CARIO BAND DIRECTORS
Christian Gordon
Cario Director of Bands
Christian Gordon began his teaching career in Leesburg, Georgia at Lee County Middle School East. He later served as Director of Bands at Westglades Middle School in Parkland, Florida, before joining the staff at Cario Middle School in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.
Mr. Gordon earned his degree as a Woodruff Scholar at Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music, where he studied trumpet with Dr. Robert Murray and conducting with Dr. Jamie Nix. During his time there, he held principal trumpet positions in both the Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra, served as lead trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble, and was a national finalist, placing among the top six at the National Trumpet Competition.
Mr. Gordon’s mission is to create a music education experience that is fun, challenging, and transformative. He attributes his students’ success to a structured pass-off system built around three key principles: Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose, all viewed through the lens of a Growth Mindset. Programs under his leadership have consistently achieved remarkable growth, earning recognition at the district, regional, and state levels across Southeast.
In addition to his work in the classroom, Mr. Gordon is an active presenter, having led sessions at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference, the Florida Music Educators Association Conference, the Florida Bandmasters Association Conference, and the National Association for Music Education Conference. He is also a sought-after clinician and advisor throughout the southeastern United States.
Christian Gordon is a proud graduate of Stratford High School in Goose Creek, South Carolina. He is married to fellow music educator Kalyn Todd. Together, they are committed to serving students and enriching their music education experience in South Carolina.
Kalyn Todd
Cario Assistant Director of Bands
assistantdirector@cariobands.org
Kalyn Todd began her teaching career in 2013 after graduating summa cum laude from Columbus State University. From 2013–2018, she taught middle school band in Leesburg, Georgia, focusing on increasing student engagement and musical growth.
In 2018, Mrs. Todd relocated to Parkland, Florida, where she served as an Assistant Band Director and Orchestra Director at Westglades Middle School. In 2023, she joined the faculty at Cario Middle School as Assistant Director of Bands, where she continues to emphasize student-centered instruction and long-term musical development.
Mrs. Todd is passionate about increasing student success, ownership, and purpose in music programs. She has presented at the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Conference, the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Conference, and the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Conference, sharing strategies centered on student motivation, mastery-based learning, and fostering positive, student-focused music classrooms.
Mrs. Todd is married to fellow music educator Christian Gordon. Together, they are dedicated to teaching and contributing to vibrant music programs while living and working in South Carolina.