Vanguard Music and Performing Arts is pleased to announce the 2018 Santa Clara Vanguard Design Team!

Michael Gaines, Creative Director & Drill Designer  *NEW ROLE IN 2018*
Scott Koter, Program Coordinator
Denise Bonfiglio, Advisor
Andy Toth, Visual Program Coordinator
Adam Sage, Consultant
Paul Rennick, Percussion Arranger
Sandi Rennick, Percussion Arranger
JD Shaw, Brass Arranger
Bart Woodley, Consultant *NEW ADDITION IN 2018*
Michael Rosales, Lead Choreographer *NEW ADDITION IN 2018*

Many of the great minds who brought you “Ouroboros” are back on board to reprise their roles for another season. Pete Weber has decided to take some time away to spend with his family as they prepare to welcome a new born in the coming year. We congratulate and wish the entire Weber family the best during this special time!

“I would like to thank Pete Weber, on behalf of everyone at VMAPA, for the incredible things he has done for the SCV visual program since joining the organization as Drill Designer in 2006. He has created memorable moments that fans will remember forever and has played a significant role in shaping the Vanguard into what you see today,” said Shaun Gallant, VMAPA Director of Programs.

We are very excited to announce that Michael Gaines will be expanding his role to serve as our Drill Designer in 2018.

“Having Michael on our design team as Creative Director has been a dream come true, and to say we are delighted to have him take on the Drill Design is an understatement,” added Gallant. “We believe there is no one better to continue the foundation of visual excellence that has been set by Pete over the last twelve years!”

In anticipation of an even more ambitious creative vision for 2018, we are thrilled to be welcoming two new faces to the design team this year. We are very fortunate to have Bart Woodley (Consultant) and Michael Rosales (Lead Choreographer) come on board in such key roles for the Santa Clara Vanguard.

“Michael’s versatile and creative design, as well as his original approach to choreography, is the perfect fit for Vanguard – and the amount of knowledge that Bart has accumulated in his years of teaching, designing, and coaching performers at the top of their game will not only enhance the design of our production, but will be integral to bringing out the best our performers have to offer,” said SCV Drill Designer and VMAPA Creative Director, Michael Gaines.

As a marching member himself, Bart Woodley performed with the Cavaliers color guard and Escapade Winter Guard before going on to serve on staff with 7-time DCI World Champion The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (1994-95, 2000-2015) and 6-time WGI World Champion Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard (1998-present). Bart has worked with numerous marching bands & winter guards in a variety of roles including director, visual coordinator, caption-head, choreographer, drill writer, designer, technician, clinician, and judge. He holds a Masters in Public Relations, a BA in Advertising from Ball State University, and he is currently the Director of Operations & Sponsor Relations for WGI.

Michael Rosales (right) is a well-known choreographer, dancer, and color guard instructor whose work has been featured with many ensembles across the DCI and WGI communities both as a marching member (Blue Devils, Fantasia, San Jose Raiders) and an educator (Carolina Crown, Bluecoats, The Cadets, Braddock Independent, Paramount World, West Broward World). Outside the world of marching arts, Michael has also built an impressive performance resume. As a dancer he has worked with recording artists like Ricky Martin, toured nationally and internationally with the Tony and Emmy Award winning production BLAST!, and has appeared in the 2005 blockbuster movie, RENT. Michael teaches classes and produces large shows around the country, and he most recently choreographed the new BLAST! Music of Disney show which is currently touring in Japan.

“As rewarding as it was to see ‘Ouroboros’ grow from inception through to the corps’ amazing DCI Finals performance, it was equally enjoyable to witness this creative team share ideas and get to know one another,” said SCV Program Coordinator, Scott Koter. “We are eager to hit the ground running, knowing that we are empowered by the Corps’ Leadership and the VMAPA Board of Directors to discover, innovate, and push the boundaries of our activity.”

Stay tuned for more updates from the design room, and sign up for your 2018 SCV audition here!