We were lucky to catch up with Monica Drohan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Monica , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Being involved in Girl Scouts from a young age, taught me valuable skills in teamwork and leadership, giving me opportunities to take on challenges and achieve goals. These experiences taught me that I have a voice within my community, and using it for good made me feel good about myself! Further, dance and the performing arts, like color guard, show choir, and theater, really helped me express myself and learn to perform in front of others. Each performance pushed me out of my comfort zone, building my confidence over time. Lastly, cllege also played a significant role in my confidence and self-esteem; it offered me new experiences, diverse perspectives, and the chance to connect with others who encouraged me to grow. All of these activities helped me learn about my strengths and build a strong sense of self-worth.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Monica Drohan began her performing arts career by training with Mary Skiba’s School of Dance, in Clinton Township, Michigan at the age of 5. She trained in the Cecchetti method of ballet, as well as jazz, tap, lyrical, pointe, contemporary, lyrical and musical theater dance before moving to the world of color guard at her local high school. Her marching experience includes Henry Ford II High School Falcon Marching Band, where she marched in the Tournament of Roses parade in 1996, and UCS Pride Winterguard, which competed in the Michigan Color Guard Circuit.
After high school, she taught color guard for East Detroit High School for several years before returning to her alma mater (HF2). During this time she founded eXstatica Winterguard, which competed within the Michigan Color Guard Circuit. She later joined the staff of Fraser High School, and helped develop the existing Fusion Winterguard, an independent group that competed within MCGC and rose through the ranks from Regional A to Independent A class. In 2017, Monica founded Resurgence Winterguard (MCGC 2018 IRA Gold Medalist), when she returned to teach at her alma mater (where her daughters were now a part of the color guard program). Monica “retired” from coaching in 2019.
Following the Covid 19 Pandemic, Monica went back to her roots and began instructing in a studio, where she taught ballet, jazz, tap, acro, lyrical and hip hop to 2-12 year olds. It was this teaching that made Monica realize she wasn’t done with the color guard activity just yet! It is through this passion and renewed sense of purpose, that Evoke Performance Collective was born! EPC offers instructors in the color guard community opportunities to learn, grow and become better at their craft while networking with other instructors across the county! Our current focus for 2024-2025 is our Mentorship Program, our Color Guard Idol Contest, and our Affiliate Contracts. Each of these programs are designed to allow individual instructors the ability to learn and grow in their own way, in their own time and space! Additionally, Monica is training to be a color guard adjudicator for the Michigan Color Guard Judges Association.
When she’s not moving to music, Monica spends her time with her husband, Mark (former director of Fusion Winterguard, and a small business owner), and her son Dominic (a drummer in the Chippewa Valley High School batterie) on crazy road trips to see all the great things nature holds! Additionally, Monica spent many of her years in the lives of four amazing young women that she loves and misses on a daily basis, and knows that some of her time with them was sacrificed in the pursuit of “flags in a gym”. A very special love and thanks to: Shaynah and Meaghan Drohan, and Emma and Molly Capelli. Monica would also like to thank her long-time mentors for helping give her the passion, confidence and support to launch into this new endeavor: Mary Skiba, Stephanie Pizzo, Carol Cullivus, Rick Nitterhouse, Heather Kay Andrus.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey were strong communication skills, creative problem-solving, and the belief in collaboration.
Communication Skills: Being able to express my ideas clearly and listen to others helped me build relationships and gain feedback. For those early in their journey, I recommend practicing active listening (listening to understand not listening to respond!) and seeking opportunities to share your thoughts in group settings. Join clubs or engage in activities that require public speaking to build your confidence.
Thinking Outside the Box: Embracing creativity and not letting obstacles deter me was crucial. My advice here is to cultivate a mindset that welcomes experimentation. Don’t be afraid to take risks or try unconventional approaches—this can lead to unique solutions and personal growth.
Collaboration and Inclusivity: Understanding that we are stronger together when all voices are heard has been vital. I encourage others to surround themselves with diverse perspectives. Engage with people from different backgrounds and invite constructive criticism; you’ll often find that others can enhance your ideas and work.
Remember, you don’t have to know everything—embracing collaboration can lead to amazing breakthroughs in your art and personal development!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! Evoke is always eager to connect and collaborate with new instructors. We’re particularly interested in partnering with:
New Coaches: If you’re just starting out and looking for guidance and support.
Instructors in Small or Rural Programs: We want to uplift those in smaller communities who may not have access to extensive resources.
Returning Instructors: If you’ve taken time off and are re-entering the coaching world, we’d love to connect.
Growth-Minded Individuals: Anyone who is open to learning and improving their programs—whether it’s in technical skills, cultural enrichment, or cost-effective solutions.
If you’re interested in collaborating, you can reach out through our website at www.evokepc.com, or connect with us on social media: Instagram @evoke_pc, TikTok @evokepc, or Facebook at Evoke Performance Collective. You can also email me directly at [email protected]. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evokepc.com
- Instagram: @evoke_pc
- Facebook: Evoke Performance Collective
- Youtube: Evoke Performance Collective
Image Credits
Jill White
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