The Mandarins Alumni Association (MAA) was formed to keep alumni and friends of the Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps updated on Corps activities and accomplishments, and to provide any support the corps may need. All former marching members, parents, instructors, and supporters are welcome to participate.Please email, for further information and/or to link your name to the MAA roster at the bottom of this page.
Since 1963, the Ye Wah and the Mandarins organization has offered young men and women a rewarding activity combining the Performing Arts with discipline, pride, good citizenship and sportsmanship, Asian traditions, and other important values. Adding friendships, travel, common goals, and more makes the "Mandarins Experience" a unique one, unlike any other youth program.
We hope this has helped our Alumni throughout their teenage, young adult, and adult years. Indeed, many have become doctors, teachers, dentists, lawyers, engineers, and parents, among other successful careers. But what has the "Mandarins Experience" meant to them, and what have they gained through it? Select the names below, for stories. We sincerely thank Alumni Members who have graciously allowed us to share their thoughts with you.
The Mandarins have been known for producing innovative and unique summer and winter programs. From the introduction of Taiko drumming, to the use of live narration, the Mandarins "are bustin' out with some pretty tight stuff!", as one corps member puts it. In the QuickTime excerpts below, listen to what four alumni members say about their Mandarins Experience:
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- Joshua Vogelsang
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What's up? My name's Joshua, and I've been drumming for the Mandarins for five years now. We're usually introduced as the Drum Corps International Division III World Champions. But that doesn't really tell you who we are, and what we're all about....
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- Winnie Valenzuela
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Hi, my name is Winnie. I'm an age-out. I'm sure you expect me to say that Mandarins has taught me a lot about commitment and responsibility, but what I really remember is the excitement of performing, hearing the music play, and expressing it through dance. It only seems like yesterday since my last finals performance. Those are the days I'll never forget....
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- Dave Snyder
Hi, my name is Dave, and I'm a five-month member of the Sacramento Mandarins. I first heard about the Mandarins from my marching band and brass coach. I wasn't sure if I'd fit in, but after the first rehearsals, I was hooked....
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- Victoria Chiao
Hey, I'm Victoria, and this is my final year before I age out. I know this is my last chance to be a part of the drum corps experience. I've learned more than your basic color guard skills. Each person here, from the newest rookie to the oldest vet has in some way helped me become a stronger person....
The movie "Remember the Magic: 1963-2003" is now available! Produced by Mandarins alumni Scott Jow and Jillene Sturgess to commemorate the Mandarins' 40th Anniversary, this movie tells how the corps started and shows what it has accomplished in 40 years. Order your video today. For only $15, own a copy of Mandarins history and relive the magic of the past 40 years. Runtime is 2 hours, 15 minutes. In VHS HiFi Stereo. DVD format available at additional cost. To order, or if you have any questions, email us here.
The movie includes:
- Excerpts from nearly 30 years of performances, including the earliest known 1963 film of the Ye Wah Drum Corps parading at the old California State Fair on Stockton Blvd.; the Taiwan presidential inauguration concert; the shows which won the eight DCI Championship titles; the Winterguard's Joy Luck Club interpretative performance; and much more.
- Interviews with alumni representing decades past. How did former Sacramento Mayor Jimmie Yee become a color guard instructor in 1963? What does Fox40/KTXL reporter Lonnie Wong recall about his marching days? Why did Ray Mar become Corps Director 21 years ago? Learn the answers to these questions and discover many other interesting trivia like the West Sacramento Raiders D&B Corps' comments about the Mandarins in 1968.
- Slideshow featuring vintage photographs of long ago and up through current years. See the many uniform changes and performance details over the past forty years.
Ona Alminas, Kelly Alvarez, Andrew Amistoso, Keith Bales, Louise Barr, Pamela Ringer-Britz, Robert Castillo, Arlene Chan, Lily Lum Chan, Rita Chan, Marianne Chatterton, Alice Chen, Helen Chen, Liana Chen-Knapp, Lorraine Chew, Victoria Chiao , Alan Chinn, Thomas F. Chinn, Lily Chong, Janet Chow, John Chow, Kevin Chow, Steve Chow, Mara DaPrato, Dr. Roger Davis, Dennis Dong, Mark Dong, Bill & Paula Emperador, Valerie Emperador, Art Fong, Bellory Fong, Ben Fong, Dan & Irene Fong, Daniel Fong, Douglas K. Fong, Harry K. Fong, Kurtis Fong, Lester Fong, Matt Fong, Norman Fong, Randolph A. Fong, Suzanne Fong, Joyceline Fukuchi, Sharon Fujimura, Adrian Fujitani, Mat & Hisuko Fujitani, Adrian Fujitani, John P. Garcia, Milt & Floree Gee, Diana Gin, Phillip Ginn, Melissa Gong, Adam Grant, Matthew Hing, Kevin Hiroshima, Victor Huynh, Amy Inouye, Kami Jan-Wong, Mike & Nanci Jan, Kirby Joe, The Joe Family, Rodney Joe M.D., Alan & Debbie Jong, Jason Jong, Ken Jong, Scott Jow, Tom Jue, Shekhar Khedekar, Norio & Dorothy Kojima, Jason Kwong, Ron Lam, Jennifer Law-Nitta, Brian Lee, Christina Lee, Gordon Lee, Jeff & Evelyn Lee, Joyce Lee, May & Wah Lee, Stacey Leung, Ted & Ruth Leung, Robert Lew, Glenn Likong, Calvin Lim, Elliott Lim, Keman & Frank Lim, Lloyd Lim, Felicia Louie, Marty Louie, Richard Louie, Christina Low, Jeremy Lum, Eric Mar, Karen Mar, Ray & Esther Mar, Dore Mark, Karla Marquez, Becky Moe, Greg Morgan, Laurie Moy, John Ng, Bernice Ng, Russell Ng, Ronald Norman, Holly Ong, Steve & Eileen Park, Bruce Reyes-Chow, Mark Soohoo, Jillene Sturgess, Vince Taboada, JimTabuchi, Jim Tashima & Mary Purvis, Kody Tickner, Michelle Tong, Winnie Valenzuela, Fernando Vargas, Courtney White, Sam White, Gerard Wing, Jerald Wing, Dean Won, Baldwin Wong, Bucky & Janet Wong, Dave & Mabs Wong, Frank & Lucy Wong, Glenn Wong, Jason & Mayme Wong, Kim Wong, Les Wong, Margie Lum Wong, Melissa L. Wong, Michael S. Wong, Penny & Howard Wong, James Wong Family, Rodney Wong, Rosy Wong, Steven Wong, Brian Wu, Karen Wu, Heidi Yamazaki, Michelle Yamazaki, Derrick Yee, Donald Yee, Don & Joyce Yee, Doreen Yee, Kenneth R. Yee, Kenneth R. Yee, Mary Yee, S.H. Yee, Sandra Yee, Sherri & Victor Yee, Denise Yee-McClarty
Email your name, to be added to this list! All former marching members, parents, instructors, and supporters are welcome to participate.
Mandarins have upheld the strong family traits and traditions that I've always wanted in a drum corps. ~ Travis Kindred
