Jon Vanderkolff - DCI Hall of Fame

Jon Vanderkolff

Inducted in 2024

”Jon Vanderkolff — artistic director, visual designer, music composer, choreographer. Such a rich and diverse talented individual with artistic depth, voice and vision.” DCI Hall of Famer Jeff Sacktig sums up 2024 Hall of Fame inductee Jon Vanderkolff.

Vanderkolff was born into drum corps in Canada where his father was founder of the all-girl division Ventures. He marched as a member of the Kiwanis Kavaliers and then moved on to the Garfield Cadets where he finished his junior drum corps career in 1987. Those were formative years, learning from Hall of Fame designer George Zingali. He has shared that knowledge and artistic touch with some of DCI’s top corps, including The Cadets, Santa Clara Vanguard and Madison Scouts.

A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Vanderkolff brought a unique perspective when he took over the visual program for Star of Indiana in 1993. He helped bring the music of Barber and Bartók to the field in an innovative way, showcasing an ahead-of-its-time production to audiences across the country.

When DCI Hall of Fame member Bill Cook decided to take Star from the field to the stage after the 1993 DCI World Championships, he called on Vanderkolff to lead the transition. Vanderkolff did so masterfully. “Brass Theater” became “Blast!” “Blast!” became a Tony and Emmy award-winning production on Broadway in 2001.

It seems Jon Vanderkolff can do it all.

”Jon is on a very short list of people who have designed shows at the highest level in drum corps, marching band and winter guard,” says Sacktig.

What’s his secret?

“Jon is an ‘all-in’ creative force in every program he's involved with,” said 2016 DCI Hall of Fame inductee Denise Bonfiglio. “Jon's process is unique. He creates a collaborative environment that extends beyond staff and reaches out to the performers.”

Vanderkolff has been the artistic director and visual designer for the Bluecoats since 2013, and his creative handprint is all over the corps’ success. We’ve seen and heard some of DCI’s most innovative and popular shows come out of Canton, Ohio in that time.