2026 Drum Major Announcement
We are proud to introduce our 2026 drum major team! This season, the Boston Crusaders will be lead by Head Drum Major Maddie Wielinga and Assistant Drum Majors Amari Lewis and Xavier Glaze. Meet the team below!
Maddie Wielinga – Head Drum Major
Maddie Wielinga is a third year member of the Boston Crusaders, previously serving as a rehearsal technician assistant in 2024 and drum major in 2025. Maddie is a graduate of William Mason High School in Mason, OH where she served as drum major for two years. She is now a Communication Design student at the University of Cincinnati College of DAAP. Maddie is pursuing a future career in communication graphics and branding where she hopes to serve charitable causes around the country. Outside of school, Maddie is primarily a clarinet player is one of three Wielinga siblings to march with the Boston Crusaders!
Amari Lewis – Assistant Drum Major
Amari Lewis comes to the Boston Crusaders from Katy, Texas. Amari currently attends Arizona State University where she studies Conservational Ecology with a minor in Defensive Studies. On the field, Amari previously served as drum major with the Mandarins in 2024 and 2025. She also spent two seasons with the Michigan State Spartan Marching Band, a season with the Spartan Brass Band, and served as drum major for the Obra D. Tompkins High School Marching Band.
Xavier Glaze – Assistant Drum Major
Xavier Glaze is entering his second year with the Boston Crusaders, previously serving as a rehearsal assistance in 2025 Xavier went to Pelham High School in Pelham, AL where we was a drum major for three years. He is now enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) majoring in Music Technology and minoring in Business Administration. Xavier is primarily a clarinet player, having served as clarinet section leader and drum major at UAB. In the future, Xavier plans to work in the music industry while continuing his involvement in the marching arts.
Photos provided by: Liset Garcia (Boston Crusaders), Alea Kay (Madarins), Aliza Scott (UAB Marching Blazers).