After an extensive search, Phantom Regiment has named Dwight Emmert as its Corps Director. After serving as interim co-corps director with his brother Jay during the 2022 season, Dwight will be responsible for handling the 165-member corps’ 12,000-mile summer tour and its membership.
Dwight was a marching member of the corps in 1982, 1983, and 1988 – and served as visual co-caption head from 2005-2007. He helped guide the corps to a high visual GE win at DCI finals in 2006. Dwight continued as Visual Caption Head from 2008 to 2013.
“We are thrilled to have Dwight return this year as Corps Director! His leadership was paramount last year as the corps navigated the challenges of returning to competition and a full national tour,” said Phantom Regiment’s CEO, Dr. Todd Snead. “Dwight’s dedication and passion for the corps permeates all that he does. Our members, staff, and volunteers will benefit from his experience as an educator, administration, and veteran of the activity.”
In addition to his time on the visual staff, Dwight has also been Education Coordinator and a visual designer. He was inducted into the Phantom Regiment Hall of Fame in 2020.
Tony Hall returns in 2023 as Artistic Director. Tony has been involved in the pageantry arts as an instructor, designer, consultant, and adjudicator for over the last 40 years. He has written countless championship shows for high school marching bands & winter guards across the United States. Tony has designed visual programs for several drum & bugle corps including the Velvet Knights, Blue Knights, Sky Ryders, and Garfield Cadets. He has been a member of Phantom Regiment’s visual team in many capacities, including a designer, since 1993. Tony has judged all visual captions in the drum corps, marching band & winter guard arena.
JD Shaw returns as the corps’ Music Director & Brass Arranger. Associate Professor of Horn at the University of South Carolina, Professor Shaw writes music for the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and many orchestras, bands, and chamber ensembles. His arrangements are featured with several publishers and can be heard on many recording labels and performance stages across the world. JD has written for many drum and bugle corps such as the Santa Clara Vanguard, Boston Crusaders, Academy, East Coast Jazz, Sunrisers, and Beatrix from Hilversum, Netherlands.
Steven Estudillo moves into the Visual Director role while also continuing as the Visual Designer. Steven has been a Visual Designer, Educator, Creative Director, and Adjudicator since 2006. His designs have been represented by ensembles within Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International circuits. Steven served as Visual Director for Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps from 2010 – 2012, and their Creative Director and Visual Designer 2015 – 2021. Simultaneously, Steven was a visual instructor for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2009 – 2015, serving as the Visual Caption Head starting in 2011.
“This team is awesome,” said Artistic Director Tony Hall.
Take the First Step
Start your journey to membership with The Phantom Regiment! Our audition process begins with a simple online application process. From there, you may choose an optional virtual audition. Participating in a virtual audition is an opportunity to receive valuable feedback from our World Class instructors before any in-person audition or callback camp.
