Panteras Independent
Performance Ensemble
ASHLEY JACKSONDesigner/Choreographer
Ashley began his career in guard in 1996 –
with the American All-Star Dance Drill Team Company as a flag instructor and baton assistant. He went on to instruct North Alabama and Birmingham, Alabama area high school programs such as, Hoover High School, Spain Park High School, and Hueytown High School. He is a former member of the 2004 Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Gold Medalist and WGI Independent World Semi-Finalist “JSU Center Stage Performance Ensemble”. In 2007, Ashley became Colorguard Director for the Giles County High School Band and Winter guard Programs (Tennessee); a 2007 Tennessee State Division II Finalist.
Since 2010, Ashley has been a Choreographer and Designer with Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble of Pell City, Alabama. In addition, Ashley serves as the Color Guard Caption Head for Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps (DCA) from Atlanta, Georgia.
Ashley, a native of Decatur, Alabama and a graduate of Decatur High School. He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he majored in Instrumental Music Education. While attending UAB, Ashley participated in the Blazer Marching Band and Wind Symphony, under the direction of Sue Samuels and was a member of the Percussion Ensemble and Studio, directed by Gene Fambrough.
BRYAN HOBSONDirector/Choreographer
Bryan began his color guard career in 1976-
at age 12, while attending Bibb County Jr. High School. Bryan went on to attend the University of Alabama, where he participated in The Million Dollar Band (Color Guard) and was a charter member of UA's first winter guard "T-town". He is an Alumni of Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps (DCI), Corpvets Drum and Bugle Corps (DCA) and a founding member of Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps (DCA).
Over the years Bryan has instructed many high school guard programs throughout Alabama including Central High School (Tuscaloosa), LaFlore High School (Mobile), Choctaw Co. High School (Butler), Oxford High School (Oxford), Pinson Valley High School (Pinson), and most recently, Pell City High School (Pell City).
While employed with the Pell City School Systems, Bryan expanded the existing Winter Guard Program to include a Cadet Class winter guard from O. D. Duran Jr High School, a Novice Class winter guard and a Scholastic AAA Class winter guard from Pell City High School.
Bryan is a native of Brent, Alabama and currently resides in Eden, Alabama. He is employed by Health Services Center, Inc in Anniston, Alabama and serves as the Executive Director of Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble.
ED SINGLETONEquipment Tech
Ed began his career in guard in 1979-
while working on his B.A. in Music Education at the University of Kentucky.
He has taught at several high schools in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida and Alabama,
and is currently volunteering as an equipment tech at Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble.
Ed is a native of Fort Walton Beach, Florida and currently resides in Moody, Alabama.
CREW
MATTHEW ATKINSONEquipment/Choreographer
Matthew began his guard career-
in 2001 at St. Clair County High School in Odenville, AL. After high school, Matthew attended Jacksonville State University where he was a member of the JSU Marching Southerners from 2003-2008 and JSU Center Stage 2004-2007. Matthew was also a member of SPIRIT in 2005. Over the past ten years, Matthew has worked with a number of high school guard programs including St. Clair County High School (AL), Chapel Hill High School (Douglasville, GA ), Lithia Springs High School (Lithia Springs, GA - 2007 SAPA Gold Medalist), Ohatchee High School (Ohatchee, AL), and Piedmont High School (Piedmont, AL).
Matthew is currently a designer/choreograper with Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps as well as Panteras. Currently, Matthew lives in Birmingham, AL and works in the insurance industry.
CARI PEARCE Equipment and Movement Tech
Cari began her career in guard in the fall of 2006-
as a member of the Pell City High School Winter Guard in Pell City, Alabama.
She has instructed Pell City High School Cadet Winter Guard, Pell City High School Junior Varsity Winter Guard
and Panteras Independent Winter Guard.
Cari is a graduate of Pell City High School and currently resides in Pell City, Alabama.