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, Drum Corps International, and other performing arts circuits.

K.J. has been on the staff of the Santa Clara Vanguard since 2011 and is currently a member of the music design team. He has also held various roles on the percussion staff including Assistant Percussion Caption Manager. During this time 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.

In addition to his work with Vanguard, K.J. has served on the instructional staff of the Phantom Regiment (2010 DCI High Percussion Champions) and the Troopers, and as a member of the design team for the Madison Scouts. K.J. is also an active adjudicator for Winter Guard International.

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.