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K.J. Stafford is a full-time music arranger, educator, adjudicator and consultant with over 20 years of experience teaching, writing and designing for band programs, drum corps and percussion ensembles throughout the United States. Ensembles performing his music include champions, medalists and finalists at national and regional championships in Winter Guard International, Bands of America, and other performing arts circuits. K.J. is also an active adjudicator for Winter Guard International.
K.J. has been involved with Drum Corps International for over two decades. He currently serves as the Assistant Percussion Caption Head for the Santa Clara Vanguard. Since joining the staff in 2011, Vanguard has earned six Fred Sanford Awards for Best Percussion: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2024 as well as the DCI World Championship in 2018. Beginning with the 2024 season, K.J. joined the design team of the Madison Scouts as the Music Supervisor. Prior to working with Vanguard and the Madison Scouts organizations, K.J. also taught on the percussion staff of the Phantom Regiment (2010 DCI High Percussion Champions) and the Troopers (2007-2009).
From 2006-2022, KJ was the band director and music department chair at Hickory Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia. Under his direction, the bands at Hickory Middle School consistently received superior ratings at state concert band festivals and were selected to perform at the Virginia Music Educators State Conference.
K.J. earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia K.J. proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Remo Drumheads and SABIAN Cymbals.
