UT Bands Directory
Behind every performance by the University of Tennessee Bands is a dedicated team of faculty, staff, and student leaders working together to support one of the most visible musical traditions on campus. From the Pride of the Southland Marching Band to our concert and pep ensembles, UT Bands thrives because of the people who make it possible.
Faculty
The UT Bands faculty provide the artistic and educational leadership that shapes the program. Through their expertise in conducting, pedagogy, and performance, they guide students toward musical excellence while cultivating leadership and collaboration.
Michael Stewart
Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, WJ Julian Professor of Bands
Fuller Lyon
Assistant Director of Bands, Associate Director of Marching and Athletic Bands, Distinguished Lecturer
Operations & Support
The UT Bands program is supported by a dedicated team that helps manage the many logistical and operational needs of a large ensemble program. From coordinating budgets and administrative operations to assisting with rehearsals, events, and equipment, this team helps ensure that UT Bands runs smoothly throughout the year.
Working alongside faculty leadership, these staff members support the day-to-day functions that allow the Pride of the Southland Marching Band and UT concert ensembles to perform at their best.
Staff
Program Support
Eli Garcia, Drumline Coordinator
Eli Garcia is an active percussion performer, educator, and arranger in Knoxville, Tennessee. He recently graduated from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville with his Master’s of Music in Percussion Performance under Professor Andy Bliss. A native of El Paso, Texas he received his Bachelor’s in Music Education at The University of Texas at El Paso where he performed with the Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and Steel Band under the Direction of Dr. Andrew P. Smith.
Garcia has experience in DCI from several world class organizations. He was a member of the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and has taught at Genesis from 2021-2022 and is currently at Crossmen. He has also taught drumlines for many high school groups in El Paso, Texas, The University of Texas at El Paso, and most recently The Pride of The Southland Marching Band. Locally, he has assisted with the Farragut HS, Seymour HS, and Hardin Valley Academy programs. Garcia now serves as the Drumline Coordinator for The Pride and continues to teach and perform in the Knoxville area.
Lindsey Cupp Maples, UT Majorette Coordinator
Lindsey Cupp Maples joined the Pride of the Southland staff in 2014 as Majorette Coordinator. She is a graduate from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Studies along with a minor in Communication Studies. In addition, she holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln Memorial University.
Maples was a member of the Pride from 2004-2008, serving as Feature Twirler from 2004-2005 and Head Majorette from 2006-2008. Throughout Lindsey’s twirling career, she has held numerous competitive twirling titles. More recently, she has been an instructor at several high schools and choreographed routines for both majorette lines and individual twirlers.
Maples is currently a school teacher in Knox County and has a passion for children. Maples, her two children, and her husband Derek, live in Knoxville.
CJ McCrory, UT Color Guard Coordinator
CJ McCrory is a clinician, consultant, educator, and designer for the Marching Arts activity residing in Knoxville, TN. Locally, he is the Director of Color Guards for Hardin Valley Academy and Hardin Valley Middle School programs, as well as serving as the A and Open class representative for the East Tennessee Performing Arts Association. McCrory is also currently involved with multiple groups across the Nation in these various roles.
McCrory was a former member of the “Pride of the Southland” Marching Band from 2009 to 2011 and completed his Bachelor’s Degree studies in French Language & Literature with a minor in Music from Middle Tennessee State University in 2014. His past Color Guard marching experiences have included The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, Pride of Cincinnati (IW), and Eklipse Winterguard (IW). In his teaching experience, McCrory has been privileged with the opportunity to work with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, Lexis Winterguard (IW), Carmel HS (SW), and Avon HS (SW).
Graduate Assistants & Student Leadership
Student leadership plays a vital role in the success of UT Bands. Graduate assistants, Pride of the Southland leadership, and the Black Suits all contribute to the organization, mentorship, and traditions that define the program.
Graduate Assistants
Jonah Kilma
Degree: Master of Music in Wind Conducting
Hometown: Joliet, Illinois
Undergraduate Studies: Illinois Wesleyan University
Jacob Smith
Degree: Master of Music in Wind Conducting
Hometown: London, Kentucky
Undergraduate Studies: University of Kentucky
Black Suits
Anna Davis
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Percussion Performance
Hometown: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sydney Flenniken
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Music Education
Hometown: Seymour, Tennessee
Kaylee Hayes
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Animal Science
Hometown: Dandridge, Tennessee
Ryan Hulsey
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Industrial Engineering
Hometown: Tunnel Hill, Georgia
Ashlynn Mathews
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Accounting
Hometown: Sevierville, Tennessee
Daniel Sippel
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Biochemistry (BCMB)
Hometown: Fort Mill, South Carolina
Ben Strobel
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Music Education
Hometown: Antioch, Tennessee
Preston Turner
Degree: Bachelor Degree in Music Education
Hometown: Dallas, Georgia
Pride of the Southland Marching Band Leadership
Drum Majors: Christian Carroll (Head); Sydney Flenniken (Assistant)
Squad Leaders (listed in alphabetical order):
- Piccolos: Jessie Hosken; Ella Pinchok; Aidan Smith
- Clarinets: Grace Dobrescu; Evan Norris; Maria Vite; Joshua Zhou
- Saxophones: Jordan Cannon; Jordan Cathelyn; Jake Ensor; Sean Keenan
- Horns: Rose Capooth; Carson Duckworth; Margaret Kinzer; Aaron O’Donnell
- Trumpets: Lauren Dodd; Abby Garner; Sarah Jennings; Dylan Sacksteder; Kara Ussery
- Trombones: Isaac Berry; Carson Carter; Jacob Ross; Ava Wallace
- Baritones: Levi Gayso; Patrick Kuchcicki
- Tubas: Elijah Ailey; Will Burke; Matthew Rowe
- Percussion: Annika Blackburn (Bass); Jonathan Cate (Cymbals); Jake Jackson (Snare); Shelton Skaggs (Tenors)
- Guard: Madelyn Bowman; Braelyn Lemere; Emma McDonald; Elizabeth Short
- Majorettes: Anna Best (Head); Ally Carpenter (Feature); Lara Finnegan (Feature)
