Feature Twirlers

The Carolina Band Feature Twirlers have a long-standing tradition of excellence that continues to flourish today. Feature Twirlers at USC represent some of the most decorated twirlers in the country. Each twirler receives a scholarship pending acceptance into a degree program at USC and is eligible for a significant out-of-state tuition reduction. The Carolina Band fields between one and three Feature Twirlers each season.

2023 Auditions

Video applications have closed for the 2023 season. Check back in September 2023 for updates about the 2024 season.

Please see below for our typical requirements and expectations

Prospective Feature Twirlers can find what is required to apply below:

In order to be considered for the position, you must send a 4- to 6-minute video showcasing your talent. The video and application are due (postmarked) by December 1, 2022.

Finalists are selected by mid-January and notified by the Director of Athletic Bands.

If applicable, the on-campus finalist auditions are possible in late March 2023. The Carolina Band maintains exceptionally high standards for feature twirlers. The finalist round of auditions will only be held when it is determined students have demonstrated those standards in the application/video process.

Some of the essential skills required by applicants for Feature Twirler include the ability to do a double illusion, three or more spins, a variety of rolls, a variety of bodywork, well-developed multiple baton skills, and flexibility. Gymnastic skills are encouraged but are not required.

• A cover letter stating your intent and reasons for applying
• A current resume listing academic and twirling accomplishments, etc. Be sure to include contact information including a phone number and email address for the applicant.
• A color full-length photo of the applicant in full competition/performance costume
• A 4- to 6-minute video highlighting your abilities including competition and marching band footage if available

The video should include these examples:
• Competition performances (in costume)
• On the field performances (if available)
• Pep rally performances (if available)
• 1, 2 and 3 baton skills
• Gymnastic skills (optional)
Note: A YouTube link or other online media is acceptable for the video.

Any other optional materials you wish to send that highlight your qualifications such as letter(s) of recommendation are considered.

Electronic materials and questions may be sent to Jay Jacobs, Director of Athletic Bands.
Hard copies can be mailed to USC Bands, 813 Assembly Street, Room 117, Columbia, SC 29208.

If live auditions are held, finalists are invited to attend the live audition on the University of South Carolina campus. The auditions will not conflict with any major competitions. Finalists should prepare a 4- to 5-minute routine that includes 1, 2 and 3 baton tricks to any music of your choice. Marching band music is highly suggested. The live audition is followed by an interview with the judging panel. More information about the live audition will be sent to the finalists.

Only applicants who meet the academic admission requirements of the University of South Carolina will be invited for live auditions. Please review the USC application process and requirements here.

2023 Carolina Band Feature Twirlers

Ally Grooms

Ally Grooms is a resident of Lake Wylie, South Carolina. She will be a junior at the University of South Carolina studying Finance and Supply Chain. Throughout her many years as a competitive baton twirler, she has won many state, regional, national, and world titles. Ally received a silver medal as a member of Team USA in Level A Two-Baton at the World Baton Twirling Federation competition in Limoges, France, in 2019 and is a member of 2023 Team USA, traveling to Liverpool, England, to compete in Solo, Artistic Twirl, Duet, and team. She is also a member of Paramount Dance Twirl Teams which is based out of South Carolina. She has won Senior Miss Majorette of South Carolina twice and been named the 2022 South Carolina State Advanced Solo and X-Strut Champion in addition to being a two-time world open finalist in X-Strut and Two Baton. Ally finished in top ten in the Senior Miss Majorette of America division while representing the Gamecocks on a national level. She is a member of Sigma Omega Upsilon Business Fraternity and enjoys giving back to the twirling community through teaching clinics and lessons to younger twirlers. She is thrilled to be a Gamecock and have the honor of twirling at USC.

Amanda Trujillo

Amanda Trujillo is a Florida native who will be graduating in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a minor in dance with plans to pursue graduate studies in Athletic Training. She born into the sport of baton twirling, traveling to her first national championship with the family at just eight weeks old. As the daughter of a twirler, coach and mentor, Amanda jumped at the chance to share her family’s love of the sport with the world. She is a state, regional, national, and international champion who has excelled in both the NBTA and USTA organizations, holding titles such as Senior Miss Majorette of the Southeast, College Miss Majorette of the Southeast, College Miss Majorette of South Carolina, National Dance Twirl and Solo Pairs Champion and numerous other age championships. Amanda has been honored to represent the United States as a member of Team USA in Holland, Croatia, Canada, France, and Italy. She has won numerous medals internationally including a gold medal in Open Junior 2 Baton and a silver medal in Open Junior Solo at the 2017 Pan Pacific Cup, a gold medal in Senior A 2 Baton at the 2019 International Cup, and a silver medal at the 2022 WBTF World Baton Twirling Championships. She earned a Top Five placement in the 2022 USTA National Collegiate Championships and Top Ten placements in the 2022 NBTA Miss Majorette of America competition, the 2022 NBTA Collegiate Downfield Championships, and the 2022 NBTA National Collegiate Halftime Championships while representing the Gamecocks. She is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, Carolina Dance Science, and SCATSA as well as an undergraduate research assistant for the USC graduate athletic training program, and volunteers as a coach/mentor for baton twirling and dance students. Amanda is honored to continue the tradition of excellence as a University of South Carolina Feature Twirler.

Catherine Ramirez, advisor

Catherine Ramirez is the advisor for the University of South Carolina Feature Twirlers. She was a Feature Twirler at South Carolina from 2010-2014 and has been working as the advisor since 2014. Ramirez is a state, regional and national champion. She was the 2012 USTA National Champion in Solo, 2-baton, 3-baton, Dance Twirl and Strut and earned 23 Northeast Regional Grand Championship titles during her career. As part of Team USA, Ramirez represented the United States at the World Baton Twirling Championships in 2008, 2010 and 2012 where she earned a silver and bronze team medal. Ramirez also twirled at Disney’s EPCOT and was a top five finalist in the Collegiate Classic during each of her years at South Carolina. She enjoys teaching baton across the county and instructing competitive soloists. A 2014 graduate of the University of South Carolina, Ramirez is currently a Public Relations/Social Media Manager at Chernoff Newman. She is a member of the Junior League of Columbia, the American Advertising Association of the Midlands and the USC Alumni Association. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with the United Way of the Midlands and spending time with her husband and their dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the Feature Twirlers? Call the USC Band Office, 803-777-4278.

School of Music