Meet the Staff
Alyssa Vance
Instructional Staff
Alyssa is originally from Reading, PA but spent all her years spinning and teaching in North Carolina. She began her colorguard calling in her high school and college years. She attended college at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), however, had to locate an independent group outside of the university since UNCG didn't have one.
Alyssa has marched with Wakefield High School SA & SO [2011-2014], Legacy IA [2015], and First Flight World [2016-2018; 2020]. She has proudly worked with many high schools in the Wake County area, some include Wakefield HS, Panther Creek HS, and Garner HS.
Outside of colorguard, Alyssa works as a Logistics & Warehouse Manager for a small engineering company. She spends her free time cleaning... yes cleaning! She is a mild "neat freak" and hates clutter. She also enjoys going to the movies, outdoor concerts, walks with her pup, and the beach. In the future, Alyssa would like to move closer to the coast so she can live at the beach. For now, she is happy with her home outside of Raleigh, NC.
Alyssa loves teaching and being able to watch performers express themselves through this art. She has had the opportunity to march many seasons, creating a family with memories she will hold for life.
Her favorite season of all her years marching was her first year with First Flight World performing Enigma. She holds the message of that season "Do the things no one could imagine" close to her heart and challenges new performers with the same. Currently, she teaches movement with First Flight!
Analise Benitez
Instructional Staff
Analise was born and raised in Eastern Carolina, and is currently living in Havelock, NC with her cat, Stella. She attended East Carolina University and graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management with a concentration in lodging and also minors in Music and Business. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and spending free time with her family. Analise started her colorguard career at Havelock High School and spun on both the colorguard and winterguard through the 2011 to 2015 seasons. Her independent winterguard career began at Legacy Independent where she was an IO finalist in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She then found her home at First Flight and spun in the 2020, 2023, and 2024 seasons. Analise’s instructional career includes Havelock HS, North Pitt HS, JH Rose HS, Carolina Gold CG, and First Flight. Analise looks forward to another season with First Flight and cannot wait to see what this year’s cast brings to the floor.
Andi Pate
Instructional Staff
Andi grew up in Cary, NC, and currently resides in Willow Spring, NC. She attended Green Hope High School and marched from 2010-2015. After high school, she went on to march with First Flight World from 2017 to 2019 and has been choreographing since. She has taught at GHHS, NCSU winterguard, Awaken Independent, and Assembly Line. She is excited to see what this year has in store for First Flight!
Emily Robinson
Instructional Staff
Emily Robinson is a born and raised Raleigh native where she currently lives with her cat, Benson, and her dog, Rollins. She attended North Carolina State University and got her Bachelor's of Science in Biological Engineering. She now works as an acoustics engineer at a local civil engineering firm.
Emily started her color guard career at Wakefield Middle School in 2006 and continued at Wakefield High School through 2010. She performed with First Flight World in 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2017. She taught at Wakefield High School from 2012 to 2017. Most recently, Emily participated in the 2021 virtual season with Paramount Winterguard.
Katelyn McIntosh Littler
Instructional Staff
Katelyn McIntosh Littler is from Raleigh, NC and has been involved with marching arts programs for 20 years, starting winter guard in middle school. She has a Master’s in Business Administration from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Public Health Environmental Health Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
She is a two-time Winter Guard International (WGI) Scholastic Open Class Finalist with Wakefield High School Maroon and has marched with several Triangle area programs, including First Flight World, Carolina Visual Productions Encore, and the Triangle Pride Marching Band. Most recently, Ms. Littler served as the color guard instructor for the University of North Carolina Marching Tar Heels from 2017-2022. She has also served as a color guard caption judge for Triangle area high school marching band competitions. Ms. Littler is excited to continue working with First Flight this year!
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Kim Kelly is an active member of the color guard community with experience as both a performer and educator. Her marching experience includes Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, First Flight Winterguard, and The Study Winterguard. Kim has also shared her passion for the activity through teaching, including with First Flight Winterguard and several local high school programs, such as Broughton High School and Holly Springs High School. In addition to her performance and instructional experience, Kim serves as the First Vice President of the Atlantic Indoor Association, continuing her commitment to supporting and growing the indoor color guard community.
Megan Rossi
Instructional Staff
Megan is an NC native, born in Asheville and grew up in Cary, North Carolina. She attended NC State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Sciences, followed by a Master’s in Nutrition Sciences from Meredith College. Megan has recently started her career as a Registered Dietitian, working as an inpatient clinical dietitian at a local hospital. Megan started her color guard journey in middle school, marching with Green Hope’s Junior Guard in 2014 & 2015. She continued to march indoor and outdoor seasons with Green Hope HS from 2015 to 2019, placing 4th in SA at WGI Worlds in 2018. After high school, Megan continued her spinning experience with First Flight Winterguard as a member during their 2020, 2023, and 2024 seasons. In addition to performing, Megan has enjoyed getting to be an instructor throughout the AIA circuit. She has taught at Wake Forest HS (2020-2023), Havelock HS (2023 - currently) and most recently joined instructional staff at First Flight in 2026!
Robert Turpin
Instructional Staff & Choreographer
Originally from Sterling, VA, Robert has been involved with the marching arts since 2007. His journey began with Park View HS, where he then continued his career with the Jersey Surf in 2010 and 2011, followed by the All-American Marching band in 2011, and aged out with the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2014. Robert also had the opportunity to march with First Flight World from 2011 to 2017.
Robert started his teaching career at Panther Creek HS in 2012, where took on the role of director for the 2017 - 2020 seasons. Additionally, he has worked with Cary HS in 2015 and 2018, Green Hope HS, and Holly Springs HS. Robert has been on staff since 2018!
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Samantha Lane
Instructional Staff
Samantha Lane began her color guard career in 2009 and has performed with programs including Clayton High School, Corinth Holders High School, East Carolina University Marching Pirates, Legacy Independent, the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, and First Flight World.
Samantha began teaching colorguard in 2015 and has worked with colorguard and winterguard programs throughout Johnston County and the Wake County area, serving in both instructional and director roles. She currently serves on staff with First Flight Winterguard and Holly Springs Colorguard and Winterguard as a weapon technician and choreographer, and works with additional programs as a choreographer.
Outside of color guard, Samantha works full-time in social media marketing for a healthcare system and operates her own photography and videography business. When she’s not working or teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog.