Mark Monaghan – Percussion Caption Head & Music Coordinator

Mark is a percussionist, educator, and arranger based out of the Northern New Jersey Area. He attended Rutgers University for his bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently pursuing his second bachelor’s degree in Music Education.

Mark began his marching career with United Percussion in 2012. From there his marching experience included one more year with United, two years with The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2012 and 2013), and two years with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps (2014 and 2015). Mark also was part of the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights Drumline for 3 Years.

Mark’s teaching experience started with Edison High School in 2012. He currently holds the Co-Caption head position there with his colleague Tom O’Hara. He has also had experience with various other high schools in the northern/southern regions of New Jersey. He has taught the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights Drumline from 2015 to the present day and is also currently a bass tech with United Percussion where he has taught for several years. Mark is a current staff member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, where he has taught from 2017. He was fortunate enough to be a part of the world championship edition of the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2018.

Mark is fortunate enough to have received instruction from the truly creative and inspiring minds of his teachers Kevin Chaffinch, Joseph Tompkins, Mike Truesdell, Javier Diaz, Kyle Zerna and Paul Rennick.

Mark is excited to return for his fourth year as Percussion Caption Head and first as Music Coordinator with the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps.

Danielle Dilks – Color Guard Caption Head

Danielle is excited to start her 9th year with Hawthorne Caballeros and third year as a caption head.

Danielle started her career with Upper Darby HS and expanding her marching experience to DCI & DCA with Jersey Surf, Glassmen, and Hawthorne Caballeros. Danielle’s WGI experience was with ComplXity, and Black Watch Independent World Guard. She was a member of Black Watch for their audition for America’s Got Talent and a staff member with the group for Contemporary Color.

Danielle has taught groups including Jersey Surf, Black Watch, and various local marching bands and winter guards in the PA/NJ area. She is excited for her second season as a technician with AMP World Guard. Danielle resides in Broomall, PA and is a HR Representative for a National Transportation company.

Joshua Jenkins – Brass Caption Head

The Caballeros are excited to welcome back Joshua Jenkins as the 2020 Brass Caption Head!

Joshua (JJ) Jenkins is a performer, educator, and clinician based out of northern New Jersey and is currently a band director in the Vernon Township School District.

JJ conducts the 6th and 7th-grade bands as well as teaches brass and percussion lessons for grades 6-12. He is also the High School brass choir director, the assistant high school marching band director, and is the Glen Meadow Middle School Jazz Band director.

Joshua graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. During his time at Ithaca College, he studied french horn with professor Alexander Shuhan and played in many of the College’s ensembles including the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra and the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble.

JJ was also the Band Director at Brooklawn Middle School in Parsippany, NJ from 2015-2017. During his time at Brooklawn, he conducted the 6th and 8th Grade bands and taught instrumental lessons for brass and woodwinds. JJ is also a member of the New Jersey Wind Symphony, one of New Jersey’s premier wind ensembles, where he plays French Horn.

Kevin Kirby – Visual Caption Head

Kevin “Kirby” Jr. returns to the Caballeros visual staff for his fifth year (2016-present). Prior to joining the visual staff, Kirby marched in the Caballero tuba line (2012-2015).

Kirby brings with him almost 2 decades of marching experience as a marching member or as a staff member. He currently works mainly with Middletown High School in Delaware as part of the visual team for the marching band and indoor drumline. He also works with bands throughout the Tri-state area, providing insight to improve visual packages and concepts for marching bands.