Meet Our 2024-25 Graduate Conducting Cohort

Choral

Augie Gil

Augusto (Augie) Gil is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. Augie earned his Bachelor of Music and certification in K-12 Music Education with double emphases in voice and piano from Carson-Newman University, and his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. After earning his MM, Augie spent four and a half years at Meadow Glen Middle School in Lexington, South Carolina, where he more than tripled participation in the choral program, established the first cross-disciplinary celebration of Heritage Months in Lexington County schools, and organized and directed a music department wide concert of masterworks arranged for middle school for the school’s 100 member orchestra and 120 voice choir. He serves as Assistant Director of Music and Worship at Eastminster Presbyterian Church of Columbia and is the owner and operator of Improving Arts Academy, a private instruction and coaching studio for voice and piano students. Augie previously served as International First Vice President for Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity, and currently serves as an advisory member to the organization’s board. He is a contributing author to GIA Publications’ Sacred Music Choral Repertoire: Insights for Conductors, and also serves as the Chairman of the Board for Limited Time Only, a Columbia based chamber choir consisting of professional musicians. Augie and his husband, John Michael, live in West Columbia with their three dogs: Rose, Apollo, and Tommy.

Worth M. Lewallen IV

Worth M. Lewallen IV is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. He previously earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a Violin Performance Certificate, a Master of Music in Violin Pedagogy, and a Master of Education in Educational Administration, all from the University of South Carolina. Additionally, he holds a degree in Irish Cultural Heritage from the National University of Ireland Maynooth.After earning his first Master of Music, Worth spent multiple years teaching choir and orchestra at R.H. Fulmer Middle School in West Columbia, South Carolina. During his tenure, he revitalized the choral program and increased the size of the orchestra program fourfold. He also served as the Chair of the Related Arts Department. Worth is also the Director of Music Ministries at Trinity UMC in Sumter, SC, where he oversees the Chancel Choir, Children's Choir, Handbell Choir, and String Orchestra. Under his direction, this year marks their 10th performance at the Piccolo Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, SC. The Chancel Choir has also had the honor of performing at the Washington National Cathedral and various other churches across the country.

Noah Mofield

Noah Mofield is pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. Noah recently earned a BM in Music Education at Furman University, where he was an active member of the choral ensembles, including serving as Secretary of the Furman Singers during his junior year and as the Student Conductor of the Furman Singers during his senior year. While at Furman, Noah also served as a Herring Choral Scholar and the Herring Choral Music Intern at First Baptist Church Greenville, which involved singing with and conducting the Sanctuary Choir. Noah served as the Secretary of the National Association for Music Education chapter at Furman and was an active participant in the organization. Noah also participated in several musicals and operettas while at Furman, including playing the role of Jack in Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods" and playing the role of a pirate in Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance." During his senior year, Noah was the student teacher at Mauldin Middle School under the direction of Mrs. Vanessa Rhodes, where he worked with the 6-8 choirs and music and theatre classes. Noah also assisted in conducting the Mauldin Mustang Choir for their performance at Festival Disney, where the group received a Superior rating. Noah is excited to grow as a conductor while at UofSC and is looking forward to joining the cohort in the Fall.

Brian Niu

Brian Niu is a husband and proud father of two children. He received a Bachelor of Choral Music Education and Master’s of Music Education from Florida State University. He was the choir director at Boyd H. Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida for six years. His heart has been for serving inner city and underprivileged students.

Kazarian Shumpert

Kazarian Shumpert is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. He attended Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, MS, his hometown, where he received his Associate of Arts degree. During his time there, he was a member of the Showband from Tiger Land, the NEMCC Jazz Band, Campus Country, and NEMCC Choirs. He then spent four years in Starkville, MS, where he was a member of the Famous Maroon Band. He marched one year as a mellophone player and served as drum major for the following three years. Kaz was also a member of the choral department and performed with OPUS, the TTBB choir, and State Singers, the premiere choral-vocal ensemble at Mississippi State. He graduated in May of 2023 with a Bachelor of Music Education with a Concentration in Voice.

Allison Yablonski

Allison Yablonski is pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. She is the Graduate Assistant for USC's treble ensemble, Garnet Chorale, and is also an instructor of Aural Skills I. Additionally, Allison is pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Choral Music Education. Allison earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she served as Assistant Conductor for Commonwealth Singers and Choral Arts Society, the two mixed ensembles at the university. She sang multiple roles with VCU Opera and was a member of the Richmond Symphony Chorus. Allison also served as President of the VCU student chapter of American Choral Directors’ Association, where she developed a diversity initiative for students and faculty. At USC, Allison has served as Secretary/Treasurer of the student chapter of ACDA. Following her passion of making music accessible to audiences of all ages, Allison previously held an internship position with Wintergreen Music, which included managing the multigenerational volunteer “Sing with Us!” chorus and supporting the pilot year of the LEAD Cooperative, the festival’s education initiative. She is the former Soprano Choral Scholar and Director of Youth Choirs at River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond, Virginia, where she regularly prepared and conducted the Chancel Choir and Youth Choirs. Currently, Allison serves as Soprano Choral Scholar at Shandon Presbyterian Church and regularly conducts and performs with Columbia Operatic Laboratory. Allison is an active soloist in both Virginia and South Carolina.

School of Music

Choral