Chaz Paxton is currently in his 22nd year teaching and 7th as the Director of Bands at D.W. Daniel High School (SC) where he directs and conducts the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and the Lion’s Pride Marching Band. Chaz is an active clinician, judge and guest conductor and has worked with various high school bands as a consultant, arranger, and designer. In addition, Chaz has presented clinics at the South Carolina Music Educators In-Service Conference, the North Carolina Bandmasters Association In-Service Conference, and the Midwest Clinic. Bands and ensembles under Paxton’s direction have received consistent Superior Ratings throughout the Southeast in concert, jazz and marching venues and have been featured performers at the South Carolina Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference on two occasions (Jazz Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble) with a third performance in February of 2026. Paxton’s marching bands have been Bands of America Regional Finalists, Regional Class Champions, and have won ten South Carolina Marching Band State Championships. In 2025, D.W. Daniel was the recipient of the SCBDA Program of Note Award.
Chaz received the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Southern Wesleyan University. Performance experience includes the Carolina Wind Symphony, the Palmetto Concert Band, and the Poinsett Wind Symphony. Professional memberships include the National Association for Music Education, the South Carolina Music Educators Association, the South Carolina Band Director’s Association, Phi Beta Mu, and is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Chaz served as a representative on the SCBDA Marching Committee for seven years, has served on the SCBDA Adjudication Committee, and served on the SCBDA Executive Board as the Marching Band Committee Chairman for five years. Chaz is a Past President of the South Carolina Band Directors Association and is currently serving as SCBDA Parliamentarian.
Chaz was the 2008 Batesburg-Leesville High School Teacher of the Year, the 2017 Pickens High School Teacher of the Year, has received the NBA Citation for Marching Excellence 11 times, 2 NBA Citations of Excellence and is a recipient of the Professional Excellence Alumni Award from the Southern Wesleyan University School of Education. In 2025, he was named the Phi Beta Mu Theta Chapter Bandmaster of the Year. Chaz is an Education Artist with Innovative Percussion, Inc. and currently resides in Central, SC with his wife Leah, and their two children, Cadence and Carter.