Director: Bill Farwig
Bill Farwig formed Portico Performing Arts of Chicago with Brian D Robbins, after realizing the need for a positive organization for individuals dedicated to the advancement of community arts programs. Because of his love for color guard, he formed the Venice Effect Senior Guard and is dedicated in providing an environment for those individuals that have a love and desire to continue to learning the art form.
Bill is an accomplished musician and spends his free time performing with several community music ensembles as well as also becoming an accomplished arranger for brass groups. As an avid drum corps fan, he can usually be found during the summer months traveling around the Midwest for drum corps shows.
In his professional life, Bill and his partner, Dana, formed and run a highly successful real estate business. Bill is a dedicated dad to a highly active 4 year old, Jonah, who already loves the arts. At his tender age, Jonah loves color guard and is the “apple of every eye” on the guard.
Director: Brian D. Robbins
Brian D. Robbins has been in the color guard world for more years than he cares to admit. (As he says, “I’ve been around the block more than once, but we don’t need to say how many times!” He has dedicated many years on football fields and gym floors teaching and writing guard work.
Brian started as a dancer and spent many years with the Gwen Davis Dance Ensemble in New York City before attending Michigan State University; ultimately graduating with a Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan, but he says that his blood actually still “bleeds green” for the beloved Spartans!
After many years away from the sport, Brian is excited to be back involved teaching adults who want to learn this unique art form. He finds it inspirational to work with individuals that truly love the activity and have a desire and drive unique to adult learners.
Brian has a passion for any art form; and therefore, with his dear friend, Bill Farwig, formed Portico Performing Arts of Chicago and the Venice Effect Senior Guard in order to offer performance opportunities for adult performers. Brian’s positive attitude, upbeat teaching style, and unique design vision has defined who the Venice Effect Senior Guard is today and who they will continue to be in the future.
In his professional life, Brian spent many years working in HIV social services before being lured into the corporate world. He currently works with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in Global Services. As a confirmed bachelor, Brian enjoys spending his free time attending drum corps and winterguard competitions, and during the off season, is an avid reader, love playing euchre and is a closet reality show junkie. His is a dedicated Chicago Cubs fan, only proving his loyalty (in all areas of his life) is indominable.
