Our Directors 

Adam Vernon-Young- Director of Bands  adam_young@charleston.k12.sc.us

Adam Vernon-Young is the Director of Bands Laing Middle School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Prior to becoming the head director at Laing in 2022, he served as an Assistant Director at both Laing and Cario Middle School since the 2019 school year. Adam received his Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of South Carolina, where he also previously received his Bachelors in Music Theory, as well as an Undergraduate Performance Certificate in Bass Trombone.

Under his leadership, the program at Laing has seen consistent growth over the past four years. Students from Laing regularly place highly in Region and All-State honor clinics, and earn Superior ratings at State Concert Performance Assessment and Solo and Ensemble. The Bands of Laing have performed most recently at the Charleston Music Festival, Carowinds Festival of Music, and the SCBDA Junior State Concert Festival. This year the Laing Symphonic Band has been invited to perform as a featured ensemble at the South Carolina Music Educators Conference in Columbia, SC.

During his time at Carolina, Mr. Vernon-Young accumulated numerous performance and teaching credits, including playing with the USC Wind Ensemble, conducting one of the University Bands, and serving as a Graduate Assistant for two seasons with the University’s Marching Band. Other performance credits include being a finalist at the American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition, and two years marching baritone with World Class Drum and Bugle Corps, Carolina Crown.

Mr. Vernon-Young is a regular instructor, consultant, adjudicator and guest conductor with various groups across the Southeast, working with high school marching and concert programs, as well as University ensembles. In addition to his duties at Laing Middle School, he serves on the staff of the Bands of Wando High School, assisting with their fall marching season. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, and both alumni and honorary membership in the Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. He resides in Charleston, SC with his wife Natalie, and their cat Leopold.

Zane Franco-Winn- Assistant Director of Bands  zane_franco@charleston.k12.sc.us

Zane Franco-Winn, a Western New York native, moved to Charleston, South Carolina in 2021, where he created Beginning Band Programs at The Montessori Schools as a Band Director in Charleston County Public Schools. Mr. Zane Franco-Winn received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia. During his time at SUNY Fredonia, Mr. Franco-Winn played as principal clarinetist in multiple ensembles and studied the instrument under Dr. Andrew Seigel. Zane also served as a Teaching Assistant for Professor Laura Dornberger in Philosophy in Music Education. 

Mr. Franco-winn began his professional career in teaching in Alaska at a K-12 School on the island of Sand Point. He then relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a Master of Music in Music Education from Georgia State University. He was a graduate assistant for the Johnny Mercer Foundation in which he created music curriculum using archival materials. While at Georgia State University, Mr. Franco-Winn performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Robert Ambrose. 

Zane stays very active in the performing arts community as well. He is on the instructional and design team for Étude Winter Guard, Tampa Independent Winter Guard, The Wando High School Marching Band and Color Guard, Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, and a handful of other programs. 

Mr. Franco-Winn also serves as the Advisory Council Chair for the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association Board of Directors.

Zane is beyond excited to be joining Mr. Vernon-Young and the Laing Middle School Band!