About Us

Étude Winter Guard was founded in the fall of 2004 in Rock Hill, SC. The purpose was to provide an independent performance ensemble to the Charlotte area.

Since its foundation, Étude has competed in Independent A Class, Open Class, and World Class. What began as a small, tight-knit group soon built into a large organization. But don't worry, we still feel like a family.

In 2020, Étude expanded into two groups, fielding World Class and A Class units. In 2023, the A Class Color Guard was promoted into Open Class and earned a silver medal at WGI Open Class Finals and were thus promoted to World Class. This season, Étude has decided to field one World Class unit.

Announcing our 2025 program, Wild Geese

Étude Winter Guard is proud to present our 2025 production, Wild Geese, inspired by the timeless poem by Mary Oliver. This show is a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the longing for freedom. Just as Oliver’s words invite us to embrace our true selves and find our place in the world, Wild Geese explores the beauty of movement, the power of connection, and the call to something greater.

Through dynamic choreography, stunning visual design, and a deeply emotional soundtrack, Wild Geese soars beyond the ordinary. Every step, breath, and motion reflect the spirit of the poem—breaking free, embracing individuality, and finding solace in the vast and open world.

With costume design by Byron Valentine for FJM, Inc., digital and set design by Scott Winters, Ross Werner, Jeff Hurr Designs, and Byron Valentine, and a stirring soundtrack crafted by Vince Oliver, Wild Geese is a captivating and evocative experience.

Join us on this journey as we bring poetry to life through movement, color, and emotion—one breathtaking moment at a time.

Reflecting on our 2024 season

As we reflect on our 2024 season, Étude Winter Guard looks back with immense pride on our journey through “Those Days Are Gone.” Under the direction of Brian Franco-Winn and the artistic vision of Byron Valentine, this season has been nothing short of remarkable.

We were fortunate to collaborate with an incredible team of designers, choreographers, and support staff, including Emma Boyce, Zane Franco-Winn, Melissa Davis, Benjamin Thomas Henley, Michael Gaines, Brandon Nichols, Kristen Campbell, Matthew Gabel-Baird, Zakia Ruffin, Mike Marcantano, Kaysey Thompson, Darren Mickens, Alex Holland, and Dorreen Gaudian. Their creativity and dedication brought our vision to life.

Our Leadership Team, Emma Adcock and Korey Craven, guided us through every challenge and triumph, while the stunning soundtrack by Vince Oliver set the perfect tone for our performances. Costume designs by Byron Valentine and Kailey Portwood for FJM, Inc., along with digital designs from Scott Winters, Ross Werner, and Byron Valentine, added to the visual magic of our show.

This season was historic for Étude Winter Guard as we achieved record scores and proudly earned our first Independent World Class Silver Medal. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors, FJM — Fred J. Miller Inc. and PROPVinyls, who helped make this season possible.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on this unforgettable journey. Here’s to the memories we’ve created and the milestones we've achieved together!

Stay tuned for more information and announcements regarding our 2025 program.

Support Étude

Grab some merch to show your love for the organization!

View all