Carrie Appel’s passion for the marching arts started in 2011 at the beginning of an extensive performing career, which included: Infinity Winterguard, the UCLA Marching Band, Pacific Crest, Diamante, Pulse Percussion, and the Santa Clara Vanguard. She received her education from UCLA and holds a bachelor's degree in World Arts and Cultures, and Visual and Performing Arts Education.
Carrie is a full-time colorguard instructor and has taught many programs in the Los Angeles area over the past nine years as a director, designer, choreographer, and technician. She is currently the color guard manager at Arcadia HS, director at Los Alamitos HS, and technician at Vox Artium IW. Her leadership in program design and choreography is currently utilized at California HS, Clovis East HS, Catalina Foothills HS (AZ), and more. Carrie’s teaching is marked by a detailed and intellectual approach, an intense passion for the activity, a “work hard, play hard” environment – and above all, a fierce personal commitment to perpetual learning.
Carrie has spent her past few summers teaching with the Vanguard Cadets, Pacific Crest, and Blue Stars. Most recently, she served as the caption head for Gold in 2026 and led the organization to their first ever DCI Open Class Best Color Guard award. She is thrilled to begin this new adventure at the Mandarins!