Staff

Meet the Team!

Our 2026 Staff includes many of these familiar faces from 2025, and MORE! Stay tuned for our official 2026 staff announcements!

AARON MORTON - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Aaron J. Morton is a full time film composer, music producer, and marching arts designer. He was the lead designer at the Pride of Bixby (2012-2023), is the lead composer with Soundbooth Theater, and will be leading the design team as the Artistic Director of Zephyrus Drum & Bugle Corps for 2026. Aaron marched in the 2008 Colt Cadets and 2010 Seattle Cascades. He has written the scores for numerous feature films, audio productions, and educational programs.

BRASS

OSCAR BAN - STAFF COORDINATOR, BRASS ARRANGER
Oscar Ban is a composer, arranger, and music educator based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now in his fourth year as Brass Caption Manager and Arranger for Zephyrus Drum and Bugle Corps, Oscar has built a diverse career spanning performance, design, and education.
A former Associate Director of Bands and Director of Jazz Bands at Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, Oscar has also worked with a wide range of programs across Indiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. His instructional experience includes serving on the brass staffs of Music City, Blue Knights, and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
As a performer, Oscar marched with Carolina Crown (2015–2017) and spent four years performing with the Indiana University Marching Hundred. He currently performs with the Tulsa Brass Band and maintains an active private trumpet studio throughout the Tulsa area.
Oscar’s work as a composer and arranger began in 2016, when he served as the Small Ensemble Arranger for Carolina Crown. Today, he writes extensively for marching band, indoor winds, concert, and chamber ensembles, publishing through RWS Music Company and his own imprint, ORB Music.
A native of Carmel, Indiana, Oscar is a proud graduate of Carmel High School and holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree with an Instrumental Band and Trumpet focus from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.

FRANCISCO LOPEZ - BRASS CAPTION HEAD
Francisco Lopez is an Assistant Director of Bands for McAlester Public Schools. Mr. Lopez serves as the 6th Grade Band Coordinator, director of the jazz ensemble, and the director of the brass choir. He is from Houston, Texas where he graduated from Heights High School in 2013. He earned an Associates Degree in Music from Blinn College and a Bachelors of Instrumental Music Education degree from the Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University. During his time at Oklahoma State University Mr. Lopez was an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha music fraternities. He has also held membership in many professional organizations including the National Association for Music Education, the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, and the Oklahoma Music Educators Association.

PERCUSSION

GARETT DWYER - PERCUSSION COORDINATOR / FRONT ENSEMBLE ARRANGER
Garett Dwyer is a percussionist, arranger, composer, and educator located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Currently, Garett is the Percussion Director at Union Public Schools and teaches with many different organizations such as Zephyrus Drum and Bugle Corps, Resistance Indoor Percussion, and Music City Drum Corps. He performs with various jazz groups around Tulsa and frequently records for various projects. Earlier in his career, Garett graduated from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, marched two seasons with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, and spent time studying at The Juilliard School. Garett has worked with notable artists such as Bootsy Collins and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. In his free time, Garett loves to DJ and spend time with friends and family.

MIKE HILL - BATTERY COORDINATOR / ARRANGER
Mike Hill recently graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) with a degree in Music Education. He attended Union High School and graduated in 2018. Mike was a snare drummer for the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps in 2020 and 2021. He was also a performing member of the OKC Thunder Drummers for the 2018-2019 season. His teaching experience includes being the battery tech for Edmond North High School, Piedmont High School, Putnam City North High School, Deer Creek High School, and has had student teaching experience at Bixby High School for the fall of 2023. Mike has also composed and arranged for the UCO Marching Band and Oklahoma Baptist University. Mike is now currently the Percussion Director for Collinsville High School in Collinsville, OK.

VISUAL

GAVIN STRICKLAND - VISUAL CAPTION HEAD
Gavin Strickland is a marching music educator from Tulsa, OK. Gavin is in his last semester of a bachelor's degree in music education at Northeastern State University. 2025 will be is his second year with Zephyrus. He spent last year with the brass staff and is moving to the visual team for the upcoming season. He has also spent two seasons with Union High School as a technician.

Gavin recently aged out at The Blue Devils in 2023, securing their 21st championship and 9th undefeated season. He also marched with the Madison Scouts in 2021 and 2022 serving as a mellophone soloist. Gavin started his DCI journey in open class with the Guardians in 2019.

TRAVIS SMITH - ASSISTANT VISUAL CAPTION HEAD
Travis has been a part of the Union HS Renegade Regiment band
staff since 2011, holding the position of Visual Coordinator in 2021 and 2022, and Battery Coordinator since 2011. He was previously on staff at Broken Arrow HS (2002), Edmond North HS (2000) and Edmond Memorial HS (1999). Travis has worked with the Union Indoor Percussion Ensemble since 2016 where they finished 2nd place in the 2022 WGI Scholastic Open Class.
Travis was a member of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, marching snare in 1998 and 2000, highlighted by a final’s performance in Orlando, FL in 1998. He was also a member of the Black Gold Indoor Drumline in 1996. Travis went to college at Oklahoma State University being a member of the Cowboy Marching Band from 1998-2002 and a part of the OSU Indoor Percussion Ensemble in 1999. Travis attended Union HS in Tulsa, OK, marching in the Renegade Regiment from 1994-1996 and was a member of the Union Indoor Percussion Ensemble in 1994 and 1997. Additionally, Travis has performed at P.A.S.I.C. with the Union Percussion Ensemble, marched at the Indy 500 Parade and the Disney’s Magic Kingdom Parade. Travis holds a bachelors degree in Business Administration and was the sole owner of Freestyles Sports Bar in Winter Park, CO for 10 years.

COLOR GUARD

DARIN WILLIAMS - COLOR GUARD CAPTION HEAD
Darin Williams is beginning their twenty-second year of marching arts instruction, and currently in their fifth year as Color Guard Director for Stillwater HS. Prior to joining Stillwater HS, Darin has worked with a number of regional and national ensembles, including Black Gold Winter Guard, Rhapsody Winter Guard, Madison Scouts, Seattle Cascades, and Boston Crusaders, in addition to several Oklahoma high schools. These experiences have garnered them a number of distinctions, including multiple caption awards, a number of WGI Regional Finalists and Winter Guard & Percussion of Oklahoma class championships, as well as being named the 2010 Winter Guard & Percussion of Oklahoma Director of the Year. Darin received their Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education from The University of Oklahoma and a Master's of Arts in Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University. They served as a classroom teacher for a number of years and were recognized by Edmond Public Schools as a site Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year finalist in 2013. Apart from their time in pageantry they are currently serving as the Director of Education & Community Engagement for The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts at Oklahoma State University.

ANTONIO PALACIOS - ASSISTANT COLOR GUARD CAPTION HEAD
This will be Toni's second season with Zephyrus drum corps. He has performed with multiple World Class organizations. He recently finished his 2nd and last season with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps 2024, ending the season in 2nd place at the Drum Corps International World Championship Finals, winning the Zingali award for Best Color Guard. Toni also performed with Zephyrus Winter Guard 2024 and Mirage Winter Guard 2025. He has worked as a guard technician at Newcastle High School and is currently in his 3rd year on the technical staff for the Union High School guard program.

ROBERT JORDAN - COLOR GUARD CHOREOGRAPHER
Robert Jordan is a passionate colorguard instructor, designer, and choreographer with over a decade of experience in cyber marching arts. Having had the opportunity to perform with renowned organizations such as Fantasia Winterguard and The Blue Devils Drum Corps, he has since devoted his career to sharing his expertise with students and instructors from all around the world.

Previously based in Southern California, Robert directed a multitude of programs, refining his skills in design, choreography, and technical program development. Now residing in St. Louis, Missouri, he works as a designer, choreographer, and consultant, collaborating with programs across four countries to make the marching arts accessible to students of all levels and backgrounds.

With a dedication to supporting both experienced performers and beginners, Robert is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and experience in various settings. He is committed to helping students improve their skills, establish consistency in their technique, and elevate their overall performance.

Advisory / CLINICIANS / CONSULTANTS

ALAN MUEGGENBORG - MARCHING ARTS ADVISOR
Alan Mueggenborg has been involved 40+ years in the Marching Arts as a performer, instructor, visual designer, director, manager, visual coordinator, clinician and adjudicator for some of the most successful programs in the US. Under his design and leadership, these groups have won numerous state, regional and national awards, including 3 BOA Auxiliary and 4 WGI Championship titles. Alan has previously served on the boards of WGI, DCI, Texas Color Guard Circuit and Winter Guard & Percussion of Oklahoma. Alan founded FLASH Visual Media in 2014, providing top-quality printed products for marching arts groups throughout the US. He is currently the Western US Sales Manager for BandToday.com which is a full-service band and color guard supply company.

DAN POTTER - MASTERCLASS / LEADERSHIP
Drum Major of the Geneseo Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from 1979-1981, Dan was also on the staff of the Glassmen and has taught or consulted high school marching bands in Indiana, Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. Dan is also the recipient of the National Association of Broadcasters 2015 Marconi Award for Medium Market Personality of the Year. Dan is on the news team for KRMG Radio in Tulsa, and in his personal time, announces for various marching arts events throughout the US.

Instructional staff:

BRASS
coming soon!

PERCUSSION
coming soon!

VISUAL
coming soon!

GUARD
coming soon!

health AND well-being

JOSEPH AGUERO - DNP, APRN-CNP
Joseph is a dedicated healthcare professional with a strong foundation in adult cardiovascular care and a passion for advancing health and safety in both clinical and performing arts settings. Known to many corps members as "nurse Joe" He is a registered nurse of several years since graduating from Tulsa Community College in 2017, and recently earned his APRN credential in adult-gerontology acute care from The University of Tulsa in 2024. Since 2019, he has intermittently served as the camp nurse for Zephyrus Arts Institute’s Drum & Bugle Corps, advising and shaping the Corps health and safety policies.

Joseph also contributes nationally as a new member of DCI's Marching Arts Safety and Health (MASH) group—an initiative of healthcare professionals dedicated to promoting wellness, injury prevention, and safety standards across the marching arts.Though with no background in music, as he often says " the only instrument I know I can play is the Kazoo". He has grown to greatly admire the music over the years and all the physical effort that goes into putting on a marching arts show saying "These corps members aren't just musicians, they are true athletes and should be treated as such." Joseph combines clinical expertise with a unique role in the performing arts community bringing a compassionate, evidence-based approach to every role he takes on for Zephyrus and continues to bridge healthcare and the arts through advocacy, education, and service.

DR. RACHEL HILDEBRAND
Dr. Rachel Hildebrand brings over two decades of experience as a Certified Athletic Trainer, blending scientific expertise with an unwavering passion for helping people perform at their best. Her journey began in high school as an athletic training aide, where she discovered the powerful connection between movement, recovery, and human potential. That spark grew into a lifelong calling to elevate health and performance across diverse communities.

A proud graduate of The University of Tulsa (B.S. in Athletic Training, 2006), Rachel went on to earn her Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance, researching the impact of vitamin D on muscle strength and power. Her career has since taken her from the launch pads of Kennedy Space Center, to the sidelines at Xavier University and Oklahoma State University, to the heart of rural Oklahoma — always guided by her belief that everyone deserves access to quality performance healthcare.

Rachel is especially passionate about advancing performance health in underrepresented groups, championing inclusion and innovation in every environment she works in.

In addition to her role with Zephyrus Arts, she serves as Co-Director of the Concussion Center at The University of Tulsa and leads Arête Leadership & Consulting, where she empowers teams and organizations to build trust, authenticity, and psychological safety.

NUTRITION

CALEB HUNT
Caleb Hunt is an accomplished hospitality leader with over 16 years of experience driving operational excellence and strategic growth. He is the co-owner of Pastis Hospitality, overseeing its flagship concepts LoFi and Ava June in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Additionally, Caleb serves as Director of Operations at GB Provisions, where he manages multiple business units, streamlines processes, and leads teams to consistently exceed organizational goals.

Beyond his hospitality career, Caleb is actively involved with Zephyrus Arts Institute, serving as the Special Events Chair for the organization and Food & Beverage Manager for its Drum Corps program.

An Oklahoma State University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Restaurant Administration, Caleb combines industry knowledge with a hands-on leadership style, fostering collaboration and innovation to drive business success.

2026 Drum Corps​Leadership