2026 Coordinators, Composers & Designers
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Paul Cullen - Staff & Music Coordinator
Entering his 13th year with the Buccaneers, Paul previously served the corps as Mellophone Music Instructor (2011 & 2018-2020), Brass Caption Head (2012-2015), and Ensemble Coordinator (2022-2024).
Paul received his Bachelor's of Music in Film Scoring from The Berklee College of Music and since 1999 has served in many roles in the marching arts, including: performer, drum major, music technician, caption head, coordinator, composer, arranger, editor, consultant, and adjudicator. He has been actively involved with drum corps, marching bands, concert bands, wind ensembles, and percussion ensembles, as well as serving as music designer and editor for numerous independent and scholastic winter guard programs throughout the United States.
Having been in the activity for the past 25 years, Paul's experience includes work with The Syracuse Brigadiers (2001-2009), The Boston Crusaders (2008), The Reading Buccaneers (2011-2015 & 2018-Present), The Cadets (2011), Jersey Surf (2014), Fusion Core (2016), and Cadets2 (2017). In the fall, Paul has been actively involved with several Marching Band Programs in the Northeast and is also an active adjudicator with Tournament of Bands, Cavalcade of Bands, US Bands, New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association, and has adjudicated several independent shows throughout the East Coast. He has also performed with the Princeton Brass Band from 2016 to 2019.
Paul is a 2023 Reading Buccaneer Hall of Fame Inductee and resides in North Wales, PA, with his wife, Lisa, and their children Madison (RBCG alum ’19 & '22) and Riley. He is extremely excited to continue serving the wonderful people of the Reading Buccaneers!
Nicholas Tavares - Artistic Coordinator
Nicholas resides in Wilmington, Delaware, and is a deeply committed member of the Mid-Atlantic marching arts community. The 2026 season marks his 16th year of involvement with the Reading Buccaneers, his 5th as the Artistic Coordinator.
With more than 25 years of experience across numerous prestigious programs, Nicholas has contributed to the success of several award-winning ensembles as a designer, coordinator, and educator. He currently serves as the Artistic Coordinator and Co-Visual Caption Head for the Imperial Dynasty Winter Drum Line (Wilmington, DE) as well as a member of the Design Team for the Field of View Winter Guard (West Chester, PA). His previous design and instructional credits include Middletown High School, Cab Calloway School of the Arts, William Penn High School, and other programs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
In 2023, Nicholas was inducted into the Reading Buccaneers Hall of Fame, honoring more than 15 years of contributions as a performer, designer, caption head, and program coordinator. His performance background includes marching with the Reading Buccaneers (2009–2011), Black Watch Color Guard (2009–2010), Apex Winter Guard (1999–2003, 2005–2008), and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (2000).
Nicholas is also an active adjudicator with the National Judges Association (NJA), where he serves as the Design Analysis and Ensemble Analysis Facilitator during the fall and winter seasons. His adjudication reflects a deep understanding of both design and performance excellence across all levels.
Outside the marching arts, Nicholas holds dual degrees in Early Childhood Education and Development and works as a Licensing Specialist with the Office of Child Care Licensing within the Delaware Department of Education.
Steve is very excited to return to the Reading Buccaneers for the 2026 season. Steve has been involved with DCA since 1997 as a member of the Bushwackers. He spent ten years with Bush as a member, visual caption head, and visual designer. In the last fifteen years, he has also been on staff with the Connecticut Hurricanes and the visual designer for the Carolina Gold and Fusion Core. He spent three years on the visual staff of the Reading Buccaneers from 2012 to 2014. He has also designed numerous shows for high school bands in the region and around the country.
Steve Rinda - Visual Designer & Coordinator
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Rich Hammond is returning to the Reading Buccaneers in 2026 as the Ensemble Coordinator, marking his first time back since 2017. He has previously worked with the Crossmen, Glassmen, Jersey Surf, and the Buccaneers, and has provided consultation for several other drum corps along the way. Rich has dedicated many seasons to the North Penn Marching Knights as a designer and program coordinator, and his work has been recognized by ensembles across the United States and Europe. In addition to his design and judging roles, he also freelances as a music editor and orchestrator and serves as a percussion judge for WGI and various regional circuits. Outside of his professional commitments, Rich enjoys playing golf. He is thrilled to be returning to the Buccaneers!
Rich Hammond - Ensemble Coordinator
Mark Lortz - Brass Arranger
Mark Lortz is Director of Music at Stevenson University and brass arranger for the multi-world champion Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps. As a composer, his original music has been premiered internationally and at The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, the Bands of America National Percussion Festival, the College Band Directors National Association, and the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band. Lortz’s compositions have received awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and laudatory reviews in Gramophone and The Instrumentalist magazines. They also made Bandworld’s Top 100 list of band compositions and J.W. Pepper’s Editor’s Choice lists. He has worked with the United States Army Field Band, Jazz Ambassadors, and The United States Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to composing, Dr. Lortz is a sought-after adjudicator, lecturer, and conductor, lending his expertise to honor bands, orchestras, and community ensembles. The Maryland Music Educators' Association recognized his outstanding contributions to music education by honoring him as an outstanding educator in 2024.
Dr. Lortz earned a Ph.D. in Music Education from Temple University and a Boyer College of Music and Dance Fellowship. He has also earned degrees in percussion performance and music education composition from The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. He was Associate Music Director and Principal Percussionist for the North American tour of Phantom of the Opera and Percussionist with the international performing ensemble The Dallas Brass. In addition, he has performed and recorded with premier orchestras throughout the United States.
Dr. Lortz was inducted into the Reading Buccaneers Hall of Fame in 2018.
Travis Peterman - Battery Arranger/Percussion Consultant
Born and raised in Newark, Delaware, Travis began his percussion career in the Christina School District, spending five years with the All-State Junior and Senior Bands. Quickly finding a passion for the marching arts, he went on to perform as a snare drummer with the Reading Buccaneers, United Percussion, the Blue Stars, and Rhythm X.
Travis started teaching drum corps with the Cadets2 in 2012 as the Snare Technician and Battery Choreographer, remaining with the corps for three years. Travis previously held the positions of Director, Program Coordinator, and Battery Arranger for Cadets Winter Percussion during its three-year tenure. From 2015 to 2022, Travis held various roles at Carolina Crown, including Percussion Caption Supervisor and Battery Co-Arranger. Peterman spent 2023 with The Cadets percussion section, in what would be
their final season. Starting in 2023, Travis has held positions with the Reading
Buccaneers, including Percussion Caption Head, Battery Arranger, and Ensemble Coordinator.
Peterman is an accomplished adjudicator with circuits such as SCPA, KIDA, and USBands. From 2022 to 2024, Travis served as the Percussion Coordinator for the Atlantic Indoor Association’s North region.
Currently, Travis is the Program Director of the George Mason University Indoor Drumline, where he also holds the position of Battery/Visual Designer. He also fulfills the roles of Percussion Caption Head and Battery Arranger for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps.
Travis is honored to have studied under educators such as Thom Hannum, Tom Aungst, Tim Jackson, Jim Ancona, Tim Fairbanks, Darick Kelly, Rich Hammond, and Chris Feist. He is a proud member of the Vic Firth, Pearl/Adams, and Remo education teams. Outside of the percussion world, Travis holds an A.A. in Criminal Justice from Delaware Tech, a B.S. in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University, and a M.Ed. in School
Counseling (also from WilmU).
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Mark Eichenberger - Front Ensemble Arranger
Mark received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and both his Master's of Music Performance and his DMA in Music Performance from the University of Illinois. As a performer, Mark maintains a busy schedule as a freelance percussionist in the Princeton area. He is a frequent performer for the Princeton Sound Kitchen, premiering new works by composers at Princeton University. He also drums with the bands Joy on Fire and Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. Mark currently works as a percussion arranger for Hylton Music Design.
Before moving to New Jersey, he worked at the University of Texas-Brownsville as a lecturer of percussion. Before that appointment, he was a freelance performer and teacher in Chicago. In the marching arts, Mark was a member of Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from 2000 to 2004. He joined the Capital Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps Staff as a Front Ensemble Instructor in 2006. From 2008 to 2010, Mark served as an Instructor for the Santa Clara Vanguard Front Ensemble, rising to the position of Co-Caption Head for the 2010 season. He then became the Front Ensemble Arranger and Percussion Caption Head for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, a position he held from 2013 through 2019. Mark was also a Front Ensemble consultant with The Cadets from 2022 to 2023. He is currently working with the George Mason University Indoor Drumline as a designer
and educator.
Mark lives in Lawrence, N.J., with his wife, Juri, and little rescue mutt, Roman. He is looking forward to his third season designing and arranging the front ensemble for the Reading Buccaneers.
Known professionally as "Joseph Noah", Sam is a performing artist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Based in Central Virginia, Sam has been involved with the marching arts since 2010, in which he began his performing career at Powhatan High School. After high school, he became a marching member of the George Mason University Indoor Drumline, as well as Carolina Crown. Since his age-out, Sam has helped to elevate sound design for several high school groups in the DMV area and has created sound for world class groups including Carolina Crown, George Mason University, and the Reading Buccaneers.
Currently, Sam is a sound designer for the George Mason University Indoor Drumline.
Sam Flemming - Sound Designer
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Returning for his 5th Season as Brass Caption Head in 2026, Michael Tanzos has been involved with Drum Corps for the past 16 years. Starting as a member of Reading Buccaneers in 2009, Michael went on to march in the Cadets in 2010 & 2011, winning a DCI World Championship. Following his age-out at Cadets, Michael helped start Cadets2 as the horn sergeant and trumpet section leader for the 2012 season. After his marching career, he went on to teach brass at Bushwackers, Cadets2, and the Reading Buccaneers. Michael is currently the Instrumental Director at Whitehall High School and is also an active drill designer. He graduated from Nazareth High School and earned his Bachelor's in Music Education degree from Kutztown University and his Master’s in Music Education through the University of the Arts/Rowan University.
Michael Tanzos - Brass Caption Head
Amy is looking forward to her fifth year on staff with the Buccaneers Visual Team! She was a member of the Buccaneers in 2017 and 2018, and a member of the Boston Crusaders in 2019. Since 2018, she has taught various high school marching band programs along with indoor percussion. In 2022, she joined the Buccaneers' visual staff and has been on board ever since. When she’s not at drum corps, she loves working as a middle school band director and spending time with her pets!
Amy Dulaney - Visual Caption Head
Mitch Meussner is excited to return for his fourth season leading the RBCG. Mitch started color guard at Arundel High School, where he was a designer and choreographer for many years, and started marching Drum Corps with the Reading Buccaneers in 1997. From there, he marched Independent World Class finalist Just Class from Baltimore, MD, and the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from 2000 to 2002. When not teaching color guard, Mitch enjoys spending time with his niece and nephew as well as his puppy, Luna.
Mitch Meussner - Color Guard Caption Head
Meet Reed Kimmel. With a lifelong passion for drumming that ignited at the age of 5 and an impressive decade-long career as an audio engineer in the marching arts, he looks to continue that passion with the Reading Buccaneers. Reed lent his talents to renowned ensembles such as The Cadets, Spirit of Atlanta, United Percussion, and Towson University, showcasing their productions in the marching arts community. Returning to the Reading Buccaneers, Reed will act as Audio Manager.
Reed Kimmel - Audio Caption Manager
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Dr. Tyler Wales is a performer and educator of percussion, currently based out of Harrisburg, PA. He has completed his B.A. degree in Music from Kutztown University, and M.M. in Music Performance in Percussion from West Chester University, and D.M.A. degree in Percussion Performance from Arizona State University. Tyler has worked for 2 years in Fort Worth, TX, with some of the best high school bands in the country. His marching experience includes Cadets2 and Reading Buccaneers on snare drum. In addition to Bucs, Tyler is on staff at George Mason University Indoor Drumline, and is currently the Assistant Director of Bands at Shippensburg University. He is ecstatic to be entering his third year on staff at Bucs and his first year as Caption Head! Tyler proudly endorses Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets and Zildjian Cymbal Company.
Dr. Tyler Wales - Percussion Caption Head
Sean Moran - Assistant Percussion Caption Head
The 2026 season will mark Sean's third season on staff for The Reading Buccaneers, where he will be returning this year in a new role as Assistant Percussion Caption Head. Sean began his drumming career at Norristown High School, where he played snare drum for the duration of his high school years. In 2008, he started his drum corps career with the Reading Buccaneers as a member of the snare line. He continued to march with the Reading Buccaneers in 2010 and 2011 before being offered a position with The Cadets in the 2012 snare line. During his time with The Cadets, Sean was a part of an all-rookie snare line that went on to receive the collective "Rookie of the Year" award. After aging out with The Cadets in 2012, Sean continued his drum corps career when he returned to the Reading Buccaneers as the percussion section leader in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Sean was also a member of the snare line for the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons.
In 2024 and 2025, Sean was a part of the Reading Buccaneers Percussion team that won the DCI All Age Class High Percussion Award and DCI All Age Class World Championship. Sean has also previously served as a Snare Technician and Battery Coordinator for The Cadets2 Drum and Bugle Corps from 2016-2018, where he was a part of the drum corps' first DCA World Championship and High Percussion Award in 2016.
Sean has also taught high school percussion in the Downingtown Area School District and has helped to build and sustain a highly competitive percussion program throughout his time there. From 2013-2017, Sean was a part of the percussion staff for the Downingtown West High School Marching Band and Indoor Percussion Ensembles. From there, Sean went on to serve as the Indoor Percussion Ensemble Director in 2019 and 2020. He currently teaches battery percussion sections at North Penn High School and Spring-Ford Area High School. Throughout his marching career, Sean has been taught and mentored by numerous World Class percussion educators such as Colin McNutt, Johnny Trujillo, Dave Dumont, Rich Hammond, Darren Hazlett, Jacob Gall, and many more.
Outside of drum corps, Sean currently works for Signant Health as an Operational Readiness Manager and resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.