Program Directors

Kyle Ballou

Hornline Director

Kyle Ballou (he/him) is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a bachelor's degree in music education and has a certification in Orff Schulwerk from the University of St. Thomas. He is currently a teacher in the Minneapolis Public School district at Loring Elementary where he teaches pre-K through fifth-grade general music, along with fifth-grade band. The past four years, Kyle has been working with the Cadets hornline as a technician staff member and in the last two years he has been a brass tech for Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps in the summer. His goal as a marching educator is to give the best marching experience to his members while pushing them to be the very best they can be. 

Joe Jaeger 

Drumline Director

Joe Jaeger has been an active music educator, director, marching arts show designer, and performer in the Twin Cities area since 2009. He is currently the middle school band director at Prairie View Middle School in Otsego, MN (ISD 728), and the director of the 728 Cadets Marching Arts. He has instructed and arranged for marching band and indoor percussion at Rosemount HS, Eden Prairie HS, 728 Cadets Marching Arts, River Valley Percussion Theatre, Blaine HS, Armstrong HS, Baldwin/Woodville HS, and many more. In 2014 he spent the summer as the percussion caption head for Chops Drum and Bugle Corps and has since been the battery coordinator for Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps/Indoor Drumline. He was also on staff as a snare technician for the world class DCI corps Seattle Cascades. He has spent many years teaching percussion lessons and classes in a freelance setting, and in schools throughout the Twin Cities area, including Rosemount High School, Rogers Middle School, and Harding High School. Mr. Jaeger has an Associate in Fine Arts/Music degree from Normandale Community College and a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. 

Savannah Kearns 

Colorguard Director

Savannah Kearns has been an active instructor, choreographer, designer, and performer in the marching arts activity since 2010. She began working with the 728 Cadets Marching Arts in 2022 and is now the current color guard director.   Savannah’s performing experience is extensive, having marched color guard with groups such as Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and many different independent Minnesota groups. She has previously directed for the Rosemount High School color guard for multiple seasons and also the River Falls High School color guard. Since 2014, she has instructed and choreographed for groups such as Rosemount High School, River City Rhythm Winter Guard, River City Rhythm Winter Drumline,  River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps, Eastview High School, River Falls High School, Lakeville South High School, Champlin Park High School, and 728 Cadets.  She continues to choreograph and consult for groups all over Minnesota.