Meet the Staff
Keith Hall
Executive Director
Keith has a long history in the marching arts. He was a band director for nine years in Mississippi and Florida. He was a staff member of Sky Ryders, Cadets and Magic of Orlando. He started The Band Hall band uniform manufacturing company in 1997. He founded Music City Drum Corps in 2009 and served as director through 2017. And Keith served as drum major of the very first Memphis Blues in 1980.
Dr. Mark Bonner
Corps Director
Dr. Bonner was born and raised in Memphis, TN, and teaches music education at the University of Central Missouri as the Director of Athletic Bands. After graduating from Craigmont High School and the University of Memphis, Mark taught in the Memphis Public Schools for four years before earning a Master’s in Conducting from LSU and a Doctorate in Conducting at UMKC Conservatory. Mark has had marching band arrangements nominated for a Grammy Award in Music and retweeted by cast members of “The Office.”
Brandon Lewis
Brass Caption Head
Brandon is from Batesville, Mississippi. He marched in Blue Devils and was named "Brass Performer of the Year." He was also named to the "Blue Devils Hall of Fame." Brandon received his bachelors of music performance from the University of Mississippi where he continues to perform with the faculty brass quintet.
Neil Landini
Percussion Caption Head/Arranger
Neil recently moved to Southaven, Mississippi where he serves as Percussion Director at DeSoto Central High School. Prior to the move he taught at Powhatan County Schools in Virginia from 1998-2022. His drum line there won 11 Atlantic Indoor Association. Percussion Scholastic Open Championships. Neil marched in Carolina Crown.
Jake Cosby
Color Guard Caption Head
Jake Cosby is a native of Batesville, Mississippi who now resides in Millington, Tennessee. He performed with Magnolia Independent winter guard, Music City Drum and Bugle Corps, Paramount A winter guard, Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, Paramount Open winter guard, and Colibri Independent winter guard. Jake served as an instructor and choreographer for numerous programs in North Mississippi before moving to Tennessee to become the director of color guards at Collierville High School.
Dennis Cox
Visual Caption Head
Dennis was a member of the the original Memphis Blues Drum Corps. He serves as the director of bands at DeSoto Central High School in Southaven, Mississippi. His bands at DeSoto Central have won numerous awards including winning the Mississippi Marching Band Championship five times. Dennis was named Mississippi Band Director of the Year in 2018.
Ryan Todd
Brass Arranger
Ryan is currently the director of bands at Itawamba Community College. He is in high demand as an arranger and drill designer for bands in numerous states. Ryan is a past recipient of the Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher of the Year.
Michael Gaines
Drill Designer
Michael Gaines has designed drill for numerous gold medal winners in DCI, WGI and BOA including Cavaliers, Pride of Cincinatti and Carmel High School. He is a member of the DCI and WGI Hall of Fame. Michael is also a highly sought after clinician worldwide.
Zachary Barber
Guard Choreographer
Zachary is the founder of the pageantry design company Zbarberdesigns. He has designed for groups such as the Blue Springs Golden Regiment, Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, Edmond Memorial HS, North Hardin HS, Lexis World and Ionic winter guard.
Robert Jordan
Guard Choreographer
Residing in St. Louis, Missouri, Robert has been designing and consulting with color guards across four countries for over a decade. He performed in Blue Devils Drum Corps and Fantasia Winter Guard. Robert is well known on social media where he corresponds under the moniker "TheGuyWhoSpins."