Jose Antonio Montes III is a Visual Designer based in Raleigh, NC, specializing in drill design, choreography, and the creation of uniforms and props for competitive Marching Ensembles across the country. With a deep-rooted passion for the marching arts, Jose combines his unique design perspective with years of hands-on experience, having designed for multiple WGI champions, medalists & finalists. His expertise extends beyond visual design, as he also serves as the Executive Director of Eva Independent, where he contributes to the development and success of the organization as creative director for all three marching ensembles (Guard, Percussion & Winds.)

An accomplished performer, Jose marched three seasons on mellophone for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, which fueled his lifelong commitment to the marching arts. With a strong dance background in hip-hop, Jose has competed in World of Dance Competitions and participated in prestigious dance intensives, further honing his craft. His dance expertise plays a crucial role in his work as an instructor and competition judge, where he leads movement clinics and judges events nationwide. As the owner of his own visual design company, Marching by Montes, he offers personalized design services to help groups elevate their performances.

Outside of his professional work, Jose is an avid culinary experimenter, constantly developing new dinner recipes. He also enjoys spending quality time with his boxer/pitbull mix pup, Charcoal. In addition to his design and teaching work, Jose is a host on the On A Water Break Podcast, where he discusses the latest trends, insights, and stories from the world of marching arts. Whether it’s designing a new show, creating a winter guard soundtrack, or engaging in conversations about the community, Jose continues to inspire and shape the world of marching performance.

Chris Schmitz is a full-time drill writer, choreographer, and educator based in Southern California. His performance experience includes the Sacramento Mandarins and Blue Devils Entertainment. A native of Northern California, Chris has been based in Southern California the last four years, working at programs such as Rancho Cucamonga HS, El Dorado HS, Etiwanda HS, and Sunny HIlls HS, among others. He is currently the Visual Captionhead at POW Percussion and Visual Designer for Immortal Winds. In the Summer he is on staff at Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, and was previously on staff at both Gold Drum and Bugle Corps and Gold Indoor Percussion, as well as Golden Empire Drum and Bugle Corps. Chris currently resides in Placentia, California, and studies Dance Education at Fullerton College.

Charles Mockus is a rising music educator and percussionist based in the Carolinas. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Music Composition, he is currently completing a second Bachelor's degree in Educational and Developmental Psychology from Colorado Technical University.

With a diverse performance background, Charles has experience in world-class percussion ensembles. His performance credits include time spent with the US Army Drumline, UNCP’s Pride of the Carolinas, and various orchestral ensembles, with a particular emphasis on front ensemble and batterie performance.
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As an educator, Charles has made significant contributions to the marching arts, particularly within WGI and High School ensembles. He currently serves as the Front Ensemble Caption Head for Myrtle Beatz, a rising WGI A Class ensemble. He has earned a WGI Silver Medal and a CWEA Silver Medal as an instructor, and has been writing winning marching band and indoor percussion music for several years.

Since 2019, Chandler has served as the woodwind instructor and audio technician for the E.A. Laney High School Marching Band. In 2024, he expanded his role to include the Topsail High School Marching Band, continuing to provide expert instruction and technical support. He was also apart of the team of audio engineers for the Boston Crusaders for the 2025 season. His combined expertise in woodwind performance and audio technology makes him a valuable asset in both educational and performance settings.