Recently relocating from Charleston, South Carolina, Mr. Hipp is currently on staff with the University of South Carolina “Carolina Band” as a Colorguard Instructor. He was the Color Guard Director at Summerville High School from 2004-2023.  He is a graduate of Lexington High School and the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors in Music and minor in Art.  He began work on his Master’s in Education at Illinois State University in 2004 before joining the Summerville High School staff.

Mr. Hipp actively serves as an adjudicator, clinician, designer, program coordinator and consultant for numerous finalist programs across the Southeast including the DW Daniel High, Ashley Ridge, White Knoll, Lexington, Irmo, River Bluff and Boiling Springs High School Bands, the 2006 World Champion Etude Winter Guard, the Epiphany Indoor Youth Ensemble, Charles Towne Independent Winter Guard and the Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.   As a coach, his teams have garnered over 60 medals including 30 state championship titles, 21 regional and national titles and a world championship.  Under Mr. Hipp's direction, the Summerville Color Guard won various field and indoor awards and have been named the 2016 Cadet and Scholastic Open State Champions, 2010 Winter Guard International World Championships Scholastic A Class Finalist, 2016 Winter Guard International World Championships Scholastic Open Class Finalist and the 2004, 2014 State 5A State Marching Band Champions. 

Mr. Hipp has also served as an executive and advisory board member for the USC Alumni Band, Carolina Indoor Performance Association and the Carolina Winter Ensembles Association in various roles since 1998 including Secretary and Contest Director positions.  In his spare time, he is an active performer with the Palmetto Concert Band, the Charleston Wind Symphony, the Poinsett Winds and the Catawba River Winds. 

Previously, Mr. Hipp the Early College & Dual Enrollment Program Coordinator at Summerville High School coordinating with Trident Technical College on dual enrollment classes.  He now runs his own design business, Hipp Visual Solutions and is the National Territory Manager for Reverence Performance and Dance Apparel.

Zeporia is a proud native of the Lowcountry and a dedicated public servant with a lifelong passion for supporting children and families. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Social Work, an M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling, and an Ed.S. in Counselor Education/Secondary Guidance.

During her time at USC, Zeporia was an active member of the marching band from 1986 to 1988, playing the alto saxophone, and she became a member of Tau Beta Sigma in 1987.

Zeporia currently serves as the Vice President of the Carolina Alumni Band Association. Her professional experience spans over 25 years, primarily focused on working with children in the state foster care system. For the past seven years, she has been employed by a state agency, where her work centers on maternal and fetal health policy—striving to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies throughout South Carolina.

Nick Annan is a proud alumnus of the University of South Carolina and the Carolina Band, where music, leadership, and service shaped both his college experience and personal life. A native of Alexandria, VA, Nick earned his B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in music in 2008, graduating magna cum laude. He went on to complete his MBA from USC in 2014.

As an undergraduate, Nick was deeply involved in the Carolina Bands, performing in concert, symphonic, pep, and marching bands. He served as a drum major for the Mighty Sound of the Southeast and was a dedicated brother of Kappa Kappa Psi. His passion for band is also a family tradition — he met his wife, Katie (a member of Tau Beta Sigma), through their shared involvement in the Carolina Band. The two have been married since 2010 and have one son, Noah.

Nick currently serves as a Director and Market Leader at Elliott Davis, leading the Accounting Advisory practice in Columbia, SC. A licensed CPA, he focuses on outsourced accounting and CFO services for professional services, real estate, and nonprofit organizations. During the pandemic, he helped clients secure over $100 million in PPP loan forgiveness, serving as the firm’s subject matter expert.

Nick continues to give back to his community and alma mater. He serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, Treasurer of Transitions Homeless Center, and Treasurer of the Carolina Alumni Band Association. He also chairs the JKC Carolina Band Golf Tournament, which has raised over $100,000 to support band scholarships and initiatives.

An avid trumpeter, Nick performs with the Carolina Jazz Xperience and the Palmetto Concert Band. He is a member of American Institute of CPAs, South Carolina Association of CPAs, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. His achievements have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Columbia Regional Business Report’s Inaugural 40 Under 40 and the Lexington County Chamber’s 2024 Young Professional of the Year.

Angela Wright is a proud alumna of the University of South Carolina and a former member of the Carolina Band. Originally from Conway, SC, she earned a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration at USC Aiken.

As an undergraduate from 1990–1994, Angela was an active member of the marching, concert, and pep bands. She joined Tau Beta Sigma in 1991 and served as Vice President during her tenure.

A Columbia resident for over 25 years, Angela began her professional career at The State newspaper, where she spent a decade working in both Human Resources and the Newsroom. Now in her 18th year at the University of South Carolina, she has held key roles in business management and human resources across Student Affairs, the School of Information Science, the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, and Athletics. She is also the founder and former co-chair of USC's inaugural Staff Senate. In her current role, she serves as the Administrative Manager for the Office of Research in the College of Education.

Angela is deeply engaged in alumni life and currently serves as Secretary for the Carolina Alumni Band Association. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, concerts, weekend getaways, and trips to the beach. A passionate Gamecocks sports fan, Angela is also an active member of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, where she leads the New Members Ministry and contributes to the Worship and Arts Ministry.

She is the proud mother of one son, Jackson Arthur—and a fun fact: she’s a twin! Angela believes it is a privilege to serve and lives by the motto, “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Dr. Kirk Randazzo is a Professor of Political Science at the University of South Carolina where he teaches classes on law and judicial behavior as well as on leadership. He was a member of the Carolina Band from 1990-1994 and earned his BA in Music in 1994 and his MA in International Studies in 1997 from USC. He then earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 2003. After teaching at the University of Kentucky, he returned to USC in 2008. Currently, he serves as Parliamentarian in CABA and is the ‘Voice of the Carolina Band’.

Ken Corbett is from Columbia, SC and is a graduate with a B.S. in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy degree from the University of South Carolina. He began marching Clarinet in the Carolina Band in 1976 until 1979. He switched his major from music to accounting and worked for the University of South Carolina in Finance for 37 years retiring in 2018.

Ken is a past President of the Carolina Alumni Band Association, which began in 2022. The alumni band program has been in place for our 30 years but just became a formal association. He volunteers and donates regularly to the University of South Carolina Band Program and runs the online site for band merchandise.

COMING SOON!

Mrs. Ortiz is the director of bands at Muller Road Middle School in Blythewood, SC. Under her direction, the Muller Road Middle School Bands have consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings at South Carolina Band Directors Association sponsored events. Ortiz has served as a fine arts leader in Richland Two and helps organize the annual Richland School District Two Honor Band Clinic. 

Mrs. Ortiz is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in Music Education and Performance Certificate in 2001. Mrs. Ortiz also earned a Master of Music degree in 2009 from the University of South Carolina. 

Mrs. Ortiz is an avid supporter of future music teachers, having been a cooperating teacher since 2007 and mentoring students from both the University of South Carolina as well as Newberry College. Mrs. Ortiz has been a guest speaker for music education students at the University of South Carolina, served as an alumni mentor for the Future Band Director Academy at the University of South Carolina, and SCMEA conference. 

As a french horn player, Mrs. Ortiz teaches privately and works as a clinician.  She is an active member of the Palmetto Concert Band and performs professionally with various brass ensembles. Mrs. Ortiz holds professional affiliations with the Phi Beta Mu, SCBDA, SCMEA, ΣAI, and KΚΨ. Mrs. Ortiz and her husband, Jason, reside in Columbia, SC with their three children, Evelyn, Adam and Jason. 

Kaylee is currently serving as a Member at Large within CABA.

She began her marching career as a member of the Summerville High School color guard team for five years, later performing with USC and Etude for 2013-2014 season.

Since then, she has remained active in the performance arts community by participating in scholarship pageants, judging pageants and color guard auditions. Kaylee now lives in Augusta, GA with her husband and two dogs and works as an occupational therapist.

She looks forward to supporting new generation of performers as well as give back to an organization that gave her so much.

Lynn grew up in Atlanta, GA and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina  with a B.A. in Psychology (1985)  and a Master +30 in School Psychology (1989). She marched in the Carolina Band as a clarinet player and was a proud member of Tau Beta Sigma. One of her best memories is helping draft and print “The Chicken Scratch” for away games. 

Lynn has been an active member of the Alumni Band since graduation and has missed just two homecoming events in all those years. During the late 80’s, she was asked by Jim Copenhaver to join other 80’s grads to help revamp the organizing committee. She has served as chair of the committee and now serves as the communications chair. She worked as a School Psychologist for 35 years before retiring and joining the travel industry. 

Contributions to the band program include being a School of Music scholarship donor and coordinating blocks of hotel rooms for family and friends for the Macy’s parade and London band week. 

Amanda Trujillo is a current graduate student earning her Master’s of Science in Athletic Training degree at the University of South Carolina. She had the privilege to represent USC as the Feature Twirler in the Carolina Band from 2019-2023 and earned her B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in dance.

She is a state, regional, national, and international champion who has excelled in both the competitive and coaching realms of twirling. Amanda has been honored to represent the United States as a member of Team USA in Holland, Croatia, Canada, France, Italy, and England. She has won numerous medals internationally including 3 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and a bronze medal at the WBTF World Baton Twirling Championships and IBTF Nations Cup.

Amanda currently coaches baton twirling, dance, and group fitness classes while excelling academically in her rigorous graduate school program. She recently earned a top placement in the National case study competition, Clarion, and received the Scottye Hedstrom Memorial Athletic Training Scholarship award for excellence beyond the classroom while advocating for athletic training. She holds a multitude of leadership positions geared towards assisting with transitions to graduate and professionals programs. Amanda’s efforts for advocating for athletic training and providing care for non-sideline and emergent settings, including performing arts and marching band, has led to research publications in the Athletic Training Education Journal.

She looks forward to continuing to advocate for current and future generations of performers as well as giving back to the community that provided her with opportunities beyond her wildest hopes.

COMING SOON!