Tyler Reese – Tuscola High School Director of Bands

Mr. Tyler Reese is from Cornelius, NC, a small town just outside of Charlotte. He earned his Bachelors of Music Education and Bachelors of Music Performance from Mars Hill University in 2023. While at MHU, he served as Woodwind Captain and Instrument Warden of the Mountain Lion Marching Band and performed in numerous ensembles. His mentors through his career include Ruth Peterson, Robert Carrington, Michael Robinson, Professor Misty Rondeau, Dr. Alan Theisen, Dr. Hunter Kopczynski, and Dr. JT Womack.

Mr. Reese has taught in numerous high school marching/concert programs across WNC including North Buncombe HS, Enka HS, Pisgah HS, and Owen HS. He comes to Tuscola HS after working at Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville, NC. During his time at Mountain Heritage, he brought the concert band to achieve their first superior rating at the WNC Music Performance Adjudication Festival since 2019.

Reese holds memberships in several professional organizations including the National Association for Music Educators, North Carolina Music Educators Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

 

Mr. Reese lives in Woodfin, NC with his beagle, Checkers.

 

Reese says, “I am excited to get to work with the Tuscola High School band family!”

 

Email Mr. Reese: treese@haywood.k12.nc.us

 

 

Sam Bogan – Waynesville Middle School Director of Bands

Mr. Samuel F. Bogan II is from Johnston County, NC, just East of Raleigh. He earned his Music Education degree from Western Carolina University in 2008. While at WCU, he was a soloist and brass coordinator in the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band and performed in numerous ensembles. Mr. Bogan earned the Maxie Beaver Student Teacher of the Year Award in 2008.

Mr. Bogan has been teaching in North Carolina for the last fifteen years. He started in 2008 at Northwest Cabarrus High School where he taught until 2016, then Hickory Ridge Middle School, and now Waynesville Middle School where he’s been for the last five years. His High School students earned many honors. For example, Northwest’s marching band earned numerous Grand Champion and Class Awards and made finals at BOA Super Regionals.

Mr. Bogan’s concert bands consistently receive Superior honors in Grades II – VI. Waynesville Middle School consistently places students in the All-District, West Region Jazz, All-State Jazz, and All State Honor bands. He earned the West Region Jazz Directors Award of Excellence for 2019.

He is also a Specialist in the 208th Army Reserve Band based in Concord, NC. And he actively performs as a vocalist and trumpet player in the 208th Army Jazz Messengers and the Armored Diesel Rock Band.

Mr. Bogan lives in Clyde, NC with his wife Elena, their three kids Sammie, Rose and Beatrice, their big dog Riker Tiberious, and a bunny named Rex.

Mr. Bogan’s favorite thing about teaching middle school band is getting to talk to students all day about music.

 

Email Mr. Bogan: sbogan@haywood.k12.nc.us

 

Tyler Shade – Drumline Caption

Tyler Shade, a Haywood County native, was a percussionist in the Pisgah HS band 2002-2007. He was also a percussionist with Pride of the Mountains at WCU during 2007-2013.

He assisted at percussion camps often including at Statesville HS, Pisgah HS and Tuscola HS. Tyler has been Tuscola’s percussion caption head since 2023.

Shade says, “I Love seeing kid’s faces when they achieve what they thought they couldn’t.”

 

 

Bobby Brookshire – Front Ensemble Caption

Booby Brookshire is a music student at Mars Hill University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley Cole – Color Guard Caption

Ashley Cole started in color guard/winter guard at Garner HS near Raleigh 2011-2013.

She was a member of the East Carolina color guard and winter guard 2013-2017. And she was also part of ECU’s semifinalist guard at the 2015 WGI championships.

Ashley plies cosmetology as her trade.

Cole began as an assistant for both the Tuscola winter guard and color guard during 2024.

Ashley says, “I love the pride you feel when the crowd applauds at the end of a performance.”

 

 

Humberto Hernandez – Brass Assistant

Humberto Hernandez is a music student at Mars Hill University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kyle Stefanic – Brass Assistant

Kyle Stefanic is a music student at Mars Hill University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bella Hannah – Percussion Assistant

Bella Hannah is a 2025 graduate of Tuscola HS where she was head of percussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checkers – Director of Esprit de Corps

Tyler Reese’s super-friendly pooch who is sweet on everybody!

Checkers is always at the ready.