Dr. Zachery has led the Marching Storm since 2012. Before arriving at Prairie View, he served as Trumpet Professor and Asst. Band Director at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA. Dr. Zachery is a veteran of the US Navy where he performed in the Navy Band for 4 years. He received his Bachelors and Masters of Music Performance from Norfolk State and his Doctorate of Music Performance from Indiana University.

Professor Hopkins came to Prairie View in 2015. Before his arrival, he was Director of Bands at Keenan High School in Columbia, SC. He is a graduate of South Carolina State University where he played tuba. He is the low brass Area Coordinator for the Marching Storm.

Professor Douglas is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University and the Marching Storm where she served as Clarinet Section Leader and as a member of Category 5 Drum Majors. Before returning to Prairie View, she served as Assistant Band Director at Alto High School in Alto, TX.

Mr. Ralph Chapman began with the Marching Storm in 2014. He is a graduate of Southern University and also spent time as an Assistant Director at Alabama State University. Mr. Chapman is an arranger for the Storm and a member of the staff in the Department of Music.

Mr. Deanda is a high brass instructor with the Marching Storm and Department of Music. He is also a graduate of PVAMU and Alum Marching Storm where he played Trumpet. He currently works with the High Brass section and serves as one of the arrangers for the Marching Storm.

Mr. Torres currently coordinates and instructs the Marching Storm Drumline (MSD). He also works with students performing in the various Percussion ensembles. He is a graduate of PVAMU and the Marching Storm.

Mrs. Shawn Zachery came to Prairie View in 2012 where she served as the Assistant Dance Director of the Black Foxes Dance Line. She became Head Director of the Black Foxes in 2013. Before coming to PVAMU, Ms. Zachery was the Director of the dance line at Nansemond River High School in Suffolk, VA. She has also coached at Norfolk State University, South Carolina State University, Morrow High School, and Howard University.

Ms. Bell joined the Marching Storm Staff in 2023. She is a graduate of PVAMU and Alum Marching Storm/Twirling Thunder. Along with her duties as Director of Twirling Thunder, she works in the Office of Student Success as an advisor.

Ms. Sams recently joined the Marching Storm staff in 2024. She handles all business and administrative duties for the Director of Bands and the Marching Storm. She is Alum Marching Storm.

Phone: 936-261-3315

Nurse Jessica is a Marching Storm Alum 02’ (Alto Sax) and a PVAMU graduate 07’ & 21’. As the Marching Storm Alumni Liaison, Mrs. Jessica spearheads many performances and activities for the Storm while being an active member as Treasurer of the PV Marching Storm Band Alumni Association (PVMSBAA) and Treasurer of the Epsilon Psi Alumni Association (EPAA) of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.