Dr. Mark J. Spede is Professor, Director of Bands, Director of Tiger Band, and Conductor of the Symphonic Band at Clemson University, where he administrates the band program (symphonic, athletic, and jazz bands). Dr. Spede is the recipient of the Clemson University 2009 Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities), and three Clemson University Board of Trustees Awards for Faculty Excellence (2008, 2009, and 2012). He teaches a number of courses, including two for the Calhoun Honors College: aesthetics of music and science of music. In 2012, Dr. Spede conducted the Clemson University Symphonic Band at venues in London, England, for the Summer Olympic Games. Also in 2012, he founded the Clemson Faculty Jazz Quintet, for which he plays drums.

Dr. Spede earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan (1984), and Master of Music from Ball State University (1988), and a Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Texas at Austin (1998). He has served the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) in a number of capacities. From 2003 to 2005, Dr. Spede served as state chair for South Carolina. He also served on the CBDNA "New Era Think Tank" from 2005 to 2007, and served as chair of the "Athletic Band Task Force" from 2005 to 2009. He served as President of the Southern Division of CBDNA (encompassing eleven southern states) and was recently elected National Vice President and will rise to National President in 2019. In addition, he has served as president of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Band Directors Association. Dr. Spede previously served on the faculties at The University of Texas at Austin (1998-1999) and the University of Florida in Gainesville (1989-1995) as Assistant Director of Bands. At Florida, he also taught studio percussion.

As a freelance arranger, Dr. Spede has written extensively for high school and college marching bands (over 200 arrangements). His wind band arrangements and transcriptions are published by Peer Music, Shirmer, Boosery and Hawkes, and Carl Fischer, including "D.C. Fanfare" by John Corigliano, "Red Cape Tango" by Michael Daugherty, "Wedding Dances from Bandanna" by Daron Hagen, "Acrostic Song" by David Del Tredici, and "Millennium Canons" by Kevin Puts. He served as Assistant Conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony, where he also helped produce two of their recordings. His professional performing experience includes orchestra (principal percussion in the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra), jazz (performing with such artists as Randy Brecker, Ray Brown, Pete Christlieb, Dennis DiBlasio, Duffy Jackson, Dave Pell, Bobby Shew, Marvin Stamm, Bill Watrous, Ernie Watts, and Phil Wilson), as well as at Walt Disney World.

Caroline Wright Pfisterer is a dedicated musician and educator currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at the University of Georgia, where she has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout both her doctoral studies and her Master’s degree from the University of Alabama. She has excelled in various leadership roles, including Assistant Director of Festival Band and Doctoral Conducting Associate.

Caroline now serves as Lecturer and Assistant Director of Bands at Clemson University, where she works with the Tiger Band and Concert Band. Her conducting experience spans a wide range of ensembles, from the University of Georgia's Wind Ensemble to the University of Alabama's Million Dollar Band, and she has taught courses such as Introduction to Conducting and Instrumental Techniques.

Her teaching and outreach extend beyond the traditional classroom—Caroline has worked with Disney’s Performing Arts Center in Orlando, engaging young musicians from across the country in immersive performance experiences, and has also taught music internationally in China.

She is deeply involved in community music education, having served as a clinician and coordinator for honor bands and workshops.

An accomplished conductor, Caroline has performed internationally and received numerous accolades, including the Osborne Fellowship and the Mike Moss Conducting Grant. With a passion for nurturing young musicians, she combines her extensive teaching experience with a commitment to excellence, fostering creativity and collaboration in her students.

Caroline lives with her husband, Zack, and their beloved dog, Mr. Beaufort, whose enthusiasm for long walks and rehearsal snacks keeps life full of joy and laughter.

Mr. Terry Kent was been the instructor for the Clemson Tiger Guard and Winter Guard from 2010-2023. The Tiger Guard performs at all home football games and travels with the full band to away games. The Winterguard competes in the local colorguard circuit, CWEA, and also at WGI events. Mr. Kent is one of the founding members of the CIPA color guard circuit and is a member of the CIPA Hall of Fame.

Mr. Kent has worked for Marching Auxiliaries for 25 years as summer camp staff, traveling, and teaching weekly camps for rifles, flags, majorettes, drum majors and dancers. There, he served as an instructor, division head, and clinic director. While on staff with Marching Auxiliaries, Mr. Kent was on the half time staff for the Citrus, Capital One, Bluebonnet, Alamo, Outback, and Peach Bowls. Duties included instruction of the cast members, choreography design, and game day productions.

Mr. Kent has performed with Infiniti winter guard 1990-91, Corps Vets all-age drum corps 2002-04, 2007, 2009-2010, and Alliance all-age drum corps 2005-06. He was color guard caption head of Corps Vets (2003-04) and Alliance (2005-06). Mr. Kent has placed second in both rifle and flag solo at DCA finals and choreographed the first-place Guard Ensemble in 2004, 2005 and 2009. He was on the staff for Infiniti winter guard (1992-2001) where they were WGI Independent A World Champions in 2001.

After 27 years, Mr. Kent retired from teaching band at Hillcrest Middle School in the School District of Greenville County and is a Graduate of Furman University.

Mrs. Emily Curry is entering her third year on the Tiger Band staff and first year as the Twirling Coordinator. Emily received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Clemson and is currently a fifth grade teacher at Cedar Grove Elementary, located in Anderson County.

A native of Madison, Indiana, Emily found her way to Clemson through years of baton twirling and participating in competitions across the country. Beginning with her Tiger Twirler audition in 2002, Emily has made Clemson her home. She was a Tiger Twirler for four years and performed in various bowl games, parades, and community events as a member of Tiger Band. After graduation, Emily began teaching baton privately and has worked with dozens of students throughout the last decade.

In her little bit of spare time, Emily enjoys attending Clemson sporting events, crafting, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Mr. Larry Sloan has been the videographer for the Clemson University Tiger Band since the mid 1970's and has shot the band all over the United States and Japan.

After receiving his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University in 1974, he spent his professional career in the electrical field with Square D Company, Maddux Supply Company, and then his own company, Electrical Power Products. He retired in 2006 and in 2009 moved back to Clemson where he has become an active member in University development. He has served on the Clemson University Alumni Board of Directors, Clemson University Foundation Board of Directors, Fort Hill Clemson Club Board of Directors, the Clemson University Tiger Band Association (CUTBA) Board of Directors, and is a proud member of the Tiger Brotherhood. In 2010 he was awarded the Clemson University Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor awarded by the Clemson University Alumni Association.

In 1977 Larry had an idea of an organization of Tiger Band alumni to raise scholarships for future Tiger Band students, to keep Tiger Band alumni informed about current Tiger Band activities and to enhance the Tiger Band experience for current Tiger Band members. This was the beginning of the Clemson University Tiger Band Assocation (CUTBA).

Larry is also very involved in his community and church. He has served on the Board of Directors at the Clemson Rotary Club and as an Elder at Ft. Hill Presbyterian Church. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ripple of One, a 501C3 charitable organization. He has been married to his wife Cindy for over 45 years and has 2 sons and 4 grandchildren.

Christopher Sloan is the lead photographer for Tiger Band. Chris became a member of Tiger Band in 1991, and he served as trumpet section leader and Band Commander before his graduation from Clemson in 1997. As a professional photographer and co-owner of Imagine! Studios, Chris has been creating high quality images for Tiger Band since 2006. Chris captures the essence of Tiger Band, from dynamic on-the-field performances to candid moments in the stands to fun times away from the stadium. Chris has spent the majority of his life around Tiger Band, and he loves to tell its stories through his camera. His work can be viewed and purchased online at TigerBandMedia.com and through his studio’s website at ImagineStudiosSC.com

Mr. Tim Hurlburt is the Associate Director of Bands at Clemson University where his duties include Assistant Director of Tiger Band, Director of the Jazz Ensemble, and Director of Basketball Pep Band.

Before arriving at Clemson, Mr. Hurlburt spent 3 years teaching music in Port Huron, Michigan. He still has a great interest in public school music education and continues to work as a clinician for both concert bands and marching bands at every level. Mr. Hurlburt has written several arrangements for athletic bands in both Michigan and Texas, and he continues to write arrangements and drill for high school and college marching bands.

Mr. Hurlburt has performed as principal trumpet in the Texas State University Wind Ensemble, Michigan State University Symphony Band, Spartan Marching Band, Spartan Brass, and was also a member of the Michigan State University Wind Symphony. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Michigan State University in 2003 and his Master of Music degree in Conducting from Texas State University in 2008.

Paul Buyer is Director of Percussion and Professor of Music at Clemson University where he also served as Director of Music and Acting Associate Dean. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Arizona and his Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University.

Featured in Success Magazine's Achiever's Series, Dr. Buyer is a sought-after keynote speaker, clinician, and the author of Working Toward Excellence, World Music, Drumline Gold, Marching Bands and Drumlines, and co-author of The Art of Vibraphone Playing. His articles have appeared in American Music Teacher, Teaching Music, Yamaha Educator Suite, Jazz Education Network, Percussive Notes, Rhythm! Scene, and The PAS Educators’ Companion.

Dr. Buyer serves as an endorser for Yamaha Percussion, Innovative Percussion Mallets and Sticks, Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Grover Pro Percussion. He is the recipient of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Outstanding Service Award, served as PAS Second Vice President, and currently serves as Co-Editorial Director of Percussive Notes, the official PAS journal. His website is paulbuyer.com

Mr. Lance Curry is the instructor for the Clemson University Drumline. He has been working with the drumline in different capacities since 2010.

Lance received his B.A. in Secondary Education - Mathematics from Clemson University and a M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from the University of Georgia. After graduating from Clemson he taught at nearby Easley High School for eight years. He is now employed by the Greenville County School District as an Instructional Technology Facilitator.

While at Clemson Lance was a member of the Clemson University Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, and Clemson University Drumline. He was also a member of the inaugral Clemson University Gigging Steel Band, playing lead and contributing to their first CD, Steelin' the Spotlight. Lance's marching experience also includes the Tampa Bay Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps, Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, and Epiphany Independent Indoor.

As an educator, Lance has taught percussion at various middle and high schools around South Carolina including D.W. Daniel High School, Summerville High School, Easley High School, Gettys Middle School, and T.L. Hanna High School. He was also on the staff of Carolina Force Indoor Percussion Ensemble and directed Trifecta Independent.

Marilla Riggs is an East Tennessee native currently residing in Anderson, SC with her husband and daughter. She began dancing at the age of three, and by the time she graduated high school, she was trained in Vaganova ballet technique, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, and musical theatre styles. Marilla continued her dance education and graduated, with honors, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2014.

At Shenandoah, Marilla performed as a featured dancer for several mainstage concerts, choreographed solos and group pieces for herself and her peers, and performed in many student and faculty concerts. Post graduation, she worked as the Administrative and Production Assistant, as well as an apprentice, for Christopher K. Morgan & Artists, a contemporary dance company based outside of Washington DC. She has teaching credits in Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, and South Carolina and currently teaches at Carolina Superstars Baton & Dance, owned by Tiger Band twirling coach, Hazel Cartee.

Although her life is mostly dedicated to being a stay-at-home mom with her young daughter, Marilla has a passion for sharing dance through teaching and performance.

After serving as the PA announcer in Death Valley for one year, Dr. Willis has been the voice of Tiger Band since 1994. A native Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M-Commerce, the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Graduate Theological Foundation, he has served as a College Minister for 31 years, 24 of which have been at Clemson. He has also served as an Intentional Interim pastor, Life Coach, Conflict Consultant and Chaplain at a retirement community. He recently retired at the end of 2017 after 43 years of ministry. He is married to Lynda and they have two sons, John (deceased) and David.

Tamara Sloan is the associate Tiger Band photographer and co-owner of Imagine! Studios. She has been a professional photographer since 2010, and she’s been capturing images of Tiger Band since 2015. A native of upstate South Carolina and lifelong Clemson fan, Tamara grew up admiring the sounds of Tiger Band during her fall Saturdays in Death Valley. She has a daughter named Peyton who loves to practice baton twirling and wants to be a member of Tiger Band one day. Although Tamara’s time with Tiger Band is just beginning, she has made many memories and looks forward to capturing more in the future with her camera!