Mrs. Caitlin Smoot is a native of South Carolina. She grew up in Blythewood, South Carolina where she attended Blythewood High School. She attended The University of South Carolina, where she studied Instrumental Music Education. During her time there she participated in the Mighty Sound of the Southeast Marching Band, The University Band, and the Symphonic Winds ensembles. She was a member of the USC Flute studio and performed with the USC Flute Ensemble. She graduated in 2021 with a Bachelors of Music.

Mrs. Smoot has been on staff with several state finalist bands including: Blythewood High School, Westwood High School, and Strom Thurmond High School. She has served as both the Woodwind  and Visual Caption Head.

Mrs. Smoot was previously the Band Director at Newberry High School in Newberry, SC. During her time there she rebuilt the band program after the pandemic. She led them to their first Concert Performance Assessment performance in nearly 5 years, where they earned a rating of "Excellent." Currently she serves as the Director of Bands at Chester High School. 

Mrs. Smoot is a member of the National Association for Music Educators, the South Carolina Music Educators Association, the South Carolina Band Directors Association, The Charlotte Pride Band, and the Carolina Flute Guild. 

Mrs. Smoot and her wife currently reside in Charlotte, NC with their son Liam, and two pets, Toast and Rhodey.

Mr. Nick Hammond is a percussionist and composer/arranger from Columbia, South Carolina. He studied music education and percussion performance at Mars Hill University. He's spent a large portion of his career as a music educator throughout North and South Carolina, both as a private teacher and as a public school teacher. 

Mr. Hammond is also a frequent performer and has been part of ensembles ranging from bluegrass to jazz and funk all over the Southeastern US. Currently he is a proud member of the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra and the South Carolina Brass Band. Nick's compositions and arrangements have been played by marching bands and orchestras from across the Southeast.