Lone Star Alumni M-Z

(Mellophone 1995 - 1997)

Matt graduated with a Bachelors of Music Education from Sam Houston State Univereisty. He is currently the Associate Director and the Marching Coordinator for the Livingston High School Band. After Lone Star, Matt marched with the Santa Clara Vanguard in 1998. He is married to Dawn (Phantom Regiment alumni) and lives in Conroe.

(Founding Member, Snare Line 1991)

I'm living in Springfield, MO where I am pursuing a degree in Secondary Music Education. I’m a freelance computer techician, drumline instructor, and a lab technician for Walgreens. I've been married since 2005 and have 3 kids. Doing well! Hoping that there’s an alumni reunion of some type planned!

(Tenor Line 1993 1994, Tenor Line Tech 1995)

Mr. McNeil lives in Decatur with his wife Holly and two children Eric and Mica. Mrs. McNeil is the elementary music teacher at Rann elementary in Decatur. Eric teaches instrumental music at Decatur ISD, where he is the DMS Symphonic Band director and the percussion coordinator for the district. Mr. McNeil graduated from Tarleton State University in 2002. While attending Tarleton he studied with Mr. Larry Lawless and Mr. Joey Carter. Mr. McNeil's has been a clinician for Mineral Wells, Stephenville, Eastland, Grandbury, Azle, Paradise, Electra, and Temple High School. Mr. McNeil is very active in writing and arranging marching and concert percussion music.

(Brass Staff 1993-1994)

Chris Neal is the Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at McMurry University, located in Abilene, TX. His band programs website can be found at www.mcm.edu/band . He has also instructed at Temple University, Angelo State University, and Waco H.S. Chris is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and marching band drill designer for both high schools and universities.

(Bass Line 1995, Snare Line 1996)

After Lone Star, Tyler marched with the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps. He graduated from Texas A&M-Commerce (formerly East Texas State University - GO FLAMING SNAILS!) with a Bachelors in Music. He is an assistant director at Arlington Lamar High School in Arlington, TX. He is the snare drum tech for the Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps.

(Support Staff 1993-1995)

This is your "Aunt Pat" from Mineral Wells, Texas. I am still kicking, just not as high. I have just had my 60th birthday in January. I have to use a cane and scooter to get around and I have macular degeneration of the eyes, so I am suppose to be going blind. I still teacher high school here in Mineral Wells. I am still trying to feed the world but I have to do it sitting down. I have lowered cabinets and a rolling chair in the kitchen so I can continue my passion. I loved every second of my time with the beautiful children and staff of Lone Star. I loved the children and staff and enjoyed traveling all over. I will keep in touch and will write more later. Love to all, auntpat

(Multi-Tenor 1998)

Brian Perez is currently serving as the marching percussion instructor and writer for the University of Houston Spirit of Houston Marching Band. He is a full time student at Moore's School of Music at the University of Houston where he is working towards a Bachelor's Degree in music education.

During his time at U of H, Brian has also been involved with the Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, the Aura Contemporary Music Ensemble and the PANtagonists Steelband Ensemble.

Aside from his responsibilities at the university, Brian also teaches at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, TX, working alongside Christopher Retschulte. He has been an integral part of Clear Brook’s program, as well as a large influence on their success and victory as champions of the 2005 Winter Guard International Open Class Competition. Brian's other teaching experiences have included Langham Creek High School and Pearland High School, both in the greater Houston area.

Perez was a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard tenor line from 00-04 under the instruction of the legendary Ralph Hardimon, Glen Crosby, Jim Casella, and Murray Gusseck. There, he served as the section leader for all five years, and then later went on to serve the corps as a part of its 2005 instructional staff. He is currently the tenor technician for the Cavaliers.His other drum corps experience includes Lone Star in 1998. Perez was a member of the 2001 Texas All-State Band and also received the honor of the first place tenor individual award at the infamous PASIC 1999.
Brian is sponsored by Innovative Percussion Inc.

(Co Founder, Founding Member, Corps Director 1991-1996, Executive Director 1997)

Robert is married to Amanda and has two kids. He is a very successful head director and Fine Arts Chair at Seguin H.S. (Arlington ISD). He is also a free-lance show designer, arranger, clinician, and judge. HE KNOWS KARATE DUDE! And he thinks Yoda is the man and anyone who thinks otherwise will probably get kickboxed or slapshot into next week.

(Snare Drum 1993, Pit 1995)

Well, I'm Clint Ross, I played snare drum in '93 and the beginning of '94 but had to leave before the tour started. I also was in the pit in '95 beating on various things. They called me Opie as my nickname for some reason. I think that was Denny's fault because he started it because my hair stuck up in back after I woke up and the name stuck. So some of you may remember me as that.

After Lone Star I moved to Nashville and was a busy touring drummer with several major country acts for almost four years. I then joined the army as a percussionist and was assigned to the 4th Infantry and 1st Cavalry Division bands at Ft. Hood, Texas. After that I went back to finish my degree and graduated in December 2007 with a bachelor's degree in commercial aviation.

I am currently a flight instructor with Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas building up my experience and flight time to apply with the major airlines. I also am the drummer with People's Choice out of Austin playing gigs on most weekends. I have two kids, Ethan who is 6 and Emily who is 2.

Glad to run across the site and I am glad somebody took the time to put one up and remembered. It's nice to catch up and see how everyone turned out after all these years.

(Percussion & Administrative Staff 1995-1997)

Marcus moved to Los Angeles from New York City in August 1999 to complete his doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Graduated in August 2003. Now working as a Clinical Psychologist at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar (a northern suburb of Los Angeles), California. At present, much of his work focuses on adolescent male trauma, the evaluation and treatment of adolescent male sexual offenders, and gang violence. He also maintain a private practice in Los Angeles that specializes in the treatment of men's issues (e.g., male depression, sexual dysfunction, anger management, etc.). Dr. Sharpe resides in Northridge, CA. His website may be found at http://dmh.co.la.ca.us/

(Snare Line/Tenor Line 1994, Tenor Line 1995-1996)

Patrick was a charter member of the reinstated ETSU (Texas A&M-Commerce) Pride marching band drumline from 94-98. He marched with Surround Sound indoor drumline in 2000. Patrick continues to help teach drumline, indoor and outdoor, at various high schools in spare time. He is currently a winter camp quad tech with Carlos Botello and the Revolution DBC.

Outside the percussion world, Patrick is a General Manager with Chili's, married for 8 years to Andrea (who experienced drum corps for the first time last summer via the graciousness of the BD hornline and PR drumline in the parking lot of the Dallas show). They have 3 kids, Austin, Alexa, and Alyssa. and are currently living in Lindale, TX.

(Snare Line 1993, 1995 Pit 1994, 1997, Bass Line 1996)

Stuart is an Associate Band Director at Lamar H.S. (Arlington ISD) in Arlington, Texas. He is also the Percussion Caption Head with the Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps. He is also the front ensemble instructor and arranger with the Frontier Drum and Bugle Corps. He also helps instruct at Texas Christian University.

(Guard Caption Head, Visual Designer, Drill Designer 1996)

James is an alumnus of the Santa Clara Vanguard "B" Corps, San Jose Raiders, and the Seattle Imperials. James has been involved in the pageantry arts world for over 25 years in both teaching and performing capacities. Currently he is the guard caption head and designer for both Coppell and Wylie, designer for Creekview and Southlake, as well as formerly of LD Bell (BOA Regional Champs and 4th place Grand Nationals). He is also a production designer with Bowl Games of America where he has had the opportunity to design and choreograph productions for the Nokia Sugar Bowl, The Fed Ex Orange Bowl, The Axa/Equity Liberty Bowl and the Hollywood Christmas Parade. He has done work recently with the Frontier Senior Corps of Dallas, TX.

(Contra 1994)

After wrapping up the 1994 season, I returned to Azle H.S. where I continued to play the Tuba under instruction of Archie until he left for his new school in 1995. After graduating in 1996, I entered the United States Coast Guard and continued to play the Tuba for various ceremonial details. I have since shelved my mouth piece and serve as a Chief Operations Specialist where I am currently stationed in Denver, Colorado for the next year or so. I have been married for coming up on six years now to a fellow "Coastie" from Superior, WI and we have two beautiful daughters - Arianna (3yrs) & Addison (10mo). I continue to follow DCI and try to make every possible show wherever I am stationed.

Opus & Pete, it is great to see that Phantom brought it home this year.

If anyone has any info on Greg Hindman (Aggie) please forward it over as I have been trying to track him down for quite some time now. Ken (1994 Contra Line)

(Baritone 1996-1997)

I went into the Marine Corps band right after I marched 1997. I stayed in the Marines from Sept. 1997 to Sept. 2001. They almost made me stay in longer than I was suppose because of 9/11, but they decided to let me get out. Then I worked in security from 2001 to 2004. While I am still in security, I started school at Austin Community College to be a band director. I just transferred to Texas State still pursuing a Bachelors in Music Education. I have about a year and a half left. I live in Austin, Tx. I'm also getting married on January 24, 2009.

(Guard Caption Head and Instructor 1996-1997)

A Color Guard Instructor since 1989, Delia A. Tovar is in her sixth year as the Instructor for the Longhorn Band Color Guard. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Ms. Tovar graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She has been a color guard instructor for Lone Star Drum and Bugle Corps, 1996-1997 and Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2003. She also serves as one of the coordinators for the Longhorn Music Camps. Ms. Tovar is currently working in a Social Behavioral Skills Program class at Austin High School.

(Mellophone 1997)

Marched Bluecoats during the 98 season. Had to leave early so I didn't get to go the finals. That Sucked!!! I joined The Marine Corps in 2000 and got married in 2000. Did My time for my country and loved every bit of it. Got out in 2004 Moved back to Austin, Tx and I am playing with a Mariachi en Fuego. In 2006 Joined the Tx National Guard Band for 1 yr as trumpet Player. I got out just recently and plan to go back in. I have 2 kids and 1 on the way and a chihuahua that i can't stand but the kids like it.

(Soprano 1996)

Nelson moved to Chicago in 1998 after graduating from the University of Texas at San Antonio. While working as an IT architect and systems engineer for a large IT company, Nelson is an active actor in Chicago specializing in both theatrical and musical improvisation. Nelson also works as a recording engineer/producer for his own studio Courageous Studios, has produced sound designs for Chicago plays/shows, and is currently participating as a drummer for local Chicago rock band My Warped Reality. His website can be found at http://www.myspace.com/nelsonv.

Creatively, Nelson is a by-product of the Second City where he trained in heavily in both musical and theatrical improvisation. He's performed in such shows as "Brazilian Wax Museum", "Gettin' Paid:An Improvised Musical", and "Faceplant:A Musical Revue of the Demented, Twisted, and Wrong". He's currently performing with Second City Outreach and Diversity's "BrownCo" enemble, Second City's "EdCo" ensemble, understudying with Wavelength, Inc., the all-Latino sketch comedy troupe Salsation Theatre Company, and the musical improvisational team Recapitulation. He has also been busy producing shows for Recapitulation as well as Salsation's latest sketch revue The Devil Wears Chanklas. In addition, Nelson is handling drumming duties for Static Republic while helming his own musical project Courageous Rue.

Nelson would like to thank all of those who has supported him in pursuing his dreams, especially his wife Jill.

(Head Drum Major, Visual Instructor, Low Brass Caption Head,

Assistant Corps Director1992-1996)

Peter has been a band director in West, Kermit, Alpine, and Cedar Hill ISD. He is currently the head director at Permenter Middle School in Cedar Hill, TX. He is a freelance private instructor and clinician and is also a member of the Carrolton Wind Symphony. He currently resides in Cedar Hill.

(Lead Soprano 94-96, Horn Capt 96, Visual Staff 97-98)

David is a freelance musician and recording artist, specializing in Reggae, Dub, and Jam. His myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/davidwillingham) has more information and samples of his work. David records with Third-Eye Land Productions. He currently lives and loves in the Dallas-area.

(Bass Drum 1993)

My name is Chris Young but everyone would remember me as “Beave”. I marched with Lone Star on the bass line in 93. In the photos from the 93 summer (the 3 from Crowley picture), I am the one in the Boston Red Sox jacket. It sounds like I am one of the few that pretty much left Lone Star with memories and no desire to pursue a musical career. I am currently a Lieutenant / Paramedic with the Crowley Texas Fire Department. I am married and have a 2 ½ year old daughter (Hannah) and I am expecting my son (Seth) in March of 2008. Hopefully in the near future I will be a founding member of a pipe and drum for the fire department, but it is going to take a little practice for me to the chops back. Thanks for the website and I will go through some pictures and see if I can’t get you some more from the 93 summer.