Heidi currently serves as the Director for the Calgary Round-Up Band and Calgary Stetson Show Band. Heidi's journey began back in 2005 where she was in the Calgary Round-Up Band, Calgary Stetson Show Band and then Calgary Stampede Showband. From there she began instructing the visual program with the Calgary Stetson Show Band and is a current Visual Technician for the Calgary Stampede Showband.

Outside of band, Heidi holds a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Human Resources along with her CPHR designation. She is a Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Triovest Realty Advisors.

You can reach Heidi at director@stetsonband.com.

The 2025-2026 Band season marks Curtis' twelfth season being involved with the Calgary Stetson Show Band. Starting as a saxophone technician during the 2013-2014 band season, Curtis has truly come to develop a passion for youth Education & opportunity over the past decade with the group. Curtis got involved in the marching arts back in September of 2008 with the Calgary Round Up Band and has been involved in various capacities since. 

Curtis has extended his love of youth education and programming into his professional life, where he just graduated with a degree in Secondary Education. He has also been on the Youth Programs team at the University of Calgary for seven years as a Program Coordinator and has recently started working with the Education Team at the Calgary Stampede.

You can reach Curtis at banddirector@stetsonband.com

John is Executive and Artistic Director of Spiritus Marching Arts Association, Music Arranger for the Calgary Stetson Show Band, and brass arranger for the Blue Devils A, B & C Corps as well as the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from San Antonio, Texas.

John has spent more than three decades composing and arranging for ensembles worldwide, and his impact has been recognized with inductions into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame (2019), the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame (2019), and the Buglers Hall of Fame (2016).

Beyond his writing and teaching, John enjoys producing and editing music for winter guards, figure skaters, and dance studios, and is internationally recognized as an adjudicator for marching bands, concert bands, and even karaoke. He also contributed as a percussionist to the Monsters University film soundtrack.

John makes his home in Calgary with his wife Jackie, their three daughters, and their rescue dog, Sully.

Ryan Hancock has been active in the marching arts since 1999, performing with the Round Up Band, Stetson Show Band, Calgary Stampede Showband, Allegiance Elite Drum Corps, and the Troopers Drum Corps. He has extensive teaching and leadership experience with several ensembles, including the Round Up Band, Stetson Show Band, Red Deer Royals, and the Calgary Stampede Showband, where he also served as Assistant Director and later as Band Director.

Outside of the marching arts, Ryan works with the Calgary Stampede Foundation on the fundraising and philanthropy team, raising support for youth programs in education, performing arts, and scholarships.

Carly is an alumna of the Calgary Round-Up Band, the Calgary Stetson Show Band, and the Calgary Stampede Showband (2009-2015). 

She has taught the Drum Majors, Leadership, and Visual captions at both the Calgary Round-Up Band and the Calgary Stetson Show Band since 2018. Carly is also a current performer with the Calgary Stampede Band of Outriders. She plays alto saxophone. 

During the day, Carly works as a Policy Analyst for the provincial government. Her favourite things about band are making life-long friends and learning something new at every rehearsal!

Aliah has been lucky enough to be involved in the Bands of Calgary for over 8 years, 6 of which she was a part of the Drum Major teams. Leading a group of talented musicians was one of the most rewarding experiences, and it taught her how to balance leadership with her passion for music.

In 2023, alongside her mentor Carly, Aliah began teaching with the Calgary Stetson Show Band as one of the Drum Major technicians. Teaching is something she is truly passionate about- it’s so fulfilling to watch students grow and develop their skills. She is excited to keep learning and evolving as an educator while inspiring others along the way.

When Aliah is not working with music, she is a hairstylist by day. Creativity is at the heart of both her work and hobbies. When Aliah wants to relax and unwind, she loves reading and baking, which gives her a chance to keep her creative energy flowing.

I’m grateful for every experience I’ve had so far, and I’m excited to continue this journey as an instructor and see where it takes me!

Entering into his fourth year of teaching at the Calgary Stetson Show Band, Nick has been involved in the marching arts in Calgary and internationally for over a decade.

Nick started in the activity as a baritone player with the Calgary Round-Up Band and progressed through the Calgary Stetson Show Band to the Calgary Stampede Showband. After three years with the Calgary Stampede Showband, Nick was contracted with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in Canton, Ohio where he stayed until aging out of the activity. Once aged out of Drum Corps, Nick joined the Cowtown Collection and the Chinook Winter Winds for their inaugural season. Nick concluded his marching career in 2022 by participating in the Bluecoats 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps and continues to participate in pop-up performances with the Cowtown Collection. Now serving as Brass Team Lead at the Calgary Stetson Show Band, and a visual and brass instructor with the Calgary Stampede Showband, Nick is continuing to give back to the marching community and contributing to the ongoing success of the programs.

Outside of band, Nick works as a Junior Project Engineer in the oil and gas industry and spends his remaining free time on powerlifting, numerous hobbies, and spending time with friends and family.

Aaron is the trombone instructor at the Calgary Stetson Show Band. He has been playing trombone for 13 years and studied Bass trombone performance at the University of Calgary. He was a member of the Calgary Stetson Show Band during the 2018-2019 season, and was a member of the Calgary Stampede Showband from 2019-2025. Aaron plays with ensembles such as the Calgary civic symphony, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Fox Jazz band. 

Aaron is apprenticing as an Industrial mechanic, and enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking golfing and climbing.

Alistair is a current Bachelor of Music student at University of Calgary, studying trumpet and conducting under Gareth Jones. He has marched within the city with the Calgary Round-Up Band (‘19-‘20), Cowtown Collection (2023), Chinook Winds (2023), and currently with the Calgary Stampede Showband (‘22-Present).

Last season, Alistair was a visual staff at The Calgary Stetson Show Band, and is excited to continue expanding his capabilities in both visual and brass. His future career goal is to be a music educator and composer.

Outside of band and music, Alistair enjoys hiking in the Rockies, travelling, and cooking.

Colin Sobolewski, Technician, Brass

Daniel is a professional musician, arranger, and actor based in southern Alberta. He is an alumnus of the Calgary Round-Up Band, Calgary Stetson Show Band, and Calgary Stampede Showband, having dedicated 8 years as a performer with these ensembles.

The 2025/2026 season will mark Daniel’s 4th year working with the Stetson Show Band’s brass line. He’s also proud to work with Chinook Winds, Spiritus’ competitive winter winds ensemble, in the roles of Music Designer and Winds Instructor. 

Outside of marching band, Daniel loves to spend time in nature, hiking the Rockies, and tending to his home garden. He’s also a performing member of Cowtown Collection Brass Theatre, playing trombone, trumpet, and saxophones. 

Edwin Cisneros, Technician, Brass

Sarah Rossi, Assistant Team Lead, Woodwinds

Astra is a clarinet instructor at the Calgary Stetson Show Band. She has been playing the clarinet for 11 years, and was a member of the Calgary Stetson Show Band during the 2018-2019 season. Including other youth programs, the Calgary Round-Up band and the Calgary Stampede Showband, she has been involved in marching band for 9 years.

Astra studies biochemistry at the University of Calgary, and in what little free time she has she loves to keep her plants alive and watch movies.

Ben is entering his first full season teaching saxophone at the Calgary Stetson Show Band, having aged out of the Calgary Stampede Showband (2022-2025) after growing up playing Baritone sax in the Calgary Round-Up Band (2018-19), Calgary Stetson Show Band (2020-Covid).

Ben is in his 4th year at the University of Calgary pursuing a dual degree in both Sociology and Data Science. When he is not with the bands or at school, he works as an alpine ski coach for U8 racers with the Sunshine Speedsters, and enjoys bouldering and hiking in the mountains, as well as spending time with his dog, Oscar. 

His favourite aspect of band is the community that is built and the lifelong friends that have come out of it, along with the growth that comes with challenging oneself to invest as much as they can into their passions.

This is Gillian’s first year as a technician for the Calgary Stetson Show Band Woodwind team. Prior to this, she enjoyed many years in the Calgary Round-Up Band, The Calgary Stetson Show Band, and the Calgary Stampede Showband. She performed in several memorable shows, including In Pursuit, Let me Count the Ways, and Infin8 Possibilities, before aging out in 2020.

Since then, Gillian has completed bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Education. She is currently a Language Arts teacher for the Calgary Catholic School District.

In her free time, Gillian enjoys doing pottery, cycling, travelling, and performing in the Westwinds Symphonic Band.

Julia is an alumna of the Calgary Round-Up Band, the Calgary Stetson Show Band, and the Calgary Stampede Showband (2016-2024). She has been teaching at the Calgary Stetson Show Band since 2023 as one of the Woodwind instructors, focusing on the flute and piccolo. Her favourite thing about teaching is sharing her joy of music and the marching bands of Calgary with the new generation of students.

Outside of band, Julia is currently in her fifth year of her Bachelor's degree at the University of Calgary, majoring in Linguistics and Language with a concentration in Ancient and Classical languages. She has a love for languages, growing up taking French Immersion and now focusing on Latin in University. She hopes to learn many languages in the future!

Keeley De Roy, Technician, Woodwinds

Maya is a certified band “nerd.” She started playing instruments at seven years old, but didn’t join the Calgary Round-Up Band until grade nine in the 2017 season. Wishing she had heard of the band sooner, Maya fell in love with the program and wanted more years in it. Following her time at Round-Up, she performed in the Calgary Stetson Show Band’s 2019 show, “The Machine,” before joining the Calgary Stampede Showband from 2020 to 2024. Her favourite Showband performance was the 2023 production “Sonic Playground,” which led to the organization’s seventh world title at the World Association of Marching Show Band competition in West Virginia. Despite loving the football field, Maya’s preferred venue remains the Stampede grounds. Over five seasons and four Stampede weeks, she developed a passion for music, performance, and community. This growing enthusiasm led Maya to start teaching at Stetsons for the 2023 season, hoping to help others fall in love with band and find the same safe space she had.

Still, band isn’t Maya’s whole life: she recently graduated from Mount Royal University with a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education, majoring in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership. Her studies further strengthened her leadership skills, both technically and practically, along with providing her ample adventures and appreciation for nature. Additionally, she is a certified sea kayak guide with experience leading trips on Vancouver Island and in Norway. Whether listening to bird calls in the woods or engaging in band activities, Maya loves to share experiences that bring people together, inspire curiosity, and create lasting memories.

Tasha has spent over half her life involved in marching bands in Alberta in some capacity. She marched 5 years (from 2009 to 2013) with the Red Deer Royals on flute, front ensemble, and in the drumline. Tasha also marched 2014 to 2018 with the Calgary Stampede Showband, all on flute before beginning her teaching career in 2019 with the Stetson Show Band. In addition to marching band, she also plays flute in the Westwinds Wind Orchestra.

Outside of her music life, Tasha received her Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management from the University of Calgary and works in supply chain as a contract analyst. She spends her free hiking, playing video games, or at the movies. 

Tommaso Masnari, Technician, Woodwinds

Alyssa Sison is an alumna of the Calgary Round-Up Band, the Calgary Stetson Show Band, and the Calgary Stampede Showband (2012-2020). She first started as a bass drum instructor in 2018 and has been teaching the drumline section ever since. The 2025/2026 season marks her third year as the Calgary Stetson Show Band Drumline Team Lead. 

During the day, she works at an optometry clinic. She looks forward to giving back to a community that gave her so many life-changing opportunities!

Arwen is a fourth generation Calgarian, and music has been a big part of her life for as long as she can remember. She started marching with the Calgary Round-Up Band when she was 12 and has continued her decade long marching career with the Calgary Stetson Show Band, the Calgary Stampede Showband, and aged out in DCI competing with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in 2024. While Arwen’s experience within the activity mainly centres around bass drum, her experience extends to mellophone, head drum major, as well snare drum for a season of Stampede Winter Percussion. 

Beyond the band world, Arwen spends her days in Red Deer, AB as a professional house cleaner. She enjoys her free time playing Magic: The Gathering, taking long walks through Heritage Ranch, and watching scary movies!

Ben has been immersed in the marching band community for over 10 years. During his time with the Calgary Stampede Showband, he was lucky enough to be awarded two WAMSB (World Association of Marching Showbands) championships in 2019 and 2023. Those experiences taught him teamwork, discipline, and striving for perfection- skills that he now brings to his role as a Porsche Pro at Porsche Centre Calgary.

In his current role, he helps clients not only find the right Porsche but also understand their car inside and out. Whether it’s explaining all the features or offering tips to get the most out of their new vehicle, he makes sure they’re confident and excited before they hit the road.

Before Porsche, Ben worked with top brands like Ferrari Maserati of Alberta, Alfa Romeo of Calgary, and Calgary BMW, which gave him a solid foundation in high-end vehicles and top-tier customer service.

When Ben is not at work, he's sharing my passion for marching band with the next generation of musicians. Ben absolutely loves passing on what he's learned to help young band members develop their skills and love for the sport.

Trenton Lee-Owe, Technician, Drumline

Alyssa Victoria has been an active member of the marching arts community for nearly two decades. From 2005 to 2012, she performed with both the Calgary Round-Up Band and the Calgary Stampede Showband, gaining experience across multiple ensembles and developing a deep appreciation for the activity.

Since 2013, Alyssa has been teaching and mentoring young percussionists. She previously served as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for the Calgary Round-Up Band and the Percussion Coordinator for the Red Deer Royals. She currently leads the Front Ensemble Team and, for the past few years, has also been arranging and composing music for the Red Deer Royals.

Outside of her work with the Calgary Stetson Show Band, Alyssa is a software engineer and runs a small candle business. While her professional career extends beyond music, her dedication to fostering growth, creativity, and community within the marching arts remains at the heart of everything she does.

Dexter is in his fourth year at the University of Calgary for a Bachelor's of Arts in music. He has played percussion for 11 years, beginning in the Calgary Round-Up Band in 2015, through the Calgary Stetson Show Band in 2017, and aged out of the Calgary Stampede Showband in 2024. He has participated in other large ensembles throughout the Calgary and Edmonton areas, often taking up leadership positions. He enjoys performing in the local music scene and volunteering at CJSW 90.9 when not in class, and loves the Bands of Calgary for the lasting friendships, close-knit community, and the opportunity to strengthen oneself as a performer!

Emma is a former member of the Calgary Round-Up Band (2017-2018), the Calgary Stetson Show Band (2019), and the Calgary Stampede Showband (2024-2025). Having played various instruments since the age of 4, she is very passionate about music education and cherishes the friendships and connections she has made as a musician.

Just as Emma is passionate about music, she is very passionate about animals. Currently, Emma is studying to become a Veterinary Office Assistant with aspirations to become a Veterinary Technologist.

Ray is a member of the teaching team for the Front Ensemble. She previously performed with the Calgary Round-Up Band (2018), Calgary Stetson Show Band (2019), and the Calgary Stampede Showband (2022–2025). In addition to her marching arts experience, Ray has been playing piano for over ten years.

Outside of band, she is currently in her fourth year studying International Relations at the University of Calgary. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new places in Calgary and beyond.

A strong believer in both the importance and joy of music, Ray is excited to continue contributing to the marching arts community.

Alyssa Snyders-Blok is the Team Lead for the Calgary Stetson Show Band Colourguard. She's been involved in the Bands Of Calgary for over a decade, with 3 years of experience in Colourguard and 7 years of teaching.

For Alyssa, it’s all about sharing her passion and helping others grow their skills! When she’s not at band, Alyssa runs a dog daycare, blending her love for animals with her leadership skills in a totally different way!

This is Gaelin's fourth season as a Colorguard technician with the Calgary Stetson Show Band. Before aging out of the program, Gaelin spent 10 years as a performing member within the Bands of Calgary, an experience which gave her a strong foundation and passion for this community.

Outside of band, Gaelin work as a program assistant at the University of Calgary, where she support Indigenous youth-focused programming. Gaelin is also active in Calgary’s film community, working in the art department on various projects. 

Gaelin is really excited to continue teaching with the Calgary Stetson Show Band and to share her passion for performing with the next generation.

Hannah is an alumni of all three Bands of Calgary, Dynamic Winterguard, and is currently in her 4th year in Escalade Winterguard. She is going into her 4th year as an instructor with the Calgary Stetson Show Band and previously taught with Encorps Evolution.

Outside of band, Hannah is employed by AHS as a Pharmacy Technician and helps to produce medications and IV bags for hospitals around southern Alberta.

Hannah especially enjoys the winter performance season. She loves seeing how the members’ individuality evolves through the winter season and shines into the summer season as they grow within the team. 

Natalie was a member within the bands of Calgary for 10 years and is in her third year of teaching!

Outside of band, Natalie works a day job at an ER vet clinic and has a passion for working with animals!

2025/2026 season will be Rianna’s 4th season working with the Calgary Stetson Show Band colour guard and has been a part of the marching band community for 12 years now. 

Rianna spent 10 years as a member of different groups within Calgary including the Calgary Round-up Band the Calgary Stetson Show band and the Calgary Stampede Showband. She also spent some time as a member of Dynamic Winterguard.

Outside of marching band, Rianna is a 2nd year psychology student who loves learning how the mind works and hopes to work in youth mental health services once she graduates. 

Sarah-Rose is the Dance Technician for the Calgary Stetson Show Band colourguard this year. This is her first year teaching within the Bands of Calgary, but she could not be more excited to be involved.

Sarah-Rose is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Pedagogy, as well as a current member of the Stampede Showband as a dancer. She hopes to be able to share my passion for dance through teaching and have lots of fun along the way.

Over the past decade, Connery has worn many hats in the pageantry world—performer, educator, and designer—building a wealth of experience across all facets of the activity.

In Alberta, his work has spanned beyond teaching all three BOC groups, leading the Visual program at The Calgary Stetson Show Band, and drill design for the Calgary Stampede Showband’s Winter Winds in 2024. Connery also serves as Director of Chinook Winds, a Calgary-based winter winds ensemble, where he continues to innovate and inspire the next generation of performers.

Beyond Canada, Connery is excited to return for his fourth season on visual staff with the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, helping shape their highest-scoring production to date, including the corps’ best-ever visual achievement in World Class history.

Gina is a proud alumna of the Calgary Round-Up Band, Calgary Stetson Show Band, and the Calgary Stampede Showband, where she was a member from 2013 to 2022. Throughout her time in the bands, she played clarinet and had the opportunity to be part of the Round-Up Band Drum Major team. After graduating from the University of Calgary in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts, Gina returned to the Bands of Calgary community by joining the Calgary Stetson Show Band Visual Team.

Gina is currently pursuing studies in Human Resources and is excited to share her passion and experience with the Visual Team for another season.

Jake Ashton, Technician, Visual

Katie Giberson, Technician, Visual

I am excited to be joining the Stetson’s staff again this year as a Visual and Drumline Tech.

My musical background includes one year with the RoundUp Band playing flute, two years with the Stetson’s Showband drumline playing bass drum and snare, and four years with the Stampede Showband drumline playing bass drum. I look forward to bringing this experience back to Stetson’s, supporting both the drumline and the full ensemble in developing strong visual performance skills.

Outside of music, I work as an Advanced Care Paramedic. I have been serving my community as a paramedic for the past three years.

Before joining as staff, Wesley performed with the Calgary Round-Up Band for two years, the Calgary Stetson Show Band for one year, five years with the Calgary Stampede Showband, and One year with the world renown drum and bugle corps, the Blue Devils. 

The main reason Wesley keeps coming back is for the love of the game. Outside of band they enjoy spending time with friends playing cards and watching movies.

Wesley has graduated from SAIT from the Film and Video Production program.

Vic has been a Brass and Visual instructor with the Calgary Stetson Show Band and Calgary Stampede Showband since 2022.

Before joining the programs as staff, Vic played tuba in the Calgary Round-Up Band, Calgary Stetson Show Band, and Calgary Stampede Showband (2013-19). In 2020 & 2021, they travelled down to Denver, CO with a contract to the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, where they were the recipient of a visual award.

Prior to marching band, Vic's passion for movement began with dance classes from ages four to seventeen. They have taken classes and competed in a variety of styles, including ballet and modern.

Outside of band, they work as an office receptionist and enjoy spending free time with their cat, Tilly. Vic's favourite thing about band is the opportunities it provides for youth to achieve their fullest potential.