Category Archives: Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps Welcomes Josh Thye as Executive Director Tempe, AZ – December 2, 2024 – The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, a nationallyrecognized organization dedicated to excellence in music and the performing arts, proudlyannounces the appointment of Mr. Josh Thye as Executive Director, effective June 1, 2025. Mr. […]

The Academy is extremely excited to welcome Kevin Welborn, Marc Whitlock, and Derek Fields to the production team for The Academy. These incredible educators are bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the members and staff of The Academy and focused on maximizing the effectiveness and excellence of the entire ensemble through a cohesive, […]

The Academy is selling some fantastic used audio gear, and you won’t want to miss out on these incredible deals! Whether you’re a musician, audio enthusiast, or just looking to upgrade your equipment, we’ve got something for everyone. For any questions or inquiries about the gear, contact Mark Richardson at mark@arizonaacademy.org. Don’t miss this chance […]

Drum Corps is a physically and mentally challenging activity. Members push themselves further than many thought possible to be their absolute best. Over the course of an 80-day season, that drive and determination can take a toll and we need the support of licensed health professionals to help keep the members healthy and doing what […]

Our very exciting news is that we have contracted with a company to build our very much needed new food trailer for The Academy! It is scheduled to be delivered in early April and we can’t wait to show it off to all our fans but especially to all of you who have so generously […]

The Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts, Inc. announces several job openings. We are looking for incredible people to help make an even greater impact on the participants within our growing organization. Come join an incredible team and be the reason for our success. Do what you love and be loved for doing it! Jobs […]

On Thursday, October 28th, the Board of Directors for the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts recognized Dr. Glenn Waterkotte – President Emeritus, whom after more than 20 years is stepping away from the board upon conclusion of his term. In 2001 Dr. Waterkotte became the first president of the Board of Directors where he […]

Each year The Academy honors a volunteer with the Volunteer of the Year award. In case you missed it at the Send Off Event, this being AAPA’s 20th anniversary, we felt it would be fitting to honor someone who has been with us for almost all of them.  Now in her 14th season of fitting […]

“Everything you want is on the other side of hard”.  – Monty Williams The Academy family, (Photo Credit: Tony McCrackin/FloMarching) I’m sitting in the airport after dropping the last group of members off and waiting for my flight that departs this evening.  While I sit I figured I would share with you this message below […]

We are so pleased to announce that our very own Lauren Ripley has been designated one of the Volunteers of the Year awards for Drum Corps International’s 2021 season. We could not agree more, and are so thankful for Lauren and all that she has done for the programs of The Arizona Academy of the […]