YOUR USA PROGRAM, CURRICULUM & STAFFING DIRECTORS

Name / Contact E-mail:
- Acey S. Blanco / Ablanco@varsity.com

Position/Title:
- Drum Major & Band Leadership Program & Curriculum Director
- Program & Curriculum Director, Varsity Athletic Band

History with the USA/Professional Experience:
- Acey began his journey with the United Spirit Association in 2009 when he attended his first Drum Major camp at UC Santa Cruz. After attending camp for several years, Acey later joined the USA Drum Major & Band Leadership Instructional staff in 2013 as an Instructor where he taught training camps throughout the Western United States. In 2016, Acey was appointed as a Head Instructor where he oversaw curriculum development for USA's Parade & Spinning programs, and in 2017, Acey was then appointed as Program & Curriculum Director where he now manages the entire USA Drum Major & Band Leadership Program with a world-class team of instructors from across the United States. Outside of the USA, Acey is an active adjudicator with Peacocks American Competitions where he judges Drum Majors in both parade and field show competitions throughout the state of California. In addition, Acey plays an active role in collaborating and partnering with both the Northern California Band Association and the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Assocation where he works to further support and enhance the student experience throughout the activity. In 2018, Acey, in partnership with both NCBA, SCSBOA, and Peacocks American Competitions, founded the California Drum Major Championship that brings together Drum Majors from both Northern and Southern California in the spirit of competition.

Personal Info:
- Having been born and raised in the Monterey Bay, Acey is a California native who enjoys traveling and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds. Acey has traveled to the People's Republic of China, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain where he immersed himself in the culture by connecting and working alongside locals as well as indulging in new foods and traditions. Outside of traveling, Acey also enjoys spending time with family and friends, particularly at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, as he is a Disney fanatic! Now living in Northern California's Bay Area, Acey spends time road-tripping through San Francisco and the Napa Valley, but only after a thorough workout.

Titles/Accolades/Accomplishments:
- 3x USA All-American Drum Major
- Military Masters Champion (undefeated), Northern California Band Association
- 2x Hardest Working Award, United Spirit Association
- Leadership Award, United Spirit Association

Name / Contact E-mail:
- Autumn Hooks ahooks@varsity.com

Position/Title:
- Dance Program Director - Staffing/Competitions

History with the USA/Professional Experience:
- Autumn’s first exposure to United Spirit Association (USA) was during middle school where she attended events to cheer on her older sister and her dance team. In high school, she danced and competed at USA camps and national competitions. In 2011, she was a USA national solo champion finalist. In 2013, while in college, she began working as a dance instructor and adjudicator for USA. In 2018 she became a head instructor and in 2022 was granted the Dance Leadership Award for Instructional staff. Autumn’s current role is as a Dance Program Director for Staffing and Competitions for the USA. She also teaches for various dance studios across Southern California and is a master class teacher and an award-winning choreographer.

Personal Info:
- Autumn is surrounded by all things dance. Aside from being a dance teacher, coach and choreographer, she has a BS in Apparel Design and Production from California State University at Northridge. She spends her free time creating and constructing costumes for Studio and High School soloists and teams. San Diego is home for Autumn, where she enjoys spending time at the beach or hiking wither friends and family.

Titles/Accolades/Accomplishments:
- 9X Choreography Award Recipient, High School and Studio competitions
- Leadership Award, United Spirit Association
- USA Solo National Champion 2nd Runner Up
- 3X USA Regional Solo Finalist Winner
- USA Dance All-American

Name / Contact E-mail:
- Conner Huber, CHuber@varsity.com

Position/Title:
- Cheerleading Program Director – Curriculum

History with the USA/Professional Experience:
- Conner attended his first USA camp at UC Santa Cruz in the summer of 2003. He joined the USA family in 2006 and served in the roles of cheer instructor and head instructor for seven consecutive summers. He returned to Varsity in 2015 as a State Director and currently oversees the cheer program’s choreography and curriculum in his current position as Cheerleading Program Director – Curriculum. Conner is a V!ROC Director and well known for his signature choreography style performed by teams all over the country. He is the also head coach for a nationally ranked high school cheer program.

Personal Info:
- Conner is a former cheerleader and graduate of California State University, Long Beach where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. He is originally from Northern California but currently resides in Anaheim, CA with his partner Jake and their dog, Puff. When he is not coaching or choreographing, he can be found instructing indoor cycling classes.

Titles/Accolades/Accomplishments:
- USA Collegiate National Champion
- Coach of a 17x USA National Champion high school program
- Featured speaker at Varsity University

Name / Contact E-mail:
- Jesa Herman / JHerman@varsity.com

Position/Title:
- Spirit Programs Administrative Director / Cheerleading/Mascot Program Director (Staffing)

History with the USA/Professional Experience:
- Jesa began her journey with USA in 1995 when she was hired as a cheerleading summer instructional staff member. She was quickly recognized as a valued leader within the program and recognized with the Hardest Working staff award in 2000 and the Leadership staff award from 2002 to 2004. Jesa was asked to join the USA Program Curriculum & Development team in 1998 and has been a vital eye in the diversity of material and routines offered at summer camps and clinics. In 2004 she began working full time for USA as the Staff Programs Coordinator and in 2008 stepped into the Cheerleading & Mascot Program Director position. For the past 13 years in this role Jesa has nurtured the growth and development of the staff and program in the western US. In 2011 she was awarded the coveted Robert Olmstead award for her work and dedication to USA throughout the years. Outside of USA Jesa has coached and choreographed for various high school teams in California. She has also produced multiple NFL, NBA and MLS pre-game and halftime performances including the NFL Pro Bowl for over 15 years since 1997. In her role in the National Alliance for School Cheerleading consortium she was nominated to a Director position for the USA Cheer Board and currently serving a 4-year term.

Personal Info:
-When she is not on a yoga mat or playing catch with her two mini Australian shepherds (Bailey & Bogey) she is visiting one of her three siblings or many nieces and nephews. Jesa finds fulfillment and restart for each week at her home church, The Well in Fresno, Ca.

Titles/Accolades/Accomplishments:
- Game Day Director for the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii, Arizona and Florida
- USA Spirit Nationals Champion
- USASF World’s Judge