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.

 Zack Deininger

Zack Deininger is currently serving as a graduate assistant with the Carolina Bands while pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Wind Conducting.  He most recently served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Green Valley High School in Henderson, Nevada (a suburb of Las Vegas).  In this position, he co-directed the 175-member Green Valley Marching and Athletic Bands, directed the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band III, served as assistant conductor of the Symphonic Winds, and was instructor of the Advanced Placement Music Theory course and Chamber Class.  In addition to his duties at Green Valley High School, he also served on the Nevada All State Band Committee and as Chairperson of the Southern Nevada Band Association’s High School Honor Jazz Bands. Receiving a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, Zack assisted with all aspects of the Auburn Band Program serving as conductor of the Auburn University Campus Band, assistant conductor of the Auburn University Symphonic Winds, instructor of the Undergraduate Advanced Conducting course, and assistant to all aspects of the Athletic Band Program.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio where he studied horn under Grammy award winner Dr. Andrew Pelletier and served as Drum Major for the Falcon Marching Band for three years under Dr. Carol Hayward.  To complete his undergraduate degree, Zack student taught with the Bands of Wando in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina under Mr. Bobby Lambert and Mrs. Lanie Radecke. 

Kenneth Green

Kenneth Green is a graduate assistant with the University of South Carolina Bands.  He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting, studying with Dr. Cormac Cannon.  A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Mr. Green received his Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and his Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University.  Prior to coming to the University of South Carolina, he was an Assistant Professor of Music and Assistant Director of Bands at Allen University.  While on faculty, he received the university’s Professor of the Year award and the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Excellence in Teaching Award. Mr. Green is a member of the National Association for Music Education, South Carolina Band Directors Association, International Trumpet Guild, and the Society for Music Theory. 

Andrew Patzig

Andrew Patzig is a percussionist, composer, and educator who has performed in a variety of settings throughout North America including the Alabama Day of Percussion, the Collide Festival, the American Bandmasters Association Convention, and two performances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) with the Troy University Percussion Ensemble as winners of the International Percussion Ensemble Competition in 2012 and 2015. He has performed with Bob Becker and Russell Hartenberger  of NEXUS, and as a soloist performing Michael Daugherty’s Timpani Concerto Raise the Roof with the Troy University Symphony Band. Andrew is an in- demand marching clinician, and has worked with marching ensembles throughout the Southeast. While at Troy, he also severed as the section leader of the “Sound of the South” marching band from 2013-2016. His major teachers include Andy Harnsberger and Adam Blackstock, with additional study under Michael Burritt, Kevin Bobo, Gordon Stout, Nancy Zeltsman, Scott Herring, Dan Moore, David Kent, Brian Nozny, and Ben Fraley. Andrew has worked closely with acclaimed composers Kevin Bobo, Brian Nozny, David Skidmore, Lane Harder, and Adam Silverman commissioning new works for percussion ensemble. He was featured in a new recording of Adam Silverman’s The Cruel Waters, with the Troy University Percussion Ensemble, available through Garnet House Productions. An advocate of new music and an active composer, his work for solo marimba, First Impressions, was published by Tapspace Publications in 2015. Andrew Patzig received his Bachelors of Music Education degree from Troy University in Troy, Alabama, and a Masters of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Currently, Andrew is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of South Carolina.

Cody Ray

Cody Ray is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting at the University of South Carolina where he studies with Dr. Cormac Cannon and serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the USC Bands. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (‘18) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL under the mentorship of Dr. Sue Samuels, Dr. Gene Fambrough, Dr. Cara Morantz, and Dr. Sean Murray. Prior to graduate study, Cody served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Cairo High School in Cairo, GA from 2020-2022. Before coming to Cairo, he also served as Director of Bands at Sipsey Valley High/Middle School from 2019-2020 and Director of Bands at Sulligent High School from 2018-2019. During his time at UAB, he maintained an active performing career by performing with the UAB Wind Symphony, UAB Percussion Ensemble, the Sound of the Magic City, UAB Steel Band, and the UAB Pep Band. Cody has had the privilege to perform alongside the likes of Mark Ford, Michael Burritt, Andy Harnsberger, and the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus. He also served as a student technician with the marching band and taught the UAB Drumline in 2017. Cody marched with Music City Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012, Double Stop Indoor Percussion in 2013, and served as a tenor technician in the 2017 Summer DCI Tour with Music City Drum and Bugle Corps. During his professional career, he has emphasized his growth as a musician and conductor through active participation in conducting workshops and private lessons. Through these experiences, Cody has studied with Dr. Jamie Nix, Dr. Kevin Sedatole, Professor Michael Haithcock, Dr. Damon Talley, Professor Craig Kirchhoff, Dr. Scott Boerma, Professor Jerry Junkin, Dr. Alexander Jiménez and Col. Thomas Palmatier. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the National Band Association. He is also married to his best friend, Kelli, and together they have a dog named Aria.

Lia Snead

Lia Snead, a native of Queens, New York, earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia Southern University (formally Armstrong Atlantic State University) in Savannah, GA. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Mrs. Snead was active within the community as a private trumpet instructor and as a brass instructor at Savannah State University. After graduation, Mrs. Snead became the Director of Bands at Robert W. Groves High School, in Chatham County, GA where she revived the band program and led them to earn their first superior ratings at concert festival in over a decade. In 2014, Mrs. Snead studied conducting at Northern Illinois University with Dr. Ronnie Wooten, where she was the music education and conducting graduate assistant. After graduation, Mrs. Snead briefly returned to teaching in Chatham County before accepting a position as the Associate Director of Bands at Richmond Hill High School in Richmond Hill, GA. Mrs. Snead is active as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and performer. Mrs. Snead also performs with the Savannah Wind Symphony where she served on the board of directors and frequently guest conducts. Mrs. Snead is a member of Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), NAfME (National Association for Music Education), and Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority. Currently, Mrs. Snead is studying wind conducting under Dr. Cormac Cannon while pursuing her DMA at the University of South Carolina. Lia is married to her college sweetheart, and PhD student at USC, Mr. Derrick Snead. Together, they adopted an Old English Bulldog named Bruno.

Nancy Uriegas

Nancy Uriegas is a Doctoral Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer pursuing a PhD in Exercise Science. She begins her second year caring for the Carolina Band, this season in the capacity of game day athletic trainer assisting the head athletic trainer and as a marching band healthcare researcher. Nancy completed her master’s degree in Advanced Athletic Training in May 2019 at the University of South Carolina and is a 2015 graduate of the University of Texas, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. Nancy has been a certified athletic trainer for four years with experience in the performing arts, secondary schools in SC and TX and currently serving as the athletic trainer for USC ROTC program. Her research focus is in Feeding and Eating Disorders, Energy Availability, and best healthcare practices in the performing arts. Nancy is passionate about her profession and providing medical coverage in the emerging settings to help her patients reach their potential; her goal is to become a researcher and professor in a collegiate athletic training program.

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.