As IMPACT Percussion prepares for the 2027 season, we’re excited to introduce the team shaping this year’s production.
Our 2027 Design Team brings together returning designers and educators from across the marching arts, along with a new addition to IMPACT this season. Joining the team as Front Ensemble Arranger & Sound Designer is Brian Dinkel, bringing more than two decades of experience as a performer, educator, composer, arranger, and designer.
Together, the team will collaborate across music, visual design, sound, staging, and production to create IMPACT’s 2027 program.
Chris Whyte — Music Coordinator
Chris Whyte returns to IMPACT’s Design Team in 2027, stepping into the role of Music Coordinator. A percussionist, composer, and educator, Chris serves as Percussion Area Coordinator at Portland State University and has performed and taught throughout the United States and internationally.
He is an original member of the Portland Percussion Group, a percussionist with Third Angle New Music, and regularly performs with the Oregon Symphony. He performed with the Blue Devils, Bluecoats, and Cascades Drum Corps and has more than 20 years of experience as a designer and arranger. Chris holds degrees from the University of Oregon and Boston University.
Tori Farias — Visual Coordinator
Tori Farias returns to IMPACT’s Design Team in 2027, stepping into the role of Visual Coordinator. With more than a decade of experience as an educator, choreographer, designer, and performer across the marching arts, Tori has worked with color guard, marching band, indoor percussion, indoor winds, and drum corps programs. Her credits include the Seattle Cascades, The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, Blue Devils B, POW Percussion, Saratoga High School Indoor Percussion, and many others.
As a performer, Tori’s credits include the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps, Infinity Percussion, Braddock Independent, Imbue Winterguard, Flanagan World Guard, and professional dance and entertainment productions. Based in San Antonio, Texas, Tori is a performing artist and fitness instructor, and a proud dog mom to her corgi.
Brian Dinkel — Front Ensemble Arranger & Sound Designer
Brian Dinkel joins IMPACT Percussion in 2027 as Front Ensemble Arranger & Sound Designer. For more than 20 years, Brian has worked as a performer, educator, composer, arranger, and designer.
Brian has been a member of the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps staff since 2009 and currently serves as Front Ensemble/Audio Caption Head and Front Ensemble Arranger/Sound Designer. He also serves as Front Ensemble Caption Head and Designer for the RCC Marching Tigers and six-time WGI World Champion RCC Indoor Percussion. Based in Southern California, Brian’s work includes programs throughout the region and around the world.
Eric Yahrmarkt — Battery Arranger
Eric Yahrmarkt returns as IMPACT’s Battery Arranger with more than 20 years of experience teaching, arranging, and performing in the marching arts throughout the Pacific Northwest. His experience spans high school marching bands and indoor percussion ensembles, collegiate drumlines, independent and scholastic WGI ensembles, and Open and World Class drum corps.
Eric studied Percussion Performance at Washington State University and performed with the Seattle Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps. His teaching experience includes the Seattle Cascades, Oregon Crusaders, OC Indoor, and numerous high school programs.
Ellie Peterson — Graphic Designer
Ellie Peterson returns as IMPACT’s Graphic Designer and is a longtime member of the organization’s creative team. Her work has helped shape IMPACT’s visual identity over the years, including creating the IMPACT Percussion logo and developing graphic elements for the ensemble’s productions.
An illustrator and graphic designer, Ellie works alongside the design team to help carry the identity of each production into its graphic presentation. Outside of IMPACT, she creates and sells original artwork and designs through BluefinWorks.
Max Logan — Drill Designer
Portland native Maximilian Logan returns as IMPACT’s Drill Designer. A marching arts designer, educator, and adjudicator for more than a decade, Maximilian designs for and develops marching band, indoor percussion, and indoor winds ensembles across the country through his company, Melody Productions.
His pageantry instructional experience includes the Oregon Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, Seattle Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps, Oregon Crusaders Indoor, and several high school ensembles. Maximilian has also been involved with the local marching arts community, including serving two terms as Winds Vice President on the NWAPA Board.
Josh Peterson — Design Coordinator
Josh Peterson steps into the newly established role of Design Coordinator for IMPACT Percussion in 2027, helping guide the development of the ensemble’s productions and coordinate the work of the design team. Josh co-founded IMPACT Percussion in 2014 and continues to lead the organization as Executive Director of IMPACT Performing Arts.
With the 2027 season approaching, this team will work together to develop the music, movement, staging, sound, and visual identity that will bring IMPACT’s next production to life.
We look forward to sharing more about the 2027 production in the months ahead.