We’re back and LIVE again on YouTube with hosts Trish O’Shea (@trishdish1002), Jackie Brown (@spintronixguard), Jose Montes III (@marchingbymontes), and Joey Montes — joined this week by winter guard judge and educator Ashley D’Amore and our favorite sideline perspective, Sharon Boyd (@therealbandmom).

SEGMENT 1: THE SIDELINES & BONUS EPISODE PREVIEWSWe kick things off with a quick welcome and look ahead at what’s coming up:

• An international episode featuring the Color Guard Alliance of the Philippines
• A candid chat with Brandy Keeton (University of Alabama & Alta Marea)
• A WGI engagement recap with the couple from Tampa Independent
• A summer preview with siblings Piper & Avery Click heading to Blue Devils
• Alicia’s deep dive into body size and space in the marching arts

SEGMENT 2: MARCHING ARTS NEWS

• Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps sparks controversy with a $1700 “Field Set Crew” post targeting 18–22-year-olds. The backlash was immediate — and now they’re “reevaluating.” Sharon (The Band Mom) gives her honest thoughts.
• Jackie reports on Avon Band Director Jay Webb’s appearance in Travis Scott’s Coachella show
• Spartans announce their 2025 show “Mistica” but face heat for using AI-generated art before quietly swapping it out
• Michigan’s Reeths-Puffer HS Band is the focus of a new documentary
• WGI launches BEAM: a real-time performance feedback platform
• Ultimate Drill Book rolls out the “Listening Zones” feature to help students better understand ensemble timing
• Peak Group Travel shares their weekly travel tip

SEGMENT 3: 60-SECOND TECH BLOCK / WATER WE DOING / GUSH AND GOAshley D’Amore delivers a 60-Second Tech Block on Dynamic Efforts & Qualities — and the crew reacts in real time. In this week’s “Water We Doing?” segment:

• Sharon asks why indoor winds still don’t get as much attention
• Ashley begs groups to practice getting on and off the floor to avoid last-second chaos
• Trish wants drum corps to stop waiting until mid-season to announce their show themes
• Jose shares frustrations as a drill writer being asked for August-ready material in April

We wrap with “Gush and Go”:

• Jackie’s middle school mini guard is ready for their big debut
• Ashley shares her summer spinning with her 2-year-old to Chapel Roan
• Sharon celebrates her son graduating with a music ed degree and aging out with the Blue Devils
• Jose has a few open choreography spots and is finally relaxing after WGI

Want to be a guest on the pod? Fill out the form at the link in our bio or email us at [email protected]. Don’t forget to follow us @onawaterbreak, leave a review, and share the show.

We’ll see you at the next rehearsal — On A Water Break.

This week, Nicole (@o2bnpjs) is joined by Whitney (@dancerwhit) and Alicia (@aliciaoninsta2) for an episode packed with big announcements, fresh perspectives, and two exciting new voices joining the sidelines!

We’re thrilled to welcome guest clinicians Carlos Herrera (@hellocarlosxd) and Erik Longey (@itsspelledwithak) to the podcast! They each share their 32 Count Life Stories — from band kid beginnings to taking leadership roles in the marching arts.

🎧 After the break, Carlos delivers an insightful 60-Second Tech Block on preventing performer burnout — and opens up a bigger conversation about how we can better support all performers, not just competitors.

In Water We Doing, the team tackles:

• Why costumes without matching shorts are a movement hazard
• Why glasses on the floor are a bigger problem than you think
• Why appreciation needs to happen throughout the season, not just at the end
• Why it’s still so hard to find archives of Winter Guard performances

Finally, we wrap up with Gush and Go, where we celebrate: 🎓 Carlos graduating with honors
💼 Whitney starting her next adventure (and her Canva skills!)
🙌 Erik’s incredible experience on staff with Juxtaposition

If you’re reflecting on the season or looking ahead to summer, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and inspiration.

HOSTS:
🎙️ Nicole Younger – @o2bnpjs
🎙️ Alicia Sharp – @aliciaoninsta2
🎙️ Whitney Stone – @dancerwhit

GUEST CLINICIANS:
👤 Carlos Herrera – @hellocarlosxd
👤 Erik Longey – @itsspelledwithak

🎧 Listen anywhere you get your podcasts
📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: On A Water Break Channel
📬 Email us: [email protected]
📣 Want to be a guest? Apply here
📲 Follow: @onawaterbreak

Sponsored by:
💙 Guard Closet | IG: @guardcloset
🌍 Peak Group Travel | IG: @peakgrouptravel

#OnAWaterBreak #MarchingWeekly #MarchingArts #Winterguard #ColorGuard #DCI #MarchingBand #Podcast #GuardCloset #PeakGroupTravel

Patricia shares her journey from her early days in Quezon City’s drum & lyre scene to building a nationwide network of performers, directors, and choreographers that are redefining what color guard looks like in Southeast Asia.

Host: Grantis Peranda (@grantisimo_p)

Guest: Patricia Real Barairo (@colorguardphilippines)

In this episode:
– what drum & lyre means in the Philippines
– how Patricia transitioned from percussion to pageantry
– founding CGAP and performing at WGI Asia
– traveling across 7,000 islands for competitions
– the rise of Camp Spin, Spin Fest, and color guard battles
– launching WMBO: the World Marching Band Organization
– how color guard is becoming part of Filipino festivals, TV, and weddings

CGAP turns 10 in 2025, and Patricia has big plans: concerts, workshops, competitions, an equipment expo, and international appearances in Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond.

💬 “Marching band is part of every celebration in the Philippines — even funerals. It’s tradition, it’s culture, it’s life.” – Patricia Real Barairo

—

📲 follow our guest:
@colorguardphilippines on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook

📲 follow our host:
@grantisimo_p | grantisimoproductions.com

🎧 subscribe to on a water break on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIZAjFybvq_AzpFUXvNJDQ
or listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

🔗 want to be a guest?
https://forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9

—

✨ this episode is sponsored by:
Guard Closet – guardcloset.com | @guardcloset
Peak Group Travel – peakgrouptravel.com | @peakgrouptravel

—

#onawaterbreak #colorguardphilippines #CGAP #WGIAsia #WMBO #marchingarts #drumandlyre #campspin #spinfest #globalguard #filipinopride #aroundtheworld

🎙️ ON A WATER BREAK WITH... BRANDY KEETON
Hosted by Jackie Brown and Stephanie Click

This week, we’re heading to Tuscaloosa for a bonus episode featuring the powerhouse behind the University of Alabama Color Guard and Alta Marea—Brandy Keeton! From her early days as a shy baton twirler in Athens, Alabama, to leading one of the most visible and successful collegiate color guard programs in the country, Brandy’s story is full of heart, hustle, and high tide energy.

Join hosts Jackie Brown @spintronixguard and Stephanie Click @stephanieclick as they sit down with Brandy for her 32 Count Life Story, and unpack her journey from Crimsonette to co-director of a WGI medalist program. In this episode, we dive into:

• How Brandy balances SEC football, high school teaching, and directing a world-class winter guard
• The unique structure of Alta Marea—all members are Million Dollar Band students!
• What it’s like to juggle fall football performances on ESPN and prepare for WGI World Class debut in the same season
• University support for the guard—including athletic trainers and realistic fees
• How Alta Marea evolved from a fall training tool into a full-fledged competitive program

✨ In our Water We Doing segment, Brandy calls out the chaos of the UD Arena rain plan and shares the now-iconic “ShamWow moment” backstage in Dayton.
💖 And in Gush and Go, she celebrates Alta Marea’s incredible 2025 season and drops big news: record-breaking audition numbers and early plans for 2026!

💬 Want to be on the show?
Email us at: [email protected]
OR fill out our guest interest form here: https://forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9

📲 Follow Brandy and Her Teams:
TikTok: @theblondebobshell
Instagram: @altamarea_cg | @milliondollarband
Facebook: Alta Marea Winterguard | Million Dollar Band Color Guard

🎧 Follow & Subscribe:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook: @OnAWaterBreak
YouTube: On A Water Break
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts!

🧳 Sponsored by:
Peak Group Travel
Website: https://peakgrouptravel.com
Instagram: @peakgrouptravel

Guard Closet
Website: https://guardcloset.com
Instagram: @guardcloset

On this jam-packed On A Water Break episode, host Stephen McCarrick is joined live by Matt Walters (@surfingdrums), Austin Hall (@austin_hall10), Woody Woodward (@remoking100), Joey Montes (@marchingbymontes), and first-time guest Daniel Balls (@balls_boy) to break down all the action from WGI Championships 2025.

💥 From record-breaking scores to viral horse props, this live panel covers it all:

🧾 What’s inside this week’s episode:
🎉 Recaps of every finals class: PIW, PIO, PIA, Scholastic World, Open, and A
🥁 Joey's tabla prodigy & ICT’s surprise debut
🥇 George Mason’s fan favorite moment — and controversial video snub
🚨 Ayala & RCC setting new world records
🎭 Deep talk on effect, show design, and letting go of “I didn’t get the show”
🧠 60 Second Tech Block – Joey delivers the “3 C’s of Champ Week” like a pro
🧐 Water We Doing? – Crooked floors, cold lot setups, and missed applause
💖 Gush and Go – Shoutouts to students, staff, wins culture, bass drum culture, and a reminder: We’re all in this together

Plus:

• How a group literally brought horses to WGI
• Why Veritas and George Mason raised the bar
• Woody reveals his students found out he’s on the podcast 👀
• Joey takes on too many groups (again)
• Austin dreams of Winds getting its own weekend
• Matt gushes about bassline love and SoCal Base Camp
• Daniel reflects on member growth and family vibes at North Star

🎧 Whether you watched it live or are tuning in after the fact, this is the ultimate wrap-up of WGI 2025 Percussion & Winds.

—

📣 Want to be a guest on the show? Fill out the form:
👉 https://forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9

📺 Watch episodes & live streams on our YouTube Channel
📸 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Threads → @OnAWaterBreak
🛍 Sponsored by: Guard Closet | @guardcloset
🚌 Powered by: Peak Group Travel | @peakgrouptravel
🎙️ Listen to all episodes: https://onawaterbreak.buzzsprout.com

—

🔎 TAGS
#OnAWaterBreak #WGI2025 #PercussionRecap #WindsRecap #PIW #WGIWorldClass #WaterWeDoing #GushAndGo #60SecondTechBlock #GeorgeMason #Ayala #BrokenCity #RhythmX #WGIResults #MarchingArtsPodcast #DrumlineCulture #BasslineLove #SoCalBaseCamp #GuardCloset #PeakGroupTravel #WGIWins #WGI2025Recap #IndependentWorld #ScholasticWorld

🎙️ QUICK SIP: A WGI Love Story — The Tampa Independent Proposal 💍

We’re kicking off our Quick Sip bonus series with a love story straight from retreat! Ricardo sits down with Tampa Independent’s very own Madison Nelson (@maddylynn22) and John Shirella (@drummerboymercy), whose surprise proposal at WGI Finals had the crowd (and their teammates) cheering and crying all at once. 💍💙

From their 32 Count Life Stories to their first days teaching at River Ridge High School, this episode spills all the tea — including how the whole thing went down, the behind-the-scenes nerves, and how press-on nails almost became the real emergency. 😂

We also chat about what it’s like being in a relationship where pageantry always comes first, why it actually works, and how they balance rehearsals, performances, and life together.

✨ Then we dive into Water We Doing?, where Maddie comes in hot about VE shoes that don’t let you point your feet (jazz shoe nation rise up), and John’s ready to cancel those booming metronome speakers in the lot. And yes, Ricardo might finally be convinced to stop complaining about percussion people in the lot… maybe.

💖 Finally, they wrap things up with a Gush and Go that celebrates the next chapter in their lives — together.

📲 Want to be on the podcast or have a Quick Sip-worthy story? Hit the form in our bio or DM us!
🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube and follow us @OnAWaterBreak.
💧 Subscribe. Rate. Share. And we’ll see you… on a water break

We’re wrapping up the WGI 2025 Color Guard season with three incredible returning guests who just took the floor by storm in Dayton:

🌟 Jacob Allison – performer with crowd-favorite AMP Winter Guard, who brought the club vibes all season long and left their mark as one of the most entertaining fan-favorite shows of the year.
🌟 Colby Tapp – from Etude Winter Guard, sharing insight into their emotionally moving production Wild Geese and what it felt like to fully settle into his second season in World Class.
🌟 Andrew SeeBaran – gold medalist with Pride of Cincinnati, reflecting on their stunning, intimate floor design and what it meant to lead such a deeply connected cast.

🏆 Hear how each of them tackled personal performance goals, navigated the emotional high of WGI Finals, and what advice they have for aspiring World Class performers. We dig into performance anxiety, disco ball mishaps, UD Arena goose sightings, and the power of trust, timing, and teamwork.

🎧 Plus:
• Why Etude’s poetic staging made such an impact
• The hidden storyline behind AMP’s nightlife-themed journey
• How Pride’s 65x65 circle pushed boundaries and forced focus
• The emotional toll (and ibuprofen count) of being a seasoned vet
• Why we need a Fan Favorite Award back – officially
• Who’s retiring, who’s still hungry, and what they all wish they knew before starting

🎤 HOSTED BY:
Nicole Younger (@thatsingerguardgirl)
Alicia Sharp (@aliciasharptoo)
Trish O’Shea (@trishoshea.design)

👑 GUEST PERFORMERS:
Jacob Allison (@jacoballizon97) – AMP Winter Guard (@ampwinterguard)
Andrew SeeBaran (@iandrewmark) – Pride of Cincinnati (@prideofcincinnati)
Colby Tapp (@c0lbytapp) – Etude Winter Guard (@etudewinterguard)

📸 Don’t forget to check out all the content from WGI 2025 on our Instagram @onawaterbreak and subscribe to the YouTube channel for even more behind-the-scenes and bonus footage:
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onawaterbreak
🌐 Website: https://www.guardcloset.com/on-a-water-break
📧 Want to be on the podcast? Fill out the guest form in our link in bio or email us at [email protected]

💬 TAGS:
#OnAWaterBreak #WGI2025 #ColorGuard #WinterGuard #Etude #AMPWinterGuard #PrideOfCincinnati #WGIWorldClass #GuardLife #MarchingArts #FanFavorite #SpillTheTea #WGIRecap #UDArena #ColorGuardGoals #MarchingArtsPodcast

🔥 This week on On A Water Break, we’re LIVE from the 2025 WGI World Championships floor with your recap dream team: Ricardo, Trish, Whitney, Dylan Watson, and Bryan Ayala!

💬 Segment 1:We break down the highlights from an unforgettable WGI weekend — rain, props, floor drama, tears, and triumphs! From scheduling madness to weather woes, we cover the real behind-the-scenes of Dayton. Plus, we celebrate the 2025 DCI Hall of Fame inductees: Jim Moore, Matt Harloff, and Jack Bevins.

🥇 Segment 2:We’re dishing out the medals and celebrating top-tier performances! Huge congrats to:

• The Woodlands HS (Scholastic World Gold, 98.000) — first Texas gold in SW!
• Pride of Cincinnati (Independent World Gold, 94.900)
• Little Elm HS (Scholastic Open Gold, 98.400)
• Third Legend (Independent Open Gold, 96.900)
• Pope HS (Scholastic A Gold, 96.555)
• Homage Independent (Independent A Gold, 95.985)

Texas DOMINATED in all classes — with six SA and six SO guards in finals and three Scholastic medals coming home to the Lone Star State!

🛠️ Segment 3: 60 Second Tech BlockDylan Watson breaks down how to nail multiple three-turns in one show. It’s technical gold — you’ll want to replay it again and again!

😤 What Are We Doing?!

• Trish calls out copy-paste scoring from Power Regionals to finals.
• Whitney blasts WGI proposal culture at retreat (it's giving Phoebe from Friends).
• Dylan questions post-show photos (makeup meltdown edition).
• Ricardo demands tents for rain logistics and questions A Class burnout with 2-shows-a-day finals format.
• Bryan asks WGI to up the wristband allotments for staff — can we get a little more help?

🎉 Gush & Go:

• The clipping trend is here and it's adorable.
• Texas celebrates a true glow-up year.
• Dylan gets personal about his choreography growth and starting year 3 at ASU.
• Bryan shows love to all the first-time finalists and the amazing young directors.
• Ricardo gushes over the power of WGI fellowship, The Cookout, and community.

🎧 Guests: Dylan M. Watson @that_dude_dylan18, Bryan Ayala @itsbadluckbryan / @ehsfriscocolorguards

🎧 Catch the full episode now and celebrate the season with us!

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIZAjFybvq_AzpFUXvNJDQ
🌐 Brought to you by our sponsors:
Guard Closet — https://guardcloset.com | IG: @guardcloset
Peak Group Travel — https://www.peakgrouptravel.com | IG: @peakgrouptravel

📩 Want to be a guest? DM us or submit at the link in bio!
💌 Email: [email protected]
📲 Follow us everywhere: @onawaterbreak

#WGI2025 #ColorGuard #MarchingArts #OnAWaterBreak #PrideOfCincinnati #TheWoodlandsHS #LittleElmHS #TexasGuards #TechBlock #PageantryLife #WGIRecap #GuardLife

This week’s On A Water Break is coming to you LIVE for the first time ever! 🎉 Hosted by Jackie, Steven, and Nicole, this episode is packed with spontaneous moments, major marching arts news, heartfelt reflections, and all the chaos you expect from a live stream.

💬 What’s Inside:

• Nicole takes over the 60-Second Tech Block with a passionate pitch on Why You Should Go to The Cookout – a must-attend, inclusive WGI-week event
• Jackie shares a moving story about the Yukon Band’s fundraiser to support a neighboring school after a devastating fire (News 9 Oklahoma)
• Nicole follows up on our recent reporting with an update on the Palisades Charter High School Band returning to performance after California wildfires (Spectrum News)
• Stephen announces the newest WGI Hall of Fame Inductees for 2025 (WGI.org)
• Nicole brings us national coverage of a sweet surprise moment for a North Carolina high school band (ABC News/GMA)
• Upcoming appearances and live recaps from the Show Day booth at WGI
• Exciting info about The Cookout: Join us Saturday between Open and World Finals from 3–5 PM at Paw Paw Pavilion — $10 donation ($5 per performer if you're bringing your whole group), live music, scholarship awards, and community vibes! @thecookoutcg

🌎 Organizations & Partners Featured:

• @gonzako.projects
• @melaninmosaic
• @grantisimo_p
• @guardcloset – guardcloset.com
• @peakgrouptravel – peakgrouptravel.com
• @pflagdayton
• @miamivalleymeals

📣 Want to be a guest? Submit your story through our Link in Bio or email us at [email protected].

📲 Follow us @onawaterbreak for behind-the-scenes fun, bonus content, and livestream alerts.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend. Keep coming back each week for more laughs, lessons, and love from the On A Water Break crew.

🎯 #marchingband #drumcorps #colorguard #wgi #dci #marchingarts #winterguard #bandlife #gushandgo #waterwedoing #onawaterbreak #livepodcast #guardcloset #thecookout #wginationals #marchingartsnews

In this special bonus episode, Stephen McCarrick and Anne Turner sit down with Julie Davila, renowned percussion educator, composer, adjudicator, and newly appointed Judge Administrator for Drum Corps International (DCI). Julie shares her remarkable journey through the marching arts, from her early passion for percussion and transformative years at the University of North Texas to her extensive adjudicating career in both DCI and WGI.

✨ Highlights from this Episode:

• Julie's "32-Count Life Story": From her roots as a young drummer and water sports enthusiast to becoming a respected leader and advocate for women in percussion.
• Deep Dive into Arranging and Composition: Julie discusses her powerful piece, "Faith and Fortitude," inspired by personal experiences and resilience through her daughter’s medical challenges.
• Judging Insights: Julie provides an insider look at what defines a successful front ensemble, balancing innovation with tradition, and her experience across multiple judging captions.
• New Role at DCI: Julie shares her excitement about becoming the Judge Administrator for DCI, her goals for supporting diversity in adjudication, and nurturing future talent.
• "Water We Doing?": Julie, Stephen, and Anne address the pitfalls of comparing scores across competitions and advocate for a stronger musical foundation in young ensembles.
• "Gush and Go": Celebrating recent accomplishments, exciting future plans, and the continuous growth of women leaders in the marching arts.

🔗 Featured Organizations & Links:

• Drum Corps International: https://www.dci.org
• WGI: https://www.wgi.org
• University of North Texas Percussion: https://percussion.music.unt.edu
• Roloff Productions: https://www.roloff.com

🌟 Connect with Julie Davila:

• Instagram: @sisterjules9397
• Facebook: Julie Sutton Davila

📲 Stay Connected:

• Follow "On A Water Break" on Social Media: @onawaterbreak
• Questions or episode suggestions? Email us at [email protected]

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, review, and share! Stay tuned to "On A Water Break" for more insightful conversations, innovative ideas, and exclusive content from the marching arts community!

#MarchingArts #DrumCorps #DCI #WGI #Percussion #JulieDavila #MusicEducation #BandLife #Colorguard #IndoorPercussion #Podcast #OnAWaterBreak