Susan Wines
SYMPHONY CONDUCTOR
As a native of Spartanburg, Susan Wines’ enthusiasm for music and teaching began as a double bass player at Boiling Springs Middle School. Her eagerness and excitement for music continued to develop through teacher encouragement as well as participation in several honor orchestra opportunities throughout the state.
With nearly two decades of youth orchestra experience, it is with excitement that she joins the Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra community as the Symphony Conductor at her alma mater - Converse University. Susan Wines holds a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education from Converse University, two Master of Education degrees from the American College of Education, and is pursuing a Doctorate of Music Education from Liberty University.
In addition to being the Director of Orchestras at Byrnes Freshman Academy, she enjoys being an adjudicator for performance assessments, a mentor for pre-service teachers, and a guest clinician across the nation. She was instrumental in creating many student-centered music activities such as Greenville County’s All-County Honor Orchestras, SC ASTA Double Bass Workshop, as well as the annual SC ASTA Orchestra. Ms. Wines serves as the Executive Director of the SCMEA Orchestra Division and past president of the South Carolina Chapter of SC ASTA.
She has been recognized as a WYFF Golden Apple Teacher Award Recipient, Teacher of the Year, Music Club of Greenville’s Golden Note Award Recipient, South Carolina High School League’s “Heart of the Arts Award,” and most recently, the recipient of the Yamaha “40 under 40” national music educator recognition.
Joshua Miller
PRELUDE CONDUCTOR
Although he didn’t originally set out to become a teacher, he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Furman University. While in college, his plan was to become a dentist until he finally listened to the encouragement of those around him to consider teaching. The choice to become an orchestra teacher turned out to be one of the greatest decisions of his life. After graduation, Dr. Miller began his career in Anderson School District One teaching orchestra for grades 5-12.
In 2016, he moved back to his hometown and joined the faculty at Spartanburg School District Two. As a music educator, he holds two main philosophies: kids who trust you can learn anything, and fundamentals are key to musical success. He currently serves as an Assistant Principal at Roebuck Elementary School in Spartanburg School District 6.
In 2021, he was selected by his peers and administration to serve as Teacher of the Year. And this past year, he received the honor of being the WYFF News 4 Teacher of the Year. During his years as an orchestra teacher, his performance groups have earned numerous awards. Dr. Miller and his wife (Raven) currently reside in Inman, SC, with their son (Asher) and daughter (Ayla). He enjoys watching as much Netflix as possible and spending time with his family.
Honors
Susan H. Day Big Sky Country
SCMEA Concert
Feb. 7, 2026 12:15 PM
Kathryn Griesinger Centrifuge
Alan Lee Silva When Lightning Strikes
Conductors
Susan Wines & Joshua Miller
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony no. 7 in A, Op. 92 II. Allegretto
Soon Hee Newbold The Iliad
Camille Saint-Saëns Danse Bacchanale
John Powell, arr. Sean O'Loughlin How to Train Your Dragon
Violin I
Luke Gardner*, Principal
Charlotte Clementson*,
Assistant Principal
Britton Matthews*
Jennifer Lopez*
Jolene Yang
Harrison Pack*
Maliyah Buckley*
Kendall Aguiar*
Emma Newsome*
Violin II
Ethan Truong*, Principal
Joshua Vázquez*,
Assistant Principal
Rover Morlino*
Claire Carman
Bobby Flandry
Anthony Burgess
Brooke Bryant
Jeannie Buttimer
Maiya Johnson
Wallace Massengill
Felipa Perez - Campos
Ava Eckerich*, Principal
Kyndall Thomas*, Assistant Principal
Viola
Mathias Arellanos Gutierrez*, Principal
Lily Hoffee*, Assistant Principal
Carl McLean*
Cailinn Griswold*
Nandhan Muruganathan*
Lillian Long*
Liam Sewell*
Bentley Pierce
Lucas Covington
Amy Sic Tumax
Matthew Soberanis
Isael Erreguin Pérez
Tio Dye
Cello
Briana Marquez*, Principal
Aiden Burow*,
Assistant Principal
Zoey Ofori*
Raven LeBon*
Peyton Allen*
Madi Saad*
Leena McRoberts*
Destiny Williams
Isabella Derrick
Bryson Kiehl
Cooper Huang
Jillian Potter Bass
Victoria Vazquez*
Colsen Long
Hannah Simpson, Director of Education Community Engagement
Sectional Coaches
Audrey Bass
Michelle Tate Cockram
Jennifer Diehn
Group Photo
Kathy Foster
Allison Key
Adena McDaniel
THANK YOU
Bob Borden, SPYO Manager
Addison Wilson
Mary Scott Strickland
Patrick Jung
Leonardo Wright
*Prelude Honors
Angela Rex
Eric Schultz
Aaron Yackley
Darian Washington
Ashlyn Scheuch, Site Coordinator
Audition Judges
Audrey Bass
Jessica Martin
Tina Pulley
Bill Scott
Flute
Addyson Posey
Sunny Harrison
Mason McNeilly
Analiz Garza
Oboe
Kylie Fowler
Ella Bowen
Horn
Matthew Price
Emma Green
Henry Wilson
Trumpet
Eden Vander Ploeg
Jack Cooper
Mabry Patterson
Holley Loftis
Blaire Goin
Rodolfo Yanez-Dera
Violin I
Zoe O’Brien, Principal
Angelique Farmer, Assistant Principal
Jackson Lui
Abby Clementson
Kate Lancaster
Nicholas Catto
Vittoria Stamile
Ella Hayes
Sam Strickland
Madison Raynor
Hector Perez
Anna Barber
Jeremy Rojas
Harp
Alina Kashirets
Violin II
Eva Burnett, Principal Jonathan Steadman, Assistant Principal
Jackson Sewell
Jade Aparicio-Edwards
Maegan Lennon
Delaney Zibell
Samuel Sushinskiy
Leah Keen
Ellison Sellers
Malachi Shuler
Wren Sikma
Scarlett Spencer
Joey Lesley
Legend Davis
Addison Simcheck
Grace Velting
Clarinet
Nancy Mae Flippin
Bryan Avalos - Barrera
Kathryn Spivey
Karina Artega
Luz Jaramillo Carcamo
Trombone
Chris Depra
Ethan Pegram
Drew Gordon
Bryson Olmstead
Bassoon
Micah Whitfield
Clara Saad
Gabriela Garmise
Tuba
Emilio Perez-Salas
Clara Matz
Percussion
Michael Velting
Hayden Bean
Nolan Crum
Adena McDaniel*
Viola
Lincoln Heck, Principal
Michael Depra, Assistant Principal
Nahomi Blanco
Jordi Vazquez-Perez
Sophia Keller
Catherine Arenas
Hayden Peace
Piper Lemons
Cello
Gracie Buttimer, Principal
Lily Cothran, Assistant Principal
Adyson Cloninger
Zarina Bogomaziuk
Solomon Smith
Bridge Keller
Reese Bennett
Rylee Potter
Ella Kern
Zayden Emsopheap
Britany Garcia Mesa
Layla Ferguson
Ervin Gonzalez
Sarah Lowry
Bass
Sebastian Cartwright, Principal
Chase Eckerich, Assistant Principal
Zoey Ofori
Jessica Riley
*Sectional Coach
WE ARE WUSIC EDUCATION
SpartanburgYouthOrchestra.org
The Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra was founded in 2019 to bring together the best young players from across the Upstate as a core education program of the Spartanburg Philharmonic. Now composed of three high performing ensembles, the SPYO serves over 150 students in grades 6th through 12th each year.
The Youth Orchestra provides a place where musicallyinclined students learn to master their instruments and collaborate with others to produce three highquality performances each year. Working with the SPYO challenges talented young musicians to grasp difficult repertoires and perform at a higher level than what is possible in their school orchestras.
(see page 54 for more details)
SpartanburgMusicTrail.com
Some cities celebrate their war heroes, others their sports stars, but in Spartanburg, it’s all about our musicians. Head out on the Spartanburg Music Trail, a 30-minute outdoor walking tour of the city’s incredibly robust music history. With your GPS enabled smartphone, you’ll be directed to each colorful marker to learn about the artists and hear the music that lifted them onto the national stage. You’ll also discover opportunities for side trips to further explore our musical heritage.
The Spartanburg Music Trail honors musicians from Spartanburg who have made a national or international impact in the world of music. The stops highlight artists in such genres as country, gospel, soul, rock ‘n’ roll and more. Ultimately, the trail will circle the downtown as new inductees are added.
SpartanburgPhilharmonic.org/linkup
For more than 15 years, the Spartanburg Philharmonic has partnered with Carnegie Hall's Weil Institute to present Link Up, a program that works with local communities to explore orchestral repertoire and fundamental musical skills, including creative work and composition, through a hands-on music curriculum.
Link Up addresses the urgent need for music instruction and resources by providing a free, high-quality, yearlong curriculum that teachers can implement, along with classroom materials, online video and audio resources, and the professional development and support necessary to make the program an engaging experience for youth.
The Spartanburg Philharmonic utilizes Link Up to provide a music curriculum to all 4th graders in Spartanburg County. This means over 4,000 youth join the Philharmonic in Twichell Auditorium each Spring for a participatory concert like no other!
SpartanburgPhilharmonic.org/msi
The "Music Sandwiched In" program features 22 free concerts each year held in the Barrett Room of the Spartanburg County Downtown Library. This 25+ year partnership enriches the lives of the intergenerational population of attendees. Over its span, thousands of individuals have enjoyed many genres of music including jazz, bluegrass, classical, and rock. During "Music Sandwiched In" the doors of the Barrett Room are left open, and the 105,000 square foot library is filled with music, laughter, and applause. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch to enjoy the concert or to purchase a lunch on site. All are welcome!
(see page 22 for more details)
Thank You SCMEA