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Director of Bands
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Mr. Heath Jones
Mr. Jones received his undergraduate from the University of Georgia and participated in the Redcoat Band during his time
there. He then received a Masters from the University of South Carolina in Music Education. Mr. Jones is coming
from Sumter High School in Sumter, SC where he has served as the Director of Bands since 2000. He has also served as
the Director of Bands at Hixson HS in Chattanooga, TN and assistant Director at Sumter High School. In addition, he
is a nationally board certified teacher and has worked as an adjunct faculty member for Central Carolina Technical College
and the University of South Carolina.
EMAIL:
Heath_Jones@Gwinnett.k12.ga.us
PHONE: (678) 473-6272
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Associate Director of Bands
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Mr. Heath Lawless
Shannon Heath Lawless, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, earned the Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Georgia
where he studied conducting with both Dr. Dwight Satterwhite and Dr. John Culvahouse Jr. Heath is currently in his 1st year as
Associate Director of Bands at Peachtree Ridge High School. Prior to his current teaching position, Heath spent 8 years as Associate
Director of Bands at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia and 1 year as Associate Director of Bands at Pope High School in
Marietta, Georgia. During his tenure at Collins Hill, bands under his direction consistently earned superior ratings in both
the marching and concert idioms. His primary teaching responsibilities at Collins Hill included: Director of Percussion Studies,
Conductor of Symphonic Band, Associate Conductor of Symphonic Winds, and Director of the award winning “Screamin’ Eagle Marching Band”.
Along with his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Lawless frequently guest conducts and adjudicates contests and festivals. His
professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference,
Phi Beta Mu Honorary Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha, and the Percussive Arts Society.
Prior to becoming a Band Director, Mr. Lawless spent several years participating in Drum and Bugle Corps. He was a member of the
“Spirit of Atlanta” as well as the 1992 Drum Corps International World Champion “Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps” from Rosemont, Illinois.
During his tenure with the Cavaliers, he was the recipient of the distinguished “First Year Member Award”. While studying at the
University of Georgia Mr. Lawless served as head percussion instructor for the “Redcoat” Band and student conductor for the University Concert Band.
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Color Guard Caption Head
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Ms. Amy Pearce
Ms. Pearce is a graduate of Brookwood High School in Snellville, GA where she was a performing member of both the fall and winter guard programs. In 2003, Ms. Pearce was the weapons choreographer and instructor for Brookwood Winterguard. Ms. Pearce has over 13 years of dance experience in several areas including ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary and lyrical. Amy has a lot of energy and a very creative mind to bring to us here at Peachtree Ridge. We are excited about her returning to our staff and she is thrilled about taking our guard to the next level. Amy is currently an English major at the University of Georgia.
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Drill Designer
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Mr. Ryan Bybee
Mr. Bybee is a native of Concord, NC and a graduate of Central Cabarrus High School (very distinguished, nationally recognized high school band program) where he was the drum major in 2000. He is currently finishing his bachelor's degree in Music Education at the University of Georgia. Ryan was also a member of the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps in 2000. For the past 3 years, Mr. Bybee has been heavily involved in the band program at Collins Hill High School. His primary responsibilities include Marching, Maneuvering and Music for the brass section. Ryan was the visual/conceptual designer for Brookwood High School's Winterguard in 2003. He has written drill and been on staff with Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, VA and also a staff member at Mount Pleasant High School in Mt. Pleasant, NC. Peachtree Ridge is very proud to again include Mr. Bybee in our 2006-2007 staff and looks forward to all of the wonderful ideas and expertise he will bring to our band program.
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