Band Staff | bsbandprogram

Meet Our Band Staff

Dennis Stepp – Assistant Director of Bands

Mr. Dennis Stepp is the Choral Director, Assistant Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chair at Boiling Springs High School.

Stepp has worked with many of the different aspects of our program and has been with the marching band since the fall of 1992.

Mr. Stepp received a Bachelors in Music Education (2001) and Masters of Education (2007) from Southern Wesleyan University. He completed his Masters +30 in 2015 and is a National Board-Certified teacher in EAYA/Music. He is a Spartanburg School District Two Mentor Teacher and is a member of SCMEA, NAfME and PSTA. He is married to Amy and they have three beautiful children: Emma, Michael and Natalie.

Ashlyn Campbell-Grant – Assistant Director of Bands

Mrs. Ashlyn Campbell-Grant is the Band Director at Rainbow Lake Middle School in Chesnee, SC. Mrs. Campbell is a graduate of North Greenville University (Tigerville, SC) where she holds a Bachelors in Music Education (2019) and a Masters in Music Education (2021). She is currently working on a second Masters in Educational Leadership.

When not teaching music, Mrs. Campbell is a professional bassoonist and an avid amateur Disc Golfer. She currently resides in Taylors, SC with her husband, Brian, three children, and puppy, Chloe.

Jesus Barreto – Percussion Director

Mr. Jesus Barreto is the Percussion Director for the Boiling Springs Marching Band. Mr. Barreto has been a part of the marching arts since attending Byrnes High School (2011-2014) and continued to work with Byrnes after graduating (2015-2018). Mr. Barreto worked with Saints Percussion at Limestone University as a Snare Technician and Battery Caption Head from 2017 to 2019.

Barreto earned a Bachelors in History and Secondary Education from the College of Charleston, and currently serves as a Social Studies teacher at Boiling Springs High School and this will be his third year with the Bulldog Band.

Haleigh Miles – Colorguard Director

Ms. Haleigh Miles is an enthusiastic Colorguard Director with a passion for uplifting others. She helped instruct the colorguard and winterguard at James F. Byrnes High School, after marching there for four years. This will be her first year with the Bulldog Band.

Additionally, Ms. Miles loves the beauty industry. She has been a licensed cosmetologist for three years. When she is not teaching or doing hair, she loves spending time with friends and family, and learning new recipes.

Owen Rogers – Colorguard Instructor

Mr. Owen Rogers is currently pursuing a degree in Biochemistry at Clemson University and is a proud graduate of Seneca High School. Rogers has been involved in the colorguard activity for four years, with performance experience at Seneca High School, as well as Toccata Independent and Opus Independent.

Outside of colorguard, he enjoys staying active through CrossFit and spending time outdoors with his dog, Solomon. Rogers also have a passion for travel with a most recent trip to Spain, and future plans to visit France and Italy next summer.

Mr. Rogers believes in fostering a positive, disciplined, and growth-oriented environment where every performer feels empowered to develop both as an athlete and an artist. His goal is to help each student build confidence, take pride in their progress, and contribute meaningfully to the team.

Harvey Brown – Visual Instructor

Mr. Harvey Brown grew up in Columbia, SC, where his passion for music and performance began. He marched for four years at Ridge View High School and was an active member of several ensembles throughout his time there. Currently, Brown is attending the University of South Carolina, where he marched with the Carolina Band as well as multiple concert ensembles. In addition to his university involvement, Mr. Brown is a member of the Atlanta Quest Indoor Percussion Ensemble, performing as part of the Visual Ensemble and featured as a soloist during the 2025 season.

Outside of band life, Brown enjoys photography and has a growing collection of vinyl records. He’s excited to bring his experience and energy to the team this year!

Christyl Barber – Percussion Instructor and Front Ensemble Coordinator

Ms. Christyl Barber, is a percussion educator and arranger, and holds a Bachelors in Music Education from Appalachian State University. While earning her degree, she performed with various ensembles at Appalachian State, namely the Marching Mountaineers, Steel Pan Steel Band, and Percussion Ensemble.

Ms. Barber, a native of North Carolina, has served as Director of Percussion at North Lincoln High School and Middle School in Lincolnton, NC. Ms. Barber, having assisted numerous schools in the Lincolnton and surrounding area, has a passion to teach and develop percussion and life skills through ensemble understanding in the classroom. Her presence in the schools has opened the doors for students and directors to see the need and have an appreciation for Percussion Ensemble literature.

During her career with the North Lincoln Band, the program received many Superior ratings in the marching, concert and indoor activities. As a private instructor, Ms. Barber assisted numerous students to audition and be selected for District and State level honors bands, as well as Collegiate level pursuits in Percussion Performance and Education.

Outside of the world of band, Ms. Barber enjoys spending time with family, friends, serving at church and staying active in numerous other ways. Ms. Barber is excited to be a part of the excellence of the Boiling Springs High School program.

Abby Matula – Brass Instructor

Ms. Abby Matula is a graduate of Converse University, where she earned her degree in Music Education. Originally from New York and Charlotte, NC, Abby has been playing French Horn for over twelve years and has a strong passion for ensemble performance. During her time at Converse, she served as the NAfME Chapter Vice President and high brass section leader for the Converse Wind Ensemble.

She currently teaches General Music at Shoally Creek Elementary and is thrilled to be involved with the Boiling Springs Marching Band. Ms. Matula believes that marching band builds lifelong skills and community, and she’s excited to support students in their musical and personal growth. A fun fact about Matula: she once performed music for a television soundtrack!

James Corbin – Woodwind Instructor

Mr. James Corbin holds a Bachelors of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of South Carolina Upstate. He currently serves as a History teacher at Boiling Springs High School, where he is passionate about creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences for my students.

Additionally, Corbin has a strong musical foundation. He is proficient in multiple woodwind instruments, with tenor saxophone being a primary focus. Music has been a significant part of his life for many years, and he deeply values the discipline, creativity, and collaboration it fosters.

Mr. Corbin believes that music education plays a vital role in the development of well-rounded students, and is eager to be a resource and team player.

Donnie Brown – Audio Engineer

Mr. Donnie Brown is an audio engineer with 30+ years of experience in the professional audio industry. He is passionate about mixing live sound and driven to provide excellence in all forms of the music genre. In his free time, Donnie enjoys traveling with his family and mixing projects in his home studio.

While in Junior High School, Mr. Brown’s Band Director and longtime mentor, Mr. Richard Gibbs sparked his love for music! He marched three different instruments in high school: saxophone, tuba, and bass drum. A graduate of Spartanburg High School (1990) and a graduate of Limestone University (1997) with a Bachelors of Arts in Music, Donnie pursued a professional career in professional audio installation, sales, service and training.

Brown’s professional audio career started in college after being involved with the Limestone Saints Show Choir and also had the opportunity to run sound for the visiting Hilton Head Jazz Quartet (1995). Brown attended Peavey School in Meridian, MS (1998) certified in rigging, DSP processing, tuning, technical training and sales. Mr. Brown later attended Yamaha Digital Console training in Nashville, TN (2006).

Mr. Brown is no stranger to the Bands of Boiling Springs where he and his wife, Jenni served faithfully in various roles to the band program for 8 years (2015 - 2023).

Roseanne Garrett – Trumpet Professional

Mrs. Rosanne Garrett is a retired Band Director who joyfully served the Boiling Springs Middle School band program for 32 years … also serving 25 years as the Assistant Director for the Boiling Springs High School marching band. She currently serves as the Worship Leader and Choir Director at Chesnee First Baptist Church.

Garrett enjoys spending time with her husband, Jimmy, her two sons (and one daughter in law), and her three grandchildren.

training.

Debbie Cooper – Euphonium Professional

Mrs. Debbie Cooper is a graduate of Boiling Springs High School and Furman University. Cooper taught band at Boiling Springs Middle School for 35 years! Currently, she teaches at the Lawson Academy Home School Band at Converse University. Mrs. Cooper is a proud mother of three amazing children that were all in the Boiling Springs Band!

Dr. Chip Hill – Clarinet Professional

Dr. Chip Hill, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, began his journey in music at North Springs High School. His passion led him to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from Georgia State University, followed by a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Clarinet Performance from the University of Michigan and the University of South Carolina, respectively.

Dr. Hill devoted 39 years to shaping the next generation of musicians as Professor of Music at Limestone University. He also shared his expertise as the clarinet teacher at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities from 2001 to 2007, nurturing young talents in their formative years.

Since 1985, Dr. Hill has held the prestigious position of principal clarinetist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as assistant principal clarinetist for the Spartanburg Philharmonic and is the founder, coordinator, and principal clarinetist of the Arbor Wind Trio. Dr. Hill’s artistry has graced the stage as a featured soloist with ensembles such as the Asheville and Hendersonville Symphony Orchestras, Foothills Philharmonic, and both the Atlanta and Western North Carolina Chamber Orchestras.

His distinguished performing career includes appearances with major orchestras throughout the southeastern United States, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Savannah, Charleston, Tallahassee, Greenville, and Knoxville. He has been a guest artist at the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival and principal clarinetist for the Mostly Modern Chamber Players. Notably, his clarinet performances have been featured in television commercials for the Lincoln Mercury Corporation and Ingle’s Grocery chain. He recently performed in Carnegie Hall with the Tara Winds Clarinet Choir.

Dr. Hill’s contributions to education and performance have earned him listings in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. At Limestone University, he was honored three times by his peers with the Fullerton Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award.

Currently, Dr. Hill is a member of the Christian Performing Artists’ Fellowship, where he serves as Executive Director and clarinet faculty for the MasterWorks Festival in Lynchburg, Virginia. Through the MasterWorks Festival, his artistry has reached audiences in London and Winchester, England; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and across the People’s Republic of China, including a distinguished appearance as guest soloist at the first International Music Festival at SIAS.

Beyond the concert stage, Dr. Hill is committed to music education, frequently conducting clinics and master classes across the southeastern United States. He volunteers as a music minister at his church. In his leisure time, Dr. Hill enjoys backpacking, cooking, and traveling, reflecting a well-rounded life rooted in creativity, service, and curiosity.