INSTRUCTOR | DRILL DESIGNER | CHOREOGRAPHER | ADJUDICATOR
Cary Cochenour is an active visual and brass instructor, choreographer, drill writer, and consultant based in Houston, Texas. He currently serves as an assistant visual caption manager at Rhythmic Force Indoor Percussion, and as a world class visual instructor with Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps. Cary also works with several high achieving band programs across the country, including Seven Lakes HS, Norwin HS, Jordan HS Marching Band and Indoor Percussion, and others.
In his first season as the drill designer for Norwin HS, the band was named the 2025 Bands of America Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion, earning the Outstanding Music, Visual, and General Effect caption awards in finals, and also contributed instructionally to the band's highest score at a BOA regional since 2001. Cary has been part of the Norwin Marching Band staff since 2011, and has contributed to several record holding seasons not only in program history, but also within the Bands of America circuit.
Cary has been highly involved with the Seven Lakes HS Marching Band for more than a decade, and has held various roles within multiple ensembles in the program. In 2024, he was recognized alongside the director staff as a recipient of the prestigious Sudler Shield for his contributions to the Seven Lakes Band.
Throughout his career in the marching arts, Cary's programs have been consistently recognized for outstanding achievement, including BOA and WGI Regional Finalists, UIL 6A Area and State Finalists, TCGC and NTCA State Champions & Medalists, and DCI and WGI World Championship Finalists.
Cary is a proud alumni of Norwin HS, Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps, and The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. He holds a BS in Mathematics Education from Saint Vincent College, and maintains active teaching certificates in both Texas and Pennsylvania.
Cary currently serves as a math & science teacher at Randolph Elementary School in Katy ISD, and has been recognized on several occasions for achievements in education. He resides in Fulshear, Texas, with his wife, Devyn, and their puppy, Eko.