Mr. T.j. Anderson
Graduate Teaching Assistant of Bands and Orchestras

T.j. Anderson is currently pursuing his Master's of Music with an emphasis in Wind Conducting. In this position he serves as a graduate teaching assistant to the Appalachian Bands and studies with Dr. John Stanley Ross and Dr. Jason Gardner. A native of Conway, South Carlina, T.j. received his Bachelor's of Music from Coastal Carolina University where he studied percussion with Dr. Jesse Willis. He also spent time studying conducting with mentors including Dr. T. André Feagin, Mr. Garrett Griffin, and Dr. Timothy Koch.

Email:

andersonra6@appstate.edu

Website:

Joe Figliolo is a recent graduate of The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a Bachelor in Music degree - with a concentration in music education and a minor in conflict management. While at UNC, he studied under Mr. Jeff Fuchs and Dr. Evan Feldman for conducting as well as music education along with Mr. Matthew McClure for saxophone performance. He is currently attending Appalachian State University and pursuing a Master of Music in Performance - Instrumental Conducting under the direction of Dr. John Ross and Dr. Jason Gardner.

With the goal of sharing his love of music, Mr. Figliolo continues to promote diversity in music by programming underrepresented composers and sharing the music of diverse backgrounds. He was awarded a UNC Music Scholarship for “Outstanding Woodwind Performance” in 2018 and was honored at the 2022 Chancellor Award Ceremony after being awarded the “Earl Slocum Band Award” for “meritorious achievement with regard to musicianship, leadership, and academic excellence” for his contributions to the UNC Music Department. While at UNC, he served as a co-director for the UNC Music Ambassadors, an executive board member for the Mu Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, and was one of the Drum Majors for the Marching Tar Heels.

Mr. Figliolo currently serves on the Kappa Kappa Psi National Committee tasked with the creation of materials for new chapters and is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educator Association, and the National Band Association.

He currently is enjoying living in Boone, NC, and working as a Graduate Assistant with the App State Marching Mountaineers, App StateBasketball Band, the App State Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, and Concert Band.

Email:

figliolojn@appstate.edu

Website:

Mr. Jimmy McKenzie
Graduate Teaching Assistant of Bands and Orchestras

James "Jimmy" McKenzie is working towards his Master's of Music in instrumental conducting. He is a graduate of James Madison University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He taught band and music history for two years at the elementary and middle school levels in Baltimore County, Maryland. James is a graduate assistant in the conducting program under the direction of Dr. John Stanley Ross and Dr. Jason Gardner.

Email:

mckenziejr@appstate.edu

Website: