2025 Caption Head Team
Detroit, MI – August 19, 2024 – Redline Percussion is pleased to announce its caption leadership team for the 2025 season.
Eric Sorenson – Battery Caption Head
Eric Sorenson is a professional percussionist and educator out of Detroit, Michigan. Before living in Detroit, Eric was originally born and raised in Tucson Arizona. During his professional career in Arizona, Eric served as the Percussion Director and Arranger at Canyon Del Oro High School from 2017 - 2019, Battery instructional staff at Breakthrough Indoor Percussion (Tempe, AZ) 2019, and Battery instructional staff for the “Pride of Arizona” Marching Band at The University of Arizona in 2019. Currently in Michigan, Eric serves as Battery Caption Head & Percussion Specialist for Walled Lake Consolidated Schools (PSW) and Battery Caption Head at Redline Performance Ensemble (PIW).
As a performer in the marching arts, Eric was a member of the Front Ensemble at Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps (2014) and a member/leader of the battery for The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2016 & 2017). He holds a BM degree in Percussion Studies/Jazz Performance from the Fred Fox School of Music at University of Arizona, as well as a MM degree in Jazz Studies/Performance from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. While the drum set and rudimental percussion are Eric’s main musical passions, he holds an extensive amount of musical experience across almost all instruments in the percussion family. During his undergraduate studies he was fortunate enough to have years of experience performing and studying in string orchestras, opera productions, wind bands, percussion ensembles, and the nation's only collegiate electronic percussion ensemble called “CrossTalk” under the direction of Dr. Norman Weinberg. Other than his performing and educating career, Eric has a passion for percussion arranging and composing music for film and video games.
Matthew Egeler – Front Ensemble Caption Head
Matthew Egeler is a percussionist, educator, and composer from Detroit, Michigan. He discovered his passion for the marching arts in highschool, and soon went on to participate in WGI with Farmington United Percussion (2010) and Eastside Fury (2011-2014). Matthew also performed in the front ensemble with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2012 & 2014) receiving a DCI bronze medal.
He is an active marching educator in Southeast Michigan, working with multiple high schools and WGI ensembles including Milford High School (2011-2020), Hazel Park High School (2014 & 2015), Southgate High School (2022-present), and Novi High School (2021-present) where he was a part of winning the Outstanding Percussion Award in MCBA in 2022.
In WGI, Matthew has taught several ensembles, including Ferndale Independent Percussion, (2014-2017), Dakota High School (2014-2015), Eclipse Percussion (2018), and was a founding member of Divergent Performing Arts, as the Front Ensemble Caption Head (2019-2020). He has also worked with Southgate Winter Percussion (2022 – 2023), and is the Co-Director and Arranger for Novi Winter Percussion (2021-present). Matthew just finished his first year as Front Ensemble Coordinator at Academy Drum and Bugle Corps.
Akash Watsa – Visual Caption Head
Akash Watsa is a Michigan based music educator who specializes in visual movement with a diverse background teaching K-12 music. Most recently, he taught band and choir at Washtenaw International High School & Middle Academy and now attends the University of Michigan as a graduate student pursuing his Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy.
Currently, Akash serves as the Visual Caption Head for Walled Lake Schools’ Marching Band and Indoor Visual Ensemble. Both programs continue to grow and have found recent competitive success as BOA AAA Bronze Medalists (2023) and WGI Scholastic World Class Finalists (2024) respectively. Akash also remains active in DCI and has taught on the Troopers Visual Team since 2022.
Prior to his time at Walled Lake, Akash assisted with several other performance ensembles in Michigan. While pursuing a double major in music education and mathematics at Central Michigan University, Akash served as an undergraduate teaching assistant with the Chippewa Marching Band where he redesigned and implemented the visual fundamentals program. Akash also provided visual instruction and design for several winter guard programs, including Troy Athens High School WGI groups and Metamorphosis. During his time as the Troy Athens Assistant Guard Director, he helped the program win a state championship and earn a place as WGI Scholastic A Class Semi-Finalists in consecutive seasons.
With each program, Akash strives to foster a culture of lifelong learning, dedication, and teamwork. He consistently prioritizes student-centered learning while creating an environment where students, staff, and the community are valued. He is very excited to be joining the Redline Team this season and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the organization!
For more information about Redline Percussion and to stay updated on our 2025 season, please visit: http://performredline.org
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Redline Percussion is a World Class competitive percussion ensemble dedicated to artistic excellence and innovation in the marching arts. Based in Plymouth, MI, Redline is committed to providing transformative experiences for its members and delivering captivating performances to audiences nationwide.
