Percussion Arranger - Omar Carmenates

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Omar is currently the Assistant Professor of Percussion at Furman University in Greenville, SC where he oversees all aspects of the percussion program including classical, jazz, and world percussion studies. In addition to his duties at Furman, Dr. Carmenates was also the Percussion Caption Head and Arranger for the internationally-renowned Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps from 2007-2009. While at the Crusaders, Dr. Carmenates was also a member design team and oversaw all aspects of the percussion program.
Omar’s teaching and writing credits in the marching percussion idiom also include arrangements and original works for groups such as the Beatrix Drum and Bugle Corps from Hilversum, Holland, Infinity Indoor Percussion, Timber Creek Independent, the Florida State University Marching Chiefs, the Furman University Paladin Regiment, and numerous other high school programs across the United States. As an adjudicator, clinician and lecturer, Carmenates has also appeared at various festivals and events throughout the world including the Yogyakarta Marching Band Camp in Indonesia and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Carmenates is a proud endorser/clinician for Vic Firth, Inc. Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Pearl Corporation/Adams Musical Instruments. 
As a freelance musician, Dr. Carmenates is a versatile performer, having played in many groups in various genres. His interest in contemporary chamber and solo music has led to commissions and collaborations with such notable composers as John Luther Adams, John Psathas, David Skidmore, Christopher Deane, and Brian Nozny. He has been a percussionist with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, the Greenville Pops Orchestra, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and the Las Colinas and Garland Symphony Orchestras. In addition, he has been a featured performer with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, the Carolina Youth Symphony, and the Furman University Wind Ensemble. 
For five years, Carmernates was a musician at Walt Disney World holding positions such as a percussionist with the Village Beatniks in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Omar is also an active scholar having published articles in Percussive Notes and Drum Corps International Magazine, among others. He holds a Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University, a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Central Florida. He has studied with Dr. John W. Parks IV, Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, Ed Soph, Ed Smith, Dr. Robert Schietroma, and Jeff Moore. He resides in Greenville, SC with his wife Nicole, their children Maya and Isaac, and their two basset hounds, Ripley and Maggie.

Brass Arranger - Ron Ellis

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Ron Ellis has 27 years of experience in the marching arts. He is the inaugural director of the University of Texas at San Antonio athletics band and assistant director of bands.  He also leads the UTSA pep band and teaches music and conducting classes.

Ron was the band director, drill designer and instructor for University of Central Florida in Orlando where he led the 308-member UCF Marching Knights for 10 years.

Ron also was band choreographer, conductor and adviser for the ABC television series "Coach," the HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon," Epcot Center's 20th Anniversary Celebration, the Universal Pictures feature film "Sydney White" and the "Disney's Very Merry Christmas Parade" ABC television special.

Ron will continue to serve as a music director at Walt Disney Attractions Entertainment in Orlando. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in music performance from UCF and a master of music degree in wind and orchestral conducting from the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Ron brings extensive experience, skills and enthusiasm to the Tampa Bay Thunder’s team. Thunder is proud to have Ron as a member of the Thunder staff as we bring the Corps to national recognition.

Drill Design - Aaron Stone

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Aaron is the band director at Tyrone Middle School in St. Petersburg Florida and has his music education degree from the University of Tampa.

Aaron is currently working on his master degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Aaron marched Baritone and Contra Bass in The Magic of Orlando and Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps for 6 years total.

After aging out of drum corps, he taught the Tampa Bay Thunder, the Kiwanis Kavaliers, was the visual caption head for The Magic Drum and Bugle Corps, and consults for many other top 17 corps. Aaron also spent a summer teaching marching in Japan for a Japanese Corps.

Aaron writes drill for numerous bands around the country and has been teaching high school marching band for 12 years.

Aaron is a proud member of the Central States Judges Association and judges High School marching bands from all over the state of Florida.

Color Guard Design - Ricardo Robinson

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Ricardo Robinson is a recent transplant to the Tampa Bay area from Atlanta. He is the Colorguard Director at Braden River High School and works in Manatee County Schools at Buffalo Creek Middle School as an Administrative Parent Liaison. Ricardo is originally from MS where he attended the University of Southern Mississippi and was both Colorguard Captain/Coordinator and Drum Major for the Pride of MS Marching Band.

While in MS, Ricardo was the Colorguard Director for the Petal High School Marching Band which won numerous state and regional Championships in band and colorguard. He served for 10 years as the Colorguard Director/Coordinator for the East Central Community College Wall O' Sound Band in Decatur MS.

Ricardo has numerous choreography, design, and consultation credits for colorguards and bands throughout the Southeast including McEachern HS (GA), Jackson Academy (MS), Columbia HS (MS), Denham Springs HS (LA), Amor Independent Winterguard (AL), Optemystic Independent Winterguard (MS), eMenience Indoor Percussion Theatre (MS),  Lafayette HS (LA), and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA).

An active member of the Gulf Coast Judges Association, Ricardo has judged and critiqued top programs from all across the country. He has served on the Bands of America/Music for All Summer Symposium colorguard staff since 2003. In addition to colorguard and band, Ricardo is an active show choir, musical theatre, and dance company choreographer and director. His performance credits include the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps Colorguard 1998, Optemystic Independent Winterguard (1999-2003), eMenience Indoor Percussion Theatre (2004), and the 2001 DCI World Champions the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.