Directors

Jeffrey R. Scott

Director of Bands

Jeff Scott is the Director of Bands at Cario Middle School in Mount Pleasant. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and received a Master of Instrumental Music in Conducting at Southern Oregon University in 2005. In 2006, Mr. Scott received National Board Certification in Instrumental Music.

Prior to his arrival at Cario in 2001, Mr. Scott served twelve years in the Berkeley County school system, first as Director of Bands at Sedgefield Middle School, and later as Director of Bands at Goose Creek High School. In 1992, Mr. Scott was named national winner of the Stanbury Award for "Young Director of the Year". He is also listed in Who's Who Among American Teachers.

Bands under Mr. Scott's baton have consistently received Superior ratings at state, regional and national competitions, and have received the SCBDA's Outstanding Performance Award consecutively since 1989. Mr. Scott's symphonic bands have received Superior Ratings at the South Carolina Concert Festival every year since 1989. His Sedgefield Middle School Band was honored to perform at the 1992 SCMEA In-Service Conference, and his Cario Middle School Band enjoyed that same distinction in 2005. Mr. Scott is active as an adjudicator and clinician for concert and marching events throughout the Southeast.

Mr. Scott maintains professional affiliations with the National Band Association, MENC, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Beta Mu. He also received an appointment as a "Kentucky Colonel" by the Governor of Kentucky for his contributions to education

director@cariobands.org

Susan P. DuPuis

Assistant Director

Although born in Key West, Florida, Susan DuPuis has called Charleston home since 1967. A product of Charleston County schools herself, Mrs. DuPuis graduated from Furman University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Education. She began her teaching career at St. Andrews High School, now part of West Ashley High School, and was responsible for the marching band, concert bands, jazz band, and ensembles. Eventually moving to become Director of Bands at C. E. Williams Middle School, Mrs. DuPuis' students consistently won seats in the county, region, and state honor bands.

In 1990, Mrs. DuPuis took a leave of absence from teaching to devote more time to her family. She spent the next years as a typical PTA/soccer mom, but was able to continue in music as a performer, in the handbell choir at her church, and as a trumpeter, playing in the Charleston Community Band. As a free-lance trumpeter throughout the area, she has had the privilege of conducting that band on numerous occasions, and has served as assistant conductor of the Citadel Band Camp. Returning to the classroom in the fall of 2003, Mrs. DuPuis currently serves as Assistant Director of Bands at Cario Middle School.

Mrs. DuPuis is married to her high school sweetheart, Scot, whom she met in band, (he played the saxophone). They have two sons; Drew is a talented tuba player, and Peter is an upperclassman at the Charleston School of the Arts, where his talents include theater, bass guitar, and aggressive in-line skating. Roxie the cat and Toby the dog round out the family.

asstdirector@cariobands.org

Emily Wilkinson

Assistant Director

Emily Wilkinson is thrilled to join the Cario Band program. As a product of East Cooper schools, she is honored to be teaching back home in this community. Prior to joining the Cario team, Mrs. Wilkinson served as the Band Director at Fort Johnson Middle School on James Island from 2009-2011. During this time, the Fort Johnson Band program received the South Carolina Band Directors Association (SCBDA) Outstanding Performance Award for two consecutive years. Wilkinson’s students earned Superior ratings at SCBDA State Concert Festival and SCBDA Solo and Ensemble Festival. Many were chosen for the All-County, Region, and State honor bands. In 2010, Mrs. Wilkinson was chosen as a Fort Johnson “RAM” Teacher of the Month and was also nominated for Teacher of the Year. Before teaching at Fort Johnson, she was the Assistant Band Director at Bates Middle School in Sumter, SC. Under her direction, the Bates Concert Band received the same awards of success in SCBDA events. She also conducted the Bates Jazz Band for numerous school and community performances. Mrs. Wilkinson has served as an instructor for the Sumter High School Marching Band and the Pickens High School Band. She has been working with the Wando High School Band program since 2003, serving as a marching instructor, clinician, and chamber winds coach. Mrs. Wilkinson graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2006, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, Magna Cum Laude, and a Performance Certificate on euphonium.

In 2008, Mrs. Wilkinson was invited to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, IL with the Palmetto Concert Band. During that year, she also served as the guest conductor for the Region 5 Junior Alternate Band. She is an alumnus of the world renowned Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, performing in the 2003 Drum Corps International World Championships. In 2006, she was selected as an inaugural member of Bands of America’s INergy, a nineteen member performing troupe that functioned as the musical ambassador for Indianapolis, IN. She was selected as a member of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges for her music and service commitments at the University of South Carolina. Mrs. Wilkinson was a soloist with the USC Marching Band and principal euphonium player in the USC Symphonic Band.

Emily Wilkinson’s professional affiliations include the South Carolina Band Directors Association, the Charleston County Band Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and she is an alumnus of Sigma Alpha Iota. She is married to Eric Wilkinson, and they happily reside in Mount Pleasant, SC.

asstdirector2@cariobands.org