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J.L. Mann Staff 2023-24

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Kam JaCoby, Director of Bands

Kam JaCoby is a percussionist with years of teaching experience both in the state of South Carolina and Idaho. He holds his Bachelor's of Music Education from Furman University and his Master's of Educational Technology from Boise State University. He is experienced in teaching marching, concert, and jazz band, as well as percussion ensemble, guitar, and string orchestra. 

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Dillon Smith, Assistant Director

Dillon Smith is in his fourth year of teaching and holds a Bachelor's of Music Education and Master's of Music Performance in Saxophone from the University of South Carolina. He is the Band Director at Beck Academy. He continues his musicianship by playing the Alto Saxophone in the Palmetto Concert Band in Columbia, SC.

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Charlie Gessner, Percussion Director

Charlie Gessner is currently earning his Bachelor's of Music Education at Furman University. He reguarly performs while playing in Furman's Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra. He is going into his second year as the Percussion Director at J.L. Mann.

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Ariana Capela, Color Guard Director

Ariana Capela has been working with the J.L. Mann Band since 2019. She teaches both the color and winter guard groups. Before she came to Mann, she performed in both Wren High School's fall and winter guard program for 3 years. She is experienced in both writing and teaching equipment routines and choreography.

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Lydia Flannery, Color Guard Director

Mrs. Flannery grew up in Lebanon, OH and performed in color guard there for 6 years doing both fall guard and winter. She then went on to perform in the Million Dollar Band Color Guard in college at the University of Alabama. Mrs. Flannery has a duel degree in Marine Science and Biology, and she teaches science at J.L. Mann. 

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Nick Wilson, Visual/Brass Instructor

Nick Wilson is a South Carolina native being born in Columbia, SC, then living most of his life in Myrtle Beach. He holds a Bachelor's of Music Education from Furman University. He has taught marching band and middle school strings and band. He is the Band Director at Bryson Middle School.

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Patrick Landis, Jazz Band Director

Patrick Landis is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati: College Conservatory of Music with a degree in Jazz Saxophone Studies. Mr. Landis has share the stage with jazz luminaries such as Clark Terry, Maria Schneider, John Fedchock, Phil DeGreg and John von Ohlen, Ignacia Berroa, James Carter, Alan Ferber, Ryan Keberly and Deena Martin. Being a multi instrumentalist, Mr. Landis has performed with over 40 different groups in the midwest and southeast as well as over 20 musicals. Mr. Landis restarted the jazz band in the spring of 2018 where it has grown from just one member the first year, to over forty students during the 2022-23 school year. 

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