BAND STAFF
&
MUSIC FACULTY
Director of Bands
Welcome to the Allen University Marching "Band of Gold"! I am Mr. Eddie Ellis Director of Bands. We started this adventure in the Fall of 2018, Since then we have managed to recruit some of the brightest and musically talented students in our region to our university. I sincerely hope that you become a member of our family ! Take a look around our site and enjoy some of the highlights of our story. We can't wait to meet you.
Assistant Director of Bands
Percussion Instructor
Allen Univiersity band program provides students with a wide range of performing opportunities. Through the Allen University percussion program students will also be trained in every point of percussion performance, such as orchestral percussion, timpani, solo marimba, chamber percussion, and world percussion. Music education is the center point of everything our department strive for.
For more information I can be reached direclty at jmilford@allenuniveristy.edu
Assistant Professor of Music (Piano)
University of South Carolina, D.M.A. in Piano Performance
University of South Carolina, M.M. in Piano Performance
University of North Carolina, B.M. in Piano Performance
Dr. Alan Rudell holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of South Carolina, where his primary teacher was Joseph Rackers, with additional studies under Marina Lomazov. Prior to his appointment at Allen University, Mr. Rudell served on the faculties of Presbyterian College and South Carolina State University. His ongoing research involves the music of twentieth-century American composers, particularly the works of Elliott Carter and Frederic Rzewski. An experienced solo and collaborative performer, he has appeared in venues across the United States and abroad.
Color Guard Instructor
Sara Wilson Belton serves as colorguard instructor for the Allen University Band of Gold in her hometown of Columbia, SC. She graduated from Eau Claire High School, and went on to study Biology at South Carolina State University and Seminole State College. She has had the pleasure of serving as consultant for flag corps within South Carolina and Florida, and also serves as flag instructor for The Brook, located in Columbia, SC. She is a member of the Epsilon Chi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc. and currently serves on the executive board for the SCSU ITB Alumni Association.
Golden Jacket Dance Coordinator
"Dance Excellence is key, on and off the field!"
The fabulous Miss Ashley Johnson is a graduate of South Carolina State University and native of Atlanta, Georgia. She credits her experiences in both places for her success in HBCU Dance and well-rounded approach to coaching at Allen University. Miss Johnson brings experience from the commercial entertainment world of Atlanta, working with some of today's biggest artists coupled with a decade of HBCU Dance experience including leadership, consulting, and tech innovation. She is a National HBCU Torchbearer's Award recipient, National Adjudicator with ESPN undefeated/Drumline Live, and member of the HBCU Dance
Auxiliary & Dance Director's Association.
Logistics
Allen University is a family Orientated School, that is full of love and care to all of its Students, Faulty, and Staff. Allen University Marching "Band of Gold" is the Hottest Band Program in the Southeastern Area. "The New Kids on the Block!" For that matter alone, there is no need to look any further than Allen University! #AU #AUBOG
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Director of Colorguard
Grady Johnson has been in the guard world since 2008. He started his career his in the 11th grade. Since then, He has marched at many top tier colorguard programs like Etude Winterguard, Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, Coastal Surge Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Marching 101 of South Carolina State University to name a few. He has also marched a season of indoor percussion with Palmetto Percussion. Mr. Johnson has been teaching Colorguard since 2010. Some notable programs he has taught at are Fort Dorchester HS, West Ashley, and Philip Simmons HS in Charleston,SC. He’s also taught at a few independent winterguard programs like En’tracte WG and Allurea WG. He also is the Director at Artisté WG. Mr. Johnson has a background in dance and movement training from being a student at the College of Charleston.
