Dr. Joshua D. Blair
Director of Bands
Ms. Rachel Rosen
Associate Director of Bands
Traci Durrance
Principal
STAFF
Dr. Joshua D. Blair
Director of Bands
Joshua D. Blair received his undergraduate degrees in political science and music from Stetson University in 2004. While at Stetson University Dr. Blair performed and studied under the baton of Dr. Bobby Adams. He completed his Master of Music degree with concentrations in instrumental conducting and saxophone performance from the University of South Florida in 2007 and received his Ph.D. in Music Education with a cognate in Instrumental Conducting from the University of South Florida in 2018. Dr. Blair has studied saxophone with Professor Jim Bishop, Dr. Jonathan Helton, Professor Valerie Gillespie, and conducting with Joseph Kreines, Dr. William Wiedrich, and Dr. John Carmichael.
Dr. Blair has taught at Sarasota High School, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, and Walter L. Sickles High School where he was responsible for the marching band, concert bands, jazz band & combos, percussion &
chamber ensembles, and AP music theory. Under his direction these ensembles received numerous superior ratings and performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009 and 2012. While at Plant City High School, the band has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall twice (2016 & 2020) and performed for the Music for All Orlando Regional in 2022 and 2023.
Dr. Blair has also served on faculty as saxophone professor at Florida Southwestern State College, guest conducted the Southwest Florida Youth Symphony, and played with the Florida Wind Band from 2009-2019. He is also a member of the Florida Music Educators Association, The Florida Bandmasters Association, The National Band Directors Association, The National Association for Music Education, The College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Delta Sigma Phi.
Dr. Blair enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, and playing golf.
Rachel Rosen
Associate Director of Bands
Rachel Rosen is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a certificate in Music Performance. While at UF, she completed the University Honors Program and graduated with highest honors in her major. She played flute and piccolo in the Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Gator Marching Band, where she served as the Piccolo Section Leader for two years. She has served of the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Orchestra at Plant City High School since 2022, where she will also serve as the Choir Director for the 2023-2024 school year.
Ms. Rosen has worked with a variety of bands in Florida, primarily in the Hillsborough, Alachua, and Marion school districts. She regularly teaches at multiple band camps throughout the state. Her professional affiliations include the Florida Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, and Tau Beta Sigma.
Ms. Rosen enjoys cheering on the Gators, spending time with her friends and family, and playing with her cat, Connie.
Paul Gavin
Percussion Arranger
Paul Gavin is a drummer, teacher, composer, and arranger in the Tampa Bay area. Paul graduated in 2015 from the University of South Florida with a degree in Jazz Studies, with coursework in classical percussion and music education. Since graduating he has made his entire living playing, teaching, and writing music. This season Paul enters his third year as the percussion arranger for the Raider Regiment.
Yarnell Stallworth
Percussion Instructor
Yarnell is a 2004 graduate of Plant City High School and is excited to join the staff at his Alma Mater. After graduating from Plant City, Yarnell marched with the University of Central Florida Marching Knights 2004-2007 and worked as a cast member for Disney. He has marched with Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps (2007 & 2008) and served as drum captain in 2008, TCI Timber Creek Independent Indoor (2009), and Orlando Magic Rhythm & Blues Drum Line (2006-Present). Yarnell also plays snare for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drum line (2018-Present).
Yarnell has extensive teaching experience that includes 17 years teaching high school and has served on the battery staff for Timber Creek Independent and Infinity 2.
Naren Reyes
Guard Technician
Naren Reyes began colorguard at USF in 2015. He marched "Take 5" in 2015, "No Part of Easy" in 2016, "Cold" in 2017, "Show Me Love" in 2018, and "Humanity" in 2019. He has taught various programs in the Tampa Bay Area including Wharton High School 2015-2016, Plant City High School in 2017-2019 where they won gold in AAA in 2018, and was a technician at Sunlake High School in 2019 where they placed 2nd in World. Naren is excited to be back with Plant City High School as a technician. He loves pizza, has two dogs, and works as a Nurse when he's not participating in colorguard.
Russ McCollum
Brass
Russ McCollum is a native of northwestern Alabama and holds a degree in Instrumental Music from the University of North Alabama. He moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2011 and was a soloist with the Tampa Bay Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012 and 2013. He is currently Principal Trumpet for the Florida Wind Band. He has been a marching band instructor for East Lawrence, Russelville, Hatton, and Hueytown High School in Alabama; and Deane Bozeman and Plant City High School in Florida. He currently lives in Plant City with his wife, two daughters, and cat. His interests also include motorsports, astronomy, and singing.