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.

2025 Auditions

The Mighty Sound of the Southeast will be having Feature Twirler auditions for the 2025-2026 season. Please see below for the details.

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

To be considered for the position, you must send a 4- to 6-minute video showcasing your talent. The video and application are due by December 1, 2024.

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 2025. 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 emailed to Jay Jacobs, Director of Athletic Bands by December 1, 2024.

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.

2024 Carolina Band Feature Twirlers

Ally Grooms

Ally Grooms is a resident of Lake Wylie, South Carolina. She will be a senior 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 was 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 is the reigning 2024 College Miss Majorette of South Carolina. Ally was 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 currently serves as Miss Midlands through the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization where she advocates for the awareness and accessibility of after-school programs throughout our state. She is thrilled to be a Gamecock and have the honor of twirling at USC.

Alanna Hopkins

Alanna Hopkins is an incoming junior from Long Island, New York who will be pursuing a degree in exercise science. Throughout her twirling career she has won state, regional, national, and international titles. In January 2024 she traveled to Calgary, Canada to compete in the Pan Pacific Cup where she won a gold medal for team USA in the Open Senior Two-Baton division, as well as a silver medal in the Open Senior Solo division. At the 2024 USTA National Championships she qualified to compete in Adult A Two-Baton at the 2025 Nations Cup in Torino, Italy as a member of team USA. In New York, Alanna is also a member of Titanium Twirlers where she enjoys coaching and mentoring athletes. She is honored to be a part of the Carolina Band and aims to inspire young twirlers to pursue their passion for twirling in college.

Jessica Morlan

Jessica Morlan is from Thomson, Georgia and will be a freshman studying exercise science. She is a graduate of Grovetown High School. As a competitive baton twirler, she has accomplished many awards such as the 2015 Juvenile Miss Majorette of America and the 2022 Junior Miss Majorette of America. She has won several state, regional and national titles. Jessica has been honored to represent the United States as a member of Team USA in Holland and Liverpool. She has received silver medals in youth strut, youth 2-baton, and Senior strut. Jessica is the current Miss Majorette of Georgia, as well as the current Senior Georgia State Strut and 2-baton champion. In 2023, she traveled to Peru as a U.S. Twirling Ambassador for the International Spring Festival for the Trujillo Lion’s Club. Jessica enjoys teaching and giving her time back to younger twirlers in the community. She is so excited and honored to be a Gamecock and have the opportunity to twirl for the University of South Carolina.

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 the Public Relations Manager for Lexington Medical Center. 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