Co-Director

With 25 years of experience in the marching arts, Kristin is dedicated to teaching, performing, and advancing the world of competitive band and percussion ensembles. A seasoned educator and performer, she brings a deep understanding of both the technical and artistic demands of the activity. Having marched in Walled Lake Percussion & Northcoast Academy ensembles, later transitioning into instruction with various ensembles.
Kristin has worked with programs at multiple levels—building strong foundations, elevating ensemble performance, and fostering student growth both on and off the field. She tailors her approach to the specific needs of each ensemble and student, ensuring that instruction is both effective and meaningful.
Her teaching emphasizes musical excellence, discipline, and teamwork, while also inspiring a passion for performance. Throughout her career, Kristin has helped ensembles achieve competitive success and has been recognized for her ability to balance precision with creativity. Her long-standing presence in the marching and percussion community reflects not only expertise but also a genuine commitment to meeting students where they are and guiding them toward their full potential.

Co-Director

Evan Danielson has been involved in performing arts education for the last 9 years. In addition to his role as director for the Detroit Pistons Drumline, Evan is the percussion director for Lawrence Technological University and is on the Board of Directors Treasurer for Ignite Performing Arts. He also works with the Lake Orion, Utica, Roseville, Chippewa Valley, and Anchor Bay High School marching bands teaching percussion.

Evan is thrilled to join the NCA family as a Co-Director!

Drill Designer

Cal Lennon is the current Director of Percussion at Noblesville High School but also an active visual educator, program coordinator, drill designer, and choreographer

With about a decade of WGI experience , He has worked for groups such as: Lawrence Township indoor percussion (PSO), Fishers High School (PSW), Decatur Central High School (PSO), Perry Meridian (PSA), HSE indoor percussion , many more and now Noblesville High School (PSO). He has four IPA gold medals, and double digit IPA medals as a staff member/designer. He has been a drill designer for many indoor percussion, and indoor winds programs, including 2024 WGI silver medalist Ben Davis Winds (A), & 2025 WGI Independent Open Gold Medalist Veritas Percussion.

He lives in Indianapolis, IN with his girlfriend Felicia & his bulldog Ollie.

Battery Caption Head

Reece is a drumline instructor from Clinton Township Michigan. His performance experience includes Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps, Eastside Fury Percussion, Americanos Drum & Bugle Corps, Great Lakes Percussion, and 10 years with the Detroit Lions' Honolulu Boom Drumline.

Over the past 25 years he has had the pleasure of working with several groups in the SE Michigan area, including L'Anse Creuse High School, Eastside Fury Percussion, Walled Lake, and Farmington United Percussion Ensemble.

Professionally, Scott works as a project manager for a Security/IT integrator in the Metro Detroit Area.

Front Ensemble Caption Head

Austin Michon has been involved in the marching arts for 12 years. He marched at Longmont High School and Rise Percussion in Colorado. He currently works as the front ensemble technician, audio engineer and sound designer for Troy Athens High School. Austin is incredibly grateful and honored to join an organization with such a strong legacy.

Tenor Technician

Austin started his percussion career in 2010 at L’Anse Creuse High School marching quads and marched the following three seasons, two on quads and one on snare. Since then, Austin has been involved in many Michigan based ensembles including Eastside Fury Percussion in 2012 (cymbals), Motor City Percussion in 2013 and 2014(quads), Ferndale Independent Percussion in 2016(quads), North Coast Academy in 2017(quads), and Genesis Percussion in 2018 as the quad section leader. During the summer-fall he has also had the opportunity to work with Redford Thurston High School from 2014-2019 as a Battery Coordinator, and L’Anse Creuse High school from 2015-Current as a quad technician. In the winter of 2019 Austin worked with Divergent Percussion, Motor City Percussion and Genesis Percussion as well as Divergent Percussion the following season. Austin is very excited to be working with Michigan drums again this season!

Battery Consultant
Dan Cenci has been and active educator in Michigan since 2006. He has been fortunate to spend time as a staff alongside Anthony Leithouser, Jason Inhat, Ralph Biggs, Sean McElroy, Lee Beddis, Roland Chavez, Colin McNutt, and Thom Hannum. As a performer and longtime member staff of Michigan percussion he’s extremely excited to contribute to the relaunch of Northcoast Academy.

Bass Technician

Sam has over 10 years of combined marching and teaching experience in the Michigan marching arts community. He has performed with ensembles including Eastside Fury, Matrix, and the Detroit Pistons Drumline, and has taught multiple high school programs throughout the state. He’s excited to join the NCA team and share his love of bass drumming with the ensemble.

Front Ensemble Technician

Dennis Farmer is a front ensemble educator based in Michigan. He has taught with Clio High School, South Lyon East High School, and Wayne Memorial High School, and is currently in his first year as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for the Northern Lights Drum & Bugle Corps. As a performer, Dennis has marched mallet-percussion with Clio High School and Redline Percussion, as well as with the Northern Lights Drum and Bugle Corps performing on synthesizer. Dennis is excited to be on staff this season!

Tenor Technician

Austin Schachinger devoted eight years to marching quads, beginning in 2009 at North Farmington High School. He continued his passion at Michigan State University from 2013 to 2016 and with NorthCoast Academy from 2014 to 2017, where he served as quads section leader during his final two seasons – demonstrating leadership, discipline, and a deep commitment to musical excellence. After graduating from Michigan State in 2017, Austin transitioned into the finance industry, quickly establishing himself as a versatile and client-focused professional. He spent five years in the mortgage sector, first as a loan officer helping individuals navigate home financing, and later as an account executive supporting broker businesses in their growth and operations. Over the past four years, Austin has deepened his expertise in wealth management as a key contributor on an investment research team. His work has consistently delivered high-quality insights, informed strategic portfolio decisions, and supported the development of innovative investment solutions—positioning him as a well-rounded and forward-thinking finance professional.

Front Ensemble Technician

Jake Brown has been involved in performing arts education for the last 7 years. Jake has performed with Farmington United Percussion Ensemble, Motor City Percussion and Redline. In his role as an educator Jake has taught at Farmington United Percussion Enemble, Holly High School marching band, Holly Indoor Percussion, Lake Orion Percussion and the North Farmington High School marching band. Jake is really excited for this season!

Media/Videography

Jason Copenhaver has been involved with the marching arts as either a performer or in media since 2006. Jason has a degree in Audio Video Production and has worked in media since 2013. After starting his media career by doing video for his local indoor circuit, he has worked with Cincinnati Tradition, BOX5 Media, Mr. Video, and was previously the Media Guy for NorthCoast Academy. Jason is excited to help share the sights and sounds of NorthCoast!

Outreach

Corey Broschak is a proud alumnus of NorthCoast Academy, aging out as center snare in 2014 and later serving as Operations Director for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. A longtime veteran of the marching arts, he performed across DCI, DCA, WGI, and collegiate lines, including with the Michigan State Drumline, Eastside Fury, Glassmen, Crossmen, Hawthorne Caballeros, and Madison Scouts.

Beyond the marching world, Corey serves as Senior Director of Institutional Affairs at The Brookings Institution, one of the world’s leading public policy research organizations. He credits NCA with sharpening his discipline, teamwork, and leadership—qualities that continue to guide his career, life, and commitment to the activity today.