Meet the GSMB Student Leadership for 2026!
Drum Majors
Dylan Balken
GSMB President
"Music is my passion. I want to share that passion with others! I have been involved in many other activities besides marching band as well, there are so many opportunities in college and the memories you make have a lasting impact. I hope the GSMB can be one of your memories as it is so many of mine!!"
Caitlyn Burghard
GSMB Secretary
"Hi! My name is Caitlyn, and I look forward to serving as the GSMB's secretary for the 2026-27 school year! I am also one of your drum majors and was previously a member of the color guard. This will be my 4th year in the GSMB and my 5th year in marching band, and I am so excited to share my love of band with new and returning members alike! The GSMB has created many memories and helped me find lifelong friends, and I can't wait to see what this next season brings. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions!
Nora Baumann
"Hi! I'm a music education major at the Challey School of Music! I am apart of the CSoM Student Council, C-NAfME, NDSU Wind Symphony Officers, and the GSMB! My main instrument is the clarinet but I was apart of the Saxes in the GSMB! Music is my passion and I am very excited to share this joy with everyone! Please out if you have any questions! Roll Herd!"
Piccolos
Addison Merdan
"Hi! My name is Addison, and I’m one of the piccolo section leaders this year! This is my third year in the GSMB and joining was the best decision I could have ever made! Outside of band, I love to paint my nails and do nail art. My friends like to call me a walking chemistry dictionary, and I would much rather do 100 math problems than write a short essay. I’m so excited for this year!!!"
Ryli Kuhnhenn
"I have actively kept music in my life as far back as I can remember, and I am so grateful to have kept it that way through the GSMB! This is my 11th year playing the flute/piccolo, my third year marching, and my second year as section leader! Outside of music, you can usually find me doing any sort of miscellaneous craft from painting to sewing and weaving. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions! "
Clarinets
Alyssa Lange
"I am majoring in Landscape architecture. I have been playing the clarinet for 11 years and this will be my first year as section leader!"
Riley Meinert
"Riley is a junior at NDSU studying music performance, and he is so excited to be one of next season’s clarinet section leaders! Besides being a total nerd about the clarinet, Riley loves the outdoors, spending time with his friends, and discussing abstract topics (such as putting ice in milk). "
Saxophones
Cassie Tandeski
Alto Saxophones
"Hi, my name is Cassie and I will be one of the saxophone section leaders this year! I am extremely excited to work with everyone, and meet some new faces! I cannot wait for marching band season!!"
Kyle Kadlec
Tenor Saxophones
"I have been in marching band since 9th grade. This is my 3rd year in the GSMB. I have been playing saxophone since 4th grade. On top of being a Engineering major I am doing a minor in Robotics."
Luke Nowicki
Tenor Saxophones
"I enjoy studying Marketing and Spanish. Music is an another passion of mine and on top of playing the Tenor in the GSMB, I also play Bassoon in NDSU’s Wind Symphony."
Trumpets
Kody Robinson
"There's no other campus group quite like the Gold Star Marching Band, which first inspired me to pursue music education. Since then, I've joined many other NDSU music ensembles and now spend almost every moment surrounded by what I love most: music. Through the band, I've met lifelong friends and can't imagine not being part of the GSMB. I'm excited for another semester in the trumpet section and so so ready for some Bison Football. GO BISON !!!"
Ryan Thiel
"I have been in the GSMB five years and I have been marching 8 years. My favorite band events are the football games."
Wesley Balsimo
"I will be a senior for this upcoming season and I am excited to spend my last year here playing my trumpet with you all! Roll herd and go bison!!"
Mellophones
Chase Spillum
"My name is Chase and this will be my fourth year in the marching band and third as a section leader. I love playing instruments, painting, and watching football (Skol Vikings). "
Joushua Framke
Senior Horn Line Equipment Manager
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Stillwater, MN | He/Him
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"Hi. I’m Framke. I’m old. Been around the block a couple times. I’ve been in the band for 8 years and loved every second of it. Honestly they can’t get rid of me. I’m working on a masters in clinical mental health counseling too so it’s not all play, I do some work. I also help with instruments which is fun. "
Trombones
Jackson Windle
"Hello my name is Jackson windle, I am a music education major at NDSU I play bass trombone and tenor trombone I’ve been apart of the NDSU wind symphony the University symphony orchestra and trombone choir. Band is such a fun place to be going to all the games and spending time with your friends this will be my third year in the marching band."
Rylie Dohrmann
"Being in the GSMB is the best part of my college experience. Cannot wait for another season of rocking out with the band!"
Theresa Horning
"I have been playing trombone since middle school. I enjoy being in marching band because of the friends I have made, the football games I have attended, and being able to show the pride I have for NDSU on the field."
Baritones
Sousaphones
Aidan Greiff
"I love playing sousa, I love this band, and I love supporting all of our sports. Please ask if you have any questions about (almost) anything. GSMB has given me so many awesome experiences so let's make this another great year!"
Alex Cudney
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Drumline
Evan Poore
Snares
"My name is Evan (“EP”) and I’m excited to be your center snare for the coming year! I’ve been involved in music with piano and percussion since before I can remember, and have 6 years of marching percussion under my belt. I hope to see you all at percussion camp next August!"
James Carney
Toms
"Hello! My name is James Carney. I’m originally from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and I’ve been drumming for 18 years. This is my third time serving as section leader, and I can’t wait to welcome any and all into this Drumline family!"
Gray Nelson
Tenor Drums
"I’ve been drumming for as long as I can remember and the marching band has been a great way to take my mind off of a demanding engineering major. Shoutout burger table"
Maddie Craft
Bass Drums
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Biological Sciences Major
Foley, MN | She/Her
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"I'm Maddie Craft, the 2026 bass drum section leader! I have been involved in marching percussion since 7th grade in both my high school's small marching band (shout out Foley Falcon Marching Band) and winter drumline group (shout out QCP) and have played every battery instrument at some point, but obviously #bassdrumbestdrum. Beyond band, I am incredibly passionate about science and the outdoors. GO BISON!!"
Evan Orness
Cymbals
"Hey, I’m Evan(I kept my name), and I’m excited to start my second year as Cymbal section leader! The only reason i haven’t gone insane from engineering, is because of band"
Leah McShane
Cymbals
"Hi my name is Leah, I’m one of the cymbal section leaders this year, and majoring in biology. Im so excited for this season and I can’t wait to meet some new faces! Feel free to reach out, I’m here to help!!!"
Frontline
Jack Clark
"I’m a Senior music education major, I’ve been in frontline for 3 years and frontline winter drumline for 2 years. This band has meant a lot to me and I have met so many amazing people."
Color Guard
Sarah Reichard
Commercial Music and Communication Major
Middleton, WI | She/Her
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"Hi guys!! My name is Sarah and I’m this year’s Colorguard Section Leader! I’m currently studying Commercial Music and Communication at MSUM, I work for MSUMs radio station, and I’m a dance instructor at Gaspers School of Dance. I’ve been in guard for 6 years, I'm an alumni member of Macys Great American Marching Band and I’ve performed in other events such as the Rose Parade and BOA Grand Nationals. If you have any questions please reach out! "
Challey Hall
1511 12th Avenue North Fargo, ND 58102
Administration Office: (701) 231-7932
