Staff

Chris Magonigal was born in Killeen TX and is the product of being a true military brat. After graduating from Ellison HS Magonigal chose to pursue drum corps prior to attending college and thus began the crazy journey to Genesis.

A member of the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps from 1992-1994, Magonigal saw first hand the enriching benefits and life lessons that drum corps can provide young people. It was during these summers that Magonigal made a promise to himself that, if given the opportunity, he would dedicate his lifes work to bringing a championship caliber drum corps organization to the state of Texas.

A budding entrepreneur during his time at Texas Tech University, Magonigal was always seeking the ability to create his own path. While working for the newly formed Cingular Wireless as Director of Sales from 2001-2006 Chris founded his first business, Magonigal Photography in 2001, specializing in the field of event and sports photography.

During this time Magonigal also invested in the mobile technology field through a chain of retail locations throughout West Texas. Upon sale of those investments Magonigal began working with Sony Mobile Communications as Director of Marketing and investing in small business opportunities. In 2004 he was asked to consult with the then Texas based Revolution Drum Corps in the areas of business and educational content. This experience rekindled his love and passion for the drum corps activity and the desire to return to his lifes dream of bringing a quality drum corps organization rooted in Texas. After working with several drum corps organizations over the next 5 years the opportunity arose in 2009 for Magonigal to make a choice... get out of the activity and focus on his career or give up everything and start a nonprofit drum corps organization. He, of course, chose the latter and thus began the story of Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps.

Chris Magonigal is the driving force behind the Genesis brand and the position of the organization in serving the arts community of Austin. In 2013 Magonigal was awarded Director of the Year by his DCI peers and continues to be focused full time on the Genesis organization.

Edward F. Gobbel - he/his Armed with a two-valved, key-of-G mellophone bugle, Ed walked into his first drum corps rehearsal in 1989. Since June of 1990 when he got on that Glassmen tour bus for the first time, and ending in his 1994 age-out year with The Cadets of Bergen County, the performing and pageantry arts have been at the center of Ed’s professional and personal life. Mr. Gobbel studied music education at Wayne State and Michigan State Universities before beginning his professional journey. All across the US, Ed served as an instructor, wind arranger, drill designer, and/or clinician for more than 50 high schools and universities. Most notably, Ed spent almost 20 years as an educator and consultant for BOA finalist American Fork High School in Utah. He works with band programs to increase their rehearsal efficiency, mentor drum majors and leaders, and assist with staff training and show design. Over the last 28 years in DCI, he served as a brass educator for The Cadets of Bergen County and the Blue Knights as well as brass caption chair and brass arranger for the Troopers. Ed traveled to Medellin, Colombia as a guest clinician to work with the Gran Banda Drum and Bugle Corps. Joining the Genesis team in 2011, he served as brass arranger, brass caption chair, staff coordinator, long-haul red-eye truck driver, and Director of Education. Edward worked as an Educational Sales Rep for Summerhays Music in Salt Lake City, Utah before working as the Wind Instrument Product and Brand Manager at Jupiter Band Instruments in Austin, Texas. During his tenure at Jupiter, Ed led the team that designed and launched their debut line of marching brass instruments. Ed also served as the international manager of Altus Flutes, a Japanese hand-made professional flute company. At age 15, Ed was hired by the Boy Scouts and spent years teaching young kids about the outdoors and firearm safety. His career as a marching arts clinician began a few years later. As an amateur radio operator and electronics hobbyist, Ed uses his skills as an educator to teach certification classes and is an FCC endorsed licensing examiner. For a short time, Ed even homeschooled his middle school son. Since 1987, Ed's prolific and diverse experience as an educator and performer has maintained one common theme: creating experiences for students to discover themselves through performance.

Ms. Analisa Zuniga received her BBA in Accounting from Texas State University-San Marcos in 2004 and moved back to her hometown soon after. She began her career working as a Staff Accountant at a small accounting firm in McAllen, Texas and later accepted a position as an Internal Auditor at a locally owned bank. While doing so, she worked on her graduate degree and in 2008 earned her Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Texas - Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. A year later, she left industry and began her teaching career at PSJA Memorial Early College High School in Alamo, TX. Analisa taught business and accounting courses, including dual credit courses though South Texas College. In 2009, Analisa was reintroduced to the world of drum corps though a friend and began working as a volunteer for a new group from the Rio Grande Valley called Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. She has been hooked ever since and worked ancillary jobs for the group including, grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, driving vehicles, and tracking finances. In 2013, Analisa accepted a teaching position with HaysCISD in Kyle, TX and followed Genesis DBC as they transitioned out of the Valley and into Central Texas. She couldn't be more proud of the organization and its humble roots. Analisa is grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with Genesis and can't wait to see what's in store in the years to come. Analisa heads up the Administrative Team and has served as Board Treasurer since 2011.

Nadya is a proud alumnus of our percussion and conducting programs, who marched with Genesis ‘20 - ‘22. She recently graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Child Learning and Development & Psychology. Her goals for the season include improving mental health awareness and building efficient food management procedures. Currently, Nadya spends her time with family, traveling, and working. In the fall, she will return to school to obtain a MA counseling degree specializing in trauma and international populations.

Daniel Sanchez is a live performance and session musician living in Austin, TX. His performance credits include work with Wynton Marsalis (Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra), Dan Nimmer (JLCO), Veronica Swift (Mack Avenue Recording Artist), Andre Hayward (JLCO), Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean), Alan Haynes (Texas Blues Legend), Douglas Lawrence (Count Basie Orchestra), Kenny Williams (The Lion King), Ron Wilkins (Birdland Big Band) and more.

Daniel attended The Texas Tech University School of Music where he performed with a number of ensembles including the Grammy nominated Jazz Ensemble 1, and The Goin’ Band From Raiderland from 1994 to 1997. He received degrees in Music Education and Music Performance and was a member of The Goin’ Band From Raiderland from 1994 to 1997. Additionally he marched with The 1997 Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps from Milwaukee, WI.

Originally from Atlanta, GA and raised in Lubbock, TX, Daniel moved to New York City in 2001 and returned to Texas in 2009. He has served as a guest performer, clinician, and educator for a number of high schools and collegiate institutions while living once again in Texas. This includes working with Genesis Drum & Bugle Corps since 2013.

Additionally, Daniel works at The A&F Drum Company, and serves regularly at NorthPoint Church.

John Filippone is a proud alumnus of our brass and conducting programs. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in computer science, he started his career in Boston at IBM as a software engineer. He now works at a start up in the finance tech space called LiquidX as a software engineer specialized in blockchain technology.

John is currently involved in a number of initiatives that bring alumni back into the fold to expand the offerings of our organization. Most notably, he has spearheaded our conducting and leadership program, bringing in our drum major alumni to put together a curriculum for our conductor auditions and a series of conducting/leadership clinics for high school drum majors.

Tyler McClendon was born and raised in Leander, TX and attended Leander High School. Tyler is a 2015 graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education. While at Texas State, Tyler was active in many performing ensembles including the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Panoramic Steel Band, and University Percussion Ensemble. Tyler also performed 3 semesters with the Bobcat Marching Band, and served as Snare Captain in 2012. He also serves on staff annually at the Texas State University Percussion camps as the Drumline Coordinator. Tyler comes with both DCI and WGI experience, marching with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011 and with the Texas State University WGI Indoor Drumline in 2012. In public education, Tyler has served as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Canton High School in Canton, TX, Tivy High School in Kerrville, TX, and currently serves as Percussion Director at Pflugerville High School in Pflugerville, TX. His accolades include many “Best Percussion” awards as well as taking the Tivy Marching Band to State Contest in 2019. In WGI, Tyler has served as front ensemble staff for Monarch Independent in 2016 and 2017, and currently serves the battery staff at Rhythmic Force Percussion since 2018. Both groups have consistently made Open and World class finals in their respective years. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Salyers Percussion, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Percussive Arts Society.

Emilio Pla is a graduate of the University of North Texas and currently serves as the Percussion Director at Irving HS. Prior to Irving High School, Mr. Pla was a drumline instructor for Northwest High School and Chisholm Trail High School. Mr. Pla has been a member of performing ensembles such as Vigilantes Indoor Percussion, Genesis, Phantom Regiment and the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. His active memberships include the Texas Music Educators Association and Percussive Arts Society.

Michael Ollman is the Percussion Para-Professional at Panther Creek High School in Frisco ISD. He has taught percussion for the past five years. He began his career as the Director of Percussion at Wheeler High School and East Cobb Middle School in Marietta, Georgia. He moved to Houston, Texas, in 2020, where he was a percussion clinician and lessons teacher for several schools in Katy, Fort Bend, and Lamar Consolidated ISD. Michael joined the Panther Creek High School staff in 2023 as part of the inaugural band staff. Outside of teaching high school and middle school, percussion Michael has been involved with DCI and WGI for over a decade as a performer and educator. Michael has recently worked as a front ensemble instructor with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and Rhythmic Force Percussion. Michael enjoys watching soccer and spending time with his dog Loki!

Kody Wayne Jones is currently the Percussion Teaching Assistant at the University of Texas at El Paso where he runs the drum line under the direction of Dr. Andrew P. Smith. At UTEP, he has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and has been involved in the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Dinner Theater, and the Marching Miners, both as a member and on staff. He also leads the UTEP steel pan group Pantastics. Kody has experience in DCI in both open and world class with The Guardians, Phantom Regiment, and The Boston Crusaders. He is continuing his career in DCI as a teacher at Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps as a battery technician and at Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps as Percussion Caption Head.

Jackson “Z” Miner is a bass drum instructor at Genesis DBC for the 2023 season. His previous marching experience includes Legacy Indoor Percussion Ensemble (2018), Veritas PIW (2019) Connexus PIW (2020), and the Madison Scouts (2019). Z currently works with Veritas PIW (Indianapolis, IN) in his second year as a bass drum instructor and also with Hamilton Southeastern HS as their battery coordinator. Z graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Secondary Science Education, and Zoology, and also did 4 years with the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band! As well as teaching drums, during the day, Z teaches 8th Grade Science at Noblesville West Middle School.

Larsen McFadden is a music educator, performer and arranger, currently serving as Percussion Director at Manor Senior HS in the Austin, TX area. He received two Bachelor Degrees in Music Education & Bassoon Performance at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in May 2023, just before his first season on the Genesis percussion staff. He previously served on staff at Veritas (PIW) and River City Rhythm DBC as a bass drum technician, as well as Edgewood HS (IN), Lebanon HS (IN), Bedford HS (IN), and Damonte Ranch HS (NV) in Battery Coordinator and Technician roles. His recent performance experience includes Cap City Percussion (2022), Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps (2021) and most recently a member of the Indianapolis Colts Drumline. Larsen was a 4-year member of IU’s Marching Hundred, and during his time he was given the opportunity to arrange the drumline score for two halftime show tunes, and served on the Undergraduate Staff his final year. He grew up in Reno, NV with his dad, mom, brother, and two dogs.

Jesus Perez (JP) is a percussionist and educator in the El Paso area. He graduated from UTEP with a Bachelor’s of Music education and a Masters in Music Performance. He is currently an assistant band director at Eastlake high school where he focuses on percussion. His Marching experience includes; Horizon DBC (SoundSport) and Sun City Independent on snare drum. Jesus has been on the audio and front ensemble staff of Arsenal for 3 years, as well as 2 years with WGI open class group Sun City Independent.

Matt Allman is an educator, performer, and arranger based out of Indiana. He holds two Bachelor Degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Currently serving as the percussion director for Concord Community Schools in Elkhart, IN, Matt is very passionate about the marching arts. His performance experience spans across 5 years of DCI and independent WGI as both a front ensemble and battery member. Matt has performed as a member of the front ensemble with Shadow DBC (2017), Legacy Indoor Percussion (2018), and the Madison Scouts (2019-2021). This included earning a silver medal at I&E in 2020 when he premiered his self-composed drum set/multi-percussion solo “Full Circle.” He also marched snare drum with Pioneer DBC in 2018. Outside of DCI and WGI, Matt was a five-year member of the Indiana University Drumline, where he spent his final years as center snare of the drumline and student director of IU’s volleyball drumline. He has also studied with globally renowned percussionists Kevin Bobo, Joseph Gramley, John Tafoya, Sean Dobbins, and Michael Spiro. As an educator, Matt worked with several high school marching programs in southern Indiana including Bedford North Lawrence HS, Bloomington HS South, Columbus North HS, and Columbus East HS. Before assuming his current role as the percussion director of Concord HS, he was a student teacher and percussion instructor for three seasons at Franklin Central HS, a PSW program located in Indianapolis, IN. As an arranger, Matt has arranged for Concord Community Schools, the Indiana University Marching Hundred, and Bedford North Lawrence HS. He grew up in Columbus, IN and is an avid fan of Indiana basketball.

Armando Torres is an El Paso, Texas native percussionist and music educator. He will be completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Texas at El Paso this school year. While at UTEP, he has performed in many ensembles, including the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Pantastics steel band, the UTEP Dinner Theatre and the UTEP Marching Miners, both as a member and Undergraduate Teaching Assistant. His performance experience includes two years at Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps, one year at Monarch Independent, and two years at Sun City Independent all on snare drum. As a proud advocate of the marching arts, Mr. Torres has taught at numerous high schools throughout West and Central Texas and is currently on staff at Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps as a battery specialist and is serving as the percussion arranger for the Eastlake High School marching band.

Cole Crofton is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music education from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston where he studies percussion with Dr. Blake Wilkins. While at the Moores School of Music, Cole has performed with the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and percussion ensemble one. In addition to this, he also enjoys time in the gym, and teaching music lessons in the greater Houston area. After completing his degree, Cole plans to pursue a career as a high school band dIrector and percussion instructor.

Christian is from Mesquite, TX, currently pursing a BFA Design and Production, with an emphasis in Audio Design and Technical Direction. I will be working this season as a front ensemble technician!

Abraham Baños is a bass drummer that hails from Miami, Fl. He is currently an aircraft ground unit mechanic and is training to become a certified master technician. He has a major passion for the marching arts, having marched 8 years at multiple organizations, and now wishes to pass down all of the knowledge and wisdom he has learned from his time to the younger generation of performers. He is currently teaching at Hialeah Gardens HS outdoor and indoor. Mr. Baños is excited to join as a bass drum technician as our newest edition to the Genesis battery staff.

Allen Benton is an accomplished percussionist and music educator, holding a B.M. in Music Education from Miami University, class of 2023. With a rich marching background that includes experiences with INOV8 Winter Percussion, 4th Wall Performing Arts, and Cap City World Percussion, Allen brings a wealth of performance expertise to the Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. Currently based in Dallas, TX, Allen maintains a lessons studio composed of students in grades 6-12. He is eager to contribute his passion and skills to Genesis!

Christian Pitre is a percussionist and educator based in North Houston. He presently serves as the Director of Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands at Cypress Creek High School. Before moving to Houston, Christian was the Percussion Director for La Grange ISD, where he programmed the school’s first percussion ensemble concert and founded the school’s indoor percussion program, which earned placements at state in their second year of competition. A native of Lafayette Louisiana, Christian holds a Bachelors in Music Education from Louisiana State University. While at LSU, he was a bass drummer with the Golden Band from Tigerland and a regular performer with the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and New Music Ensemble. He simultaneously kept a busy teaching schedule, working with several high schools in south Louisiana and serving as the Front Ensemble Coordinator at Dutchtown High School. Christian’s extra-curricular performance experience includes several community organizations, such as the Lafayette Concert Band, Acadian Wind Symphony, Austin Symphonic Band, and the Louisiana Stars DBC. Christian’s professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Percussive Arts Society.

Damian Hernandez is a current Music Education major at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. At OU, he has been involved with the Percussion Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Bands, Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, and a section leader in the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. Mr. Hernandez has also performed at the Oklahoma Percussive Arts Society Convention with the OU Percussion Orchestra. Damian currently serves as the Percussion Director at Noble High School, in Noble, OK. His world class experience includes performing and serving as a section leader with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps.

Ms. Analisa Zuniga received her BBA in Accounting from Texas State University-San Marcos in 2004 and moved back to her hometown soon after. She began her career working as a Staff Accountant at a small accounting firm in McAllen, Texas and later accepted a position as an Internal Auditor at a locally owned bank. While doing so, she worked on her graduate degree and in 2008 earned her Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Texas - Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. A year later, she left industry and began her teaching career at PSJA Memorial Early College High School in Alamo, TX. Analisa taught business and accounting courses, including dual credit courses though South Texas College. In 2009, Analisa was reintroduced to the world of drum corps though a friend and began working as a volunteer for a new group from the Rio Grande Valley called Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. She has been hooked ever since and worked ancillary jobs for the group including, grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, driving vehicles, and tracking finances. In 2013, Analisa accepted a teaching position with HaysCISD in Kyle, TX and followed Genesis DBC as they transitioned out of the Valley and into Central Texas. She couldn't be more proud of the organization and its humble roots. Analisa is grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with Genesis and can't wait to see what's in store in the years to come. Analisa heads up the Administrative Team and has served as Board Treasurer since 2011.

Dr. Levin is the Assistant Principal at Tays JH in Katy ISD. Previously he was the Director of Fine Arts for Victoria ISD where he supervised elementary art and music as well as 6-12 grade, band, orchestra, choir, theater, dance, visual arts, mariachi, and guitar. Before coming to Victoria, he was Director of Bands and the Fine Arts Department Chair at Lamar Consolidated High School, the Assistant Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department chair at George Bush HS in Fort Bend ISD, the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department chair at Estacado High School in Lubbock, TX, and the Director of Bands at Crosbyton CISD in Crosbyton, TX. Under his direction, the Lamar Band was named a finalist at the UIL Area Marching Contest and was twice named an area finalist in the TMEA Honor Band Competition. The Mighty Mustang Band has performed at Bass Hall in Ft. Worth, the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, and Carnegie Hall in New York, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Orchestra Hall in Chicago, IL. In 2018, the Lamar Consolidated High School Band was the largest program in Lamar CISD at nearly 300 students and the 6-12 grade “Blue Track” band program had grown to almost 800 students. Under his direction, the Estacado band tripled in size during his five-year tenure. On January 1, 2003, the Matador Band was selected as one of twenty bands from across the country to perform at the Nokia Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, and in 2004, his band represented Texas at the International Lion’s Club convention in Detroit, Michigan. While at Crosbyton CISD, he earned the first Sweepstakes Award in the 90-year history of the school and the concert band was selected as a state finalist in the Outstanding Performance Series, finishing ninth. He is also active in the community as a member of the Lions Club, the Katy Masonic Lodge, and the West Houston Shrine Club, where he served as the club’s president in 2008 and 2016.

John Filippone is a proud alumnus of our brass and conducting programs. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in computer science, he started his career in Boston at IBM as a software engineer. He now works at a start up in the finance tech space called LiquidX as a software engineer specialized in blockchain technology.

John is currently involved in a number of initiatives that bring alumni back into the fold to expand the offerings of our organization. Most notably, he has spearheaded our conducting and leadership program, bringing in our drum major alumni to put together a curriculum for our conductor auditions and a series of conducting/leadership clinics for high school drum majors.