Vanguard Welcomes Michael Gaines as Creative Director

Posted by:Jennifer Bauman

Posted by:Jennifer Bauman On April-19-2017

With the 2017 DCI season quickly approaching, Vanguard Music and Performing Arts is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Gaines to the organization in the role of Creative Director! In this key role, Gaines will work closely with the Santa Clara Vanguard design team, while also overseeing the creative direction of all programs and marketing for the VMAPA organization.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work at an organization with such a prestigious history, with an incredible staff whose work speaks for itself, and for people who have a wonderful long term vision of where they can go in the future,” said Gaines. “To say that I am excited to start this new adventure would be an understatement. I am thankful for the confidence and trust they have shown in me, and I am thrilled to become part of the Vanguard Music and Performing Arts family!”

Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Michael Gaines grew up with the pageantry arts all around him. From 1998 to 2011, Gaines was the drill designer and visual coordinator for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, and he served on the design team for all 7 of their Drum Corps International World Championship titles. Gaines is also a staple in the WGI community, having spent many years working with the 2017 Independent World Champion Pride of Cincinnati and 2017 Independent World Silver Medalist Aimachi. He is a member of both the WGI and DCI Hall of Fames, and his work has been featured with ensembles around the world.

“Having a creative director in our organization for the first time ever is a huge milestone, and I can think of no one better than Michael Gaines to fill that role. His pageantry experience and design expertise will be a perfect match for our organization,” said Charles Frost, VMAPA Executive Director.

The addition of Gaines comes at an exciting time for SCV, as the momentum continues to pick up leading into the summer. Creatively, the drum corps is further along in the process than past years, with a little over 60 days before the first show in Clovis, CA on June 23. The props have arrived, the uniform has been finalized, and the 2017 design team continues to work together as a well-oiled machine, highlighting everyone’s talents to push boundaries and produce an incredible show!

“When I was asked to join the Vanguard team in 2016, I couldn’t pass up the chance to collaborate with Pete Weber, JD Shaw, and Paul Rennick, whose creativity and talent I really admire,” said Scott Koter, SCV Program Coordinator. “This year, Andy Toth has brought a unique approach to design and creativity, and now with the addition of Michael Gaines, I feel like our design “dream team” is truly complete. We are excited beyond belief about what the future holds for the Santa Clara Vanguard!”

Gaines is a welcome addition to the extremely talented SCV design team of Scott Koter (Program Coordinator), Denise Bonfiglio (Staff Coordinator), Andy Toth (Visual Program Coordinator), Adam Sage (Program Consultant), Pete Weber (Visual Designer/Drill Writer), J.D. Shaw (Brass Arranger/ Composer), Paul Rennick (Percussion Arranger/ Caption Manager) and Sandi Rennick (Percussion Arranger/Composer).

Make sure you tune in on May 12th when we announce the Santa Clara Vanguard’s 2017 program!