Mrs. Erica Eaton, Colorguard Director

Born and raised in Virginia, Mrs. Erica Eaton is a 2009 graduate of James Madison University receiving her Bachelors of Music Education in Instrumental Education. While at JMU, she was a member of the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra serving as principal bassoonist. She served as captain of the Marching Royal Dukes Colorguard and competed in the Atlantic Indoor Association and Winterguard International circuits with Nuance Winterguard.

She began her career as an elementary music educator at Great Bridge Primary with Chesapeake City Public Schools then served as the director of bands at Lynnhaven Middle School with Virginia Beach City Public Schools from 2012-2014. In 2014, Mrs. Eaton began her tenure as director of bands at Robious Middle School with Chesterfield County Public Schools where she currently directs over 225 band students in grades sixth through eighth.

Since 2005, Mrs. Eaton has served as a choreographer for numerous colorguard and winterguard programs around the commonwealth. She is currently the choreographer and instructor for the James River High School Regiment Colorguard and the James River High School Rapid Winterguard. Her professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, Kappa Kappa Psi, Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association, Virginia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and Atlantic Indoor Association.

Mrs. Eaton currently resides in Midlothian with her husband Jesse, son Everett, and two cats, Gracie and Jinx.

Mr. John Donnell, Percussion Director

Mr. John Donnell is a 2023 Graduate of James Madison University, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education. After graduation, he began working at James River in the fall of 2023.

Born in D.C. and raised in Fairfax, Mr. Donnell was heavily active in music programs in and out of high school, including marching band, internationally traveling jazz bands, and being a member of the 2018 Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps snare line (Camden County, NJ). While at JMU, Mr. Donnell maintained a vast array of ensembles and activities; he served as the captain for the Marching Royal Dukes Percussion section, and was involved in various ensembles including the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, and the internationally acclaimed JMU Brass Band. Currently, Mr. Donnell maintains an instructor position with the JMU Summer Band Camps.

Since joining the James River community, Mr. Donnell has led the Regiment Percussion section and has become the Director for Rapid Indoor Percussion, which competes in the Atlantic Indoor Association circuit. Mr. Donnell also took the Symphonic Band to concert assessment, and directs the Anything Goes Show Choir Band. During the school day, Mr. Donnell also teaches Music Technology and Percussion ensemble.

Mr. Donnell currently resides in Scott’s Addition and likes to cook, play video games, and root for the Washington Commanders with his two cats, Baxter and Beau.

Mr. Mike Phillips, Visual Caption Head/Designer

Mr. Mike Phillips is the Regiment’s Visual Caption Head and Visual Designer, bringing experience from an almost 20 year-long career in the pageantry arts. His previous positions include visual staff at The Cadets2 Drum Corps (Allentown, PA) where they took home a World Championship and High Visual awards. Mr. Phillips has also instructed the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps (Princeton, NJ), and Colonial Heights High School (Colonial Heights, VA). Mr. Phillips performed with The Cadets Drum Corps (Allentown, PA) in 2012 and 2011, winning a Drum Corps International World Class Championship and High Visual awards.

Mr. Phillips is a graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Integrated Science and Technology, and performed with the award winning Marching Royal Dukes. While there, he held leadership positions as a drum major, section leader, and drill instructor. Mr. Phillips attended Tabb High School (Yorktown, VA). He is a full-time software engineer working for an assisted and paratransit ride-sharing platform company, and resides in the Northside of Richmond, VA.