Silvia Gopalakrishnan - Fife Director
Silvia Gopalakrishnan's musical upbringing began in the Deep River Juniors and her school district's music program. Since then, she has performed in various ensembles including pit orchestra, Latin jazz band, NOLA brass band, orchestra, wind ensemble, marching band, and pep band. Apart from performing, she has composed and orchestrated music for various instrumental ensembles, as well as UConn puppetry students' thesis projects. While studying at the University of Connecticut, she earned a Master's of Curriculum and Instruction, a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education.
Currently, she teaches music at Weston Public Schools in MA, and manages youth ensembles at The Rivers School. She also instructs and performs with the Connecticut Patriots fife line.
Silvia has been coming to JRFDC since she was a young fifer, and is excited to be music directing in 2026!
Colin Mason - Drum Director
Colin Mason began his journey as a rudimental bass drummer at the age of five with the Col. John Chester Junior Fife and Drum Corps. During his time with the corps, he earned numerous awards—both individually and as part of a duet with his favorite snare drummer, his brother Brendan. After aging out, Colin continued to give back to the corps as a drum instructor, teaching alongside Brendan and their father, Don Mason.
With over 20 years of experience as a percussion performer, composer/arranger, adjudicator, and educator, Colin has taught, arranged, and consulted for countless scholastic and independent music ensembles throughout the Northeast. He currently serves as Percussion Director for Naugatuck High School and is an active adjudicator for the Connecticut Music Educators Association. Additionally, he serves as a board member for his local Percussive Arts Society chapter. Whenever time allows, he also performs on drum set and percussion for churches and the local theater scene.
Despite his involvement in various musical fields, Colin remains deeply committed to his fife and drum roots. As the bass drum instructor for the Connecticut Patriots, he continually challenges traditional perceptions of rudimental bass drumming. His passion for the art has taken him across the world, with performances and presentations throughout the United States, Switzerland, Scotland, and England. Most recently, he co-founded the “Bass Pro Shoppe” alongside Jo Nazro, David Loyal, and Tim Goss—a group of bass drummers who have presented at USARD, SIRD, and PASIC over the past three years.
By day, Colin serves as an academic interventionist at St. Mary St. Michael School in Derby, CT, where he is also in the early stages of forming a new junior fife and drum corps. By night, when he’s not teaching percussion, he moonlights as a Bonsai Bar instructor throughout Connecticut and parts of New York. On the rare occasion he’s home, Colin enjoys relaxing on the couch with his partner, Jess, and their cat, Potato.
Jo Nazro - Drum Director
Jo grew up in Southeastern Connecticut and discovered a passion for fife and drum at the age of seven with the Nutmeg Volunteer Jr. Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. Under the guidance of George Chapman and Cap Corduan, Jo developed a love for rudimental drumming, which continued during their time with the East Lyme High School Drumline from 1997 to 2001. In 2000, Jo attended the inaugural Jr. Fife and Drum Camp as a camper, marking a memorable milestone in their musical journey.
In 2001, Jo joined the Bluff Point Quahog Diggers Band, where they remain an active performer and contributor to the group’s creative endeavors. While pursuing a degree in Technical Theatre in Massachusetts, Jo connected with the local fife and drum community and gained valuable insights from Richard Ruquist. After earning a bachelor's degree, Jo returned to Connecticut and briefly performed with the Connecticut Patriots.
Currently, Jo serves as Technical Director for the Theatre Department at Fitchburg State University. In this role, they collaborate with students to design, construct, and execute the technical elements of theatre productions, combining artistic vision with practical expertise.