General Questions

  • Is it free to sign up?

    Yes, creating an account is free​. With a free account, you can access community content, course previews, and a few other valuable tools for students and instructors that are only available only on TGWS Academy.

  • Is this for students or instructors?

    BOTH- ALL- EVERYONE! TGWS Academy proudly has courses and communities for everyone! Students wanting to get better or learn new equipment, instructors wanting more information on how to teach concepts, exercises, or choreography, band directors needing to lead guard classes or sectionals, and even alumni wanting to spin again! No matter your role in this activity, there is something for you to learn on TGWS Academy.

  • Can I close my account at any time?

    Yes! You can close your account at any time. You can also cancel your subscription by heading to My Account, then Billing, and selecting whichever subscription or pass you'd like to cancel.

  • How can I access the free previews?

    Free previews are available for many courses to give you a glimpse of the course content before purchasing. Though it is a "preview", you have unlimited 24/7 hour access forever. There is no purchase required to start, continue, or end a free preview.

  • Why do I need to signup if I'm only wanting the free preview?

    By creating (or logging into) an account, even for a free preview, you help ensure a secure, personalized, and efficient learning environment for all users, of all ages. It gives tailored content specifically to your interests, let's you track your progress accurately, and provides you with updates and resources, while helping us maintain high standards in virtual public areas, ensuring that everyone in our diverse community can learn in a safe and supportive setting.

Course Access & Management

  • What types of courses are available?

    There are a range of courses covering flag, rifle, and sabre technique, choreography, tosses, tricks, pedagogy, and more! There are courses suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced performers, instructors, and enthusiasts. You can sort by Category on the Courses page.

  • How much does it cost to enroll in a course?

    It is free to enroll in any course and access the preview. To gain FULL access to a course and all of it's tools, there are individual course prices ranging between $8 and $65 depending on the course, or $149 for The Spin Vault. Alternatively, you can purchase access to ALL courses with an All-Access Pass for $15/month.

  • Is there a time limit for the courses?

    NOPE! Not at all! While the term "Academy" might give you the sense of a rigorous, time consuming obligation, this entire platform is designed for you to maximize learning while going at your OWN pace! There are no time-based obligations involved. If you are an instructor having your students learn on here and want to impose your own time restrictions, you are free to of course!

  • Can I interact directly with an instructor or receive personalized feedback?

    Yes, each course offers direct interaction with Instructor Robert Jordan, particularly through the Critique section available to All-Access Pass members, as well as through The Spin Vault available to all members.

  • How often are new courses and content added to the platform?

    New courses and content are added regularly to ensure that members have access to the latest colorguard techniques and trends. This commitment to updating content helps keep the learning experience fresh and relevant for all users regardless of when you started your marching arts journey!

  • What is the All-Access Pass?

    The All-Access Pass, priced at $15/month, grants unlimited access to all courses, video content, and exclusive community features such as the Critique section.

  • What additional resources are available to students enrolled in your courses?

    Students have access to a wide range of additional resources, including downloadable PDFs (in some courses) for practice, extended tutorial videos, and other educational materials that can be used to help develop you or your team's skills. These resources are designed to enhance the learning experience and provide practical tools for students to apply what they learn in real-world settings​

Groups & Teams

  • Can I sign my school, group, or team up for TGWS Academy?

    YES! To make sure TGWS Academy remains easily available for all situations, I currently offer 2 main ways* for teams to create accounts to access the courses, The Spin Vault, or The All-Access Pass! →The first option is to create a single account with an email & password that you share with the rest of your team. (Please make sure to not use or share, private, sensitive, or personal data.) →The other option is to purchase Team Passes that give you a Group Rate on The Spin Vault for any bulk orders of 5 or more members. The Spin Vault is a Video Resource Library containing ALL available content throughout courses and communities on TGWS Academy; this is a perfect option for instructors wanting to search through available exercises and create their own Course Funnel or just give their students free reign to explore the tutorials!

  • Is there a limit to the number of users I can add under a Team Pass?

    Team Passes are for groups from 5 members up to 50. If your group exceeds the maximum number, please contact [email protected] for a custom solution.

  • What happens if a member of quits the group mid-season?

    If a member quits, their access can be revoked, and their spot can be reassigned to a new member, or held. This flexibility ensures that your program always gets the most value out of your subscription.

  • How does billing work for a group?

    Team Passes are billed as one bulk order. You'll be charged the agreed amount, depending on the terms selected at purchase. All billing details can be managed through your account

  • How can I get technical support for my team?

    Technical support is available for all Team Pass holders the same as if they held individual accounts. They can reach the support team via email, chat, or in The Spin Club! TGWS Academy is here to ensure your learning experience is seamless and productive.

Other FAQ's

  • What makes TGWS Academy different from other colorguard educational platforms?

    TGWS Academy stands out due to its comprehensive and expertly designed courses, tailored for different skill levels. The platform offers unique features such as community feedback forums, personalized critique requests, a monthly subscription option, and a wide range of "Real-World Instructional Content" that is regularly updated to ensure the latest techniques and trends are covered​. TGWS Academy also crafts Dual-Purpose Educational tutorials that are fully comprehensible by both performers & instructors; whether you are watching to learn, or watching to learn how to properly teach something.

  • What have past students achieved after taking your courses?

    Many students have reported significant improvements in their skills such as making team captain, enhancing performance abilities, and increasing consistency. TGWS Academy boasts a whopping 3,000+ enrollments, with over 200 active drum corps performers and over 550 active winterguard members. (This metric was updated on 12/30/2023.)

  • How can TGWS Academy help me reach my personal and professional goals in colorguard?

    TGWS Academy provides a structured curriculum, on an open time scale, that caters to various goals; alongside a plethora of tools & resources to help you throughout any season. Whether you are looking to master specific equipment, just picked colorguard up for the first time, are wanting to improve choreography, just got your first teaching gig, or any other sort of colorguard help needed, this platform is designed to help you achieve these aims. TGWS Academy also supports professional development for instructors and band directors, providing them with resources to enhance their teaching and leadership skills​.

  • What kind of community can I be part of on TGWS Academy?

    TGWS Academy hosts The Spin Club—a vibrant, supportive community of colorguard performers, instructors, and enthusiasts! This community offers a space for TGWS Academy members to share experiences, resources, and receive guidance. It's an inclusive environment where both everyone can engage and grow together safely​.