2022 Cabs Color Guard Team Announced
PJ Tankard – Instructor
This is PJ Tankard’s fourth summer with the HCCG.
As a high school student, he was a member of the Elizabeth High School Marching Band. His marching experience includes Alter Ego (IO), Black Watch (IW), The Bushwackers (DCA), Jersey Surf (DCI) and The Cadets (DCI).
His experience in teaching programs goes from Novice through the World level. In the past he has worked with: Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps (2005 Div 3 Champions, 2006 Div 3 Bronze Medalist), Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps, Union HS, West Orange HS (SA through SW and the 2014 SO Silver Medalist). Currently, he works with AMP World Guard.
Currently, PJ lives in Ledgewood, NJ and works at a Home Infusion Pharmacy as the Director of Contract Management for the Neurology, Immunology and Transplant Division.
Laura Saad – Instructor
Laura is excited to return to the Hawthorne Caballeros color guard for her fourth season!
Her marching experience includes six years of DCI (2009-2014) at the Jersey Surf and Carolina Crown, as well as three years in WGI performing with the Black Watch. Laura has spent the past seven winter seasons working with AMP winter guard in various capacities and has choreographed/instructed various marching bands in the NJ/PA-area since 2012.
In addition to her color guard endeavors, Laura holds a BS in psychology from the University of the Sciences and is currently a Ph.D. student in cognitive psychology at Rutgers University.
Olivia Kleintz – Instructor
Olivia is very excited to start her DCA journey with the Hawthorne Caballeros color guard for her very first season! Olivia’s marching experience started when she was only eight years old as a baton twirler in Pennsylvania. She started color guard in high school and her experience includes eight years of DCI (2014-2021) at the Jersey Surf and The Blue Devils, as well as eight years in WGI performing with the AMP Winter Guard. For the past five years, she has taught and directed at Unionville High School in Pennsylvania. Aside from her color guard accomplishments, Olivia holds a BS in exercise science from West Chester University and will soon be working on her doctorate for physical therapy.
Joshua Marrero – Choreographer
Joshua started out his color guard career with AMP Winter Guard from 2007 – 2014. He moved forward as a cast member with Black Watch (IW) for two seasons and participated as a member of Contemporary Color with the group. Joshua returned to AMP in 2017 when the group placed first in WGI IO Finals. He is one of the captains of the group and is excited for the 2020 season for AMP’s third year in World Class.
Joshua expanded his experience with drum corps. He was a member of Jersey Surf (2012 – 2014), Hawthorne Caballeros (2015), Blue Knights (2016 – 2017) and aged out with the 2018 DCI Champions, the Santa Clara Vanguard.
Joshua has worked with various marching band programs throughout New Jersey & Pennsylvania and is excited to be coming back to the Caballeros for his third year.
Louis Hellinger – Choreographer
Louis Hellinger is a lifelong New Jersey resident and has over 20 years of performance, design and instructional experience in the different color guard activities. His passion for the activity began quite humbly in Bayonne, NJ., from his hometown of Bayonne, NJ. Later, he was a member of the renowned Emerald Marquis color guard from Wakefield, Ma. Louis is currently the creative director and choreographer for the AMP Winter Guard, from Camden NJ, who was the 2017 WGI Open Class Champion, 2018 & 2019 Independent World Class Finalist, and 2019 Independent World Fan Favorite. Previously he founded the West Orange High School winter guard, where he spent 12 years as the creative director and designer. Additionally, he has had the privilege to work with a number of wonderful programs over the years, including: Madison Scouts Drum Corps (WI), Cypress Independent (TX), The Black Watch (NJ), The Blue Knights (CO), Sacred Heart University (CT) and countless other units throughout the NJ area.
In addition to all of his competitive teaching, Louis is proud to be a part of the the FLAGGOTS Color Guard (NY/NJ/PA/CT), where he has been the Creative Director since 2005. The FLAGGOTS organization is known across the country to be the premiere pride parade color guard.