IO Lead Instructor

It is with great pride that Mike returns to the Gates Chili Organization as their Executive Director for the 2024-2025 season. Mike is looking forward to working with the amazing 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. Over the past 2 years after his return to the Gates Chili organization as their Executive Director the organization has doubled in size, made new and lasting friendships/partnerships with other organizations and continues to be a safe space for members to learn and grow. Mike has been involved in the marching arts for 29 years 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 29 years of being involved in the marching arts including High School programs, Drum Corps and Winter guards in NY, PA and NJ.

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 4 very active Australian Shepard’s Aeris, Sadie, Phoebe and Apollo.

Bert is thrilled to collaborate with the Gates Chili Independent organization in the upcoming season. He has been teaching and designing winterguard productions for 31 seasons. Currently, he is the Director and designer for the Arlington HS Admirals, a position he has held since initiating their return to winterguard competition in 2009. During that time, the Admirals have been a WGI world championship finalist and were the 2024 SA Class World Champions.  Previously, he was the designer and choreographer for the Hinsdale Headliners winterguard through the mid 90s and 2000s, including their three WGI finalist appearances in SA and SO. Bert has provided choreography, show design and consultancy for various other winterguards and marching bands across New York and beyond. 

As a performer, Bert began in HS marching band, and then a small independent winterguard, Paragon, from western NY. He was a member of the Magic of Orlando (92) and the Cadets of Bergen County (93-97) during their reign of dominance in DCI colorguard through the 90s, serving as guard captain of the Cadets in 96 and 97. Bert was also a performer in Escapade winterguard, from Dayton, OH - a perennial crowd favorite.

Bert is a lifelong educator, beginning as a middle school social studies teacher, then HS principal and currently serves as a school district superintendent in the Hudson Valley of New York.

Kevin is beyond excited to return to the Gates Chili Winterguard instructional staff for the 2024-2025 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.  

Samantha is so excited to be returning to the Gates Chili organization for the 2024-2025 season. 

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.