Experienced Leaders Return to Guide Cavaliers Percussion, Audio, and Color Guard
ROSEMONT, IL- The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps are thrilled to announce the return of exceptional educational leaders to oversee the 2025 Percussion, Audio, and Color Guard teams. Please join us in welcoming back the following educators!
Percussion
Josh Brickey - Caption Supervisor
Russell Wharton - Caption Manager
Dr. Lane Summerlin - Caption Manager
Adam Norris - Assistant Caption Manager
Audio
Dan Schmitt - Caption Supervisor
Color Guard
John Leonard - Caption Supervisor
Stephanie Chavez - Caption Manager
Markell Allen - Caption Manager
"These leaders are not only incredible educators, but also mentors who invest deeply in the growth of our members” stated Daniel Belcher, Director of The Cavaliers. “They are shining examples of expertise, passion, and professionalism who will bring great things in 2025!”
Percussion
The Cavaliers percussion section will be led by Josh Brickey, who enters his sixth season with the corps and takes on the role of Battery Arranger while maintaining oversight of the percussion caption. Josh is entering his 22nd year working with the award-winning Rhythm X indoor drumline, and he has a myriad of experience with several notable high school, university, and DCI groups. Josh’s teaching and leadership experience is invaluable to The Cavaliers percussion section. (Read more about Josh in our previous Design Team Announcement).
Returning to co-manage the percussion team are Russell Wharton and Dr. Lane Summerlin. Russell, a Cavaliers alum (2008-2012), has been teaching with the corps since 2015. He is also a bass drum instructor at Rhythm X and is on faculty at Middle Tennessee State University. Lane, an Associate Professor of Percussion at Indiana University-Indianapolis, joined The Cavaliers in 2022. He also teaches at Carmel High School and serves as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for Rhythm X. New to the leadership team, Adam Norris steps into the role of Assistant Caption Manager for 2025. Adam, who joined the Cavaliers staff in 2022, also serves as the Battery Coordinator for Rhythm X. He has previously held percussion staff positions with the Blue Stars and the Phantom Regiment.
Audio
Dan Schmitt returns for his fourth summer on staff with The Cavaliers as Audio Caption Supervisor. A former marching member, Dan marched with the corps in 2010, and he’s entering year 14 of working with a DCI audio team. Dan serves as the Percussion Director at South Oldham High School in Crestwood, KY, where he maintains an active studio of private lesson students. He is the Lead Audio Engineer at Rhythm X.
Color Guard
John Leonard will continue to lead the charge for the Cavaliers Color Guard. John’s former experience marching with The Cavaliers as well as over 25 years experience teaching and designing make him an ideal fit for our Caption Supervisor and Designer role. (Read more about John in our previous Design Team Announcement).
Stephanie Chavez and Markell Allen return to co-manage the Color Guard team for 2025. Stephanie is the Color Guard Director at Friendswood High School in Houston, and has taught at many programs across the nation, including Cypress Independent, Phantom Regiment, Boston Crusaders, the Crossmen, and the Blue Knights. Markell is a color guard instructor and graphic designer in Indiana. In addition to teaching renowned groups such as Pride of Cincinnati and local Indianapolis ensembles, Markell designs set pieces, costumes, flags, and other visual components for pageantry arts productions.
Stay tuned for more exciting staff announcements, including our visual caption team, coming soon! Use the links below to learn more about our 2025 staff, or to access 2025 audition information.