About Our Judges

Richard Kearns serves as Percussion Director at Burleson Centennial High School (Burleson,
TX), as well as a designer and clinician for many ensembles across the country. Richard's
contributions have led to multiple appearances in the Texas UIL State Marching Band Finals,
numerous Fan Favorite Awards, and 4 WGI (Winterguard International) World Championship
Gold Medals. 
During his time in Burleson, the Centennial Percussion Program has established itself as one of
the top World Class Ensembles in the country, with multiple Top 10 World Class Finals
appearances at the WGI World Championships, as well as being named the 2017 WGI PSO
World Champions. The ensemble has been NTCA Champions in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,
2023, and 2024.
Percussionists from Burleson Centennial are well represented annually in the TMEA All-Region
Bands, Percussion Ensembles, as well as the TMEA All-State Band. 
Prior to his time at Centennial, Richard served as the Percussion Director at Azle High School
(Azle,
TX), where the Percussion Section won numerous awards and Championships in the NTCA and
TCGC Indoor Circuits as well as multiple successful appearances at the WGI World
Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Richard was also the Percussion Director at Palestine High
School from 2008-2011, as well as the Battery coordinator at Tyler Jr. College. Upon joining the
Palestine Band Staff, the PHS Percussion Program received
numerous awards, including being named TCGC Open Class Champions in 2011. His
instructional contributions for TJC helped lead the group to their WGI PIO World Championship
in 2008, promotion to WGI World Class, and becoming consecutive Finalists at the WGI World
Championships.
Richard’s visual and conceptual designs for Marching Band and Indoor Drumline have turned
out many highly successful productions, including the 2016 WGI PIO Gold Medalists, Vigilantes
Indoor Percussion (TX),
2017 PSO Gold Medalists, Burleson Centennial High School (TX), and the 2022 PSO Gold
Medalists, Sherwood High School (OR).
Richard serves on the WGI Advisory Board, as well as the NTCA (North Texas Colorguard
Association) Executive Board. Richard was selected by WGI as one of the top designers from
around the world to be part of WGI's 1on1 consultation program. Ensembles from across the
country use this platform to receive online feedback and guidance on how to improve their
percussion program throughout the year.
Richard currently resides in Burleson, Texas with his wife Stacie and Daughters Sam & Lennon.
He is a proud endorser of Innovative Percussion, Pearl/Adams, Remo Drumheads, and Zildjian
Cymbals.

Chris Nguyen currently serves as the Percussion Director/Assistant Band Director for Bridgeland High School in Cypress, Texas. His duties there include directing all aspects of the indoor percussion program, percussion ensemble, marching band, and assists with teaching of the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band at Bridgeland. Mr. Nguyen is also an advocate for strong vertical alignment within the 6-12th grade cluster, and therefore assists with beginner percussion classes, percussion ensembles, and master classes within the strong middle schools that feed into Bridgeland. Chris Nguyen attended Sam Houston State University where he received his Music Education degree. At SHSU, he studied with Dr. Matthew McInturf and John Lane and was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and SHSU Percussion Group. During his time there, Mr. Nguyen was no stranger to the marching arts. He was a member of the Oregon Crusaders, Phantom Regiment, and ended his marching career with Monarch Independent in 2017. Chris also spent 3 summers at the Aspen Music Festival and School where he focused on orchestral percussion and studied with Cynthia Yeh, Dave Herbert, and Jonathan Haas. Chris Nguyen is professionally affiliated with the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Percussive Arts Society. He proudly endorses Vic Firth sticks and mallets and Zildjian cymbals.