Directors & Staff


Conducting the KU Marching Band with a Jayhawk statue in the background

Dr. Paul W. Popiel, Dean/Conductor

Dr. Matthew O. Smith, Interim Director of Bands

Sharon Toulouse, Associate Director of Athletic Bands

Melissa Sawyer, Assistant Director of Bands

Leslie O’Neil, Administrative Associate

Graduate Teaching Assistants

  • Will Biggs
  • David Dayoub
  • Brooklynne McGonagle
  • Rachel Rellihan
  • Eric Tinkler
  • Beth Winkelman
  • Josh Westcott

Colorguard Instructor

  • Melissa Smith

Drumline Instructors

  • Alex Vallar
  • Zach Frieze

Drum Majors 2024

  • Sean Anderson
  • Paige Flores
  • Austin Christ

Equipment Staff

  • Owen Deines
  • Anysia Navarrete
  • Myles Banks
  • Madison Boozer
  • Kierra Coleman

Uniform Staff

  • Jaylin Holland
  • Lolly Winsor
  • Jayme Pickering
  • Kaylee Schlein
  • Kate Crisler
  • Madison Records
  • Priscilla Munoz
  • Hayden Pool

Library Staff

  • Omar Robinson
  • Dylan Maxwell Ulbrich
  • Jillian Arnold

Kappa Kappa Psi President 

  • Kaitlyn Still

Tau Beta Sigma President

  • Jordan Kitch