Meet the 2026 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 residency at Bluecoats Spring Training & mentorship with the Bluecoats design team.
Today, we’re excited to introduce the fifth class of Bluecoats Fellows! Find out more about them below.
T.j. Anderson (he/him) is Assistant Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin, where he is also completing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting. He is actively involved with the university’s athletic and concert band programs and contributes to undergraduate instruction in conducting and band pedagogy. Anderson previously earned a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor of Music from Coastal Carolina University. His experience includes teaching undergraduate conducting and band literature courses, arranging and designing for marching ensembles, and conducting collegiate and community ensembles.
“I’m incredibly honored to join the Bluecoats Fellowship and work alongside a design staff whose collaborative spirit is so clearly reflected in the artistry of their productions each year. What excites me most is being part of an environment where relationships and shared ideas seem to be at the center of the creative process, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn within that culture.”
Darius D. Edwards (he/they) is a composer, educator, and performer from Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a degree in Music Education, an emphasis in Saxophone Performance, and a minor in Music Composition.
As a performer, Edwards was recently invited to compete in the David I. Martin Music Guild Scholarship Competition hosted by the National Association of Negro Musicians in New York City. Previously, they have been named a winner in the UTK College of Music Concerto Competition, the Knoxville Music Study Club Scholarship Competition, and performed multiple times at the International Saxophone Symposium hosted by the U.S. Navy Band.
As a composer, Edwards recently premiered their work “Phases” for Saxophone Quartet at the 46th International Saxophone Symposium followed by a premiere of their piece “Introspections” for Flugelhorn, Tenor Saxophone, and Piano at the 2026 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference hosted at The Ohio State University. Their work “Where Will My Flowers Go?” is featured as Track #4 in the album “You, Me, Us” which is a full, vulnerable body of works from living queer composers beautifully performed by saxophonist Nick May and pianist Alex Siu Lun Li.
Driven by his passion for new music, Darius regularly writes and premieres music for concert band, orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo works while also designing music and drill for marching band shows.
“I am beyond ecstatic to be a student to some of the most brilliant and creative minds in the marching arts! I also look forward to meeting and collaborating with the other fellows during our time together here at the Bluecoats!”
Carolina Herrera (she/her) serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee. Her passion for the marching arts began in high school and continued to grow throughout her collegiate experience. Prior to her current role, she worked with The Page Marching Band as its brass and choreography instructor. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Middle Tennessee State University, where she was an active member of the Band of Blue Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and various other chamber ensembles.
“As a trailblazing corps that continues to raise the bar each year, the Bluecoats are such an influential organization that I am honored to learn from this summer. I have always admired the artistry, passion, and discipline that make the marching arts so impactful. I am eager for the opportunity to grow as a designer and educator alongside its staff, members, and Fellows!”
Natalie Laurie (they/them) is a music educator, performer, and conductor based in Los Angeles. Natalie directs an award-winning music program at a secondary school in Southern California, is the assistant director of the GFBLA Concert Band, and is an active board member of VITA Academy and CMEA-Southwest Section. Facilitating spaces for people to authentically engage and challenge themselves to higher levels of musicianship is central to their teaching pedagogy. Natalie holds degrees in Cognitive Neuroscience and Music Performance and Composition from the University of California, Davis.
“I am so honored to join the Bluecoats Fellowship Cohort this year! Learning from an organization that values risk-taking, collective artistry, and imagination is a truly energizing opportunity that I would not have had otherwise. I’m so excited for the artistic growth ahead, and to learn alongside and from incredibly talented individuals.”
Kendon McClain (He/They) is a dancer and choreographer hailing from Norwalk CT. His marching arts journey started at Norwalk High School and has continued after with groups such as Fusion drum and bugle corps, sacred heart university and Fusion Winterguard. In addition to having years of marching arts experience he also has over 10 years of dance training as well as Musical Theatre Experience.
Kendon also has been a performing arts educator for over half a decade with multiple organizations, some of which are Norwalk High School, Southington High School, hurricanes drum and bugle corps and Various Theatre organizations throughout Connecticut. His dream is to enrich the youth of our time and give them something to be passionate about and a place where they can feel safe as well as a place where they can grow into not only better performers but better people.
“The Bluecoats have inspired so many people , including myself, throughout the years and I am so grateful to be able to learn from some of the most influential and inspiring people in the activity.”
Ian Josue Rosales Herrera (he/him) is a percussionist from Costa Rica with a strong passion for the marching arts. Since 2021, he has been a member of the Banda Municipal de Zarcero, where he has continued to develop his skills as both a performer and leader within the percussion section.
He has participated in the WGI circuit and attended The Blue Way camp in 2024, becoming the first Costa Rican to be a member of a World Class battery ensemble. In addition to performing, Ian has taught percussion at several schools and high school band programs across Costa Rica, sharing his experience and helping develop young musicians.
Ian continues to pursue opportunities within the international marching percussion community, striving to grow both as a performer and educator while supporting the next generation of performers.
“Being part of the Bluecoats is one of my biggest dreams come true, especially coming from a marching culture that sees the Bluecoats as superheroes. Thanks to the Bluecoats, many people—myself included—were able to discover the marching arts. Being part of this group and having the opportunity to learn alongside the design team so I can help bring this culture to my country and many others is a great honor.”
