J.D. Shaw

J.D. Shaw, Carolina Band staff arranger, is associate professor of horn at USC 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. Shaw is an active solo artist and travels extensively throughout the U.S. and countries in North America, Europe and Asia. He has been a featured performer on National Public Radio's Performance Today and the CBS Morning Show. Shaw received his masters of music degree from the Eastman School where he was awarded the Performer's Certificate under the tutelage of horn pedagogue Verne Reynolds. Hailing from Hutchinson, Kansas, he earned his Bachelors of Music at Wichita State University studying with Nicholas E. Smith. Prior to his position at USC, professor Shaw has held teaching posts at Boston College, University of New Mexico and University of Miami. As an active performer and prolific arranger, he has recorded over 15 albums encompassing diverse musical styles from the classical, jazz, and Latin genres. As a prolific arranger, he writes music for 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.

Jay Sconyers

Jay Sconyers is a graduate conducting associate with the USC band program where he is currently pursuing a doctor of musical arts in wind conducting. He received his master of music education and bachelors of music education from the University of Georgia where he studied trumpet with professor Fred Mills. While at UGA he performed in a wide variety of instrumental and choral ensembles, performing throughout the U.S., Germany, Austria, Italy, the Vatican and China. At USC he has been a frequent guest conductor with the USC Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds and the University Band and has served as an associate producer with an upcoming Wind Band Classics recording on the Naxos Label. Mr. Sconyers is an alumnus of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, and he has served on the instructional staff of the University of Georgia Redcoat Band, University of South Carolina Marching Band, and as a brass instructor with several open and world-class drum and bugle corps. Currently he serves as a senior high brass instructor with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to his instructional responsibilities in marching band and drum and bugle corps, Sconyers was the co-founder and instructor of the UGA Step-Off program for incoming high school freshmen entering marching band. He is an active music arranger, drill designer, adjudicator and clinician in the eastern and southern United States. Prior to his time at USC, he served as the director of bands at Elbert County Comprehensive High School in Elberton, GA. During his time there, the band program grew significantly in all areas and achieved several program firsts, including a performance at the Georgia Music Educators Association Annual Conference by the Low Brass Ensemble, participation in the Georgia Marching Band Series State Finals, and straight superior performances in all areas. His past and present professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, College Music Educators National Conference, Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Bailey Seabury

Bailey Seabury, percussionist and educator, has worked with many high school and collegiate ensembles throughout the Southeast. He is currently pursuing his D.M.A. in percussion performance from the University of South Carolina, where he serves as a graduate assistant to the Carolina Band Drumline. He recently completed his M.M. at the University of Central Arkansas where he studied under Blake Tyson and was the graduate assistant and arranger for the Drumline of the Bear Marching Band for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. In 2014, he was a semi-finalist in the Great Plains International Marimba Competition. He received his undergraduate degree in music education from Troy University, studying under T. Adam Blackstock. While at Troy, he was a member of the Troy University Percussion Ensemble during their showcase concert at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in 2012.

Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith is currently pursuing her doctor of musical arts degree in horn performance and is a graduate assistant for the University of South Carolina Bands. She received a master of music in horn performance from the University of New Mexico while studying under professor J.D. Shaw. At UNM she played in the Sandia Brass Quintet, Graduate Woodwind Quintet, University of New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Brass Choir and Wind Symphony. She received her bachelor degree in music education at Auburn University and studied under Bill Schaffer. She has performed with ensembles in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and New Mexico, and has worked as a private teacher and horn instructor for schools throughout the Southeast.

William Talley

William Talley is the former director of bands at Asheville High School. He taught at Asheville High for a 15 years; eight years as director of bands and seven years as assistant director of bands. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University where he received his bachelor of science in education degree. In his time as a band director he served as the president of the Western North Carolina Bandmasters' Association, and he received the Award of Excellence from that organization. He was also awarded the WLOS Thanks to Teachers award, the WYFF Golden Apple award, and was named Asheville High School and Asheville City Schools Teacher of the Year for the 2013-2014 school year. He has earned his national board certification, and his bands at Asheville High repeatedly earned superior and excellent ratings at N.C. Concert Band Music Performance Adjudication and marching band contests. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in conducting at USC.

Nathan Tucker

Nathan Tucker currently serves on the bands staff at USC 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. 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. 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.

Evan Getz

Evan Getz is a biochemistry major at USC. He has been a member of the Carolina Band for four years and was an alto saxophone section leader before joining the senior staff. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi and plays in the Concocktion basketball band and the University Band. Outside of music, Getz is a nationally registered emergency medical technician and a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-health honor society. He plans to attend medical school after graduation.

Jordan Laird

Jordan Laird is a senior at the University of South Carolina, where she is pursuing a degree in music education with a performance certificate in clarinet. She is currently studying under Joseph Eller and is a member of the Wind Ensemble. Laird is a fourth-year member of the Carolina Band and was a clarinet section leader for the 2015 season. She is pleased to serve as senior staff for the 2016 season. Laird is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society and Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Service Fraternity. She has served as its vice president of membership. She has served as president and treasurer of the USC Clarinet Association. Formerly from Waxhaw, North Carolina, she is hopeful to begin teaching middle or high school band when she graduates in May 2017. 

Melanie Winn

Melanie Winn is a senior music education major at the University of South Carolina. She is currently studying clarinet with Joseph Eller and is a member of the Wind Ensemble. Winn is a fourth-year member of the Carolina Band. During her time in the Carolina Band, she served as the clarinet section leader for the 2015 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 is currently serving as president. She has served two terms as secretary for the clarinet association at USC. After graduation in May 2017, she hopes to begin teaching middle or high school band.

Elena Keretses

Elena Keretses is the head athletic trainer for the Carolina Band and USC Dance Company. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in athletic training as a graduate assistant at USC. She completed her undergraduate studies at Western Carolina University where she received a bachelor of science degree in athletic training. Before beginning the position with the USC Marching Band and Dance Company, she was an athletic trainer for USC Campus Recreation. She also serves as the Junior Faculty Advisor for the Mid Atlantic Athletic Trainers' Association Student Senate. Elena is very passionate about providing medical coverage and care for performing artists, and is excited about the opportunity to gain more experience in this field. During her time in this position, she hopes to provide the best care for her patients and truly make a difference in their overall wellness. Upon graduation in May 2017, Elena will pursue an athletic training position in the performing arts field.

Kirk Randazzo

Kirk Randazzo, “The Voice of the Carolina Band,” is a highly sought speaker and scholar, both internationally and across the U.S. 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. Randazzo is the director of the Carolina Leadership Initiative, which seeks to promote, encourage and facilitate leadership and its development across USC. 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.