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.

2026 Auditions

We will not have auditions for the 2026 season.

Please see below for our typical requirements and expectations

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 2026. 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.

2026 Carolina Band Feature Twirlers

Micah Beaudoin

Micah Beaudoin is from Poughquag, New York and is a sophomore studying exercise science. Throughout her competitive twirling career, she has become a 5-time USA World Team member competing internationally in Solo, 2-Baton, Duet, and Freestyle. Micah has 1 gold medal and has placed in the top 10 internationally multiple times. In addition to these accolades, she is the 2025 USTA Grand National 2-baton Champion. She has also earned many state, regional, and national titles. She is grateful to have won the 2023 Junior Grand National Twirling Champion along with the 2024 Senior Grand National Twirling Champion. She loves to perform at Willy B and is so excited for this upcoming season. Micah loves being a Gamecock and is honored to be a part of the Mighty Sound of the Southeast.

Alanna Hopkins

Alanna Hopkins is a senior from Long Island, New York, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Throughout her baton twirling career, she has earned numerous state, regional, national, and international titles. In January 2024, Alanna represented Team USA at the Pan Pacific Cup in Calgary, Canada, where she won a gold medal in the Open Senior Two-Baton division and a silver medal in the Open Senior Solo division. Later that year, at the 2024 USTA National Championships, she qualified to compete in Adult A Two-Baton at the 2025 Nations Cup in Torino, Italy. Competing as a member of Team USA, she earned a silver medal at the international event. She also represented The University of South Carolina at the 2025 USTA National Collegiate Competition. In New York, she is a member of TNT Twirlers, where she enjoys coaching and mentoring young athletes. In addition, she serves as a rehabilitation aide at Prisma Health, assisting physical therapists in providing care to patients. 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.

Megan O’Mahoney

Megan O’Mahoney is a sophomore Journalism major from Dublin, Ireland. Throughout her competitive baton twirling career, she has proudly represented Ireland on the international stage at several European and World Championship events. Her international achievements include winning two silver medals at the European Cup in Spain, earning a silver medal in 2 Baton at the European Cup in Croatia, advancing to the final in Senior Elite Freestyle at European Championships in Spain 2025, and advancing to the semifinals at Worlds in Italy for Senior Elite Artistic Twirl. She is a multiple-time national champion and winner of the Doyne Perpetual Award recognizing excellence in freestyle competition. This summer, Megan will represent Ireland at the IBTF World Championships in Paris. She is a member of Northern Star Twirlers where she helps mentor younger athletes. She is excited and honored to continue her twirling journey across the Atlantic as a feature twirler 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 family.

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

School of Music