On A Water Break

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.

This is an OAWB With (Bonus) episode featuring World Class winter guard performers from Juxtaposition, Alta Marea, and AMP — talking real WGI experience from the floor: culture, auditions, lessons learned, rehearsal expectations, and what the activity needs more (and less) of right now.

• What do World Class performers want to see more of at WGI?
• What do they want to see less of in winter guard show trends/culture?
• What’s something you learn the hard way as a top-level performer?
• What advice helps most when preparing for World Class auditions?
• What traditions matter inside successful programs?

• Maria (Juxtaposition) Personal: TikTok Marsco16 | Twitter MariaScott1616 Ensemble: @juxtapositionwg
• Piper (Alta Marea) Personal: IG/TikTok Piper.K.Click | Spin IG Piper.spins Ensemble: @altamareawinterguard
• Julian (AMP) Personal: IG/TikTok Juliankahoolian Ensemble: @ampwinterguard

Trish O’Shea — @trishdish1102

Alicia Sharp — @aliciaoninsta2

Nicole Younger — @o2binpjs

OAWB: @onawaterbreak

Website: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak

Listen/Subscribe (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/0wgaml1T115IsvvZd0XheT

Listen/Subscribe (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-a-water-break/id1653637341

Be a guest: https://forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9

Email: [email protected]

#OnAWaterBreak #MarchingArts #WinterGuard #WGI #ColorGuard

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.

• SUPER IMPORTANT QUICK SIP: Broward County winter guard + indoor percussion programs are facing an urgent “master agreement” deadline that could impact WGI participation. Trish is joined by Evan Zubkov (@evankarlis) and Dean Broadbent (@dnbroad) from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to explain what’s happening, why the Feb 10 school board meeting matters, and what the community can do right now.

Sign + share the petition:

From the episode:

• “it has to be voted on by the by the entire school board”

• “it doesn’t just affect color guard, it affects percussion as well”

• “that deadline is very real.”

Schools/programs referenced:

Cooper City JV / Varsity (@cchscolorguard) • Cypress Bay Varsity (@cypressbaycolorguard) • Flanagan A / World (@flanagancolorguard) • Monarch High School (@monarchguard) • Stoneman Douglas World (@stonemandouglasguard) • Stoneman Douglas Percussion (@msdpercussion) • West Broward World (@wbcolorguard) • West Broward Percussion (@wbhspercussion)

Sponsor: Guard Closet (@guardcloset)

Find On A Water Break:

Website: https://www.onawaterbreak.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak

Be a guest: https://forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9

Email: [email protected]

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.

This week on Water Break Weekly, we’re hitting Marching Arts News (DCI Annual Meeting chatter + the DCI 2026 “Mega Monday” ticket drop) and then going straight into a STAFF REALITY CHECK: how we prepare new instructors, what safety standards programs should be taking seriously, and why practicing the full “show flow” matters more than people want to admit.

Key sources mentioned:

DCI Mega Monday (DCI 2026 ticket drop): https://www.dci.org/news/mega-monday-tickets-to-20-2026-dci-tour-events-on-sale-february-2/

DCI Annual Meeting overview: https://www.dci.org/news/2026-dci-annual-meeting-setting-the-stage-for-summer/

This week’s panel:

Whitney Stone — @dancerwhit

Sadie Wallace — @m.sadiewallace

Jeremy Svoboda — @drumcorpstoday

FIND ON A WATER BREAK

Website: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak

Be a guest: https://forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9

Email: [email protected]

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.

This season’s first Quick Sip is a fast, focused conversation about DCI All-Age’s new “unified format” for 2026.

Trish O’Shea (@trishdish1002) sits down with David Hobart, Director of the Sunrisers Drum & Bugle Corps (@sunriserscorps), who was in the room for the director conversations and vote. David breaks down why the format change happened, what it could improve for the activity, and how All-Age plans to keep honoring the legacy and people who helped build DCA history—while stepping forward into the DCI era.

Also: David teases Sunrisers’ 2026 production “Outlaw” and what fans can expect from the corps this season.

Guests / Hosts

• Trish O’Shea — @trishdish1002
• David Hobart — @hobart_david
• Sunrisers Drum & Bugle Corps — @sunriserscorps

Sponsor

• Guard Closet — @guardcloset

marching band • color guard • WGI • marching arts

“WGI just announced that they’re… a new housing policy for world championships starting in twenty twenty seven season.”

“what are we doing over relying on AI to do our shows and do our uniforms?”

YOUR ALL-ACCESS PASS TO THE MARCHING ARTS.

THIS WEEK ON ON A WATER BREAK:

Joey, Jeremy, and Emily talk marching arts news, WGI updates, and what’s happening across the activity.

SEGMENTS IN THIS EPISODE

• News

• 60-Second Tech Block (Jeremy Denzer): “taking your first show commentary and turning it into a plan.”

• Water We Doing?!

• Gush & Go

THIS WEEK’S PANEL

• Joey Montes III — @marchingbymontes

• Jeremy Denzer — @jeremydenzer

• Emily Nee — @tch.makes.art

SPONSORED BY

• Guard Closet — @guardcloset — https://www.guardcloset.com/

FIND ON A WATER BREAK

Website: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak

Be a guest: https://forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9

Email: [email protected]

#OnAWaterBreak #MarchingArts #WGI #ColorGuard #MarchingBand

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.

“It is time for your favorite show that gives you news, interviews, all things marching arts — and you are on a water break.”

This week on Water Break Weekly, Ashlee Amos, Nicole Younger, Stephen McCarrick, and Hayley Harrington break down the biggest marching arts headlines — including a brand-new drum corps in Indiana, major DCI All-Age updates, and the 2026 WGI Hall of Fame recipients.

SEGMENTS IN THIS EPISODE

• News

• 60-Second Tech Block (Nicole): “How to prepare for a critique.”

• Water We Doing?!

• Gush & Go

SPONSORED BY

• Guard Closet — @guardcloset — https://www.guardcloset.com/

THIS WEEK’S PANEL

• Ashlee Amos — @famousamossss_

• Nicole Younger — @o2bnpjs

• Stephen McCarrick — @stephenmccarrick

• Hayley Harrington — @h_harrington14

FIND ON A WATER BREAK

Website: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreak

Email: [email protected]

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. Water Break Weekly is back for Season 4 — and we’re kicking off 2026 with major DCI headlines, WGI updates, and a parade performance story that proves marching artists are built different. Christopher Rutt is joined by Bobbey Biddle, Dalton Stout, Grantis Peranda, and Amari Lewis to talk Boston Crusaders’ historic championship run, what’s coming next in 2026, WGI’s continued focus on training and safety, and the rain-soaked Rose Parade performances that had everyone grinding through seven miles with zero resets.

Segments:

• News Block: DCI recap + what 2026 could bring, WGI’s 2025 season recap and 2026 updates, Rose Parade 2026 rain performance stories, Philly Mummers Parade weather impact, and Harriman High School’s field show inspired by Vincent Lima — with the artist showing up in person.

• 60-Second Tech Block: Dalton Stout on Effective Conditioning — what it should actually do, and why “just doing something” isn’t the same as training for performance.

• Water We Doing?! Rehearsal schedules that don’t exist, repeating the same show ideas, the lack of med staff support at rehearsals, and costuming choices that don’t account for real bodies.

• Gush & Go: Shoutouts from judging and choreography life to WGI/DCI weekends, plus love for every Rose Parade performer who pushed through the weather.

Panelists:

Christopher Rutt (@wildhornbrass1) • Bobbey Biddle (@bobbey107) • Dalton Stout (@SaltyDalti) • Grantis Peranda (@grantisimo_p) • Amari Lewis (@_amari.lewis_)

Sponsors:

• Guard Closet (@guardcloset) – Gear, consignments, and more at guardcloset.com

Find On A Water Break:

Website: onawaterbreakpodcast.com

Linktree: linktr.ee/onawaterbreakpodcast

Guest/Segment Submission: bit.ly/OAWBGuestForm

Email: [email protected]

Hashtags:

#OnAWaterBreak #MarchingArts #DrumCorps #ColorGuard #MarchingBand #WGI2026 #DCI2026 #BandLife #GuardCloset

Nicole Younger closes out Season 3 with the OG crew — Jackie Brown and Stephen McCarrick — for a finale hang that hits favorite moments, big laughs, and a full preview of the new Season 4 flow.

Highlights

• The crew shares their favorite Season 3 moments — from NFL drumline conversations to Finley’s “Toddler of the Year” marching band obsession, and the Matt Harloff interview right after WGI and Coachella.
• Season 4 preview: team-format weeklies, rotating main hosts, more regular faces, and expanded associate producer support.
• 60 Second Tech Block: Stephen breaks down how to design video assignments so the work itself makes students better.
• Water We Doing?! drum corps audition camp logistics + why color guard isn’t showing up more in pop productions.
• Gush & Go: new jobs, focused creative seasons, holiday wins, and meeting baby Leilani.

This week’s panel

• Nicole Younger (@o2binpjs)
• Jackie Brown (@spintronixguard)
• Stephen McCarrick (@stephenmccarrick)

Sponsors

Peak Group Travel (@peak.group.travel) • Guard Closet (@guardcloset)

Find the show

Website: onawaterbreak.com • Linktree: linktr.ee/onawaterbreak • Be a guest: forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9 • Email: [email protected]

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes.

This week, we’re celebrating the world of parades—the traditions, the chaos, the unexpected moments, and the marching arts culture behind them. Jackie, Jack, Grantis, and Jeremy take a full tour through America’s most iconic parades, sharing stories from the street, expert opinions, and tips every band and guard should know before stepping off.

We dig into everything from national spectacles like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Rose Parade, and Mardi Gras to regional favorites including the Mummers Parade, Cherry Blossom Parade, Gatlinburg Midnight Parade, Bristol 4th of July, Lodi Grape Festival, Portland Grand Floral Parade, Detroit’s Thanksgiving traditions, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, and the highly competitive California parade circuit.

Whether you love parades for the pageantry, the community connection, or the pure unpredictability (yes—goats, llamas, feathers, wine fountains, and more), this episode has something for everyone.

• Why parades matter for school culture, community presence, and recruitment
• Parade memories that shaped each panelist
• The role of drum majors and block structure on a moving route
• What makes the Rose Parade turn so intimidating
• How Mardi Gras float builders create parade magic
• Why Philly’s Mummers Parade is still unmatched in personality
• What directors overlook: spacing, alignment, showmanship, and audience impact
• The difference between competitive parade judging and community performance

Jack Goudreau delivers a full breakdown of how to build a proper parade block, covering interval control, step-off technique, first-step mechanics, subdivision, and how body alignment affects sound and visual clarity.

Jeremy questions why parade blocks cater to judges instead of the audience. Grantis talks about students who join band for connection, not competition. Jack calls out unsafe guard/band collisions and poor spacing on parade routes.

The panel shares end-of-season highlights, life updates, creative inspiration, and their excitement for wrapping up Season 3 and stepping into Season 4.

Jackie Brown — @spintronixguard  Jackson Goudreau — @goudreau_  Grantis Peranda — @grantisimo_p  Jeremy Williams — @guardcloset

Peak Group Travel — @peak.group.travel  Guard Closet — @guardcloset

Website: onawaterbreakpodcast.com Linktree: linktr.ee/onawaterbreak Email: [email protected] Be a Guest: form in our bio Follow us everywhere: @onawaterbreak

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

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?