EXCELLENCE EXPO FACILITATORS
Arts Workshop Facilitators
KC Martin, Drums Workshop
KC is known for his time with the Metro Youth Program Drill Team. He served as Head Drum Major, Head Drum Captain and helped with operations of the group for several years. He was the youngest tenor drum captain in Rock Island High School Marching Band. His dad Ken Martin was famously known as one of the “Founding Fathers” of the drill team and he worked tirelessly to keep that legacy alive. Because of drill team KC was able to be flown to Washington DC to talk about youth empowerment and perform for President Barack Obama. He is currently serving as the Riot Pro Wrestling General Manager and is enjoying his new role in pro wrestling. KC Martin believes in the power of opportunities and continues to guide and mentor people of all ages to seek their dreams.
KC Martin’s slogan is “Just Keep Marching” and will continue to push people to march to their dreams and goals until they can’t march anymore.
KC has been known to work with up and coming drill team drum lines and is excited to teach some of these techniques in his session. You can expect to learn some fundamental techniques and create a fun new experience in the world of percussion.
Tashshay Williams, Dance Workshop
One of Waterloo’s own Tashshay Williams is a 32 year young coach, business owner, assistant educator and proud mother of three. She was 1st introduced to drill and dance when she became a part of the Union Baptist Crusaders Drill team at the age of 7. She then furthered her journey within her church with praise dance. She participated in spirit squad and dance team throughout her intermediate and high school career. As an adult she returned to the Crusaders as an assisting supervisor, facilitated the praise dance workshop of the City Wide Youth Conference for 3 consecutive years and also established a dance studio of her own in 2017 by the name of True Talent Dance. Developing brilliant dancers and individuals of the community from ages 5-18. Tashshay is currently in her 4th year as Head Dance Coach of Waterloo East High school and has done 3 seasons of coaching Jr. Trojans Cheer for 3rd-6th grade young ladies. Working within the field of childcare for over 5 years also prompted her realization that teaching and overall youth outreach and development is her calling. Working within Waterloo Schools has furthered her opportunities to make connections with our youth. She has special talents in meeting young people where they’re at and encouraging growth, confidence, expression, fitness, principles, team building, leadership and overall social unity. She is not just a facilitator but a student of her students. Her goals are to make an impact in her interactions that go further than dance but resonate with individuals through their everyday walks of life. It is not just her business acronyms, but her life belief that “Talent Reveals Unlimited Excellence.” And she hopes that shows TRUE at the Excellence Expo.
Marshall Frazier, Step Workshop
Marshall Frazier learned the art of stepping when he joined Phi Beta Siga Fraternity, Inc. In 1997. Over the last 26 years, he has shared this beautiful art in the schools, the churches and various other places. Together, we will create awesome beats with just our bodies, no music! He is excited to be apart of this great event! Let’s get da’ steppin’
Amber Day, Color Guard / Flag Workshop
Born and raised in Waterloo, IA. Where at an early age of 6yrs old she started out in the Lords Warriors Drill Team, where for love for dance, drums and flags came about. In the early 2000’s she was introduced to color guard from Sis Kay Jordan. This is where her passion began for flag work. It taught her different techniques and disciplines. She met new people, learned different style of art, and it helped with her confidence. With her confidence it helped her understand that to be a part of drill team she didn’t have to be a drummer or a dancer. One thing she wants the youth to take from this class is the simple technique of twirling a flag, to be free and over all be yourself. You don’t have to be a dancer or a drummer to spin a flag. We always see dancing and drummers in movies and how they can get you to college. Yet color guard can get you just as far in college and beyond. You can be any shape or size to spin a flag. Just come learn, have fun, be free and be you!
Skills Seminar Facilitators
Chris Tims, Leadership Seminar
Christopher Tims was born and raised in Waterloo, IA and graduated from Waterloo East High in 2008. He attended Wartburg college where he received his BA in World History Education and wrestled all 4 years. After college, Chris began his education career at George Washington Carver Academy. While teaching there, he received his Masters degree in Social Science from the University of Northern Iowa. Chris currently teaches history at East High School where he also serves as the lead wrestling coach. He has taught and coached in the Waterloo School District for 12 years. He was a 2021 recipient of Cedar Valley’s 20 Under Forty and the 2023-2024 NE Iowa District 3A wrestling coach of the year. He was recently chosen as
a candidate for the Lead Waterloo program. He also serves on the board of directors for Tri-County Headstart and was a former board member for the Waterloo Writing Project. He currently serves as a minister in training for Antioch Baptist Church and is an Iowa USA National Team coach for wrestling.
In addition, he is a devoted husband to his wife, Katie, and their two children.
Community Bank & Trust: Shanterra Martin, Financial Education Seminar
Shanterra graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management and is currently a Branch Manager at Community Bank and Trust. Shanterra is a part of Community Bank and Trust’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee and has worked with the company to integrate DEI into the company’s culture and values. Shanterra loves to teach youth how to become financially successful and will teach budgeting skills in her session at the Excellence Expo.
Ashley Caldwell, Mental Wellness Seminar
As a lifelong resident of Waterloo, Iowa, Ashley has always had a love for the youth in the community. Ashley has been an educator in the Waterloo Schools and Tri County Head Start collectively for over 20 years, and she values the ideas, perspectives, and influence of the young people she comes across. By speaking and teaching about self worth, purpose, and goal setting, Ashley strives to show the youth in the community that the purpose they hold can unlock endless opportunities for them.
For 10 years, Ashley was an active planning member and conference host for the Cedar Valley Youth Conference hosted by Antioch Baptist Church. This conference hosted up to 300+ youth and focused on leadership, creative and performing arts, as well as bridging the gap between generations of youth and adults. Ashley works to keep a pulse on the culture and viewpoints of the youth, and uses this to engage and interact with them to show that she’s not only open to learning from them, but she is also being authentically open to new experiences! Ashley is looking forward to working with the youth in our community during the 2024 Expo!