Benjamin Pouncey joined the University of South Carolina in Fall 2026 as Instructor of Music and Assistant Director of Athletic Bands. Prior to earning his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting in May 2026, he served as a guest conductor of the University of South Carolina concert bands, assisted with all aspects of the athletic band program, taught undergraduate conducting courses and supervised student teachers.

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Pouncey holds degrees from the University of South Carolina and Colorado State University. Before returning to USC, he served as Director of Bands at Ashley Ridge High School and Co-Director of Bands at DuBose Middle School. During his tenure at DuBose, the Symphonic Band was selected to perform at the South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference.

Pouncey has presented research at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference and was selected as a Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellow at the Midwest Clinic. He also participated in the National Band Association Young Composer and Conductor Mentor Project in Washington, D.C., where he conducted the United States Air Force Band in the world premiere of Trevor Smith’s Palette and Spectrum.

An alumnus of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Pouncey performed as a trumpet player and later served as drum major. He remains active as an instructor and clinician and has been published in the National Band Association Journal. Pouncey is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, the National Band Association and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.