DESERT VOX STAFF
DAVID MIRANDA
CO-DIRECTOR/ ENSEMBLE COORDINATOR/ BATTERY ARRANGER/ BATTERY DESIGN
David Miranda is the Co-founder of Desert Vox and a full-time percussion educator, arranger, and designer from Southern California. Active in the marching arts since 2006, he currently serves as Director of Percussion at Pebble Hills High School (El Paso, TX). He also sits on the Board of Directors for Pulse Percussion Inc. David holds a BA in Music Education from Cal Poly Pomona and an MA in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Over his 19-year teaching career, David has worked with many of the nation’s top ensembles. In DCI, he taught basslines with The Troopers (2010), Santa Clara Vanguard (2011), and Blue Stars (2013–2016), later serving as Percussion Caption Head and Battery Arranger for Gold Drum and Bugle Corps (2017–2019), where the corps achieved its largest competitive jump in history. In WGI, he has taught with Pulse Percussion (2011–2013), led Gold Indoor to Finals in their first season (2019), arranged for Velocity Independent, and most recently guided Desert Vox to a promotion to PIO during their inaugural season.
As a high school educator, David taught with seven-time WGI PSW Gold Medalist Chino Hills HS (2015–2018), Rancho Cucamonga HS (2011–2013), and several other nationally recognized programs including Upland, Colony, Alta Loma, and his alma mater Warren HS within Southern California. Upon moving to El Paso in 2021, David served as the Percussion Director at Del Valle High School (2021–2023). He has written percussion books for programs across California, Texas, and New Mexico, including Gold Drum Corps, Pebble Hills, Del Valle, Bel Air, Andress, and others.
David’s marching experience includes Pacific Crest, Santa Clara Vanguard, and Phantom Regiment in DCI, and four seasons with Pulse Percussion (2007–2010), earning a WGI World Gold Medal in his age-out year. He has studied under leaders such as Paul Rennick, Murray Gusseck, Brian Mason, Glen Crosby, John Mapes, Ian Grom, and Eric Shriver. He proudly endorses Vic Firth, Zildjian, and Remo.
VYVIAN PEREZ
DIRECTOR/ VISUAL CONSULTANT/ CHOREOGRAPHER/ CYMBAL TECHNICIAN
Vyvian Perez, El Paso native, is the Co-Founder and Director of Desert Vox, where for the past three years she has directed and overseen visual design, choreography, cymbal education, and administration. She has been a cymbal educator for the last 16 years and currently teaches cymbals at New Mexico State University while also working full-time as an ASL interpreter.
Since 2010, Vyvian has taught cymbal lines locally at Coronado HS, Del Valle HS, Pebble Hills HS, UTEP, NMSU, Sun City Independent, and her alma mater Eastwood HS where she spent ten years teaching. During her five years in Southern California, she taught at programs including Gold Drum and Bugle Corps (2017–2019), Gold Indoor (2019), Velocity Independent (2018) and several high schools including Alta Loma and Patrick Henry. After returning to El Paso, Vyvian co-founded DV Indoor (now Desert Vox) in 2023, leading the ensemble to an Open Class promotion in its inaugural season, and several Gold Medals at local WTCA Competitions since its inception.
As a performer, Vyvian marched cymbals with Pioneer (2010), Mandarins (2011–2013), and POW Percussion (2015), earning a DCI I&E Gold Medal and the Mandarins Felicia Louie Award. She has also performed on TV Shows Hell’s Kitchen and Euphoria.
A classically trained pianist since age five, Vyvian studied percussion at UTEP briefly before shifting her focus to linguistics and ASL Interpreting. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas Permian Basin, along with associate degrees in Sign Language Interpretation, World Languages/Global Studies, and Administration of Justice from EPCC and MT. SAC.
Noe Gomez is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles, California and an educator and designer within the marching arts. He has over seven years of performance experience, including Impulse, Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets, and half of a decade with the Santa Clara Vanguard, where he served as drum major from 2012 to 2015.
Noe is immersed in the upper echelons of the marching arts, as he is a full time visual designer, judge, and clinician for both high school bands and independent programs. Noe served on the visual staff and as Assistant Visual Caption head of the Santa Clara Vanguard as well as the Visual Design assistant for the Phantom Regiment. He is on the design team at Pulse Percussion, Blue Knights, Arcadia High School, Chino Hills High School, Naragakuen in Japan and many more. Noe also serves as an advisor to the Color Guard Alliance of the Philippines and Impulso Marching Latino America.
As a designer, Noe prides himself on creating a cohesive visual package--one that is musically reflective, exciting, achievable, and fresh. He is passionate about cultivating a musical landscape that allows the performers to sound their best and integration that positively highlights the color guard. Noe upholds professionalism and communication as core elements of his work with all programs.
Website: noegomezproductions.com
Instagram: @noegomez.productions
PROGRAM COORDINATOR/ DRILL & VISUAL DESIGN
NOE GOMEZ
JIMMY NGUYEN
Jimmy Nguyen resides in Southern California where he works as a composer/arranger, sound designer, and clinician for band and independent programs across the country.
Jimmy has worked with distinguished programs such as RCC Indoor Percussion, Meraki, Ayala HS, the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also had the privilege of composing and arranging for ensembles across the country, including medalists and finalists in BOA regionals, UIL state and area, WGI percussion independent open & world, WGI Winds, and DCI open class.
With numerous years of performance experience, Jimmy has performed with groups such as RCC, the Blue Devils, and Pacific Crest. Jimmy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology (with a focus in Education) from UC Riverside and a Master of Science in Education degree from CSU Fullerton.
Jimmy is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and proudly endorses Innovative Percussion sticks & mallets and Zildjian cymbals.
FRONT ENSEMBLE ARRANGER/ SOUND DESIGNER
FRANK GONZALEZ
Frank is the Front Ensemble Manager for Desert Vox, now entering his third year on staff. A proud El Paso native, he holds a BA in Music Education from the University of Texas at El Paso, an MM in Percussion Performance from George Mason University, and an MM in Conducting from UTEP.
As a performer, Frank began his drum corps career with the Patriots (2003) before marching three seasons with the Blue Knights (2004, 2006–2007). His skill was recognized nationally when he won first place in the DCI I&E Keyboard competition (2006) and as part of the first-place Percussion Ensemble (2007). These experiences shaped his approach as both a performer and educator, combining technical excellence with musical artistry.
Frank’s teaching career is extensive. He served as band director at Northwest High School in the Dallas–Fort Worth area (2014–2019), where he built strong programs and inspired young musicians. In 2019, he joined Sweetwater Sound as a Sales Engineer, connecting musicians with the tools they needed to excel. He later returned to the classroom as Director of Bands at Nacogdoches High School (2022). Now back in El Paso, Frank teaches at UTEP and continues to share his expertise with the next generation of percussionists.
At Desert Vox, Frank has been instrumental in shaping the sound and development of the front ensemble. With more than two decades of experience as a performer, educator, and conductor, he brings a refined perspective to the ensemble, helping define its identity on both the local and national stage. His return to El Paso represents not just a homecoming, but a continuation of his lifelong commitment to advancing the marching arts.
FRONT ENSEMBLE MANAGER
ART AVILA
Arthur Avila Jr. has been with Desert Vox since its first year as DV Indoor and now enters his fourth year on staff as percussion specialist. He is the Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion at Eastwood High School in his hometown of El Paso, TX, and also serves as part-time faculty at El Paso Community College. A graduate of UTEP (BM in Music Education, 2001), Arthur studied percussion under Larry White and previously worked as Co-Caption/Snare/Cymbal Technician for the WGI Independent Open ensemble Innovative Marching Percussion.
Art is the founder and host of the annual EHS/YISD Sun City Throwdown Drumline Competition. Since 2004, his Eastwood percussion program has earned numerous awards, including a first-place finish at PASIC 2019 in the Small Marching Ensemble category. He was also recognized as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars in 2006.
Beyond education, Arth is an active international percussionist who has performed throughout the U.S. and Mexico with groups such as the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Juarez Symphony Orchestra, El Paso Opera, and Pro-Musica. In 2016, he toured with the El Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra, performing at Carnegie Hall, Coney Island, and in Washington D.C. for Congress. He has also shared the stage with renowned artists including Tito Puente Jr., Wycliffe Gordon, Canadian Brass, and Taylor Hicks. Currently, Arthur is a studio percussionist with Shade Records and performs drum set and timbales with the Latin/Salsa band Azucar. He proudly endorses Pearl Drums/Adams and Innovative Percussion.
PERCUSSION CONSULTANT
JONATHAN GUZMAN
Jonathan is currently in his third year on staff at Desert Vox and also works full time as a police officer for the EPPD. Having recently aged out from the vibrant and dynamic world of marching arts, Jonathan continues to show his deep love and unwavering passion for the activity by taking on the important role of an educator at both the high school and independent levels in his hometown of El Paso, Texas. He proudly graduated from El Dorado High School in 2020, and since that time, he has primarily dedicated himself to working there as a committed percussion instructor, honing his craft and expertly guiding young musicians to reach their full potential. In addition to this primary role, he began working with Horizon High School in the fall of 2023, further expanding his influence and reach within the community.
Throughout his impressive journey in DCI, Jonathan had the incredible opportunity to march with Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018 and the esteemed Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets in the year 2022, where he celebrated a significant achievement by winning the prestigious DCI Open Class World Championship title. He also had the privilege of marching with the UTEP Drumline in 2021, which further enriched his overall experience. Jonathan looks forward with great anticipation to sharing and passing down all he has learned throughout his journey to future generations of the marching arts, inspired greatly by the remarkable educators he has had the pleasure to work with, including the talented Paul Rennick, Patrick Malone, Harry Hutchins, Daniel Hunt, Daniel Reyes, Anthony Yrigoyen, and the esteemed Dr. Andy Smith.
BATTERY INSTRUCTOR
NICHOLAS GALLEGOS
Nicholas Gallegos is a graduate student and teaching assistant at the University of Texas at El Paso, pursuing a Master of Music with a Concentration in Conducting.
Born and raised in El Paso, Nick graduated from Eastwood HS in 2020, participating in the Trooper Marching Band and the Varsity Mixed Choir “Cavaliers.” He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from New Mexico State University in 2024, spending three semesters in the Pride of New Mexico bassline playing music arranged by Bluecoats alumni. Nick was a tenor drum technician for Eastwood HS in 2023 and has served as the bass drum technician at Pebble Hills HS for the last two years. Nick was a 2019 DCI finalist, having performed with Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Most recently, he performed two consecutive seasons with Desert Vox, becoming the group’s second ageout in 2025.
Nick’s musical expertise extends to opera and choral music. A brilliant tenor, he has studied voice for the last five years, honing his skills in classical and contemporary vocal music alike through participation in TMEA All-State Choirs, NMSU Choirs and Opera Workshop, Quintessence Summer Choral Festival, UTEP Choirs and Opera UTEP, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of El Paso. Nick currently serves as a volunteer choir assistant at Eastwood MS.
BATTERY INSTRUCTOR
SIRE ISLAS
Sire Islas is joining the Desert Vox staff for his first year in 2025 after aging out with the ensemble as a member of the snare line. An El Paso native, Sire is currently studying percussion at New Mexico State University, where he has performed with the NMSU Percussion Studio and Marching Band.
His marching career includes time with Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, Seattle Cascades, Sun City Independent, and Desert Vox. In recognition of his excellence and leadership, he was awarded Best Performer with Desert Vox in 2025.
As a performer, Sire has developed a reputation for precision and musicality on snare, contributing greatly during his time as a member. Now stepping into an educational role, he brings both his performance experience and his passion for teaching to the ensemble. Sire looks forward to giving back to the group that shaped his own journey in the marching arts while continuing his studies in percussion performance and education at NMSU under Jeff Ausdemore.
BATTERY INSTRUCTOR
ANDRES VASQUEZ
Andres Vasquez is in his second year on staff with Desert Vox and has recently been appointed as the Percussion Director at Del Rio High School. An El Paso native, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2024, where he performed with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Pan Group Pantastics, Jazz Band, and Symphony Orchestra. He also contributed to recorded performances with the UTEP Wind Ensemble, available on Spotify and Apple Music, and was featured at TMEA with the UTEP Percussion Ensemble.
As an educator, Andres has worked with numerous high school and middle school percussion programs across El Paso, including his recent role as Percussion Specialist at Franklin High School. He has built a reputation for strong musicianship, versatility, and a commitment to developing young percussionists.
Throughout his career, Andres has studied under esteemed educators including Dr. Andy Smith, Colin McAllister, Dr. Brian McNulty, Colin Edwards, Larry White, and Art Avila Jr., whose mentorship continues to shape his teaching and philosophy as a percussionist.
FRONT ENSEMBLE INSTRUCTOR