Staff

Mrs. Campbell is an Arizona native from Tempe. Having graduated from Mountain Pointe HS in 1996, she then went on to receive her Bachelors of Music Education degree from ASU in 2000. Since then, she received her Masters in Educational Leadership from NAU in 2002.

The Desert Ridge HS Band consistently earns top ratings at concert, jazz and marching band festivals. The band earned the William E. Richardson Program of Distinction Award in 2022 and 2024.

Stephanie is an active educator and adjudicator. She consistently volunteers for chair positions, hosts multiple festivals/events and performs with the Arizona Wind Symphony. She participated in the development of the Arizona Department of Education's Art Seal, previously served as AMEA's Advocacy Chair and Secretary, and then ABODA's secretary since 2021. She was a teacher of the year finalist for the Gilbert District in 2022 and has been named the 2025 Dr. Walter Delecki Secondary Educator of the Year for Gilbert Schools. Stephanie has been inducted into Phi Beta Mu and currently serves on their Outstanding Bandmaster Award Committee. She is excited to serve as ABODA's President-Elect for the 2025-2027 term.

Mr. Larkins was a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014-2015, the SCV International Taiwan Tour in 2015, and the Phoenix Suns Drumline 2015-2016.

A versatile educator, Wardell has previously served as a percussion caption head, arranger, and clinician for numerous Arizona high schools. He extends his expertise to concert percussion and jazz band rhythm sections, helping students achieve success at regional and All-State levels. Wardell has also worked as a marching percussion specialist at Northern Arizona University and with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps.

As the owner of King Percussion LLC, "Championship Concepts For Percussion," Wardell has collaborated with various groups locally and nationally, offering his expertise in both marching and indoor percussion. His career, spanning over three decades, includes working with more than 25 different programs at the high school, collegiate, and drum corps levels. His percussion arrangements are celebrated for seamlessly blending concert and marching techniques to elevate the overall musical score.

Wardell's teaching philosophy focuses on instilling life lessons through the discipline of music and dedicated practice. His influence reaches beyond the classroom, making him a sought-after adjudicator on both local and national levels.

In addition to his educational endeavors, Wardell is a skilled performer with a strong foundation in jazz, performing regularly as a member of the W Quartet in the Phoenix area. He also offers private lessons in rudimental drumming and drum set performance for students of all ages and skill levels.

In 2022, Wardell, alongside his wife Brandy, was inducted into the Winter Guard Arizona (WGAZ) Hall of Fame.

Wardell proudly endorses Vic Firth Sticks, Zildjian Cymbals, Pearl Drums, Remo Drumheads, and PreSonus Audio. He resides in Gilbert, AZ, with his wife, Brandy, and their son, Miles.

For over 30 years, Travis has worked with many band programs, encouraging young people to pursue music. He serves as brass instructor, program coordinator, wind composer/arranger and consultant for several high-profile band programs in Arizona, including Millennium, Mountain View, Williams Field, Red Mountain, Peoria and Desert Ridge high schools. His ultimate goal is to provide a high-quality marching band experience, promoting musical values and arts education.

Born and raised in Mission Viejo, California, Travis was a member, then brass instructor for the Mission Viejo High School Marching Band from 1992-2005. In that time, the ensemble achieved great success, winning two state championships and multiple high music trophies.

In 1998, Travis was a brass staff member of the Jim Ott Brass trophy-winning Blue Devils. He later joined the brass team for The Cadets from 2014-2016, winning the high brass trophy at the 2015 DCI World Championships. From 2017-2019 Travis joined the new brass team at the Boston Crusaders and helped build some of the most successful horn lines in their history.

Travis received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Grand Canyon University in 2016. He is currently the band director at Mendoza Elementary and Shepherd Junior High School in Mesa, Arizona.

Travis resides in San Tan Valley, Arizona with his wife, Ann, their two children, TJ and Ava, and their Chihuahua Axl.

Brandon has been lucky enough to receive a wide variety of performance opportunities. While in high school, he performed with the school's top concert band, jazz band, and marching band, earning superior ratings as well as a championship title and multiple music caption awards. He recently ended his marching career, having been a performing member with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from 2020 to 2023, with the group being Drum Corps International World Championship Finalist both competitive seasons that he was a member. During his time with the Blue Stars, Brandon acted as section leader for his last season and was a performing member when the organization received its highest score in corps history. Brandon also performed frequently with the ASU Wind Symphony and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble.

As a young music educator, Brandon aims to make the performing arts as valuable and enriching for his students as it was for him. He has had the privilege of teaching for multiple award-winning schools/groups in and around Phoenix, including Foreword Indoor Winds, Millennium High School, Sandra Day O'Connor High School and Desert Ridge High School (2023 State Champions and Music Caption winners). In 2024, Brandon was invited back to the Blue Stars as a tuba technician where he continues to teach at the world class level.

When not busy teaching or working, Brandon loves to read, attend live music and performances, and spend time with his friends and family.

Alyssa graduated from Arizona State University with both a bachelor's and master's degree in accounting and works as a Certified Public Accountant. As a graduate of Desert Ridge, she is excited to continue to work with the team that gave her a start in colorguard!

He is the audio engineer for Vision Percussion, Carolina Crown, and high schools around the valley.

J.J. is currently a music educator in the Mesa Public Schools system in Arizona. J.J. earned his Bachelors' degree in Music Education from Arizona State (2009), and a Masters in Conducting from Colorado State (2016).

Todd has presented at the Arizona Music Educators Association Conference on the subjects of contemporary issues in music education, elementary band teaching techniques, festival preparation, and teaching in Title 1 schools. He also co-presented a virtual session on Teaching in Title 1 Schools for the South Dakota Bandmasters at their 2021 conference. He currently serves as the ABODA Conference Coordinator for AMEA.

Todd spends his “spare” time traveling and he also spent many years volunteering and working for The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps from 2011 until 2018. He worked as a woodwind specialist with the Mountain View Toro Marching Band and the Millennium High School Marching Band in the past, and currently works with the Desert Ridge High School Marching Band. Todd has served on the ABODA Board of Directors as Secretary from 2017 to 2021 and as the Vice President of Elementary and Junior High Band Activities from 2021 to 2025.

Alongside his teaching roles, Abraham is a drill writer, an adjudicator for the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association and a clinician for bands across the state. He is a founding member of the Arizona Visual Summit, developing workshops aimed at educating marching band staff and student leaders.

Abraham is grateful to be a part of the Desert Ridge organization and is looking forward to an excellent season!

As a performer, Lee was honored to spend seven seasons (2017–2023) with the front ensemble of Vision Percussion, aging out as section leader. They were also a member of the Sun Devil Marching Band's front ensemble during their time at Arizona State University, as they pursued a Bachelor's in Psychology.

Outside of music, Lee graduated with a Master's in Nursing from ASU in 2025 and is currently working as a psychiatric registered nurse. They also volunteer weekly at Liberty Wildlife, helping care for and rehabilitate injured wildlife.

Corey's marching experience includes his membership as a trumpet player in his high school marching band at Gilbert High School and his membership in The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. Since then, he has been a visual tech at multiple local Arizona high schools while he was in college, in medical school, and since returning home from out of state after completing his medical residency training. Outside of the marching band world, Corey works as a full-time emergency medicine physician in Phoenix.