Christian Gordon
Director of Bands
Christian Gordon began his teaching career in Leesburg, Georgia at Lee County Middle School East. Prior to joining the staff at Cario Middle School, Mr. Gordon was also Director of Bands at Westglades Middle School in Parkland, Florida.
As a Woodruff Scholar at Columbus State Universitv's Schwob School of Music, Mr. Gordon studied trumpet with Dr. Robert Murray and conducting with Dr. Jamie Nix. Mr. Gordon was principal trumpet in the Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra, along with Lead Trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble, and placed among the top six in the nation at the National Trumpet Competition.
Mr. Gordon's mission is to provide a quality music education experience that is fun, challenging, and life-changing. He believes the success of his students is largely due to incorporating a pass-off system that emphasizes student Autonomy, teaching to Mastery, and providing Purpose through the lens of a Growth Mindset. All programs under Mr. Gordon's direction have experienced significant growth and success on an individual and ensemble basis, setting exemplary standards at the district, regional, and state levels in both Georgia and Florida. Mr. Gordon is also an active presenter, having led sessions at both Georgia and Florida's Music Educators Conferences, Florida Bandmasters Association Conference, and the National Association for Music Education's Conference.
Mr. Gordon is a native of Goose Creek, SC and is thrilled to be coming home and joining the staff at Cario Middle School!
Kalyn Todd
Assistant Director
Kalyn Todd began teaching band in 2013, after graduating Summa Cur Laude from Columbus State University. From 2013-2018, Mrs. Todd taught at Lee County Middle School West in Leesburg, Georgia. During her time at LCMS West, she increased the number of students making auditioned groups and participating in Solo and Ensemble. Mrs. Todd increased the number of members in the Band program at LCMS West to over 15% of the student population.
In 2018, Mrs. Todd moved to Westglades Middle in Parkland, Florida. There, she acted as Assistant Band Director and head Orchestra Director. Since being at Westglades, the Orchestra program has doubled in size and has begun to fully participate in Florida Orchestra Association sanctioned events, such as MPA, Solo and Ensemble, and All-State/All-County Honor Orchestra. Mrs. Todd is passionate about increasing student success and purpose in music programs.
In 2018, Mrs. Todd presented a poster session at the NAME Conterence in Dallas, Texas. She also presented a session titled "Ignite Intrinsic Motivation at the 2023 FMEA Conference. Both sessions focused on the use of the Mastery Musician pass-off system, which Mrs. Todd believes contributes to much of the success her students experience. Through this system, she teaches Mastery, Autonomy, Purpose, and Growth Mindset principles that allow students to reach their full potential without fear of failure.
Mrs. Todd is excited to join the faculty at Cario Middle School!
assistantdirector@cariobands.org