STAFF
Director: Ron Brown
Ron Brown has been playing drums for several years. With an extensive background in music education, Ron is not only the Director of Carolina Storm Independent Percussion but is also the Lead percussion instructor at Mt. Pleasant High School in Mount Pleasant, NC and has served in this position for many years. Ron has served as Percussion Coordinator for Johnson C. Smith University ND and as Front Ensemble Tech for Fusion Indoor Percussion. He is also a member of the education team for VicFirth Drum Sticks.
Ron has played professionally for many musical artists and groups such as: R&B sensation Shai, and Tamela Mann. He has also been a band member with smooth jazz artist Gabriel Bello, Natural Wonder (Stevie Wonder Cover band), T-Ran Gilbert out of Chattanooga TN, holy hip hop artist in the JustHis League, and recorded drum tracks for Korean Pop Artist JaeJoong. Ron has recorded Studio 5:13 as well as Illsonics Studio.
Currently he serves as Music Director for The Legacy Committee (Charlotte NC) and the drummer for country music singer Ryan Trotting.
Ron is the Founder of Carolina Storm Indoor Percussion.
Assistant Director:
Sarah Cahoon
Bio Coming Soon!
Treasurer & Secretary:
Kimberly Al-Zaid
Bio Coming Soon!
Battery Caption Head & Cymbal Tech: Sarah Al-Zaid
Bio Coming Soon!
Bass Tech/ Social Media: Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson is a founding member of Carolina Storm Independent and has been part of the organization since its launch in 2020. A passionate and versatile musician, Chris has experience performing on a wide range of percussion instruments, along with woodwind and brass instruments as well. His performance background includes indoor percussion on both synthesizer and marching bass drum.
Throughout his teaching career, Chris has worked with several programs across North Carolina, including St. Stephens High School, Lincolnton High School, and currently Concord High School, his alma mater. Outside of music education, Chris enjoys writing music, photography, and creating video content.
Chris is excited to continue helping Carolina Storm grow by inspiring young performers, building meaningful relationships with students, and creating an environment where members can develop confidence, musicianship, and a passion for the marching arts.
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Snare Tech/Arranger: Laquan Sanders
A native of Wingate, NC, Laquan has been playing drums since he was 7 years old. Started off as a drum set player, he developed a big passion for music. He started taking lessons with Lea Mayers, III, in middle school and was his instructor at Forest Hills High School. Being a graduate of Forest Hills, he started his teaching career under Mr. Mayer's instruction and still has a strong influence to this day. During his 12-year teaching career, he’s taught full percussion at Trinity High, Chase High, Hunter Huss High, Northwest Cabarrus, and recently Ashbrook High, Drumline at Sun Valley, East Gaston, and Cuthbertson High, and he’s currently the percussion instructor at Central Cabarrus and Cuthbertson High School. He prioritizes discipline, accountability, and getting the best out of his programs while also giving life skills to help them get through life. He loves teaching students and wants the best for them throughout their daily lives.
Tenor Tech: Ethan "Worm" Lear
Born and raised in Mount Pleasant, teaching percussion is how he spends most of his days. Currently teaching at West Stanley Middle/High School, private lessons, and Music & Arts. He has been teaching percussion for 5 years now and has been playing for 15. He has performed with the Mount Pleasant marching band, Revelation Carolina Panthers Purr-cussion, and the Carolina Storm itself. Ethan is a fun and goofy character with a very easy-to-understand teaching style that needs to be Serious when the time is right. He is very Passionate about pushing students to go further beyond their own expectations and is willing to take the time to understand that every student is different.
Lealather Mayers III: Design and Music Consultant
Lealather Mayers III is a respected music educator, percussion specialist, arranger, and marching arts instructor with extensive experience developing percussion programs and ensembles across the United States. Known for his expertise in marching percussion, indoor percussion, and percussion pedagogy, he has built a reputation for excellence in performance, leadership, and student development.
Mayers is a proud member of the Zildjian / Vic Firth Education Team and is recognized nationwide for his innovative instruction, percussion arranging, and commitment to advancing music education through mentorship, clinics, and performance excellence.
Torey Riser: Arranger and Design Team
Torey Riser is a highly respected percussion educator, designer, and adjudicator with over 20 years of experience in the marching arts. A native of Greenwood, South Carolina, he attended Lander University where he studied Music Education and later earned a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology.
Mr. Riser currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association and has worked with numerous successful high school and independent percussion programs throughout the Southeast. He is also the founder and designer behind Logic Music Designs.
As Director of Percussion and arranger for Ninety Six High School from 2017–2024, he helped lead the program to multiple SCBDA State Championships, CWEA Gold Medals, WGI Regional Championships, and appearances at the Winter Guard International World Championships, including a PSA Bronze Medal in 2022 and PSO Finals in 2023.
Known for his passion for education, leadership, and excellence, Mr. Riser continues to impact young performers through innovative instruction, program design, and mentorship across the marching arts community.
Seth: Audio Caption Head
Seth is an audio engineer who has worked with several high school bands in the Johnston, and wake county areas helping deliver quality sound and performances. Seth completed a two-year internship at the Boston Crusaders and continues to grow his skills through self-learning and hands-on experience in live audio production. Some of the bands he’s worked include Felton Grove High School, Middle Creek High School, Holly Springs High School, Corinth Holders High School, and Clayton High School.
In his free time, Seth enjoys exploring new areas, spending time with his dog and family, and baking.
Jaylan Glenn: Design and Music Consultant
Jaylan Glenn is the owner and head clinician of Percussive Perspective. He is a freelance percussion instructor, Serving up to 10 schools at a time during the school year! Jaylan is the first Percussion instructor to create a Scholastic World Class percussion ensemble in our great state of North Carolina. While teaching middle school students up to collegiate level students Jaylan’s purpose has evolved over his 12 years to breaking down the pedagogical process to help his students grow within their percussive goals.
Jaylan has been a staple in the pageantry arts, and concert band idioms creating percussionist that have reigned amongst the all state honors band, all district honors band, and all county honors band. Developing students to be apart of the Carolina Crown, and the Cavaliers DCI percussion ensembles, as well as Rhythm X an ensemble that is recognized in the top tier of the WGI idiom.
In his free time Jaylan gives private lessons virtually and in person, he serves as a Timpanist for the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra, and works as a security officer where he supplies the upmost safety for his coworkers, and patrons.
