About Us Richard Lopez - Owner Richard Lopez - an instructor and show designer since 1978 for many Texas high school color guards and bands. Richard has designed shows for numerous indoor color guard state champions, UIL Texas State marching finalists and WGI regional champions. He has also designed programs for state solo and ensemble color guard champions. Richard was the education director for the Texas Educational Color Guard Circuit. Richard is also a marching band drill designer. He has written for the Revolution Drum and Bugle corps as well as many high schools. Many of his drills have placed in the UIL State Marching Band contests. His drill for the Revolution Drum and Bugle Corp finished 4th at the D.C.I. Finals. Richard is the owner of Performer's Academy, a consulting company for the visual arts. He is an active member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and executive board member for the Schertz, Cibolo and Universal City Community Fine Arts Network. Saundra Patton-Decker - Instructor Saundra Lee Decker - was 1987's Miss West Virginia for the Miss America Scholarship Program. She was the recipient of the Cavalier Talent Scholarship at the 1988 Miss America Pageant and also received preliminary talent scholarship awards at the 1985 and 1986 Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageants. Saundra is a former Lawrence County Junior Miss and received the Creative and Performing Arts Scholarships for both Lawrence County Junior Miss and Pennsylvania Junior Miss Programs. She has received over 1200 awards for her performing abilities including over 100 State and National championship titles. Saundra received a B.F.A. in Theater with an emphasis in Acting and Dance from West Virginia University and was a feature twirler with the Pride of West Virginia University Marching Band from 1984-1988. Saundra is an accomplished choreographer of dance, baton twirling and color guard. She is a coach and choreographer for over 75 State and Regional champions in all fields of performance. Saundra is a former co-owner of Performer's Academy and is currently an instructor for the company. She has been teaching since 1978 and continues to stay current with today's trends in performance. Tyler Berget - Instructor Tyler is a graduate of Lampasas High School. While attending, he was a member of the Lampasas Badger Band from 2002-2006 where he served as Band officer for three years, and drum major his final year. He was also a member of the Lampasas High School Illusion Winter Guard from 2004-2006, and succeeded in becoming the Texas Color Guard Circuit State Champions in the Scholastic AAA class with their production of “The Carpenters”. After graduating, Tyler became a cast member for both the Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps and Winter Guard and performed within the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Tyler also had the privilege to perform with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in their production of “Metamorphosis”. He finalized his drum corps career in 2008 as an age out with the Crossmen and their production of “Planet X”. He also had the honor of participating in the inaugural season of the Identity Independent Open Winter Guard, where he served as captain. Tyler currently resides and attends school in San Antonio, Texas where he is director of the William H. Taft High School Color Guard, and technician for Roosevelt High School. Samuel Rosado - Instructor Samuel Rosado is a graduate of Lampasas High School where he was a drum major for the 2002-2004 marching season. He played oboe and received many awards on a state level. After graduating, he marched with the Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps in the summer of 2005. He also performed with the University of Texas at Arlington marching ensemble in the fall of 2005. He then became a cast member of the 2006-2007 Revolution Independent Winterguard. He most recently performed with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in their 2008 production "The Knockout." He is currently residing in San Antonio, Texas and is very excited to be with Performer's Academy. Emily Razo - Instructor Emily is a graduate of Canyon High School where she participated in the Colorguard from 2002-2006. Emily was the Commander of her high school team from her sophomore year through her senior year. During her first year as Commander the Canyon High School Marching band competed at the State Marching Contest. Emily received a bronze metal for her participation with Canyon High School in the 2005 TCGC State Championships. Emily was also privileged to perform in the inaugural 2008 season of the Identity Independent Open Winterguard where she served as Captain. Emily has taught at Madison High School, Seguin High School and is now the Director at Steele High School. Along with teaching Emily attends school at Texas State University in San Marcos. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science and will also become teacher certified. Emily currently resides in New Braunfels, TX. Christina Myer - Instructor Christina Myer is a graduate of Southwest High School. She has marched with Southwest High School Marching Band and Colorguard from 2000 - 2004. Christina was a member of the Style Colorguard from 2000 - 2004, where she served as Commander from 2002 - 2004. Christina has taught at William Howard Taft High School and currently teaches Samuel Clemens High School. Christina attended the University of Texas at Dallas for three years working towards her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies Secondary Certification. While attending UT Dallas, Christina achieved her TEXES certification in Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12. She is currently attending the University of Texas at San Antonio. Christina is working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with Secondary Certification. Christina currently resides in San Antonio, TX. Samantha Manuel - Instructor Samantha Manuel is a graduate of Copperas Cove High school where she was a member of the Varsity color guard program from 2000-2004. In 2002, Copperas Cove where the scholastic "A" class state champions in Texas Color Guard Circuit. Samantha was the captain of the guard her junior and senior year. In 2005 she was a member of Revolution Independent Winter guard. They received a silver medal for "The Road Not Taken" and she also received the "Rookie of the Year" award. In 2006 as veteran in the Revolution Independent Winter guard they received a bronze medal for "The Quest" and Samantha also received "Best Sabre" award. In 2008 she was a member of Identity Winter guard. 2004-2005, Samantha was the guard instructor for Belton HS in Belton, Texas. Samantha is now a member of the Performer's Academy team where she teaches at Earl Warren High School in San Antonio, Texas. Samantha will be graduating from University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor's in Art History in December, 2009. John Demkowicz - Instructor John Demkowicz is our latest supplement to our diverse and well-rounded family. John has been taught, taught with, and even adjudicated with some of the most elite designers and names from around the world. John currently designs, choreographs, writes drill, staging and music, in addition to adjudicating performing pageantry ensembles (winter guard, marching band, and winter drumlines) around the country, all while he maintains his own groups in the local San Antonio area and Michigan. John has taught groups at every level, from brand new beginners through the ranks to the paramount professionals, and has had success at every level, including: WGI SW, IO, SA, PIW, PIO Class Finalists, BOA Grand National Finalists, Michigan Competing Band Association Finalists, Illinois State Marching Band Finalists and UIL State Marching Band Finalist (TX). John has marched numerous years of drum corps, both within the guard and percussion sections, including many years with The Cavaliers of Rosemont, Illinois. John is extremely versed in music; he is a musician, both strings and percussion. Throughout his career he has performed with elite ensembles and earned many musical awards including All-State Band and All-State Orchestra, and was inducted into the United States Achievement Academy, twice. John has also served as Vice-President, as well as many other board and committee positions for the Michigan Color Guard Circuit. To keep current he attends various clinics and master classes including WGI Spinfest, which featured Mia Michaels. John is a WGI trained equipment judge from the Texas Color Guard Circuit, and a BOA trained visual judge from the Michigan Competing Band Association.