Seattle Cascades Welcome Nick Benson as 2023 Program Coordinator

The Northwest Youth Music Association and Seattle Cascades are excited to announce Nick Benson as the Seattle Cascades Program Coordinator.

Nick Benson has extensive drum corps design experience as well as decades of experience teaching and designing for programs across the nation. He will be leading an outstanding Design team during the season coordinating our 2023 production.

“Nick Benson is a staple of excellence in the pageantry arts in the Northwest. Nick’s ensembles are always outstanding both in their achievability and quality of design; and he is a tremendously positive educator who inspires the staff and students he works with to enjoy their work while pushing for the finest possible performance. I cannot in words truly express how excited I am to work with Nick. I am looking forward to seeing what the 2023 Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps will look and sound like under Nick’s inspiring programming skills and leadership.” said Ray Severns, Corps Director for the Seattle Cascades. “I truly believe Nick Benson is an asset to our organization that will help push the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps into an incredible future.”

From Seattle, WA, Nick has been teaching, designing and consulting for award-winning marching programs all across the United States for the past 20+ years, specializing in movement training, drill/staging, choreography and program coordination/consultation. Nick is currently the Program Coordinator/Visual Designer for the Kamiak H.S. Show Band and Winter Percussion from Mukilteo, WA, a position he has held since 2008.

Upon relocating to the Portland metro-area in 2004, Nick held the visual caption head position for the Division III Champions and Open Class Finalist Oregon Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps (2004-2006, 2008-2009), and the Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps (2007). Mr. Benson was the Visual Caption Head for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2008-2012, helping them reach DCI Finalist status for the first time in 23 years in 2009. He also held the position of Visual Designer for the 2011 Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps. Nick was also the Artistic Director and Visual Designer of the Seattle Cascades Drum Corps from 2013-2019. In 2009, Nick had the opportunity to travel to Thailand in the role as the Visual Caption Head for the Siamyth Drum & Bugle Corps in Bangkok, Thailand.

As a performer, Mr. Benson got his start with the Cascade High School Marching Band and later marched with the Seattle Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps (1998, 2001). While attending the University of Washington and Western Washington University, Nick studied Music and English and performed with numerous music ensembles as a trombone, euphonium and tuba player. In 2003 he had the opportunity to perform with the Concord Blue Devils, capturing their 11th DCI World Championship.

Alongside Adam Oswald and Dylan Thompson, Nick Benson has co-authored a marching and movement program built for marching bands and drum corps alike. Its objective was to create a cohesive and holistic approach to movement and marching, both from an individual and ensemble standpoint. “Beyond the Basics” can be found at his website, nickbensondesigns.com

Nick currently lives at home in Bothell, WA with his wife, Andrea, his two sons, Sullivan and Foster, and their cat, Lilah.

Nick Benson will begin his position immediately focusing on design staff hiring and 2023 show planning.

“The skills of Nick as an educator and designer along with his experience across the country and mainly the Northwest make him our top choice for the Seattle Cascades,” said Michael Leone, Executive Director. “We are so very excited to have him leading our design team for the 2023 season.”

Founded in 1966, The Seattle Cascades is the Northwest’s last remaining world class drum corps. The Seattle Cascades has helped shaped the lives of more than 5000 young people since 1966, the Seattle Cascades are the Pacific Northwest’s oldest youth organization in the pageantry arts, representing our region throughout the country for more than 50 years. Each season the Seattle Cascades provide youth with exceptional educational and life-enhancing experiences in the performing arts.

Imagine the possibilities….