Meet the 2025 Bluecoats Fellows
The Bluecoats Fellowship is an honors program for early-career designers in the marching arts. It serves as an incubator that expands access to the world of marching band, color guard, and drum corps design. The program includes a paid residency at Bluecoats Spring Training & mentorship with the Bluecoats design team.
Today, we’re excited to introduce the fourth class of Bluecoats Fellows! Find out more about them below.
Hattie Bartlett (she/her) developed a love for costume design and choreography at a young age as a long time participant in various local color guard, show choir, and theatre programs. She has been a writer, photographer, and the primary social media manager for General Effect Media since 2022. She is the Brand Manager for Heat Wave Drum and Bugle Corps in Safety Harbor, Florida, and works with high school band programs in Texas and Missouri. A graduate of the University of Missouri where she was a member of the Marching Mizzou Color Guard, Hattie now teaches middle school English-Language Arts in Versailles, Missouri and hopes to bring accessible programming to rural communities like her own.
“I’m looking forward to learning from my mentor, the Bluecoats design staff, and the other fellows. As someone who is chronically ill, I wasn’t able to participate in drum corps the traditional way, so I am grateful for the Bluecoats Fellowship and am excited to not only improve my art but to work with the Bluecoats to open up doors for disabled and other marginalized performers. ”
A native of the Rio Grande Valley in Deep South Texas, Mathew “Mat” Aaron Campbell (he/him) graduated with a BM-Education from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and received High Honors upon completion of a double MM-Composition and Conducting from Oklahoma City University. As an award-winning composer, his works have been performed at national conventions and across the United States and the world. As a conductor, he has conducted orchestras, wind ensembles, choirs, and chamber ensembles in world premieres of his and his colleagues’ music at regional, state, and international events. As an educator and arranger/sound designer for the marching arts, Mat has served students of all ages in their journey as musicians. Lastly, he is a media composer that specializes in writing music for video games and films of varying length.
“I’ve admired the Bluecoats for nearly twenty years, so I’m honored to learn from some of the best minds in the marching arts. This Fellowship is a chance to refine my craft and collaborate with others to pursue our greatest creative visions. While thrilled to be selected as a Fellow, I’m even more excited to learn from the other Fellows, the members, and the staff at Bluecoats. I can’t wait to join everyone later this year!”
Aaron Christianson (he/him) is an award-winning Scenic Designer and Technical Director in the Chicago-Milwaukee area. He performed with the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps from 2013-2016 and the Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps in 2019. Aaron was a member of the Sacramento Mandarins Brass Staff from 2020-2024. In 2018 he was a member of the Bluecoats Audio Team as an Intern. He graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Theater and Entertainment Technology, and minors in Music Technology and Sculpture. At Michigan Tech he won the departmental Music and All-Arts awards. He will begin an MFA in Theater Arts with an emphasis in Scenic Design through the University of Idaho this summer. Aaron is currently on the Design Team for Immortal Winds and designed the set for the 2025 Fair Lawn Indoor Percussion Ensemble. Aaron currently teaches Technical Theater at The Prairie School in Windpoint, WI.
“The Bluecoats consistently produce shows that push the boundary of the activity. They seamlessly integrate accessibility, entertainment, and pageantry into awe-inspiring performances. To have the opportunity to see the creative process first hand, take notes and ask questions from the best in the activity is an incredible opportunity that every young designer should seek out. My month with the Bluecoats in 2018 taught me more about producing the marching arts than five years as a performer did, and I am grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow. “Why, that to know, which else we should not know”.”
Brian Simão Rosa (he/they) is a science educator from Hillsborough, New Jersey, with a passion for both science and the performing arts. Over the past 16 years, he has performed with various ensembles such as Field of View, the West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band, AMP, Alter Ego, Hawthorne Caballeros, Reading Buccaneers, and, most recently, Fusion Winterguard.
In addition to performing, Brian has had the privilege of working as a technician and choreographer with programs including Penncrest High School, Middletown High School, Bridgewater-Raritan High School, and Somerville High School. Whether in a science classroom or at a color guard rehearsal, his teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to feel welcomed and valued in the space they occupy.
“I have had the honor of working alongside some of the Bluecoats staff at Fusion Winterguard, and their guidance has completely reshaped my perspective on what it means to be undeniable. I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity as I transition from performer to educator and look forward to the journey ahead.”
Gregory Stringer (he/him) is a composer, educator, and designer dedicated to innovation in the marching arts. A recent graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Music Composition, he serves as a percussion and visual instructor at Auburn High School (AL), where he plays an integral role in the marching band, indoor percussion, winter guard, and overall show design for all productions.
Gregory is also co-founder of Drumscape Designs, where he collaborates on music and visual productions. With experience in teaching, designing, and producing, Gregory is passionate about crafting meaningful and immersive performances catering to educating students. He is excited to continue growing as a designer and educator through the Bluecoats Fellowship and contribute to the future of the activity.
“I am honored to be a part of such an accomplished and talented organization. The Bluecoats have long been a profound inspiration in my musical career, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to further my education and learn from a team of seasoned professionals through this fellowship.”
Jabari Tovar (he/him) is an active educator and marching arts designer in the New England area. Jabari serves as the Percussion Specialist for the Salem Public Schools district in Salem, MA, teaching percussion students grades 4-12. He is also the Percussion Director/Designer for the Salem High School Marching Band and the Salem High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble. Beyond public education, Jabari is on the Battery Educational Team for the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps from Nashua, NH.
“The Bluecoats are consistently on the cutting edge of creativity and performance in the pageantry arts. Having the opportunity to work with some of the top minds in the activity is a tremendous honor. I’m extremely excited to get this chance to learn, grow, and evolve as a designer.”
