David Martin Sickinger is the Architect/Principal for Garvin Design Group and he enjoys playing the piano.

Kevin J. Banks is a higher education professional dedicated to student success. He serves as Financial Aid Coordinator for Loan Services at the University of South Carolina, where he oversees private and federal loan programs and supports staff training. With more than 15 years of experience in enrollment management, financial aid, and registrar leadership, Kevin has built his career around helping students and families access educational opportunities.

A strong supporter of music and the arts, he values their ability to inspire, connect, and enrich communities, and in his spare time, he does music theatre. Kevin earned his MBA and Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is proud to serve on the Friends of the School of Music Board in support of USC’s students and programs.

Lynn Collins is a 1985 (B.A. Psychology) and 1989 (Masters +30 in School Psychology) graduate of the University of South Carolina. She met her husband while in graduate school, and they married at Rutledge Chapel in 1990.  Their son carried on the legacy by graduating in 2020. While at USC, Lynn participated in Marching Band playing clarinet (member of Tau Beta Sigma). Since graduation, she has been an active member of the alumni band committee serving in a variety of roles including chair, communications committee chair, and organizer of the annual silent auction. She continues to support students in the marching band with a named scholarship.

Lynn retired as a School Psychologist after working in SC public schools for over 35 years. For 15 of those years, she served as the Executive Director of the SC Association of School Psychologists. In 2024, she was recognized as an “Outstanding Advocate” by the National Association of School Psychologists. She has also served as Executive Director of the District Five Foundation for Educational Excellence. 

In her retirement, Lynn works as a travel advisor.  In that role, she organized a block of hotel rooms for family and friends when the marching band participated in the 2025 Macy’s parade and has arranged for another block of rooms for London Band Week 2026. A portion of the proceeds from her travel business are donated back to the School of Music when clients mention USC. 

She looks forward to continuing the support of the School of Music.

Sunny Herring describes herself as a “vintage literacy specialist,” having spent more than three decades working with children and educators in teaching and leadership roles. She currently teaches 3K, bringing her experience full circle to the earliest years of literacy and learning.

Sunny’s connection to the University of South Carolina School of Music began in 2002. She and her husband, Scott Herring, moved to Columbia when Scott joined the faculty as Professor of Percussion. Since then, the School of Music has become deeply woven into the life of their family. She has watched with pride as Scott developed the percussion program and as generations of students have grown into accomplished musicians, educators, and professionals.

Although Sunny jokingly claims the musical talent in her family belongs to everyone but her, she believes music itself belongs to everyone. As an educator, she sees music as innately human and believes that experiences with song, rhythm, and sound from the earliest years help children develop as thinkers, learners, and communicators. Just as importantly, she has seen how making music with others builds confidence, creates community, and gives people a powerful sense of connection and belonging.

Music has also been an important part of Sunny’s life as a parent. She has encouraged and supported her children as they explored music in their own ways and found countless ways to support the programs and communities that helped them grow, including serving in leadership roles as both secretary and president of the Irmo Band Booster Club. Through her own children, school music programs, and the many students who have passed through Scott’s program, Sunny has seen firsthand how music gives young people opportunities to discover their strengths, find their people, and become part of something larger than themselves.

For nearly 25 years, the School of Music has been part of the rhythm of Sunny’s family life—through concerts and recitals, students and friendships, milestones and memories. She is honored to give back as a member of the Friends of the School of Music Board and looks forward to helping others connect with, celebrate, and invest in the students and programs that make the School of Music such a special community.

Drake DelosSantos is an award-winning communications and public relations professional. He is the community relations manager for Prisma Health.

He serves on the board for the Lexington Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center and Columbia Opportunity Resource. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia.

Julian is managing partner at LIFE 20/20 and the Founding Executive Director of the Here’s 2 Life Foundation. LIFE 20/20 is a minority-owned, small business that curates events, produces products, and delivers services that inform, inspires, educates and empowers children, youth, and families. He is a ’14 alumnus of the University of South Carolina where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching and Learning/Health Promotion, Education and Behavior. Julian is also an accomplished singer/songwriter, composer/arranger/producer.

James Long, saxophone

Harrison Chandler, saxophone

John Koontz, cello

Alana Brezenski, voice

Colin Bouley, piano

Peyton Mann, bassoon