A: I was born outside of Chicago, and grew up all over really. I was adopted
at age 6 and moved to Orlando. I Lived in the Orlando area for most of my
life until college. Then I moved to San Diego to go to college at SDSU.
Q: What is your performance background?
A: l was involved in my high school band as a flute/piccolo player. The band
was very competitive; we went to the BOA regionals and even placed 7th one
year. My family was involved with drum corps since I was in high school.
After marching with Magic of Orlando, my big brother marched with SCV and my
little brother marched with the Blue Devils. When I went to college I didn't
do band right away. but I joined halfway through my junior year and played
flute, mellophone and percussion.
Q: What brought you to the Bay Area and how did you find out about the Renegades?
A: I moved to San Francisco after college to find a job. I love it here!!!
I saw the Renegades in 2000 and actually remember saying to a friend that I
would NEVER do senior corps. Then one day I found the website and decided to
see if the Renegades needed any drummers. I showed up at a January rehearsal
in 2001 and was told that the drumline was probably full...can you believe
it!!! They said that they thought the guard had spots, so I went to check
out the guard. I had spun once in my past and had dance experience. After
the first day I knew that I had found my new home. That's how the I found
the Renegades...or at least how they found me.
Q: Let's step outside the corps for a second. What do you do in "real life?"
A: I work for a training and consulting company. We do corporate training
for sales skills, communication skills, stuff like that. I'm in sales- of
course!
I work on our national accounts team. so i call on big corporations like
Intel, HP, Gateway, and the like. It isn't glamorous, but it will do until
I go back to film school.
Q: Why not follow your brothers and march in a junior corps?
A: I was around junior corps a great deal, but I never thought that I had
what it took to do the activity. I had always secretly wanted to do color
guard, but didn't have to guts to try out, even for Magic. So I supported
everyone else, and cheered from the stands. The Renegades allowed me to do
something that I always wanted to and never thought that I could, but I'm
glad I didn't do junior corps. I lived it second-hand through my brothers,
and that was enough. I like sleeping in a bed and showering in a real
shower. Most of all I like having fun, and I'm not sure how much of that
goes on in junior corps.
Q: What was your favorite moment as a member of the Renegades?
A: This year before the Fremont show, the guard gathered around and had a
very special moment together holding hands and telling each other what we
were thankful for in our lives. I had wanted to tell each one of them how
thankful I was that they chose to share their life with me this year, and I
was lucky to have the opportunity to do so. I am constantly amazed by this
group. We went out and had a great show. I dropped my flag for the first
time ever in a show, and it was still the best show of my guard life, hands
down.
Q: You met your fiance in the corps. Talk a little about that.
A: I remember when I first had Chuck pointed out to me. One of my friends
was interested in him. The first night I really ever spent time talking to
him was at the last sports auction. He was running souvies and I said I
would help while he was performing. I was supposed to meet my mother there
and I was so surprised that was so polite to her. He even bought her a drink
from the bar. Over the next little bit we talked more and more. We kept it
under wraps for most of the 2001 season. Last Thanksgiving we got engaged.
I've been told that we are the first "Renegades Wedding." I'm a very lucky
girl.
Q: The corps has taken a major step in its development into a competitive
drum corps. Where do you see the Renegades after this year?
A: Actually, I think that the corps should take next year and try to
maintain the momentum that we've gathered this year. Do I think we need to
grow as players and performers? Yes. But we have excelled hand over fist for
the last 5 years. There comes a point in every organization were things need
to go from being exciting and new to becoming more focused on sustainable
growth. Next year is the perfect time for the Renegades to challenge
themselves with trying to MAINTAIN our excellence. I guess what I'm trying
to say is, I don't think the goal next year should be to win DCA. We should
try to grow a healthy organization and maintain our level of intensity.
Q: With the wedding coming up, and knowing that all good things must come to
an end, when your Renegades career is over and you're telling your children
stories about your days in the corps, what lessons do you hope to impart to
them?
A: I hope that I can show them that it is possible to do something that you
want to, even when you think you have nothing left, be it time, energy or
money. I hope that it will show them that if they really want to do
something, they should figure out a way to do it. Most of all they should
do it wholeheartedly. My grandfather said "Don't do something unless you're
going to do it right." That's my motto with the Renegades...I hope I can
pass that on.
Behind the Shades: