Hello!
 
My name is Samantha Cotten, and I am currently seeking a color guard director or assistant position in the Indianapolis/Hamilton County area. I have well over six years of experience as a performer, and an additional three years of experience as a color guard and winter guard director/dance team judge. I am proficient in flag, sabre and rifle, and I also have experience in teaching dance and writing drill.
 
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
 
DIRECTOR - Cardinal Ritter High School, 2007-08; 2011
Between 2007-08, I was directly responsible for writing and teaching choreography, coordinating fundraisers and leading the team to all competition events. While at CRHS I was able to generate a new interest in the color guard program- doubling the guard's size in less than a year. Also, I created a winter guard program that helped prepare the team for competition. At the Indiana State Fair Band Day, the team placed eighth in the Small Band Guard caption category. Since 2011, I continue to teach parade routines at CRHS when needed.

JUDGE - Western Boone "Star Force" Dance Team, 2009-11
Each year I have volunteered as a guest judge for dance team auditions at Western Boone High School. Additionally, I have assisted with styling (hair, makeup, costume design) for the team's competition and performance wear.

MEMBER - University of Indianapolis Dance Team, 2007
I was a member of the University of Indianapolis' Dance Team in 2007, performing at all Greyhound football and basketball games and attending multiple collegiate dance camps. Additionally, I assisted in the coordination and implementation of a youth dance clinic at the UIndy campus.

CAPTAIN - Southmont High School, 2001-06
I served as the captain of the Southmont High School Color and Winter Guard from 2001-2006, and help the team earned a silver medal at the 2003 IHSCGA State Finals. Additionally, I lead the team to three Indiana State Fair Band Day Small Band Guard caption titles, and one overall title (2005).


PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

I am a 2009 graduate of the University of Indianapolis, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with emphasis in Public Relations and Journalism.

I currently work in higher education as an Assistant Director of Alumni Relations.

CONTACT
 
To contact me, please send an email to samanthacotten@gmail.com. I am happy to send my complete resume and any other necessary materials. Thanks for your consideration!

Hello!

My name is Samantha Cotten, and I am currently seeking a tech or assistant position in the Indianapolis area. I have well over six years of experience as a performer, and over a year of experience as a color guard and winter guard director. I am proficient in flag, sabre and rifle, and I also have experience in teaching dance and writing drill. As a recent graduate from the University of Indianapolis, I am very excited to finally have the opportunity to get back into the color guard scene.

EXPERIENCE
I served as the captain of the Southmont High School Color and Winter Guard from 2001-2006, and help the team earned a silver medal at the 2003 IHSCGA finals. Additionally, I lead the team to three Indiana State Fair Band Day Small Band Guard caption titles, and one overall title (2005).

After high school, I worked as the Color Guard and Winter Guard Director at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis. Between 2007-08, I was directly responsible for writing and teaching choreography, coordinating fundraisers and leading the team to all events. While at CRHS I was able to generate a new interest in the color guard program- doubling the guard's size in less than a year. Also, I created a winter guard program that helped prepare the team for competition. At the Indiana State Fair Band Day, the team placed eighth in the Small Band Guard caption category.

CONTACT
To contact me, please send an e-mail to samanthacotten@gmail.com. I am happy to send my resume and any other necessary materials. Thanks for your consideration!

How did you get started in guard and what made you stick with it?  I'm sure everyone has a different reason!


For me, I was a 7th grader when my band director gave out letters to the "well rounded students" which means you had good grades, you were social, and had good morals.  I think he was trying to re-start the guard (which then was called The Scarlettes") because most everyone had lost interest.  I remember going in on day one with my friend Amy, not even knowing what guard was! I mean...I had no idea it was flags even.  Lee Gibson was my director, but our season never went all the way through.  I think about a month or 2 into it, Lee resigned from South.  That summer, Dustin Mason was hired so we were again at day one.  I remember him coming in, and all of us sitting at a table in the cafetorium- not know where to begin! haha!  

Anyways, thats how I got involved.  I think the reason I stayed with it was because all my friends were in band, and I wanted to be with them.  I was ok at guard...I mean I had a ton of potential, but no a single cell of grace in my body (I was a basketball player.)  Eventually I found some grace, and I enjoyed performing more and more.  Now here I am, a junior in my 9th season of guard.

How about everyone else?

Anyone have any good cures/remedies for common injuries in guard?  Or even a good story that left you with an awesome "battle scar"??

Such as....the morning after I practice weapons, my hands will swell up like balloons! Tylenol really doesn't help much! Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?  Thanks a million!

I have a million battle scar stories so I dont even know where to begin!