Director of Bands

Mr. Classey

Mr. Derek Classey was born and raised in the greater Atlanta area. While there, he joined the band for the first time in sixth grade. He continued in the band all the way through high school while earning along the way spots in the top ensembles (including concert, marching, and jazz bands), section leader, and eventually drum major. 

While in the high school band program Mr. Classey realized his passion for not just music, but education as well. His high school directors were in many ways father figures to him and helped guide him in life and in music. 

After graduating high school, he turned his attention to obtaining a bachelor's degree in music education from Georgia Southern University. At the university level, he participated in various small brass ensembles, Jazz bands, and combos, and continued to earn spots in the top bands as well as leadership roles including drum major of the GSU Southern Pride Marching Band. It is at GSU where he met his wife and upon graduation, they relocated to the Charleston area and started a family.

While here in the Charleston area, Mr. Classey entered the teaching profession right here in Berkeley County at Sedgefield Middle School (SFM). While there the program involved over 200 band members, sent numerous students to the Berkeley County Center for the Arts, was consistently represented at All-County, All-Region, and All-state band events, and scored excellent and super at district and state-level concert performance assessment festivals. 

After six years at SFM, he accepted the position at Philip Simmons Middle, where the program grew from three members to over 100 in one year. In the Fall of 2023, Mr. Classey took over the reins at PSH.

Mr. Classey has a passion for music education and more importantly a passion for reaching ALL students.

Drumline Instructor

Mr. Justin Rivers

Mr. Justin D Rivers, native of Charleston, SC attended Charleston County and Dorchester District 2 public schools during grade schools. Mr. Rivers first found his love for music at a young age when he joined his grandfather’s African drum and dance company at 7 years old. (Adande African Drum and Dance Company, which is the #1 renowned South Carolina African Arts Registry Company in the state). Studying the Djembe drum, Mr. Rivers has traveled to West Guinea, Africa, 6 times and all over the country performing on many national platforms. At the age of 11, he attended Norman C. Tool Middle School, where he joined the band. Mr. Rivers performed with various concert bands, symphonic bands, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and marching bands during his grade school years.

He graduated high school with the first graduating class from Fort Dorchester High School in 1998. He then proceeded to study his undergraduate degree at Furman University in Greenville, SC, where he received his B.A. degree in music education and a minor in percussion performance in 2003. While in college, Mr. Rivers also marched with Drum Corps International(DCI) with Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps. Returning home to Charleston, Mr. Rivers started his teaching career in CCSD, where he taught at James Island High School for three years as Assistant Band Director. Continuing his teaching career, he became Assistant Director of Bands at Timberland High School in BCSD for 8 years. He also served as acting Director of Bands at Goose Creek High School, where he led the Marching Band to the SCBDA Championship and placed #9 in 2019.

He currently serves as Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion at Philip Simmons High School and World Percussion Director at Mevers School of Excellence. He loves spending time with his 6 children and values his family.

Colorguard Instructor

Mrs. Briana Tyler

Briana Tyler is a proud graduate of Benedict College, Class of 2016, where she was an esteemed member of the Benedict College Marching Band of Distinction, performing as part of the color guard. During her time at Benedict, she also became a sister of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc.—an experience that deeply enriched her passion for music, service, and sisterhood.

Currently, Ms. Tyler serves as a dedicated special education teacher at Whitesville Elementary School, where she works closely with Kindergarten and first-grade students. Outside the classroom, she enjoys quality time with her daughter, reading, shopping, and, of course, dancing.

Ms. Tyler lives by the belief that we are not here solely for ourselves, but to uplift and inspire those around us—an outlook she brings to both her teaching and her leadership in dance and color guard.

In 2025, Ms. Tyler became the Color guard/Dance Director for Philip Simmons High School Marching Band.

Majorettes Coach

Mrs. Carson Searight

Carson Searight started twirling when she was six years old and began twirling competitively at the age of nine. She competed in state and national competitions in solo and team until college. In 2015, Ms. Searight started twirling for Clemson University, twirling on the majorette line for three years and as the feature twirler for her fourth and final season. During her time at Clemson, Ms. Searight performed at all the home football games, bowl games, and three National Championships! In 2019, Ms. Searight competed for Miss Clemson University, winning an overall talent award and placing as 1st runner up. That same year, Ms. Searight was crowned Miss Greater Easley and competed for the title of Miss South Carolina, performing her baton twirling talent on the Miss South Carolina stage!

Ms. Searight started teaching at a dance and baton studio in Anderson, SC. She has taught baton and dance to students of all ages and levels in group classes and private lessons. Ms. Searight has also choreographed for high school majorette lines and as a guest instructor for camps and clinics.

In 2025, Ms. Searight became the Majorette Director for Philip Simmons High School Marching Band.

Jarred Latrell Daniel is a South Carolina-based drummer, percussionist, percussion instructor, audio engineer, and entrepreneur whose life and career have been built around his passion for music. With experience both on stage and behind the scenes, Jarred has developed a diverse background in performance, music education, professional audio production, and live sound.

Jarred’s musical journey began with his love for drums and percussion, which grew into a professional career. He has performed with a variety of musical groups throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina, gaining experience in many different musical settings and working alongside a wide range of musicians and performers. His versatility as a drummer and percussionist continues to shape his approach to both performance and education.

Jarred graduated from Goose Creek High School and continued his education at Trident Technical College. He also studied music at Coastal Carolina University under Dr. Jessie Willis, where he further developed his knowledge and skills in percussion and music.

Since 2019, Jarred has worked professionally with Carolina Concert and Audio as an audio engineer and live sound professional. His experience includes professional sound-system operation, equipment installation, system integration, signal flow, cabling, low-voltage systems, fiber-optic cable, and live production. Throughout his career, he has worked on productions featuring nationally recognized artists, including Bow Wow and Tony! Toni! Toné!, as well as numerous other artists and productions throughout the United States.

Jarred is also passionate about helping the next generation of musicians. As a percussion instructor, he works with developing musicians to improve their technique, rhythm, coordination, musicality, and overall understanding of percussion. His teaching is shaped by his experiences as a performer, student, and professional audio engineer.

Outside of performing and teaching, Jarred is an entrepreneur and owner of an audio company, providing services that include audio engineering, sound production, equipment rentals, drum and percussion services, and other music-related work.

At the heart of Jarred’s career is his passion for drums and music. His experience as both a musician and audio professional gives him a unique understanding of the connection between the performer, the instrument, the sound system, and the audience. He continues to perform, teach, engineer, and grow his business while sharing his knowledge and passion for music with others.