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, and DMA University of South Carolina) is in his 11th year as the Director of Bands at Dreher High School. Dr. Lee conducts the Dreher Wind Ensembles, Dreher Marching Band, Dreher Jazz, Dreher Percussion, Dreher Brass Ensemble, and is the founder of the Dreher Steel Bands. He has attended conducting masterclasses with Sue Samuels, Emily Threinen, William Staub, Craig Kirchhoff, Jerry Junkin, Robert Carnochan, John Lynch, Robert Ambrose, Cody Birdwell, Kenneth Kiesler, and Jamie Nix. His teaching credits include the University of South Carolina, Lander University, Claflin University, Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps, Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps, Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, Thom Hannum's Mobile Percussion Seminars, Logan Elementary School & Eau Claire High School. An active clinician/performer for the Pearl Corporation, Avedis Zildjian Co., Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, he has presented clinics/masterclasses at the SC Music Educators Association, NC Music Educators Association, University of North Texas, University of South Carolina, summer workshops, and many schools throughout the Southeastern US. Along with extensive teaching experience, Dr. Lee is the principal percussionist of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, an active solo steel drum performer, co-founder/lead steel pan player and manager of the Island Close By Steel Band. As a concert percussionist/drummer, he has performed in London, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and with the Savannah, Augusta, Charlotte, Charleston, Long Bay, Florence, Greenville, Aiken and Atlanta Symphonies as well as Roger Williams, Roger Pemberton, Dick Goodwin, Bert Ligon, The Rat Pack, The Diamonds, The Moody Blues, Ray Charles, Andrea Bocelli, The Association, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Shirley Jones, the 1985-88 Garfield Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and is the percussionist in-residence at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Chruch. His Broadway Show credits include National Tour (Columbia, SC Performances) Wicked, and Local Columbia, SC Theater Productions The Heathers, A. My Name Is Alice, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Dream Girls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver, La Cage Aux Folles, Falsettos, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Tommy, Chicago, The Life, Guys and Dolls among others and Camelot at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery Alabama. Dr. Lee is a member of the American School Band Directors Association, South Carolina Band Director 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 graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and she graduated in 2019 with her Masters in Teaching (Secondary Education Emphasis). While at USC, she studied French Horn under JD Shaw and played in Symphonic Winds, Carolina Band, and the Horn Studio Ensembles. Ms. Wyland was an involved member of the Mighty Sound of the Southeast Marching Band marching mellophone, serving as section leader, and working as a Senior Staff member in her final season. Ms. Wyland is a brother of the Zeta Chi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and served as their President in 2017, and she is a sister of the Theta Chi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota where she served as their Vice President of Ritual and Sergeant at Arms. Ms. Wyland is now an English teacher at Dreher High School who teaches English 3 CP/Honors and Broadcast Journalism, and she is excited to return to her musical roots working with the Dreher Bands this season.
Kathleen Lee
Director of Dance
A Native of Augusta, Maine, Mrs. Lee has been living in SC since 1994. She was a dance company member of both the University of New Hampshire (1992-1994) and the University of South Carolina (1994-1996). Lee graduated with a BA in Mass Communications and Journalism and a minor in dance. After college she taught for the University of South Carolina’s Dance Conservatory program and Columbia Ballet School. She also served as served as a guest artist for such institutions as SCPHPERD, the SCDA, the Governor's School for the Arts, and danced professionally as the dance director of Borenya West African Dance Company, and a member of Vibrations Dance Company. Lee has been teaching dance at Dreher High School since 2002 and was Dreher's 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year. Since becoming Dreher’s dance director, she has choreographed over 50 main stage productions and established DDC (Dreher’s dance company). Additionally, she collaborates and choreographs for the Dreher Theatre and Marching Band program. Some career highlights include studying abroad in Guineas, West Africa under Ballets African and Mohamed Dacosta, appearing on MTV's MADE, studying in New York City, and serving as a former Chairman of the Board for the Make A Wish Foundation of SC.
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