Fan News

A Conversation with Contest Director, Mike Palau.

By Rachel Greenwald & Maggie Josephsen

Continuing our exploration of the wonderful staff we have this season for FFCC,  Mike Palau, a long-time FFCC contest director, volunteered his time to answer some questions about the world of color guard.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to performers/directors/designers?

“Go in with a detailed plan for your show day procedure. Too often we see performers and staff stressed out because they didn’t plan how to get on and off the floor and what roles each person involved will play in that process. Having a plan and practicing that plan before the show day will help everyone involved and allow for the performers to be in better state of mind before competing at the show. Oh and have multiple ways of playing your soundtrack that doesn’t involve the internet, please!!!”

What is something you wish the world at large understood about guard?

“How much dedication and determination it takes to be involved in this activity. People only see the product when it is on the floor but they have little idea how much planning and practice it took to get the show looking like it does.”

What is your favorite part of the winterguard season?

“Seeing all the people involved and the growth made over the course of the season. Also making a connection with friends you may not see for months but then the season arrives and it is like you were just together all over again.”

If you could relive one moment of your career as a performer, what would it be?

“Performing in front of the DCI crowd in 1998 at the Citrus Bowl.”

Going into 2020, how do you think color guard has changed as a sport and as a community over the past decade?

“At the higher levels we’ve more artistic and eccentric, sometimes to a fault, but the continued growth of the activity, as a whole, is exciting. We’ve become more open to the questions what is art and how the ending product will impact the audience when it’s over.”

Where do you see color guard in another 10 years from now?

“I hope we continue to push the envelope in design and what is entertaining to the audience, not just the informed audience member but the average off the street person as well. A continued balance between what’s artistic and what is attainable for everyone to enjoy.”

What advice could you give to performers that want to get involved in color guard as a career?

“Put yourself out there, if you want to be part of a certain staff or group, you need to take the chance and go for it. But realize that just because you put yourself out there doesn’t mean you’re going to be successful the first time around. Don’t be afraid to put in the work and really dig in and go for it because you may not reach that first goal you wanted. However you may find a new, better goal available because you put the time in and allowed yourself the opportunity to experience new challenges.”

What is one secret you can share about the behind the scenes workings of the FFCC?

“We are just as nervous as you are come show days, we just wear it better.”

What made you want to work with the FFCC?

“I was fascinated with the experience and I wanted to do my part in making it a little better and maintaining it so that others would have the chance to experience it the way I did. I hope I have in some way helped it grow and

look forward to continue to help mold it for the future performers.”

FFCC Spotlight: Katrina Voorhees

By: Rachel Greenwald  & Maggie Josephsen

What better way to start off the new season and new year than taking an in-depth look at the people who make all of this possible. FFCC has wonderful staff and vendors that work hard at everything behind the scenes at competitions to make the experience seamless and enjoyable. Let’s take a closer look at one of the people that always has the closest look on every performance, photographer Katrina Voorhees. While not only being a wonderful photographer for FFCC for several years, Katrina Voorhees has also been a dedicated guard mom for even longer. She wanted to share her story of how color guard has affected her life and career.

“In 2010, my oldest daughter decided to join band. This was brand new to me. As always, I was quick to volunteer as much as possible. Since my high school days, I have always enjoyed photography. So, I made it my mission to capture all the wonderful moments of not only my child’s band experiences, but everyone else’s too. I quickly discovered that taking pictures during marching season was something I truly adored! Four years later, my second daughter entered high school and started band as well. She had already done colorguard in middle school for three years, and was overjoyed to do four more years in high school. I was elated to have four more years of pure fun taking pictures of all the students. I started taking pictures at the FFCC events during this time in 2018.”

What secrets could you share about the behind the scenes of working for FFCC?

“One secret I can share about the behind the scenes of FFCC is the staff and students are amazing! I have never worked among such kind and thoughtful people as these. Everyone loves their job, is kind to each other, and appreciative.”

What’s one piece of advice you would give to performers, both new and returning?

“When asked what is one piece of advice I would give to performers, my answer would be to smile. Photographers can’t help but follow performers that show the emotion of their show on their face. Sometimes it may be a fierce look, I love that too! Your time enjoying this wonderful sport flies by quickly, so relax and enjoy every second with a smile on your face.”

Katrina Voorhees is one of many incredible contract photographers who go above and beyond to make the competition season special for every performer and family member. She makes sure that every team has their best performance moments captured to be shared and enjoyed far beyond the competition season.