Cadets Announce 2022 Brass Section Leaders

After The Cadets Brass rehearsals in Salem, N.J. Feb. 18-20, we are thrilled to announce the outstanding individuals who will be leading the CBrass sections in 2022.

Antonio Bonilla-Garcia heads up the hornline leadership team as Horn Sergeant and Trumpet Section Leader. Haley Smith has stepped into the role of Mellophone Section Leader, Evan Stoddard will serve as Baritone/Euphonium Section Leader, and Ben Piro is the Tuba Section Leader.

"The Cadets Management and Staff are confident in the leadership of these brass musicians," said Ron Lambert, Director of The Cadets. "They have shown their ability to lead by example, and we believe they will set the tone for our membership. I have no doubt that these four will be excellent leaders for their peers, while they themselves continue to learn and grow as musicians within this exceptional brass education program."

Get to know our 2022 CBrass Section Leaders below!

Antonio Bonilla-Garcia 2022 will be Antonio's sixth and age-out year as a member of The Cadets Trumpet Section. Originally from Quakertown, PA, he is currently in his junior year at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a Computer Security Certificate. He serves on the Executive Board of West Chester's Cyber Security Club. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, working on his 3D printer, and hanging out with his pet bunny, Sophie.
Haley Smith Haley is from Fairfax, VA. and is a senior at West Virginia University. She plans to graduate with a BA in Music this December. She also is a member of the Pride of West Virginia Marching Band. 2022 will be Haley’s third year with The Cadets. She loves cooking, baking, and playing Steel Pan. “I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to give back to the corps that has shaped so much of who I am," she said. "This season is going to be incredible! FHNSAB”
Evan Stoddard Evan grew up a military kid, but the closest thing he has to a hometown is Moore, OK. He is currently a junior at the University of Colorado-Boulder, studying Civil Engineering. He also does Construction Safety research with the university and plans to pursue a graduate degree and continue his research completing his undergrad next spring. 2022 is Evan’s seventh year in the marching arts. Before coming to The Cadets in 2021, he was a member of the Troopers from 2016 to 2019. He has worked as a marching band technician for two years now with different high schools. In addition to school and drum corps, Evan participates in Air Force ROTC at CU Boulder. He loves to read, spend time outdoors, exercise, and watch movies. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to serve as Platinum’s Section Leader this year, and can’t wait to show the world what we’ve been up to soon!” he said.
Ben Piro Ben is from Norwalk, CT and is a fourth-year Computer Science BS/MS student at the Rochester Institute of Technology specializing in Machine Learning and AI. This season will be his seventh and final season of DCI, having marched with the Connecticut Hurricanes in 2016 and 2018, 7th Regiment in 2017 and 2019, and The Cadets since 2020. Ben is a founding member of the Brien McMahon High School Indoor Percussion program and has previously worked as a volunteer software developer for The Crossmen. Ben has an identical twin brother who is also a member of the DCI community as a snare drummer!