark Sky Percussion, Laguna Beach High School, Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo High School, Laguna Hills High School, Diamond Bar High School, El Dorado High School, Fountain Valley High School, Etiwanda High School, and Diamond Bar High School.
Zakk graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 2020, and has been practicing childhood ABA Therapy in Southern California for two years as a Registered Behavior Technician.
Zakk is a proud member of the Vic Firth & Zildjian Educational Team and the Rudimental Mindset Educational Team.
Zakk currently lives in Mission Viejo, CA.
This will be his 4th season arranging for the battery at Meraki.
Donovan has worked as an instructor and designer in the activity for several years under the tutelage of instructors such as Mike Jackson, Jared Andrews, and Roger Carter. Donovan is also proud to be a member of the Vic Firth educational team.
Donovan has performed with several world class ensembles including RCC, POW Percussion, Blue Knights DBC, and Broken City Percussion. His last two years as section leader of Broken City resulted in their first SCPA gold medal (2017), as well as their first WGI bronze (2016) and silver (2017) medals.
Outside of the activity, he is pursuing a Bachelor's of Science at Cal State Fullerton in Child Development with plans to work with children with special needs and their families.
Jackson is a music educator based in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California and he is an Innovative Percussion Educational Artist. He is currently the director of instrumental music at Fountain Valley High School where he teaches music theory, band, orchestra, and percussion.
Jackson earned his BM in instrumental music education with a focus in percussion at California State University, Long Beach where he studied with the late Dr. Michael Carney, Randy Drake, Dr. Dave Gerhart, Axel Clarke, and former principal percussionist of the LA Philharmonic, Raynor Carroll. He received his Master Degree in Education and single subject teaching credential from National University. Jackson performed with the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets in 2011 and 2012 and was a charter member of Pulse Percussion Open in 2011 before performing with Pulse Percussion in 2012 and 2013.
Prior to becoming a music director, Jackson was a percussion instructor at Trabuco Hills High School (2012-2021) Ayala High School (2013-2017), Mission Viejo High School (2013-2020), and Warren High School (2016-2018). Outside of scholastic performance ensembles, Jackson is currently on the education faculty of Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and Blue Devils B Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also been on the education team at Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets (2015-2018), Dark Sky Percussion (2017-2018, 2021), and Impact Percussion in eastern Washington (2018-2019).
Jackson is excited to be a part of Meraki for the upcoming season.
Scott is a Southern California native and an avid program designer in the marching arts community. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry Studies (Percussion emphasis) & Business from California State University, Northridge. In his time away from music education, Scott embraces a rewarding role at Crunchyroll as a Global Content Analyst & Acquisition Manager to spread the love and passion of Anime to fans across the world.
Over the years, Scott has held numerous arranging, design, and instructional roles with marching ensembles such as Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps, Dark Sky Percussion, Élan Percussion, Impulse Drum & Bugle Corps, San Marino High School, La Quinta High School, and various other ensembles across Southern California and Japan. His passion in this community is fueled by the drive to promote character development and emotional growth to young performers in the marching arts activity.
Scott proudly uses Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets.
Zakk started his marching career at Mission Viejo High School under the tutelage of Mike Jackson, Jared Andrews, Jeremy Somers, Fernando Miller, and Roger Carter. After graduating, he went onto perform with The Academy (2012 – 2013), RCC Fall (2012 – 2013), Orange County Independent (2013), Pulse (2014), Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2014), RCC (2015), and aged out with The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps (2015) and RCC (2016). Zakk’s teaching experiences includes Orange County Independent, Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, Dark Sky Percussion, Laguna Beach High School, Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo High School, Laguna Hills High School, Diamond Bar High School, El Dorado High School, Fountain Valley High School, Etiwanda High School, and Diamond Bar High School.
Zakk graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 2020, and has been practicing childhood ABA Therapy in Southern California for two years as a Registered Behavior Technician.
Zakk is a proud member of the Vic Firth & Zildjian Educational Team and the Rudimental Mindset Educational Team.
Zakk currently lives in Mission Viejo, CA.
This will be his 3rd season as Staff Coordinator/Battery Ensemble Manager.
Jack is a world class performer and educator from Diamond Bar, California. He started his marching career at Diamond Bar high school. Some of his performance career can be credited to Pacific Crest Drum& Bugle Corps and Dark Sky Percussion Corps before aging out of the activity.
Jack is excited to be applying his past performance experiences to his educational skills and being a member of Meraki’s Staff.
Mario Godinho is a seasoned educator and professional drummer based in Riverside, California. He graduated Ramona High School in 2018 after completing 2 DCI tours with Watchmen DBC (2016-2017), while returning as section leader for the corps for the 2018 season. He then went to march with the RCC Marching Tigers (2018), while also marching POW Percussion (2019). While returning as battery captain for the fall (2019), he then marched RCC Indoor Percussion (2020).
As an educator teaching since right after graduation, he has experience teaching at Orange Vista HS (2018-2019), Redlands East Valley HS (2019-2020), Fontana HS (2021), Jurupa MS (2021-2023), Temescal Canyon HS (2022-2023), and is currently battery caption head at Eleanor Roosevelt HS. He has also been providing an abundance of private lessons to students all over Southern California under the name ‘Drum With Mario’.
Mario has also indulged in professional endeavors, currently working with companies such as SIDLE Entertainment (LA Chargers/LA Kings), Disney (Disneyland Resort Anaheim), and Rhythm Extreme. He has also worked with several performing artists such as Young Thug, Gunna, Travis Scott, The 1975, and many others in addition to being in several movie and commercial productions.
Mario is beyond excited to return for his 3rd season with Meraki Percussion to assist students and the organization reach their full potential.
Alexis Vargas is a marching percussion educator, designer, and arranger based out of the Inland Empire in Southern California. Over the summer Alexis worked with the 2022 DCI Open Class champions The Vanguard Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, and Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps from the City of Industry in 2023 as a snare tech.
His performance experience includes a season of Drum Corps with Gold Drum &Bugle Corps in 2016 and 3 seasons of Indoor Percussion with Orange County Independent in 2017 then with Vessel Indoor Percussion in 2018 and 2020. He has also worked with many schools, including Arlington High School where he serves as the percussion caption head, arranger, and indoor drill designer, and Temecula Valley High School, where he serves as the battery caption head and arranger. He has written and taught at Temescal Canyon High School from2018 to 2021 and Valley View High School from 2021 to 2023.
Alexis is a University of California Riverside graduate majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy.
Alexis is excited to be joining Meraki’s Educational Staff for the 2023-2024 Season
Andy graduated from Eastlake High School. After high school, Andy continued his percussion experience as a cast member for Odyssey (2018), Dark Sky Percussion (2019 – 2021), RCC Fall (2019/2021/2022), and RCC Indoor (2022). Some of Andy’s teaching experience in the performing arts arena includes Pacifica High School and currently with Carlsbad High School.
Andy continues to fulfill his passion in drumming by being a member of the LA Chargers Drumline with Sidle Entertainment.
Andy currently resides in Chula Vista, CA.
He is excited to be teaching with the Meraki Staff for his 2nd Season.
Lorenzo is a percussion educator and performer from Ontario, CA. He began his marching education at Chino High School under the instruction of Mike Jackson from 2010 – 2014. He then went on to compete at the highest level of the marching activity in both DCI and WGI for over 5 years, performing with a number of award winning ensembles such as Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and Pulse Percussion.
Never losing his passion for music and the marching arts and after aging out of the activity, Lorenzo continued to remain involved as an educator. He has worked with a number of high school and independent percussion programs since 2015. Most recently serving as the bass tech for Vessel Drum and Bugle Corps, and is currently the Battery Caption Head at Cypress High School, Glendora High School, and Azusa High School.
Lorenzo continues to find opportunities to perform live music, gigging as a member of multiple local bands as well as both the LA Chargers and LA Kings drumlines.
Lorenzo currently lives in Ontario, CA
He is very excited to be returning to Meraki for his 4th season.
Logan is a bass drum educator in the marching percussion arena in the Southern California Area. Some of Logan’s performance experience includes DCI’s Finalist Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps in 2018 and Dark Sky 2019-2020.
Logan’s teaching experience includes La Habra High School and Orange High School.
Logan currently lives in Fullerton, California.
Logan will be return for his 3rd season on Meraki's Educational Team.
Jordan began his marching career at Townsend Junior High School at the age of 12. He began playing cymbals in earnest at Chino Hills High School, where he graduated in 2015. He continued marching with Pulse Percussion in 2016, POW Percussion in 2017, and finishing out his time marching with the Sacramento Mandarins for their 2017 season.
After concluding his time marching, Jordan completed his transition into the education side of the activity. His teaching experience includes Etiwanda High School, Townsend Junior High School, Corona High School, Westminster High School, Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps, Instinct Percussion, as well as clinic work around the Southern California area.
Jordan is currently a voice actor, podcaster, and audiobook narrator based out of Corona, CA. In his limited free time, Jordan enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, writing, and watching all things Marvel.
Amber performed on trumpet with Golden Empire Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015 and 2016 and then with the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps from 2017 to 2019. During this time she also played cymbals for Bakersfield College Indoor in 2018 and 2019, and Pow Percussion in 2020 and 2022.
Outside of performing Amber also graduated from the California State University of Fresno with a BA in music education. Amber has taught as a visual caption head for both Torrence high school and Independence high school, as well as taught as a visual technician with Golden Empire Drum and Bugle Corps. They also teach at Gold Drum and Bugle corps as a cymbal instructor during the summer.
Amber is excited to be returning to Meraki’s Instructional Staff for the 2023-2024 Season
Angel has been an instructor for the past several years and has worked at groups such as Colony High School (2014-2019), Vessel Drum & Bugle Corps (2019), Dark Sky Percussion (2020), and Diamond Bar High School (2016-2019). He is currently afront ensemble instructor for Etiwanda High school, Patriot High school, Trabuco Hills High school, and Canyon Springs High School.
Angel started as a percussionist while in his sophomore year at Colony High School. After graduating in 2013, he continued to pursue his career in the marching arts. He has performed with the Riverside City College Marching Tigers (2013-2015), Gold Drum and Bugle Corps (2014), the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps (2015), and Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps (2016).
Angel was also involved with the indoor percussion circuits, where he performed with Dark Sky Percussion from 2014 through his age-out year in 2018.
Angel currently resides in Ontario, CA.
This will be Angel's 4th season with Meraki.
Conrad’s dynamic performance experiences includes Dark Sky Percussion - Marimba (2015), Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps - Marimba (2016), Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps - Marimba (2017), and RCC Indoor Percussion - Mallets (2016 - 2018). His teaching experience in the performing arts arena includes Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps (2018-2019), Dark Sky Percussion (2019-2020), and Gold Indoor Percussion (2022). Some of his scholastic teaching experience includes Los Alamitos High School (2017-2019), Torrance High School (2018), Notre Dame High School (2018 - Present), and San Marino High School (2019 - 2020).
Conrad received a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA in 2017 and received a Masters in Public Administration (M.P.A.) Degree from Cal State Long Beach in 2019. After receiving these degrees, Conrad is currently work as Policy Analyst in Higher Education.
Conrad Loves to travel and is an avid theme park/rollercoaster enthusiast while living in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Conrad is excited to be returning for the 2023-2024 season.
Monica has performed with multiple ensembles in the marching arts including Orange County Independent (2016), Gold Drum and Bugle Corps (2016), Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps (2017), and Broken City (2017-2020).
After aging out of the activity, Monica began working in childhood ABA therapy. Monica has been a Registered Behavior Technician in Orange County for the past 3 years.
Monica is very excited to be on Meraki’s Educational team for the 2023-2024 Season.
Emily Nelson-Garcia is an active percussion educator from Southern California. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from California State University Long Beach and has performed with marching ensembles such as Orange County Independent Percussion, Broken City Percussion, RCC Indoor Percussion, Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps, Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps, and Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps.
Since aging out, Emily has worked with the front ensemble at Vessel Indoor Percussion and Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps.
Emily is super excited to be returning to Meraki's Educational Team for this upcoming season.
Tyler performed with Mandarin Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014.He also performed for five seasons with Dark Sky Percussion (2015 – 2019). While performing with Dark Sky Percussion, he was the vibe section leader in2018 and Front Ensemble Section leader in 2019.
With his outstanding playing and educational experiences, Tyler held the Front Ensemble Caption Head positions for Don Lugo High School (2019 – Present) and Claremont High School (2018 – 2019). Tyler was the Pit Tech for Nogales High School (2018 – 2019).
Tyler Currently lives in Chino, CA.
Tyler will be returning Meraki’s Educational Team for the 2023-2024 season.
Eddie was born and raised in Southern California. He started as a percussionist during his time at Verdugo Hills High School. After high school, he attended Pasadena City College and then California State University, Northridge. During his time in school, he performed with many various ensembles, some of which he had the privilege of being principal percussion/section leader. He has also been awarded the Outstanding Percussionist Award, as well as other awards, from both PCC and CSUN. Outside of his collegiate endeavors, he has performed in DCI and SCPA/WGI. He graduated from California State University, Northridge with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Industry Studies.
As a music educator, Eddie has done clinic work and taught various ensembles throughout Southern California including Pasadena City College Marching Band/Tournament of Roses Honor Band/Winter Drumline, Verdugo Hills High School, Blair High School, Rosemont Middle School, Crescenta Valley High School, Moorpark High School, and Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps.
He is currently the Front Ensemble Caption Head at Moorpark High School and the Front Ensemble Manager at Crescenta Valley High School.
This will be Eddie's 3rd season with Meraki's Educational Team.
Vanessa’s teaching experience spans from middle school through college musicians. Influenced by renowned educators from across the country, she is determined to use her knowledge of music and her passion for the art to foster the next generation of well-versed musicians. Vanessa's performance experience includes the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps (2014-2015), RCC Marching Tigers (2015), Pulse Percussion (2015-2016, 2018), and the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps (2016-2018).
Vanessa received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UCR in 2021. Vanessa is currently working as a Manufacturing Engineer at an aerospace company in Torrance, CA.
This is Vanessa’s1st season with Meraki and she is looking forward to having a positive impact on the ensemble.
Nic performing experiences includes Royal Oak Middle School – Flute (2009), Charter Oak High School Flute, Electric Bass (2013), RCC Marching Tigers - Electric Bass (2014 – 2015). RCC Indoor Percussion (2015 and 2018), Blue Devils International Corps (2015), Odyssey Indoor Percussion - Bass Drum (2017). Some of his collegiate performances are with Cal Poly Pomona Wind Ensemble – Flute, Cal Poly Pomona Philharmonic Orchestra – Flute, CPP MIDI Ensemble - Electric Bass, CPP Percussion Ensemble –Percussion, Rose Parade Swing Band - String Bass (2016) and numerous rock, hip-hop ,funk, reggae, jazz bands across the LA Area (2016 – Present).
Nic’s scholastic teaching experience includes El Rancho High School (2016 – 2017), Bonita High School (2017 – 2018), La Puente High School (2018 – Present), Glendora High School (Present) and Azusa High School (Present).
When Nic is not teaching and performing, he is a handpan maker at Oasis Sound Sculpture and he currently lives in Glendora, CA.
Nic will be returning for his 4th season with Meraki's Educational Team
Mitchell began his journey into the marching arts early in life and quickly developed a passion for color guard. As part of the James Logan Color Guard, Mitchell grew as a performer. During his time there,he performed in ensembles that earned countless medals for the fall marching band and were a member of the undefeated WGI world-class color guard. After high school, Mitchell spent five years performing in the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard, earning three DCI championships and four Zingali Awards. At the Blue Devils, Mitchell excelled as an individual and received the following awards: Rookie of The Year, Rifle of The Year, Performer of The Year, The Directors Award, and serving as color guard captain his age-out year. After his time as a performer ended.
Mitchell quickly developed a passion for teaching and choreography. He returned to his alma mater at James Logan as an instructor and helped the group earn (5) WGI World Class medals, including (3) silver and (1) gold medals. Additionally, Mitchell began to branch out and teach and write for many other groups in California includes Jesse Bethel High School, Downey High School, Fountain Valley High School, Saratoga High School, and spent several summers both the Blue Devils and Blue Devils B.
Mitchell lives in Southern California to follow his passion for fashion and furthering his education in business. Now taking his creative side and furthering his teaching career, he is currently working with Palm Desert High School.
Harrison is a music educator based in Southern California and this will be his first year working with Meraki. He started his indoor career as choreographer and visual instructor for Arcadia World Percussion in 2022 where the group finished 4th in PSW at the WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Harrison also had a performing career in DCI as a marching member at Pacific Crest and drum major at The Blue Devils.
In addition to his drum corps career, Harrison has also served as a visual and music instructor for various high schools throughout Southern California, including Arcadia High School, Rancho Cucamonga High School, El Dorado High School, and Vista Murrieta High School.
Harrison holds an AA degree from Riverside City College in music and is currently pursuing a BM in music education at Cal State Los Angeles.
Harrison is very excited to leading Meraki's visual program for another season.
Everett started his drum corps career in 2015 with Pacific Crest and went on to march the following four years at the Blue Devils where he was a trumpet player and Drum Major.
Everett is an educator and composer based in Southern California. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2020 and went on to obtain his Masters degree in Screen Scoring at the University of Southern California in 2022.
Adding Everett to the visual team adds an additional layer of education and development to cast members as the ensemble grows in talent level. This will be Everett’s first season with Meraki.
Aaron is an educator and music producer from Ventura County who has spent many years teaching alongside dedicated and passionate instructors in the marching arts community. He holds a background as a multi-instrumentalist with a primary focus on trumpet. In 2021, he was credited as the recording and production engineer in the debut album "Gradients" for the up-and-coming surf-rock band Archer Oh and continues to produce music when he has the time. He spent two years studying music and trumpet performance at Moorpark College. After graduating with an Associates Degree from Moorpark, Aaron transferred to California State University, Northridge and earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Industry Studies in 2021.
Aaron's marching experience started with Pacific Crest in 2015, and then 3rd dedicated years at the Blue Devils from 2017-2019. It wasn't until 2021 where he started to make strides as a visual caption head for Adolfo Camarillo High School's Marching Band and winter drumline programs. Alongside Camarillo, he has taught at many prestigious programs in the area including Westlake High School, Moorpark High School, and Thousand Oaks High School - constantly helping those programs to medal in their respective divisions.
He took his teaching skills to the independent level with Meraki in 2023 and then Gold Drum and Bugle Corps the following summer.
Aaron is excited to return to Meraki for the 2024 season.
Alvina, an educator, choreographer, and performer based in Southern California, brings a wealth of experience from the realms of movement and music. Her journey began as an instructor at Li’s Ballet Studio in 2016, where she taught dance fundamentals to young students. Her trajectory took an exciting turn upon discovering the world of marching arts, igniting a newfound passion.
Alvina's marching career as a performer includes two seasons with the Blue Devils in 2019 and 2022, as well as appearances in WGI visual ensembles, notably with Dark Sky Percussion in 2018 and RCC Indoor in 2019 and 2023.
With a strong foundation in movement and education, Alvina transitioned to the role of educator, working with ensembles such as Arcadia High School, Cerritos High School, Temple City High School, and La Quinta High School in both indoor percussion and outdoor marching band circuits.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Alvina holds a degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science from UCLA and has aspirations to work in the gaming industry. With an unwavering commitment to growth and excellence, her diverse background and passion position her to make a lasting impact in the ensembles she collaborates with.
Alvina is excited to work with Meraki Percussion this season!
Ashley is a freelance photographer based in Azusa, CA. She was a member of Meraki for the 2020 season and has also performed with Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps as well as Gold Indoor Percussion. Ashley keeps connected with the marching world through her passion for photography and capturing unforgettable moments.
This is Ashley's 2nd year with Meraki Media.
Robin is a photographer, educator, and personal/executive assistant from Laguna Niguel, California. While playing baritone and cymbals in high school, she began her career in the marching arts at Pacific Crest in 2013. She stayed with PC until 2017, serving as a section leader and Horn Sergeant for two years before aging out with the 2019 Blue Devils.
Robin’s passion for action shots was largely focused on the winter drumline scene — shooting her friends and idols at SCPA and WGI shows since 2012 — but though she was primarily a low brass performer, she found her way to the floor as an inaugural member of OCI Winds in 2015 (flute), a part of Dark Sky’s first visual line in 2018, and a performer in RCC Indoor Percussion’s movement ensemble in 2019 & 2020.
Robin started teaching high school marching bands in 2015, as a flute coach then vis tech and choreographer. With a keen interest in storytelling – be it literal, visual, or musical - she earned a bachelor’s degree in Literature and Writing from UC San Diego and continued to teach various high school marching bands and drumlines throughout the greater Orange County and LA Areas. She returned to the marching arts as a visual instructor for Dark Sky Percussion’s 2022 season and was a photographer for the Santa Clara Vanguard for the summer of 2022.Robin is also coming back to El Dorado High School to teach their marching band in the fall.
