2026 XRG staff

Program COMPOSITION TEAM

Darrin Mell is thrilled to return for his fourth year as Ensemble Director of Crossroads Guard, and his sixth year on staff. He has been a color guard designer, choreographer, instructor, judge, and clinician based in the Midwest for the past two decades. He has worked with numerous programs including Saydel High School, The Sound of Sun Prairie Marching Band, the UWEC Blugold Marching Band, and the Colt Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps. He is currently the Color Guard Director at Ankeny High School in Ankeny, Iowa.

A musician first, Darrin began his marching arts journey in high school while balancing wind ensemble, orchestra, & theater with the Sound of Sun Prairie Marching Band. He played clarinet for two summers in the band before joining the color guard. He has since performed with Premiere Winterguard, the UWEC Blugold Marching Band, the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design from Iowa State University which he had been utilizing in his role as a visual merchandiser & display specialist. He’s currently searching for the next new adventure!

Erin Wolff is delighted to join the Crossroads Guard Staff. Her colorguard journey started in 1996, performing for a decade in DCI with the Colt Cadets, Blue Stars, and the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps.

Erin has been involved with colorguard in the state of Iowa as a performing member, technician, instructor, and consultant. She has worked with Dubuque Senior, Waterloo East, Waterloo West, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, and most recently Ankeny High School.

Outside of colorguard, Erin earned a Master of Accountancy from the University of Northern Iowa and works as a Senior Investment Accountant in the greater Des Moines area. She loves road trips, spending time with her nephews, and playing board/card games.

Keri Songer fell in love with the performance arts at a young age, growing up in studio dance. Following high school graduation, she was a color guard member in the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps for four years (’11-’14). Since then she has had the privilege of working with color guard programs throughout Iowa, which along with XRG include Iowa State University, William Penn University, Oskaloosa High School, and Waukee High School. Keri has also had the opportunity to teach dance and flag classes annually at the Central Iowa Color Guard Camp.

Keri received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from William Penn University. She currently does behind-the-scenes work for KBOE Radio, a station based out of Oskaloosa, Iowa, while living in Omaha with her husband Emery and three greyhounds.

Annie Pelka, originally from Chicagoland, studied the art of movement at the University of North Texas, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. While in school she simultaneously marched 4 years at the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, which grew into a long teaching career at the same corps. After graduating she moved to Atlanta, GA as a performer and teacher. Studying hands-on bodywork and deciphering common movement patterns proved to be the foundation for her massage practice after becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist.

Annie has had the great honor of working with many marching band, winter guard and percussion programs in various design and instruction capacities; some of these programs include Paramount Winter Guard, Odyssey Percussion Theatre, Harrison High School, Kell High School, Mill Creek High School, Pope High School, Mt. Juliet High School, Chantilly High School, Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, and Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps.

EDUCATION TEAM

To be announced soon!