Veritas Front Ensemble Staff
Martin Wilson : Front Staff
Martin Wilson is a percussionist and educator currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in percussion and biochemistry from Indiana University. While pursuing the degree, he has taught front ensembles at several high schools in Indiana, including Homestead, Bedford North Lawrence, and Edgewood.
He has marched 3 seasons of front ensemble with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2021-2023) and 3 seasons with Veritas (2022-2024). As an Indiana based percussionist, Martin is excited to contribute to the growth of the marching arts in Indiana with Veritas!
Makenna Powell : Front Staff
As a daughter of a band director and former drum corps percussion caption head, Makenna has been involved in the music world before she can even remember. A graduate of Avon High School (IN), she was heavily involved in the marching band, symphony orchestra, wind symphony, brass choir and indoor percussion. After high school, she continued performing with DCI and WGI ensembles, including Legacy Indoor Percussion, Veritas Indoor Percussion, and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. She has spent many years teaching at a variety of schools since 2016. She’s excited to keep bringing her knowledge and passion to Veritas this upcoming season!
Tanner White - Front Ensemble Staff
Tanner is a percussion educator based in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has worked with numerous high school percussion programs throughout Indiana (Hamilton Southeastern HS, Fishers HS, Zionsville HS, Pike HS, and more) and has been actively involved in the Indianapolis marching arts community for 10 years. He previously served on the instructional staff of Veritas and currently serves as the front ensemble arranger and sound designer for Gulfport High School (MS).
As a performer, Tanner marched with the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps in 2017, Legacy Indoor Percussion from 2017-2018, and Veritas Indoor Percussion in 2020. His experience as both a performer and educator has given him the opportunity to work across a variety of styles and levels within the marching percussion community.
Outside of the performing arts, Tanner works at the famous St. Elmo Steak House in downtown Indianapolis. He is excited to continue giving back to the percussion community and looks forward to contributing to the continued growth of 317 Performing Arts.
Darius McCann - Front Ensemble Staff
Darius McCann, from Indianapolis, Indiana, is a 2026 graduate from Indiana University, having studied under the guidance of Professors Joseph Gramley, Kevin Bobo, John Tafoya, and Sean Dobbins; previously studying underneath Dr. Joseph Galvin as his primary instructor for Afro-Cuban and salsa studies.
During his time at IU, Darius has played in several of the university’s ensembles, including but not limited to the IU Percussion Ensemble, various Bands/Orchestras, New Music Ensemble, and Steel Pan ensemble. Darius has also performed alongside Kevin Bobo and recorded alongside Dr. Liam Teague for his and Kevin Bobo’s work “Origins and Expansions for Steelpan and Wind Ensemble,” as well as performed with the IU Percussion Ensemble at PASIC in 2023, premiering Kevin Bobo’s “Phobias.”
Darius has taught at multiple high schools around the Indianapolis/Bloomington area, and is currently on staff with Music City Drum Corps, beginning during the 2026 season.
Darius McCann has also previously marched with multiple drum corps and WGI groups, which include Veritas PIW (2022-2023), Music City Drum Corps (2023), Rhythm X (2024-2026), and The Bluecoats (2024-2025). His accolades from his marching career include receiving two silver medals with Rhythm X, as well as a gold medal with the group during the 2026 season. His DCI accolades include receiving the gold medal at DCI Finals in 2024 with The Bluecoats, and receiving the silver medal with the Bluecoats for the 2025 season.
Emily Owen : Front Staff
Emily Owen is an Indianapolis native who is excited to return to the front ensemble staff at Veritas. Her marching experience includes three WGI seasons with Legacy Indoor Percussion and two DCI seasons with the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. Over the years, she has taught various front ensembles in the greater Indianapolis area, including Plainfield High School and Decatur Central High School.
Emily holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience and Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Applied Data Science. She currently works as a Data Engineer at Indiana University’s Biostatistics and Health Data Science Department, where she manages data for several cancer and behavioral health research studies.
Ryan Francis : Front Staff
Ryan Francis is an exercise scientist and drummer from Fishers, Indiana. He joined Veritas in 2022, performing one season on snare drum followed by two seasons on drum set, and marched drum set for three summers with the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps.
Ryan earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from Ball State University and holds certifications as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist, along with First Aid, Oxygen, and CPR/AED certification. He currently works as an Exercise Specialist at Hancock Health, where he trains patients through the clinical exercise program and helps individuals improve their health and fitness.
Continuing on staff with Veritas, Ryan is excited to combine his background in exercise science with his experience in the marching arts to support both the front ensemble and the physical development of performers.