Education & Early Performance

Ron began playing piano at age 2 and started formal gospel-style piano lessons at age 10, studying with Monica Herman (1990-1995) and Shane Jenkins (1996-1997). During secondary school, he made All-State band in 8th grade and qualified for auditions for All-State with his spot in the All-District band every year from 8th through 12th grade, ultimately earning the John Phillip Sousa, Louis Armstrong and ACHS Band Booster Scholarship awards among other honors. He earned annual scholarships to attend Cannon Music Camp, where he studied with Jason Roland Smith and Robert C. Clark, performing on the honors recital his senior year.

At Appalachian State, Ron received a scholarship on euphonium and his highlights include being selected to perform with the 2003 National Intercollegiate Band under Dr. Jack Stamp and served as principal euphonium in the Appalachian State Wind Ensemble under Dr. William Gora. He held multiple leadership positions within Kappa Kappa Psi, including Southeast District Convention Committee Chair and twice serving as president of the Iota Omicron Chapter. Ron also served on the Student Advisory Board to the Hayes School of Music and was active in the ASU Marching Mountaineers under Dr. Jay Jackson, Dr. Dawn Perry and Dr. Scott Tobias as a performer, section leader, music librarian, uniform manager, and Administrative Assistant to the Director and Rehearsal Assistant.

Teaching & Directing Experience

Ron served as Director of Bands at Alexander Central High School in Taylorsville (2005-2008), where he led a large band program of over 130 students, founded the school’s first competitive indoor drumline, and receiving Festival Disney Gold in 2008, hosted the 2007-08 Western Regional Jazz Clinic and served on the NC Bandmasters Marching Band Committee. He also briefly taught at Topsail High School in spring 2005, increasing music program participation by 200% in one semester before being lured home to his alma mater at ACHS. After beginning graduate studies in conducting at Appalachian State with Dr. John Ross, Ron decided to change careers and transitioned to law, earning his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2011 and founding a law firm, Payne Law, PLLC (later Apple Payne Law, PLLC) where he worked from 2012-2024.

Continued Musical Leadership

Throughout his legal career, Ron has remained deeply involved in music:

• Wake Forest University Marching Band – Assistant Director for Operations (2011-2015): Led student operations and gameday logistics for ACC football and basketball, including major performances such as the 2013 Rascal Flatts collaboration and 2011 Music City Bowl trip. Served as Colony Advisor for the Kappa Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and was nominated as an honorary brother in 2015.
• Wake Forest Independent Percussion – Founding President, Board of Directors (2011-2015): Incorporated the non-profit organization and led its advancement from A Class to Open Class competition.
• Piedmont Wind Symphony – Board Treasurer and euphonium performer (2013-2014)

Performance Background

Ron has performed extensively in churches and community settings throughout North Carolina on trombone, euphonium, tuba, and piano, both as a soloist and in chamber groups. He founded Angelic Fanfare, a short-term brass quintet, and served as pianist for New Salem Presbyterian Church (2006-2008) and as Music Director and pianist for South Fork Baptist Church in Winston-Salem (2011-2012).

Professional & Personal Life

Ron currently practices estate planning and probate law as Of Counsel at Tuggle Duggins P.A. in Greensboro with an emphasis on philanthropy and helping families navigate life’s important decisions to preserve their hard work to pass on to the next generations. He is married to Jenn and they have two sons: Aiden, a member of the SEAHS Marching Band, and Aaron, a Cub Scout in Pack 4051 in Elon. When not supporting the band or practicing law, Ron enjoys serving as a leader with the Cub Scouts (formerly a den leader and currently Cubmaster and recent Woodbadge staffer), practicing piano, studying spanish, and spending time with his family and their two cats.