Spartans Staff | Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps

Design Team

Richard Rigolini

Corps Director

Richard earned his Bachelors degree in Sociology from Boston University. He has been at the center of the corps’ vision for many years. Under his direction, the Spartans enjoy continued success.

Matt McGuire

Program Coordinator and Front Ensemble Arranger

Matt has been working with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps since 2014. Prior to that, he taught the front ensemble for East Coast Jazz (2006), Jersey Surf (2008), and the Citations (2009).

Matt is the high school band director and performing arts department chair in Mansfield, Massachusetts. He has also been the percussion director in Mansfield since 2004 leading the program to 3 WGI championships, 7 medals, and 9 seasons as finalists.

Matt graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2007 where he studied music education. He received his master’s degree in 2019 from Bridgewater State University where he currently serves as an adjunct professor in the music department. Matt is a member of the NESBA executive board and has served as a member of the WGI percussion advisory board. In addition to his own programs, Matt has served as an arranger for multiple schools around New England.

Don MacTaggart

Brass Caption Head

Mr. MacTaggart has adjudicated marching band and drum & bugle corps programs throughout the United States and Canada and is a highly sought-after clinician and judge.

Since his days as a performer with the Revere, MA 27th Lancers, he has judged for Bands of America, Drum Corps International, Drum Corps Associates and many local and regional associations including a number of national championship shows. Don has written and arranged for many bands and drum corps. He has also served as program coordinator, staff coordinator and consultant. He is the former marching band director of Peabody, MA HS, and has most recently worked with the Norwood, MA HS program. Don is a member of the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Fr. Robert Carr Exemplary Service Award. He is the former Music Education Director for the Massachusetts Judges Association and he is the current Judge Administrator for the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association. In his limited spare time, Mr. MacTaggart gives private lessons in the Boston area.

Gilles Ouellette

Visual Design

Gilles is a freelance Visual Designer, Technician and Adjudicator for High School Marching Bands, Drum Corps, Winter Guards and Winter Percussion Ensembles.

He graduated with a degree in Computer science and dedicated several years in the corporate world before making “Marching and the Visual Arts” his main occupation.

Gilles is a past assistant director for the Boston Crusaders (1996-1998) and past Visual Designer for the Glassmen (2008-2009). Gilles has been the Visual Designer for the Spartans from 2001-2007, 2010-present. He is also a Visual designer for the Spirit of Atlanta (GA), U. Mass Lowell (MA), Hanna HS (TX), Mt Juliet HS (TN), New Bedford HS (MA), New Oxford HS (PA), Oak Grove HS (AL), Red Mountain HS (AZ) and Westminster HS (MD), Gilles resides in Nashville, TN. He is a member and active adjudicator for the Gulf Coast Judges Association (GCJA), Winterguard International (WGI) and is the Color Guard, Judge and Contest Coordinator for the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit (SCGC).

Aaron Goldberg

Brass Arranger

A native of Boston, Aaron Goldberg holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from UMass Lowell and a Master’s degree in Music Performance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.

He is currently the director of athletic bands and a lecturer in music at Boston University. Aaron was a cast member of the Tony and Emmy Award-winning Broadway show “Blast” on its 2005-2006 US tour performing on euphonium, baritone, trombone, percussion, and voice. He has been involved in the drum & bugle corps activity for almost twenty years, having served on the Crossmen brass staff from 2002-2010 and has also taught the horn lines of the Blue Stars, Boston Crusaders, 7th Regiment, Connecticut Hurricanes, Jersey Surf, and Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps. Aaron has arranged music for drum corps, high school and college marching bands, and he is the current winds arranger for the Boston University Athletic Bands. He has been a music adjudicator for USBands, the New England Scholastic Bands Association (NESBA), Great East Music Festivals, and has been a clinician in the marching music idiom around the country.

Lennie Machado

Visual Caption Head and Color Guard Design

Lennie’s résumé boasts an impressive run of consecutive DCI Open Class color guard championships.

Andy Kim

Battery Design

Andy is an alumnus of King Phillip HS, the Spartans, UMass Amherst, and Carolina Crown. He also teaches at King Philip HS.

Bruno Zuccala

Consultant

Educational Staff

Brass

Don MacTaggart

Brass Captain Head

Mr. MacTaggart has adjudicated marching band and drum & bugle corps programs throughout the United States and Canada and is a highly sought-after clinician and judge.

Don is a member of the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Fr. Robert Carr Exemplary Service Award. He is the former Music Education Director for the Massachusetts Judges Association and he is the current Judge Administrator for the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association. In his limited spare time, Mr. MacTaggart gives private lessons in the Boston area.

Aaron Goldberg

Brass Arranger

James Fortier

Brass Instructor

James (Jamie) Fortier returns to Spartans for his 7th season as a brass/visual tech. Jamie has had a long history with the Spartans, having served 5 years as a marching member.

During his time as a member, Jamie was a baritone player in 2006 and 2007, and was the Drum Major from 2010 to 2012. Jamie was also a marching member with the Citations Drum and Bugle Corps from Burlington, Mass in 2008 and 2009 on Baritone, and aged out with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton, Ohio in 2013 on Euphonium. During his 8 year marching career, Jamie was able to receive the Rookie of the Year award with both Spartans, in 2006, and the Bluecoats, in 2013, along with receiving the Director’s Award, Spartan’s highest honor, in 2010 and 2011.

Outside of the marching arts, Jamie is the Dean of School Culture with the Sizer Charter School in Fitchburg, Mass. In this role, Jamie serves as an administer for the school that oversees the provision of school-based services and interventions with students and families. Jamie leads his school efforts to ensure there is a safe and orderly school environment that promotes academic achievement and contributes to the well-being of all students.

Jamie graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell with a B.A. in Music Business. During his time as a student, Jamie was able to learn from great teachers such as Dan Lutz, Michael Milnarik, David Martins, Alan Williams, Tim Crain, Ricky Berger and Pete Lully. Jamie was also a member of the UMass Lowell Marching Band from 2009-2013, having been a featured soloist several times and earning the best marcher award during his time. In 2013, Jamie was the first member in the band’s history to receive the “Impact Award”, which is awarded to those leaving an influential impact on the program.

Jamie currently works and writes drill for several high school band programs across Massachusetts. Some programs include North Andover High School, Oakmont Regional High School, North Reading High School, and Lunenburg High School.

When not working, Jamie loves spending his time going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and learning anything that has to do with different sci-fi universes.

Mattsen Bradbury-Koster

Brass Tech

Mattsen is a proud alumnus of the Spartans, having marched two years with the corps. First, as a tuba player in 2016 and then as drum major during his 2017 age-out season.

In 2018, Mattsen graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. During the fall, he serves as the Assistant Band Director of the Portsmouth High School Clipper Marching Band in Portsmouth, NH. By day, he teaches band and general music at Barrington Middle School in Barrington, NH. Mattsen works primarily with the mellophone section.

Cassie MacDonald

Brass Tech

Cassie is a part of the Brass team, specializing in the high brass. She marched in High School and is passionate about teaching brass and playing trumpet.

She plays regularly with the New England Brass Band and is a full-time brass specialist with the Everett Public Schools. This will be her third season working with the Spartans.

Averi Parece

Brass Tech

Averi is a 2020 graduate of Ithaca College with a degree in Music Education. She marched two years at the Cadets. Outside of the Spartans, Averi also teaches the Wakefield Warrior Marching Band.

Brian McCullock

Brass Tech

Brian is an alumnus of UMass Lowell and the Spartans. Outside the Spartans, is a music teacher in Worcester and teaches and writes for several high school bands in Massachusetts.

Color Guard

Lennie Machado

Color Guard Design

Lennie is a long-time Spartans staff member. His résumé boasts more than a few DCI Open Class color guard championship titles.

Julie Brown

Movement Coordinator and GC Instructor

Julie is an alumna of Shepherd Hill HS, the Citations, the Spartans, and Blessed Sacrament. She also teaches Shepherd Hill HS marching band and winter guard.

Kevin Couture

Color Guard Tech

Alumnus of the Spartans and performing member of Blessed Sacrament World Guard.

Alicia Druid

Color Guard Tech

Alicia is an alumna of Reading HS, St. Brendan’s color guard & the Spartans. She holds a psychology & elementary education degree from Merrimack College & teaches elementary school in Waltham, MA. Outside the Spartans, Alicia teaches St. Brendan’s color guard, Reading HS & North Andover HS.

Addison Kaeterle

Color Guard Caption Manager

Addison is excited to join the 2018 Spartans as a member of the guard design team. He is currently the director at Dartmouth High School from Dartmouth, MA. They were the WGI 2017 SA Silver Medalist. Addison is a former alumni of the Spartans. Addison is currently a TA in a Special Education classroom and goes to Bristol community college as a behavioral science major.

Laura Brophy

Movement Tech

Laura Brophy is excited to start her first year working with the Spartans. Laura has been the movement specialist and a visual technician for the Mansfield High School Band and Percussion programs since 2016.

Laura is the high school music and dance teacher for the Mansfield Public School district. She graduated from UMass Lowell in 2008 with a degree in music studies and received her master’s degree from Bridgewater State University in 2015. Laura has completed Dance Masters of America level 2 training and is currently working on her doctorate at Boston University.

Casey Saitow

Color Guard Tech

Addison Kaeterle

Color Guard Consultant

Battery

Andy Kim

Percussion Caption Head and Battery Arranger

Andy has been on staff with the Spartans since 2013, and will be returning as the Percussion Caption Head and Battery Arranger in 2020.

He is an alumnus of the Spartans (2007-2008) and Carolina Crown (2009-2012), as well as the drum line at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Andy has served as an instructor, arranger, and designer for several programs in New England, including Plymouth High School, Bishop Hendricken High School, King Philip Regional High School, Dartmouth High School, and PureFusion Percussion. He is also currently the co-director of the Mansfield High School Percussion Ensemble.

Outside of the marching arts, Andy holds a BS in Chemical Engineering and works at Abbvie Pharmaceuticals in Worcester, MA. He is very excited to be returning to the Spartans for the 2020 season!

Jabari Tovar

Battery Manager and Snare Technician

Jabari has been a staff member at the Spartans since the 2017 beginning as the snare technician. He is an alumnus of The Spartans, marching from 2011-2014.

He received his B.A in Music from Salem State University in 2016. Jabari is an instrumental music teacher for Salem Public Schools (MA), where he teaches percussion students grades 4-12. He also spearheads the percussion program for the Salem High School Marching Band and the Indoor Percussion ensemble. Jabari is extremely excited to be with the Spartans Percussion Team for another season!

Seth Lampert

Tenor Technician

Seth was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and is an alumnus of Portsmouth High School where he performed in the percussion ensemble, led by percussion director Steve Cirillo.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Music Education. He holds a Teaching Assistantship under Thom Hannum and teaches the UMass Marching Band.

Seth’s marching career began in 2014 where he spent one season playing cymbals and another playing tenors with The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. He then spent four seasons playing tenors with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. During his time at The Cadets, he had the opportunity to perform under Colin McNutt in 2016 and DCI Hall of Famer Tom Aungst from 2017 – 2019. The 2020 season will be his first year on The Spartans staff.

Cullen Ryan

Tenor Tech

Cullen is returning to the percussion staff teaching the tenor line. His DCI marching career began with the Spartans (2010 – 2012) and concluded with the Cadets (2014 – 2015).

Since aging out of the activity, he has spent time on staff with King Philip High School and North Andover High School.

Outside of the marching world, Cullen is very active in the music industry. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Business from UMass Lowell and works full time in Artist Relations at Zildjian and Vic Firth. Cullen also performs and records regularly with a variety of music acts, including Toluca Lake, Rainsound, and Week Seven.

Corey Watkins

Bass Technician

Corey Watkins is a freelance educator, percussionist, and arranger from Asheville, North Carolina. His marching career began in the Western Carolina University “Pride of the Mountains” marching band from 2015-2017.

His independent marching experience started in 2017 playing top bass for Atlanta Quest. He went on to march his DCI age-out season with The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, and his WGI age-out season with Matrix World in 2018.

Corey’s independent teaching experience started with The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps in the 2018 season and he is going into his third year as the bass tech for the Spartans. He has also been the bass tech for Cap City Percussion – a consistent WGI finalist ensemble (2019), and Matrix performing arts for the upcoming 2020 WGI season. Corey currently resides in Dayton Ohio, where he is the battery coordinator for Bellbrook High School.

Joe Weber

Bass Technician

Joe is excited to return for his second year as a bass tech. He is an alumnus of 7th Regiment (2016-17) and Carolina Crown (2018) as well as the UMass Drumline (2015-18).

He is also a bass instructor at the University of Connecticut. Joe holds a degree in Electrical Engineering, and works in Groton CT.

Tim Miller

Bass Technician

Tim Miller is a battery instructor specializing in bass drum instruction. Tim is a Springfield, MA native and is a graduate of UMass Amherst.

He was a member of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band during his college career, where he was the bass drum section leader in his final season. Tim also performed with the World Champion Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps in 2011, playing bottom bass.

Tim’s teaching career involves instruction with several different groups in DCI. After aging out in 2011, Tim began teaching at 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps and taught there through the 2016 season. In 2017 and 2018, he assisted with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps battery instruction, with focus on the bass drum section. Apart from the summer activity, Tim has instructed several WGI groups throughout the Northeast.

Outside of drum corps, Tim resides in Connecticut and is a business manager within the environmental services industry, having recently completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University.

Front Ensemble

Matt McGuire

Front Ensemble Arranger

Matt has been working with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps since 2014. Prior to that, he taught the front ensemble for East Coast Jazz (2006), Jersey Surf (2008), and the Citations (2009).

Matt graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2007 where he studied music education. He received his masters degree in 2019 from Bridgewater State University where he currently serves as an adjunct professor in the music department. Matt is a member of the NESBA executive board and has served as a member of the WGI percussion advisory board. In addition to his own programs, Matt has served as an arranger for multiple schools around New England.

Mark Sachetta

Front Ensemble Manager

Mark Sachetta has been involved with the Spartans Front Ensemble since 2014, returning in 2020 for his fourth season as the Front Ensemble Caption Manager.

For most of the past decade, Mark has been teaching, writing, and arranging for an assortment of marching bands and percussion groups in New England. Mark spends his day-to-day as the K-8 Music Specialist at the George Keverian School in Everett, MA. When not in the classroom, he is also dedicating his time as Director of Percussion at both Dedham High School, a concert percussion program he’s been building since 2013, and Everett High School, where Mark has been involved on-and-off with the music program for the better half of two decades.

In 2004, Mark began his undergraduate studies at Boston University, while remaining heavily involved in the percussive arts activity alongside his mentor and colleague Charley Poole, Jr. After several years at BU’s College of Fine Arts, Mark ultimately completed his undergraduate studies with an interdisciplinary degree in Music Education & Historical Studies.

Mark’s previous roles include working as the Front Ensemble Director, Arranger, and Consultant for North Andover High School, Boston College Screaming Eagles Marching Band, PureFusion Winter Percussion, and many others. Mark is currently a member of the Massachusetts Judges Association, and has adjudicated for NESBA, MICCA, and USBands.

Ryan Enos

Front Ensemble Technician

Ryan Enos is a Music Education student at the University of Massachusetts Lowell where he primarily studies drum set.

Ryan currently teaches at Mansfield High School, Westford Academy, and teaches lessons throughout all of Natick Public Schools. He has also taught at many other schools throughout his career. Ryan is an alumnus of the Spartans where he was a member of the front ensemble for four years, then continued to teach after his age out. This will be Ryan’s fourth year on staff.

Sam Bodo

Front Ensemble Technician

Sam is an alumna of the Spartans and Shepherd Hill Regional High School. She is currently a Music Performance student at UMass Lowell where she primarily plays marimba.

She has taught several high school programs and currently teaches the front ensemble at Mansfield High School.

Jared Logan

Front Ensemble Technician

Jared is an alumnus of Everett HS and the Spartans. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Studies from UMass Lowell and is currently studying for a master’s degree in Community Music Education.

He has been involved with several local programs and has taught the Front Ensemble at Everett HS since 2015.

Bryson Teel

Electronics Tech

Bryson is a Washington state native, and currently resides in Bristol, Connecticut. There, he is active as a songwriter, mixing engineer, and marching arts sound designer/teacher.

He was involved in the activity as a tenor drummer, performing with the Madison Scouts, 7th Regiment, and the Southington High School Marching Band.

As a graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Bryson holds a B.M. degree in Audio & Music Production w/ a Focus in Percussion Performance. Applying skills learned from studying modern composition and audio engineering, he has worked as a designer and teacher for marching programs throughout the northeast and southern regions. (Newtown HS, Enloe HS, Trumbull HS, Green Hope HS, Cheshire HS, University of New Haven, 7th Regiment, Connecticut Hurricanes).

Patrick Tanguay

Audio Engineer

Patrick Tanguay will be returning as the corps sound engineer. He works with the Salem High School (MA) and Mansfield High School marching bands and indoor percussion ensembles, as well as taking on work as a freelance engineer, and multi woodwind performer.

Pat was a member of the Spartans from 2013-2014 and is an alumnus of Billerica Memorial High School. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Sound Recording Technology from UMass Lowell.

Visual

Lennie Machado

Visual Caption Head

Lennie is a long-time Spartans staff member. His résumé boasts more than a few DCI Open Class color guard championship titles.

Gilles Ouellette

Visual Design

Gilles is a freelance Visual Designer, Technician and Adjudicator for High School Marching Bands, Drum Corps, Winter Guards and Winter Percussion Ensembles.

He graduated with a degree in Computer science and dedicated several years in the corporate world before making “Marching and the Visual Arts” his main occupation. Gilles is a past assistant director for the Boston Crusaders (1996-1998) and past Visual Designer for the Glassmen (2008-2009). Gilles has been the Visual Designer for the Spartans from 2001-2007, 2010-present. He is also a Visual designer for the Spirit of Atlanta (GA), U. Mass Lowell (MA), Hanna HS (TX), Mt Juliet HS (TN), New Bedford HS (MA), New Oxford HS (PA), Oak Grove HS (AL), Red Mountain HS (AZ) and Westminster HS (MD), Gilles resides in Nashville, TN. He is a member and active adjudicator for the Gulf Coast Judges Association (GCJA), Winter Guard International (WGI) and is the Color Guard, Judge and Contest Coordinator for the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit (SCGC).

Laura Brophy

Movement Tech

Mike Ratner

Visual Manager

Vanessa Jenner

Visual Tech

Vanessa is an educator of the visual & performing arts. She is an alumnus of St. John’s of Beverly, Sacred Heart & Blessed Sacrament Winter Guards as well as East Coast Jazz & The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps.

She began marching in 1994 when she discovered her passion for the marching arts, after that she began teaching in 1996. She has taught many winter guards, drum corps and marching bands and hopes to ignite the same passion in her students.

She earned her B.S. in Geography: Travel and Tourism with a minor in Dance from Salem State College. Currently, she works in the corporate travel industry.

Connor Carville

Visual Tech

Connor is an alumnus of Spartans, Dover HS, and PureFusion Percussion. He recently earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Hospitality from the University of New Hampshire. Connor is also the Percussion Director for Dover HS.

Kevin Rizza

Visual Tech

Kevin is an alumnus of the Citations. Outside of drum corps, he is currently the visual caption head for Bishop Feehan High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in computer science and currently works as a software engineer in Boston.

Sean Coffey

Visual Tech

Sam Hanson

Visual Tech

Board of Directors

Our directors oversee corps operations and direction. We’re blessed to have a dedicated, hard-working team of experienced professionals and educators ensuring our long-term success and growth.

Meet the board