Steven Taylor

Director

Steve has over 10 years experience in music education and marching percussion. He studied music education at Wayne State University. While attending Wayne State, he played in the Wind Ensemble and studied under Keith Claeys.

Steve has worked with a number of groups from across the state of Michigan. Steve currently teaches at Stevenson High School and Milford High School.

The 2020 season will be Steve’s second year as Director of Divergent Performing Arts

Eric Cruickshank

Music Arranger &
Batterie Caption Head

Eric began his marching career in 2007 as a member of Motor City Percussion, based in Livonia, MI. As a member of MCP, Eric performed in both the front ensemble (2007) Aux. Percussion & Batterie Ensemble (2008-09) Snare Drum.

After MCP, Eric marched with Eastside Fury Percussion, based in Harrison Township, MI. In his time at ESF, Eric was a member from 2010-2014 (excluding 2012), ultimately aging out as the Ensemble Sectional Leader and center snare in 2014.

In the summer of 2013, Eric was fortunate enough to receive a contract with the 75th Anniversary Edition of the Madison Scouts from Madison, WI.

Eric has worked with many Metro-Detroit area groups since 2010. Groups include Trenton HS, Dearborn HS, Woodhaven HS & Redford Thurston HS. Additionally, Eric served as Director of Percussion for Southgate Anderson HS and is currently working with Gross Ile & Southgate Anderson. Eric is an active music designer, working with multiple HS groups, as well as a music consultant for Motor City Percussion, Ferndale Independent Percussion & Eclipse Percussion.

Andy Wade

Visual Designer

Andy Wade graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelors in Music Education/Percussion where he received multiple awards in percussion and jazz drum set. He is an active freelance musician and studio percussionist in the Detroit area. He performs with groups such as “Moving Mind Orchestra” and “Paddlebots” both in the recording studio and live. His marching percussion experience includes NorthCoast Academy percussion ensemble from 2010-2013, where he was the battery section leader and center snare in 2013. His DCI experience includes The Crossmen Drum and Bugle corps in 2011 and Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012.

His teaching experience includes Director of Percussion for Mount Pleasant High School (2011-2015). He was Percussion Specialist for Plymouth Community schools 6-12 as well as co-director of the PCCS 7th grade percussion ensemble and PCCS J.V Drum line (2016-2019). He has taught drum corps such as Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (2013-2014) and Legends Drum and Bugle Corps (2015-2017). He is a staff member at Redline Percussion based out of Plymouth, Michigan and has been teaching there since 2016. He is currently the Percussion Specialist for Huron Valley Schools 6-12 as well as a freelance percussion arranger and drill designer. Andy Wade proudly endorses Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets.

Jonathon Elkins

Program Coordinator

When Jonathon joined the Western Michigan University Bronco Marching Band in 2008, his passion for the marching arts began to grow. Since then, Jonathon has drummed, marched and instructed within DCI and WGI ensembles throughout Michigan. After aging out in 2013, he's also been a member of both the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions drumlines! His other love, improv comedy, has been pursued through studying and performing at Go Comedy, UCB of NY and The Second City Chicago.

In 2016, Jonathon flew to New York to audition for his dream job; performing as a cast member within STOMP. He accomplished that dream and has gone on to be contracted for the Off-Broadway NYC show, the North American touring and International touring productions of STOMP! Jonathon loves traveling and performing, but the reactions and inspiration that audiences walk away with at the end of the show make it worthwhile!

Jonathon is excited to be working with the staff of Divergent and looks forward to what this season of WGI will look and sound like!

Austin Zehr

Bass Drums

Austin graduated from the Plymouth Canton Educational Park in 2011 after participating in both the Marching Band in the fall and Indoor Drumline in the winter. He then marched 4 seasons with Eastside Fury playing Cymbals in 2011 and bass drum from 2012 through 2014. He then served as the bass drum tech for Ferndale Independent Percussion and Eclipse Percussion for 2014 through 2018 and South Lyon High School for 2012 through 2018.

Outside of the marching activity Austin a graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Political Science. He now works as a Human Resources Information Systems Analyst for MAHLE Industries.

Brittney Marek

Bass Drums

Brittney started her percussion career at Grosse Ile High School. She’s performed in multiple winter ensembles including Motor City Percussion in 2012, Eastside Fury 2013-2014, and Redline Percussion 2015-2016. Brittney has toured with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014, serving as the bassline section leader, as well as Phantom Regiment in 2015. She was also in the Michigan Marching Band from 2013-2016 where she served as a two-year bassline rank leader and drumline section leader in her senior year.

Brittney has worked with Grosse Ile HS, Ferndale Independent Percussion, Eclipse Percussion, and Novi HS. Outside of the band world, Brittney loves her job working as an oncology nurse at the University of Michigan!

Sam Clarke

Bass Drums

Sam's marching experience includes four seasons at Walled Lake Percussion, GVSU marching band, Motor City Percussion, Eastside Fury, Matrix and Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps. Sam has taught in the past at Huron Valley Percussion, Milford High School, and currently teaches the marching band at Holly High School where he is planning to start a winter program as co-director. In his free time he enjoys playing video games, listening to music, and going on nature walks.

Austin Lunsford

Tenors

Austin started his percussion career in 2010 at L’Anse Creuse High School on quads and marched the following two seasons on quads, and then snare. Since, Austin has been involved in many michigan based ensembles.

Wgi has had a major influence in Austin’s career including Eastside Fury Percussion in 2012 (cymbals), Motor City Percussion from 2013-14(quads), Ferndale Independent Percussion in 2016(quads), North Coast Academy in 2017(quads), and Genesis Percussion in 2018 as the quad section leader.

During the summer-fall he has also had the opportunity to work with Redford Thurston High School from 2014-current as a Battery Coordinator, and L’Anse Creuse High school from 2015-current as a quad tech. Austin Is thrilled to be working with some Michigan Winter quads this season.

Evan Danielson

Tenors

Evan has been involved in drumline since 2013. Aside from high school marching band, he has marched seven seasons of WGI (2015-2021) playing quads, with groups such as Ferndale Independent, Eclipse, Divergent, Genesis, and Matrix Performing Arts.

During the day, Evan works as a carpenter and spends his evenings coaching marching band. Presently, he serves as a drumline instructor for Utica High School and Hazel Park High School.

This will be Evan's first year working with Divergent!

Matt Michalak

Tenors

Matt began his marching career at Lakeland High School, initially playing low brass. He eventually found his way to quads via Huron Valley Percussion and prior drumset experience. After graduating, Matt continued his marching percussion education through the Grand Valley State University Drumline, Genesis Percussion, Ferndale Independent Percussion, and the Detroit Pistons Drumline.

Matt has had many opportunities to instruct as well, including working with L'anse Creuse North High School (winter and fall), Milford High School, and the Columbus Saints. He currently works as the upper battery instructor/percussion coordinator at Holly High School, where he and others hope to start a winter program for the 2020 season. Matt is very excited to return to the Divergent Percussion staff!

Outside of band, Matt enjoys collecting and listening to records and CDs, adventuring through the woods of Michigan, and playing drumset to his neighbors' dismay.

Trisha Beauchemin

Cymbals

Trisha Beauchemin began her percussion career in the L’Anse Creuse band program. She marched Motor City Percussion cymbals in PIO 2015-2018, as well as EMU drumline cymbals/bass drum 2016-2018. She spent summer 2019 with Legends DBC cymbal line.

Teaching:
-West Bloomfield HS Cymbals 2017
-Lake Effect Percussion Cymbals 2019
-Dakota HS Cymbals 2018-2020

My experience in the activity has made me who i am today. I make efforts to embody my past instructors when I teach. I hope to provide education that will contribute to the bright futures of young performers, as well as the future of the cymbal community.

Anthony Flores

Visual & Ensemble Coordinator

Visual Coordinator/Cymbal Tech Anthony began his Indoor career with Huron Valley Percussion marching cymbals in 2009 and 2010. He continued his cymbal career with Northcoast Academy from 2011-2016. During this time, he also marched with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from 2013-2016 playing the contra.

Anthony attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan studying Music Performance on Tuba. Along with his collegiate ensembles he performs with a 20s style swing band, local orchestras as well as recording projects in the Detroit metro area. Anthony has been an instructor with L’Anse Creuse North High school for the last 5 years instructing in both visual and brass captions. He also helped found the L'Anse Creuse North percussion program as the visual caption head and drill writer from 2013- 2015 resulting in the programs first ever-silver medal. Presently Anthony serves as the low brass instructor at Ferndale High School.

Matt Egeler

Front Ensemble Caption Head

BMatt began his Percussion career at Hazel Park High School, graduating in 2011. He started his WGI career in 2010 at Farmington United Percussion Ensemble playing in the front ensemble before moving to Eastside Fury where he performed from 2011-2014. He was also in the pit at The Cadets in 2012 and 2014 earning a 4th place finished in 2012 and a DCI World Class Bronze Medal in 2014.

Matthew began teaching in 2011 at Hazel Park High School Marching Band, as well as teaching Milford High School from 2012 to present. Matt has taught with Dakota High School indoor Drumline for the 2015 and 2016 season, Ferndale Independent Percussion in 2014, 2016, 2017 and Eclipse Percussion 2018 as the Front Ensemble Coordinator. Matt is entering his second year at Divergent as Front Ensemble Coordinator!

David Smit

Front Ensemble

David began his percussion career as a member of Walled Lake Percussion From 2009-2012. Here, he developed a positive work ethic and the basic skills necessary to become a skilled percussionist.

David matured his playing abilities as a member of Huron Valley Percussion in 2013 and 2014. During these years he truly found his passion from the marching arts. In 2014, He joined Redline Percussion for their return to WGI and was a consistent member until his final season in 2017. David was also a member of the River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps during their 2016 season.

David has taught percussion for a number of groups throughout South-East Michigan, and is currently the percussion caption head for South Lyon High School, and a Director for South Lyon Percussion.

Scott Lehman

Front Ensemble

Scott has been involved in the marching arts since 2006. In his three years in the Lake Orion High School Marching Band, Scott spent two seasons in the front ensemble and one season as drum major before attending Lawrence Tech to study Media Communication. After assisting with the inaugural season of Lake Orion Percussion, Scott entered the WGI circuit as a synth player for Eastside Fury; a position he held for three seasons before aging out in 2013.

Able to cross his experience and studies in audio engineering with the growing use of electronics in marching ensembles, Scott has worked with audio production for numerous scholastic and independent ensembles in the area. In addition to 'bringing the noise,' he has also had the pleasure of instructing members of the rhythm sections in many of those ensembles including Lake Orion, Novi, Ferndale, Farmington United, Eastside Fury, and more.