Alex has been involved in Directing UP2 since 2020, and this will be his first season as Program Director for the group. Alex began his marching career in 2007 with the Quakertown Community High School Marching Band. From there he went on to study Percussion at West Chester University under Ralph Sorrentino and Dave Nelson. In 2012, Alex marched with the Hawthorne Caballeros playing Snare Drum - and from there went on to perform with Matrix Percussion (Based out of Akron, OH) in 2013, placing 4th in WGI World Championships.

Alex has taught/arranged for many programs in the Southeast PA Region such as Daniel Boone HS, Neshaminy HS and even spending 4 years with Hempfield High School( Landisville PA) - as the Percussion Director for the Indoor and Outdoor seasons. During his time with Hempfield HS, they went three straight years as champions in the local circuit and were awarded with High Percussion Awards. Alex also spent time teaching and arranging for Millersville University’s Marching Band from 2017-2018. From 2014-2018 Alex served as the Battery Coordinator for the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, along with teaching programs such as Penn State Indoor Drumline, and the Connecticut Hurricanes. This will be Alex’s Sixth season returning as Program Director for UP2.

Brad has been an active educator and visual designer of the marching arts for over 20 years. His performance experience includes The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps and the Santa Clara Vanguard. He has been involved with many independent groups over the years, including the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, Lehigh Valley Knights, Teal Sound, Crossmen, 7th Regiment, Boston Crusaders, and Q Winter Guard, (WGI IO Finalist 2016, 2017). Currently, Brad is the visual designer for the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps, and on the visual team at the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps, (2017-Present). In addition to working with independent groups, Brad has worked with many scholastic ensembles, most recently with visual instruction at King Philip H.S. from Wrentham, MA. and Homestead H.S, (BOA Grand National Finalist 2018), from Ft. Wayne, IN Currently, he is the visual designer for Pecos H.S. from Pecos, TX, (BOA San Antonio Regional Class A Champion 2022). Brad was involved with United Percussion in 2004 & from 2017-Present. He is also the artistic director & visual designer for United Percussion 2.

Alex Beltran is an active writer, teacher, performer, and clinician from New England, now based in Southwest Ohio. He holds a Masters Degree in Music History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he also received an Undergraduate Degree in Percussion Performance studying under Ayano Kataoka and Thom Hannum. 

While at UMass, Alex was a member of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band Battery from 2010 through 2013. He was also a member of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2011 through 2014, where he won the DCI World Championship in 2011 and the Fred Sanford High Percussion Award while serving as battery section leader for the 2013 season. Following his age out from The Cadets, he transitioned to the battery staff as the main quad technician for the 2015 and 2016 seasons before joining the percussion staff at the Boston Crusaders in 2017. 

During his graduate studies, Alex served as Teaching Assistant to Thom Hannum from 2014 to 2016 where he worked primarily with the front ensemble. From 2016 through 2019, Alex worked as the primary instructor for the UMass Drumline, where he arranged for the battery alongside Thom Hannum and Colin McNutt, and facilitated daily rehearsals for the entire percussion section. 

Outside of United Percussion, Alex is the Battery Caption Manager for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, where he handles the daily teaching, equipment, and logistical needs of the battery and coordinates the teaching staff. He is also the interim Associate Director of the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands program, where he oversees the writing, growth, and development of the percussion program of the Bearcat Bands. 

Alex proudly endorses Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Pearl Adams Instruments

Jesse’s marching experience started with Cadets2 in 2014 and continued on to march the Cadets in 2016 and 2017. Jesse has also been heavily involved in the Percussion Independent World scene in WGI, having marched with Cadets Winter Percussion in 2015 and 2016 and with United Percussion in 2018, all PIW finalist groups. 

As an educator, Jesse has proven an accomplished arranger as the Caption Head and Arranger at both Downingtown East High School outdoor program and the Downingtown Area School District indoor percussion program from 2017-2020. Jesse also taught Cadets2 during the 2017-2018 seasons and has since taught United Percussion 2’s Front Ensemble in the 2020 season and 2024-present seasons.

Luke Chemidlin is an enthusiastic percussion instructor and educator from Somerville, NJ. His love for music and performance began at Immaculata High School, where he first started his marching career. Luke continued his journey in DCI Open Class, performing with the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps (2014) and 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps (2016) on quads. He also served as section leader for the Rutgers University Drumline (2015-2016) and performed with Cadets2 Drum and Bugle Corps (2017). In addition to his DCI experience, Luke was a proud member of United Percussion’s 2017 quad line. 

Over the years, he returned to his alma mater, Immaculata High School, to give back to the program that inspired him. Since 2015, he has been instrumental in designing and arranging the marching band and indoor drumline programs, eventually becoming the Percussion Caption Head.

Throughout the course of his marching career, Luke has had the privilege of learning from incredible instructors, including Dan Bonham, Neil Cote, Ken Riehman, Paul Nalesnik, John Forte, Jeff Bickford, Omi Batan, Carlos Vazquez, Brendan Murphy, Andrew Kain, Joe Ciancimino, Alex Beltran, and many more. Now in his sixth year with United Percussion, Luke is honored to be part of an organization that champions excellence, and he looks forward to upholding and continuing that tradition.

Sal Azzara is a front ensemble educator, arranger, sound designer, and audio engineer based in the Southeast PA region.

Sal studied Music Education at West Chester University and has performed with West Chester’s Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and marching band. His marching experience includes performing with The Reading Buccaneers (’15-’16), The Cadets (’17-’18), and United Percussion (’20, ’22) as a front ensemble member.

Active in the Southeast PA region, he has worked with groups including Upper Darby High School, Downingtown Indoor Percussion, Shippensburg University, and The Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps, and United Percussion 2. He served as Front Ensemble Arranger and Sound Designer at Downingtown East Winter Percussion and the Shippensburg University Marching Band since 2020, and also served as the Front Ensemble Coordinator and Sound Designer at the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps since 2020. 

He is excited to start his third year with United Percussion 2 in 2025, his first year as Sound Designer.

Tony is a distinguished Artistic Director, recognized for his expertise in show design within the marching arts. Currently serving as the Artistic Director for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and Artistic Design/Sound Design for United Percussion (PIW), Tony also holds the role of creative designer for feniX Independent Winterguard (IW), ViP Percussion (PIW), UP2 Open (PIO), Vision Percussion (PIO), and Boswell HS (PSW).

With extensive experience, Tony has made a lasting impression on the marching band and percussion community. Recently concluding a twenty-four-year tenure as founder and show designer for Petal Indoor Percussion Theatre (PSW), a WGI Percussion Scholastic World Class Finalist, he has also contributed significantly as the co-music arranger/show designer for the Petal High School marching band, guiding them to success on both regional and national platforms.

Tony's achievements include twice being honored as the Outstanding Junior High Director of the Southeast Mississippi Band Directors Association and receiving the prestigious 2008 Mississippi Bandmasters Association AE McClain Outstanding Young Band Director Award. Beyond local programs, he established and led the Eminence Indoor Percussion Ensemble, a WGI Open Class finalist and championship ensemble.

Graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, Tony showcased his talent as a principal percussionist in esteemed ensembles. His drum corps journey began as a member of the front ensemble of the World Champion Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps from 1991 to 1993.

Tony's creativity transcended conventional paths, leading him to a successful professional performance career with the pop/rock band King Konga. The band's international tours and chart-topping success solidified Tony's versatility and skill.

In recent years, Tony's influence expanded to renowned drum corps such as Carolina Crown, The Madison Scouts, and Pacific Crest, where he contributed to design and creative teams, shaping memorable performances. Alongside his artistic endeavors, he owns Eidetic Creative, a multimedia design business.

Residing in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Tony cherishes family life with his wife Emily and daughter Colette. His commitment to the art of show design continues to inspire and elevate performers and audiences alike, leaving a lasting impact on the marching arts community.

Charles “Chuck” Cuautli is a North Jersey based percussionist and educator and is incredibly excited to return to United Percussion 2 for his 4th year. Chuck began his marching career at Passaic High School and would go on to march numerous drum corps and indoor percussion ensembles such as The Raiders, Jersey Surf, The Hawthorne Caballeros, Cadets2, East Coast Percussion and United Percussion. 

Charles proudly served as battery co-caption head at Passaic High School with his brother, Oliver, for several years and eventually co-directing the program with him for the 2023 season. Charles currently serves as percussion caption head for the Pequannock Township High School marching band and a drum tech at Wayne Valley High School. 

Outside of the marching world, Charles is a K-3 general music teacher and 4th-6th grade choral director in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. 

Her marching experience includes Unionville HS Marching Band and Indoor Percussion, the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band, Imperial Dynasty ‘19 and ‘20, and the Bushwackers ‘21 and ‘22. Megan has been teaching bass drum at Unionville HS since 2020. She joined the UP2 staff for the 2024 season and is currently in her first season teaching the University of Delaware Drumline. Outside of the marching world, Megan has a degree in Environmental Science and Wildlife Ecology from the University of Delaware. She currently works as a zookeeper!

Kevin is a marching percussion educator based in Southeastern Pennsylvania. He graduated from Abington High School in 2006. His marching experience includes Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps and United Percussion.

Educational experience includes Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps (2019-Present), United Percussion 2 (2023-Present), Imperial Dynasty (2020-2022), Cheltenham High School (2015-Present), Upper Dublin High School, Abington High School, and Boyertown High School.

Kevin is a proud member of the Salyers Percussion Education Team.

Nick’s involvement in the broader marching percussion world started in 2019 as a member of the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band Bass Line (2019-2022). During that time, Nick ventured into the independent scene, marching with Imperial Dynasty during the 2020 WGI season. After a brief hiatus from independent percussion, he furthered his passion for marching bass drum as a member of United Percussion

World, playing Bass 1 in 2023 and 2024. In addition to marching, Nick has taught at various high schools in the Southeastern PA area and is currently the battery caption head at Downingtown West High School.

Rachel first began marching with the Lower Dauphin High School Marching Band on the flute in 2012 before serving as drum major in 2014 and 2015. She also joined the Indoor Drumline her freshman year, where she was first introduced to and quickly fell in love with playing the cymbals. Rachel went on to march cymbals in WGI Independent World Class as a member of United Percussion from 2017 through 2020. She was section leader for United in 2020.

Rachel received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020. She graduated from UPenn’s School of Veterinary Medicine in May 2024 and is currently working full-time as a small animal veterinarian in southeastern PA. She has taught cymbals with United Percussion 2 since 2023 and with the Bushwackers during the inaugural DCI All-Age season in 2024. She is very excited for the opportunity to return to UP to teach and give back to the next generation of cymbal players!

Oscar is a marching arts educator currently in the greater Philadelphia area. He is originally from Fair Lawn, NJ, where he started marching with the marching band & indoor percussion ensembles. After graduating, Oscar moved to Delaware to attend the University of Delaware and march in the UDMB. During his marching career, Oscar has also marched in the Hawthorne Caballeros, Jersey Surf, United Percussion 2, and aged out with United Percussion World in 2023. He has previously taught at Middletown HS for both marching band and indoor drumline, and the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps.

Oscar holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware, and currently lives in Maryland where he is working as a Quality Engineer. This will be Oscar’s second year teaching United Percussion 2, and is thrilled to be returning to the team as a cymbal staff member.

Cody is a marching arts performer and educator currently living in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Cody began his marching career at Whitehall High School then continuing on to being a member of West Chester University’s snare line for the next four years leading the percussion section in 2015 & 2016.  From there, Cody went on to continue his marching career with the Reading Buccaneers (2014-2015), Carolina Crown (2016-2017), & Cadets Winter Percussion (2016).  

Cody has been an educator/clinician within the Greater Philadelphia area since 2013 holding numerous roles for high school programs in the area. In 2017 Cody joined the West Chester University “Incomparable” Golden Rams Marching Band educational staff as a battery percussion instructor, a position that he still currently holds.  Cody also offers private lessons to students looking to take the next step in their marching careers.  

Cody feels honored to have been mentored by some of the most highly regarded educators throughout his career including Thom Hannum, Chip Bachman, Chris Feist, Johnny Trujillo, Brandon Isham, Frankie Cummings, Zach Schlicher, Tom Aungst, Darren Hazlett, Travis Peterman, Mike Windish, Dan Schack and Steve Roman. 

Cody graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor concentration in Accounting from West Chester University in 2017 and currently works as an investment specialist in Chester County Pennsylvania. 

Matt Krause is an up and coming percussion educator in the New Jersey area. He was a percussion instructor for Monroe Township High school and Bushwackers Academy, and will be returning for his second season as a snare tech for United Percussion 2.

Matt found his love for the activity while participating in the indoor and outdoor percussion programs at Toms River High School North. He began his drum corps career with the Bushwackers in 2015 and then returned later to march another 4 seasons (2018-2022), finishing his career as section leader. Matt attended Villanova University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and master’s degree in Software Engineering, and is currently a software engineer for Lockheed Martin.

Overall, Matt is highly passionate about the activity and ready to bring the energy to the teaching side of things. He is a loyal and devoted member of the organizations he is part of, and is excited to help mold the future of United Percussion 2.

Matt Goble is a percussion educator based in Ocean County, New Jersey. He currently teaches at Madison High School, 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, and is very excited to joining the United Percussion 2 staff for the 2023 season.

Matt was first exposed to the marching arts during his time at Barnegat High School. He went on to march drum corps with the Raiders from 2016-2018, and the Hawthorne Caballeros from 2019-2021. His indoor experience in includes East Coast Percussion from 2017-2018, United Percussion 2 in 2019, and United Percussion for the 2021-2022 seasons. Matt is proud to have been a part of UP2's inaugural season, and is looking forward to contribute towards the group's future.

Over the years, Matt has been fortunate enough to learn from great educators, including Paul Nalesnik, Kirby Marino, Mark Monaghan, Alex Hartley, Floyd Murray, Alex Beltran, Andrew Rubano, and many more. Matt is enthused to continue their legacy in this activity with United Percussion 2.

Caitlyn is excited to join the United Percussion 2 staff as a front ensemble technician this winter!

Caitlyn began to perform in the independent circuit at the Hawthorne Caballeros in 2017, where she returned in 2018. During college, Caitlyn went on to march with the West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band for their 2018 and 2019 seasons. She also had the chance to perform with United Percussion 2 in 2020 and Empyrean Percussion in 2023. She’s grateful to be able to give back to the organization where she started her journey in WGI. 

On the other side of the activity, she has had the incredible opportunity to teach at several schools in the tri-state area including Abington High School, Avon Grove High School, Appoquinimink High School, and Downingtown East High School. She also serves as the front ensemble caption head and arranger at Central Bucks High School South in Warrington, Pa. 

Caitlyn graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in May of 2022 with her Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She then completed her Bachelor of Music in Studio Composition in August of 2023.

Laura Sachaczenski is a front ensemble instructor and K-1 general music teacher who currently lives in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. 

She has a B.A. in Music Education on clarinet from West Chester University, where she was active in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, marching band, and various chamber ensembles. She has performed in national conferences, various exhibitions, including BOA Grand National Championships, and concerts abroad in China and Germany. 

She began her journey with front ensembles at the age of 12, performing with her high school's indoor percussion and marching band programs. During her time at West Chester University, she performed with open and world class marching ensembles including Imperial Dynasty '18, Reading Buccaneers '19, United Percussion '20-'22, and Boston Crusaders in '21. 

She has worked as a front ensemble technician with programs in Pennsylvania including Methacton Indoor Percussion, West Chester East Marching Band, Hatboro Horsham Marching Band, and Springford Indoor Percussion. She is currently teaching the front ensemble for the  West Chester University Marching Band and the Phoenixville Area School District.  

She is very excited to give back to the United Percussion organization in her third year as a UP2 front ensemble instructor!

Adam Germ is a pageantry arts educator and designer from Quakertown, Pennsylvania. He is an alumni of the Quakertown Community High School Class of 2019. Adam began his performing career with his high school marching band, and went on to perform with other ensembles such as The Cadets2 (2018) and the Blue Stars (2019-2022) drum corps.

Adam’s teaching career began in the fall of 2019 with Central Bucks South High School and has continued his work through the 2024 fall season. He currently serves as the Visual Caption Head with Central Bucks and has since 2021. Adam is also currently on the visual staff with the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps (2023-2025) and has also worked with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps (2024), where he teaches marching fundamentals and dance technique with the brass sections. He has also previously worked with United Percussion 2 (2023 & 2024) and Abington High School Indoor Percussion (2023) during the winter and spring months of the WGI season. Adam has contributed to two silver medalist performances as a drill designer with the Quakertown High School Indoor Percussion and the Central Bucks Combined Indoor Color Guard during the 2024 season in the MAPS and MAIN circuits respectively.

Adam is very excited to spend his first season as a caption head in 2025!

Alfredo Gumbs began his marching career in 2005 participating in Division II/III junior corps. He marched with the Hawthorne Caballeros from 2017 to 2023. 

Since 2015, Alfredo has been involved in various high school music programs in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, currently serving as the Visual Caption Head for the Pequannock Township High School marching band and the Ramsey High School Band.

Alfredo graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in Psychology, followed by a Master's. 

He has over ten years of experience working with children and young adults on the autism spectrum as a teacher and therapist. While he continues to support families in his area, he recently transitioned into a new career in Human Resources and administration.

“I’m super hyped about being part of the  United Percussion family. I look forward to an amazing season!!”

Allan is excited to join the UP2 Visual Staff for the 2025 WGI Season. He has marched with the

Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps (2017-2019) and Blue Stars (2021). For Indoor Percussion, he marched with UP2 (2020) and United Percussion (2021-2022). His teaching experience includes Spartans DBC (2022-current), Spartans Indoor Percussion (2023-2024) and multiple High School Marching Bands north of Boston (2019-current).

Allan has a Business Degree from UMass Lowell with concentrations in Management and M.I.S.

He currently resides north of Boston where he is the Assistant Office Manager at a local bank.