About Us

Our Values
Vanta Percussion
 

Education

We believe in teaching life skills through the marching arts.

Creativity

Every production is designed to push the boundaries of percussion performance.

Community

Our members form a family built on respect, collaboration, and shared passion.

Excellence

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of performance and professionalism.
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Who We Are
About Vanta Percussion

Vanta Percussion is a nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to advancing the indoor percussion activity and providing educational opportunities for performers of all backgrounds.

Founded by passionate educators and performers, Vanta Percussion seeks to provide an inclusive and challenging environment where members can achieve artistic excellence.

Our ensemble brings together performers from across the region to create powerful productions that combine music, motion, and storytelling.

Talented Leaders
Meet Our Design Team
 

Jimmy ortega

Jimmy Ortega

Creative Director
ShortOriginally from Connecticut, Mr. Ortega moved to Florida at a young age beginning his journey in music on the alto saxophone in grade 6, later moving to brass (french horn, mellophone, and trumpet) in high school and college. Mr. Ortega was part of the multi time AAA State Champion Silver Magic Marching Band (SMMB) of Mariner High School in Cape Coral Florida and also a former member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. After graduating high school Mr. Ortega began his designing career - creating productions for high school marching bands, drum and bugle corps, indoor percussion, indoor guard, and indoor winds groups for over 20 years.

Some notable groups include:
- Marcato Independent Percussion (WGI Finalist)
- Cape Coral HS indoor Percussion (FFCC Gold Medal)
- Barrion Collier HS (FMBC Finalist 2nd Place - A)
- Palmetto Ridge HS (FMBC Finalist 3rd Place- A)
- Golden Gate HS
- Mt. Vernon HS
- Heatwave Drum and Bugle Corps (Visual Caption Head & Designer)
- Comets Drum and Bugle Corps Consultant (U.K)

After studying music education and also receiving his BA (Business Administration) Mr. Ortega has served as Assistant Director and Director of various high school programs - all receiving various honors and superior ratings at festivals and tournaments alike. Focusing on an educational approach to design - Mr. Ortega creates productions that are effective and challenge performers - while entertaining audiences.

Mr. Ortega continues to design productions for multiple organizations (www.silverhawkdrill.net) as well as conducts clinics and consultation for organizations regarding design, educational approach, and financial logistics and is excited to begin this new journey with Coastal Performing Arts - Vanta Percussion.
bio goes here.
Matthew warren

Matthew Warren

Drill Designer
Matthew Warren brings extensive experience and passion to the marching arts community. His performance background includes notable ensembles such as The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, Breakthrough Indoor Percussion, Dark Sky Percussion, and RCC Indoor Percussion. As an educator, he has worked with The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps as well as numerous high schools across Arizona and several independent indoor percussion ensembles, including Flux Indoor Percussion, Linea Indoor Percussion, and Convergence Indoor Percussion. In addition to his teaching and design work, Matthew spent several years as a member of the administrative team for The Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. He currently serves as a visual educator and drill designer for various high school and indoor percussion programs throughout Arizona, and works on the administrative team for The Academy.
Jacob gans

Jacob Gans

Intern Front Arranger
Jacob is the Front Ensemble Arranging Intern here at Vanta. Jacob marched Palmetto in 2025 and is an instructor at Eastside High School. 
Mason jones

Mason Jones
Battery Arranger

Mason Jones is an educator, clinician, and composer based out of Greenville, SC. With over a decade of experience, he has worked with numerous award winning high school band programs such as Hillcrest High School, Mauldin High School, and Jackson High School. He has also performed in many WGI ensembles, most notably earning a silver medal with Civitas Independent in 2025. Mason is a music education major at Converse University and is the co-founder/battery arranger for music and visual design group Quantum Designs. In his free time he loves to go hiking and learn new music! 
Richard habib

Richard Habib

Front Arranger
Richard Habib has been involved in the marching arts since high school, more recently marched and aged out with Spectre Percussion during their 24’ and 25’ seasons. Richard is a drum set player by trade but have been writing battery and front ensemble books since early 2020. Richard looks forward to being on the design team with Vanta for the 2027 season as the front ensemble arranger! 
Neechelle takinen

Neechelle Rakinen

Aesthetics Consultant
Neechelle is very excited to join the Vanta team as the aesthetics consultant. She has been in the performance dance industry since 1994 and music since 2003. Her teaching career began as a studio assistant in 2007 and fully launched into marching band in 2011. Neechelle is primarily a full-package visual designer for fall and indoor, covering set/prop design, uniform selection, drill, choreography, and narration/music edits that affect the through-line of productions. She also finds the time to teach feet, dance basics, and ergonomics that relate to marching health and safety. She teaches and designs in-person for about 10 ensembles every season (marching band and indoor drums/guard/winds).

Some of the ensembles she has instructed include Pulse Percussion (2016), Flux Indoor Percussion (2026), Epicenter Indoor Percussion (2026), Pacific Crest (2014), and The Academy (2015-2019). Neechelle is most passionate about working in the trenches with inaugural groups and underfunded scholastic programs, especially teaching safe and effective approaches to movement. She is a former SPED and preschool teacher, current hospital admin, and loves coffee and dogs. 
Trevor stojanovich

Trevor Stojanovich

Head Choreographer / Aesthetics
Trevor Stojanovich is a full time visual designer and choreographer born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to his design career, Trevor was a band director at Silverado HS in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as Manor HS in Manor, Texas. Trevor earned his Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
As a performer, Trevor has performed with Gold, The Academy, Vegas Vanguard, The Blue Devils, and Vessel Indoor Percussion.

As a visual educator, Trevor has been on staff with the Sacramento Mandarins, Gold, sage V Percussion, Pacific Crest, Rhythmic Force Percussion, and POW Percussion. Trevor is currently the Visual Caption Head at the Blue Knights and has served in that role since the 2024 DCI season. Trevor is also currently the visual designer for the 2025 DCI All-Age World Class Silver Medalists, the Hawthorne Caballeros and DCI Open Class ensemble, the Columbians.
 
Ryan reed

Ryan Reed

Soundscape Designer
Ryan Reed is a percussion educator and designer in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area where he works with various other schools including Kings High School and Campbell County High School.  Additionally, Ryan serves as a front ensemble instructor for Matrix World (2013-present) and Matrix Open (2016-present).  He also serves as Front Ensemble Arranger/Sound Designer for the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps (2025-present).  Previously, Ryan has served on staff with the Madison Scouts (2023-2024), Southwind (2018-2023) Phantom Regiment (2015, 2021-2022), Cap City Percussion (2013-2015),Glassmen (2012), and Empire Statemen (2009).  He also served as front ensemble/sound designer for Southwind (2019-2023), White Sabers (2019-2021), Sunrisers (2018), and Skyliners (2016-2017).
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Ryan received a B.M. in Music Education from Kent State University where he studied percussion with Ted Rounds. As a performer in the marching arts, Ryan was a front ensemble member of Matrix from 2006-2008, taking part in the ensembles' European tour in 2008. He was also a member of the Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2007 and 2009, and the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2008. In 2016, Ryan performed with Matrix International for the 2016 Chaiayi City International Band Festival in Chiayi City, Taiwan.
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Ryan is proud endorser of Innovative Percussion, Mapex/Majestic Percussion and Sabian Cymbals.  Ryan is excited to join Vanta Percussion for the 2027 winter season!
 

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