Candy Byrd-Miller

Candy is married to Jason Miller and has one son, Grant Roland, a current Freshman Quarterback at Grand View University in Des Moines, IA . She lives in Athens and served as the UGA Redcoat Band Auxiliary Coordinator from 2003-2009. Recently, she teaches a couple hundred students in the Athens area, including many STATE, REGION, and NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.  Candy has 30 years of teaching experience in twirl, dance, and cheer. She has a passion for developing young women as athletes, but most importantly as good sportsmen with respect for their fellow competitors. She believes that competition is a journey in which you make friends, develop skills, and succeed at winning along the way. Candy is thrilled to begin the fifth year of classes in her own facility large enough to house twirl, dance, cheer, and tumble teams and classes, making it easy for parents to make one stop!  

Honors and Awards

• 8-Time National and 3-Time Grand National Twirling Champion (Solo, 2 Baton, and 3 Baton)
  Nationally competitive since the age of 12
• 9-Time Alabama State and South Regional Solo, Strut, 2Baton, 3 Baton Champion
  (from age 11-20)
• 9-Time Miss Majorette of Alabama and Miss Majorette of the South
• Miss Alabama Teen USA 1990, (Represented AL in the nationally televised Miss Teen USA)
• Solo and Model winner and 3^rd Runner -Up Miss College Majorette of America 1994
• The University of Georgia Redcoat Band Feature Twirler (scholarship position) 1992-96
• The University of Georgia Basketball Dance Team Captain
  (now known as the Dance Dawgs) 1993-96
• 1^st Runner Up and Talent Winner, Miss University of Georgia 1994
• Redcoat Band Liaison and instructor to Alumni for Alumni Day 1995
• Competed on, choreographed, and/or coached over 24 National Champion Teams since 1989
• George Walton Academy Mini Dawgs, 2012 Twirl Mania Tiny Tot Halftime Champions
• Coached over 35 students who became or are currently Collegiate Majorettes/Feature Twirlers (currently at 4 SEC schools and 1 ACC school)
• Selected as the Bowl Games of America Choreographer for Sugar Bowl Halftime Extravaganza 2002, 2003
• Selected as the Bowl Games of America Choreographer for Liberty Bowl Halftime Extravaganza 2002

International Ambassador

• 1990, United States Twirling Ambassador to France (at the age of 16, Candy was chosen as the U.S. Ambassador for N.B.T.A. to travel throughout France for 2 weeks, teaching clinics for kids as well as adults, and to serve as the featured performer at the European World Championships in Marseille)
• 1997, United States Twirling Ambassador to Peru (Candy was chosen by the N.B.T.A. to lead a team of 6 performers to the city of Arequipa, teaching twirling as well as performing throughout the city at various schools, dignitary events, and parades)
• 2006, on the staff that led 300 Redcoat Band members to China as the first Collegiate Marching Band to tour and perform in the country for 16 days.

 Professional Experience

• 30 years teaching experience with teams and individuals since the age of 14
• Former Owner, DreamsCount Performance Company, created twirling programs at
  – Prince Avenue Christian School , Athens, GA
  – George Walton Academy, Monroe, GA
  – Athens Academy, Athens, GA
  – Cleveland Road Elementary School, Athens, GA
  – John Milledge Academy, Milledgeville, GA
  – Oconee Parks and Recreation
  – Morgan County Parks and Recreation
• Coach and Choreographer of the National Champion University of Georgia Majorettes
  2003-2009 (won 4 National Titles under Candy’s direction)
• Auxiliary Coordinator for the UGA Redcoat Band (Majorettes, Georgettes, and Flagline) 2003-2009
• UGA Summer Auxiliary Camp Director 2003-2009
• Miss University of Georgia Pageant Board of Directors since 2003
• Choreographer and part-time coach of the National and Open World Champion Southern Starlets Baton and Dance of Cullman, AL (17 Team National Titles)
• Choreographer and part -time coach , National Champion Royalettes, Richmond, VA 1998-2003
• Guest Instructor, Clemson University
• Guest Instructor, The University of Miami Marching Band 2012
• Guest Instructor, Appalachian State University 2005
• Choreographer, Middle Tennessee State University Majorettes  1999-2002
• Guest Instructor for numerous competitive studios, camps, and high school marching bands around the country (1992-present)
• Coached ladies  who obtained twirling positions at the following schools throughout my career: University of Georgia, University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Tennessee,  Mississippi State, MTSU, University of Virginia,  UA Birmingham, Troy University, Clemson University, University of North Alabama,
• Guest Instructor, The University of Tennessee Twirling Camp 4 years in a row
• Guest Instructor, Dance Magic Camps – Southeastern US
• Guest Instructor, Heart of Dixie Camps – Alabama
• Guest Instructor, Florida All-Stars Twirling Camp – Florida
• Guest Instructor, Rising Starz Camp – Alabama