Leadership Team
JARA CLARK
jclark@zephyrusarts.org
Jara Clark is currently the Guard Director at Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma. Since her time with Jenks over the past 11 years, the Jenks Guards have seen enormous success, both in marching & winter seasons. Some of their successes include: 4 Winter Guard International Regional 1st place finishes, 2017 Winter Guard International World Championship Semifinalist, & 2018 Bands of America Grand National Finalists. Jara has also taught at Union High School, Sapulpa High School, and Eclectix, an independent winter guard from Oklahoma where she had also performed. Mrs. Jara has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northeastern State University & is currently serving as the Director of Education for the Oklahoma competitive winter guard circuit: Winter Guard & Percussion of Oklahoma.
Jara Clark is currently the Guard Director at Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma. Since her time with Jenks over the past 11 years, the Jenks Guards have seen enormous success, both in marching & winter seasons. Some of their successes include: 4 Winter Guard International Regional 1st place finishes, 2017 Winter Guard International World Championship Semifinalist, & 2018 Bands of America Grand National Finalists. Jara has also taught at Union High School, Sapulpa High School, and Eclectix, an independent winter guard from Oklahoma where she had also performed. Mrs. Jara has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northeastern State University & is currently serving as the Director of Education for the Oklahoma competitive winter guard circuit: Winter Guard & Percussion of Oklahoma.
MICHAEL CLARK
mclark@zephyrusarts.org
Michael is the husband of Jara Clark; Guard Director at Jenks Public Schools. He volunteers his time with both the Jenks High School Trojan Pride Marching Band and the Jenks Guards as prop designer/builder and logistical travel coordinator for the guard. He has been the lead prop designer and builder for Jenks since 2013. He was also prop designer and builder for the Union High School Renegade Regiment Marching Band and Union Guard from 2006-2010. He was on staff with Eclectix Independent Winter Guard from 2014-2015. He works full time as a computer network engineer at a managed service provider firm in Tulsa, OK. His notable BOA show was the 2018 Jenks fall show entitled “Carman” which placed 9th overall at Bands of America Grand National Championships. Notable WGI show with Eclectix Independent in 2014 was “Black Swan” which placed 8th in the Independent Open class at WGI World Championships. Also notable was the 2015 Eclectix Independent show “String Theory” which placed 3rd in the Independent Open class at the WGI World Championships.
Michael is the husband of Jara Clark; Guard Director at Jenks Public Schools. He volunteers his time with both the Jenks High School Trojan Pride Marching Band and the Jenks Guards as prop designer/builder and logistical travel coordinator for the guard. He has been the lead prop designer and builder for Jenks since 2013. He was also prop designer and builder for the Union High School Renegade Regiment Marching Band and Union Guard from 2006-2010. He was on staff with Eclectix Independent Winter Guard from 2014-2015. He works full time as a computer network engineer at a managed service provider firm in Tulsa, OK. His notable BOA show was the 2018 Jenks fall show entitled “Carman” which placed 9th overall at Bands of America Grand National Championships. Notable WGI show with Eclectix Independent in 2014 was “Black Swan” which placed 8th in the Independent Open class at WGI World Championships. Also notable was the 2015 Eclectix Independent show “String Theory” which placed 3rd in the Independent Open class at the WGI World Championships.
Keagan Lambert
Keagan Lambert has been involved with music and the marching arts community for 11 years. She recently graduated from The University of Oklahoma and received her bachelors in Music Education. Over the last 5 years she has choreographed, designed, and taught at many schools in Oklahoma including Jenks, Okarche, Choctaw, Southmoore, Norman North, Norman High, Putnam city North/West, Washington, and Deer Creek . On top of her work with these High School programs, Keagan was the guard director for the Classic Bowl in 2018, on staff with the Pride of Oklahoma in 2020-2021, has choreographed for both The Pride of Oklahoma and Zephyrus Independent, and was on the Bluecoats colorguard educational team for the 2022 season.
In addition to teaching, Keagan has marched Bluecoats colorguard 2017, ‘19-‘21 and Zephyrus Independent 2020. She has also partnered with Marching Arts Education to create online podcasts, seminars, and guard educational content. Additionally, she has recently accepted a position on the UDB Education Team.
In addition to teaching, Keagan has marched Bluecoats colorguard 2017, ‘19-‘21 and Zephyrus Independent 2020. She has also partnered with Marching Arts Education to create online podcasts, seminars, and guard educational content. Additionally, she has recently accepted a position on the UDB Education Team.
ALAN MUEGGENBORG
amueggenborg@zephyrusarts.org
Alan Mueggenborg has worked 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.
Alan Mueggenborg has worked 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.
Daymon Sherin
Daymon Sherin is a 1999 graduate of Owasso High School. He attended Oklahoma State University earning
his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees. Since graduating, Mr. Sherin has served as an
educator in Oklahoma. As a band director, his concert bands earned Superior ratings at State/District band
contests, his private woodwind students are consistently named to the All-State and All-Region honor bands,
and his marching bands have earned success as a consistent Bands of America Regional and Super Regional
Finalist and was a 2018 BOA Grand National Finalist. In addition to band, Mr. Sherin has been involved with
winter guards as a performer, instructor, and designer. As a performer, he was a 2-time WGI World
Championship Finalist with the Black Gold Winterguard. As instructor/designer, he has worked alongside Mike
and Jara Clark with groups being named WGPO Oklahoma State Champions, WGI Regional Champions, and
a WGI World Championship Open Class Semi-Finalist.
his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees. Since graduating, Mr. Sherin has served as an
educator in Oklahoma. As a band director, his concert bands earned Superior ratings at State/District band
contests, his private woodwind students are consistently named to the All-State and All-Region honor bands,
and his marching bands have earned success as a consistent Bands of America Regional and Super Regional
Finalist and was a 2018 BOA Grand National Finalist. In addition to band, Mr. Sherin has been involved with
winter guards as a performer, instructor, and designer. As a performer, he was a 2-time WGI World
Championship Finalist with the Black Gold Winterguard. As instructor/designer, he has worked alongside Mike
and Jara Clark with groups being named WGPO Oklahoma State Champions, WGI Regional Champions, and
a WGI World Championship Open Class Semi-Finalist.
JEREMY STEVENS
jstevens@zephyrusarts.org
Jeremy Stevens is currently the Community Engagement & Development Coordinator for the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, having spent the last 10 years as a public-school choral music teacher with Broken Arrow Public Schools and Union Public Schools. Jeremy has a degree in Piano Performance and Voice Performance, and a degree in Theatre Arts all from Arkansas Tech University. He has performed in an independent winter guard and marched drum corps prior to his becoming a respected adjudicator across the south. Jeremy lives in Broken Arrow with his husband Alan and their Shetland sheepdog Hallie.
Jeremy Stevens is currently the Community Engagement & Development Coordinator for the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, having spent the last 10 years as a public-school choral music teacher with Broken Arrow Public Schools and Union Public Schools. Jeremy has a degree in Piano Performance and Voice Performance, and a degree in Theatre Arts all from Arkansas Tech University. He has performed in an independent winter guard and marched drum corps prior to his becoming a respected adjudicator across the south. Jeremy lives in Broken Arrow with his husband Alan and their Shetland sheepdog Hallie.
KIM VENTO
kvento@zephyrusarts.org
Kim Vento has worked for over 28 years in the marching and pageantry arts arena. Kim has been a choreographer, instructor, clinician and adjudicator working with pageantry arts camps, drum corps and high school groups throughout the Midwest who have won multiple state, regional, and national titles including 2 BOA Grand National Championships. She is currently the Executive Director of the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, home of the Kristin Chenoweth Theatre where she hosts the Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp and masterclasses for high school students from all over the country as well as a magnitude of concerts and Broadway tours. She is an active board member of ArtsOK; the Regional Arts Alliance of Broken Arrow and a committee member for Music for All’s Advocacy in Action initiative.
Kim Vento has worked for over 28 years in the marching and pageantry arts arena. Kim has been a choreographer, instructor, clinician and adjudicator working with pageantry arts camps, drum corps and high school groups throughout the Midwest who have won multiple state, regional, and national titles including 2 BOA Grand National Championships. She is currently the Executive Director of the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, home of the Kristin Chenoweth Theatre where she hosts the Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp and masterclasses for high school students from all over the country as well as a magnitude of concerts and Broadway tours. She is an active board member of ArtsOK; the Regional Arts Alliance of Broken Arrow and a committee member for Music for All’s Advocacy in Action initiative.
Instructional Staff
Kaitlynn Carter
Kaitlynn is currently the director at Southmoore High school in Moore, OK. She began her color guard career at her alma mater, Choctaw High School and has worked with various programs across the United States. Kaitlynn marched with Carolina Crown for 2015 and 2016 and continued with the color guard staff move to Boston Crusaders in 2017 and 2018. The 2016 Carolina Crown and 2018 Boston Crusaders were awarded the George Zingali Color Guard Caption Award. She performed with the Pride of Cincinnati in 2016 and 2017 where they were awarded the World Class Gold Medal at WGI World Championships Finals both years. For 2021, Kaitlynn was on staff at Boston Crusaders working with the color guard.
Derek highfield
Derek Highfield is currently the co guard director at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. In the time Derek has been at Owasso he has helped build Owasso’s winter guard program and has had great success. Owasso has been BOA Super Regional Finalist for numerous years. In addition to teaching Derek has marched Troopers 2016,2017 and Madison Scouts 2018. He has also marched local Oklahoma winter guard groups,Archon Independent 16 along with Memorial Independent 17.
Derek is a recent graduate from Rogers State University with a Bachelors of Fine Art with a focus on studio art. Through out Derek’s educational career and today he works full time as a costume designer for Black and Pink Dance Supplies. Derek gets to use his degree in art to help create unique costumes for dance and color guard teams. Derek spends any of his free time in his painting studio, working on portrait paintings.
Derek is a recent graduate from Rogers State University with a Bachelors of Fine Art with a focus on studio art. Through out Derek’s educational career and today he works full time as a costume designer for Black and Pink Dance Supplies. Derek gets to use his degree in art to help create unique costumes for dance and color guard teams. Derek spends any of his free time in his painting studio, working on portrait paintings.
Julie Lynch
Julie Lynch has been an educator and choreographer for guards in the Northeast Oklahoma region for the last 12 years. Julie is a 2010 graduate of Owasso High School and marched drum corps with the Cadets. During her time while on staff at Owasso High School, their band program was a BOA St. Louis Super-Regional Champion and a BOA Grand National Finalist. Julie has served as the Color Guard Director at Coweta High School since 2013. In that time, Coweta has won 7 5A State Championship titles, been a BOA Super-Regional finalist in Atlanta, Georgia and were the BOA Regional Champions in Flagstaff, Arizona in 2019.
Julie is a 2015 graduate of the University of Tulsa with a Bachelors of Science in Petroleum Engineering. Julie has worked full time in the oil and gas industry since 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her twin sons, Jett and Cameron, and her husband, Clay.
Julie is a 2015 graduate of the University of Tulsa with a Bachelors of Science in Petroleum Engineering. Julie has worked full time in the oil and gas industry since 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her twin sons, Jett and Cameron, and her husband, Clay.
