Staff
The Mustang Regiment has an outstanding staff who work very hard to ensure that all students in the program are given the best possible education.
Michael Baker
Director of Bands: Palmetto High School
Michael Baker is an award-winning music educator, conductor, and performer dedicated to fostering musical excellence and inclusivity. He holds a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Instrumental Music Education and a Certificate of Performance in Trombone, as well as a Master of Music Education from the American Band College through Central Washington University.
Recognized nationally for his contributions to music education, Mr. Baker was named a Quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award™ in 2027. He was also selected as one of only five winners of the prestigious DeLucia Award for Music Education in 2024.
During his tenure at Palmetto, he has more than doubled student participation and elevated the ensemble's performance repertoire to advanced grade levels, securing numerous Superior and Excellent ratings—including the first recorded "Superior with Distinction" in Class IV in the school’s history.
A passionate advocate for accessible music education, Michael founded a highly successful Adaptive Music Program for students with special needs. His innovative curriculum has been featured as instructional material for music education courses at the University of South Carolina, where he has also serves as a guest lecturer.
In addition to his work as an educator, Mr. Baker is an accomplished composer, arranger, and drill designer, having written numerous marching band shows, concert pieces, and winter guard routines. As a performer and conductor, he won the USC Concerto and Aria Competition, took second prize in the North International Music Competition, and was selected to participate in the 2025 International Conducting Lab.
Cole Summey
Woodwind Instructor
Cole Summey, or "Mr. C" is excited to be working with the woodwind students of the Palmetto Mustang Regiment!
He has most recently earned a Master of Arts in Social Policy with high honors from Furman University and will be completing his thesis project in August of 2026. While pursuing graduate studies, Mr. C has worked as a Student Success Coach with Furman's Bridges to a Brighter Future program. He completed his Bachelor of Music Education at Appalachian State University in 2019 and is a 2014 graduate of Hillcrest High School. Mr. C has taught band previously in both Kershaw County and Greenville County.
Outside of teaching, Mr. C is also the Coordinator of Worship Technology at Open Hearts United Methodist Church in Greenville. He currently serves as the Communications Chair for the App State Alumni Band as well. Mr. C is a proud cat dad of two spoiled fur children and can usually be found gardening at his home in Simpsonville, at a drop-in jazz or folk jam, or reading in one of the Upstate's many local coffee shops.
Sean Mills
Brass Instructor
Sean Mills graduated from Limestone University from Gaffney SC in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in music.
Mr. Mills graduated from Byrnes highschool in 2019 and was in the Byrnes marching band for five years. His main instrument is trumpet and has been playing since 5th grade. This is Sean's second year teaching at palmetto highschool as the brass instructor for marching band. He likes to to help students succeed, build and find their confidence, give advice, and to share his love of music.
When Sean isn't working with the brass he likes to listen to music, hangout with friends, go on night drives, and spend time with family.
Mr. Mills is excited to work with the marching band and to make more amazing memories on and off the field.
Alisa Simmons
Woodwind and Percussion Instructor
Alisa Simmons is entering her fourth school year with Palmetto Elementary. Driven by a lifelong passion for her hometown community, she is currently completing her degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education at Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) to further her impact in the classroom.
Alisa’s deep roots in the area began at Palmetto High School, where she was a dedicated member of both the winter guard and marching band percussion programs. In her personal time, Mrs. Simmons is an avid reader and music enthusiast who loves spending time with her husband, Jason, and their two daughters, Lilith and Olivier.
Rachel Spear
Colorguard Instructor
Rachel Spear is a graduate of Anderson University with a degree in Special Education. She currently teaches in a self-contained classroom at Honea Path Elementary School and is passionate about helping all students reach their full potential.
Mrs. Spear graduated from Palmetto High School, where she participated in color guard and winter guard for five years and served as Guard Captain for three years. Now entering her fourth year as a color guard instructor, she loves helping students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover their passion for performance.
When she’s not teaching or working with the guard, Mrs. Spear enjoys singing on her church’s worship team, watching sunsets, and spending time with her husband, Eric, and their dog, Bluey. You can also find her relaxing at a coffee shop or enjoying time with family and friends.
Mrs Spear is excited for another season and looks forward to helping students grow both on and off the field while creating lasting memories through color guard!
Gabby Stoelting
Percussion Instructor
Gabby Stoelting, a graduate of Riverside High School, participated in marching band and indoor percussion and served as woodwind captain her senior year. Now, she is studying Animal and Veterinary Science at Clemson University with the goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. Along with teaching at Palmetto, Ms. Stoelting also serves as a front ensemble instructor with Trilogy Independent Percussion. During her time with Trilogy, the ensemble has earned two CWEA Championship gold medals in the PIA class.
Outside of teaching and college coursework, Ms. Stoelting enjoys spending time with her service dog in training, Lyndon, who has quickly become a favorite among band members. Lyndon attended many marching band and Trilogy practices and competitions and is excited for another season ahead!
Ms. Stoelting is eager for her third season with the Mustang Regiment and looks forward to creating many more memories with the program!
Braydon Corbett
Percussion Instructor
Braydon Corbett is originally from Anderson, South Carolina. He graduated from TL Hanna High School and participated in a multitude of different ensembles, including the Marching Band, Indoor Drumline, Jazz Band, and Wind Ensemble.
Mr. Corbett is currently a student at the University of South Carolina, studying Music Education with a Performance Certificate in the French Horn. This upcoming year will be his third year as part of the “Mighty Sound of the Southeast” and will also be a Mellophone Section Leader. Mr. Corbett has also marched this past season with the percussion ensemble, Civitas Independent, for their inaugural season into World Class.
Aside from music, Mr. Corbett loves to play ultimate frisbee, rock climb, and do puzzles. This will be his second year working with the Mustang Regiment!
Michael Houtzer
Woodwind & Color Guard Instructor
Michael Houtzer is a 2025 graduate of Western Carolina University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music along with minors in German and Audio Production. He is currently finishing his final semester of student-teaching at Boiling Springs High School for his degree in Music Education. This summer, Mr. Houtzer has taken on a role with the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps in Casper, Wyoming as a tour administrator and videographer.
Mr. Houtzer attended Walhalla High School where he performed in the school’s orchestra, band, and winter guard for multiple years. During his undergraduate degree at WCU, he served as a member and officer of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, an officer of the university’s National Association for Music Education chapter, co-founder of the WCU Orchestra Club, and multiple roles in the “Pride of the Mountains” marching band including staff coordinator, equipment foreman, and videographer. He also performed in a multitude of ensembles including the “Pride of the Mountains” marching band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, concert band, musical theatre pit orchestra, jazz band, saxophone quartet, trombone ensemble, clarinet choir, bassoon ensemble, civic orchestra, winter guard, and was selected to perform in the World Youth Wind Orchestra in South Korea during 2024.
Last year, Mr. Houtzer began his career as a color guard instructor with the Palmetto IMPACT Winter Guard. During this past season, he and Mrs. Spear coached the guard together and helped the group achieve its highest ever score at CWEA Championships.
Outside of music and guard, Mr. Houtzer enjoys running long-distance races, photography, videography, and learning how to build and repair things.