At Étude, we recognize that Black History Month is a time for reflection, celebration, and commitment to fostering inclusivity in the performing arts. This month, we spoke with several of our members of color about their experiences in the marching arts and winter guard community. Their voices provide insight into the impact of representation, the challenges they have faced, and their hopes for the future.
Finding Identity and Authenticity Through Performance
For many performers, Winter Guard is a space of self-discovery and empowerment. Scott Hagood shares, "The sport has had an everlasting positive impact on me. It has been my biggest avenue of self-discovery. You have to throw yourself in there in this activity; you can’t hide and you cannot be dishonest with yourself and others. I think this is especially true from a perspective of Blackness and as a person of color in general. Watching what you say or how you act so you can be more palatable—or, on the flip side, not even being given opportunities that others may get because of things you can’t control. The activity helped me to realize that who I am, inside and out, is important and critical to myself and others, not to repackage myself for anyone."
Similarly, Ciara Jarmon reflects on how participating in this activity shaped her sense of purpose: "Taking part in this activity changed my viewpoint and allowed me to feel like I have a bigger purpose to fulfill for my community. I used to look for people who looked like me when I was watching world-class groups perform because it gave me hope that I could do what they were doing. Now I wish to serve as that example for others, letting them know that they too are capable of excellence."
Representation and Community in the Marching Arts
A common theme among our performers is the importance of seeing and being seen. Rasheed McFadden shares, "Being in the marching arts has introduced me to people that I will love for the rest of my life. Black History Month means for me, being unapologetically who you are in every space you are in. I only hope that with every performance I do, I inspire a young performer in the audience that looks like me, just as I was inspired by others when I first joined this activity."
For Breanna Glover, representation extends to the small details that create an inclusive environment. "The marching arts have given me so much—discipline, artistry, and a deep love for performance. But as a person of color, I’ve also felt the weight of being one of the few in the room. At times, I’ve felt the pressure to adjust parts of my identity to fit in, even in small ways, like hairstyles or makeup choices that aren’t always inclusive of people of color. But at the same time, I’ve also found an incredible sense of community and joy in this activity."
One moment that stood out to Ciara was seeing African hairstyles embraced on the performance floor: "When I see people wearing African hairstyles on the floor, I always feel the most seen and represented. For instance, locs, box braids, and bantu knots are hairstyles that let us do what we love and reflect who we are and our culture."
Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond personal experiences, these performers recognize the impact they can have on future generations. Samie Hayes describes her goal as a performer: "Being in this activity has given me the space to explore my identity both on and off the floor—and the insight of how important it is to exist unapologetically as myself. If I could be that person that makes someone else watching say, ‘There’s someone who looks like me out on that floor!’ or inspires anyone to realize they can do it too, I’d consider my goal as a performer fulfilled."
Breanna Glover echoes this sentiment when discussing her role models: "Michael James, Phillip Cohen, Savion Chester, Donovan Sisco, Scott Hagood, and Marquis Newman—so many incredible performers and designers of color have paved the way, whether by breaking barriers or simply showing up as their full, authentic selves. Seeing their success has reassured me that I have a place here, too."
Hopes for the Future
While the marching arts have provided spaces of empowerment, there is still progress to be made in ensuring greater inclusivity and accessibility.
Laurence Richardson reflects on his own journey in the activity and how it has shaped his confidence: "Coming into this activity in the past, there were times where I felt like I wasn’t good enough at certain things whether it be choreography or just being me. I also had a very hard time talking with people because of my shyness and social anxiety. Since then, I’ve decided to not strive to be perfect but to be the best I can be in my own way. I’ve been coming out of my comfort zone, started talking to others in and out of this activity, and made a lot of friends along the way."
Moving Forward Together
As we celebrate Black History Month, we acknowledge the voices, contributions, and resilience of Black performers in the marching arts. At Étude, we are committed to fostering a space where every performer feels seen, heard, and valued—not just in February, but every day of the year.
Thank you to Scott, Rasheed, Ciara, Samie, Breanna, and Laurence for sharing your experiences and insights. Your voices are a testament to the power of representation, authenticity, and community in the performing arts.