Paradigm Percussion Staff
Coordinators
Austin Thompson
Ensemble Coordinator
Austin received a bachelor’s degree from Wingate University in Environmental Biology in 2017.
Austin has been on staff with Paradigm since he aged out in 2018 holding the Batterie Coordinator role and assumed the Ensemble Coordinator role in 2020 and held that role since. Austin is excited to push Paradigm to new heights this coming season in Percussion Independent Open Class.
Austin has served as the batterie technician at various area high schools over the past nine years including Sun Valley High, Union Academy, Weddington, East Lincoln High, Butler High, and Marvin Ridge.
As well as teaching high school band, Austin is a private instructor as well as the percussion instructor at Marvin Ridge Middle School. Austin is a proud Paradigm Percussion alum having marched under Joe Conigliaro from 2012 to 2014 and was most recently a member with Palmetto Percussion (2015, 2016) and Equinox Percussion (2017) playing snare drum.
Austin is currently the CEO and co-founder of Cloud Music Suite LLC, a music instruction learning management software.
Seaon Carter Jr.
Assistant Ensemble Coordinator
Seaon Carter is a passionate educator who continues to give back to the community serving as a cymbal consultant across the Southeast. Seaon has several years of marching and performance experience with various marching organizations. He began his world class marching career with Atlanta Quest in 2015, continued with Rhythm X in 2016, and returned to Atlanta Quest in 2017 for his age-out. Seaon went on to teach and provide guidance to several organizations including Equinox Percussion, The Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, and The Appalachian State University Marching Mountaineers.
Seaon currently resides in Charlotte, NC and works with Leidos providing high quality and safety focused power delivery solutions for Duke Energy. In his free time, Seaon likes to go to the gym, enjoy cars, and spend time with his friends and family. Seaon is excited to start a new season with Paradigm!
Kendell Roberts
Front Ensemble Coordinator
Kendell will be entering her 3rd year as Paradigm’s front ensemble coordinator. She has had plentiful experience in the marching arts, and is excited to pass on the knowledge to the next generation of performers!
Her experience is as follows: She is a Paradigm Alum, winning a bronze medal in 2019 at WGI championships. She has also performed with the Western Carolina University marching band, Equinox Percussion, and with Atlanta Quest. Kendell has performed on vibraphone, marimba, and one year on marching cymbals. Her teaching experience has spanned across various Charlotte area high schools over the past 7 years.
Kendell is currently teaching private lessons, and being a cat/dog mom to Millie, Luna, and Penny!
Jakob Alexandrian
Batterie Coordinator
Jakob Alexandrian joins the Paradigm batterie staff for the 2023 season. He is currently finishing up his music education studies at the University of North Georgia.
His marching tenure includes Palmetto Percussion, Equinox Percussion, Spirit of Atlanta, Music City Mystique, and the Cadets.
He currently works with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps as a snare technician and East Hall High School (Gainesville, Georgia) as their batterie coordinator/arranger, along with a multitude of schools in Northeast Georgia.
Jakob currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Taylor Kennedy
Visual Coordinator
Taylor has served as the primary visual instructor at Paradigm since the 2018 season. Over the past 10 years, she has also taught visual programs and brass fundamentals throughout the surrounding areas of Charlotte, NC and of Atlanta, GA including Providence, Roswell, Hickory Ridge, and Sun Valley High Schools.
Her marching experience includes the 2013 DCI season at Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons at Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps.
Outside of the marching arts, Taylor is a full time muralist, graphic design artist, and mother to a kid or two plus some whippets. Together they reside in Gastonia, NC.
Front Ensemble Staff
Kinsey Elliott
Lead Technician
Kinsey received her bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina Wilmington in Marine Biology in 2022.
Kinsey has served as a front ensemble technician at several high schools over the past four years, including Marvin Ridge, Weddington, Butler High, and South Brunswick High. In addition to front ensemble work, she has also taught private piano lessons.
Kinsey marched synthesizer for Paradigm in the 2017 and 2018 season, and switched to vibraphone for her 2019 and 2022 season. She aged out in 2022 and is excited to teach this upcoming season.
Justin Brewer
Sound Engineer
Justin Brewer, a resident of Davidson, NC, is a music educator and graphic artist in the greater Charlotte area, Justin currently is serving as the director of percussion at Mooresville High School, in Mooresville, NC (2016-Present).
From 2009-2016, Justin instructed at David W. Butler High School in Matthew, NC. From 2010-2013, he was a member of Palmetto Percussion, earning an Open Class Gold Medal in 2010 and having consecutive World Class Finals appearances from 2011-2013. Over the years, he has served as an Administrator for Palmetto Percussion (2014-2016), and was a Quad tech at Civitas Independent from 2017-2019, serving as the Batterie Caption head for the 2019 season.
Justin has served as visual coordinator for South Mecklenburg High School and Ardrey Kell High School Indoor percussion programs during the 2016, 2017-2018 seasons (respectively).
In his spare time, Justin is an avid runner and enjoys backpacking, hiking, and being outside. He has a severe disdain for anything dandelion related, and his favorite food is milk-steak, boiled over hard, with a side of jellybeans (if you know, you know). He is looking forward to being part of the Paradigm percussion staff for the 2023 indoor season and thinks that if you haven't signed up for auditions, you probably should.
Chris Bartlett
Technician
Chris has performed with Paradigm Percussion on drumset in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, aging out in 2024. He has taught front ensemble at sun valley high school for two seasons. Chris is looking forward to continuing his career in the marching arts as an educator, and hopes to give students opportunities to grow and learn through Paradigm Percussion.
Chris currently works at Ludwig-Musser in Monroe, NC fabricating vibraphone keys, glockenspiel keys, as well as final tuning aluminum, steel, and rosewood keys. Outside of his work life, Chris enjoys hiking, indoor rock climbing, and performing stand up comedy.
Ashe Dalton
Technician
Ashe received a bachelor's degree in Biology from Wingate University in 2024.
Ashe marched with Paradigm in 2020, 2023, and 2024 on Marimba and Xylophone. She aged out with Paradigm in 2024.
Ashe has taught at David W. Butler High school since 2021 for both marching band and concert indoor percussion. From 2022-2023 she was the Percussion Director at Butler until she decided to step down in 2024 so that she could explore more teaching opportunities. She is very excited to have the opportunity to teach and continue learning with Paradigm!
Riley Leonard
Technician
Riley has marched with Fusion Percussion (2016, 2017, 2018), Revelation Percussion (2019, 2020), Civitas Independent (2021, 2022) and Music City Drum Corp (2021).
Riley has also taught for Hickory Ridge High School, Olympic High School, Mount Pleasant High School, and Revelation Percussion
Riley was a first year ageout with Paradigm in 2024 playing marimba.
Nathan Skudlarick
Technician
A Paradigm alum, Nathan spent four seasons as a member of the marimba line, most recently in his age out season of 2024. He currently teaches front ensemble at both Hough and Ardrey Kell High School. Nathan looks forward to continuing his career in the marching arts as an educator, and hopes to give students opportunities to grow and learn.
Nathan currently works at Ludwig-Musser in Monroe, NC as a final inspector. In his free time he enjoys playing disc golf and working with modular synths.
Batterie Staff
Sean Danielson
Lead Technician
Sean received a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in Computer Science in 2022.
Sean has served as the batterie technician for both Marvin Ridge High School and Easley High School for two seasons.
Sean is a proud Paradigm Percussion alum marching as a cymbal player in 2014 and as a snare drummer for the seasons of 2015-2018 and 2022, marching under Joe Conigliaro and Austin Thompson.
Sean is currently a Lead Software Engineer and co-founder of Cloud Music Suite LLC, a music instruction learning management software.
Nathan Marti
Snare Technician
Nathan is a Percussion instructor currently employed with the Hough High School marching band and Paradigm Percussion indoor marching program as their Batterie instructor.
He has built up his skills in percussion through his time as a student at Hough High, through private lessons, participating in camps such as Western Carolina's Summer Symposium, Berklee College of Music's Percussion Weekend, and Carolina Crown's winter camp, but especially due to participating in WGI as a member of Revelation Percussion and Paradigm Percussion.
He credits his abilities as a teacher to the following influential people: Gerardo Marti, W. Timothy Gallwey, Parker J. Palmer, Jackie Santos, Josh Montgomery, and Austin Thompson.
Cody Copeland
Lead Tenor Technician
Cody received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mercer University, in Macon GA.
Cody marched with Civitas Independent in 2018, 2019, and 2022, receiving a silver medal in the 2022 season. He was batterie caption head at Jones County Highschool out of Gray, GA from 2018 - 2021, as well as batterie tech at Mauldin High School in 2022.
This is Cody’s second season with Paradigm, as well as his second season teaching at an independent group.
Cody currently works as an Associate Stress Engineer for Fluor Corp. out of Greenville, SC. In his free time, he enjoy kickboxing, audiobooks, and anything outdoors, as well as learning and writing new licks.
Austin Cortez
Tenor technician
Originally from Dora, Alabama, Austin has been competing with many different WGI and DCI ensembles all along the East Coast.
This will be Austin’s third season with Paradigm Percussion. Austin is excited to be returning to the ensemble and is looking forward to being a part of the excellence that Paradigm has continued to strive for year after year.
Austin has been involved with the marching arts since his freshman year of high school and has competed with many organizations including Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps and STRYKE percussion. During his time with STRYKE percussion in 2019, he received the “Rookie of the Year” award, and continued to perform with the ensemble for the 2020 and 2022 season. Most recently Austin just completed his second summer tour, as a tenor tech, with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. The Corps received their second open class gold medal making them back to back champions for the 2023 and 2024 season.
Austin is most excited to give back to the marching community that has ultimately led him to where he is today, and is excited to play a small part in leading the next generation of the activity.
Zaria Thomas
Lead Bass Technician
Zaria currently resides in Lake Wylie, SC and she received a bachelor’s degree from Winthrop University in Music in 2022. She spent her first indoor year experience and age out year (2022) with Paradigm, and is excited to be returning as staff for her 2nd year to spread her love and knowledge for music and the marching arts.
Zaria’s marching season began in 2012 and went until 2018 when she graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Kershaw, SC. Upon graduation she began her undergrad and returned to her alma mater to teach percussion for the 2018 season, and is now in her 5th season teaching the battery of the York Comphrehensive High School Cougar Band located in York, SC. Zaria is also a private instructor and a freelance musician who has performed gigs for high school and university performances/musicals, dance masterclasses, religious events, and has an emphasis in performance and teaching West African Drumming.
In her free time, Zaria enjoys going to the gym, traveling and playing video games. She currently works in Corporate Human Resources with Ross Stores, Inc.
Ryan O’Daniel
Bass Technician
Ryan Marched with the UNC Charlotte drumline, Civitas Independent (2014, 2015), and Palmetto Percussion (2016).
Ryan has also worked with several high school drumlines such as Marvin Ridge High School and Hickory Ridge High School.
He has a passion for teaching and seeing students succeed. Ryan has been with Paradigm since 2018.
Thomas Rowe
Bass Technician
This is Thomas’s first year with paradigm percussion!
His marching experience includes Alchemy Independent (2018-2019), Raiders Drum & Bugle Corp (2019), Jersey Surf (2020), Matrix Open (2020), Bushwackers (2021 & 2023), and United Percussion (2022-2023) where he spent his ageout season.
Thomas is also the Battery Percussion Caption Head at Downingtown East Highschool in Exton, PA!
Outside of band, Thomas loves traveling, disc golf, and finding new adventures to explore in!
Joshua Montgomery
Batterie Consultant
Joshua is a percussion technician/instructor for schools and organizations in the metro-Atlanta area. He has been a music educator since 2014.
He got his start at the University of Georgia as part of the Redcoat marching Band from 2009-2012, and has since been on staff with World Class Percussion Ensembles such as the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, the Boston Crusaders, and Spirit of Atlanta.
He has taught with Palmetto Percussion as a quad technician and batterie Co-Caption Head, Equinox Percussion as the Batterie Coordinator , and batterie Consultant for Paradigm Percussion.
He has been a part of Atlanta Quest’s 2010, Spirit of Atlanta’s 2011-2013, and Music City Mystique’s 2013-2014 productions. Currently, he is the Batterie Instructor at Buford High School, and Percussion Specialist at Buford Middle School.
Aside from his passion for teaching percussion, he is a saxophonist and has experience in music production.
Administrative Staff
Steven Christman
Director / CEO
Steven attended Winthrop University for Percussion Performance and USC for Business.
Steven has performed with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corp and several Concert ensembles throughout the Carolinas, including earning the role of Bass Drum Caption for the Carolina Panther’s PurrCussion drumline.
He has taught at Clover HS, Northwestern HS, and currently teaching at Weddington High School and Marvin Ridge High school for the marching season. Steven composes and arranges percussion literature for Marching Band and Indoor Percussion, as well as writes music/drill for Indoor Percussion.
He has studied under Dr. Michael Williams, Jason Nicholson, Danny Lenard, and Andy Beall. He is also the current Treasurer of Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA).
Steven works as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Carolina Crown. He resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina with his wife Mandy, his two children Grace and Grant, and Charlie the Dog.
Joe Conigliaro
Program Coordinator / Co-Founder
Joe is a graduate of Penn State University where he performed with the Penn State Blue Band as well as directed, instructed, and performed with the Penn State Indoor Drumline within WGI. Joe has also performed with the Spectrum, Crossmen, and Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Bugle Corps within DCI. Among the instructors he has marched under are Thom Hannum, Colin McNutt, Brian Tinkel, Darren Hazlett, Jeremy Schilling, and Dan DeLong.
He has also been on instructional staff for various HS bands and indoor percussion ensembles throughout PA, MD, VA, and NC. He is a former member of the NFL Carolina Panthers PurrCussion drumline playing snare. Joe currently lives in Matthews, NC with his wife Bobbi Jo, daughter Annecy, and works as an Actuarial Consultant.
Elizabeth Covington
Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication Graphic Design from Gardner-Webb University, with a concentration in Studio Arts.
Elizabeth is currently the art teacher at East Gaston High school where she instructs beginner, intermediate, proficient, and advanced levels of art. She also teaches, and has assisted, at multiple schools including Weddington High School, East Gaston High, and Clover Middle School.
Elizabeth was a part of Paradigm’s front ensemble in the seasons of 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022; where she has played marimba and synthesizer. She also has played piano for 16 years, and recently picked up the ukulele.
Michael Walters
Administrative Assistant / Web Design
Michael received his bachelor’s degree in Digital Information Design with a concentration in Web Application Design from Winthrop University in 2021.
Michael was on Paradigm’s snare line for the 2019, 2020, and 2022. After his first year in 2019, he knew there was something special about this group and decided to spend the remaining years he could march with Paradigm. This put him, along with Sean, Kinsey, and Elizabeth, in the first group of age outs paradigm has had, who have all returned to help with the group in some capacity.
Currently, Michael works as a Software Engineer for System Logistics, as well as Cloud Music Suite, a music instruction learning management software.
Jessica Rock
Administrative Assistant / Media
Jessica is a proud Paradigm alum from the Lowcountry of South Carolina. She began her teaching career in 2021 at Cane Bay High School under the direction of Ryan Westberry and TJ Shank. Her commitment to education led her to seek new opportunities in North Carolina, where she is currently the percussion director at Ardrey Kell High School.
Jessica was also a founding member of Charles Towne Percussion marching from 2019 to 2022, and later marching with Paradigm in 2023 and 2024.
Outside of teaching, Jessica works at Ludwig-Musser with her closest friends and spends most of her free time rock climbing and camping. She is excited to capture the upcoming season and looks forward to continuing her growth as an individual.
Latoya Johnson
Administrative Assistant
LaToya is a native of Anderson, South Carolina, and is enjoying her 8th year at Marvin Ridge Middle School as Director of Bands and her 15th year in the field of music education. She is excited to join the Paradigm administrative team! She is an active performer and clinician, most recently serving as the clinician for the 2023 Ovation Invitational Honor Band Clinic for the Independent Schools of Charlotte, and was named the 2021-2022 Teacher of The Year for Marvin Ridge Middle School.
LaToya attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Music Education and studied Clarinet with Dr. Phil Thompson and Mr. Timothy Gordon. After college and a 3 year teaching stint at Southside Middle School in Florence, South Carolina, she returned to Winthrop full time to complete a Masters of Music Education degree, serving as a Graduate Assistant for the Instrumental Music Department. During this time, she studied both education and Wind Conducting with Dr. Lorrie Crochet.
Ms. Johnson continues to make performance on her primary instrument a priority in her life. She is a member of the Carolinas Wind Orchestra, various small ensembles in the Charlotte area, and occasionally subs in the Florence Symphony Orchestra. Her professional affiliations include the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the South Carolina Band Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society, and Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity.
"Music Education is one of the most important, most rewarding careers on this earth. I believe that every child is deserving of an opportunity to experience, create, and perform music in some capacity."
Andrew Coyle
Administrative Assistant
Andrew attended Virginia Tech where he was a member of the Marching Virginians, VT Wind Ensemble, and the VT Percussion Ensemble. He has worked with numerous programs as a Percussion Educator, Adjudicator, Clinician, and Arranger in Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia, and North Carolina.
He currently serves as the Percussion Director for Hickory Ridge High School and Middle School. In addition, he currently serves Operations at Carolina Crown & The Crown Store.
Andrew currently resides in Harrisburg, NC. He loves his Denver Broncos, Virginia Tech Hokies, and his loyal K9 companion, Charlie.
He is excited to be a part of the Paradigm team and help the students achieve excellence!