Cameron Garris
Director of Bands Cameron Garris graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a bachelor’s degree in music education. At UNCG, he performed with the nationally recognized Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra and was also involved in the Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program. He previously served as a brass instructor for the award-winning Smithfield-Selma High School marching band in Smithfield, NC. He is also an avid performer and has studied trombone with Dr. Randy Kohlenberg (UNCG) and Terry Mizesko (NC Symphony). He is an active member of the North Carolina Music Educators Association, and also holds professional affiliations with the North Carolina Bandmasters Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He currently serves as the All-District Clinic Chair and the Marching Band Committee Representative for the Central District Bandmasters Association. Mr. Garris served as Director of Bands at Person High School from 2019 to 2022. At Person, the band received superior ratings at adjudication in both jazz and concert band settings, and his students were consistently named to honor bands across the state. Mr. Garris has served as Director of Bands at C.E. Jordan High School since May 2022. During his tenure, the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Combo programs have all achieved success. The Jordan Regiment received numerous caption awards and first place finishes in their class at state competition, including at Cary Band Day, where they were recognized for outstanding music performance. The Wind Ensemble was recognized as "Grand Champion" at adjudication in Orlando, FL, achieving a superior rating and the highest score out of all participating bands from across the country. The Jazz Combo received its first superior rating at MPA in over 5 years. |
Ethan Analco
Assistant Band Director, Drumline Instructor & Arranger Ethan Analco (he/they) is a musician, teacher, and artist residing in Durham, North Carolina. Analco established their journey in music education serving as a section leader and member of the nationally recognized percussion program at Panther Creek High School. Serving four years and eight seasons, Analco was involved with a consistent BOA, WGI, And AIA class champion and gold medalist program from 2015-2019 under the directions of David Robinson, Jeremy Gurganious, Kimball Seebeck, and Forrest Budway. Analco is currently serving their second year as the percussion instructor and arranger at C.E. Jordan High School, where as of recently post-covid, has seen the resurrection of the school's drumline and percussion section on the marching band field. With a new sense of growth and inspiration, Analco hopes to take the band program to new heights with the dedication and passion of new students alike. Believing the holistic connection between art and music is inseparable, Analco relies heavily on this philosophy when engaging with the world around them. When teaching, Analco has a fondness for creating a safe space for their students, as well as furthering scientific and artistic literacy. They commit to inspiring students in a manner that promotes fact-based argumentation, compassion, and empathy. Analco loves taking students out of their comfort zone in order to help them grow not only as musicians, but as people, too. Analco strongly believes in examining the world, asking questions, and coming to your own conclusions. Continuing to hone their passion for music outside of school, Analco teaches, composes, and studies music as a multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, and music producer. Citing some of their influences and inspirations from genres such as New Wave, Art Pop, Indietronica, and Alternative Rock, Analco loves to artistically experiment with soundscapes, compositions, and productions of all forms. Some of Analco's favorite musical acts range from the likes of Talking Heads, Harold Budd, Depeche Mode, Sonic Youth, and Julee Cruise. When not appreciating music of all kinds, Analco enjoys nature, cooking, drinking coffee, and spending time with their family. |
Melanie Flowers
Color Guard Instructor Melanie Flowers is a former member of the Western Carolina University Catamount Colorguard under the instruction of Bobby Richardson and Panther Creek High School colorguard under the direction of David Robinson. An admirer of musical theater, she co-choreographed student productions of Mary Poppins and Legally Blonde. Melanie is thrilled to continue pursuing her creative interests as Jordan’s colorguard instructor. Outside of Jordan, Melanie is a seasoned public relations professional with government, nonprofit, philanthropy and sports industry experience. She’s got a passion for storytelling, especially when the work is of service to others. Melanie earned her bachelor’s in communication from NC State University where she also served on the board of trustees. |
Patrick Hayes
Brass Instructor Patrick Hayes is a Horn Player, Composer, and Teacher from Greensboro NC. He is currently a senior at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro studying Horn Performance. At UNCG, he has had 2 works premiered by the UNCG Horn Choir; Axiomatic and Manifesting Desires. As a performer, Patrick has played with the Roanoke Opera, Mallarmé Chamber Orchestra, UNC School of the Arts Opera, Duke Chamber Orchestra, Danville Symphony Orchestra, Appalachian Wind Symphony, Wintergreen Music Festival, Winston Salem University Choir as Solo Horn, and Greensboro College Wind Ensemble as Principal Horn. Patrick also holds principal positions in the Durham Symphony Orchestra and the UNCG Wind Ensemble. Aside from orchestral and band settings, Patrick has marched Carolina Gold and Midas Winds as Lead Mellophone and has traveled across the states with the drum corps. Breath work and Alexander Technique are fundamental elements of Patrick’s teaching. He works with various high schools around North Carolina teaching horn and all brass instruments, along with the students in his own private studio |
Daniel Hayden
Woodwind Instructor Daniel Hayden is a dynamic solo & chamber musician based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Primarily a performer of western-classical, klezmer, and contemporary music; Daniel constantly breaks the boundaries of genre in order to provide his audience with an experience that encapsulates musicality in all forms. Outside of his personal projects, Daniel has appeared in performances throughout the United States and Canada including concerts with Symphony 21, the Vancouver Philharmonic, the Silverman Concerto Competition, and the US Army All-American Bowl. In 2021, the International Clarinet Association named Daniel a ‘Collegiate Rising Artist’ for his arrangement and performance of Jeff Beck/Stevie Wonder’s 'Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers'. He has also been honored as a ‘2017 US Army All-American Musician’. Daniel recently completed his Master’s in Orchestral Performance at the University of British Columbia where he was a student of renowned clarinetist & chamber musician Jose Franch-Ballester. He additionally holds a Bachelor's in Clarinet Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the International Clarinet Association. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys skateboarding, basketball, and playing chess. |