Our goal is to provide youth with performing arts programs that will enhance their musical appreciation and skills, teach self-disipline and self-confidence, as well as teach the importance of dignity and pride in their community; all through music education.
Gems Drum and Bugle Corps is recently established drum corps in the Treasure Valley. Our goal is to provide youth with performing arts programs that will help make them more well-rounded individuals in both life and their performing arts pursuits.
We were founded in 2022 with the simple realization that Idaho was lacking this type of opportunity, and our founders wanted to provide our community and state with this type of program. Thus we were created, and will strive for excellence in all ways.
In 2023, we fielded our first corps, and toured to three cities in the northwest. These include Kennewick, Washington - Boise, Idaho - and Salt Lake City, Utah. We made our offical DCI debut at Corps Encore in Salt Lake City, and were proud to represent Idaho on the international stage. We scored a 78.33 in the Soundsport Division.
Corps Director & Founder
Austin is a Music Education student at Boise State University, and is also the founder of Gems DBC. He marched three seasons with Columbians Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as four season with the Blue Thunder Marching Band. He could not be more happy and passionate about helping to bring the DCI experience to Idaho.
Executive Director
Cole is a Music BA student at Boise State University, working in both Music Administration and Band Instrument Repair. He is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and though he never marched in a drum corps, he is very happy to be able to help bring a corps to Idaho by assisting with administrative work.
Composer/Arranger
Chris is a composer from Spokane who loves creating memorable music for both performers and listeners. With a love for creating synthesizers and spectral music, Chris is always looking for new ways to create evocative sounds in his music. He can't wait to continue writing new music for Gems.
Battery Instructor
Casey is a drumline instructor from Yakima, Washington, where he studied under some of Washington’s finest. He marched three years with the Columbians Drum and Bugle Corps, and enjoys helping more students fall in love with the activity. Marching band changed his life, and he loves paying it forward.
Front Ensemble Instructor/Arranger
Josh is a PhD student in Materials Science & Engineering at Boise State University. He previously performed with Music City Drum & Bugle Corps, Palmetto Percussion, and Equinox Percussion.
Battery Arranger
Jeff Ludlow is a percussionist from Washington currently double majoring in Music Education and Percussion Performance. Being associated with the marching arts for the past 10 years he is now excited to join Gems as the battery arranger.
Battery Instructor/Photographer
Nate is a former marcher at Boise State, where he played bass drum two. Now, he takes photos for the Gems and the Boise State Blue Thunder Marching Band, in addition to his day job as a software developer. Nate remains passionate about music, continuing to play drum kit and compose soundtracks. He's beyond excited to watch a drum corps from Boise continue to grow and defy expectations.
Brass Caption Head
Steven is a Music Education student at Boise State University, studying tuba and brass pedagogy. He pulls from his experiences in music and using them as a tool to teach students how to better their playing on and off the field. He is very happy to be a part of the Gems, as he and the Corps director have discussed the possibility of the Gems since high school. He can't wait to continue to help Gems grow and develop.
Brass Instructor
Archie studies Music Education at Boise State University, where he is also in the Blue Thunder Marching Band. He was a marching member in the Mandarins Drum and Bugle corps in 2022 and 2023, and he was a featured solist in their 2023 program. Archie enjoys spreading the fun of music and performing arts education to more students here in Idaho.
Brass Instructor
Cooper is currently a Finance student at Boise State University, where he is also a member of the Blue Thunder Marching Band. He was a performing memeber of the Madison Scouts in 2021 and 2022, as well as the Mandarins in 2023.
Brass Instructor
Ryan is a Music Education student at Boise State University, and also marches in the Blue Thunder Marching band. He is excited to help others experience drum corps, as well as to help add another music education opportunity for students in Idaho.
Brass Instructor
Sean is a Music Education/Performance student at Boise State University. He marched mellophone for two years in the Blue Thunder Marching Band and is thrilled to be involved with the Boise Gems. He works with the brass section at Rocky Mountain High School, and is excited to have another opportunity to teach band.
Visual Caption Head
Aaron is a former mellophone and drum major of the Troopers. He has also assited on staff with the Battalion drum corps. He spent multiple seasons with the Troopers, and he is grateful to be able to pass the torch to the next generation of drum corps marchers.
Visual Instructor
Matt is a former trumpet player of the Sacramento Mandarins in the 2018 and 2019 seasons as well as a member of the Macys Great American honor band in the 2019 Macys Thanksgiving day parade. He has since paused his music career to pursue his lifelong dream to become a professional pilot, which he is today. Matt was a part of the inaugural Gems brass and visual staff and is happy to return this season.
Visual Instructor
Nick is currently a Masters student at Boise State University, studying trumpet pedagogy and performance. In total, Nick has marched six years of drum corps, and spent five of those years at the Blue Knights. Drum corps is a great passion that he has always had. He says that it is nice now being able to give new members and students that same experience in a safe learning environment.
Visual Instructor
Kade is currently attending Boise State University and is marching his 3rd year with the Blue Thunder Marching Band.
He marched the 2023 season with the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps and plans to march his age out this upcoming summer. Kade is excited to help continue the growth of the DCI scene in Idaho.
Co-Colorguard Caption Head
Jeana is a fourth year illustration student at Boise State University. They march color guard for Boise State’s Blue Thunder marching band, and also marched throughout high school in Reno, NV.
Co-Colorguard Caption Head
Jessa marched in the color guard at Boise State for two years. She also marched for three years in her band at Skyview High School. Jessa helped co-coach the Boise Gems during their first season and is excited to return for the many more seasons to come!
Admin Team
Camryn is currently studying Music Education at Boise State University on euphonium. After marching baritone in the inaugural season of Gems, she is excited to continue to help the ensemble grow by assisting with administrative work.
Admin Team
Nancy is excited to be working on the Gems staff! She is currently studying Entrepreneurial Management degree at Boise State University. She has been playing flute since sixth grade and has nine years of marching experience.
Admin Team
Kimberly is a Music Education student attending Boise State University. She is from Las Vegas, Nevada, where her love for the marching arts began through participation in different groups marching trumpet and cymbals. She is excited to bring her love for this activity to the Treasure Valley and the Boise Gems.