Richard White is one of the most dynamic pianists and composers in the Charleston area. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he studied classical piano from age 7-17 and was introduced to jazz by his father before high school. Richard has performed in Victoria, British Columbia and recently completed a successful international jazz tour. He has opened for many famous artists such as Branford Marsalis, Will Downing, Brian McKnight and Alex Bugnon. He has played locally with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, the Charlton Singleton Quintet, and the Charleston Symphony that featured vocalist Ellis Hall. 

Jon Thornton began his first musical studies at the age of 10 in the Charlotte, North Carolina school band program. Jon’s proficiency as a trumpet player was discovered early. Before beginning high education, he had the opportunity to perform with jazz legends Marian McPartland, Donald Byrd and Herb Ellis. Likewise, prior to leaving for the University of Miami, he was asked to join a big band tour of Romania, sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

In 1986, Jon had the opportunity to open a concert for legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. In 1989, he was selected to become “Artists in Residence” in the North Carolina Visiting Artist Program. While tenured at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Jon was selected to tour with jazz great Max Roach and T.S. Monk, Jr. for the Thelonius Monk Institute. While an “Artist in Residence” at Brunswick Community College, Jon performed with Milt Hinton, Jane Jarvis, Freddie Redd, David Pike and Ron Free. He was also featured in “Gentleman Jim’s,” a television documentary about North Carolina jazz musicians for the BET network.

Over the years, Jon has had the honor of performing with some of the legends in the music industry including: The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Buddy Rich Band, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Natalie Cole’s Unforgettable Orchestra, Loonis McGlohon, Al Jarreau, Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra of San Francisco, the Les Elgart Orchestra, Emily Remler, the Four Tops, the Temptations, the O’Jays, the Shirelles, Jim Brock, Don Dixon, Marti Jones and with the hip-hop artist, Deltron 3030 Orchestra.

On a local level, Jon has had an impact on the Charlotte and regional-Carolinas jazz scene, having co-founded the Charlotte Jazz Orchestra and Latin Jazz group, Fuego Lento. He has also performed with the Coalition Jazz Orchestra and the Unifour Jazz Ensemble. He has been featured in numerous orchestral concerts, including the Charlotte Symphony, Salisbury Symphony, and Union Symphony.

As a recording artist, Jon has spent hours in the studio as a staff musician for Sound Source Studios, having delivered more than 500 recordings for backing tracks and karaoke music. His trumpet playing can be found on over 50 CD recordings by jazz and popular music artists alike. Among these are 3 Grammy nominated records and one Grammy Winner for R&B artists Anthony Hamilton. Jon’s trumpet can also be found on two PBS documentaries: “A Man Named Pearl” and “North Carolina’s World War II Experience.” Over the years, his playing can be heard on numerous local and national television and radio commercials.

Jon’s formal music education includes the University of Miami (FL) school of music (on scholarship), Berklee College of Music, Winthrop University and private study with world-renowned jazz educator Jerry Coker at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Jon and his wife, Julie, currently reside in Charleston, SC, where he continues his career as band leader and sideman for various ensembles. He can be found in the Lowcountry in a variety of venues and with The Charleston Jazz Orchestra and the Charleston Latin Jazz Collective. He was a featured performer for the 2014 and 2015 Folly Beach Jazz Festival. He also performs in a classical setting with his wife in their Classical Brass Quintet, “Holy City Brass.”

Jon is a private instrumental instructor in trumpet and jazz improvisation.

Edna Y. Grace, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, received a B.S. in Music Education from South Carolina State College, a M.A. in Music from the Ohio State University, and a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the Citadel. 

            During her career of thirty-six years, Edna held posts as Band Director and General Music/Chorus teacher in Charleston County School District at Brentwood Middle (1981-1984 – General Music/Chorus; 1984-1991–Band) and Berkeley County School District at College Park Middle (1991-2007–Band) and Stratford High (2007-2017–Band/Chorus).  The bands under her instruction received the highest ratings at the SCBDA Concert Festival and Solo and Ensemble Festival, while individual students were selected for membership in honor bands (All-County Concert Bands, All-County Jazz Band (BCSD), Region Honor Band, South Carolina All-State Band, and the SC All-State Jazz Bands). Both the middle and high school band programs were consistent recipients of the SCBDA Outstanding Performance Award.  In addition, the College Park Band earned the honor of performance at the 2003 SCMEA conference. 

While at College Park, Edna also served as an assistant director at Stratford High School during marching season.  When she became Director of Bands at Stratford, students continued a tradition of excellence through participation in the concert bands, jazz band, marching band, small ensembles, symphony orchestra, winter guard/dance line, class piano, and class guitar.  At the start of her thirty-fifth teaching year, Ms. Grace took the sole position at Stratford High School of director of the choral music program, having had the dual role of Director of Bands and Choral Director the previous four years.  The program grew in student membership while maintaining consistent numbers in All-County Chorus and SC All-State Chorus.

            Professional affiliations have included the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA), National Band Association (NBA), Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity (PBM), Women Band Directors International (WBDI), the South Carolina Band Directors Association (SCBDA), the American Choral Directors Association, and the South Carolina American Choral Directors Association.  Edna served SCBDA as recording secretary and as a member of several committees, including Solo and Ensemble, All-State, Concert Festival, and Winter Ensemble.  

Edna has served as an honor band clinician and concert band adjudicator in South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and Georgia. She has been an adjunct faculty member of Charleston Southern University teaching studio oboe and Music Appreciation.  Edna has been active in community music ensembles including the Summerville Community Orchestra, the Charleston Wind Ensemble (one year as conductor), and the Goose Creek Community Band for which she served as conductor until its reorganization as the St. James Wind Ensemble.   

Among the honors that have been presented to Ms. Grace are the NBA Citation of Excellence, the WBDI Scroll of Excellence, PBM Outstanding Bandmaster Award, PBM Bandmasters Hall of Fame, and SCBDA Hall of Fame. She also was selected as Teacher of the Year at both Brentwood and College Park as well as and being named a top three finalist for Berkeley County.  

Since retirement in June 2017, Edna continues to contribute to music education as a private teacher of double reed players, a band and orchestra adjudicator and clinician, a mentor to directors across the state, an artist in residence at schools in Berkeley County, and as a substitute teacher in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.  She also serves SCMEA executive board as Retired Member Chair.  Her remaining time is spent traveling and visiting her family, serving her church as a substitute organist, class leader, and director of the Combined Choirs, and playing oboe and alto/tenor saxophone in the St. James Wind Ensemble.

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." ~ Frederick Douglass

Amado is an enthusiastic musician with 10+ years of experience playing in multiple ensembles, including wind ensembles, marching bands, chamber groups, jazz bands, and full orchestras. Accomplished tuba/sousaphone player, proficient at both BBb and CC tubas, and able to play in both formal and informal settings. Experienced in trombone, trumpet, and piano/keys, each in a jazz setting and otherwise, plus has sung for the 2022 jazz band in Brazilian Portuguese. Conducting experience has varied from CSU’s Jazz Band and standard band repertoire for College Park Middle School to the likes of 2023’s TUBACHRISTMAS.

Mr. Amado was recently part of the CSU Marching Bucs, the Pride of the Lowcountry Marching Band, as the drum major. He is also part of the Charleston Southern University Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, and has previously been in the Symphonic Band, Low Brass Quartet, Brass Quintet, and the PLC Pep Band. Amado is also involved in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) as secretary in his chapter at CSU, as well as the president of the Tubacracy, a local group of Charleston Southern University.

In addition to playing and teaching, Amado also has experience in composition and arranging music, as well as instrument repair. Outside of music, he has experience with Graphic Design and 3D animation.

Originating from Charleston, SC, Nolan Tecklenburg is a jazz pianist with a love for New Orleans. He began by studying piano at the age of 5 and continued his studies at Loyola University down in New Orleans. While in the Big Easy he was able to craft his own sound through listening and playing with some of the best local musicians. He spearheaded a project called NuSpeak,  which would go on to play at Tipitina’s and other local venues. At the same time he would gig with his trio throughout the city and end up playing at Jazz Fest as well. After graduating from college he focused on composing throughout the pandemic as a way to exhibit his art.

Music is a gift that has always been constant in Gavin’s life. The music of Ella Fitzgerald and in particular, Louis Armstrong, were the main reasons Gavin Smith picked up a horn and began his jazz journey. Growing up in the Lowcountry, Gavin’s music education brought him in contact with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. Former CJO music director, Charlton Singleton, was Gavin’s 6th grade band director and current CJO member, Ken Foberg, became Gavin’s life-long teacher, mentor, and friend. During his time at SOA, he attended many CJO concerts and fell in love with the band with the hopes to share the bandstand with those musicians one day.

Since attending the Berklee College of Music, Gavin has returned to Charleston and continues to perform with various groups in town and abroad. Recording and performing with Hootie & The Blowfish on their song “Turn It Up” has been one of the highlights in his music career, especially because he was able to share the experience with two musicians he holds in high regard – Charlton Singleton and Mark Sterbank.

“Although I have performed with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra on many occasions up to this point, I consider it an honor and a privilege to be an official member of this amazing group of musicians. I look forward to continuing my development as a musician, and being a part of the musical lineage and history that has come out of our city of Charleston, while aiming to have a positive influence and inspire the next generation of talented musicians.” – Gavin Smith

 

Kimberly Alford King graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A in Flute Performance. Kim was the first student in the state of South Carolina ever to perform with All-State Band, All-State Chorus and All-State Orchestra in the same year- a feat which she accomplished twice. She furthered her music career while at the College of Charleston playing in a variety of groups including the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Charleston Virtuosi and collaborating with Entropy Ensemble on The Radiohead Project. Kim joined the Mount Pleasant Symphony playing third flute and piccolo in 2015 and became the Personnel Manager in 2016. She enjoys playing weddings and special events throughout South Carolina and has also played with the Hilton Head Symphony, the North Charleston POPS!, and Charleston Stage. She has a small flute studio, directs seasonal flute choirs, and is a longtime volunteer at The Center for Birds of Prey. Kimberly is a frequent musical guest at St. Stephen’s Episcopal and has been playing flute, penny whistles, percussion and singing with Joyful Noise at St. Timothy Lutheran Church since 1999.

Growing up in the San Francisco bay area, Nina Riley has spent her life dedicated to honing her craft as a musician, recording engineer, producer and educator. She received her Bachelors of arts in music from Jacksonville University where she studied Trombone, Jazz and Commercial music production. She has played trombone with groups including wind ensembles, orchestras, Pit Orchestras to Ska bands, Jazz bands, and Jazz Combos from west to east coast for over the last 25 years. 

Over the years Nina has studied trombone under the tutelage of Wayne Wallace (Professor of Jazz studies, San Jose State), Andy Martin (Instructor of Jazz studies, USC Thorton), Casey Maday (Trombone adjunct, UNF) , and Christopher Creswell (Trombone Instructor, Jacksonville University).

Mrs. Riley has 15 years of experience as a music educator, from infants to adults. As a certified Musikgarten instructor, teaching brings her joy knowing she is empowering the next generation and their family with music. Nina is currently attending Southern Utah University to complete her Masters in Music and Music Technology. She will graduate Spring of 2023 where she will continue to record and produce current artists.

Jordan Boardman is an educator and musician based out of Charleston, SC. Born and raised in the hills of East Tennessee, Jordan quickly took a liking to many things including (especially) music, soccer, basketball, and many nerd related activities with friends. He later went on to earn his degree in Music Performance under the guidance of many great teachers at the Los Angeles College of Music. Jordan was also an active tutor on campus and quickly grew to enjoy teaching as well as performing. Upon graduating, Jordan relocated back to Knoxville, TN where he began his career in music and education. This included private and group teaching as well as performing and recording with many local bands and artists of varying styles. He later relocated to Charleston, SC to pursue more opportunities in the burgeoning lowcountry. Jordan has always loved working with youth from all walks of life and is SO excited to be a part of the Charleston Jazz Academy! In his free time, you can find him frequenting local coffee shops and restaurants, rolling around on the floor with his dogs, exercising, playing video games, reading books, spending time with friends, and enjoying dates out with his wife.

Lee Ann is formerly the Instructor of Brass Studies at the Berkeley Center for the Arts in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Ms. Moore attended Limestone College to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree in music education. Ms. Moore has studied private trumpet with Dr. Robert Welch, Mr. Ron Fuller, Dr. Martin Berinbaum, and Mr. Roger Voisin of Tanglewood and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She has performed professionally with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Brass Wind Quintet, and has made two tours of Europe with professional ensembles. 

Before moving to Charleston, Ms. Moore was the Assistant Coordinator of Bands for Districts Seven and Three in Spartanburg County in Upstate South Carolina. As Assistant Coordinator of Bands for Spartanburg District Seven her duties encompassed coordinating the band programs for nine elementary schools, three middle schools and a 5 A high school. She also served as the interim Director of Bands for Wofford College, Director of Winds for the Spartanburg High Symphony Orchestra, and served as Guard Coordinator for Spartanburg High School, Broome High School, and Dorman High School. From 2002 until 2015, Ms. Moore taught at Goose Creek High School, Berkeley Middle School and eventually retired from Stratford High School as the Assistant Director of Bands and Guard Coordinator. During her time at Stratford High School she enjoyed great success in both concert and marching band. Under her direction, the Stratford Winter Guard excelled, winning 4 state championships. 

In private instruction, Ms. Moore’s private students have held chair placements in both SC Region and All State Bands. Several times this placement included first chair status. Ms. Moore’s private student Craig Sorrells was the first freshman soloist in the history of the Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corp. 

Private student, Christian Gordon won the Schwob School of Music Founders Scholarship for a full ride in music education. This scholarship had never been awarded to a brass player in the history of the school!

In 2009 Ms. Moore completed the teaching guide, "The Band Director's Guard Handbook" an instructional guide to the fundamentals of guard instruction for band directors. In 2017 Ms. Moore received a patent for the invention of the "Brass Saddle" music lyre for marching band brass instruments. 

Lee Ann has served as a clinician and adjudicator in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and New York in both band and guard line instruction. Her professional affiliations have included: National Association for Music Education, South Carolina Band Directors Association, Winter Guard International, Carolina Winter Ensemble Association, and the SCBDA Winter Guard Committee.

Andy Mason is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator.  As a performer, Andy’s fluency across genres comes from a career full of shifting roles.  Beginning as a drummer, Andy’s songwriting urge led to guitar and piano, with a particular affinity for American roots music and New Orleans styles.  An interest in experimentation complements his respect for the great music traditions, often leading to genre mashups in many of his original songs. 

His sound/video piece Feeder, Hummingbird Variations was included in a 2021 exhibition in Rome, Italy, and he collaborated on a multi-media theatre work (Medea Redux) which was presented by the National Theatre of Greece for the Greek Play Project 2021.

Andy has an MFA in Sonic Arts and an MM in Composition from Brooklyn College, where he studied composition with Arturo O’Farrill.  While there, he held composer residencies with Big Band, Jazz Ensemble, Conservatory Orchestra, and Guitar Ensemble, and won the HISAM award for imaginative cross-cultural exploration, and the Noah Creshevsky Award for Experimental Music. 

He’s currently the elementary Choir Director at the Cooper School in Charleston.