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Heath Jones
Director of Bands
heath_jones@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Heath Jones is a native of Augusta, Georgia and a graduate of Pendleton High School in Pendleton, South Carolina. Mr. Jones holds the
Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia where he served as Rehearsal Assistant and Band Captain of
the Redcoat Marching Band. He earned his Masters of Music Degree in Music Education, with a conducting emphasis, from the University
of South Carolina. While at USC, he directed the USC University Band, USC Pep Bands and served as drill designer and marching instructor
for the 300 member Carolina Marching Band. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina
and South Carolina. Mr. Jones has 11 years of teaching experience in the public schools of South Carolina and Tennessee. He has also
served as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina Sumter and Central Carolina Technical College.
Mr. Jones professional affiliations include the National Band Association, MENC, SCMEA, SCBDA, GMEA, Phi Beta Mu, Pi Kappa Lambda,
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and is an Honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma. He has been honored on three occasions in Who's Who Among America's
Teachers and was named as a 2001-2002 Sumter High School Top Ten Teacher. Mr. Jones earned certification from the National Board of
Professional Teaching Standards in 2006.
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Heath Lawless
Associate Director of Bands
heath_lawless@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Mr. 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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Amy Pearce
ColorGuard Coordinator
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. Under her leadership
on our staff here at Peachtree Ridge, our teams continue to excel to the next level. Amy is currently an English major at the University of Georgia.
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Frank Iglesias
Percussion Coordinator
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Nelson Dean
Battery Tech
Mr. Nelson Dean has been the battery technician with Peachtree Ridge High School since 2006. Originally from Berkley, California,
Nelson Dean graduated from Wheeler High School in Marietta, GA and performed with their award-winning indoor and outdoor drumlines and
served as a section leader. He also performed as a member of Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps, Corpsvets Drum and Bugle Corps, Atlanta Quest
Indoor Drumline, and the University of Georgia Redcoat Band, as well as competing as a soloist and small ensemble member at DCI and DCA
World Championships and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Since 'retiring' from performing, Nelson has been an
active percussion instructor, and to date has taught, consulted, designed and arranged for more than fifteen indoor and outdoor drumlines
in Georgia and Alabama, including Peachtree Ridge. As always, he is looking forward to another great season with the group. Nelson also
holds a B.A. in History from the University of Georgia, and is currently finishing his MasterÕs degree there.
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JT Snell
Front Ensemble Tech
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Ryan George
Music Arranger
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Ryan Bybee
Drill Designer
Mr. Ryan 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 completing 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 several years, Mr. Bybee has
been heavily involved in the band program at Collins Hill High School as well as Peachtree Rideg. 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 on our 2008-2009 staff and looks forward to
all of the wonderful ideas and expertise he will bring to our band program.
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