Meet the Legacy Percussion Team

Rafael Sotolongo is a man of two worlds: a tech executive by day and a percussionist by night. With over 15 years of experience in IT and a 20-year passion for music, he blends his two passions to create a unique and inspiring story.

​

Sotolongo's musical journey began in middle school, where he honed his drumming skills and discovered the power of music to connect and inspire. He went on to share his knowledge and love of music as a drum instructor at Hialeah High and then later joined as a member of the Florida International University marching band.

​

While pursuing a successful IT career, Sotolongo never lost sight of his musical roots. Embarking on a new chapter and returning to teaching with Legacy Production Co., his goal is to share his passion with others and inspire them to reach their full potential.

Meet Justin Samuels, a visual designer and educator making waves with The Bluecoats, The Cadets, and Legacy Production Company. Based between Texas and California, Justin crafts productions for WGI-winning programs and collaborates with high schools nationally. As part of Legacy, he champions arts education, instilling discipline and creativity in students, leaving a lasting impact in the world of fine arts.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Ethan has been a percussionist for 10 years, and has been involved with the Marching Arts since 2016.

Ethan has experience marching every drum, from bass, to snare, to quads. He marched Stryke Percussion in 2020 and 2023, he has also taught with the band program at Seminole Ridge for 5 years and Palm Beach Central High School for 2 years.

Ethan’s goals for Legacy Percussion is to create a safe, fun and educational space for the members, the audience and the thousands of musicians waiting to be inspired to be great!

​

​

​

Jackson Alley is a percussion and visual instructor from Coral Springs, FL. After winning a WGI gold medal with Stryke 2 in 2016 and returning to the same group again in 2017, he went on to perform with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps as the xylophonist for their 2017 season.

He later joined FSU's Big 8 Drumline and served as a section leader for 2 years while teaching front ensembles around the Tallahassee area.

​

Since graduating FSU, he's been teaching percussion at Coral Glades High School and coordinating the visual program at Coral Springs Charter School, where he also teaches 9th grade English.

Alexander graduated from Everglades High School in 2012 and was a member of the Gator Marching Band all 4 years. He went on to pursue a Bachelor's in Music Education at Florida International University, where he was a member of the FIU marching band 12-13 and 18-20. He also spent a summer marching with the Boston Crusaders in 2014 on mellophone performing "Animal Farm." Alexander has worked with multiple schools as a visual and music instructor in the Dade and Broward county areas including Everglades HS 13-18, Monarch HS 18, Hialeah Gardens HS 21, & Flanagan HS 21-22. Currently, Alexander is in his second year as the Director of Bands at Coral Glades High School.