About Cascadia Winterguard

It all started when...

Cascadia Winterguard was born as friends got together and decided that performers in the Pacific Northwest deserved a new opportunity to develop their skills, foster new friendships, and share their passion for performance.

Our goal is to provide youth an exceptional performance experience based in an environment founded on the ideals of dedication, creativity, and respect. We aim to help our members develop new life skills and empower them to pursue excellence both on and off the competition floor.

Cascadia Winterguard is an Independent winterguard operated by Cascadia Performing Arts, Inc. We perform locally with both the Northwest Association for the Performing Arts and the Northwest Pageantry Association, as well as regionally and nationally with Winter Guard International.

Cascadia Winterguard - Support team

Ryan Valencia – Founder, Designer, Director

Ryan Valencia was raised in St. Augustine, FL. He has performed with numerous winterguard ensembles – including Coast One Winter Guard, Ancient City Ensemble, Northeast Independent and Northern Lights. He also marched 4 years with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.

Since moving to the Northwest, he has worked with several HS and independent teams throughout the region. He has been the lead designer and choreographer for Skyview HS since 2010. He also taught multiple drum corps – including Oregon Crusaders, 5 years with Spirit of Atlanta, and recently with Seattle Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps.

Ryan graduated from Portland State University with a Master’s Degree in Global Supply Chain Management. He currently works for a natural food distributor as a Supply Chain Director.

Jonathon Brown – Founder, Administration, Designer

Jonathon Brown has worked with and designed for programs across the Northwest and around the country. He served as Director of Guards at Kamiak High School, in Washington for 12 years and grew the program into a premier scholastic guard in the region.

In 2005, he helped found Rhapsody Performing Arts Winterguards where he continued to teach and design for 7 years. During his tenure with Rhapsody, their ensembles were both the Independent A and Independent Open WGI Champions.

As an adjudicator, he’s worked with the NWPA, NWAPA, UCGC, MCCGA, CWEA, WGAZ, and various fall marching band competitions. As a performer, he was a member of the Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps, Northern Lights Winter Guard, and the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps.

Jonathon also served as the President of the Northwest Pageantry Association for 6 years and continues to develop and support the color guard activity across the NW. Jonathon lives in Seattle with his husband Bill and works at Amazon.com, Inc. as a Learning Experience Designer focusing on Leadership Development.

Ricardo Alexander - Choreography, Technician

Ricardo's journey in the world of color guard started in Palatka, FL, where he was a dedicated member of his high school's color guard program for three years. His passion for this art form was ignited as a result of no longer being able to pursue playing the baritone instrument. This eventually lead him to becoming a choreographer and instructor at his alma mater. With three years of marching and four years of teaching experience under his belt, Ricardo decided to take his skills to the next level by marching the 2004 season of Northern Lights all-male winter guard, and later, the 2009 season of Light Brigade.

Ricardo's commitment to color guard has taken him across the country, where he's shared his expertise as part of various programs. From Fred J. Miller summer clinics to Skyview H.S., Pike H.S., Decatur Central H.S., Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band, New Era Winter Guard, Summit Winter Guard, Rhapsody Winter Guard, Paradigm, Brooklyn Steppers Drum & Bugle Corps, Edmonton Strutters Drum & Bugle Corps, Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps, and Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, he has left a lasting impact.

Having recently returned to the Pacific Northwest, Ricardo brings his wealth of experience to the Cascadia staff. Beyond his love for color guard, he's also a dedicated site manager for a storage company, demonstrating his strong work ethic and leadership. Ricardo's talents also extend to the world of music, where he currently holds the role of tenor section leader for a choir. 

Samantha Ray - Choreography, Technician

Sam Ray began her color guard career in high school. After graduating, she continued to perform as a member of the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. In the off-season, she performed with and was a founding member of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Winterguard. Sam has been an active color guard instructor with multiple high schools in the Las Vegas area such as: Arbor View High School, Foothill High School, and Pinecrest Academy Cadence Marching Band. She has recently moved to the Pacific Northwest and is currently the Color Guard Director at Southridge High School. Additionally, she will be spending the 2023 season on staff with Pacific Crest Drum Corps. Outside of color guard, Sam obtained her Bachelors in Public Health from UNLV and is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Health from Oregon Health & Science University.