Our Directors

Matthew will be joining Nova as the 2026 program designer. Matthew was the founder, director, and designer of CGT Dallas (5 time WGI finalists and 2018 WGI IW fan favorite) and CGT Denton (2018 IO silver medalist and 2 time WGI finalist). Most recently, Matthew was the program designer for the two-time IW finalist, Icon Winter Guard. Matthew recently moved to Colorado from Dallas, TX where he was the color guard director and marching band show and drill designer for Coppell HS. Matthew still designs, stages, and consults for several winter guard and marching band programs throughout Texas and around the country, including Coppell HS, Melissa HS (2025 WGI SA Silver Medalist), Lake Ridge HS, Campbell County HS (KY), Legacy HS (CO), and Jenks HS.

Justin Lum is the Color Guard Director at Coppell High School. The Coppell Band is a consistent UIL 6A State Finalist and BOA Regional/Super Regional Finalist. The Coppell Winter Guards are consistent NTCA State and WGI Regional/Power Regional finalists and medalists. Outside of Coppell, Justin has also served as a staff member in the DCI and WGI realms. 

From 2016 to 2020, Justin performed with highly competitive groups around DFW (Black Gold, CGT Ft. Worth/Dallas/Denton). He spent his summers performing with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. 

When he’s not teaching, Justin usually plays Pokémon on the couch and drinks iced coffee.

Originally from Upstate NY, David has been a part of the performing arts since 2002. As a studio dancer, he trained in a multitude of styles. He continued dancing when he moved to Dallas, TX where he met friends that got him interested in the marching arts. With a growing interest to try something new, he auditioned for CGT Dallas and performed there for 4 years (16-19) while teaching dance at both Wakeland HS and Coppell HS. Since then, he has continued to teach at Coppell HS and has choreographed for many programs around North Texas. He performed again with Mirage Performance Ensembles in 2024 before moving to CO. David and his husband love to go hiking with their dog Freyja in the mountains.

Ian Lewis is the Color Guard Director at Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, TX. Prior to Flower Mound, Ian was the Color Guard Director at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, GA as well as the Assistant Band Director at Pine Mountain Middle School. 

Ian has spent many years teaching DCI, WGI, and university groups. In DCI, he has worked with the Madison Scouts (2012-2017), Crossmen (2018-2019), and currently teaches the Bluecoats. In WGI, he has worked with Paramount (2013-2022), Reverie (2017-2018, 2021), Georgia State University (2014). He also choreographed the color guard at Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains color guard in 2014-2015, and 2020-2021.

Ian lives in Argyle, TX with his two greyhounds: Mateo and Kiya. 

Paige Haskins is a Nebraska native whose national color guard journey began in 2016. She spent six seasons performing with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (2016–2021), while also performing with Railmen Independent and teaching at Dolce Independent. During this time, she also studied Dance at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, combining her love of movement with a strong performance foundation.

After aging out of drum corps, Paige relocated to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, where she quickly became an active member of the local color guard scene. She’s a founding captain of Mirage, leading the team for four seasons, and has taught at several DFW-area schools, including Flower Mound, Duncanville, and Red Oak. She currently serves as the Color Guard Director at Birdville High School. Nationally, Paige toured with the Seattle Cascades as a technician and choreographer for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Outside of the marching world, Paige loves staying creative—whether it’s finding new music for gym sessions, thrifting for unique pieces, or crocheting in her downtime. She’s excited to be spending this season with Nova and looks forward to what’s ahead!

Damien Waites was born and raised in Dallas, TX. He studied Music Education at Tyler Junior College, General Studies at Collin College, and is currently at Dallas College.

Damien’s guard career began as a technician for Sachse High School a year after graduation. He then went on to direct and tech at schools such as Plano East High School, Rockwall High School, Mansfield High School, Midlothian High School, and Anna High School

As far as his performance career goes, he went on to march with Insignia Performing Arts Concepts in 2018, Black Gold Open in 2019, and Black Gold World 2020.

Outside of Color Guard, Damien enjoys movies, music, art, traveling with family and friends, and doing anything outdoors!

Clay Singletary currently serves as Director of Color Guards and Indoor Marching Arts at Melissa High School. Clay is a Rockwall native and graduated from Rockwall Heath High School. He went on to graduate with a Bachelors in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Masters of Educational Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce. 

Clay has performed with various ensembles including the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, CGT Denton Independent World Winterguard, Mirage Performance Ensemble, Purpetual Motion Winterguard, and has taught multiple summers at ensembles such as the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps and Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps. 

Prior to his appointment at Melissa, Clay served as Associate Director of Bands at Little Elm High School and Director of Color Guards/Assistant Band Director at Allen High School.

Clay has worked with numerous groups in Texas as a designer, choreographer, and clinician. In his tenure of education; Clay has led and received  numerous accolades, including participation in the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade, NTCA Class Champions, multiple WGI Regional Finalist and Championship Titles, 2017 WGI Scholastic A World Championship Finalist, and a notable achievement as the Silver Medalist in the 2025 WGI Scholastic A Class World Championships. 

Lindsay Kusmierczak has been involved with the pageantry arts for several decades. Currently, Lindsay serves as the Color Guard Director at Prosper High School, in Prosper, TX. Lindsay has worked with high schools in Georgia, Illinois, and Missouri including; BOA & WGI Finalist Harrison HS (GA) and O’Fallon Township High School (IL). Lindsay has been involved with several drum corps including; The Bluecoats, The Phantom Regiment, The Blue Knights, The Cavaliers, The Glassmen, Southwind, and the Italian drum and bugle corps Millennium. She was also on staff at Bluecoats Indoor and Paramount Winter Guard.

Lindsay is a firm believer and supporter of life-long learning. She holds an undergraduate degree in Fiber Fabrics/Textiles with a minor in Art History from Northern Illinois University. Lindsay also holds a Masters of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, as well as a Masters of Science in Learning Technologies from The University of North Texas.

Lindsay resides in north Texas with her partner, Jason. Outside of color guard, Lindsay enjoys: reading, gardening, and traveling.

Edward Camarena originated from Arizona, where he attended the University of Arizona, studying Speech & Hearing Language Studies and minoring in dance. He also performed with "The Pride of Arizona" marching band, later taking on staff roles and currently working as a choreographer.

In Arizona, Edward served as the Color Guard Director at Sabino High School for five years, achieving top three placements in auxiliary for both marching band and winter guard within the ABODA, AzMBA, and WGAZ circuits throughout his time.

From 2012 to 2019, Edward marched with Veracitas Independent and Fenix Independent World. In late 2019, he relocated to Texas to march with CGT Denton Independent World, ultimately finishing his performance career with Mirage Performance Ensemble for the 2023 season. He has also recently joined the staff for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Edward has collaborated and choreographed with numerous groups across DFW, Arizona, Tennessee, and California, and was an instructor in summer camps with Fred J. Miller during the summers of 2018 and 2019.

Currently, Edward is the Color Guard Director at Keller High School while continuing to work with various groups across the DFW metroplex and out-of-state programs. He has also taken on roles as a choreographer and technician for The Seattle Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps for the 2024 season, in addition to the upcoming 2025 season