Speaking Testimonials

“Thank you to Paul Buyer for coming to do a leadership seminar with our leadership team! If you are looking for someone to engage and challenge your leadership team to do their best, I highly suggest reaching out to him!”

-Spencer Nance, Director of Athletic Bands, Limestone University

“Paul is a dynamic speaker and seasoned presenter who is gifted at telling stories with a very authentic delivery. I believe what he’s saying. His students are lucky to learn from him and his audiences will appreciate his ability to entertain. Paul has a physical presence that appears confident and “athletic” which commands the room, and when you combine that with his effective use of storytelling, humor and gestures he has a powerful vehicle to transport content—content that ultimately inspires audiences, small and large.”

-Vanessa Gallo, Business Manager & Executive Coach, Gallo Communications Group

“Paul Buyer’s presentation was miles beyond any clichéd treatment of how to achieve excellence. His methods are born of his real-life passion for the highest musical achievement among his students. His stories are fascinating and hugely illustrative of his clear and clean system for pursuing only the best. Anyone in any field will gain insights and inspiration from hearing him speak.”

-Chip Egan, Dean Emeritus, College of AAH, Clemson University

“Paul did a wonderful job of dialing everything down to what you need to do on a day to day basis, and stressed that it needs to be every day. He explained the various steps [of working toward excellence] and my daughter and I had a chance later to discuss his presentation and she got it. That’s the most important thing is that she got it! Great talk for the incoming students and also to the parents.”

-Blake Campbell, ACI Financial

“Dr. Buyer’s presentation was polished, dynamic, well-paced, and very convincing. So many students either settle for doing mediocre work or think their mediocre work deserves greater rewards than it’s worth. Students seem not to know the effort and passion that a high-quality performance involves. These are exactly the problems that Dr. Buyer’s book addresses directly, and the faculty was eager to hear his strategies for inspiring students to move beyond the mediocre and aim for excellence. I’ve already asked Dr. Buyer to make his presentation again this academic year.”

-Linda Nilson, former Director, Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, Clemson University

“Working Toward Excellence, a presentation by Dr. Paul Buyer, is an unforgettable, thought-provoking, stimulating and life-changing experience. For those seeking direction in attaining higher goals and developing their capabilities to the fullest, this seminar is invaluable. Paul Buyer exemplifies the clear principles and accessible strategies that enable each of us to be the best that we can. I have heard other motivational speakers and he is among the best. I even came home from my trip and completed a rather tedious and difficult task that I ordinarily would have quit half-way through. The satisfaction of a job well-done was all due to his presentation.”

-Paula Kubik, Music Instructor, Grove City College

Speaking Schedule

May 31, 2023
Virtual Leadership Workshop
University of North Alabama Drumline

May 23, 2023
Our Culture to the World, YouTube interview
Melva Archer-Persico, host

August 11, 2022
Leadership Summit
Limestone University Band, Gaffney, SC

June 4, 2022
Building and Sustaining an Excellent Marching Percussion Ensemble
CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium, Orlando, FL

March 4, 2022
The Global Bandroom podcast
Keith Kelly, host

October 25, 2021
The Back of the Band Room with Steve Weiss Music
Facebook Live, Jeff Phipps, host

August 10, 2021
Band Leadership Summit
Clemson University Tiger Band

July 15, 2021
Band Leadership Summit
Clemson University

January 29, 2021
Rudimental Mindset podcast
Nic Rundell, host

November 5, 2020
The Marching Roundtable podcast
Tim Hinton, host

October 21, 2020
Working Toward Excellence virtual workshop
University of Utah Marching Band

October 5, 2020
Working Toward Excellence virtual workshop
Catalina Foothills (AZ) High School Percussion

September 28, 2020
Sabian Insights 
Mark Reynolds, host

September 9, 2020
Working Toward Excellence virtual workshop
University of Utah Percussion Studio

July 15, 2020
The Washington Tattoo podcast
Mark Reilly, host

May 6, 2020
Working Toward Excellence Zoom workshop
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

August 12, 2019
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson Tiger Band Leadership
Clemson, SC

March 28, 2019
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson University CU 1010 Workshop
Clemson, SC

November 27, 2018
Third Coast Percussion pre-concert talk
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

November 17, 2018
How to Apply for PASIC, with Joshua Simonds
Percussive Arts Society International Convention
Indianapolis, IN

November 17, 2018
PAS Leadership Academy
Percussive Arts Society International Convention
Indianapolis, IN

October 25, 2018
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson University CU 1010 Workshop
Clemson, SC

March 29, 2018
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson University CU 1010 Workshop
Clemson, SC

October 26, 2017
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson University CU 1010 Workshop
Clemson, SC

July 11-13, 2017
Idaho State University Summer Marching Band Camp
Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID

March 30, 2017
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson University CU 1010 Workshop
Clemson, SC

February 4, 2017
Leadership workshop
University of North Alabama
Florence, AL

October 27, 2016
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson University CU 1010 Workshop
Clemson, SC

October 21, 2016
Working Toward Excellence workshop
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

April 9, 2016
Percussion from the Podium
SCPAS Day of Percussion
Lexington, SC

April 1, 2016
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

March 24, 2016
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson University CU 1010 Workshop
Clemson, SC

March 21, 2016
Working Toward Excellence workshop
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC

March 4, 2016
Distant Drumming Skype Masterclass
University of Arizona Percussion Studio

February 18, 2016
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

January 21, 2016
Working Toward Excellence workshop
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

November 12, 2015
Successful Entrepreneurship in College Education
Percussive Arts Society International Convention
San Antonio, TX

November 11, 2015
Welcome Speech
Percussive Arts Society International Convention
San Antonio, TX

October 22, 2015
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Academic Success Center — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

October 9, 2015
Working Toward Excellence
Clemson’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Central, SC

August 16, 2015
Working Toward Excellence
Bridge to Clemson Student Convocation
Clemson University

August 11, 2015
Working Toward Excellence
Tiger Band Leadership Workshop
Clemson University

August 4, 2015
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

April 18, 2015
Guest Clinician, Pickens High School Day of Percussion
Pickens, SC

February 17, 2015
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Academic Success Center — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

February 16, 2015
Working Toward Excellence workshop
“Experiencing the Arts” Honors Class, Clemson University
Clemson, SC

January 16, 2015
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

October 9, 2014
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Academic Success Center — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

August 17, 2014
Working Toward Excellence
Bridge to Clemson Student Convocation
Clemson University

August 14, 2014
Working Toward Excellence
Transfer Student Orientation Academic Pep Talk
Clemson University

August 12, 2014
Working Toward Excellence
Tiger Band Leadership presentation
Clemson University

August 6, 2014
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

July 16, 2014
Working Toward Excellence
Transfer Student Orientation Academic Pep Talk
Clemson University

July 9, 2014
Working Toward Excellence
Transfer Student Orientation Academic Pep Talk
Clemson University

June 25, 2014
Working Toward Excellence
Transfer Student Orientation Academic Pep Talk
Clemson University

June 18, 2014
Working Toward Excellence
Transfer Student Orientation Academic Pep Talk
Clemson University

April 28, 2014
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Graduate Student Pathfinder Program
Clemson University

April 17, 2014
Working Toward Excellence Skype workshop
University of Texas at San Antonio

April 5, 2014
Percussion from the Podium: 3 Mindsets of Ensemble Excellence
SCPAS Day of Percussion

March 6, 2014
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Academic Success Center — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

January 17, 2014
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

January 7, 2014
Keynote Speaker, Success Matters Workshop
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

November 14, 2013
Guest Speaker on Working Toward Excellence
Emerging Leaders Reception
Percussive Arts Society International Convention
Indianapolis, IN

October 10, 2013
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Academic Success Center — Clemson University
Clemson, SC

October 9, 2013
Working Toward Excellence Skype workshop
University of Tennessee – Martin

August 26, 2013
Radio Interview with Will Hall
Your Day SCETV Radio Show

August 20, 2013
Keynote Speaker, Success Matters Workshop
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

August 8, 2013

Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

April 29, 2013
Working Toward Excellence Skype workshop
Middle Tennessee State University

March 25, 2013
Working Toward Excellence Skype workshop
Texas A & M University – Commerce

March 14, 2013
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

March 7, 2013
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Academic Success Center – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

March 1, 2013
Working Toward Excellence workshop
University of North Carolina at Pembroke

January 11, 2013
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

December 13, 2012
SUCCESS Magazine Interview with Darren Hardy
SUCCESS Audio Series

October 18, 2012
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Academic Success Center – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

October 17, 2012
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Academic Success Center – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

October 9, 2013
Working Toward Excellence Skype workshop
University of Tennessee – Martin

September 25, 2012
Leadership Workshop
Kappa Kappa Psi
 – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

August 14, 2012
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Tiger Band Leadership
Clemson University, Clemson, SC

August 8, 2012
Inspiring Your Students to Work Toward Excellence workshop
Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

July 24, 2012
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Pendleton High School Marching Band Leadership Team
Pendleton, SC

June 22, 2012
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Guild of Carillonneurs in North America – Clemson University
Clemson, SC

April 12, 2012
Working Toward Excellence workshop
Clemson Coaches Council – Clemson University
Clemson, SC