Warrior Band Leadership

Ms. Strauss has been pivotal to the success of the program while serving as the Associate Band Director. She brings a vast amount of school band knowledge and experience to lead our Warrior Program and is passionate about being a student focused leader.

Ms. Strauss is committed to doing what is best for the students, school, and community to make the Indian Land High School Band a premier program! We are very proud to have her leading the program!

Furman University Graduate with extensive teaching and performance experience.  Mr. Roper has been a senior level All State Band member earning second chair in SC.  He also earned a spot in the Bands of America National Marching Band snare line and performed in many collegiate and professional ensembles. Mr. Roper has been a percussion instructor at Dorman High School, Travelers Rest High School, Furman University Youth Camps, and Carolina Youth Symphony, as well as a private lesson teacher in the Spartanburg/Greenville area. 

Mr. Roper has numerous regional and national teaching and performance experiences including SCBDA, CWEA, WGI, and DCI.  Mr. Roper marched snare drum in the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps.  Mr. Roper has two WGI World Championship medals and a DCI World Championship medal. 

Graduate of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, where he graduated Suma cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music Education-Instrumental degree and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance. Mr. Skellett is currently in his 23rd year as a Band Director and 3rd year at Indian Land MS, serving over 150 students in grades 7-8. The Indian Land MS band has enjoyed great success in a short time seating multiple kids in county, region, and all-state bands, earned Superior ratings at CPA and was awarded consecutive Outstanding Performance Awards for the first time in school history. Prior to his employment at Indian Land, Mr. Skellett taught at Rawlinson Road MS and Rock Hill HS. Mr. Skellett is also an active performer, private teacher, arranger, and adjudicator in North and South Carolina. He currently resides in Fort Mill with his wife, daughter, son, and three doggies.

Mrs. Gavigan grew up in Fort Mill, SC and has lived in South Carolina her entire life! She attended Furman University (Go Paladins!) in Greenville, SC and received her Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education. Mrs. Gavigan lived in Beaufort, SC and taught in Beaufort County School District for 7 years. She is excited to return closer to home and continue her career as an Indian Land Warrior. Mrs. Gavigan is primarily a clarinet player and still plays professionally, along with teaching. Through participating in band, she has had the opportunity to perform in places such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, Carnegie Hall in NYC, Honor Bands of America in Indiana, and even the opportunity to live and perform in Arezzo, Italy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs (Callie and Lilo), reading, or having fun with her crazy family. Mrs. Gavigan is also one of the biggest Disney fans you will ever meet, so if you can't find her in the classroom, she is most likely at Disney World! 

Graduate of the University of South Carolina where she obtained a degree in Instrument Music Education in May of 2020. She was also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, a co-ed music fraternity that strives to support bands and music through leadership, servitude, and fervor. Ms. Riddle is currently in her 6th year of teaching band and in her 3rd year at Indian Land Intermediate School, serving 325 students ranging from 5th - 6th grade. Prior to coming to Indian Land, Ms. Riddle taught 6th - 8th grade band at Chester Middle School in Chester, SC. Ms. Riddle has also played with ensembles all over South Carolina such as the SC Youth Philharmonic, Palmetto Concert Band, Catawba River Winds, and was an All-State clarinetist from 8th grade through her senior year of high school. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Zach, her two cats, Bella and Daphne, and her dog, Waylon.

An Indian Land native and Alum, attended Winthrop University, where he graduated Suma Cum Laude  with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Education. Mr. Wilson is in his 18th year of teaching and has taught Middle School Band and Elementary Music in Lancaster, SC and Union, NC.  He is currently a Music Teacher at Van Wyck Elementary school serving approximately 850 students in grades k-4. Mr. Wilson is also an active member of the Worship team at his church and is a performer in the Carolinas. He resides in Van Wyck with his wife, children and pets.

Brings a passion for performance and a dedication to student growth as the Color Guard Director at Indian Land High School. This fall will be Mr. Rice’s twentieth season of Color Guard! This includes one season with the PNNMB/UNCC Color Guard and two seasons performing with Etude Winterguard. Throughout his journey in the marching arts, Mr. Rice has developed a deep understanding of both the athletic and artistic elements of color guard. Now in his role at Indian Land High School, Mr. Rice is committed to building a positive and inclusive environment where students can develop confidence, master new skills, and grow as both performers and individuals.