Name, age, hometown: Tysha Wulan Aspoor, 20, Houston, TEXAS! What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? I march in the color guard with the Bluecoats, and this will be my sixth season with the corps. Where I go to school and what I'm studying: I go to the University of Houston, and I'm majoring in graphic communications.

Tysha Aspoor
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. Well, I started color guard my freshmen year of high school and was introduced to drum corps by my color guard director, Heath Blain, in 1999. I thought to myself, "I could never do that!" At 15, my sophomore year, one of my guard friends said that there was a corps holding auditions in Austin (Texas) for the 2001 season. I still knew very little about drum corps, and I had never heard of the Bluecoats. So three other of my guard friends and I went to audition just for the experience. We knew that we had no chance of receiving a contract being only 15 or 16 with only one year of guard experience. Little did I know that I would receive a contract at the end of camp. I had no clue on what I was getting myself into. My first season, 2001, I was the youngest person in the corps, let alone the youngest one to make the weapon line as well. Luckily, the captain, Alyssa Ericson, gave me a lot of advice to help me get through my season. Honestly, I hated my rookie year! But I came back for the 2002 season, still being the youngest, and was hooked with the Bluecoats. I continued to march in 2003, 2004, 2005, and soon to return in 2006 until I ageout in 2007. What does your ideal free day consist of? NOT SPINNING! Hehe, busting out the cute free day ensemble, eating "normal" food with my best friend Ashley Studer (Bluecoats color guard captain) and shopping! Favorite pig-out food: There's so many! My favorites, though, are cosmic brownies, pepperoni pizza combos, Starbursts, and Wheat Thins with easy cheese! In the shower you can hear me singing: The girls don't really sing, but we can hear the guys sing Bluecoats songs at the tops of their lungs! The last good book I read: I read surfing magazines. The last great film I saw: "Walk the line," and I'm ready to see "Memoirs of a Geisha"! Jobs I have/have had: Banana Republic, Hollister, bartender, tech for Cinco Ranch H.S., Westfield H.S., Clements H.S. and Denham Springs H.S. My favorite TV show: "Friends," "Family guy," "The Simpsons" and "The Office" (UK version only!). What has been your formative drum corps moment? I haven't had a defining, formative moment, but I can say that there has been one person whose words I will always take with me, whether it's a correction or a joke. That's our flag tech, Marlieta Mathews. She is the most extraordinary woman I have ever met and I am so thankful to have been taught by her. What would you be doing next summer if you were not marching? I don't know what I would be doing because I have spent seven seasons marching. What do you people do in the summer? How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I actually had no intentions to become a member because I didn't think I would get a contract. What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? My director showed me a video of the 1993 Cadets and Madison Scouts, and I was just in awe of DCI after that. What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Be mentally prepared to sacrifice your summer. Don't be afraid to ask a vet about how the summer goes if you don't know already. Have at least one good friend that you can go to at the end of the day that will help you so much! Do everything full out and just say OK! What I want to be when I "grow up": I want to become a commercial designer. If that doesn't work than move to Hawaii and become a professional surfer and if that fails I want to take over for Fred J. Miller. Favorite drum corps personality and why: That's easy, JESSICA ALLEN. She is my color guard idol. I think she's absolutely fabulous! I could go on and on, but ask any Bluecoat about my views on her. Best drum corps show ever and why: "Caravan," Bluecoats 2005. The corps has never placed or scored that high. I joined a 12th place corps and it's amazing to be part of a top six! I've waited five years to finally say that! The year is 2030. What does a DCI show look like? Well, since technology is booming left and right, each member will receive their own Microsoft duplicate life-size robot installed with either a bugle, percussive instrument or guard equipment. The bots will be mind-controlled and are specifically programmed to never complain. Finals will be held anywhere but Orlando, most likely Mars via satellite, and bots won't use amplification. Feel free to add anything else you'd like. I'd like to thank my blonde counterpart, Ashley Studer, for all of her support throughout the soon-to-be six years of marching together. I love you and you are truly the greatest friend I've ever had. To the '01 crew, there's only five of us left! Also a shout-out to the BCCG and staff! And to all the Bluecoats, staff and administration included, I LUV YA!
P.S. BACK OF THE BUS RULES! And party at Swaldo's again?