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.

Johnny Cato

Johnny Cato is a senior music education major at the University of South Carolina, originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina. He is also earning a performance certificate in saxophone and has had the opportunity to study under esteemed instructors such as Karen Hill and Clifford Leaman. His time in college has been defined by a strong commitment to both performance and education, preparing him to be a well-rounded and passionate music educator. He has served as a marching band tech for multiple schools including Spartanburg High School and Liberty High School, where he worked closely with students to develop their musicianship and ensemble skills. He also teaches private saxophone/clarinet lessons, helping young musicians grow in both technical ability and artistic expression. A dedicated member of the band community, Johnny is a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, the national honorary band fraternity that promotes leadership, service, and excellence in college band programs. After graduation, he plans to go straight into teaching, with the goal of inspiring and mentoring students as a middle or high school band director. When he’s not in a rehearsal or classroom, Johnny enjoys playing board games, going for runs, and spending quality time with his friends and family.

Brenna Curtis

Brenna Curtis is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting from the University of South Carolina. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Curtis taught in the Chicago Public School system for three years where she held the position of Arts Department Chair and Director of Music at Crane Medical Preparatory High School, and was an acting member on the Chicago Teachers Union Arts Committee. During her time in CPS, Curtis cultivated a music program to fit the needs of the city’s youth, forming the school’s first marching and pep bands and offering both performance and non-performance based classes to engage a wider pool of students. Curtis earned her Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2018) studying under John Gaudette (bassoon) and José O. Riojas (conducting). During her time at UIC, Curtis was granted the position of the School of Music’s first research assistant, allowing her to lead the University’s wind ensemble in several concerts, including the premier of John Hennecken’s “The Athen’s Concerto.” Curtis also saw several of her arrangements for band, orchestra, and chamber ensembles come to life, including a performance of her arrangement of Maurice Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin,” performed by the UIC Wind Ensemble under her direction. After graduation, Curtis went on to pursue her music teaching licensure from DePaul University (2019), where she learned the ins and outs of music education from Dr. Sara Jones and Dr. Jacqueline Kelly-McHale, teaching kindergarten music lessons at a local elementary school and through the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s youth outreach program “Once Upon a Symphony.” In addition to her passions for music and education, Curtis also enjoys biking, hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding, rollerblading, cooking, and baking. She is sad to leave behind her loved ones and the city of Chicago, but is looking forward to discovering what South Carolina has to offer.

Cameron Duncan

Cameron will be attending USC in the Fall to begin his MM in Trombone Performance. Currently, Cameron is completing a BSE in Music Education at the University of Alabama, where he has performed with various ensembles including the Million Dollar Band, Huxford Symphony Orchestra, and the UA Trombone Choir. Cameron also played Euphonium as a member of the 2023 Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps. During his undergraduate studies, Cameron has worked with several middle and high school band programs in Alabama, and he aspires to one day become a band director. Originally from Chapin, South Carolina, Cameron is very excited to be returning home to be a part of the Carolina Bands.

Sydney Fulcher

Sydney, a native of Greenville, SC, is a senior music education major and is pursuing an oboe performance certificate under the tutelage of Hassan Anderson.  In addition to her focus on oboe, she marched trombone with the Carolina Band and served as section leader for two years, notably during preparation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024.  Sydney is humbled to serve Carolina Band as Senior Staff this upcoming season and is grateful for the opportunities to teach, lead, and build community. Outside of Carolina Band, Sydney is a dedicated USC Teaching Fellow and an active Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, currently serving as President of the Southeast District. After graduation, Sydney hopes to inspire young musicians as a middle school band director. In her free time, Sydney loves to read and go for runs, and is currently training for a half marathon.

Matthias Hannett

Matthias Hannett, originally from Rutherford, New Jersey, is a marketing and finance double major at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. He is a Capstone Fellow and plans to graduate with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement. During the academic year, he holds a position with University Housing as a SPUR, where he works in customer service and fulfills student needs. Alongside his background in business, he is passionate about music. He held several leadership roles, including section leader and drum major for the Rutherford High School marching band. At the University of South Carolina, he participated in University Band and was a member of the Carolina Band for two seasons. In the band’s 104th season, he served as trumpet section leader, helping guide the section in preparation for their performance in the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Carolina Band’s professional staff as a member of the Senior Staff team and looks forward to strengthening the band’s performance capabilities. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in marketing consultancy, where he will help business owners put their best foot forward and develop effective growth strategies. Outside of music, he enjoys playing golf, reading novels, and spending time with friends and family. 

Haley Idrogo

Haley Idrogo is a second-year graduate student at USC. She completed her bachelor's in athletic training at the University of Texas at Austin. Haley has worked with all kinds of sports such as football, track and field, and softball. This past year she was able to work with ballet and has loved her experience working with performing arts. She is excited to be able to work with USC Bands this year and learn so many new things!

Christian Kilgore

Christian Kilgore is a percussionist, performer, educator, and composer previously based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He studied Percussion Performance at Middle Tennessee State University for his Master’s degree and Percussion Performance & Music Composition from Kennesaw State University for his Bachelor’s degree. He has been playing percussion for over twelve years and composing for various groups for the past decade. He currently performs in various large ensembles, percussion ensembles, church organizations, multiple local ensembles, steel pan bands, a salsa band, and is always working on solo content. He has notably appeared as a solo artist during the world premiere of his first concerto and can be heard performing multiple original works on his albums Everything Now and Just the Beginning. His compositions have been premiered by the Texas Christian University Percussion Ensemble, the Middle Tennessee State University Percussion Ensemble and Steel Pan Band, the Kennesaw State University Symphony Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble, RE-Percussion, Jackson County High School, Discovery High School, North Oconee High School, the Governor’s Honors Program Percussion Ensemble and more.  He has also had the opportunity to lecture/teach at the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, Middle Tennessee State University, West Jackson Middle School, Whitefield Academy, Jackson County High School, Lost Mountain Middle School, Encore Band Camp, Wheeler High School, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, and more. Christian has had the pleasure to study under Lalo Davila, Brian Mueller, Julie Davila, John Lawless, and Laurence Sherr.

Ben Pouncey

Benjamin Pouncey, a native of Columbia, South Carolina, is a graduate assistant pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Pouncey received the Master of Music degree in wind conducting from Colorado State University, and earned the Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of South Carolina. While attending Colorado State, Mr. Pouncey received the 2023 School of Music, Theatre, and Dance Faculty Award for Outstanding Graduate Student (Music) and was recognized as the Performing Arts Top Scholar (Undergraduate Choice) at the 2022 Colorado State Graduate Showcase. Mr. Pouncey was selected to participate in the 2022 National Band Association Young Composer and Conductor Mentor Project, during which he rehearsed and conducted the United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.) in a world premiere of composer Trevor Smith’s Palette and Spectrum. Mr. Pouncey served as Director of Bands at Ashley Ridge High School (Summerville, SC) from 2018 to 2021, where he directed all aspects of a comprehensive high school band program. Prior to Ashley Ridge, Mr. Pouncey was co-Director of Bands at DuBose Middle School (Summerville, SC) from 2013 to 2018. During this time, the DuBose Symphonic Band was a featured ensemble at the 2018 South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference. An alumnus of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Mr. Pouncey was a member of the trumpet section in 2007 and 2008 and served as the corps’ drum major from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Pouncey was the World Class recipient of the 2011 Drum Corps International (DCI) Jim Jones Leadership Award, and has been an instructor for the University of South Carolina Drum Major Clinic, the Music for All Drum Major Institute, the Western Carolina University Summer Symposium, and the DCI Drum Major Leadership Seminar. Mr. Pouncey has been published in the National Band Association Journal and holds membership in the College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity (alumnus), the National Band Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda.

David Warren

David Warren is originally from Carrollton, Georgia and will be attending the University of South Carolina to pursue a DMA in Wind Conducting and serving as a graduate assistant.  David received his masters degree in music education from the University of Georgia and his bachelor's degree in music education from Berry College. He has previously been an assistant band director at Rome High School (GA) and Marian Catholic High School (IL), as well as director of bands at Central-Carroll High School (GA).  He has also served as the Director of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and a Sales Representative for Fred J. Miller, Inc.  

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.