Meet the Bluecoats Fellows!
Built as a centerpiece initiative of our 50th Anniversary Celebration, the Bluecoats Fellowship aims to create a pathway to a more diverse and inclusive world in the marching arts. Bluecoats Fellows are individuals who are a part of, or are committed to supporting, traditionally under-represented communities in marching arts design, and are selected by demonstrating excellent skill and potential in their field. Fellows will be paired with the Bluecoats designer in their field and will take part in an assistantship to grow their skills, receive advice and guidance on their work, and learn from a renowned world-class designer.
In this inaugural year, we were thrilled to see an overflow of applications and support for the program. While we had initially planned to accept five Fellows, due to the number of applications we received, we will be welcoming seven early-career designers into the program. Today, we’re excited to introduce the inaugural class of Bluecoats Fellows! Find out more about them below.
Morrice Boutan (he/him) currently resides in Houston, TX and is the Color Guard Director for 7th - 12th grade at Foster High School. He has marched Drum Corps with Louisiana Stars, Spirit of Atlanta, and Carolina Crown. Outside of directing, Morrice has spent the past 5 years as a freelance choreographer/designer for groups in Louisiana and Texas with continued success.
“I wanted to be a Bluecoats Fellow because of the innovative qualities that the Bluecoats show on and off the field. I'm super excited to learn how the team develops such fun and memorable productions, while giving the members an experience that matches that.”
Sara Bowden (they/them) grew up at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Maryville, TN. They are currently a PhD student in music theory and cognition at Northwestern University where they research musical immersion in video game soundtracks. Outside of their academic life, Bowden is an in-demand marching arts educator, choreographer, and visual designer. Their musical armament of choice is the trombone.
“I applied to this fellowship because I believe it is important to support initiatives that acknowledge and work against the reality of drum corps as an inequitable space--whether or not I even got an interview, I wanted to show that there is a clear and present need for this kind of work. As a non-binary person from Appalachia, I am committed to artistic mediums that render music not just accessible but legible to wider audiences. I want to create shows that stay true to the values of the performers while still innovating by exploring the limits of what we can create on a football field. I look forward to growing and thinking together with this cohort of Fellows (and the world-renowned Bluecoats design team, of course!).”
Justin Dozier (he/him) is a rising junior at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia where he is studying Music Education with an emphasis in percussion. Justin started playing music at age 3 and found it was his passion and his ultimate calling in life. Justin has marched with the Atlanta Quest Organization and at MID in 2017 and 2018 followed by the inaugural Front Ensemble at Georgia State in 2021. Justin hopes to one day be an inspiration to young music students at the high school or college level as a band director.
“This fellowship feels like a dream. I feel a lot of honor that I can represent people who may feel their disability, whatever it may be, can be a part of not only DCI, but the pageantry arts as a whole. The pageantry arts has welcomed me with open arms, and I hope I can inspire more people to get involved, even if it is not marching as a member. There is a place for everyone.”
Leah Dunbar (she/her) began her marching arts career in her home state of New Hampshire, performing in the Spartans front ensemble from 2016-2019 (DCI) and 2022 (WGI). A 2020 graduate of Kenyon College, she is now back on the East coast beginning her career in arts administration & education. Leah currently teaches and arranges for the Salem Blue Devils Percussion Ensemble and is on the 2022 Spartans admin team. In her spare time, she loves hiking, playing marimba, and hanging out with her dog.
“To be a member of the inaugural Bluecoats Fellowship program is an opportunity that I’m extremely excited and humbled to be a part of. I’m thrilled to spend this summer learning from some of the best in the activity and collaborating with the Bluecoats Fellows team!”
Luis Angel Gonzalez (he/him) is a recent graduate of CSU, Fresno holding a B.A. in Music Education. He is also currently the lead trumpet player for The Fresno Jazz Collective, a new local jazz ensemble. Over the recent years, Angel has received several commissioned compositions and arrangements for a large variety of ensembles, ranging from Mariachi to Jazz, as well as Concert Band.
“I’m very excited to study with such a closely-knit team and learn from the best in the activity! I’m hoping to be able to take what I learn home for the benefit of my future students!”
Irene Guggenheim-Triana (she/her) is in her final year at The Ohio State University, where she is majoring in Music Education with a certificate in Educational Ethics and Social Justice. She is currently student teaching full-time at Wedgewood Middle School, which is located on the west side of the city of Columbus. In the future, Irene plans to teach middle or high school band in an inner-city school setting, with a special focus on working with ESL students. She is so thrilled to be a part of the Bluecoats family!
"I am so excited to experience all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating a successful season, and I know that both my pedagogical and administrative skills will be deeply enriched by my time with the Bluecoats this summer. This is an absolute dream come true for me."
David Ifland (he/him): is a Sound Artist & Audio Engineer who is originally from Louisiana and is currently based in Denver, Colorado. He has a background in Sound Design, Stage Theatre, Pageantry Arts, & Brass Performance. David’s DCI adventures include Open Class with Louisiana Stars (14-15), World Class with The Bluecoats (16-17) and Visual Instruction & Sound Design with Louisiana Stars (18-19). Ifland is currently working on a Masters of Science in Recording Arts at University of Colorado Denver with a thesis that involves controlling digital algorithmic instruments with one's brain wave signals.
“The Bluecoats and the DCI activity as a whole helped shape me into the Artist I am today. The best way in which I can honor that is by giving back my energies to the organization that gave me so much. Taking a chance and applying for this Fellowship was an opportunity for growth that I couldn’t pass up!”
