Who are the Friends?
The elected members of The Friends Board are engaged community leaders who augment the efforts of the Dean and the Music School Development team through philanthropy, advocacy, and publicity. Further, The Friends encourage community participation in musical events and by sponsoring special activities in support of students.
Events
Each year, The Friends Board hosts the Musical Feast; a movable extravaganza where School of Music ensembles perform in various venues within the Koger Center for the Arts on the USC campus while attendees dine on delicacies from local restaurants. The evening is not to be missed!
Support
By supporting the Friends of the School of Music Fund, you benefit from a special relationship with the university by knowing that you are making a difference for music students. You can donate directly to the Scholarship Fund, sponsor the Musical Feast, or attend any one of the more than 300 musical performances each year.
Join The Friends in their commitment to the dedicated and talented students and faculty of USC School of Music. Because of people like you, more students have more opportunities to become noted performers, composers, educators, and music industry leaders.
Interested in serving on the Friends Board?
Contact Audra Vaz, Assistant Dean for Advancement, at (803) 777-9732 or via email at audra.vaz@sc.edu.
Board of Directors
David Martin Sickinger is the Architect/Principal for Garvin Design Group and he enjoys playing the piano.
Joni Tindall Chaney recently retired from Lexington Medical Center and is an active
singer.
"The School of Music provides something for everyone in all realms of music education for their students and the music enhancement of the community and state. "
Josh is the co-owner of Market on Main.
Karen Alexander-Banks is the President and CEO of the Auntie Karen Foundation. She graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1984. She performed with Carolina Alive from 1981-1984 and she is a jazz vocalist.
Shenequa Coles is the Director of Student Support Services at Richland School District One.
Drew English is an Attorney at Adams & Reese LLP.
Walter is the Coordinator for Visual & Performing Arts for Richland School District One and is an ’99 and ‘14 alumnus of the School of Music where he received a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in conducting.
Judie Hoffman is an Anesthesiologist with MUSC Health.
Craig Plank is a State Farm Agent.
Julian is managing partner at LIFE 20/20 and the Founding Executive Director of the Here’s 2 Life Foundation. LIFE 20/20 is a minority-owned, small business that curates events, produces products, and delivers services that inform, inspires, educates and empowers children, youth, and families. He is a ’14 alumnus of the University of South Carolina where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching and Learning/Health Promotion, Education and Behavior. Julian is also an accomplished singer/songwriter, composer/arranger/producer.
Allison is Marketing Director for Lexington Medical Center.
Barbara Whittaker is retired from the health profession and while not a musician, she and her husband Mark are music lovers.
Ex-Officio:
Dr. Tayloe Harding, Dean
Caroline Earp, Director of Alumni & Donor Engagement
Audra Vaz, Assistant Dean for Advancement
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded annually by the Friends of the School of Music to worthy students currently enrolled at the School of Music.
Friends of the School of Music Scholarship Sponsor
2024–2025 Recipients
Caitlyn McDonald, violin
Tayshaun Brown, clarinet
Miranda Ramirez, cello
Aaron Nealy, bassoon
Tiaryca Green, viola
William Byrd, piano
Emily Schlegel, voice
Carter Stanton, clarinet
Contact:
For more information, contact the School of Music Office of Development