José “joey” (Visual)

José Antonio Montes III is a Visual Designer originally from El Paso, TX. He currently lives in the Raleigh, North Carolina area and works multiple competitive Marching Ensembles in the State. José writes drill, designs uniforms/props, choreographs, program coordinates, runs visual clinics and judges Indoor/Outdoor competitions across the country. José has an extensive dance background with an emphasis in hip-hop. Jose marched mellophone for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps for 3 years. He is the Executive Director of Eva Independent in Raleigh, NC. The organization has a successful Open Class WGI Winds group and is in the process of starting an A Class Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion group under the same organization name. When he isn’t immersed in the Marching Arts, José is fighting for quality time between new dinner recipes and his 3 year old boxer/pitbull puppy named Charcoal.

JOel (Music)

Joel is an active arranger, clinician, consultant and designer in the midwest. He's been involved in the marching arts as a performer and educator. Montes' experience includes; world-class drum corps, indoor percussion, winter winds,  DCI Sound Sport, and marching band at the high school and collegiate level.  

When Joel isn't working with a group you can catch him in the dance studio getting his salsa on! He is an active member of the dance community in Wichita, as well as plays in a latin jazz group and salsa orchestra. His favorite animal (and anyone who knows him will tell you) is the bear. He has a ridiculous amount of bear-hype. 

Sara (Color Guard)

Sara Shields is a Color Guard instructor/choreographer/consultant in the Eastern United States. She was the director of the award-winning Independent Winter Guard program, Air Capital Independent, in Wichita, KS before she moves to the Raleigh, NC area to work with numerous programs. Sara marched three seasons of Independent A winter guard, two seasons with The Colts Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard, and two seasons with Northwest Independent World before deciding she wanted to devote her life to teaching the art of Color Guard. Sara’s favorite piece of equipment is flag but is absolutely in love with how dance has taken over the activity! When she isn’t surrounded by spinning death utensils, Sara loves spending her time completing puzzles and playing board games.