Alex Blue V is an Assistant Professor of Black Studies in Media and Technology in the department of Art History and Communication Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Prior to this position, he served as Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology at William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA. He received a PhD in Ethnomusicology at University of California, Santa Barbara, and also holds degrees in Trombone Performance and Jazz Studies, from Texas Tech University and the University of North Texas, respectively. Outside of his academic duties, he enjoys a busy schedule as an academic, performer, clinician, arranger, and judge, working with and adjudicating groups across the US, and presenting research around the world. Since aging out as a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2007, Alex has enjoyed many years of teaching in Drum Corps International's World Class and Open Class, having taught a number of groups including Colts, Spirit of Atlanta, and The Cavaliers.