J.D. Shaw

J.D. Shaw, Carolina Band staff arranger, is associate professor of horn at University of South Carolina and was formerly the French hornist with the internationally acclaimed Boston Brass where he was creative director, music arranger and co-owner of the ensemble. J.D. is an active solo artist and travels extensively throughout the United States and many countries in North America, Europe and Asia. In addition, J.D. has also been a featured performer on National Public Radio's Performance Today and the CBS Morning Show. J.D. received his Masters of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music where he was awarded the performer's certificate under the tutelage of horn pedagogue Verne Reynolds. Hailing from Hutchinson, Kansas, he earned his degree of Bachelors of Music at the Wichita State University studying with Dr. Nicholas E. Smith. Prior to his position at University of South Carolina, Professor Shaw has held teaching posts at Boston College, University of New Mexico and University of Miami. As an active performer and prolific arranger, J.D. has recorded over 15 albums encompassing diverse musical styles from the Classical, Jazz, and Latin genres. As a prolific arranger, Professor Shaw writes music for many orchestras, bands, and chamber ensembles. His arrangements are featured with several publishers and can be heard on many recording labels and performance stages across the world. Currently, he is the music arranger for the world champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps.

Chase Banks

Chase Banks is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Music Performance at The University of South Carolina under the tutelage of Dr. Scott Herring. He recently won the University of South Carolina Concerto Competition and performed Ney Rosauro's Concerto for Vibraphone with the USC Symphony Orchestra. Chase is a certified K-12 music teacher in South Carolina and previously taught at Cardinal Newman School in Columbia, SC. Chase has been a judge for SCBDA's Region Band auditions and has put on clinics at several area schools. At USC, he performs with the USC Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Palmetto Pans Steel Band, and co-directs the Percussion Players undergraduate percussion ensemble. In 2016, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Florida State University receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education and a Minor in Communications. While at FSU, Chase performed with multiple ensembles including the FSU Symphonic Band, University Philharmonia, Men’s Glee, Percussion Ensemble, and the Florida State Wind Orchestra. He was also a percussionist on the FSU CBDNA tour in 2015. He has performed with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Collegiate All-State Band, and as a soloist at FSU’s PRISM Concerts. Chase has recorded multiple percussion ensemble CDs, including FSU’s Not Far From From Here and 10 Windows as well as Adam Silverman’s Percussion Music and Blake Tyson’s Firefish.

Fiona McGowan

Fiona McGowan hails from central Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Dayton (UD) where she also majored in German. While at UD, McGowan performed with the Dayton Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Pride of Dayton Marching Band, and First Flight Saxophone Quartet. With First Flight she performed at the International Saxophone Symposium at George Mason University and at the International Society for Music Education World Conference in Greece in 2012. McGowan was the Director of Bands at Juan Diego Catholic High School and St. John the Baptist Middle School in Draper, Utah from 2012-2018, where she led the concert and jazz bands and established the award-winning Juan Diego marching band. While in Utah, McGowan performed regularly with the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds and was a founding member of the Salt City Saxes. Over the summer you can find her volunteering at the Music for All Summer Symposium as a member of the SWAG Team. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Music Education and is a graduate assistant for the University of South Carolina bands. Apart from music, McGowan enjoys running, yoga, and keeping tabs on the Premier League and Bundesliga.

Christian Noon

Christian Noon is currently pursuing his PhD in Music Education with a doctoral minor in conducting at the University of South Carolina, where he is also a graduate teaching assistant with the USC bands. Most recently, Noon graduated from the University of Miami with his MM in instrumental conducting, where he studied with Dr. Robert Carnochan. While at Miami, Noon was a regular conductor of the Frost Symphonic Winds, and a frequent guest conductor with the Frost Wind Ensemble. In February 2017, he collaborated with New York based composer Matthew Browne and saxophonist Neal Postma to premiere a new concerto for alto saxophone and chamber winds entitled "Alcoholic Dissertations." His thesis at the University of Miami is entitled "Crossing the Chasm: An Exploration of the Role of Conductors and Large Ensembles in Academic Institutions." He also served as a teaching assistant with the Frost Band of the Hour while at UM. Prior to moving to Miami, Noon taught middle and high school band and orchestra in his home state of Colorado, beginning his career as the instrumental music director at Elizabeth High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and holds professional affiliations with the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Director's National Association, the Colorado Music Educators Association, the Florida Music Educators Association, and the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society.

Nathan Tucker

Nathan Tucker currently serves on the bands staff at The University of South Carolina where he is pursing the Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting. He holds the Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Master of Music in Wind Conducting from The University of Alabama. He has held teaching and conducting positions with Albertville (AL) City Schools, Coastal Carolina University, Horry (SC) County Schools, Long Bay Symphony (SC) Youth Orchestra, Tuscaloosa (AL) Youth Orchestra, and was a graduate assistant at Alabama. Mr. Tucker was the founder and music director of the Tuscaloosa Youth Wind Ensemble from 2012-2013, and led the premiers of important new chamber works as a conductor with Chamber Music Charleston in 2015. Mr. Tucker currently studies conducting with Scott Weiss. Previously, his teachers were Ken Ozzello and John Ratledge, with additional studies with Ray Cramer and Mark Scatterday and at The University of North Texas and The University of Michigan. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, and the National Association for Music Education. Nathan enjoys spending time with his wife, Kate, and two sons, Gabriel and William.

Adam Vernon-Young

Adam Vernon-Young is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of South Carolina. A recent alumnus of the University, Adam graduated with a Bachelors in Music Theory as well as a Performance Certificate in Bass Trombone. Adam has participated in numerous ensembles throughout his college career, including the USC Wind Ensemble, USC Symphonic Winds, Carolina Trombone Collective, Carolina 5 Brass Quintet, and various other chamber groups. During his undergraduate years he was also a member of the Carolina Band trombone section for the 2013-2014 seasons. Other performance credits include being a finalist at the American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition, and two years marching with World Class Drum and Bugle Corps, Carolina Crown. For the past two years, Adam has been on staff with the band program at Blythewood High School. During that time, he has assisted with musical and visual instruction for the marching band, as well as weekly low-brass masterclasses for the concert program. Adam is an avid arranger and composer and has written for numerous groups including USC's own "Mighty Sound of the Southeast." His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.

Allison Johnson

Allison Johnson is a senior at the University of South Carolina where she is pursuing a degree in music education with a performance certificate in saxophone under the teaching of Dr. Clifford Leaman. Johnson is a fourth-year member of the Carolina Band. She served as saxophone section leader for the 2017 season before serving as a senior staff member for the 2018 season. She is also a member of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Service Sorority, where she has served as music chair, vice president of membership, and parliamentarian. During her time at USC, she has also participated in saxophones quartets, Symphonic Winds and the Wind Ensemble. Upon graduation in May 2019, she hopes to begin teaching music to any age group elementary through high school.

Samantha Newcomb

Samantha Newcomb is a senior at the University of South Carolina, where she is currently pursuing a degree in music education. She is a member of the French horn studio, studying under JD Shaw. Along with her four years as a member of the Carolina Band, she has performed in USC ensembles including the Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and the Carolina Basketball Band. Newcomb was also a member of the 2017 Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps on mellophone. Before becoming a member of the Senior Staff with the Carolina Band for the 2018 season, she was in the mellophone section for three years and was one of the mellophone section leaders for the 2017 season. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, in which she has served as treasurer and is the current president of the chapter at USC. Newcomb has taught private lessons and has worked with marching bands at high schools in North and South Carolina. After her graduation in May of 2019, she hopes to work as a band director for a middle or high school program.

Nancy Uriegas

Nancy Uriegas is the head athletic trainer for the Carolina Band and USC Dance Company. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in advanced athletic training as a graduate assistant at USC. She is a 2015 graduate of the University of Texas, where she received a bachelor's degree in athletic training. Previously Nancy served as a high school athletic trainer in Texas for two years followed by a year as head athletic trainer at Calhoun County High School in St. Matthews, SC. Nancy is passionate about her profession and providing medical coverage to help her patients reach their potential on and off the stage. She is extremely excited to gain experience in the performing arts fields and become a well-rounded athletic trainer. Her goal during her time in this position is to instill knowledge in her patients about their overall health and well-being. Upon graduation in May 2019, Nancy hopes to practice athletic training and pursue a doctorate degree with research in Feeding and Eating Disorders.

Kirk Randazzo

Kirk Randazzo, “The Voice of the Carolina Band,” is a highly sought-after speaker and scholar, both internationally and across the United States. As a respected political scientist, he teaches and conducts research on constitutional law and judicial politics, the rule of law in emerging democracies, and judicial independence. Dr. Randazzo is the director of the Carolina Leadership Initiative, which seeks to promote, encourage, and facilitate leadership and its development across the University of South Carolina. As a public speaker, his presentations focus on developing fundamental leadership skills and strategies for successful conflict management, team motivation and public speaking. He received a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of South Carolina in 1994 and his Ph.D. in political science from Michigan State University in 2003. From 2003–2008 he taught at the University of Kentucky and in 2008 returned to his alma mater as a professor of political science at the University of South Carolina. He serves on various boards including the USC Alumni Band and the Friends of the USC School of Music.

Randy Herald

Randy Herald, Carolina Band videographer, marched in the Carolina Band from 1970–72, and in 1973 he began videotaping the band performances. Randy graduated from USC with a B.A. in broadcast journalism and a master of media arts degree. He worked in various roles during his career at Carolina including television producer, production manager, university broadcast coordinator, media arts instructor and was USC’s first athletic video coordinator. He retired from USC in 2002 and started a new career as visual information manager at Fort Gordon. He retired again in 2011 and now serves on several nonprofit boards as well as playing in the Savannah River Winds and the Camden Community Concert Band.

Gordon Humphries

Gordon Humphries joined the Carolina Band staff in 2015 as the band photographer. Gordon is a Columbia native and an adjunct instructor of photography in the School of Visual Art and Design at USC.