What does it take to build great performers, future educators, and leaders through the marching arts? In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, host Martin Hebda sits down with Josh Thye, Executive Director of the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts, for an in-depth conversation about the Academy’s history, mission, and exciting opportunities for the 2027 season.

Josh shares his personal journey from the Academy’s early days in 2001 to leading the organization today, reflecting on founder Mark Richardson’s vision of “creating great people through great performances.” Together, Martin and Josh explore how the Academy develops discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the marching field.

Whether you’re a student considering drum corps for the first time, a band director looking for resources, a parent supporting a young performer, or a longtime fan of the activity, this conversation offers an inside look at what makes the Academy special.

Message the Copper State Marching Podcast at podcast@azmba.org

In Volume 1 of this multi-part conversation, Copper State Marching Podcast host Martin Hebda welcomes back Travis Larson to discuss one of the most important challenges in marching arts education: how to effectively educate, mentor, and guide young instructional staff members.

Together, Martin and Travis explore the essential skills new staff members need to develop, from understanding their role within a program and building relationships with students to diagnosing problems, communicating effectively, and delivering meaningful feedback.

This episode dives into practical strategies for helping young educators become more confident, prepared, and effective on the field. Topics include understanding student motivation, learning a program’s history and traditions, prioritizing feedback, celebrating incremental progress, asking the right questions, and focusing on solutions rather than simply pointing out mistakes. They also discuss the importance of staff communication, knowing when to seek guidance, and recognizing that success looks different for every student and program.

Message the Copper State Marching Podcast at podcast@azmba.org

In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, host Martin Hebda is joined by experienced educators and adjudicators Scott Montoya and Mark Hodge for a practical conversation about navigating mid-season show changes.

Together, they discuss how to evaluate judges’ comments, identify recurring themes across multiple critiques, and prioritize adjustments that will make the biggest impact without overwhelming students or staff. From recognizing structural issues and improving musical and visual achievement to deciding when it’s too late for major changes, this episode offers valuable insight for programs of every size.

You’ll also hear strategies for organizing feedback, using judges’ recordings and performance videos to guide rehearsals, communicating changes positively to students, and making the most of limited rehearsal time. Whether you lead a large program with an experienced staff or a small band where one director wears every hat, the conversation emphasizes thoughtful planning, realistic goals, and continuous improvement.

Thank you to the Arizona Marching Band Association and our sponsors for supporting music education and marching arts across Arizona!

Message the Copper State Marching Podcast at podcast@azmba.org