2026 XRP Staff

Directors and coordinators

Luke Sesker is returning for his 8th season as Ensemble Director for Crossroads Percussion, and 3rd season as Battery Arranger.

He is an Alumni of Iowa State University where he completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology / Health and Human Performance; he then attended Palmer College for his doctorate level education. He is currently in private practice, and resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Luke also serves as Drumline Coordinator for Iowa State University; 2025 will be his 9th season working with the ensemble. Luke has worked as a battery instructor with The Jersey Surf (’19, ’22), The Colt Cadets (’21-’24), and most recently The Academy (’25). He has worked with many schools throughout his home state of Iowa, serving in various roles including instructor, clinician, or battery arranger.

His marching experience includes four seasons with Iowa State University, two seasons with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and two seasons with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps — aging out as Battery Captain in 2012. He also marched four seasons with Gateway Indoor Percussion (WGI PIW) — aging out as the snare section leader for the 2013 season.

Bryan Hummel is an Iowa-based music educator, percussionist, and designer of marching arts productions. He currently serves as the Visiting Professor of Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from Drake University, as well as a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from Arizona State University.

From 2019 to 2025, Bryan served as the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Desert Mountain High School, where he led the Marching Wolves, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra programs. Under his leadership, the Marching Wolves performed locally, nationally, and internationally—most recently appearing in the 2025 London New Year’s Day Parade.

Bryan is an active arranger and composer, creating percussion, wind, and sound design scores for marching ensembles. He currently designs for Higley High School (Gilbert, AZ), Desert Mountain High School (Scottsdale, AZ), Southeast Polk High School (Pleasant Hill, IA), and Breakthrough Indoor Percussion (WGI Open Class Finalists). He regularly adjudicates for the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA), the Arizona Marching Band Association (AZMBA), and Winter Guard Arizona (WGAZ), and has also judged competitions in Iowa and Wyoming.

As a performer, Bryan has toured nationwide, collaborating with colleagues to present chamber music in universities, community centers, and school districts. His performances have taken him to venues in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.

Josh Bruett is currently the percussion and audio caption head for the Winterset Marching Huskies in Winterset, Iowa. He has enjoyed over a decade of teaching percussion, providing live sound, and providing life-changing experiences to his students at Winterset and has made lifelong friendships with the staff of the program.

Josh currently works as a freelance audio engineer in central Iowa, providing both recording and live sound solutions to musicians and ensembles. He specializes in marching audio consulting.

Kellie Copeland is from Omaha, Nebraska where she works as a pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapist.  In 2018, Kellie graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. In May of 2022, she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

During her time at the University of Kansas, Kellie was a member of the Marching Jayhawks from 2014-2017. Kellie spent four summers with the Phantom Regiment playing euphonium from 2015 to 2018. During her age-out season in 2018, she served as the movement captain and euphonium section leader.

Upon returning to Omaha, Kellie began working with the Millard West Wildcat Marching band on their visual staff. Under her instruction, Millard West has won three best visual captions in the state of Nebraska in 2018,2019, and 2023, and a Nebraska state title in 2022 and 2023. Kellie joined the visual instructional team for Crossroads Percussion in 2018. She also spent time on the Phantom Regiment visual team from 2020 to 2022 as a movement specialist. She currently serves on the Phantom Regiment medical staff, providing  integral assistance with pre-season training and in-season injury treatments for the performers. 

Kellie has been involved with the performing arts since she was 5 years old. She started off with dance, doing so competitively until she was 17. She has been involved with the marching arts since 2010 and continues to stay involved with teaching. She is well-versed in movement, marching, and physical health from her extensive dance and marching experiences, professional education, and career. This is Kellie’s 8th year with Crossroads Percussion. She looks forward to another great year with XRP!

Zachary Clark returns to Crossroads as the Battery Caption Head. Based in Bellevue, NE, he is an active percussion educator, arranger, and consultant engaging with programs across the Omaha area — he works primarily with Bellevue West High School and Bellevue Combined Percussion.

Zachary has performed with various ensembles, including the River City Rhythm (2017), Phantom Regiment (2018), and Boston Crusaders (2019) Drum and Bugle Corps and has also been an instructor at River City Rhythm (2024, 2025).

He briefly studied Music Education at the University of Nebraska Lincoln before earning a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska Omaha. As a Data Center Engineer, he leverages his background in education, business, and technology to maintain the effectiveness of large-scale, business-critical systems.

Design

Adam Kallal is a music educator, performer, clinician, arranger, and composer based in Des Moines, Iowa. He currently serves as Associate Director of Bands at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines and is excited to be returning as Front Ensemble Arranger for Crossroads Percussion!

Adam earned his B.A. in Music Education with a minor in Biology from Iowa State University, where he performed with the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and the ISUCF’VMB. He recently completed his M.M. in Music Education with an emphasis in Composition from Adams State University. He has extensive marching arts experience, including four years performing with Gateway Indoor Percussion, and is on the education staff for Colt Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.

As an arranger, composer, and sound designer, Adam has worked with ensembles nationwide, including Valley High School, Ankeny Centennial, Des Moines Roosevelt, Iowa Pride Ensembles, and Jubal Drum & Bugle Corps in the Netherlands. Beyond marching arts, he has written for percussion ensembles, choir, and chamber groups.

He currently resides in Ankeny, Iowa with his husband Zach, their dog Willow, and cat Nemo.

Daniel Copeland is a freelance percussion educator and performer originally from Des Moines, Iowa. In 2019, he graduated from Iowa State University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology. During his undergraduate years, he performed with several notable Midwest marching organizations including the Iowa State Marching Band, Crossroads Indoor, and the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Daniel has since worked with Crossroads Indoor - previously serving as battery coordinator and bass technician. He also spent four seasons as a bass technician for the Madison Scouts, surrounded by world-class designers and educators. Aside from his activity in both WGI and DCI circuits, Daniel has served as an instructor and consultant for many high schools and colleges in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Missouri. Daniel currently lives in central Omaha where he is completing his Masters of Physician Assistant Studies and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He’s thrilled to step into this new role, and to serve XRI to the best of his abilities!

Lauren Hansen is a past member of the Crossroads Guard, past captain, and past instructor who's now fully in the world of costuming. Their 3rd year in percussion as their costumer, Lauren is so excited to be working with Crossroads once again.

Lindsey Schueller was born and raised in Michigan where she began her pageantry arts career. She went on to perform with Genesis Percussion, Rhythm X, Blue Stars, Bluecoats, and Carolina Crown. She received her undergraduate education from Central Michigan University and her Doctor of Audiology from Rush University. Lindsey worked for several years as an Educational Audiologist in southwest Michigan before moving to Atlanta to pursue visual design full time.

For over a decade Lindsey has been an active visual designer and instructor with scholastic and independent programs all over the country, including BOA regional finalists, champions, grand national semi-finalists, DCI and WGI finalists and champions. Since 2014, she has worked as visual supervisor or visual designer with Legends Drum and Bugle Corps, additionally, in 2019 and 2021 she worked with Boston Crusaders as a visual instructor and visual design intern. For two seasons, Lindsey has been the visual designer with Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, who in 2022 returned to DCI Finalist status for the first time in 13 years. During the indoor season, Lindsey has worked with several guard and percussion programs in the Atlanta area and around the country. She spends most weekends within the Atlanta Quest organization at Q2, who returned to WGI Finalist status in 2022 for the first time in 7 years, and earned a top 5 position in 2023. Lindsey is excited to additionally work with the Crossroads Percussion design team for the 2026 season!

Education Team

Bass Technicians

Cole Asche (b. 2002) is a composer, percussionist, and educator based in Omaha, NE. Along with a major in Actuarial Science, he studied music composition with Dr. Greg Simon and percussion with Dr. Matt Rush. His past teachers include Michael Klee out of Columbus, NE, and Dr. Dave Hall now at UNL, now at UNT. Cole has experience in groups such as the Cornhusker Marching Band, the UNL Percussion, Orchestra, and Symphonic Band ensembles, the UNL Composition Studio, Jersey Surf DBC, the Cavaliers DBC, and marched at Crossroads Percussion from 2022 - 2024. He is currently a percussion director at Columbus High School. Cole enjoys skiing, video games, playing pool or golf, and watching Nebraska football.

Isaac Rasmussen is a lifelong Nebraskan currently living in Omaha, NE. He recently graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln obtaining a B.A. in Clinical Psychology. Currently he is pursuing a M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. 

Isaac’s marching experience includes River City Rhythm DBC (2022), the Madison Scouts (2023) and aging out with the Cavaliers (2024). For WGI, Isaac marched for two years at Crossroads Indoor (2023-2024). He also was a member of the Cornhusker Marching Band for three seasons (2022-2024). 

Currently Isaac teaches year round at Bellevue West High School for their marching band and indoor percussion programs. He taught at the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps this previous summer and was a student instructor for the UNL Indoor Percussion Club last spring. He is incredibly excited for his first year on staff with Crossroads Indoor.

Cymbal Technicians

Jack Roberts has a career in cymbal playing and education spanning 14 years. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, he played cymbals in his high school marching band, and began his WGI career with Dojo Percussion in 2013. In the years after, Jack was a member of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2014-2017 seasons. He would also march for Redline Percussion in the 2015-2016 seasons, and played cymbals at Rhythm X in 2018 where he earned a silver medal.

In the realm of education, Jack has taught most recently at the Colt Cadets (‘22-’25) and at St. Ambrose University Indoor Percussion (‘22-’23). Over the years, he has taught for several high school ensembles in both Michigan and Nebraska. While living in Michigan, he studied Welding and Fabrication Principles at Washtenaw Community College, and he now works as the Fabrication Team Lead for PCT Ebeam and Integration in Davenport, Iowa.

Paige Tedesco is excited to join the Crossroads Staff for her first season after aging out of the activity. Coming from Minnesota, she had been participating in the indoor marching arts since 2014 in high school - kickstarting her dream of marching with an independent organization. Following graduation, she immediately started teaching local high schools in Minnesota up until moving to Iowa in 2019. Paige started her independent marching career with River City Rhythm Indoor (2019) and had the opportunity to begin and end her DCI career marching with River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps (2019, 2022).

After moving to Ames, Iowa, she then continued her WGI career at Crossroads Percussion (2020, 2022-2023). While living in Ames, she has also been pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University.

During both her marching career and time at ISU, Paige has been teaching at local high schools for both their fall and winter programs. She currently teaches Nevada High School and Waukee Northwest High School as a cymbal and visual instructor. Along with this, she was also a cymbal instructor at River City Rhythm DBC for the 2023 season. She is stoked to join staff this year and cannot wait to help the organization grow!

Front Technicians

Blake Dunn began his marching percussion career back in 2016 when he joined the Colt Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He continued to march there through the 2018 season. In 2019 he marched with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps.

After the 2019 Drum Corps season, he began teaching front ensembles in central Iowa. He has taught at West Marshall High School, Winterset High School and Valley High School.

When he is not teaching percussion, you can find him working as a software engineer or riding his bike.

Javi Garza began his musical career in his hometown Edinburg, TX. Throughout his musical career, Javi has been a part of many world renowned musical ensembles and has learned from some of the world's best in the musical field. Javi first began his DCI career in 2019 when he received a contract to perform with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. During that season, Javi's main interest in front ensemble approach and keyboard pedagogy began to take place. In 2021, Javi was the center marimba for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps where he earned 5th place in DCI's Individual and Ensemble keyboard competition. Javi aged out with Blue Knights DBC in 2022. His WGI experience includes aging out as one of the center marimba performers at Broken City indoor percussion in Lake Elsinore, California in which they received 4th place in the national indoor competition, WGI.

In 2025, Javi graduated with his degree in both Percussion Performance and Music Education from Texas Tech University. Javi has performed in many ensembles associated with Texas Tech including TTU Percussion Ensemble I, TTU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, TTU Symphony Orchestra, and the nationally renowned steel band ensemble "Apocalypse Now". Javi has also had the honor of performing with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, Javi was awarded 2nd place in the ENKOR international winds and percussion competition as well as received 3rd place in the national collegiate keyboard competition held by the Percussive Arts Society in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Since 2019, Javi has taught front ensemble and percussion lessons in schools in Texas and California such McAllen Memorial HS, Economedes HS, Lubbock Cooper HS, Frenship HS, West Plains HS, Lockney HS, Ropesville ISD, John W. North HS, and many others. Javi has served as one of the front ensemble instructors for the Blue Knights DBC from 2023-2024. Javi credits most of his success to his past teachers. Javi has had the honor of studying under Brian Sexton, Eduardo Trevino, Randy Sifuentes, Alan Shinn, Dr. Lisa Rogers, Dr. Michael Mixtacki, Tyler Gerson, Josh & Meagan Nelson, Kyle Hammock, John Gaal, Julian Davidson, Phil Idell, Kevin Shah, and Mike Jackson.

Nicholas D’Ambrosio is returning for his second year as a front ensemble technician for Crossroads Percussion. Originally from Colorado, he performed with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps front ensemble in 2011, 2012, and 2014. Nicholas is currently the front ensemble supervisor at Northwest High School in Waukee, IA

Nichole Camacho is currently a general music teacher in Des Moines, IA. Originally from Arizona, she has taught and been a clinician at multiple high schools in the Phoenix valley for the past 10 years. In addition, she has also been on staff with Vision Percussion (PIO), Breakthrough Percussion (PIO), and the ASU Sun Devil Marching band.

Nichole attended Arizona State University where she completed her Bachelors in Percussion Performance and her Masters in Education. During that time she was fortunate enough to study with J.B Smith, Michael Competillo, Simone Mancuso, and Dom Moio. While at ASU she was an active performer in various ensembles including Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Contemporary Percussion Ensemble, Philharmonia, Pan Devils Steel Pan Band, and World Percussion Ensemble.

Nichole has performed with the Sun Devil Marching Band, Breakthrough Percussion, and POW Percussion.

Ryan San Diego is an Iowa-based percussionist and music educator originally from Phoenix, Arizona, with over a decade of experience. He began his studies with Gary Branaman and Bryan Hummel before pursuing formal instruction at Drake University under Bob Meunier and Mark Grimm. Ryan has also received mentorship from Dr. Kevin Donka and other distinguished educators across the U.S. His performance background spans jazz combos, percussion ensembles, and studio recording—including contributions to Drake University's 2019 Tribute album. In addition to teaching at Urbandale High School, Ryan is an active guest clinician and mentor, having supported award-winning programs and emerging educators throughout Arizona. He is excited to join the front ensemble staff at Crossroads Indoor Percussion for the 2026 season. Ryan proudly endorses Salyers Percussion/Encore Sticks & Mallets.

A native of Central Texas, Shelby Shelton is an active performer, adjudicator, and educator living in St. Joseph, Missouri. She is currently serving as Director of Percussion at Northwest Missouri State University and the Front Ensemble Coordinator at Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.

Shelby is passionate about all things marching arts and worked with the Cavaliers drum and bugle corps from 2019-2023. During that time , the percussion section won the Fred Sanford High Percussion Award (2023). She has instructed many other groups including the Sacramento Mandarins, Madison Scouts, George Mason Indoor percussion, Music City Drum Corps, James Madison Marching Royal Dukes, Father Ryan High School, and Veritas indoor percussion. Shelby has performed three seasons as a member of the Tennessee Titans Blue Crew drumline.

Shelby holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in percussion performance from James Madison University where she studied with Casey Cangelosi. Her academic research centers on emotive gestures and expression within the context of front ensemble.Shelby earned a Master of Music degree in percussion performance and a B.A. in music education from Middle Tennessee State University. She also has a B.A. in Percussion Performance and a B.A. in English Literature from Lindenwood University.

She is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Marching and Rudimental Percussion Committee and the Percussive Arts Diversity Committee.Shelby is proudly endorsed by Innovative Percussion, Pearl/Adams, D’Adaddrio/Evans, and Zildjian cymbals.

Snare Technicians

Danny Belt is an eye care professional in the Omaha area. His background in percussion is both as a performer and an instructor with various groups over the years. His journey began on the Thomas Jefferson High School Drumline (2009-2013), followed by participation in Aftershock Indoor (2009-2011) and Thomas Jefferson High School Indoor (2011-2013), then PUREcussion Indoor in 2014, 2016, and 2017. He has been dedicated to teaching in the Omaha area since 2015, with tenures at Westside High School (2016-currently) as the Percussion Director and at Millard North High School (2017-2024) as a snare/tenor technician. Along with instructing he also has a passion for the design and visual aspect of the activity. He served as the Visual Director for Railmen Indoor from 2018-2020 and has been the Visual Tech at SPARK Indoor since 2024. His design work encompasses uniform, prop, and floor design, and has written marching drill and choreography for numerous indoor and outdoor ensembles in the Omaha area.

Jack Brauer has been involved in marching percussion since high school and have been teaching at Millard West high school in Omaha since 2019. He marched with railmen indoor percussion for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, as well as the Seattle Cascades drum corps in 2019 and the Crossmen in 2021. He currently works as an oncology nurse at Nebraska Methodist Hospital where he gives chemotherapy and help patients with cancer. He’s excited to be a part of crossroads!

Nick Miller serves as Associate Director of the Hawkeye Marching Band, Director of Marching Percussion, and Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Iowa. He previously served as a  Graduate Teaching Assistant with the Hawkeye Marching Band, working as the instructor and arranger for the Hawkeye Marching Band Drumline. He also served as the principal percussionist in the Iowa Symphony Band and taught private lessons in the Iowa Percussion department. He is an active performer, designer, and adjudicator throughout the Midwest. He holds his doctorate and master's degrees in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa, a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Missouri - Columbia, and he graduated from Webster Groves High School in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Miller has held numerous professional appointments as an instructor and designer, including his appointments as a snare technician to the Colt Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017, Gateway Indoor in 2018, and Crossroads Percussion in 2019. In addition, he has served as an instructor at many programs throughout Missouri, including Webster Groves High School, Willard High School, Hickman High School, CPS United Indoor Drumline, and California High School.

His designing experience has continued to expand far beyond writing full scores and drill for the Hawkeye Marching Band. Dr. Miller has arranged percussion for Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri, Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and has recently been hired to arrange percussion for the Indiana Marching Hundred in Bloomington, Indiana.

Dr. Miller has extensive experience in numerous performance areas, including but not limited to, his time spent marching snare drum in WGI with Freedom Percussion in 2013, Marching Mizzou (2013-2014), Gateway Indoor (2016-2017), as well as with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2016 season. Dr. Miller received Member of the Year, as well as the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association scholarship for the 2017 WGI season. He has performed as a percussion soloist with the University of Missouri Percussion Ensemble, Iowa Percussion, and the Iowa Concert and Symphony Bands. He resides in Iowa City, Iowa with his wife Laura Beth and their dog Ria.

Tenor Technicians

Andrew Brogan lives with his wife and daughter in Blue Springs, MO. In 2017, he graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO with a B.S. in Computer Science. He currently works at Honeywell FM&T as a Senior Engineering Support Specialist.

During his DCI and WGI marching career, Andrew played tenors for Gateway Percussion (2014 – 2016), Madison Scouts (2014), and The Cavaliers (2015). He was fortunate to be educated by many notable instructors, including: Michael McIntosh, Eric Ridenour, Derek Boughey, Brian Graham, Drake Melson, and Justin Lewis to name a few. While attending college, Andrew was the battery arranger and technician for Truman State University from 2015 to 2016. Andrew has been a tenor drum and battery technician for Blue Springs South High School (2016 – 2019), Lee’s Summit High School (2017 – 2019), and Blue Springs High School (2012 – 2014, 2019 – present). Andrew was also a tenor drum technician for Gateway Indoor in 2018. Along with his history of being a technician, he has also given private lessons to help individuals reach their goals and maximize their potential. Andrew has been with Crossroads since 2018, and is looking forward to another great year of indoor.

Visual Technicians

Danny Baron is absolutely stoked to start my first season with XRP. He’s been involved in the marching arts for about 9 years and have been teaching for 4 years. He marched DCI at the Madison Scouts (2022) and the Phantom Regiment (2023 & 2024), and now teach visual at the Cavaliers!

His favorite show is Pulse 2017 and his favorite DCI percussion book is Phantom Regiment 2010.

A fun fact about him is that he can do a headstand :)

Jake Parker was born and raised in Iowa City, IA. In 2020 he earned his B.B.A. from the University of Iowa in Finance along with a Music Minor. He currently resides in Chicago, IL. 

While at Iowa, Jake was a member of the Hawkeye Marching Band and served as the Drumline Captain and Snare Section Leader for three years. Jakes’ other performance experiences includes the Colt Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and Crossroads Indoor Percussion. He has also spent 5 years as a battery instructor with the Colt Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and is excited to return for another year with Crossroads Indoor.

Lucas Baron, from Omaha, NE, currently teaches visual and helps out with high brass at Millard West HS. At the moment, he works in finance full time. In his free time, he does anything music related or reads self improvement books. Fun fact: he loves spicy food.

Mitch Van Cleave, grew up in a small town in southwest Missouri. He’s played every instrument in the battery, but bass drum has always been his main focus. He marched Crossroads Percussion, Blue Knights DBC, Broken City Percussion, and Carolina Crown DBC. He’s big on quality and achievement, but also having a good time. This activity is all about getting better and having fun, and he’s excited to help out this season.