Christopher Cantrell
Christopher Cantrell writes the drill and arranges the music for Cantrell Marching. Having his origins in the McGavock High School Band in Nashville, Tennessee, he has marched with the University of Tennessee Marching Band, Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 1990 and the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991-1992. In 1993, he was on visual staff for the Cadets when they won the DCI World Championship. He has been writing drill and arranging music since becoming a band director in 1994. Following 9 years of being a high school band director (6 years in ATSSB), Chris spent 4 years as Assistant Director of Bands at Sam Houston State University. He now lives in Dallas with his wife, Renee.

Renee Cantrell
Renee coordinates all of the color guard camps and videos for Cantrell Marching. She is a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington and holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. Her honors include graduating Magna Cum Laude and consistently making the deans list. Before college Renee was an all-state flute player for the Grapevine High School band in Grapevine, TX. She has performed with top colorguards including the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps,Ars Nova Independent Winterguard and Nolan Independent Winterguard. For the 2004 season, she was a staff member of Insignia Winterguard, a 2004 Winter Guard International Open Class Finalist. She has also taught at L.D. Bell High School, a Grand National finalist as well as a UIL state champion. She now teaches at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, TX.

Joe Beam
Mr. Joe Beam is currently the Graduate Teaching Assistant at Sam Houston State University, pursuing a master's degree in Percussion Performance. Previously, he served for two years as the percussion instructor for Magnolia High School and Bear Branch Junior High in Magnolia ISD. Joe is a graduate from Sam Houston State University, with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He has worked as a clinician and educator for Percussion One/N8Rhythm since 2001, teaching clinics at many high schools across the state, including: Plainview HS, Donna HS, Robert E. Lee HS, Hargrave HS, Katy HS, Katy-Taylor HS, Mayde Creek HS, Stony Point HS, Cypress Woods HS, and Memorial HS. Also, he has been a clinician for the Yamaha Sounds of Summer Camps.

Solomon Ruth
Solomon Ruth began his colorguard career as member of the Avante' Independent Open winterguard. He was also a member of The Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corps. During these performing years, Mr. Ruth took a job as the Colorguard Director at Huntsville High School. While maintaining a position as Colorguard Instructor for Sam Houston State University, Mr. Ruth became a performing member and design consultant in his first year of participating with Emblem281. In Mr. Ruth's second year as a choreographer and weapon technician, Emblem281 retained 5th place at WGI Championships in the Independent A class. In 2004, he became the Colorguard Director for Conroe High School where he brought the group their first two wins as the Texas Colorguard Circuit State Champions. In 2005, Mr. Ruth became the Director of the University of Houston Colorguard and the Fortitude Independent Open Winterguard (who became a finalist at WGI in the Independent Open Class). Mr. Ruth has also choreographed multiple shows for competitive groups all over the state of Texas, such as Americas High School, Haltom High School, Klein High School, Rio Hondo High School, Madisonville High School, Robstown High School, MacArthur High School, etc. Mr. Ruth has been a clinician and design consultant for many other groups in the area. Mr. Ruth has brought four winterguards to the Texas State Championships in the past five years and has won State Championships four times.