Lead Instructor

It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that Mike returns to the Gates Chili Organization as their Executive Director. Mike is looking forward to working with the members, staff, parents, and Board of Directors to ensure that Gates Chili Winter Guards continue to be a leading organization in the marching arts in Western NY. Mike has been involved in the marching arts since 1995 when he began his marching career with the Hilton Crimson Cadet Marching Band.

Mike’s greatest passion for the marching arts is sharing his knowledge to members, instructors, and other programs to ensure that the marching arts stay alive in Western NY. He has worked with numerous organizations over his 27 years of being involved in the marching arts including Hilton Crimson Cadet Marching Band, Empire Statesmen Drum & Bugle Corps, Mansfield University Marching band, Patriots Winterguard, Victor Varsity Winterguard, Gates Chili Winterguard, Medina Marching band and Winterguard, and Marcus Whitman Winterguard.

Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Mansfield University and currently works for New York State as a Standard Compliance Analyst II for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

When he is not teaching, Mike resides in Greece, NY with his Husband Peter and his 3 very active Australian Shepard’s Aeris, Sadie and Phoebe.

Kara has been involved in the marching arts since 2005. She began her color guard career marching with the Patriots Winterguard and continued marching with them for 10 years until her age-out of A class in 2015. Kara has performed with the Rochester Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps (2007-2009), the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps (2010-2013), and the White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps (2015-2019).

Kara enjoys passing along her passion for the activity to students and colorguard members of all ages. She has worked with numerous organizations in the upstate NY area, including Gates Chili Colorguard, Medina Marching Band, and the White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps. She will be returning to instruct with the Gates Chili Independent Winterguard for her 12^th season.

When she is not teaching colorguard, Kara works full time as an Interior Designer at an Architectural Firm in Rochester NY. She is also co-director of the Rochester city center planning board of the international interior design association. Kara enjoys being creative with photography and crafting in her free time.

Samantha is so excited to join the Gates Chili organization for the first time as an IA instructor! 

Beginning her color guard career in 2014, Samantha has gone on to spin at SA, SO, IA, IO, and IW levels in the winter with one summer of world class DCI experience. Making the transition to coaching in 2022, Samantha has since choreographed and instructed at both high school and collegiate levels, including for her alma matter Miami University. She is looking forward to passing on her love and knowledge of this activity to the next generation of great performers and leaders.

Samantha earned her BAs in Media & Culture and Emerging Technology in 2018 and has recently started working as a Paid Social Media Specialist. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gaming, and exploring this new part of the country. 

Kevin is beyond excited to return to the Gates Chili Winterguard instructional staff for the 2023-2024 season.

Kevin started his Winterguard experience with the Penn Yann Jr. guard in 1989. Over his years with the activity Kevin has marched with such group as the Penn Yann Senior Winterguard, Rochester Patriots Winterguard and Drum Corp (including when they won gold in independent open in 1998), Emerald Marquis Winterguard, and Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corp for 1 season. His teaching career is just as impressive as his marching career teaching such groups as St. Johns of Beverly including when they won gold in IA in 2005, Sacred heart including when they won gold in IO in 2004, Gates Chili Varsity Winterguard, Naples Winterguard, Greater Johnstown Winterguard, Patriots Winterguard and Alter Ego Winterguard.

Currently Kevin resides in Penn Yan.  

Anthony is very excited to once again be working with the Gates Chili IA group for the 2023-2024 season. Anthony has been involved in the marching arts for over 30 years and has taught such groups as Blessed Sacrament IW, Alter Ego, Phantom Regiment, The Cadets, Field of View, Bridgewater Raritan, South Brunswick visual ensemble, Bushwackers and was caption head of the Caballeros color guard as well as other various groups throughout the years.

Anthony’s marching experience includes Shadow Danse, Just Class, Blessed Sacrament, Caballeros and the Cadets. 

Anthony resides in Bayville NJ working as a Dental Hygienist and CrossFit Coach.

Scott is excited to once again be working with the Gates Chili IA Group for the 2023-2024 season. Scott has been involved with winter guard for over 40 years. He has taught and directed several winter guards such as Alter Ego, Emanon, along with numerous High School programs throughout New Jersey. Scott has also marched and taught several drum corps during his career. 

Scott's favorite part of teaching is the teamwork associated with winterguard. To see the staff, members, and administration all work together to put a piece of art for others to enjoy is truly rewarding - everyone plays an important part for the success to truly happen. Scott is a member of the Emanon WinterGuard Hall of Fame and the Bushwackers  Drum Corp Hall of Fame. 

Scott currently resides in Kearny NJ with his husband John and son Aiden.