The Rocky Mountain Color Guard Association provides a welcoming environment to all performers, staff, and spectators of all backgrounds to experience the art of winter guard. The circuit complies with applicable federal and state civil rights laws. As a circuit, we do not exclude, limit participation, deny entry to circuit events, or otherwise discriminate against any individual on the basis of age, race, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, creed, political beliefs, native language, transgender status, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, military status, affiliation, or disability. We invite all people to engage in the growth of our organization and knowledge of our artform.
RMCGA’s mission has always been to assist in the education and development of the youth and to promote color guard contests and the winter color guard activity.
RMCGA also is committed to fostering positive and safe learning, performing, and working environments for all. It is important for all members of our community to know how to address concerns that may be contrary to this commitment.
Over the years, we as a circuit have developed policies and put protections into place to safeguard students, staff, and members of our organization. All members agree to our code of conduct. Additionally, all educators complete a full SafeSport training.
Our goal is to create and provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone in our organization. To ensure this, we encourage all students, parents, and staff members to voice any concerns anonymously through our whistleblower link. Any and all tips will be reported and investigated to the fullest.
To report an ethics concern or alleged noncompliance, or to seek support from an RMCGA staff member in reporting such an issue, please email your concern to rmcga.whistleblower@gmail.com or fill out the online form. For reports submitted with a means of contact, RMCGA will respond in a timely manner.
Board of Directors
President/Circuit Director:
Shelby McNeill
Shelby has been involved in the marching arts both as a performer and a director for 11 years. Over her performing career, she has competed at the Scholastic/Independent Regional A, Independent A/Open, and Independent World levels, most recently with Malachi World in Denver CO. Shelby has been assistant director within a variety of performance levels in the RMCGA circuit and is currently the Visual/Body Technician for The Pride of Mesa Ridge Marching Band and Executive Director of Color Guard at Mesa Ridge High School. Shelby’s overall goal is to not only teach color guard but to use her program to prepare and create better humans.
Vice President/Director of Training:
Xander Caven
Xander has been involved in the marching arts since 2009. Xander marched with his high school and shortly after decided to spin Independently with the following groups; Mysterium, Solstice Winterguard, Rise Winterguard, Opus X, Malachi Independent, and Invictus. Xander has also been teaching in the RMCGA circuit for over 10 years with various groups and is currently one of the directors at Legacy High School. He is very excited to continue to help grow the RMCGA circuit and grow the Colorado color guard community.
Treasurer/Director of Finance:
Jeff Hargis
Jeff has been involved with the marching band and color guard activities since 2006 as a performer, technician, choreographer, designer, director, clinician, and adjudicator. He began judging Colorado winter guards in 2015 and has since expanded to other activities and states. Jeff is passionate about teaching and mentoring young students and instructors; especially helping students continue their involvement in the marching arts after high school through opportunities such as drum corps, instruction, and independent winter guard. Jeff recently completed his Master’s in School Counseling and works as a high school counselor in Colorado
Secretary/Director of Public Relations:
Michael Sulpizio
Michael has been involved in the color guard activity since 2012 in various roles including performer, technician, choreographer, and most recently adjudicator. Early in his color guard career, Michael found mentors within the dance world that helped him refine his technical skills and explore a world of artistic and stylistic choices to individualize his art of movement. Michael recently completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and looks forward to a new career in critical care nursing.
Contest Director:
Kendra Whelchel
Kendra has been involved with RMCGA since she was 14 years old as a performer for 7 years and on the contest staff for the rest of the time. She took a few years off in the middle of this time and didn’t know what to do with herself, so she came back! She is also a Contest Administrator for WGI so if you don’t see her at a contest, she is probably traveling to some exciting place (like Kansas City).
Chief Judge:
William Chumley
As a marching member, instructor, consultant, judge, and color guard director, William Chumley has committed over 42 years to the pageantry arts, where his various roles have included: serving on the Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Color Guard Association for 30 years; judging worldwide for Drum Corps United Kingdom, Drum Corps Japan, Color Guard Netherlands, Winter Guard International, Bands of America, and Drum Corps International for over 29 years; and training, mentoring, and scheduling judges as president of the Rocky Mountain Judges’ Association. William trains judges and instructors around the world. As a color guard director and instructor, William has created World Championship teams, established fully functioning non-profit arts organizations, and has consulted and taught in both high school and independent settings. His passion for success along with creating a collaborative environment are trademarks. William is the caption manager for Design Analysis and General Effect with WGI.
Members at Large
Metro / Northern Region
Marissa Keating
Marissa has a plethora of teaching experience, including Oracle Performance Ensemble Dance Company (Executive Director 2023-Present, member 2007-Present) and Dakota Ridge High School (Color Guard Director 2014-2023, Visual Coordinator 2023-Present). Marissa performed with The Phoenix 2009-12, Opus X 2014-15 and 2017-18, Imbue 2016, Pride of Cincinnati 2019, and Malachi 2022. She also received dance training from various studio 2005-12.
Southern Region
Phil Olivas
Phil has been instructing bands for 30 years and is currently the Director of Bands at Mesa Ridge High School. His Concert and Jazz bands have been recognized for excellence and have been CBA Marching Band State Finalists 19 times. Phil is currently a member of the CBA Marching Committee. As the Assistant Guard Instructor he has had the privilege of accompanying and coaching the Mesa Ridge Guard to WGI Regionals in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Texas. Phil is a passionate educator and is enjoying growing and sharing his marching and performing experiences with students and fellow instructors.
Western Region
Molly Bethe
Molly started her color guard journey in 2014 at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School. After performing with DHS for three years, she spun with Anesidora Winter Guard for the 2018 season, which also happened to be her senior year of high school. After graduating, Molly moved to Grand Junction, CO to attend Colorado Mesa University, and has been the director at Central High School since 2021. Molly is so excited to represent the Western Slope and to bring more resources over the mountains to students and directors alike!