Bruce Smith
A graduate of Ā鶹ֱ²„, Bruce joined the Bobcat family as a consultant in 2018 and fulltime in 2019 as Director of the Arts. In 2021, he was named Dean of the School of Art, Music, and Performance.
After graduating from the University of Mississippi, Bruce moved to Nashville to work for Opryland USA and Gaylord Entertainment. While in Nashville, he performed with numerous Country Stars including; Reba McEntire, Linda Davis, Gary Morris, Leeann Womack and countless others. One of the highlights of his career was performing for Broadway on Broadway in NYC, with Linda Eder, Chita Rivera and Ernie Sabello, from there he was cast as Doody in the National Tour of āGreaseā. Another great highlight was playing Jacob Marley in the NEW YORK STAGE ORIGINALS opera āScroogeā. He can also be heard on the cast album of "Humbug".Most recently, he was performing with Stephen Schwartz in the original musical revue āMagic To Doā, which Variety said āthrills.ā
After 14 years with Princess Cruises, Bruce relocated back to Ellisville, MS, and has worked to educate and support the students and faculty of Ā鶹ֱ²„.
Tamiko Bridges
Tamiko Bridges is a dedicated music educator, conductor, and arts advocate with more than two decades of experience in instrumental music and performance education. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in Instrumental Music from Mississippi State University in 1999.
In 2023, she completed a Master of Music Education from William Carey University, further strengthening her commitment to excellence in music instruction and leadership.
Mrs. Bridgesā distinguished teaching career includes service in Mississippi and Georgia, as well as Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of impactful roles, including Band Director, Assistant Band Director, Color Guard Instructor, and Show Choir Director.
She recently served in the Laurel School District as Director of Bands on two separate tenures. Under her leadership, the band program consistently earned superior and excellent ratings at state, regional, and national competitions, reflecting her high standards for musicality, discipline, and performance excellence.
A respected leader in the profession, Mrs. Bridges is a Past President of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association. She is also an active adjudicator, clinician, private instructor, and consultant, contributing her expertise to honor bands, festivals, and music programs across the region.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mrs. Bridges is deeply committed to mentorship, faith, and community service. She holds a teacherās credential through Precept Ministries Internationalās āPrecept Upon Preceptā Inductive Bible Study program and remains active in music, marriage, and youth ministry alongside her husband.
Through her leadership, artistry, and service, Mrs. Bridges continues to shape the next generation of musicians while advancing a legacy of excellence in music education and performance.
Jared Potter
Jared Potter, a percussionist and educator from Kosciusko, Mississippi, holds both a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Florida. While at UF, he served as the instructor of record for the Percussion Skills course, assisted with the UF Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band, and directed the Florida Drumline. His principal teachers included Kenneth Broadway, Danielle Moreau, and Clyde Connor. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi State University, where he studied with Jason Baker.
Jared is an active educator, arranger, designer, and consultant for marching bands across the Southeastern United States. He currently serves as the Percussion Specialist for Florida Bandmasters Association District 4, covering nine counties in North-Central Florida. In 2018 and 2019, he performed with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, later joining the instructional staff from 2020 to 2024. In 2024 and 2025, he served as Battery Coordinator for Infinity 3 Percussion, overseeing the ensembleās first appearance in WGI Open Class Finals at the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. His writing and instruction have contributed to the success of numerous scholastic and independent ensembles at the local, regional, and national levels, including WGI and DCI. Throughout his career, Jared has taught hundreds of students at all levels, many of whom have gone on to perform in honor bands, collegiate programs, DCI corps, and WGI ensembles.
Jared is also an active performer and clinician. In 2023 and 2024, he performed with and coached ensembles that competed in the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition. He has performed as a substitute percussionist with the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra, and in December 2023, he was a featured performer with the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.
At the 2023 Virtual PASIC conference, Jared presented āA Programmed Improvisation for Snare Drum,ā exploring how computer programming can enhance the performance of chance-based music, such as John Cageās A Composed Improvisation for Snare
Drum Alone. His current research focuses on the application of Learner Experience Design (LXD) to collegiate percussion instruction, emphasizing reflective practice, self-directed learning, and student-centered curriculum design. This research continues to shape his teaching philosophy and clinic presentations, bridging traditional pedagogy with modern learning science.
He is a proud endorser of Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets.
Kyle Matthees
Kyle Matthees serves as Assistant Director of Bands and Instructor of Brass, bringing a deep passion for music education and performance to his students and ensembles. He holds a Bachelorās degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Dakota and a Masterās degree from Belmont University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern Mississippi.
As a trumpet player, Kyle values versatility and strives to bring sincerity and excellence to every musical setting. His experience spans symphonic, chamber, and commercial music, with performances at the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the National Trumpet Competition, and with ensembles such as the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. His playing can also be heard on recordings with artists like Vansire, Kirsten Arian, and Carmen Marie, as well as in projects with Blue Phoenix Film Works and Nickelodeon.
Kyle has taught music theory and music appreciation as an adjunct instructor at Middle Tennessee State University, Belmont University, and Lindsey Wilson College. His research has been published in the International Trumpet Guild Journal, highlighting connections between Oskar Bƶhmeās trumpet concerto and Mendelssohnās Violin Concerto in E minor.
Most recently, he performed with the graduate student brass quintet that won the University of Southern Mississippiās Winds, Brass, and Percussion Concerto Competition. Kyle is grateful for every opportunity to share music and remains committed to fostering growth in both himself and his students.
Michael Boyd
Michael Boyd received his degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. During his studies, Dr. Boyd garnered top honors at numerous festivals and competitions throughout the region. As performer and clinician, Michael maintains an active schedule in the region and abroad, including appearances with the USM Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, as well as performances in Argentina and Spain. He made his New York debut at prestigious Carnegie Hall in 2006 with The Mississippi Guitar Quartet. As a Ā鶹ֱ²„ instructor, Michael has been recognized as both Humanities Teacher of the Year and āLamplighter.ā
Dr. Boyd has been featured on NPR affiliate programs, and has produced several recordings, including acclaimed releases from Centaur Records of previously unrecorded works by major Spanish composer Federico Moreno Torroba. He has authored articles in the GFAās Journal āSoundboard,ā Oxford University Press āMusic and Letters,ā Mel Bayās āTeaching Guitar,ā and has edited and compiled transcriptions for guitar also available through Mel Bay Publications. Michael has been a member of the Mississippi Arts Commission and Southern Artistry touring artist rosters and is currently a presenter for the Mississippi Humanities Council Speakers Bureau as well as a member of the Mississippi Guitar Alliance.
Dr. ImGyu Kang
Dr. Im Gyu Kang brings over 30 years of experience as a vocalist, conductor, and educator to Ā鶹ֱ²„, where he leads the Concert Choir, teaches Applied Voice and Music Appreciation, and mentors students in choral and conducting studies.
Prior to joining Ā鶹ֱ²„, Dr. Kang directed choral programs at Oral Roberts University and Western Nebraska Community College and taught advanced conducting at the University of Alabama. His work blends a broad repertoire of styles and performance practices, with a focus on expressive and spiritual dimensions of music.
Dr. Kang holds a Doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Alabama, a Masterās in Choral Conducting from Georgia State University, a Bachelorās in Vocal Performance from the University of Seoul, and a Master of Arts in Church Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary. He has studied with esteemed mentors and participated in master classes led by Donald Neuen and Dr. RenĆ© Clausen.
An internationally recognized performer and clinician, Dr. Kang has conducted and performed across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including notable appearances at Carnegie Hall, Spivey Hall, and the Seoul Arts Center. He has served as a guest conductor for various honor choirs and was a featured faculty member at the Bassi Brugnatelli International Symposium in Italy.
Dr. Kang is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association. His scholarly work includes a dissertation on Korean nationalism in music, cited by composer Huh Cool-Jae and published by Carus.
Melanie Eubanks
Melanie Eubanks, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, teaches Drawing, Ceramics, Art History and Art Appreciation. She also helps maintain rotating art installations and exhibits at the Eula Bass Lewis Gallery at Ā鶹ֱ²„. She makes ceramic pottery and sculpture and enjoys serving in various capacities with local community theater groups.
Victoria Johnson
Victoria Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma, an M.M. in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University, and a B.A. in Music and German from Luther College. She has written for Clavier Companion and Piano Pedagogy Forum and has presented at the Music Teachers National Association Conference, the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, the National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum, and numerous state and local music teacher meetings. Prior to moving to Mississippi, Dr. Johnson was Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Piano Pedagogy at Louisiana State University. In addition to her responsibilities at Ā鶹ֱ²„, she maintains an independent piano studio in Hattiesburg and performs regularly as a collaborative pianist. She is President of the Mississippi Music Teachers Association and Immediate Past President of the Hattiesburg Music Teachers League.
Matt McGuffie
Matt McGuffie received an associateās degree in Music from Southwest Community College and continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a bachelorās with an emphasis in Entertainment Industry Music Production. He also earned a Master of Music from William Carey University. Mattās interest in music began at an early age. He started on guitar at the age of 9. Before long, he was performing live and his first concert for an audience of 500 was at the age of 15. Matt has toured the United States, UK, and Europe. He has worked with and recorded many artists and learned sound engineering from various professional engineers in the US and UK. Versed in both Music Production and Music Business, he has found a home here at Ā鶹ֱ²„. Matt designed the recording studio at Ā鶹ֱ²„ which is used to create professional recordings and provides real world, hands-on experience to students in the Music Industry program. The program is designed to give each student experience in every aspect of music production, from recording to song writing. Within the first semester, students start creating their own recordings with live artists. Matt is excited to be in on the ground floor of the Music Industry program at Ā鶹ֱ²„ and welcomes anyone who would like to start their own amazing journey into the music world.
Theresa Sanchez
Dr. Theresa Sanchez has been on the Ā鶹ֱ²„ faculty since 1995, teaching piano, music appreciation and music literature. She also coordinates the Spring Recital Series, bringing guest artists to campus for students and the community. Her teaching awards include the 2003 HEADWAE award, 2007 Humanities Teacher of the Year, and 2010 Faculty Excellence Award. She has performed numerous solo and chamber music recitals and has been a soloist with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra in addition to Meridian Symphony and the USM Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Her Bachelor of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees were earned at The University of Southern Mississippi and the Master of Music was earned at Louisiana State University. She has been active in arts management with the Vicksburg Chamber Music Festival and currently serves as Chamber Music Coordinator for the Hattiesburg Concert Association and FestivalSouth in Hattiesburg. Dr. Sanchez is a member of Music Teachers National Association and has been a long-time Official Accompanist for Southern Division competitions for that organization. She is a past president of Mississippi Music Teachers Association and the Hattiesburg Music Teachers League. She is listed on the Touring Artist Roster of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and performs frequently with the Impromptu Piano Trio. In addition, she is Principal Keyboard with the Meridian and Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestras.
Susan A. Smith
Dr. Susan A. Smith currently teaches applied voice, music theory, chamber choir, vocal jazz, and recital class at Ā鶹ֱ²„, and is the former Fine Arts Division Chair at Jones County Junior College. Prior to coming to JC, Dr. Smith was the Director of Choral Activities at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN. While in Tennessee, she conducted and travelled internationally with her choral ensembles as well as The Tennessee Ambassadors, and was the TNACDA Newsletter Editor. She has taught at both the high school and college levels in Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi and has degrees from The Florida State University in Vocal Performance, Music Theory, and Choral Conducting/Music Education. Dr. Smith is active as a judge and clinician and has presented and/or published articles on vocal technique, sight singing, and the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet in the high school choral program. Dr. Smith received the Clayton Krehbiel conducting award while in Florida and while at Ā鶹ֱ²„, she received the Teacher of the Year award and was chosen as a recipient of the Lamplighters Award. In addition to teaching responsibilities, Dr. Smith is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Music Teachers National Association, and the Mississippi Music Teachers Association, where she serves as the State Vocal Area Chair. She also holds a certificate of College Teaching and maintains the distinction of Nationally Certified Teacher of Music.
