About Sky Ryders of Kansas City

The Sky Ryders of Kansas City currently includes the Sky Ryders Winter Guard and development of a Winter Percussion Unit. These two groups are part of a non-profit organization created to provide an opportunity for youth in the Kansas City area and across Kansas and Missouri to participate in educational performing arts activity. The Sky Ryders of Kansas City are sponsored by the Rainbow Boosters, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in both Kansas and Missouri.

Winter Guard is a growing performance arts activity that utilizes dance, drill, and equipment handling. It also provides wonderful performance opportunities for the individuals involved. Currently there are hundreds of winter guards representing both independent groups and high schools performing throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe. Over 300 units attend the World Championships held annually in April.

History of the Parent Organization  

The Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1955, by the American Legion post in Hutchinson, Kansas. The corps competed successfully for many years in Kansas until it was relocated to DeSoto, Texas in 1990. Following four years of competition in Texas, the decision was made to disband the group. In August of 1994, a group of alumni living in the Kansas City area decided to revive the Sky Ryders name and provide the young people of the Kansas City area with a well-rounded educational music program. Today the board of directors has committed itself to providing educational performing arts activities for the youth of Greater Kansas City and across Kansas and Missouri.

Personnel  

The winter guard group is directed and instructed by Ann Duncan. Ann has been involved with color guard groups since 1978. She marched various drum and bugle corps, including the Sky Ryders of Hutchinson, Kansas, and winter guard for ten years. Since 1987, she has taught guards and bands in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, and Kansas. Besides directing and instructing the Sky Ryders, she is also the color guard instructor at Shawnee Mission West High School and is a Learning Disabilities teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District.

Richard Denton is the show designer and an instructor for the guard. He has participated and instructed color guard units since 1985. He was a member of the Sky Ryders of Hutchinson, Kansas from 1987 to 1989. He has taught groups in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. He also designs uniforms and flags for units in these states as well as California. Richard works for Quintile Labs in Kansas City.

Courtney Abney is an alumni of the Sky Ryders Winter Guard and an instructor/technician for the guard. She participated in color guard and winter guard in high school and later marched in the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps and Sky Ryders Winter Guard. She also instructs and works with high school guards in our area.

Sheri Skeens is an alumni of the Sky Ryders Color Guard and Sky Ryders Winter Guard and an instructor/technician for the guard. She participated in winter guard during high school and participated in and taught color guard during college. She marched in the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps color guard in 1999. She has instructed and written shows for high school color guards and winter guards since 1997.