nick riley

president

Nick Riley is thrilled to return to ConneXus for his 13th season in 2025.

Currently, Nick leads both the ensemble and show design as Director, Program Coordinator, and Ensemble Coordinator for ConneXus. He previously held numerous other administrative, creative, and instructional roles since co-founding the ensemble in the summer of 2012. Nick has also served as President of the ConneXus Performing Arts Association, Inc. Board of Directors since 2016. Nick led both the ensemble and design teams each time ConneXus made WGI World Championships Finals for the first time: PIO in 2015 and PIW in 2023.

Nick has been involved in the pageantry arts as a performer, instructor, composer/arranger, ensemble administrator, and adjudicator for over 20 years. Currently, Nick is pursuing a PhD in Music Education at The Ohio State University where he is a fully-funded graduate teaching associate for the School of Music. At OSU, he instructs undergraduate courses in music education, instrumental techniques, and supervises student teachers. A classically trained percussionist, Nick earned a Master of Arts in Music Education from The Ohio State University in 2023 and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Capital University in 2011. Prior to pursuing his graduate studies full-time, Nick was the Director of Bands for Liberty Center Local Schools in rural northwest Ohio from 2012 to 2021 where he successfully led all aspects of the band program to prominence.

Nick is the founder of the web-based pageantry arts music design business NPR Marching Concepts: The Music of Nick Riley where he has composed nearly 600 works for over 60 ensembles since beginning his writing career in 2007. A prolific composer for marching bands, indoor percussion ensembles, drum corps, and winter winds, Nick’s compositions can be heard across the United States and South America. In addition to publishing his own work, Nick’s compositions for indoor percussion are published by Gary P. Gilroy Publications and Marching Show Concepts. Nick’s music has been recognized for its creativity, engagement, educational value, and competitive success. Ensembles performing Nick’s music have been local circuit, BOA, SoundSport, and WGI medalists.

Nick is an accomplished adjudicator for the pageantry arts, judging actively for the Central States Judges Association since 2013 and the Ohio Music Education Association since 2012. Specializing in music general effect, music performance, and percussion, he has judged in ten states. He has been selected to adjudicate the Mid-States Band Association Circuit Championships annually since 2017. Nick has judged championship-level competitions in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Nick is actively involved in circuit administration and contest coordination for indoor percussion, winter guard, and winter winds. Recently, Nick was re-elected to The Mid-East Performance Association Board of Directors as a Percussion Representative, a position he has held since 2022.

Nick’s previous staff assignments reflect a diverse background in the pageantry arts. He has served as the Assistant Visual Supervisor for Legends Drum & Bugle Corps (2011-2013), a Percussion Consultant for The Ohio State University Marching Band (2011-2014), Front Ensemble Instructor for Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps (2014), and Visual Technician for the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps (2016). Nick is currently the Percussion Composer/Arranger for the Gran Banda Drum & Bugle Corps of Medellin, Colombia, South America, where he has served on both the percussion and visual staffs since 2014. The “GB” is the 2014 DCI SoundSport Champion, runner up in 2017, and the first ensemble from South America to perform in DCI events.

Nick is a member of OMEA, CSJA, PFCJ, NAfME, and PAS. Nick holds endorsements from Vic Firth and Black Swamp Percussion.

A native of Centerville, Ohio, Nick currently lives in Dublin, Ohio near Columbus.

angel boulis

treasurer

Angel Boulis returns for her Ninth year as Treasurer of the ConneXus Performing Arts Association, Inc. Board of Directors in 2022. She has been involved with the ConneXus Percussion organization since the inaugural 2013 season.

Angel’s involvement in and passion for the pageantry arts activity is rooted in a background of extensive performance experience. She began her winter guard career at the age of 7 as a member of the Wranglers and continued to march for an additional ten seasons as a member of the Rangerettes. In 1990, Angel was a member of the WGI Independent Open Bronze Medalist Pride of Cincinnati.

Angel earned her B.S. in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati and is a Certified Public Accountant. Outside of her duties with the CPAA, Inc., she is treasurer for three other organizations and is a Manager for Maloney + Novotny LLC.

She resides in Delaware, Ohio with her husband Jack and their two children.

kristin Stoner

Secretary

Kristin Stoner has been involved in the marching arts since 2004, performing with many ensembles including Pickerington North HS Marching Band, the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band at Ball State University, the Falcon Marching Band at Bowling Green State University, Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps, and Matrix.

Her past instructional experience has included percussion and visual instruction for high school and university marching bands, indoor percussion ensembles, and drum corps.

She holds a BS in Biology from Bowling Green State University and is a Learning Business Consultant in Columbus, Ohio.

Kristin is excited to start her 11th season with ConneXus in 2025!

jack boulis

Board Member

Jack is a music educator and percussionist from Delaware, Ohio. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Toledo in 1993. Jack was a member of the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps from 1986-1990 where he served as drum line captain 1988-1990.

Over the past 27 years Jack has taught music in all grade levels, K-12, in Ohio public schools. Other teaching experience includes the University of Toledo Marching Band and the University of Cincinnati Athletic Bands.

Jack is executive director of ConneXus Percussion and has been with ConneXus since their first season in 2013

john espy

Board member

John Espy is current a financial software specialist in the Cincinnati area. Prior to his position in school finance, Mr. Espy was a Band Director in the Milford Exempted Village School District located on the east-side of the Cincinnati, OH area. At Milford, Mr. Espy’s concert ensembles consistently received Superior ratings at Ohio Music Education Association events; the Marching Band is a consistent Bands of America Semi-Finalist; and the Winter Percussion Ensemble has been WGI Scholastic A class World Finalists. Mr. Espy earned his undergraduate degree in music education from Marshall University in Huntington, WV, a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Accounting. Before coming to Milford, Mr. Espy was the Director of Bands for the Mt. Healthy City School District, as well as percussion arranger and caption head at Cabell Midland High School located in Ona, WV.

Mr. Espy’s performance credits include the front ensemble for the Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Columbus, Ohio, as well as the 18-time World Champion Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from Concord, California. John was a member of the Marching Thunder (MU) snare line serving two years as drumline captain. Mr. Espy has also served as percussion arranger and instructor for the Marshall University Marching Thunder. During his time playing drums in the Marshall 12 O’clock Jazz Ensemble, John performed with Arturo Sandoval, Kathy Kosins, Byron Stripling, Paquito D’Rivera just to name a few. He was a recognized award winner at the prestigious Notre Dame Jazz Festival having been awarded honors by legendary drummer Peter Erskine. Currently, Mr. Espy a member of the Cincinnati-based Fillmore Wind Band that performed at 2017 Midwest Band Clinic.

Mr. Espy is an active adjudicator as well as a member of the Vic Firth Education Team in the capacity of marching percussion specialist (MPS) and Scholastic Educator (SEP).

Michael Reese

Board Member

Michael is an active music educator in the state of Ohio where he is a band director for Mason City Schools. He works primarily with the 7th and 8th grade students at Mason Middle School and as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for the BOA Grand Nationals Finalist William Mason High School Marching Band. Michael has earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Marietta College and a Masters of Music Education from Ohio University.

Outside of his public school teaching career, Michael has extensive experience in the marching arts. Michael has served as a Co-Director of ConneXus since 2022 and is excited to take on a new role as Music Coordinator for the 2025 season. Additionally, Michael has worked as a Front Ensemble Instructor for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps for the last five years. In the fall, Michael is a percussion judge for the Central States Judges Association. During his performing years, Michael marched with Legends Drum and Bugle Corps (2014), Cap City Percussion (2014-2015), Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2015-2016) and Rhythm X (2016-2017).

Zac Sterling

Board Member

Zac is from O’Fallon, Illinois. He is a classically trained pianist, which has served as the foundation for his musical career since his childhood. His marching experience includes tenures at Matrix (2015), Gateway Indoor (2014), Carolina Crown (2012), and the Madison Scouts (2010, 2011, 2014). He has also taught and consulted for various other DCI and WGI groups around the world.

Zac has a bachelors degree in criminology, a masters in international finance, a masters of business administration, and a doctorate in law. He is a corporate attorney, representing national and international financial institutions and other private credit entities in their capital transactions. He now lives in Lexington, Kentucky and is married to Alyssa Iwinski, with whom he has loved performing, traveling, and raising their cats, Amelia and Garbage.

Andre Rodriguez

Board Member

Andre Rodriguez is based out of Troy, OH and is a Full Stack Developer and Data Analyst for clients such as Google, HP and Intel Retail Programs around the globe. Andre is a founding member of ConneXus where he marched snare drum from 2013 to 2015. Andre is ConneXus’ first ever ageout member. 

Andre has been involved in the marching arts since 2006 where he began his career at Westerville South HS in central Ohio.  The exposure he received as a member of the band program at Westerville South aided in the path that has led him back to his first independent ensemble. Giving back to the programs that have aided Andre has always been a passion of his and being able to assist his ageout group makes him extremely happy and eager to hit the ground running. 

Now having a background in data and technology, Andre will be working with the admin team to assist on the back end as Webmaster where he’s had success with organizations such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Google on a national scale. His goal is to help wherever the ensemble needs him in order to be successful throughout the upcoming seasons. 

Andre is thrilled to return to ConneXus for his third season on staff in 2025, backed by the support of his daughter Era and partner Emily.

PAM MiRANDA

Board ADVISOR

2022 marks Pam Miranda’s tenth season of involvement with the ConneXus organization.  Pam is a founding staff member of the ConneXus organization, having served in administrative roles for both the indoor drumline and winter guard since its inception.  Pam served as the Secretary for the CPAA, Inc. Board of Directors from 2014 until her retirement in 2021.

Pam’s love for the pageantry arts began as a member of her high school band program. From there, she has served as a board member for high school music booster programs and is an enthusiastic supporter of performers of all ages.

Professionally, Pam is a registered nurse with nearly 40 years of experience in the healthcare field. She received her formal education from Marion Technical College and The Ohio State University and worked in the Morrow County Hospital, Riverside Methodist Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital until her retirement. Pam merged her love for the pageantry arts with her nursing career as the Medical Specialist for the Legends Drum & Bugle Corps (MI) during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Currently, Pam is the STNA clinical instructor and CPR/First Aid instructor at the Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion, Ohio. Originally from Cardington, Ohio, she currently resides in Mt. Gilead, Ohio.

drew brown

Board Advisor

Drew Brown has been involved with the marching arts since 2001 as a performer, educator, and designer. He is currently Ensemble Director at ConneXus where he also serves as Program Coordinator, Music Coordinator, and Vice President of the ConneXus Performing Arts Association, Inc. Board of Directors.

From 2015-2019, Drew worked with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician, front ensemble coordinator, and electronics coordinator. In 2020 and 2021, Drew worked with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician.

Currently, Drew is the Percussion Director for Beavercreek City Schools, where he teaches marching band, indoor percussion ensemble, and classroom percussion to high school and middle school students in the district.

Drew studied music education, composition, and percussion performance at Bowling Green State University, Wright State University, and the University of Cincinnati – College- Conservatory of Music.

Drew is proud to be endorsed by Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Ludwig/Musser.

He currently resides in Dayton, OH with his wife, Cierra, and their dogs, Bobo and Duke.

Participant Protection Investigative Committee

• Pam Miranda, Chair*
• Angel Boulis
• John Epsy