Amanda King is just known as "King" in the guard world. She is 22 years old and an 8 year veteran of Eklipse. This season will be her fourth as a captain and she is very happy to share that experience with her "partner in crime" Michael O'Neil. In her real life she holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, works with Kindergarteners at Millbrooke Elementary School, and is the color guard instructor at Christian County High School. In the future she hopes to get out of Kentucky, teach preschool, and not drive as far to get to rehearsal. =]
Michael O'Neil is returning this season as a fourth year veteran to Eklipse. He currently resides in Nashville, TN but is originally from Evansville, IN where he graduated from Evansville Central High School. He was in Eklipse's productions "Crazy" 2007, "Can I have Another?" 2009, and "In the Heat of the Night" 2010. Michael was given the opportunity to become a Captain for the 2011 season and is super excited about taking Eklipse into World Class this season as a leader. He currently teaches at White House High School in White House, TN and also is employed at Outback Steakhouse. Look out for Eklipse this season as we bring you another hard hitting show and hopefully Michael won't be in Zebra pants or booty shorts.
Kelsey Rogers is a fifth-year veteran of Eklipse. She began marching winter guard in seventh grade with Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, TN. However, due to the discontinuation of the Riverdale Winter Guard her sophomore year, she joined the E-team for the '06/'07 season as a member of the flag line. She then move on to march sabre in 2008, and then finally found her niche on rifle in 2009. She is a sophomore at Middle Tennessee Sate University, where she is currently marching with the Band of Blue. She is a double-major (English and Graphic Design), and she aspires to become a writer/illustrator, as well as learn to do a perfect (consistent) front walkover.
Devon Rose is 22 which officially makes her an "age-out". However, she will be spinning flag in her fourth season as Eklipse goes world! Devon recently moved to Nashville this summer and works at Starbucks to pay her dues. She instructs the Hendersonville color guard and attends MTSU. Devon aspires to marry a drummer one day, but would settle for a tuba or guitar player.
Jordan Jones is 23 years old and is originally from Lafayette, TN where he graduated from Macon County High School in 2005. He lives in Bowling Green, KY with his partner James Farris and his puppies Rory and Pete. He first discovered color guard his freshman year of high school at the DCI show in Murfreesboro. In the summer of 2006 he marched with Memphis Sound. This will be his 4th season with Eklipse after starting with them in the fall of 2007. He is proud to return for this wonderful season, since he was supposed to age out last year. He also wants to give a shout out to the OBT!!!
Rachel Biter is 19 years old and is starting her third season with Eklipse. She has lived in Clarksville, TN her entire life and is currently a special education major at Austin Peay State University. She first discovered color guard when she was dragged to an audition in eighth grade by her best friend, who threatened that if she didn’t go they would never speak again. She went on to perform for three years at Clarksville High School and one season in Memphis Sound Drum Corps. Rachel currently instructs at Kenwood High School, Austin Peay State University, and Dickson County. She is also still speaking to her eighth grade friend.
Christopher Durham is 20 and has a newly developed passion for moving and hopes to eventually hold a career as a professional dancer. He teaches the color guard at Station Camp High School and also assists at Hendersonville High School. Christopher started his painfully wonderful journey of color guard in 2006 with the Beech High School Winterguard and continued through 2008. After that, he continued his journey with Eklipse, where this will be his 3rd season performing. On Christopher's down time, he enjoys teaching, dancing, and working at Starbucks. When not doing any of those things he is living life waiting for the next exciting adventure.
Jacob Frary is currently attending Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, TN, where he is working on a Bachelor's Degree in the Recording Industry program. He attended DeKalb County High School in Smithville, TN and Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, TN. He graduated from Oakland High School in 2008. His color guard career started in the 2008 fall season at MTSU in the Band of Blue. Shortly after, he began performing with Eklipse where he is in his third season. Jacob currently teaches the Shelbyville Central High School’s color guard.
Lauren "Lo" Barnett is currently 20 years old and in her 3rd season with Eklipse. She discovered color guard less than a year after ending her gymnastics career while watching her sister at a Winter Drumline/Winterguard competition. Lauren is also currently a Junior at MTSU as a Graphic Design Major with a Printmaking Minor. In her spare time she also enjoys gymnastics, drawing, photography, printmaking, and restoring her 77’ Datsun 280z
Lori Gaskins is entering her second year with Eklipse Winter Guard. Because she aged out last year, she is thrilled that the organization has taken the leap into world class, making it possible for her to continue marching with her family. Lori is a senior English major at MTSU, and plans to graduate this May. She also plans to return to MTSU after graduation to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. When she is not at school or Eklipse rehearsal, Lori spends her time teaching the White House High School color guard.
Leigh Worthington is marching her second year at Eklipse. Her first year was in 2008 to the show "Plane". Se resides in Madison, AL, where she was born and raised, and graduated from Bob Jones High School. Her dog Bella also lives with her in their own cozy apartment. While attending high school she started her winter guard journey, and this is now her eighth year being involved. Leigh is currently working full time at America's Home Place, a custom home builder, where she is the production coordinator. Leigh loves to perform and meet lots of new people, and is looking forward to a great 2011 season!
Tasha Hutchens, also known as Radio, will be performing her second year with Eklipse. She got the lovely nick-name "Radio" from Amanda King and Devon Rose, for singing every song that came onto the radio on their rides to rehearsal. Radio is currently employed at Wal-Mart as a cashier, but plans on finishing up her degree and becoming a small animal veterinarian. She loves to laugh, even though her laugh is on the loud side, loves her life and loves meeting new people, so don't be afraid to go up to her and talk :)
Mary Elise Barrett is in her 2nd year with Eklipse. She graduated from Goodpasture Christian School where she marched all 4 years. This is her first year teaching Goodpasture's color guard. She has also marched for Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps for the past 3 years and was a part of the All-American Marching Band in 2009. Mary Elise goes to UT Martin and is in the color guard there also. She is a graphic design major and also loves to sing. She is so excited to see everyone this season and you can find her on facebook!
Jordyn Spence, or just call her 'Hope', is a seventeen year old senior at Montgomery Central High School. This is her second season performing with Eklipse and she's ecstatic to be in world class. Jordyn's favorite color is purple and dance is her favorite thing to do. Be sure to look for her this year, she loves the attention.
Alexis Johnson is a 2nd year veteran with Eklipse this year. This 16 year old lives in Clarksville, Tennessee and is a junior at Kenwood High School. She has been in her school's marching band for 3 years, and is the color guard captain. When she is not spinning, you can probably find her at home doing massive amounts of chemistry and math homework. Alexis loves her Eklipse family and is very excited about this season with the E-team!
Daniel Long started out as a percussionist, and began his color guard career about 3 years ago. He was the captain of the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps color guard and is going into his third year with Eklipse. He has been teaching guard for the past 2 years in Memphis, Nashville, and the Dallas, Texas area. Daniel is currently working at Wilson's Sporting Goods. In his free time he enjoys playing the piano or just chillin' with his friends.
Kelly Koester has been marching color guard since her freshman year at Clarksville High School. She has marched four years of marching color guard and winter guard at Clarksville High. After graduation she went on to march Capella Winterguard for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Kelly has also been a part of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. This is her first year with Eklipse Winterguard. Aside from color guard Kelly attends Austin Peay State University where she is majoring in nursing with a minor in dance.
Brandon Michael is 23 years old and a Sociology major at Tennessee Tech. He has a winter guard career that began with two years in Independent A class, two years in Independent Open class, and he is now in his first year in Independent World class. He currently instructs at Stone Memorial High School, his favorite color is yellow, and he loves gourmet cupcakes, coloring his hair, and Harry Potter.
Kathleen Grooms is in her 8th season in SCGC and 13th season performing. She began marching at Smyrna High School in 8th Grade. When she graduated high school, she performed with Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps in 2008 and 2009,, and with Capella Winterguard in 2009 and 2010. She has taught Centennial High School and Aspire Winter Guard for three years and this is her first year with Eklipse. She is a Junior at MTSU and works at Cheddar's in Smyrna. ¡ Y se habla Español!
Rachel Sharber is a current freshman at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She is originally from Franklin, TN and attended Father Ryan High School where she marched in the color guard with the marching band for all four years. When the new Winter Guard program was introduced her junior year, she fell in love with the "Sport of the Arts". She has a passion for performing, and her favorite quote is.."Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there's love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." - Ella Fitzgerald. She is known as "Tink" by the rest of the guard, and is very excited about her first season with Eklipse!
Harmony Diaz has been spinning for five years, this year will mark her sixth. She spun with Sycamore High School for four years, as well as one winter.She attends Austin Peay University and majors in Broadcast Media. After college she plans on working in a news station, movie crew, or writing scripts. This will be her first year in Eklipse Winter Guard.
Kyle "Kicki" Knight is spending his first year performing with the Eklipse family. Kyle grew up in Friendsville, TN, and graduated from Alcoa High School, where he was a member of the winter guard instructed by the great Corinne Dobson. He also spun with Music City Drum Corps over the summer of 2010. He is a freshman at Middle Tennessee State University, where he is majoring in Fashion Merchandising & Apparel Design. After college he plans to move to New York City with friends to attempt to get into the fashion business, model, and dance. Kicki is the youngest boy in Eklipse, and is excited where this season with the E-Team will take him.
Patrick Donahue, a long-time resident of Brentwood, TN, is ecstatic to be spinning his first season with Eklipse! While at Brentwood High School, he played trumpet and was a drum major. His junior year, he discovered the winter guard and fell in love with spinning and performing. He was a charter member of the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps in 2009 and spun with Elysian Winter Guard in 2010. Patrick is currently a chemistry major at Vanderbilt University and will graduate in 2013, hopefully going on to medical school. He works in the Calkins Lab at Vanderbilt, studying glaucoma, and he teaches the hornline and winter guard at Trousdale County High School. He’s also slightly crazy (just ask his nine amazing roommates), doesn’t sleep, and loves to cook.
Kensi Bledsoe is in her inaugural year with Eklipse. She brings several years of winter guard experience to our troupe and is very excited about joining our ranks. A native Nashvillian, Kensi has been a dancer since age seven and involved with Elysian and Antioch winter guards for over three years.
Kala Grooms is a new member of Eklipse in the 2011 season. She could not live without guard at any point in time and simply loves it! Kala is a junior in high school and this will be her fifth year performing. Her favorite thing to do, outside of color guard of course, is spend time with her family and is so happy that she gets to perform with her sister, Kathleen! She is looking forward to a great season ad really excited to be in world class!!!
Kristin Schletzer is 21 years old and is currently a Junior at the University of TN in Knoxville. She is currently studying to become an elementary school teacher, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Elementary Education. She lives in Knoxville with her twin sister, and 2 french bulldogs, Fergie and Maybelline. Her past color guard experiences include 4 years at Father Ryan High School and the past 3 years with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. This will be her first season with Eklipse.
Hope "Laney" Breckenridge is in her first year with Eklipse. Laney is a student at the University of Memphis and is a guard tech at Southaven High School in Southaven, MS. Before attending U of M, Laney was a member of the University of Southern Mississippi color guard in 2007 and was a guard captain there in 2008. Before attending USM, Laney was a member of the Northwest Mississippi Community College color guard. In 2006, Laney was the "Arabian Girl" in the Ballet DeSoto production of The Nutcracker. Laney was a guard member of the 2006 Mississippi Lion's All-State Band which won international champion in the annual Lion's Band International Parade. Laney graduated from Southaven High School in 2006 where she had been in marching guard for three seasons and winter guard for two seasons. Laney was a guard captain for her last two winter guard seasons and last marching guard season.
Sashera Pinto goes by "Pinto" and began her color guard career performing in the Lawrence County JV winter guard her junior and senior years at Lawrence County High School. Pinto is 20 years old and is in her third year attending the University of North Alabama studying Fashion Merchandising. Sashera has marched two years of drum and bugle corps with Spirit of Atlanta in 2009 and 2010 and plans on teaching drum corps after she ages out this summer. This is her first year to march with Eklipse Winterguard and is ready to “work it!” in World Class.
Matthew Garzarek is 19 years old and a Mass Communication major at MTSU. He is in his first year of Eklipse, and is in his first year of winter guard. He was on the horn line at Franklin High School from 2006 to 2010. In his spare time he likes writing, speaking French, and photography. Be sure to look for him on the floor this season!