Paradigm Percussion Staff
Administrative Staff
Steven Chistman
Director / CEO / Co-Founder
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.
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.
Michael Walters
Administrative Assistant
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.
Savannah Bennett
Administrative Assistant
Savannah received her Bachelor of Music in Performance degree at Western Carolina University in 2020, and will receive her Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies as well as a Heritage Interpretation and Museum Studies Certificate at East Tennessee State University in 2022. Savannah works as the Collections Manager at East Tennessee State University’s Reece Museum. She resides in Johnson City, Tennessee with her cat, Cleo.
Savannah has performed in multiple ensembles as a concert pianist, concert percussionist, and marching percussionist. She was a member of the Paradigm Percussion Front Ensemble in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Savannah was also a member of Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band from 2016-2018. She was the pianist of two new ensembles at Western Carolina University, including the Piano Chamber Ensemble and the Fusion Jazz Ensemble. Professionally, Savannah has experience as a pianist and organist. She is also in training as an electric bassist.
Savannah has taught front ensemble students as well, including at East Lincoln High School, Mooresville High School, South Mecklenburg High School, and Pisgah High School. She served as a front ensemble counselor at Western Carolina University’s Summer Symposium for the Marching Arts in 2018.
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."
Instructional Staff
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.
Roman Schefano
Visual Instructor
Roman joins Paradigm for the 2024 season. He is currently attending barber school in Greenville, North Carolina.
Roman has marched with Chattanooga Independent in 2016-2018, Music City Drum Corps in 2018, Equinox Percussion in 2019, The Cavaliers in 2019-2021, and Music City Mystique in 2021-2022.
Roman currently works with Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and Music City Mystique as a bass technician.
Aside from teaching, he enjoys playing piano, rock climbing, and hanging out with his cats.
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.
Joshua Montgomery
Batterie Instructor
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.
Logan Damery
Snare Instructor
Logan started his marching career in 2009 at Porter Ridge High School. Logan would continue his marching career by joining Paradigm for three seasons (2012-2014.) Some other experience was Coastal Surge Drum and Bugle Corps (2014-2015), Liberty University Indoor Drumline (2014-2017), LU Spirt of the Mountain (2014-2018), and Panther’s Percussion (2018-2019.)
Logan’s educational career started in 2014 at Independence High School. From there, he went on to teach at various schools such as East Meck, Weddington High School, Butler High School, as well as private lessons. Logan has been the snare tech at Paradigm since 2017-2018 season.
Currently, Logan works for CSM Productions as an AV Technician and also spends time gigging and teaching drum set in the Charlotte area.
He enjoys a casual pretzel.
Sean Danielson
Snare Instructor
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 Instructor
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.
Justin Brewer
Tenor Instructor / 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.
Austin Cortez
Tenor Instructor
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 second season with Paradigm, having previously been a part of the ensemble staff in 2018. 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 been in many world class organizations, including Palmetto Percussion and Gateway Percussion. Having just aged out, Austin’s most recent experience has been with STRYKE percussion in 2019, where he received the “Rookie of the Year” award, 2020, and 2022. During the summer of 2017, Austin spent his time performing with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corp where the corps’ percussion section placed 3rd at DCI open class finals.
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.
Cody Copeland
Tenor Instructor
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.
Ryan O’Daniel
Bass Instructor
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.
Zaria Thomas
Bass Instructor
Zaria currently resides in Rock Hill, 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 to spread her love and knowledge for music and the marching arts.
Zaria’s first marching season began in 2012 (7th grade) and went until 2018 when she graduated from Andrew Jackson High School located in Kershaw, SC. Upon graduation she began her undergrad and returned to her alma mater to teach percussion for the 2018 season, and now has spent 3 seasons teaching the batterie of the York Comprehensive High School Cougar Band located in York, SC (2021-Present). Zaria is also a private instructor and a freelance musician who has performed gigs for high school and university performances/musicals, religious events, and has an emphasis in performance and teaching West African Drumming.
In her free time, Zaria enjoys going to the gym, reading and playing video games- even on a professional tournament level. She currently works at Ludwig/Musser creating instruments that many future percussionists will have the opportunity to perform on and also find their love of music.
Thomas Rowe
Bass Instructor
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!
Seaon Carter
Marching Cymbal Instructor
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!
Jhana Parikh
Front Ensemble Instructor
Jhana began her indoor percussion career with Paradigm, where she played marimba during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In 2018 the joined the front ensemble of GMU Indoor Drumline, where she aged out in 2019.
Jhana joined the front ensemble staff at Paradigm for the 2020 season, and had additionally taught several marching band and indoor percussion programs since 2018, including Chapel Hill, Enloe, Green Hope, and Cary high schools. She is currently the front ensemble coordinator at Fuquay-Varina High School.
Jhana graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and received her Master in Physiology from NC State University in 2021. She is currently a first year medical student at Campbell University SOM. When she is not studying or teaching, Jhana enjoys solving crossword puzzles, watching Marvel movies, and playing with her family dog.
Kinsey Elliott
Front Ensemble Instructor
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.
Dustin Handley
Front Ensemble Instructor
Dustin attended UNC Asheville for Music Technology, studying both music and audio engineering. He performed in several music ensembles, including the West African Drumming Ensemble and the Paul Simon Ensemble. During his stay he took lessons for both percussion and piano.
Dustin has taught several music ensembles throughout the Charlotte area including East Lincoln, Marvin Ridge, and Weddington high schools. He has also taught private lessons and assisted with audio equipment for additional ensembles.
Additionally, Dustin is a Paradigm alumnus. Dustin was a founding member of Paradigm Percussion and was a member from 2012-2017. He then assisted in instruction and audio for the following seasons, including being the Front Ensemble Coordinator during the 2019 season.
Dustin enjoys time with family, long phone calls on long drives, and good piston strokes.
Elijah Steele
Front Auxiliary Instructor
Elijah Steele is a percussionist, composer and educator living in Richmond Virginia.
Elijah's past indoor percussion experiences include 2011 and 2012 Dominion Storm, a PIA and PIO group based out of Virginia Beach. As well as serving as the founder and director of Rockingham County Indoor percussion, based in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
A 2020 graduate of James Madison University, Elijah has been the pit instructor at JMU for the past three years before moving to Richmond and continues to write music and drill for various high schools throughout the state of Virginia
He's incredibly excited to get back to Independent indoor percussion, and looks forward to working with this already incredible program!
Ari Moore
Front Auxiliary Instructor
Hello, my name is Ari Moore. I am a freelance musician and teacher in my fifth year of teaching. I’ve been doing music since I was two years old, starting in the church, and when I started school began taking private lessons on piano.
I did band when I was in high school, which led me to do independent groups, such as Alchemy Independent and George Mason University as well as going to UNCP for music industry.
I am very excited to be working with Paradigm!