Our Staff
This dedicated team brings energy, experience, and a deep commitment to the day-to-day operations that keep Spirit of Atlanta moving forward. Their behind-the-scenes work ensures our members, staff, and community have the support they need to thrive. With their leadership, we’re building a strong foundation for continued excellence in the marching arts.
Executive Team & Leadership
Vicki Ferrence Ray
Interim Executive Director
Vicki Ferrence Ray was appointed Interim Executive Director of Spirit of Atlanta in August 2026 and leads the organization while the search for a permanent Executive Director proceeds. She brings more than 20 years of non-profit executive experience.
Previously, Vicki was the Executive Director for Cadets Arts and Entertainment and Youth Education in the Arts, responsible for leading all operations of CAE and YEA, including programs, fundraising, marketing, information technology, finance, and human resources.
Before that, she was Chief National Programs Officer for Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), the nation’s premier youth leadership development organization.
Vicki has a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from Penn State University (PSU) and a Master of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania (PENN). She is currently ABD for her Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).
Chris Moore
Director of Programs
Chris Moore is Director of Athletic Bands and Coordinator of Undergraduate Music Degrees at Georgia Tech. He is lead administrator for all operations for the Marching Band and Basketball Pep Bands and oversees all aspects of the Bachelor of Science in Music Technology degree.
An in-demand music educator, performer, producer and creator, he has worked with the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Band and artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Keith Urban and Young Guru. Chris is also Director of Programs for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. He holds degrees from Jacksonville State University and East Carolina University.
Rachel Holt
Director of Marketing & Communications
As Director of Marketing & Communications for Spirit of Atlanta, Rachel Holt leads the organization's social media presence, website, and newsletter communications, ensuring members, families, and fans stay connected to all things Spirit. Rachel oversees the media team and supports the organization's broader communication efforts, and will soon take on merchandise design and implementation as well.
Rachel first served in this role in 2024 and returned in 2026, continuing into the 2027 season.
Rachel also serves as Director of Marketing, Director of Finance, and Ensemble Assistant Director for Infinity Percussion, bringing that same dedication to marketing, media, and organizational leadership to Spirit of Atlanta.
Outside of these roles, Rachel enjoys reading, exploring the theme parks of Orlando, FL, where she lives, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Design
Josh Nelson
Program Coordinator
Josh Nelson is a Marching Arts Specialist, arranger, adjudicator, and clinician. Josh has been the driving force behind Music City Mystique, the eight-time WGI World Champion percussion ensemble based out of Nashville, Tennessee. He has been involved with McM since 2000 and has held the role of executive director since 2006. Josh has been involved with drum corps since 1997 and joined the Spirit staff in 2026.
Josh holds a music education degree from East Tennessee State University, where he studied under Dr. Rande Sanderbeck. He currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Meagan and their two dogs, Obi and Porkchop.
Michael Martin
Creative Director
Michael Martin joined Spirit of Atlanta as Brass Arranger in 2020 and was promoted to Creative Director in 2025. Prior to joining Spirit, he was the Brass Arranger and Brass Supervisor for The Cavaliers from 2016 to 2022.
Michael has been 3rd/Utility trumpet in the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops since 2010. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in trumpet performance from Northwestern University, where he was a student of Barbara Butler and Charles Geyer. He marched soprano and mellophone in Spirit of Atlanta in 2000 and 2001 and trumpet in the Phantom Regiment in 2004.
Adam Wiencken
Battery Arranger and Caption Head
Adam Wiencken has served as Battery Arranger and Caption Head for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps since 2020. Previously, Adam was a percussion staff member at The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2013-2016) and served on the instructional staff for the Blue Stars, Santa Clara Vanguard, Troopers, and Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Adam is an alumnus of the Madison Scouts and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
Adam is the Percussion Specialist for Broken Arrow Public Schools in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. During Adam's tenure, Broken Arrow is a frequent BOA Regional Champion, Grand National Finalist, and the Grand National Champion in 2011, 2015, and 2021. As Director and Founder of Broken Arrow High School Indoor Percussion, Adam has led the program to six WGI Regional Championships and five appearances in Scholastic World Class Finals at the WGI World Championships. Also under Adam’s direction, the Broken Arrow High School Percussion Ensemble performed at The 70th Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois in December of 2016.
Adam is an active percussion arranger and adjudicator throughout the United States, serves as the Percussion Coordinator for Winter Guard and Percussion of Oklahoma, and is a member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board. Adam received his bachelor’s degree at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Adam is a Yamaha Performing Artist as well as an educational artist for Innovative Percussion Inc., Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, and Meinl Percussion.
Andy Filipiak
Front Ensemble and Electronics Arranger/Composer
Andy Filipiak is an active arranger, clinician, and educator based in Houston, TX. He has worked in DCI as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for The Boston Crusaders (2012-2019) and Front Ensemble Arranger for The Mandarins (2021-2024). He has been in this role at Spirit of Atlanta since 2025 and returns for the 2027 season.
When he's not working, Andy enjoys watching cinema, exploring Houston and its live performance art, and playing disc golf with his close friends.
Richard Hinshaw
Drill Designer
Richard Hinshaw is a full-time visual designer from Avon, Indiana. At Avon High School, he teaches and designs for the Marching Black and Gold, the world class indoor drumline, and the world class indoor winds. On the DCI tour, he has designed for The Academy (2009-2013), The Cavaliers (2012, 2016-2022), The Colts (2018-present), and Spirit of Atlanta (2026-present).
Richard lives in Avon with his wife, Jennifer Hinshaw, and their three children, McKinley, Coleman, and Annalise.
Daniel Wiles
Design Consultant
Daniel Wiles has been teaching in the world of pageantry for almost 40 years and has been involved in drum corps and color guard for as long as he can remember. He was a member of the Cavalier Cadets from 1980 to 1984 and The Cavaliers from 1985 to 1989, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary English Education from Indiana University.
For the last 28 years, Daniel has been the Visual/Program Coordinator and Color Guard Director for Avon High School. Avon is the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Bands of America Grand National Champion and has placed in the top three since 2007. Avon High School World Guard is the 2009, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024 WGI Scholastic World Champion and has placed in the Scholastic World top five since 2002.
Daniel was the Artistic Director for The Cavaliers from 2016 to 2022. He was visual coordinator for Carolina Crown from 2003 to 2008 and for the Troopers from 2008 to 2010, helping return the Troopers to finals, and was visual coordinator and drill designer for the Bluecoats in 2012. He served on the WGI instructor task force from 2002 to 2004, has been a member of the WGI Advisory Board for over 25 years, and was elected to the WGI Hall of Fame in 2019.
Daniel lives in Avon, Indiana with his wife, Sarah, and their children, Olivia, Aidan, and Brennan.
Korey Craven
Colorguard Designer/Caption Head
Korey Craven is a colorguard designer and educator from Spartanburg, South Carolina. He began his marching arts career as a percussionist at James F. Byrnes High School before continuing his performance career with the University of South Carolina’s Carolina Band, Carolina Crown, and Étude Winterguard. As a performer, Korey performed with the Carolina CrownGUARD from 2017–2018, serving on the leadership team during his age-out season. He spent nine seasons performing with Étude Winterguard, serving as a leader for six of those years, and concluding his performing career as a 2024 WGI World Championships Silver Medalist.
As an educator and choreographer, Korey has worked with numerous programs throughout the Southeast, including Byrnes, Marvin Ridge, Dobyns-Bennett, White Knoll, and Lexington High Schools. He spent 3 seasons as a member of the Carolina Crown colorguard staff from 2023–2025 and has been an instructor and choreographer with Étude Winterguard since 2025.
Korey currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and serves as the Colorguard Director at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He is entering his second season as the Colorguard Caption Head for Spirit of Atlanta and continues to lead the Delta Diamonds in 2027.