Fusion Core 2016 Guard Staff Announcement

[CalebDeGroote]

LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ

http://www.fusioncorenj.com

FUSION is proud to announce its 2016 guard staff, under the continuing leadership of caption head Rob Watson. This year’s staff will benefit from the mix of returning individuals and new additions with a unique blend of backgounds, influences, and competitive experiences.

Rob is joined by returning designers Tim McLaughlin and Lia Grauch on weapons and Kerri Newlander returns as guard instructor. New to the “core” are Carlos Diaz and Fain King. Complete bio’s on each Fusion Core staff member can be found on our website.

Fusion’s color guard has a history of excellence, and we are confident that the 2016 staff will continue to provide not only a highly achieving visual ensemble but an environment where our membership can learn and grow. This staff has a wide range of experiences, and the combination of these strengths will ensure a highly competitive ensemble along with a rich and rewarding experience for our members.

Rob Watson | Color Guard Caption Head

Throughout his 17-year career, Rob has remained active in the marching arts and education. He has been the Guard Caption Head at Fusion Core for the last three years. In addition, he has worked with Emanon Winter Guards: 2013 Caption Head of Emanon A Guard and a show designer of Emanon Open Guard’s 2010 "Seated Perspective" show (WGI IO 6th Place). Currently, he serves on the Northern New Jersey Performing Arts Council's executive administrative team, the non-profit organization which funds Emanon Winter Guards.

Rob is proud to return as Show Designer and Color Guard Caption Head for the 2016 summer season. He has assembled an instructional team of some of the best color guard designers and technicians in the industry — culminating Fusion's 2014 production of “Dreamscapes” with a World Champion Color Guard trophy at the DCA World Championship in Rochester, NY.

Rob has taught and consulted with numerous high school, college, drum corps, marching band and winter guard ensembles all around the country, receiving numerous accolades, with units including Southern Regional HS (NJ) 2003-2008, Middle Township HS, Toms River East HS (NJ) 2009-2012, West Orange HS (NJ) 2011, Washington HS (MO) 2011.

Rob also serves as a national color guard and visual performance adjudicator for several marching arts and winter guard associations around the country. In 1999, Rob was named among the "Top 10 Performers in the World" by Field & Floor Magazine. Rob resides in Mount Olive, New Jersey and is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & User Experience for the Advertising Specialty Institute, a leading agency in promotional marketing and advertising.

Tim McLaughlin | Rifle Lead & Designer

Tim is excited to return to Fusion Core's Guard Staff for his third year as the primary rifle designer and technician. With 11 consistent years of performing and teaching behind him, Tim offers a fresh take on choreography while capitalizing on weapon technique with his programs. He has taught extremely successful programs to date: Fusion Core (2014, 2015), Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps (2013), Sachem High School (2012), Cadets2 Drum and Bugle Corps (2012), Northern Highlands Regional High School (2009-2011), and Lindenhurst High School (2009).

Tim is no stranger when it comes to performance either, completing the most successful season with the Emanon Independent World winter guard (2010, 2013-2015) and has a marching history that holds his stake in the ground with Alter Ego Independent World (2011-2012), The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2010), Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps (2009, 2013), Regime (2008-2009), and the Sachem Flaming Arrows Marching Band (2003-2007).

Outside of the activity, Tim is a Senior Packaging and Brand Designer in Brooklyn, NY and lends his graphic talents to winter guard set design, notably Trumbull High School (2011-2012, 2015), Alter Ego (2011-2012, 2015), Claudia Johnson High School (2015), Newtown HS (2013-2014) and Redlands HS (2013-2014). He currently lives in New Jersey.

Lia Grauch | Saber Lead & Designer

Lia returns for her second season to Fusion Core's Guard Staff as the Saber Instructor & Designer. She has been involved in guard activity since the late nineties. Lia began teaching while attending high school and continued throughout college.

She has had the opportunity to be on the design team for numerous groups such as Haverford HS, Daniel Boone HS, Immaculata HS, Mount Olive HS and most recently Spring Ford HS. Lia started her Drum Corps career with the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2006-2009. Then, marched with the Reading Buccaneers until 2011.

She has had the opportunity to travel and perform abroad with support from WGI- Sport of the Arts. She currently is a captain at Emanon Independent World Color Guard from Hackettstown, NJ. Lia currently lives in Pottstown, PA and Works for a Software and Technology company in the HR department.

Kerri Newlander | Guard Instructor

Kerri was inspired by the color guard activity in 1994 while watching her brother at football games and competitions. In 1996 Kerri was asked to be a flag runner and began marching in 1997 with her high school, Mt. Pocono, through 2000 earning auxiliary awards in 1999 & 2000; Group 4 ACC Champions.

Kerri’s drum corps experience began with the New York Skyliners in 2003, 2004 and 2006. She marched with Fusion’s A winter guard, aging out in 2006 and then serving in 2007 as Instructor. Kerri’s other instructional background includes Pocono Mountain East High School in 2002 – 2004, 2009 and 2010, Huntington High School, 2005 and Hicksville High School winter guard in 2007.

In 2007 Kerri was part of Fusion's first year out as a Drum Corps and has been a part of Fusion Core's Guard staff and helped with marching on the field for the 2007-2008 and 2010-2015 seasons. Kerri is looking forward to being a part of this group’s continued success this summer!

Carlos Diaz | Guard Instructor
New to the Fusion Core family this year is Carlos Diaz, a performer and educator with a young but rich history in the color guard activity. Carlos capitalizes on the foundations of technique and the education it takes to get a team in tip-top shape.

Most recently, Carlos has taught Cadets 2 (2012, 2014) and 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps (2013) and has taught other successful programs such as Bridgewater Raritan HS (2014), Northern Highlands Regional High School (2008-2011), and Monsignor Farrell High School (2009). Aside from teaching, Carlos has marched very successful seasons with Alter Ego (2008 - 2012, 2015), Blessed Sacrament (2013 - 2014), The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2010), Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps (2009), Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps (2008), Joy IA (2007), and Old Bridge HS (2006).

Aside from being so involved with the sport of the arts, Carlos works as a dental assistant in New Jersey while studying in school to further his career in the dental field.

Fain King | Flag Ensemble Lead

Fain started marching in 2004 in high school in North Carolina. In 2005, he attended NYU where he was introduced to Alter Ego and marched there in 2006 (WGI Independent Open Class). Through the years, Fain has taught and consulted with various high school camps in NC, SC, and NJ. In 2007 and 2008, he studied abroad in France. While there, Fain taught Xpression Winterguard and was invited to teach a drum corps camp in the Netherlands.

When he returned to NYU, Fain returned to Alter Ego (IW) and marched from 2009-2012, making WGI Finals each year; culminating his career with Alter Ego as co-captain in 2012.

In the summer of 2009, Fain marched with the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum & Bugle Corps and received the Best Color Guard in DCA award.

Currently, Fain lives in Connecticut, received his degree in Linguistics & French from NYU and works as a manager of the Linguist Services and Traffic Management Departments at Corporate Translations. This will be Fain's first year with Fusion Core and he is especially excited to join such an amazing team.

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