Dr. Gary Rhoden is the Director of Bands at Hillcrest High School. During the past five years, Dr. Rhoden has served as the Director of Athletic Bands and a Professor of Music at North Greenville University. During his tenure at NGU, Dr. Rhoden doubled the size of the marching band, increased the quality and quantity of performances for the marching band, and transformed how the bands participate in and contribute to the game day atmosphere--for the football team along with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Dr. Rhoden also served as the program coordinator for the Music Education degree at NGU. He taught all Music Education related courses and oversaw the field experiences for both practicum students and student teachers.

Prior to serving at NGU, Dr. Rhoden spent nearly a decade teaching high school band at James F. Byrnes High School and Boiling Springs High School. During his time teaching high school, Dr. Rhoden was a part of 2 SCBDA 5A State Championships, 8 SCBDA 5A Upper State Championships, 4 BOA National Semi-Finalist appearances, 4 BOA Regional Class Championships, and many other Grand Championship awards from local contests. Along with the accolades for marching band, Dr. Rhoden’s concert bands consistently received “Superior With Distinction” ratings from the annual SCBDA Concert Performance Assessment. 

Dr. Rhoden holds both a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Furman University, a Master of Arts in Music Education from North Greenville University, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration from Clemson University.

Mrs. and Dr. Rhoden met in undergraduate school at Furman and have a 6-year-old daughter named Emmi. Mrs. Rhoden (Ashley) currently serves as an elementary music teacher at both River Ridge Elementary and Reidville Elementary in Spartanburg School District 5. Prior to moving to Spartanburg 5, Mrs. Rhoden also served Greenville County Schools as the orchestra director at both Riverside and Eastside High Schools. She also currently serves as the conductor of the Preparatory Strings Orchestra for the Carolina Youth Symphony.

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Hillcrest High School for this upcoming year and beyond. The Hillcrest community has a proud and storied history, and I know we will add to the incredible legacy Mr. Freeland built over the past 30 years. Thank you for welcoming me and I’m excited for you to see how far these students will go this fall. Thank you again and come out and see what the Red and Black Brigade has in store for you! Go Hillcrest Bands and Go Rams!” – Dr. Rhoden

Christian Scott received his bachelor’s degree in music education from The University of South Carolina in 2007 and his master’s degree in music education from The University of South Carolina in 2009. During his time at USC, he served as an active member of the Mighty Sound of the Southeast (USC's marching band), the USC Concert Band, the University Choir and various athletic pep bands. During graduate school, Mr. Scott served on staff with the Congaree New Horizons Band (a beginning band program for senior adults) and founded the Crescent Moon Jazz Band (a beginning jazz band for senior adults). He is a member of the South Carolina Band Director's Association, South Carolina Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu, and an alumni member of Kappa Kappa Psi, an honorary fraternity for college band members.  

Mr. Scott began his professional career at Tanglewood Middle School (Greenville, SC) in 2010.  While at Tanglewood, the band program tripled in size - growing to around 200 members. Under his direction the band received numerous awards and distinctions, including the program's first "Superior" rating at the SCBDA Concert Performance Assessment in 2015 as well as the program's first "Superior, With Distinction" rating awarded in 2016.  Mr. Scott was awarded a citation of excellence in Music Education from Greenville County School District in 2013 and served as Teacher of the Year for Tanglewood Middle School during the 2015-2016 school year. Mr. Scott became the director of bands at Hillcrest Middle School in 2018. Mr. Scott was selected as Hillcrest Middle School's Teacher of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year and was also recognized as the First Runner Up for Greenville County School District's Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Scott also serves as one of the Assistant Directors with the Hillcrest High School Red and Black Brigade, a position he has held since 2019. He serves as a guest clinician for other middle school programs South Carolina and is the state chairman for the SCBDA Solo and Ensemble events held each spring. Mr. Scott also proudly serves on the board of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. 

A loyal Gamecock since birth, Mr. Scott enjoys attending sporting events affiliated with The University of South Carolina. He plays baritone saxophone in the Poinsett Wind Symphony and his favorite superheroes/characters are Darth Vader, Batman, Deadpool, Iron Man and Superman. He also enjoys attending church, buying Funko Pops, jogging throughout Simpsonville, reading comics and Stephen King books, playing retro video games, watching NFL and MLB (go Panthers, Braves and Red Sox!) and spending time with his wife (Rebekah), his five-year-old son Graham, family, and friends.

Prior to joining the Hillcrest High School Band staff, Austin Sanders was the Director of Percussion for Spartanburg School District 5 from 2015 to 2024 where he directed all the percussion groups grade levels 5th through 12th. He also was a percussion tech at James F. Byrnes High School prior from 2011 to 2014. During his time, Austin assisted the band programs and percussion groups on achieving numerous awards and recognitions in the South Carolina Band Directors Associations, South Carolina Music Educators Association, Music for All’s Bands of America, and other music organizations.

A graduate of Western Carolina University, Austin performed with the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band for 4 years (serving as the drumline captain his senior year). While in college, he also performed with many ensembles while maintaining leadership roles: Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Artist-in-Residency Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Gamelan Ensemble, and the Purple Thunder Entertainment Drumline.

Outside of college, Austin marched Drum Corps International for Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugles Corps, Drum Corps Associates for Atlanta CV Drum and Bugles Corps, and participated with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra in Asheville, North Carolina. Austin has taught numerous high school percussion groups in the Carolinas. He also served on staff with many groups in both DCI, DCA, and WGI including serving on staff with his Alma mater, Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. Though Austin has a bachelor's in music, Austin pursued and received his master's in business administration from the University of South Carolina at Aiken in 2023.

Austin currently resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina with his lovely wife Carmen, and their lovely son, Dastan.

A graduate of Mauldin High School in Mauldin, SC, Mr. Jones is currently in his 2nd year as one of the battery coordinators with the Hillcrest band. He is currently pursuing a degree in Architectural design and from Greenville Technical College. Mr. Jones has taught at and shadowed various schools in the Greenville County School District. 

In addition to his teaching roles, Mr. Jones recently performed with Civitas Independent during the 2025 WGI season, helping the ensemble earn a silver medal and program high score at World Championships.

Luke Whitfield is a native to Boiling Springs, South Carolina, and a graduate of University of South Carolina Upstate. He also attended two years at Anderson University pursuing a degree in Commercial Music and Live performance. Luke has taught as a Percussion Instructor at Dixie High School and Boiling Springs High School. Moreover, he has been studying bass in his musical studies in the Upstate Jazz Band.

While at Anderson University, Luke has taken part in several ensembles as a percussionist in Anderson University Wind Symphony, Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Anderson’s Night Jazz Band, while also performing in Civitas Independent and Palmetto Indoor Theatre.

During his free time when he is not teaching, performing, or practicing, Luke enjoys spending time with friends, and his cat Luna. While also going to concerts, writing music, and playing many of his favorite games. 

Breanna Glover is excited to join the team as one of the color guard instructors. A proud graduate of Byrnes High School, Breanna began her color guard journey there, taking on multiple captain roles throughout her time on the team. After graduating in 2022, she continued to pursue her passion by performing with Toccata Independent (Open Class) in 2023 and later with Etude (World Class) in 2025.

This is Breanna’s first year in a coaching role, and she’s thrilled to bring her experience, energy, and love for the activity to the next generation of performers. She is currently studying Business and Marketing at Spartanburg Community College.

Outside of color guard, Breanna works at Olive Garden, where she serves, bartends, and helps in the kitchen. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, gaming, and catching up on her favorite TV shows and movies.