Dr. nick riley

president

Dr. Nick Riley is thrilled to return to ConneXus for his 15th season in 2027.

Currently, Dr. Riley serves as Director and Show Designer for ConneXus and as Educational Director for the ConneXion Educational Clinic Series. He has previously held numerous other administrative, creative, and instructional roles since co-founding the ensemble in the summer of 2012. He has served as President of the ConneXus Performing Arts Association, Inc. Board of Directors since 2016. Dr. Riley led both the ensemble and design teams each time ConneXus made WGI World Championships Finals for the first time: PIO in 2015 and PIW in 2023.

He has been involved in the marching arts as a performer, instructor, composer/arranger, ensemble administrator, show designer, and adjudicator for over 20 years. Outside of ConneXus, Dr. Riley is Assistant Professor and Area Head of Music Education at Northern Kentucky University where he instructs courses in music teacher education, applied percussion, and supervises student teachers. A classically trained percussionist, Dr. Riley earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from The Ohio State University in 2026, a Master of Arts in Music Education from Ohio State in 2023, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Capital University in 2011. Prior to pursuing a career in higher education, he was Director of Bands for Liberty Center Local Schools in rural northwest Ohio from 2012 to 2021. Dr. Riley’s research interests include burnout, persistence, enrollment, music teacher and student wellness, and non-musical outcomes of music education, all centered within the marching arts as a research area.

He is the founder of the web-based pageantry arts music design business NPR Marching Concepts: The Music of Nick Riley where he has composed over 600 works for over 60 ensembles since beginning his writing career in 2007. A prolific composer, program coordinator, and show designer for marching bands, indoor percussion ensembles, drum corps, and winter winds, Dr. Riley’s compositions can be heard across the United States and South America. In addition to publishing his own work, his compositions for indoor percussion are published by Gary P. Gilroy Publications and Marching Show Concepts. His music has been recognized for its creativity, engagement, educational value, and competitive success. Ensembles performing his music have been local circuit, BOA, DCI SoundSport, and WGI championship finalists and medalists.

Dr. Riley is an accomplished adjudicator for the marching arts, judging actively for the Central States Judges Association (CSJA) since 2013 and the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) since 2012. Specializing in music general effect, music performance, and percussion, he has judged in 13 states. He was appointed as Music Caption Head for CSJA in 2025 where he is responsible for recruiting, training, evaluating, and assigning music judges for over 60 international marching band competitions annually. Dr. Riley has judged championship-level competitions in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Kansas, Tennessee, and New Mexico.

Dr. Riley is actively involved in circuit administration and contest coordination for indoor percussion, winter guard, and winter winds. Recently, he was re-elected to The Mid-East Performance Association Board of Directors as a Percussion Representative, a position he has held since 2022.

Dr. Riley’s previous staff assignments reflect a diverse background in the marching arts. He served as the Assistant Visual Supervisor for Legends Drum & Bugle Corps (2011-2013), a Percussion Consultant for The Ohio State University Marching Band (2011-2014), and Visual Technician for the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps (2016). Dr. Riley is currently the Program Coordinator and Percussion Composer/Arranger for the Gran Banda Drum & Bugle Corps of Medellin, Colombia, South America, where he has served on both the percussion and visual staffs since 2014. The “GB” is the 2014 DCI SoundSport Champion, runner up in 2017, and the first ensemble from South America to perform in DCI events.

Dr. Riley is a member of OMEA, CSJA, PFCJ, NAfME, and PAS. He holds endorsements from Innovative Percussion and Black Swamp Percussion.

A native of Centerville, Ohio, Nick currently lives in Independence, Kentucky in the metro Cincinnati area.

brian griffin

treasurer

Brian Griffin is the Director of Operations at FRAYT Technologies, where he applies his organizational and operational expertise to help the company run efficiently and grow. He also serves on the pastoral staff at Fairfield Church in Fairfield, Ohio, where he’s committed to serving and supporting his community.

Brian’s connection to the marching arts runs deep. Over the years, he has taken on a variety of volunteer roles supporting high school marching band and percussion programs, gaining firsthand insight into the dedication, discipline, and teamwork these activities demand — and the impact they have on the students who take part in them.

That experience, paired with his background in operations and administration, gives him a well-rounded perspective he’s eager to bring to ConneXus as the organization’s next treasurer.

kristin Stoner

Secretary

Kristin Stoner has been involved in the marching arts since 2004, performing with many ensembles including Pickerington North HS Marching Band, the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band at Ball State University, the Falcon Marching Band at Bowling Green State University, Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps, and Matrix.

Her past instructional experience has included percussion and visual instruction for high school and university marching bands, indoor percussion ensembles, and drum corps.

She holds a BS in Biology from Bowling Green State University and is a Learning Business Consultant in Columbus, Ohio.

Kristin is excited to start her 11th season with ConneXus in 2025!

jack boulis

Board Member

Jack is a music educator and percussionist from Delaware, Ohio. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Toledo in 1993. Jack was a member of the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps from 1986-1990 where he served as drum line captain 1988-1990.

Over the past 27 years Jack has taught music in all grade levels, K-12, in Ohio public schools. Other teaching experience includes the University of Toledo Marching Band and the University of Cincinnati Athletic Bands.

Jack is executive director of ConneXus Percussion and has been with ConneXus since their first season in 2013

john espy

Board member

John Espy is current a financial software specialist in the Cincinnati area. Prior to his position in school finance, Mr. Espy was a Band Director in the Milford Exempted Village School District located on the east-side of the Cincinnati, OH area. At Milford, Mr. Espy’s concert ensembles consistently received Superior ratings at Ohio Music Education Association events; the Marching Band is a consistent Bands of America Semi-Finalist; and the Winter Percussion Ensemble has been WGI Scholastic A class World Finalists. Mr. Espy earned his undergraduate degree in music education from Marshall University in Huntington, WV, a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Accounting. Before coming to Milford, Mr. Espy was the Director of Bands for the Mt. Healthy City School District, as well as percussion arranger and caption head at Cabell Midland High School located in Ona, WV.

Mr. Espy’s performance credits include the front ensemble for the Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Columbus, Ohio, as well as the 18-time World Champion Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from Concord, California. John was a member of the Marching Thunder (MU) snare line serving two years as drumline captain. Mr. Espy has also served as percussion arranger and instructor for the Marshall University Marching Thunder. During his time playing drums in the Marshall 12 O’clock Jazz Ensemble, John performed with Arturo Sandoval, Kathy Kosins, Byron Stripling, Paquito D’Rivera just to name a few. He was a recognized award winner at the prestigious Notre Dame Jazz Festival having been awarded honors by legendary drummer Peter Erskine. Currently, Mr. Espy a member of the Cincinnati-based Fillmore Wind Band that performed at 2017 Midwest Band Clinic.

Mr. Espy is an active adjudicator as well as a member of the Vic Firth Education Team in the capacity of marching percussion specialist (MPS) and Scholastic Educator (SEP).

Michael Reese

Board Member

Michael is an active music educator in the state of Ohio where he is a band director for Mason City Schools. He works primarily with the 7th and 8th grade students at Mason Middle School and as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for the BOA Grand Nationals Finalist William Mason High School Marching Band. Michael has earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Marietta College and a Masters of Music Education from Ohio University.

Outside of his public school teaching career, Michael has extensive experience in the marching arts. Michael has served as a Co-Director of ConneXus since 2022 and is excited to take on a new role as Music Coordinator for the 2025 season. Additionally, Michael has worked as a Front Ensemble Instructor for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps for the last five years. In the fall, Michael is a percussion judge for the Central States Judges Association. During his performing years, Michael marched with Legends Drum and Bugle Corps (2014), Cap City Percussion (2014-2015), Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2015-2016) and Rhythm X (2016-2017).

Zac Sterling

Board Member

Zac is from O’Fallon, Illinois. He is a classically trained pianist, which has served as the foundation for his musical career since his childhood. His marching experience includes tenures at Matrix (2015), Gateway Indoor (2014), Carolina Crown (2012), and the Madison Scouts (2010, 2011, 2014). He has also taught and consulted for various other DCI and WGI groups around the world.

Zac has a bachelors degree in criminology, a masters in international finance, a masters of business administration, and a doctorate in law. He is a corporate attorney, representing national and international financial institutions and other private credit entities in their capital transactions. He now lives in Lexington, Kentucky and is married to Alyssa Iwinski, with whom he has loved performing, traveling, and raising their cats, Amelia and Garbage.

Andre Rodriguez

Board Member

Andre Rodriguez is based out of Troy, OH and is a Full Stack Developer and Data Analyst for clients such as Google, HP and Intel Retail Programs around the globe. Andre is a founding member of ConneXus where he marched snare drum from 2013 to 2015. Andre is ConneXus’ first ever ageout member. 

Andre has been involved in the marching arts since 2006 where he began his career at Westerville South HS in central Ohio.  The exposure he received as a member of the band program at Westerville South aided in the path that has led him back to his first independent ensemble. Giving back to the programs that have aided Andre has always been a passion of his and being able to assist his ageout group makes him extremely happy and eager to hit the ground running. 

Now having a background in data and technology, Andre will be working with the admin team to assist on the back end as Webmaster where he’s had success with organizations such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Google on a national scale. His goal is to help wherever the ensemble needs him in order to be successful throughout the upcoming seasons. 

Andre is thrilled to return to ConneXus for his third season on staff in 2025, backed by the support of his daughter Era and partner Emily.

PAM MiRANDA

Advisory Board Member

2022 marks Pam Miranda’s tenth season of involvement with the ConneXus organization.  Pam is a founding staff member of the ConneXus organization, having served in administrative roles for both the indoor drumline and winter guard since its inception.  Pam served as the Secretary for the CPAA, Inc. Board of Directors from 2014 until her retirement in 2021.

Pam’s love for the pageantry arts began as a member of her high school band program. From there, she has served as a board member for high school music booster programs and is an enthusiastic supporter of performers of all ages.

Professionally, Pam is a registered nurse with nearly 40 years of experience in the healthcare field. She received her formal education from Marion Technical College and The Ohio State University and worked in the Morrow County Hospital, Riverside Methodist Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital until her retirement. Pam merged her love for the pageantry arts with her nursing career as the Medical Specialist for the Legends Drum & Bugle Corps (MI) during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Currently, Pam is the STNA clinical instructor and CPR/First Aid instructor at the Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion, Ohio. Originally from Cardington, Ohio, she currently resides in Mt. Gilead, Ohio.

drew brown

Advisory Board Member

Drew Brown has been involved with the marching arts since 2001 as a performer, educator, and designer. He is currently Ensemble Director at ConneXus where he also serves as Program Coordinator, Music Coordinator, and Vice President of the ConneXus Performing Arts Association, Inc. Board of Directors.

From 2015-2019, Drew worked with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician, front ensemble coordinator, and electronics coordinator. In 2020 and 2021, Drew worked with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician.

Currently, Drew is the Percussion Director for Beavercreek City Schools, where he teaches marching band, indoor percussion ensemble, and classroom percussion to high school and middle school students in the district.

Drew studied music education, composition, and percussion performance at Bowling Green State University, Wright State University, and the University of Cincinnati – College- Conservatory of Music.

Drew is proud to be endorsed by Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Ludwig/Musser.

He currently resides in Dayton, OH with his wife, Cierra, and their dogs, Bobo and Duke.

Participant Protection Investigative Committee

• Pam Miranda, Chair
• Angel Boulis
• John Espy