Meet the Leadership
Directors
Albert Nguyen, Director of Bands, conducts the UofM Wind Ensemble, directs the graduate
level instrumental conducting program, and oversees the Athletic, Symphonic and University
Bands. Dr. Nguyen was the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands
at the University of Memphis for three years and served as Interim Director of Bands
in 2011-2012.
Before coming to the University of Memphis, Dr. Nguyen served as a Graduate Assistant at The University of Texas at Austin where he directed the Concert Band and was a member of the Longhorn Band teaching staff. He was also an assistant conductor for the Wind Ensemble and frequently appeared as a guest conductor with the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band and Chamber Winds. Dr. Nguyen began his professional teaching career in Arkansas as the Director of Bands at Morrilton High School.
Maintaining his connection with public schools, Dr. Nguyen frequently serves as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University and the Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin.
He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, the College Band Directors National Association and is a contributing author in the GIA publication - Teaching Music through Performance in Band, Volume 7.
William Plenk has been on the faculty of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the
University of Memphis since Fall 2017. Serving as Associate Director of Bands and
Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Plenk oversees the Mighty Sound of the South, University
of Memphis Pep Band, Symphonic Band, and teaches Marching Band Techniques as well
as other courses within the School of Music.
Outside of the University of Memphis, Dr. Plenk is highly active as a clinician and adjudicator. He has worked with concert bands and marching bands from across the United States, Singapore, and Japan, including a three-season tenure with the Tenrikyo Aimachi Marching Band from Nagoya, Japan, the eight-time All Japan National Champion. He has served on the staff of several drum and bugle corps including The Academy, The Cadets, Boston Crusaders, and Phantom Regiment.
Dr. Plenk previously served for six years as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Nevada, Reno, developing the athletic band program into one of the most respected in the region. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was Conductor of the UCLA Symphonic Band, Associate Conductor of the UCLA Wind Ensemble, and Associate Conductor of the UCLA Brass Ensemble. He also received a Master of Music degree in tuba performance from UCLA, and a Bachelor of Music degree in tuba performance from Ithaca College.
Dr. Plenk holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, National Association for Music Education, and is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha, and the national band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi.
Dr. Wilker Augusto, originally from João Pessoa, Brazil, brings a wealth of international experience to his role. He completed his bachelor of music in horn performance at the UFPB (Federal University of Paraíba), graduating with the prestigious Laurel of Academic Excellence Award. In Brazil, Dr. Augusto worked as band director for several middle and high schools for 14 years, winning first place during many state and regional championships and himself winning first place in conducting. He attended national and international music festivals for horn and conducting and received the "Young Orchestral Conductor" award during the 2012 International Music Festival Eleazar de Carvalho. Augusto also worked with social projects in Brazil, such as “Orquestra Criança Cidadã” (The Child Citizen Orchestra) as a horn teacher and “PRIMA” - Program of Inclusion through the Music and Arts as a horn teacher, assistant orchestra conductor, and artistic director.
In 2016, Augusto moved to the United States to continue his musical career. In California, at Azusa Pacific University, he completed his artist certificate in horn performance with the renowned professor James Thatcher and the master of music in instrumental conducting (Winds) under the tutelage of Dr. John Burdett. During this time, he worked as assistant band director with Glendora High School and Los Osos High School, as music director of the World Music Symphony Orchestra from the Azusa Conservatory, as horn teacher and brass instructor for many schools and organizations, and as a freelancer musician for many orchestras in Southern California. He also worked as a brass staff member for the Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018 and as tour assistant director for The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018 and 2019.
Augusto graduated in 2024 with a doctor of musical arts in wind conducting from the University of Memphis under the mentorship of Dr. Albert Nguyen. He has been participating in conducting symposiums around the country and recently received the Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellowship during the Midwest Clinic. Besides his academic life, Augusto is an active horn musician and private teacher who serves as a clinician and guest conductor for honor bands and schools around the Mid-South.
Dr. Augusto's influence in the global music community is further demonstrated by his recent appointment as the director of international relations of L.B.F. (Brazilian League of Bands). His leadership and influence, which he extends through his memberships with the International Horn Society, College Band Directors National Association, and College Music Society. He is also an honorary member of the national band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi.
Instructors
Missy’s performance career includes The University of Memphis (captain), Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, The Phantom Regiment Drum Corps (4 years, sabre) and the WGI Independent Open Class World Champions, Chimeras (sabre).
Missy is proud to have taught several local high school color guards over her teaching career, including Houston, Munford, Cordova (BOA St Louis Finalist) and Southaven (BOA Lab band, three-time Mississippi State Marching Band Champions, 3 time Mississippi Indoor Ass. SA Winterguard Champions & WGI Semi-finalist). In addition, Missy cofounded Amalgamation Winterguard (WGI Finalist).
Since receiving her Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Memphis, Missy has taught in Florida, Mississippi & Tennessee schools. As a teacher at Arlington High School, Missy teaches Math Intervention classes and an Algebra 1 class. Missy is excited to be starting her 8th year teaching The University of Memphis Colorguard and starting a new chapter with the Arlington High School Colorguard.
Beginning her 12th year with the Mighty Sound of the South, Mac Gittinger serves as Director of Colorguards, and is involved in all aspects of the guard’s operation. Before becoming a staff member, Mac was a student at the University of Memphis, where she was captain of the fall and winter color guard and earned her degree in Music Industry with a concentration in Recording Technology and Touring. In addition to her work with the UofM, Mac teaches colorguard and winter guard at Collierville High School, where she shares her expertise and inspires young band members to reach their full potential.
Outside of the marching arts, Mac is an Assistant Events Coordinator and Junior Music Coordinator with a passion for curating exceptional music experiences. With a keen eye for emerging talent and a deep understanding of music trends, Mac scouts and pitches music to Music Supervisors at prominent streaming platforms, including Netflix.
Mac enjoys immersing herself in diverse musical genres, attending live concerts, and exploring new creative outlets. Her passion for music extends beyond the professional realm, making it an integral part of her personal life.
Kiarra is the assistant colorguard instructor at the University of Memphis. She graduated from the University of Memphis with her bachelor's degree in Teaching All Learners in 2020. She also obtained a Master's degree in Instructional Design and Technology with a focus in Educational Technology in 2023. She is currently a Supervising Teacher at the University of Memphis’ Campus Elementary School.
Kiarra started as a member of the University of Memphis band program in 2016 and became a color guard captain in 2019. As an undergraduate student, she became a sister of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc., where she held the Vice President of Membership position for two years.
Kiarra has taught colorguard at the high school level at Arlington High School and is currently at Brighton High School. Kiarra enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Tabirith, and cat, Raymond. She also believes turkey bacon is better than regular bacon. Kiarra is excited to continue her journey with the Mighty Sound of the South!
Suzanne Jackson is a graduate of the University of Memphis, where she was the Captain and Feature Twirler for the Tigerettes, the baton twirling line for the Mighty Sound of the South. She has been the instructor of the Tigerette line for 15 years. Suzanne is a former Mrs. Tennessee and is currently on staff at the Miss Tennessee America Organization as Director of the Miss Tennessee Iris Princess Program. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Miss Delta Fair Queen Pageant System, and is the Director of the Miss Collierville Princess pageant.
Suzanne is a former Account Executive for Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and she currently works as a Community Liaison for Monogram Foods, makers of “King Cotton” products.
Suzanne is a past President of the Evangelical Christian School PTA and has served in leadership roles within the organization for over 13 years. She is involved in her community by serving on the Board of two organizations - Playhouse on the Square and Best Buddies, an association benefitting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Rachel DuVall is a two-time graduate of The University of Memphis, earning her BA in History and MS in Leadership and Policy Studies. She is also a Certified Volunteer Administrator. She currently works for NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She is the Assistant Director for Professional Development, overseeing multiple conferences and supporting professionals across the country in the field of student affairs.
Rachel is thrilled to be a part of the staff for the MSS. Rachel began twirling at 8, competing nationally and internationally until college. Twirling as a Tigerette and Feature Twirler for the Mighty Sound of the South was a dream come true as a born and raised Memphian. She treasured her time in the MSS, and it was a large part of what called her to work in higher education. As a staff member, she looks forward to combining her baton expertise and experience in college student development.
Administration
Susan Bingham (BSEd ’92) is administrative associate for the School of Music. Susan, a native of Memphis, calls The University of Memphis her “home away from home” since being connected to the University for most of her life. Because her father, also a Tiger alumnus, taught and worked at UM for 42 years, Susan grew up on campus and attended the Lipman Early Childhood School and Campus School before going to White Station High School. During her college years at UM, she was a member of The Mighty Sound of the South drumline where she met her husband, Scott (BSCE ’91). She also participated in the University’s Pep Band and Wind Ensemble before earning her Bachelor of Education degree.
Her children have carried on the family’s Tiger legacy by attending UofM and marching in The Mighty Sound of the South drumline. Susan’s career began at the University as Supervising Teacher at the Campus School, and she has held positions at Rhodes College and in Memphis Tiger Athletics. She is now proud to be supporting the Band program and School of Music as an Administrative Associate.
2023-2024 Graduate Assistants
Wilker Augusto
Christian Davis
Erin Duke
2023-2024 Student Leadership
Drum Majors
Jacob Happy
Ava Hogan
Joshua Laughlin
Landon Riggins
Piccolo
Kaitlyn Alonso
Micayla Scott
Clarinet
Mo Dorsey
Deja Lawrence
Alto Saxophone
Charles Boyd
Lilly Bradley
Tenor Saxophone
Neil Jeevan
Trumpet
Oliver Buckley
Rachel Campbell
Joey Miron
Mellophone
Aaron Bardos
Ally Plank
Drew Wolfe
Trombone
Evan Green
Caleb Tosh
Euphonium
Hailey Rial
Tuba
Jeremiah Fields
Ethan Ratcliff
Drumline
Malik Edwards, snare
Allison Kiefer, tenors
Luke Wheat, bass
Emily Knisley, cymbals
Colorguard
Ella Lark
Kenneth Zirbel
Tigerettes
Cassie Krzyzanowski
Community Engagement Coordinators
Lilly Bradley
A’Lana Walker