ADMINISTRATION
JOHN M. JOHNSON
PRESIDENT
JJ has been involved with the marching arts since 1989, starting with the 7 time BOA Grand National Champions, Marian Catholic High School. As a graduate of Marian Catholic, the lessons learned have spanned a lifetime. While at NIU, JJ garnered several accolades including, Rookie of the Year, Director's award, and was also a two time recipient of the coveted Marching Huskie of the Year Award.
JJ started his drum corps career in 2000 with Heat Wave of Orlando. While with Heat Wave, which happened to be JJ's first time playing a brass instrument, he played soprano, mellophone, and then eventually Drum Major. Utilizing the skills learned from Marian Catholic and Northern Illinois University, he excelled and eventually became Executive Director of Heat Wave.
Sadly in 2007, Heat Wave folded. JJ took it upon himself to make sure that the all age brand of drum corps continued in Florida. A brand that took a page from Marian Catholic. So in 2008, with the help of previous Heat Wave folks, the Sun Devils were born. JJ served as the first and long time drum major of the corps as well many other roles, including Executive Director. Under JJ, the corps saw many successes. 4 time DCA South Class A Champions and 2 back to back DCA Finals appearances. In 2013, the Sun Devils made history by scoring higher than any other Florida based DCA corps regardless of class.
In October he decided to branch out and continue the family brand of drum corps and successes by founding Solaris Performing Arts, Inc / Solaris Drum and Bugle Corps. The entire Solaris organization is something near and dear to JJ.
JJ works as a User Support Supervisor for Akerman LLP, one of Florida's most prominent law firms. JJ also has a girlfriend, named Tamara, and a Boxer dog named Sherman....Sherman as in Richard Sherman.
ANTHONY PARISI
CORPS DIRECTOR
Anthony has spent most of the last 20 plus years deeply involved in many aspects of the marching activity. In high school and college he marched both brass and percussion. Anthony moved on and participated in junior corps for partial seasons with both the Bluecoats and Boston Crusaders. He began his DCA career with a year in the Sunrisers and then marched for the next 8 years with the World Champion Hawthorne Caballeros playing both baritone and euphonium.
Anthony has been involved with the Tampa Bay Thunder and Sun Devils drum and Bugle Corps as both a visual and brass tech. He was also involved for several years with the WGI World Finalist Emanon Winter Guard as a visual tech/consultant. Anthony has been the Assistant Director/Drill Designer/Show Coordinator for several bands in the NY/NJ/PA area, including 4 time winner of the Yamaha Cup and Northern States/NJ Champions, Pequannock Township High School. Anthony has also worked with Riptide Indoor Percussion (RPT) Recently he was the Drill Designer for the St. Augustine Ancient City Regiment and the Oakleaf Golden Regiment.
Anthony is also currently the Corps Director for Solaris Drum and Bugle Corps. Outside the marching arena Anthony works for Expedia Local Experts as a concierge. He resides in Orlando with his wife Erin and 2 dogs.