Staff
Board of Directors
Danny Sanchez
Chairman
Blake Adams
Vice Chairman
Analisa Zuniga
Treasurer
Jason Levin
Tim Keaney
John Filippone
Alumni Chair
Administrative
Chris Magonigal
Chief Executive Officer/Founder
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.
Analisa Zuniga
Chief Financial Officer
Art Cano
Assistant Director/Staff Coordinator
Charles Aguillon
Director of Education
Danny Sanchez
Director of Community Development
John Filippone
Leadership/Member Relations
Ben Allgood
Exec. Chef/Kitchen Manager
Cody Bliss
Health and Wellness Team Lead
Taylor Hyde
Content/Media Specialist
Hillot Rogers
Admin Assistant
Daleth Salas
Admin Assistant
Pranav Chary
Alumni Coordinator
Creative
Josh Gall
Artistic Director
Joshua Gall is a faculty member of the University of Texas at Austin where he serves as the Director of the Longhorn Pep Band, Assistant Director of the Longhorn Band, and Assistant to the Director of Bands. Prior to his appointment at the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Gall was a Doctoral Conducting Associate at the University of Florida and also taught in the public schools of Hanover and Stafford, Virginia.
Mr. Gall has an extensive background in the marching arts. He served as a both a member and brass specialist for The Cadets, is currently on staff with the 2014 DCI Silver Medalist, The Bluecoats, and designs drill for the 2014 DCI Open Class Bronze Medalist, Genesis Drum Corps from Austin, TX. Currently, he serves in the role of guest clinician, program coordinator, music composer and arranger, and drill writer for over fifteen programs annually and has written over 40 original shows receiving medal distinction in BOA (Bands of America), USSBA (U.S. Scholastic Band Association), TOB (Tournament of Bands), and WGI (Winter Guard International). He is also frequently in demand as a guest conductor for concert ensembles around the country.
As an entrepreneur, Mr. Gall actively contributes to the music industry as an owner of Ultimate Drill Book which supports programs such as Genesis, Bluecoats, Santa Clara Vanguard, Phantom Regiment, the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band and over 50 other high school and collegiate programs around the country. He also has an extensive background in recording and production as he coordinated a family-owned recording and production company for 12 years that specialized in the recording of the performing arts. Mr. Gall oversaw the production of over 4,000 audio and video recordings that were distributed nationally and included events such as the Richmond Symphony Concert Series, USSBA National Championships, WGI Regionals, All-Virginia Band and Orchestra Concerts, State Marching Festivals, and approximately seventy other events annually.
Mr. Gall holds the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University where he studied conducting with Dr. Terry Austin and Daniel Myssyk, Tuba with Dr. Ross Walter, and percussion with Sergeant Major William Messerschmidt of the United States Army Band. He also holds the Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Florida where he studied with Dr. David Waybright. He is currently completing his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education with a cognate in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Florida.
Key Poulan
Music Supervisor/Brass Creative
Key Poulan is a composer and arranger with an expertise in the marching arts. He has composed and/or arranged for the world’s most famous drum corps including the Santa Clara Vanguard, Mandarins, Genesis, Glassmen, Spirit of Atlanta, Cascades, Spartans, Fusion Core, Hurricanes, Caballeros, Sunrisers, Raiders, Millennium (Italy), Juliana (Netherlands), Siamyth (Thailand), Star United and the Mass Brass Mini Corps.
He is currently on the design team for the Virtual Arts Indoor Winds Program through WGI and was the wind arranger for the WGI group Chromium Winds (The Cavaliers) and won back-to-back Gold Medals in their first 2 years of existence.
As the owner of Key Poulan Music, he has been recognized as one of the country’s top arrangers and composers in the area of contemporary marching band, has several concert band works to his credit. His marching band arrangements have won several national titles at the Bands of America Grand Nationals Championships. His works have won many state titles throughout the United States and have been performed around the world.
Key Poulan graduated from Marshall High School in Marshall, Texas in 1980 after starting band in Lindale Texas. Key received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from East Texas State University (currently Texas A & M – Commerce) in 1985 and had the opportunity of studying under many fine educators including: Gary Hill, Dave Ward, Dr. Robert Houston, and Dr. Gene Lockhart. Key studied trombone under the late Dr. Neill Humfeld and composition with Dr. Ronald Yates and Dr. Margaret Wheat at ETSU. Key also credits his success to his mentors: Philip Geiger, Bill Watson, Eddie Green, Dr. Lawrence Sutherland, Dr. Gary Gilroy, Dr. Jerry Payne, Melvin Reddic, Hubert “Butch” Almany and the person who started him on trombone in the 5th grade – Jasper Huff.
Michael Huestis
Percussion Design
Mr. Michael Huestis has been involved in music education since 1991 and has taught at Timpview High School in Provo, Utah, American Fork High School in American Fork, Utah and The Colony High School in North Dallas. In 2016 Mr. Huestis accepted a position teaching the Prosper Mighty Eagle Band in Prosper, TX. Throughout his career Mr. Huestis’ bands, percussion ensembles and drumlines have performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Music for All National Percussion Festival, MENC Biennial Conference, Bands of American Grand National Championships, President Bush’s inaugural parade in Washington D.C., the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the Drum Corps International World Championships. Mr. Huestis was featured as one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by “School Band and Orchestra Magazine in 2008. Mr. Huestis earned his Bachelor of Music Degree was from the University of North Texas and a Masters in Percussion Performance from B.Y.U.
A highly sought after composer and arranger, Mr. Huestis has served as the percussion arranger for Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps from Diamond Bar, CA and Genesis Drum & Bugle Corps in Austin, TX. His compositions are published by JKS Music, Rowloff, Key Poulan Publications and HuestisMusic Publications. Michael is the author of the classroom method, “Developing the Percussionist-Musician” which was developed for middle school and high school students.
Mr. Huestis has presented clinics and master classes at numerous state music education association conventions and universities. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Jazz Educators Network and the Percussive Arts Society, where he served one term as a chapter president.
Dan Bryan
Percussion Design
Dan Bryan teaches music for the Stanislaus Union School District. Prior to this appointment, he held positions at Los Banos High School, Grace M. Davis High School, and Joseph A. Gregori High School, where he founded the music department in 2010. Additionally, he works with CSU Stanislaus as a student teacher supervisor in the Teacher Education Department. He acts as an adjudicator throughout the United States and Thailand, as well as Drum Corps International.
He is an eight time Winter Guard International World Championship Medal winner (and six time WGI Finalist) as an instructor/composer; additionally, he is published internationally through Key Poulan Music and GPG Publications. His music has been performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He is a graduate of Modesto Junior College and CSU Fresno, and holds his Master’s Degree in Band Conducting from Sam Houston State University. He has served on the boards of the California Band Directors Association, Stanislaus County Music Educators Association, and the Central Valley Guard and Percussion Circuit. He is in demand as a clinician and guest conductor throughout California, and has presented at the California All State Music Educators Conference, Southern California Band and Orchestra Association, and Cazadero Music Camp (Conductor).
Dan is co-owner (with his wife, Lindsay) of Pitopia Percussion, is a teacher/endorser for Innovative Percussion, and is the proud father of his favorite little tornado, Kate.
Shawn Glyde
Percussion/Sound Design
Shawn Glyde’s approach to modern percussion writing for both indoor and outdoor competition (USA and Europe), has led to 100+ jr. high, high school, independent, university, and drum corps drumlines performing his arrangements and compositions every year since 2002. He composes percussion and custom drumline arrangements independently, as well as for XtremePercussion.com, GPG Publications, Key Poulan Music, and Jair Klarfeld Music.
Glyde has authored six drum method books, judges for WBA, CVGPC, PCJA and SCPA. Shawn is the percussion arranger and/or music coordinator for several marching music programs throughout the United States and Europe. He is currently Director of Percussion Studies at the newly constructed Clovis North HS Educational Center in Clovis, Ca. Shawn balances his musical life by teaching private drum lessons and recording cds as a contemporary jazz solo artist. For more info, check out http://www.shawnglyde.com
Stuart Shulman
Drill/Visual Design
Drawing inspiration from his nearly 20 years of Drum Corps involvement as a member, drum major and instructor, Stuart has been influenced by some of the best designers and educators in the world. He is currently the Visual Designer for the World Class Drum Corps Genesis. and is on the Education Team for Ultimate Drillbook. Previously, Stuart taught the Santa Clara Vanguard, The Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment and The Academy drum corps.
Stuart holds a Master of Music in Conducting from Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMUC) and a Bachelor of Music Education from Ottawa University. Before becoming a full time marching arts designer, Stuart was the Assistant Director of Bands at TAMUC and was a high school band director in Texas where his bands consistently received UIL Sweepstakes and were also Finalists at the UIL State Marching Championships.
Stuart currently resides in Frisco, Texas, with his wife Rachel, their two children Ryker and Sloan, and their three dogs; Jazzy, Phoebe and Dani.
Alyson Downs
Guard Design Lead
Alyson Downs is a graduate of Casper College with an Associates's degree in Dance and the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor's degree in Dance.
She worked in the Oklahoma City Metro for five years teaching dance with the Arts Council of Oklahoma City and color guard with Yukon High School before moving to Texas in 2019.
Alyson was a member of the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps color guard for eight seasons, aging out in 2015. She served as a captain from 2013-2015 and received the Troopers Member of the Year award in 2013. Alyson also performed with Eclectix Independent Winter Guard in 2015.
Alyson taught the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps color guard from 2016-2018 and has been on staff at Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps since 2019, currently as the Color Guard Caption Head. She is also the Color Guard Director at Guyer High School.
Christopher
McCarthy
Originally from Binghamton, NY, Mr. McCarthy discovered his love for color guard and the marching activity at age 12. From 2001 to 2007 he attended Susquehanna Valley MS and HS performing with the marching band, color guard, concert band, and spent his last two years serving as Drum Major. In 2006, Mr. McCarthy made the jump during his junior year to independent color guard. He spent several years performing with Spectrum Winterguard, primarily in the Independent Open class, as well as the A and World Class. He served as Guard Captain in ’09, ’10 and ’11. Mr. McCarthy has also marched with the DCA finalists Syracuse Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps from ’07 – ’08.
At the age of 16, Mr. McCarthy began to choreograph and stage for small programs throughout upstate New York. Following high school, he spent a short time studying at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and then spent four years as an Operating Room assistant at a regional trauma center. During this time he served as designer, choreographer, and/or director for a number of programs. His experiences led him to transition to Texas in the summer of 2013. Some programs he has worked with include: University of Wisconsin - Whitewater (WI), Spectrum (NY), Greater Johnstown HS (NY), Round Rock HS (TX), Westwood HS (TX), New Braunfels HS (TX), North Shore HS (TX) Cedar Ridge HS (TX), Dripping Springs HS (TX) and Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps (TX).
Mr. McCarthy is now in his eighth year as Colorguard Director at McNeil HS. He is also the Co-Director of a local Open Class independent organization, Origins Colorguard, and also an instructor for The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, based in San Antonio. Outside of these programs, Mr. McCarthy also designs, stages and choreographs for numerous groups across the country both as a freelance artist as well as working for SperlingDesigns.
Mr. McCarthy currently resides in Austin, and outside of pageantry he enjoys hiking, kayaking, traveling, and coffee with friends. He is a firm believer that laughter truly is the best medicine and never takes life for granted.