Lead Instructor

Jess is happy to return to the Gates Chili Winterguard program for the 2023-2024 season. This will be Jessica's second consecutive year as the A1 guard’s lead instructor.

Jess has been involved in the marching arts since 2008 where she first joined Greece Marching Band, playing clarinet. She then moved to Colorguard in 2010 and never looked back. She has spun with The Greece Marching Band, Greece Winterguard, Patriots Winterguard, The White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps and The Gates Chili IA Winterguard.

Aside from Gates Chili Independent Winterguard, Jess has also worked with the Gates Chili Marching Band, The Greece Marching Band, and The Webster Marching Band.

When Jess isn’t teaching, you can catch her at your local Target and cuddling with her pups Gunner and Luna.

Brandon is very excited to return to Gates Chili Winterguard as an instructor for the A1 guard for the 2023-2024 season.

Brandon has previously taught at Gates Chili Winterguard for 6 seasons, the Gates Chili Marching Band for 3 seasons, and the Greece Marching Band for 1 season. Brandon has marched with the Victor Winterguard for 2 seasons, the Patriots Winterguard for 3 seasons, and Gates Chili Independent Winterguard for 2 seasons. He has also marched with The White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps for 4 seasons. 

Brandon is very excited for what is to come for the 2024 season!

Erin Whipple is thrilled to be a part of the Gates Chili Winterguard staff for the upcoming 2024 season!

Erin was a member of the Victor Color Guard program, and since graduating has been involved with several independent organizations, including two seasons with The Brigadiers Winter Guard, two seasons with the White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps, one summer with the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, and 3 seasons with 3rd Legend Winter Guard. Most recently, she performed with Fusion World Winter Guard in their 2023 season.

She has had the opportunity to teach both marching band and Winterguard with her alma mater, Victor High School, as well as Winterguard at Batavia High School and marching band in the Webster school district. She also spent this past summer teaching with Les Stentors Drum and Bugle Corps. Erin is excited for all of the great things to come here at Gates Chili.

Hannah is incredibly excited to join the Gates Chili Organization for the 2023-2024 season as an A1 instructor. 

Hannah has been spinning since 2010. Since beginning her colorguard career with the Victor Marching Band, Cadet, and Varsity guards, she has also been involved with various ensembles including the White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps, the Bluecoats, the Brigadiers, and the Keuka College Dance Team. 

Hannah returns to the colorguard world to help others grow their passion for the activity and to allow the members to share meaningful experiences with one another. Hannah has valued her time teaching at Victor Marching Band, Victor Cadet and Varsity Winterguards, and Introspection Winterguard.

Outside of colorguard, Hannah is an Occupational Therapist at a skilled nursing facility. She enjoys the team aspect of working with other professions (including with RA instructor Kyle Regan, PTA). Hannah has a dog named JoJo (named after Jo Wilson in Grey’s Anatomy) and is almost always clothing with a smiley face.