Name, age, hometown: Emily Ann Mazurs, 21, Champlin, Minn.
What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? Phantom Regiment, color guard
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background.
·Phantom Regiment 2003
·Minnesota Brass Inc. all-age corps 2001, 2002, 2004
·Champlin Park HS Marching Band 1997-2000
·Champlin Park Winter guard 2000, 2001
·Avid Winter guard 2002 How did you decide to be a member of your corps? First off, it was the closest top-12 corps closest to my home, with the perk of an all-female color guard. It really helps that it is only five driving hours away from my home. Secondly, I love the style that PR brings to the field. I am so excited for the show this summer because it is me. I am going to have so much fun with it.
·For nearly four years I was a beauty advisor and photo specialist for Walgreens
·I spent eight wonderful months as an assistant teacher at New Horizon Child Care
·Last summer I was a color guard instructor for the Mankato Area 77 Lancers marching band. They were some wonderful kids!
·Also, numerous times I have consulted movement for local high school color guards. Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island:
·Norah Jones, "Come Away with Me"
·Bon Jovi, "Crush"
·"The Best of Earth, Wind, and Fire" My favorite TV show: "Friends" Favorite performers: Marie Prebonich. She has been my instructor/mentor since 10th grade and I look up to her in so many ways. I strive to perform like her every time I am on the field. She is such a wonderful person. I love you Marie! Thanks for everything! How do you "blow off steam?" I run on the elliptical. If that is not available and my rifle is around, I spin. What has been your formative drum corps moment? Phantom Regiment's semifinals performance in 2003. I left the field bawling because we had such a wonderful show. You could feel the togetherness on the field, we did it. It was our best show all season! Best drum corps show ever: Phantom Regiment 1996 What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Getting away from the outside world and only focusing on drum corps. My only responsibility for the summer is to perform. Best thing about being in a drum corps: The chance to affect one person's life by performing to them and doing something you love. Every time you perform, someone is watching you. Whether they are moved by the music or the visual interpretation, if you did your job they should feel moved by your performance. You also cannot forget the lifelong friendships that are made. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Twelve-hour practices in the Southwest, burritos for dinner and doing two run-throughs in a row (all in the same day.) I have never been so exhausted in my life. During tour, the best part of the day is: When you walk onto the field and the announcer says "From Rockford/Loves Park, Illinois the Phantom Rrrrrregiment!" Every time it brings chills down my spine and I get excited to perform. But I do have to say that warm showers and my aero bed run a close second. During tour, the worst part of the day is: Anytime you get called out from the box for being a big tick on the field. That is never good, and it makes you feel so horrible about yourself. But then you move on and never make that mistake again. What I want to be when I "grow up": I want to be a middle school English teacher and teach the high school color guard in that school district. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I think they are going to turn more into stage productions like you would see on Broadway.
·Phantom Regiment 2003
·Minnesota Brass Inc. all-age corps 2001, 2002, 2004
·Champlin Park HS Marching Band 1997-2000
·Champlin Park Winter guard 2000, 2001
·Avid Winter guard 2002 How did you decide to be a member of your corps? First off, it was the closest top-12 corps closest to my home, with the perk of an all-female color guard. It really helps that it is only five driving hours away from my home. Secondly, I love the style that PR brings to the field. I am so excited for the show this summer because it is me. I am going to have so much fun with it.
Emily Mazurs (right) and her sister, Laura.
·For nearly four years I was a beauty advisor and photo specialist for Walgreens
·I spent eight wonderful months as an assistant teacher at New Horizon Child Care
·Last summer I was a color guard instructor for the Mankato Area 77 Lancers marching band. They were some wonderful kids!
·Also, numerous times I have consulted movement for local high school color guards. Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island:
·Norah Jones, "Come Away with Me"
·Bon Jovi, "Crush"
·"The Best of Earth, Wind, and Fire" My favorite TV show: "Friends" Favorite performers: Marie Prebonich. She has been my instructor/mentor since 10th grade and I look up to her in so many ways. I strive to perform like her every time I am on the field. She is such a wonderful person. I love you Marie! Thanks for everything! How do you "blow off steam?" I run on the elliptical. If that is not available and my rifle is around, I spin. What has been your formative drum corps moment? Phantom Regiment's semifinals performance in 2003. I left the field bawling because we had such a wonderful show. You could feel the togetherness on the field, we did it. It was our best show all season! Best drum corps show ever: Phantom Regiment 1996 What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Getting away from the outside world and only focusing on drum corps. My only responsibility for the summer is to perform. Best thing about being in a drum corps: The chance to affect one person's life by performing to them and doing something you love. Every time you perform, someone is watching you. Whether they are moved by the music or the visual interpretation, if you did your job they should feel moved by your performance. You also cannot forget the lifelong friendships that are made. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Twelve-hour practices in the Southwest, burritos for dinner and doing two run-throughs in a row (all in the same day.) I have never been so exhausted in my life. During tour, the best part of the day is: When you walk onto the field and the announcer says "From Rockford/Loves Park, Illinois the Phantom Rrrrrregiment!" Every time it brings chills down my spine and I get excited to perform. But I do have to say that warm showers and my aero bed run a close second. During tour, the worst part of the day is: Anytime you get called out from the box for being a big tick on the field. That is never good, and it makes you feel so horrible about yourself. But then you move on and never make that mistake again. What I want to be when I "grow up": I want to be a middle school English teacher and teach the high school color guard in that school district. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I think they are going to turn more into stage productions like you would see on Broadway.