Band Directors
Dr. Gary Rhoden is the Director of Bands for
Spartanburg School District Six and Dorman High School.
As a proud Spartanburg native and Boiling Springs High School graduate, Dr. Rhoden brings an impressive record of achievement and an unwavering dedication to musical excellence.
Over his 15-year career as a music educator, he has served at Boiling Springs High School, James F. Byrnes High School, North Greenville University and, most recently, Hillcrest High School. His bands have garnered numerous honors: 2 SCBDA 5A State Championships, 8 SCBDA 5A Upper State Championships, 4 BOA Grand Nationals Semi-Finals appearances, 4 BOA Regional Class 4A Championships, multiple Grand Champion awards at local competitions, and regular “Superior with Distinction” ratings at CPA. Dr. Rhoden’s students have set new benchmarks for SCBDA Region and All-State Honor Band placements, and he has introduced new concert ensembles at every school he has served.
Dr. Rhoden holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Furman University, a Master of Arts in Music Education from North Greenville University, a Master of Arts in School Leadership and Administration from Furman University, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration from Clemson University.
Dr. Rhoden resides in the Duncan/Moore area with his wife, Ashley, a dedicated music teacher at River Ridge and Reidville Elementary Schools in District 5. Ashley also conducts for the Carolina Youth Symphony and previously served as a highly successful Orchestra Director in Greenville County. Their daughter, Emmi, is a second grader who delights in being part of the band community.
“It is an honor to join the Spartanburg School District Six team. Dorman High School boasts a proud tradition of musical excellence—from its outstanding concert ensembles and world-class indoor percussion group, to the remarkable indoor guard and the renowned Marching Cavaliers. I am eager to build on this legacy and contribute to the continued success of the Dorman and Spartanburg Six band programs. With several family members, including my mother, who are Dorman graduates, I am truly proud to become part of this extraordinary community. Go Cavaliers!”
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Gabriel Sullivan is the Director of Percussion at Dorman High School.
A native of Lugoff, SC, Mr. Sullivan graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a certificate in percussion performance.
Mr. Sullivan has also served as the Director of Percussion for the Florence Chapel and Abner Creek Middle School band programs in Spartanburg School District Five, and he has been an integral member of the staff for the James F. Byrnes Rebel Regiment and Byrnes Indoor Percussion.
During his time at the University of South Carolina, Mr. Sullivan served as principal percussionist for both the UofSC Symphonic Winds and the UofSC Wind Ensemble. He was also a member of the UofSC Percussion Ensemble and had the honor of performing at the 2021 PASIC IPEC Concert.
In his free time, Mr. Sullivan enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife, Katie. He is passionate about music education and is committed to providing consistent, intentional instruction to his students. Mr. Sullivan looks forward to joining the Spartanburg School District Six team and is eager to get started.
Email: [email protected]
Katie Dante District Six Color Guard Coordinator and Dorman Color Guard Director.
Mrs. Dante has over 15 years experience coaching Color Guard and has worked with various groups across the upstate of South Carolina in that time. She is a graduate of Lafayette High School in Lexington, KY, where she was both in the Color Guard and a Drum Major. Mrs. Dante has a bachelors degree in Music Education with a Performance Certificate on bassoon from The University of South Carolina. When she’s not working with the Color Guard at Dorman, Mrs. Dante enjoys spending time with her husband, Diego, and their two children, Jaxon and Rosie.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Jeff Key is a band director at Dorman High School.
As an Upstate South Carolina native, Dr. Key grew up surrounded by music and education. As the son of two musician-educators, he spent his formative years immersed in the vibrant environment of his father’s high school band rehearsals. Inspired by this upbringing, Dr. Key embraced the tuba, which led him to the University of South Carolina, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education. During his time there, he performed in nearly every ensemble—marching band, Left Bank Jazz Band, concert band, and brass quintet—and spent summers with the renowned Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, serving as tuba section leader.
With extensive teaching experience and advanced degrees—including a degree from North Greenville University and a Doctorate of Professional Leadership from Converse—Dr. Key is passionate about inspiring and mentoring young musicians. Outside of music, he enjoys backpacking, camping, and traveling with his family. Dr. Key is thrilled to bring his passion, expertise, and energy to the Spartanburg School District Six Band Program.
Email: [email protected]
Denise Hembree, Associate Director/Freshman Campus Band Director.
Denise Hembree is the Dorman Freshman Campus Band Director. Her duties include: All DFC Bands, Marching Band, Jazz Band and Concert Band. Mrs. Hembree is an alumni of Furman University. Mrs. Hembree has served as an adjudicator throughout South Carolina. Mrs. Hembree performs on her trombone with the orchestra at First Baptist Spartanburg and the Palmetto Posaunen. Mrs. Hembree became the DFC Band Director in 2007.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Daniel Laing, Assistant Band Director Freshman Campus Band Director
Dr. Daniel Laing is currently an Assistant Band Director at Dorman High School. Before this role, he served as the Director of Bands at Dawkins Middle School. Prior to his work in Spartanburg District 6, Dr. Laing was the Director of Bands at Grand Island Senior High School in Grand Island, Nebraska.From 2007 to 2017, Dr. Laing was an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Mississippi, a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Louisiana State University, and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.Dr. Laing began his teaching career as the Assistant Director of Instrumental Music in the Sedalia School District 200 in Sedalia, Missouri, where his ensembles consistently received superior ratings at state and regional contests.As a conductor, Dr. Laing is in high demand, most recently serving as a clinician for the Kansas State University Honor Band and the SCKMEA District Honor Band in Wichita. He has also been a clinician in Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri.An active member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association, NaFME, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Beta Mu, Dr. Laing resides in Greer, SC, with his wife, Kristen, their two children, Parker and Emma, and their puppy, Penny.
Email: [email protected]