Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.

This week, Ricardo and Trish welcome two standout guests:
Kenai Central High School Band Director Christian Stefanos (@akbanddirector) — whose band traveled from Alaska to BOA Grand Nationals — and TikTok creator & performer Taylor Greatbatch (@greatbatchofcookies).

Christian breaks down what it took to build a marching band from scratch, fundraise across a state the size of a continent, and take a small-town Alaska program onto the national stage in Indianapolis. Taylor shares what it’s like teaching in one of Kentucky’s lowest-income districts, why BOA experiences matter for rural kids, and how marching band shaped their entire career across theater and performance.

Then the whole panel dives into a packed NEWS segment featuring:
• BOA Grand Nationals Finals breakdown
• DCI 2025 schedule
• HBCU Band of the Year finalists
• 2025 Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Parade bands
• 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade lineup

Christian takes on the 60-Second Tech Block with “How to Build a Marching Band From the Ground Up.” Taylor unleashes a viral-worthy rant about Broadway-level marching band shows (“I should not have to have a PhD to understand your marching band show, girl!”), and Ricardo drops a scorched-earth message to the Avon haters who have been trashing kids online after BOA Finals.

The episode closes with a heartfelt Gush & Go, including:
• The Spartans preparing for the Macy’s Parade
• Christian’s students getting national love
• Ricardo’s district-wide arts expos inspiring the next generation
• Kentucky band programs celebrating major milestones

Hosts:
Ricardo Robinson-Shinall (@ricardorrobinson)
Trish O’Shea (@trishdish1002)

Guests:
Christian Stefanos — Kenai Central High School Band (@akbanddirector)
Taylor Greatbatch (@greatbatchofcookies)

Presented by:
Guard Closet — gear, education & design for the marching arts
Peak Group Travel (@peak.group.travel) — group travel done right

If you’re not listening to On A Water Break… what are you even doing?