Drum Corps International (DCI) will continue its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the marching arts with the third year of the IN STEP Fellowship Initiative.
DCI’s “IN STEP” program supports the participation of underrepresented communities in all facets of drum corps, from membership to staff to leadership.
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“The IN STEP Fellowship is designed to expand the networks of music education professionals, including those who have been traditionally underrepresented within our ranks,” said Sue Kuehnhold, DCI senior director of ensemble services. “This program provides an opportunity for educators to gain firsthand experience with the unique attributes and best practices of the drum corps activity from the inside.”
In 2024, six band directors were selected to take part in the fellowship, each spending their respective time with corps that included the Crossmen, Carolina Crown, Jersey Surf, Blue Devils, Bluecoats and Mandarins.
“What was supposed to be a week-long fellowship with DCI turned into three-plus weeks of training, teaching, parades, shows, and collaborating with some of the best in the game,” IN STEP fellow Jerico Carrillo said after working with the Jersey Surf in 2024 . “I truly believe I have developed more as an educator, and I can’t wait to bring back what I have learned to my kids at Southern (Guilford High School).”
READ: DCI names class of 2024 IN STEP Fellows
Applications are now open for band directors interested in joining the 2025 IN STEP Fellowship Initiative.
Selected participants will receive a $1,000 stipend to cover expenses as they spend a week with a participating drum corps on the road on the 2025 DCI Tour. Fellows will engage in an interactive, hands-on experience, working alongside top educators and designers to tailor their learning to their specific areas of interest.
After completing a contact form, Drum Corps International staff will provide additional information and participation guidelines. The application deadline is March 15, 2025.