Directors/Staff

Grant Butters earned his Bachelors Degree in music business from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. As a performer, he toured the east coast in 2009 and 2012 as a member of the Hawthorne Caballeros senior. Grant also toured nationally with the Glassmen in 2010. Throughout his performing career, Grant had the privilege of being taught by Marc Garside, Adam Brennen, Conrad Alexander, and Rob Ferguson. While attending Mansfield, Grant was involved with many high school music programs in Pennsylvania as well as the Penn State University Indoor Drumline in 2013. Upon graduating, Grant became the Battery Coordinator for the Hawthorne Caballeros, a position he held from 2013-2016. For the 2015 season, Grant was on staff with the George Mason University Indoor Drumline. He is currently the Percussion Caption Head and arranger for the South County Marching Stallions and Indoor Drumline.

Email: gtbutters@fcps.edu

Rob is a graduate of South County High School. He was a member of the Indoor Drumline for three years as well as a member of the Marching Stallions for three years and a section leader for two. Outside of South County, Rob has marched with the Hawthorne Caballeros quad line where he was taught by Matt Kravetz, Marc Garside and Grant Butters. Rob will be performing with the George Mason University Indoor Drumline this winter.

Rob is currently attending Northern Virginia Community College for a degree in Emergency Medical Services. He is excited to start teaching the South County percussion section.

Chad is a student at George Mason University and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. At George Mason, he has performed with the GMU Percussion Group, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and the Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Chad was a member of the GMU Indoor Drumline from 2013-2015, serving as the front ensemble section leader in his final year. In the summer of 2012, he spent a month in Sewanee, TN where he performed weekly concerts of orchestral and chamber music at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. Chad’s drum corps experience began in 2011 with the all-age corps Carolina Gold. Since then, he has performed with Carolina Crown in 2013-2014, and aged out as a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2015. Chad has studied with Neil Landini, Ken Harbison, and currently studies with John Kilkenny. Chad has been on staff with South County Percussion since January 2014.

Ben Mitchell is a recent graduate of George Mason University with a B.A. in Music. During his time at Mason, Ben has performed in many settings with GMU’s various large ensembles, chamber ensembles, pit orchestras, and in solo recitals. He has also performed with the campus drumline for both the Washington Nationals and Washington Wizards. Outside of the university, Ben has performed with the Vienna Community Band, Flutopia Wind Ensemble, and has marched with world class drumlines in both the WGI Scholastic division and DCA.

Ben has been teaching in Northern Virginia for the past three years. He has spent the past two years helping build the percussion program at South County High School, which earned a bronze medal at the Richmond WGI Regional and made finals at the Unionville WGI Regional in 2015. Ben has also done freelance work with Marshall High School, Yorktown High School, and Broad Run High School.

Email Address: kgbishop@fcps.edu

Ryan is one of the current Color Guard Directors at South County High School and this will be his second season with the ensemble. He is a graduate of North Stafford High School and is currently a junior at George Mason University where he studies government and international relations. In his free time, you can usually find him involved in the marching arts one way or another. His passion began in 2012 and continues to this day with Ryan touring with many top DCI and WGI groups in the area and across the country receiving instruction from icons in the activity like Rick Subel, Joey Powel, Adam Sage, Michael Lentz and Lindell Palmer. Ryan Has performed with The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (14’ 16’), Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (17’) where he earned a DCI bronze medal, Stonewall Independent Open Winter Guard (15’ 16’), and most recently George Mason University Open Winter Guard (18’). While marching with these ensembles he has been directing, choreographing, and designing since 2014 with many local school both outdoor and indoor such as James Monroe HS, North Stafford HS, Osbourn Park HS, Pride of Prince William Independent JV and Varsity, Stafford Independent Gold and Pearl, and Fort Defiance HS. Within these ensembles there are multiple best color guard awards, top three placements, and box 5 achievement in their respective classifications. Ryan is excited to continue his time as one of the directors and take SCHS to greater heights.

Email Address: rtflake@fcps.edu