Mandy Sloan, Camp Director
Mandy has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Central Michigan University, where she studied saxophone with Professor John Nichol, and a Master's Degree in Music Performance from the University of South Carolina, where she studied saxophone with Dr. Clifford Leaman as his graduate assistant. Her assistantship duties included teaching private lessons, coaching university quartets, and teaching the beginning saxophone class. In 2006, between her degrees, she studied saxophone for one semester in Paris, France with Professeur Jean-Yves Fourmeau at the Cergy-Pontoise Conservatoire. While in Paris, she was invited to perform as a guest artist with the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain twice, in London and Birmingham. She has received instruction through music camps and master-classes from Jean-Marie Londeix, Claude DeLangle, Jean-Michel Guay, Eugene Rousseau, Timothy McAllister, Joe Lulloff, Taimur Sullivan, and Otis Murphy. Mandy has performed in the North American Saxophone Association (NASA) Conferences in Tempe, AZ; Greensboro, NC; and Columbia, SC; and in the World Saxophone Confereces in Minneapolis, MN; and Ljubljana, Slovenia. Altogether, she has performed in China, France, England, Slovenia, St. Lucia, Canada, and throughout the United States. She owns and performs on the world's smallest saxophone, called the soprillo. It is a fairly recent invention by Benedikt Eppelsheim. Mandy currently teaches her own studio of private students and saxophone quartets in Columbia, SC.
Dr. Jared Waters, Recital Performer, Music Theory Teacher, Ensemble Assistant, Quartet Coach
Jared Waters has a Doctorate degree from the University of Arizona where he studied Saxophone Performance with Dr. Christopher Creviston. Originally from Columbia, SC, Jared studied with Mandy Sloan before obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance with Professor John Nichol at Central Michigan University, and his Master's Degree in Music Performance with Dr. Jonathan Nichol at the University of Oklahoma. Jared was the soprano saxophonist in the Elysian Quartet. The ensemble placed first in the 2018 NASA Quartet Competition as well as the 2018 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. The Elysian Quartet recently released their debut studio album, “Red”, which is available on iTunes, Spotify, and all other music-streaming platforms. Thus far, Jared has performed in numerous masterclasses for Taimur Sullivan, Connie Frigo, Chien Kwan Lin, Joe Lulloff, Christopher Creviston, Keith Talley, and Eddie Goodman. He was the winner of the 2014 Delta Omicron Young Artist Competition, winner of the 2017-18 OU Concerto Competition, winner of the 2018 State round of MTNA with the Pyr Quartet, 1st Alternate in the 2011 MTNA Young Artist Competition as well as Honorable Mention in 2015 with the Aurora Quartet and in 2017 as a soloist. An avid arranger, Jared has had his arrangements for saxophone ensemble premiered at the 2018 World Saxophone Congress in Zagreb, Croatia, the 2018 NASA in Cincinnati, the 2019 Region 4 NASA in Fayetteville, AR, and every year since 2010 at the Saxophone Summer Camp in Columbia, South Carolina.
Jared Waters has a Doctorate degree from the University of Arizona where he studied Saxophone Performance with Dr. Christopher Creviston. Originally from Columbia, SC, Jared studied with Mandy Sloan before obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance with Professor John Nichol at Central Michigan University, and his Master's Degree in Music Performance with Dr. Jonathan Nichol at the University of Oklahoma. Jared was the soprano saxophonist in the Elysian Quartet. The ensemble placed first in the 2018 NASA Quartet Competition as well as the 2018 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. The Elysian Quartet recently released their debut studio album, “Red”, which is available on iTunes, Spotify, and all other music-streaming platforms. Thus far, Jared has performed in numerous masterclasses for Taimur Sullivan, Connie Frigo, Chien Kwan Lin, Joe Lulloff, Christopher Creviston, Keith Talley, and Eddie Goodman. He was the winner of the 2014 Delta Omicron Young Artist Competition, winner of the 2017-18 OU Concerto Competition, winner of the 2018 State round of MTNA with the Pyr Quartet, 1st Alternate in the 2011 MTNA Young Artist Competition as well as Honorable Mention in 2015 with the Aurora Quartet and in 2017 as a soloist. An avid arranger, Jared has had his arrangements for saxophone ensemble premiered at the 2018 World Saxophone Congress in Zagreb, Croatia, the 2018 NASA in Cincinnati, the 2019 Region 4 NASA in Fayetteville, AR, and every year since 2010 at the Saxophone Summer Camp in Columbia, South Carolina.
Bert Ligon, Jazz Class Teacher, Jazz Concert
BertLIGON is director of jazz studies at the University of South Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Music and his Master of Music in jazz piano performance and arranging from the University of North Texas. Ligon has published four books: Jazz Theory Resources Vol. 1 & 2, Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony, and Comprehensive Technique for the Jazz Musician. Ligon has published several original compositions and arrangements for big band, jazz orchestra, and steel drum ensembles. He composed extensively in the Radio/TV/film industry receiving many awards including national PBS awards and an EMMY nomination. He composed the SCBDA All-State Jazz Band Audition music. Ligon has been president of the South Carolina IAJE and chair of the jazz committee of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. Ligon was commissioned to compose music by the Midwest Clinic in celebration of the 2018 Conference.
LIGON has presented several clinics and concerts at IAJE, ASTA, and SCMEA conferences. He has taught jazz improvisation, guitar, piano, conducted jazz string orchestras at Suzuki Institutes and International Conferences and the Mark O'Connor Fiddle conferences, and Christian Howes' Creative Strings Workshop.
At UofSC, Ligon coordinates the jazz combos and big bands, jazz strings, teaches jazz theory, jazz improvisation, arranging, and applied jazz lessons.
LIGON plays piano, guitar, plays some third base & pitches a bit.
BertLIGON is director of jazz studies at the University of South Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Music and his Master of Music in jazz piano performance and arranging from the University of North Texas. Ligon has published four books: Jazz Theory Resources Vol. 1 & 2, Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony, and Comprehensive Technique for the Jazz Musician. Ligon has published several original compositions and arrangements for big band, jazz orchestra, and steel drum ensembles. He composed extensively in the Radio/TV/film industry receiving many awards including national PBS awards and an EMMY nomination. He composed the SCBDA All-State Jazz Band Audition music. Ligon has been president of the South Carolina IAJE and chair of the jazz committee of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. Ligon was commissioned to compose music by the Midwest Clinic in celebration of the 2018 Conference.
LIGON has presented several clinics and concerts at IAJE, ASTA, and SCMEA conferences. He has taught jazz improvisation, guitar, piano, conducted jazz string orchestras at Suzuki Institutes and International Conferences and the Mark O'Connor Fiddle conferences, and Christian Howes' Creative Strings Workshop.
At UofSC, Ligon coordinates the jazz combos and big bands, jazz strings, teaches jazz theory, jazz improvisation, arranging, and applied jazz lessons.
LIGON plays piano, guitar, plays some third base & pitches a bit.
Courtney Briggman, Ensemble Assistant, Quartet Coach
Courtney graduated from Swansee High School, where she was under the direction of John Brady in the symphonic band. She took private lessons with saxophone instructor Chris Bussell for one year. During high school, she received the John Philip Sousa Award, the Outstanding Jazz Musician Award, and the Band Director's Award for being the Drum Major of the marching band. She participated in Region Band four times and All-State once for the state of South Carolina. She competed at Solo & Ensemble seven times, and always received the highest honor of "superior". Courtney has graduated from Columbia College, where she was a student of Mandy Sloan on saxophone.
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Thomas Drummond, Recital Performer, Music Theory Teacher, Ensemble Assistant, Quartet Coach
Thomas Drummond has a degree in Music Education with a Performance Certificate, and a Masters Degree in Performance, from the University of South Carolina with Professor Dr. Clifford Leaman. He is currently working on his Doctorate Degree at the University of Iowa with Dr. Kenneth Tse. He was the baritone saxophonist in the Regulus Quartet at the University of South Carolina. Prior to starting college, Thomas was a student of Dr. Clifford Leaman, Mr. Bryson Borgstedt, and Mrs. Mandy Sloan. Thomas graduated from Ridge View High School in 2017. He was a featured soloist in the marching band for three years. He made the All-State Concert Band for South Carolina six times, and the South Carolina All-State Jazz Band four times. |
Alex Lofton, Recital Performer, Music Theory Teacher, Ensemble Assistant, Quartet Coach
Alex Lofton is a Masters student at The University of South Carolina in Saxophone Performance. He has studied with Dr. Clifford Leaman for 7 years, and is also a student in the South Carolina Honors College and a National Merit Scholar.
Alex is a graduate of Blythewood High School where he served as co-drum major. He has also studied and performed at the Tri-District Arts Consortium, the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop, the SC Governors School Academy and Discovery programs, The UofSC Music Conservatory, and the North America Saxophone Alliance regional and national conferences. He has received recognition from the MTNA, NAfME, and SC Master Recital competitions. He was the winner of the Lake Murray Symphony Young Artist Competition, the North American Saxophone Alliance Regional High School Division Young Artist Competition, and a three time SC All-State saxophonist.
Alex Lofton is a Masters student at The University of South Carolina in Saxophone Performance. He has studied with Dr. Clifford Leaman for 7 years, and is also a student in the South Carolina Honors College and a National Merit Scholar.
Alex is a graduate of Blythewood High School where he served as co-drum major. He has also studied and performed at the Tri-District Arts Consortium, the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop, the SC Governors School Academy and Discovery programs, The UofSC Music Conservatory, and the North America Saxophone Alliance regional and national conferences. He has received recognition from the MTNA, NAfME, and SC Master Recital competitions. He was the winner of the Lake Murray Symphony Young Artist Competition, the North American Saxophone Alliance Regional High School Division Young Artist Competition, and a three time SC All-State saxophonist.
Olivia Koss, Recital Performer, Ensemble Assistant, Quartet Coach
Olivia Koss is a junior at Appalachian State University pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design with a Minor in Music, studying with Dr. Scott Kallestad, and is currently in the App State Symphony Band as well as the Symphony Orchestra. She graduated from River Bluff High School in 2022. She studied with Mandy Sloan for five years, and has attended four years of Saxophone Summer Camp as a student. She has also competed in the Music Teacher's National Association (MTNA) Competition twice, receiving Honorable Mention the second time. She has participated in Solo & Ensemble for six years, with solos and quartets, receiving "Superiors" for all. She has made Region Band three times.
Olivia Koss is a junior at Appalachian State University pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design with a Minor in Music, studying with Dr. Scott Kallestad, and is currently in the App State Symphony Band as well as the Symphony Orchestra. She graduated from River Bluff High School in 2022. She studied with Mandy Sloan for five years, and has attended four years of Saxophone Summer Camp as a student. She has also competed in the Music Teacher's National Association (MTNA) Competition twice, receiving Honorable Mention the second time. She has participated in Solo & Ensemble for six years, with solos and quartets, receiving "Superiors" for all. She has made Region Band three times.
Christopher Unumb, Recital Performer, Ensemble Assistant, Quartet Coach
Christopher Unumb is an undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Saxophone Performance and Music Education, as well as performing with the Northwestern Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Apricity Quartet. A long-time student of Mandy Sloan, he is an honor graduate of River Bluff High School, where he served as drum major of the marching band. During his pre-college years, Christopher earned multiple accolades on saxophone, having earned first chair at South Carolina All-State Band six times. He also won the South Carolina Music Teacher's National Association (MTNA) Competition during his senior year of high school and was awarded the Phi Beta Mu solo contest 1st prize in 2022. He has received 10+ "Superior" ratings in various Solo & Ensemble evaluations for both solo and quartet performances.
Christopher Unumb is an undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Saxophone Performance and Music Education, as well as performing with the Northwestern Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Apricity Quartet. A long-time student of Mandy Sloan, he is an honor graduate of River Bluff High School, where he served as drum major of the marching band. During his pre-college years, Christopher earned multiple accolades on saxophone, having earned first chair at South Carolina All-State Band six times. He also won the South Carolina Music Teacher's National Association (MTNA) Competition during his senior year of high school and was awarded the Phi Beta Mu solo contest 1st prize in 2022. He has received 10+ "Superior" ratings in various Solo & Ensemble evaluations for both solo and quartet performances.