About Us
The Dreher High School Bands are located in Columbia, SC. We have award winning Concert, Symphonic and Marching Band; plus a Brass Emsemble, Woodwind Quintet, Big Band, Steel Band and United Sound Program.
Here at Dreher we are deeply dedicated to our students and music. We work hard and continuously learn! Our mission is to always strive for greatness; and we are committed to serve our students and provide a safe, supportive & challenging environment.
Along with music, we teach important life & leadership skills in order to help our students be more prepared for their high school careers and beyond.
Our Directors
Dr. Chris Lee
Director of Bands
Dr. Christopher D. Lee (BM – University of Maryland; MM, DMA – University of South Carolina) is in his 11th year as Director of Bands at Dreher High School. He leads the Dreher Wind Ensembles, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and is the founder of the Dreher Steel Bands.
Dr. Lee has studied conducting with an impressive list of mentors, including Sue Samuels, Emily Threinen, William Staub, Craig Kirchhoff, Jerry Junkin, Robert Carnochan, John Lynch, Robert Ambrose, Cody Birdwell, Kenneth Kiesler, and Jamie Nix.
His diverse teaching experience spans from elementary to collegiate levels, including positions at the University of South Carolina, Lander University, Claflin University, Logan Elementary School, and Eau Claire High School. He has also instructed with elite drum and bugle corps such as The Cadets (Garfield, NJ), Star of Indiana, and Carolina Crown, as well as Thom Hannum’s Mobile Percussion Seminars.
As a clinician and performer for Pearl Corporation, Avedis Zildjian Co., Innovative Percussion, and Evans Drumheads, Dr. Lee has presented masterclasses at the SC and NC Music Educators Associations, University of North Texas, University of South Carolina, summer workshops, and schools throughout the Southeastern United States.
Dr. Lee is the Principal Percussionist with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and an active steel drum soloist. He is the co-founder, lead pan player, and manager of the Island Close By Steel Band.
His performance résumé includes concerts in London, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and with the symphonies of Savannah, Augusta, Charlotte, Charleston, Long Bay, Florence, Greenville, Aiken, and Atlanta. He has performed with musical legends such as Roger Williams, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Andrea Bocelli, Ray Charles, The Moody Blues, Shirley Jones, and many more.
Dr. Lee also has an extensive background in musical theatre, including performances in the national tour of Wicked (Columbia, SC), and local productions such as West Side Story, Chicago, Dreamgirls, A Chorus Line, Tommy, and La Cage Aux Folles. He also performed in Camelot at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, AL.
He currently serves as the percussionist-in-residence at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church and is a proud member of the American School Band Directors Association, South Carolina Band Directors Association, and South Carolina Music Educators Association.
Alexandra (Lexi) Wyland
Assistant Director of Bands
Ms. Wyland began teaching at Dreher High School in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in both English and Music (2018) and a Master of Teaching with an emphasis in Secondary Education (2019), all from the University of South Carolina.
While at USC, Ms. Wyland studied French horn under JD Shaw and performed in the Symphonic Winds, the Carolina Band, and various Horn Studio ensembles. A dedicated member of the Mighty Sound of the Southeast, she marched mellophone, served as section leader, and was a Senior Staff member during her final season.
Ms. Wyland was also actively involved in national music organizations during her collegiate years. She served as President of the Zeta Chi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and held the roles of Vice President of Ritual and Sergeant at Arms in the Theta Chi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota.
Currently, Ms. Wyland teaches English 3 CP/Honors and Broadcast Journalism at Dreher High School. She is thrilled to be returning to her musical roots this season by working with the Dreher Bands.
Kathleen Lee
Director of Dance
Mrs. Lee is a native of Augusta, Maine, and has called South Carolina home since 1994. She was a dance company member at both the University of New Hampshire (1992–1994) and the University of South Carolina (1994–1996), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Journalism with a minor in Dance.
Following graduation, Mrs. Lee taught for the University of South Carolina’s Dance Conservatory Program and the Columbia Ballet School. She also served as a guest artist for organizations such as SCPHERD, the South Carolina Dance Association (SCDA), and the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts. Her professional dance experience includes serving as the Dance Director of Borenya West African Dance Company and performing with Vibrations Dance Company.
Since 2002, Mrs. Lee has taught dance at Dreher High School, where she was honored as the 2015–2016 Teacher of the Year. As Dreher’s Dance Director, she has choreographed over 50 main stage productions and founded Dreher’s official dance company, DDC. She also collaborates regularly with the Dreher Theatre and Marching Band programs, providing choreography and artistic direction.
Career highlights include studying abroad in Guinea, West Africa under Ballets Africains and Mohamed Dacosta, appearing on MTV’s MADE, training in New York City, and serving as a former Chair of the Board for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Carolina.
Our Staff
Emma Carhart
Woodwind Technician
Emma C. Carhart is a current senior at the University of South Carolina, and is getting her B.M. with emphasis in education. She is in her sixth year of teaching privately and working with band programs. Ms. Carhart had shown an interest in music education early in high school and her teaching credits include Hanahan High School, Brookland-Cayce High School, and Northside Middle School. In addition, Ms. Carhart served as the music director for the Zeta Chi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi during 2020. Along with early opportunities for teaching experience, Ms. Carhart has had over a decade of experience playing oboe in various ensemble. Some experiences include 2013 All-State Ensemble, Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra, University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra, Opera at USC, and the University of South Carolina Wind Ensemble. She currently is enrolled in the wind ensemble and symphony orchestra for the upcoming semester.
Nick Kervin
Brass
Seth Brock
Percussion
Addison Lee
Movement