Name, age, hometown: My name is Caitlin Williams, I am 17 years old, and have lived in the one-high-school town of Ferndale, Wash., for almost all of my life. What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? This is my third summer with the Seattle Cascades, and I am the color guard captain this year. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. After my freshman year in high school, and my very first season in color guard, I came to the Seattle Cascades all-days to fill a hole in their flag line. I had never even SEEN a drum corps show in my life, and had no idea what I was getting into. That was 2003, and I've been marching here ever since, and I love it!

Caitlin Williams
How did you decide to be a member of your corps? My high school band director was the brass caption head with the Cascades, and several students (both musicians and guard members) were marching that year. One of those guard members was a good friend of mine, and when she heard of that last-minute hole, she asked me to come -- so I did! So that's how I became a member of the Seattle Cascades, but I've stayed a member because it is my home. They're my family. I love the atmosphere at the Cascades and can't see myself marching anywhere else. What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? What's not to like? You get to wake up and do something that you love every single day! How many people can truly say that? What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Wear sunscreen. Hahaha. Just -- audition. I know that half the battle for a lot of people is getting up the nerve to audition. Just do it! Be confident, and work hard. That's all you really need. Do you have any favorite road anecdotes? It's hard to pick just one. Last year I rode the percussion bus, which was really cool because I got to know some people outside of the color guard. Anyway, the drum line were all really into the "Top Gun" movie -- it was their hype. A lot of them had aviator sunglasses, and they had the soundtrack and everything. So one night, on the bus, as we watched "Top Gun," they were all reciting the lines and singing along -- I thought it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. The last good book I read: I really enjoyed "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. It's a long one, but if you get through it, it's worth it. The last great film I saw: "Garden State" is my new favorite movie. Where I go to school: I'm a junior at Ferndale High School (near Bellingham, Wash.). Jobs I have/have had: I design and screenprint T-shirts for sports teams from time to time. Three albums I'd want on a deserted island: Erykah Badu, "Live"; Tool, "Undertow"; and Ani Difraco, "Girls Singing Night." My favorite TV show: I'm a big "Will and Grace" fan, and I also tune in to "Gilmore Girls." How do you "blow off steam?" Most of the time I spend some time alone, and listen to angry music. Hahaha. What has been your formative drum corps moment? After my very first drum corps competition, I was trying hard to hold my ending pose, my muscles shaking and sweat dripping into my eyes. I looked out into the crowd and realized that this is it. This is the real deal. These people are here to watch US, not the football team. That's when I knew that I loved drum corps. Best drum corps show ever: You know that saying, "The view is better from the field"? Well, that's the way I feel. To me, watching drum corps can never compare to marching drum corps, therefore all of my favorite shows are the ones I was in. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? I'm looking forward to hitting the road! I'm looking forward to rehearsing, performing, sweating, getting tan, hanging out with my friends. I'm looking forward to it all! Best thing about being in a drum corps: The people. You make so many good friends on tour. For me, my friends from tour are the best friends I've ever had. You literally share blood, sweat and tears. There is no stronger bond than that. During tour, the best part of the day is: Showtime! That 11 and 1/2 minutes on the field is by far the best part of the day. That's where all the work pays off. During tour, the worst part of the day is: The lunch block. You're tired because you've already rehearsed one block, and you know you've got another one to go still. PLUS, it just so happens to be the hottest part of the day. Favorite drum corps personality and why: Diane Davey has the best drum corps personality ever on the face of the planet. She's a member of the Seattle Cascades flag line, and the most positive person I've ever met. If it's mid-day, a trillion degrees, and 100 percent humidity, she just smiles from ear to ear and says, "Oh man! This is a HYPE!" I love her! What I want to be when I "grow up": I hope to get a double major in women's studies and communications, and to work as a public relations specialist, a publicist, something along those lines. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. Hhmmm, well, things will have flip-flopped by then and drum corps will be all woodwinds and drums. The battery would consist of nothing but ocean drums and the pit would set up on the back side lines. No, I have no ides, really. Feel free to add anything else you'd like. This is going to be an AWESOME season!