PERCUSSION STAFF
KODY WAYNE JONES
PERCUSSION CAPTION HEAD
Kody Wayne Jones is currently the Percussion Teaching Assistant at the University of Texas at El Paso where he runs the drum line under the direction of Dr. Andrew P. Smith. At UTEP, he has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and has been involved in the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Dinner Theater, and the Marching Miners, both as a member and on staff. He has also led the UTEP steel pan group Pantastics.
Kody has experience in DCI in both open and world class with the Guardians, Phantom Regiment, and The Boston Crusaders. Over his 6-year DCI career he was taught under amazing percussion pedagogues such as Rob Ferguson and Colin McNutt. He is continuing his career in DCI as a teacher now at Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps and Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps both as a Quad/Battery Tech. He is also an alumnus of Sun City Sound and is excited to continue contributing to the organization.
ARMANDO TORRES
CO-BATTERY MANAGER
His performance experience includes two years at Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps, one year at Monarch Independent, and two years at Sun City Independent all on snare drum.
As a proud advocate of the marching arts, Mr. Torres has taught at numerous high schools throughout West and Central Texas and is currently on staff at Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps as a battery specialist and is serving as the percussion arranger for the Eastlake High School marching band.
ANTHONY YRIGOYEN
FRONT ENSEMBLE MANAGER
Percussionist, performer, and educator, Anthony Yrigoyen has performed across the nation with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2013 and 2014 and began his pageantry arts with Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011. Throughout his time in college, Anthony performed with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, to include an international performance with the El Paso Opera and is currently a member of the El Paso Winds. He was also invited to perform many shows with the UTEP Dinner Theater.
Anthony is the Front Ensemble Coordinator at Arsenal Drum Bugle Corps, and on staff at Sun City Independent. His experience working with percussionists in the community include: Montwood High School, Coronado High School, Eastlake High School, Jefferson / Silva High School, El Paso High School, and Pebble Hills High School. He completed his student teaching at Socorro High School and Socorro Middle. Anthony holds a B.S in Music Education from The University of Texas at El Paso, while in the percussion studio under the direction of Dr. Andy P. Smith. Anthony Yrigoyen is currently the Associate Director of Bands at El Dorado High School in El Paso, Texas.
SARAH VASQUEZ
FRONT ENSEMBLE TECHNICIAN
Sarah Vasquez is a percussion performer and educator from El Paso, Texas. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Texas A&M University – Commerce and returned to El Paso to pursue a Master’s degree in Music Performance at UTEP. Her marching percussion experience includes performing with the Academy, Crossmen, and Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps. She has been teaching in the DFW area for the last four years and is extremely excited to have the opportunity to be back in the El Paso community!
CHRISTIAN BROWN
FRONT ENSEMBLE TECHNICIAN
Christian Brown is a highly accomplished percussion educator and performer with extensive experience in competitive music. He is currently the Percussion Director at Bel Air High School. Christian has achieved top placements in marimba and ensemble competitions and has performed with elite drum corps like the Oregon Crusaders, Crossmen, and Boston Crusaders. Additionally, he was a WGI performer with Monarch Independent. His passion for music and dedication to excellence have made him a respected figure in the percussion community.
SEAN ROBINSON
SNARE TECHNICIAN
Sean Robinson is an El Paso, Texas native musician. Currently, he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Music Education at New Mexico State University.
He is a proud alumnus of Sun City Independent having marched in its 2022 season. During his career, he has been taught by percussion pedagogues such as Fred Bugbee and Matt Savage.
As a proud advocate of the marching arts, Mr. Robinson has taught at numerous high schools in the El Paso area for five years. He is currently serving as the battery technician at Coronado High School and Andress High School in El Paso, Texas.
ZACK CAVENDER
SNARE TECHNICIAN
Zack Cavender is a percussionist and music educator based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University, where he had the opportunity to perform with a wide range of ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Afro-Samba Ensemble, and the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. In addition to his university experience, Zack has performed as a snare drummer with several drum corps, including Compass, the Louisiana Stars, and the Blue Knights. As an educator, Zack has taught at various schools across West Texas and the DFW area. He currently serves as a percussion specialist and private lessons instructor at multiple schools in North Texas. He is very excited to join the battery staff at Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps for his first season.
JUAN RIVEROS
TENOR TECHNICIAN
Juan Riveros is currently finishing his studies in Music Education at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Where he has been part of multiple ensembles such as the Texas State Wind Symphony, Orquesta del Rio, Steel Band, Percussion Ensemble and Marching Band. Juan has taught percussion in the Austin and San Antonio areas. He has worked with programs such as the Winston Churchill HS band and most recently with the James Bowie Outdoor Performing Ensemble. Juan has experience in both open and world class, starting out as the tenor section leader at the Guardians DBC, then moving on to playing tenors for Rhythmic force Independent and recently aging out in with Vigilantes Indoor Percussion. In his time marching and teaching, he has learned from fantastic educators such as John Maynard, Ryan Pride, Reed Paxton, Josh Gregory and Cameron Cavender.
GABRIEL GONZALEZ
BASS TECHNICIAN
Gabriel Gonzalez is an El Paso, Texas native percussionist and music educator. Having graduated with a Music Education degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, he performed with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, UTEP Orchestra, Pantastics Steel Pan Band and the Marching Miners.
Gabriel has taught at various 4A, 5A and 6A high schools in the El Paso area. Currently he is in his first year of teaching with the Ysleta High School Band and Drum Corp where he oversees all percussion matters within the feeder pattern.
Gabriel recently completed his first DCI season with the Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corp as a member of the battery staff.
JESUS PEREZ
AUDIO & EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST
Jesus Perez is a percussionist and Music Educator in the El Paso, Texas. He recently obtained a Master’s in Music Performance from the University of Texas at El Paso where he serves as Percussion Studio Teaching Assistant. At UTEP he leads the Marching Miners and their Drum Line. He has performed with all major UTEP ensembles including Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, UTEP Percussion Ensemble, Marching Miners and the UTEP Pep Band. Jesus has performed with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra on multiple occasions and is currently on staff with the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra as the percussion sectional coach.
Jesus is well involved in the marching arts and is a proud alumnus of Sun City Independent. He also marched with Horizon Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016. He has been involved with local marching bands for 7 years and has served on staff for multiple state qualifying bands. He is currently an assistant band director at Eastlake High School.
