Lauryn (Heller) Griffin is looking forward to her seventh season with The Bushwackers Drum Corps. She experienced the world of marching arts from a very young age, particularly because of her mother’s influence. Lauryn reflects fondly upon her 13 years of learning and performance as a member of the Haddon Heights marching programs. She also performed with The Light Brigade, Alter Ego, The Black Watch, and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.
Lauryn’s creative and instructional experience includes: Washington Township HS, Surge Independent, The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, The Black Watch, Hatboro Horsham Indoor HS, United Percussion, Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, Haddon Heights HS, Bridgewater Raritan HS, and The Bushwackers Drum Corps.
Beyond her involvement in the marching arts community, Lauryn is currently in pursuit of a master’s degree in teaching special education from NJCU, while she works as a special education teacher in Bridgewater, NJ. She loves to spend free time with her husband, Eddie, and their two dog babies – Henry and Murphy. Lauryn is looking forward to the creation of another memorable season with The Bushwackers.
Samantha is excited to return to the Bushwackers for her seventh season with the corps!
Samantha began her marching career with four years in the Washington Township High School marching band (2007-2010) and indoor color guard (2008-2011). After graduating high school, she marched two years with the Co-Motion Open Winterguard (2012-2013). She found her love for teaching color guard at Washington Township HS in 2012 and has been teaching at WTHS ever since, where she is currently serving as Color Guard Caption Head for both the WTHS marching band and winterguard programs. She joined the AMP Winterguard staff for three seasons (2019-2021), working with their Independent A class group.
Samantha holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University- Camden. She is currently working for Acenda Integrated Health, a South Jersey based behavioral healthcare agency, where she works in Performance and Quality Improvement. She found a love for the Bushwackers in 2016 and can’t wait to return for her seventh season in this new role as Colorguard Coordinator!
Rebecca previously marched with the Mandarins and Raiders Drum Corps and is currently an instructor for the Bridgewater-Raritan Colorguard. Outside of Drum Corps, she works as a data scientist!
She is excited to be back at Bush for another Perfect Year!
Kirby Kistler has been involved in the marching arts since 2008 and began teaching following her graduation from the Abington High School Colorguard. She’s performed with the Crossmen, Carolina Crown, Field of View World, and Cadets Winter Percussion. Currently, she works with the Black Watch winterguard and is a Visual Technician and choreographer for United Percussion.
Kirby is excited to meet the newest members of the Bush family and start working on this year’s production!
Dj (formerly Dylan) is excited to be returning to the Bushwackers for his third season as a color guard staff member. He started his color guard career with three open class seasons of DCI, marching with 7th Regiment (2015-2017) and aging out in world class at the Blue Knights in 2018. He was also a member of the University of New Haven Marching Band and Winterguard from 2016-2019. Since then, he has been a flag instructor and choreographer for the Norwalk High School Marching Band in Class 5 open and Winterguard in Class Scholastic Open (2019-2022).
Outside of color guard, DJ has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Southern Connecticut University and plans on getting his master’s degree in physical therapy in the near future. Currently living in Connecticut, there is no distance too great to keep him from teaching an activity that he loves at such an incredible program like the Bushwackers!
Taylor Curlis began her marching career with her high school program from 2012-2016, and not only performed in the color guard but spent a season with the indoor percussion ensemble. She began her outdoor independent marching career with the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps in 2014, and also performed with them in 2018, 2019 and 2022. During the indoor seasons, Taylor spent her time with the visual ensemble of United Percussion in 2016, marched as a member with Surge independent in 2019, and the Black Watch in 2020-2022.
Taylor has also loved teaching within the activity. She spent time as the color guard director for her high school program, Pemberton Township High School, working with both the outdoor and indoor programs from 2017-2021. Currently, Taylor is an instructor for Cherokee High School. She’s ready to now take on the adventure of teaching with the Bushwackers, and looks forward to an amazing season!
Terri Waldron is excited to join the Bushwackers color guard staff for the 2023 season!
Terri’s color guard career began with the Ridge High School marching band (2012-2015) and Winterguard (2013-2014). While in high school, Terri began her drum corps career with the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps (2014).
She continued her DCA journey with Fusion Core (2015-2016). Following her DCA experiences, Terri was excited to transition into an independent winter program with Emanon Winterguard (2016). She finished her time marching outdoors as a part of the Santa Clara Vanguard until her ageout (2017-2019). Terri attributes much of her knowledge to her six years with Fusion Winterguard (2017-2022), four of which were spent as a captain of the color guard. Additionally, Terri has taught a variety of programs, including Ridge High School (2017-2018) and Fusion Core (2021). Currently, Terri teaches the color guard at Garnet Valley High School in Garnet Valley, PA.
Terri is looking forward to joining the phenomenal team of educators and returning to the Bushwackers for the upcoming summer!
Frankie is thrilled to be coming on board as a member of Bush’s color guard staff for 2023!
Frankie began his career in the marching arts back in 2014 at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (2014-2018). He then decided to grow his skills by marching with the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps for 6 years (2017-2022) and once graduating from high school, with Fusion World (2019-present). After graduating from high school, Frankie started his teaching career where he taught at Plymouth Whitemarsh (2018-2021), Upper Darby High School (2018-present), and Hatboro Horsham High School (2022-present).
Outside of marching and teaching, Frankie spends his days working for Showday Designs making all things marching arts. More or less he eats, sleeps, and breathes the marching arts and he is very excited to start a new chapter with the 2023 Bushwackers!
Robbie is an elementary school teacher from Union, NJ. He is returning for his second season with the Bushwackers as a technician. His other teaching experience includes Bayonne HS, Bridgewater-Raritan HS, and his current position at West Essex HS where he serves as caption head.
Robbie has marched with many organizations dating back to his high school in Bayonne, NJ. He moved on to march with independent organizations such as Emanon A, Emanon Open, Alter Ego, Fusion Winterguard, Fusion Core, and the Cavaliers. Robbie is ready to get this season started by doing what he loves!