Belleville Community Guard Programs

Our Teams

Belleville Community Guard Programs combines both the Belleville Color Guards and Belleville Tiger Elite Winter Guards to offer year round color guard programs for performance and competition opportunities. Our programs are available for ages 9 - 18+ as noted below. Please see our contact form if you are interested in more details.

Belleville Middle School Color Guard

Open to grades 5th - 8th for the current school year.

Belleville High School Color Guard

Open to grades 9th - 12th for the current school year.

Belleville Tiger Elite Jr Regional A Winter Guard

Open to ages 9 - 14 as of April 1st of the current school year.

Belleville Tiger Elite Regional A Winter Guard

Open to ages 15 - 22 as of April 1st of the current school year.

Belleville Tiger Elite Senior Winter Guard

Open to ages 19+ as of the current school year.

Our Unit Directors

Allie Caparaotta

Allie Caparaotta brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a love for color guard to her role as the fall Junior Color Guard and Junior Regional A Director. Having marched with Tiger Elite AA and Senior, as well as Taylor High School Marching Band, Allie knows firsthand the excitement of learning a new show, the challenge of competition, and the friendships that make the activity memorable.

Working with the Junior Guard gives Allie the opportunity to share that passion with the next generation of performers. She loves watching students go from being unsure of themselves to celebrating a skill they never thought they could accomplish. Her goal is to make rehearsals a place where members are excited to learn, comfortable asking questions, and motivated to keep improving.

Allie is especially proud to help introduce young performers to the Tiger Elite community. She hopes each member leaves the season with new skills, greater confidence, and a genuine love for color guard that inspires them to continue their journey.

Junior Guard and Winter Junior Regional A Director

Mekala VanMeter

Mekala VanMeter is the Regional A Director and Co-Director (With Stephanie Lee and Sarah Moon) for the fall Belleville High School Color Guard for Belleville Community Guard Programs and a familiar face in the Tiger Elite family. A marching member of Tiger Elite since its beginning, she has grown alongside the program and brings that history and passion into her work with today's performers.

Her marching experience also includes Eastern Michigan University, Kennedy Marching Band Color Guard, and Kennedy Winter Guard. These experiences have helped shape her appreciation for the dedication, teamwork, and friendships that make color guard so special.

As a director, Mekala is passionate about helping members discover what they are capable of, whether they are learning their first flag toss or building the confidence to perform in front of an audience. She strives to create a supportive, encouraging environment where every member feels valued, challenged, and proud to be part of the team. For Mekala, color guard is about more than the performance. It's about the growth, memories, and connections that members carry with them long after the season ends.

BHS Guard and Winter Regional A Director

Senior Guard Director

Shannon Plant

Shannon Plant serves as the Senior Guard Director and coach for the fall Belleville High School Color Guard for Belleville Community Guard Programs, bringing years of performance and instructional experience from across the country. Her color guard journey began in North Texas, where she performed with Richland High School Marching Band, UTA Maverick Marching Band, Bri’A Independent, and Insignia Performing Arts Concepts. She also worked with several winter guard programs competing in the NTCA and WGI circuits.

In 2021, Shannon moved to Northern California, where she worked with the American, Kennedy, and Washington High School color guards. She and her family relocated to Michigan in the summer of 2025, and she has since become a valued part of the Tiger Elite community. Outside of color guard, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and roller derby.

Shannon believes there is a place for everyone in color guard, regardless of age, experience, background, or body type. She sees the activity as an opportunity to tell stories through movement, build connections, and share the joy of performance.

As the Senior Guard Director, Shannon is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where members can challenge themselves, celebrate their progress, and continue doing something they love. She strives to make each season one filled with meaningful performances, lasting friendships, and memories that extend beyond the competition floor.

Meet the Team

  • Stephanie Lee

    Creative Director

  • Sarah Moon

    Executive Director

  • Nathan VanMeter

    Drill / Design / Equipment Manager

  • Nicholas Taylor

    Belleville High School - Director of Bands & Coordinator of Instrumental Music

  • Michael Campbell

    Belleville High School - Associate Director of Bands

  • Monica Shurg

    Coach

  • Lex Perez

    Coach

  • Zack Novicki

    Concept and Design Consultation

  • Doug Iggy Couter

    Concept and Design Consultation

  • Ryann Lacey

    Coach

  • Sarah Deer

    Coach