Veritas Bass Drum Staff
Benjy Braude : Bass Drum Consultant
Benjy is a teacher, drummer, photographer, and traveler living in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he is a bass drum instructor at Rhythm X and the Bluecoats.
Benjy graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in biology as well as a master’s degree in secondary education. In his time at IU, he performed with the Marching Hundred Drumline for five years, returned for another five years as a director and arranger for the group, and currently works with the Marching Hundred as their photographer. Benjy has since been a high school science teacher and freelance photographer in Central Indiana, as well as a bass drummer with the Indianapolis Colts Drumline.
In his marching career, Benjy is proud to have performed with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps, Legacy Indoor, and Rhythm X. As a teacher, Benjy has worked as a bass technician with high schools across the Cincinnati and Indianapolis areas, as well as multiple indoor percussion ensembles and drum corps. Prior to his current roles at Rhythm X and the Bluecoats, some of his most notable teaching experience includes Center Grove High School, Legacy Indoor, Veritas, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Sacramento Mandarins.
Benjy is a Vic Firth and Zildjian artist, and you can find out more about Benjy at his website www.benjybraude.com.
Jackson “Z” Miner : Bass Staff
Jackson “Z” Miner is excited to partake in his 5th year on the Veritas Bass staff! Z currently works with Hamilton Southeastern HS as their battery coordinator, Noblesville HS, Warren Central HS, and Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps as a bass tech. His previous marching experience includes Legacy Indoor (2018), Veritas (2019) Connexus (2020), and the Madison Scouts (2019).
Z graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Secondary Life Science Education, and Zoology, and recently obtained a masters degree in Secondary Life Science Education from Western Governors University. As well as teaching drums, during the day, Z teaches 8th Grade Science at Noblesville West Middle School. When he is not teaching Z loves to spend time with his wife, 5 cats, 2 turtles, and a tortoise. Z loves board games/ reading/ birdwatching/ and 3d printing and designing.
Colton King : Bass Staff
Colton King is a native of Zionsville, IN and currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
While attending high school, Colton was a member of Zionsville Indoor Percussion. During that time, the group won Indiana Percussion Association State Championships in Scholastic A in 2016, 2017 & 2019. Colton started his independent marching career as a bass drummer with Cincinnati Tradition Drum & Bugle Corps in 2019 and 2021. He also marched bass drum with Triple Crown Indoor Percussion in 2021 and 2022 finishing as a WGI Independent Open Finalist that year. He aged out of his marching career in 2023 with Cap City World playing bass drum and finishing as a WGI Independent World Finalist.
He has taught percussion at Westfield HS, Westfield IN. He has taught and is currently teaching at Zionsville HS, Zionsville IN with both marching band and indoor since 2019 and as well as Cincinnati Tradition an all age drum corps since 2024. He is very excited to be back for another year with Veritas and to continue to help grow the activity that he calls home.
Jackson Sawyer : Bass Staff
Jackson Sawyer is from Dayton, Ohio and lives in Cincinnati. He marched 4 years with the Centerville Jazz Band and Centerville Indoor Percussion. After graduating he marched a season of Bass Drum with Legends DBC in 2022, Veritas 2023, The Academy 2023, and ConneXus 2024. Jackson teaches Northmont High School in Clayton, Ohio. Jackson is currently studying Graphic Design and Esports Management at Miami University.
Jake Strnad : Bass Staff
Jake Strnad is originally from Knoxville, TN and currently lives in Indianapolis, IN. He is excited for his third year on staff with Veritas!
He has marched with the Purdue Drumline (2019-2022), Veritas (2019 & 2022), and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2021). He currently teaches at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, IN, and has previously taught at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, IN.
He initially moved to Indiana to attend Purdue University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental and ecological engineering. He currently works at an environmental consulting firm in Indianapolis, IN.