The Madison Scouts are pleased to welcome Mark Waymire as program coordinator and announce the 2024 design team including Jeremy Hunt (visual designer & coordinator), Chad Berkstresser (visual designer & coordinator), K.J. Stafford (music supervisor), Scott Boerma (brass arranger/composer), Matt Hahn (front ensemble arranger), Ryan Ellis (battery arranger), Tim Mitchell (electronics design), and Tykeem Rainey (choreography). Assisting the team will be Celeste Cooning (set design), Jeanette Prichard (graphic design), and Ken Giese (visual consultant).
Dr. Mark Waymire has been a music educator and pageantry designer for over thirty years. His tenure as educator includes fifteen years in the public schools and fifteen years as a university professor. Ten years were spent as Director of Bands at Seguin High School, Seguin, Texas. The Seguin band program grew in size and notoriety under Mark’s leadership which includes multiple appearances as a BOA Texas Regional Finalist. His scholarly research based in the study of expert teaching has been presented over fifty times nationally and internationally.
Mark’s drum corps experience began with his membership in the Phantom Regiment, where soon after aging out, he spent six years in various roles as part of the brass and visual staff, 1987–1992. He joined the staff of the Madison Scouts in 2001, remaining until 2006, serving in various roles including brass caption head, 2003–2006. In 2007, he served as brass caption head for the Glassmen. His most recent drum corps experience was with Spirit of Atlanta, 2009–2013, where he served as Director of Programming and Education. After a three-year absence, Spirit rose into the top twelve during the 2011–2013 seasons. Mark has adjudicated for DCI over the past ten years and is an active judge for WGI, BOA, and several state associations.
Jeremy Hunt is a six time DCI finalist visual designer, 8 time BOA finalist visual designer and a multi medalist designer in WGI percussion. Recently, Jeremy has written for three different drum corps finalists, The Cavaliers (2023), The Phantom Regiment (2015), Spirit of Atlanta (2010-2013), and the Colts (2007-2009). Since 2004, Jeremy has designed for multiple BOA Grand National Finalists, Semifinalists and regional finalists; most recently with Leander High School and Jenks High School.
In addition to designing, Jeremy has also taught and judged in several different capacities. He was on the visual staff with Carolina Crown, Glassmen, and the Madison Scouts where he served as Visual Caption Head. Jeremy also serves as a judge for Winter Guard International and has presented clinics for WGAZ and the Texas Bandmasters. Jeremy attended Western Kentucky University and currently resides in Austin, TX.
Chad Berkstresser has been involved with the performing arts for over 30 years. As a performer his passion for the marching arts started in high school as a member of the Heritage High School color guard and continued when he performed for Alliance of Miami and then won several World Championships as a member of the San Jose Raiders.
He has served as head designer and director of such groups as Carmel HS, Choctawhatchee HS, The Woodlands HS, Father Ryan HS, and Spring HS. He has worked with numerous DCI groups including the Blue Knights, Boston Crusaders, Phantom Regiment, and The Cavaliers. He has also worked with Cypress Independent WGI color guard and had the one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with Lady Gaga on her halftime performance at the Super Bowl in 2017.
K.J. Stafford is a full-time music arranger, educator, adjudicator and consultant with over 20 years of experience teaching, writing and designing for band programs, drum corps and percussion ensembles throughout the United States. Ensembles performing his music include champions, medalists and finalists at national and regional championships in Winter Guard International, Bands of America, and other performing arts circuits. K.J. is also an active adjudicator for Winter Guard International.
K.J. has been involved with Drum Corps International for over two decades and currently holds the position of Assistant Percussion Caption Head for the Santa Clara Vanguard. Since joining the staff in 2011, Vanguard has earned five Fred Sanford Awards for Best Percussion: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 as well as the DCI World Championship in 2018. He has also taught on the percussion staff of the Phantom Regiment (2010 DCI High Percussion Champions) and the Troopers (2007-2009). K.J. earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Tim Mitchell is a Pacific Northwest native and resident with a freelance career in the marching arts. Tim is an alumnus of the Kamiak High School Showband and winter percussion programs in Mukilteo, WA. Tim is currently an Audio Engineer for the 20-time world champion Blue Devils A corps. He brings additional experience from his time engineering for current and former PNW corps Columbians (2016-2021), Seattle Cascades (2019) and Oregon Crusaders (2018).
Tim learned audio engineering through broadcast production at Central Washington University, creating and co-producing nationally-awarded content under the mentorship of seasoned radio veteran Travis Box. During his time at KCWU-FM, the station was recognized and awarded at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System conference in New York City (2015) and the College Broadcasters Incorporated conferences in Seattle (2014) and Philadelphia (2016).
The 2024 Madison Scouts audition process is underway with audition locations in Milwaukee, WI (Oct 22), Dayton, OH (Oct 29), Philadelphia, PA (Oct 29), Atlanta, GA (Oct 29), and Milton, WI (Nov 17-19). Take the first to be BE A SCOUT CLICK HERE>>
