Amanda Irby is the Band Director at Burney Harris Lyons Middle School in Athens, GA. She has previously taught middle and high school band in Gwinnett, McDuffie, Forsyth and Douglas County. In addition to her band director duties Amanda serves as an adjunct music instructor for Truett-McConnell University. Professional Affiliations for Mrs. Irby are the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, Professional Association for Georgia Educators, National Association for Music Educators, and Women Band Directors International.
Amanda received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Valdosta State University and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Solo flute recordings of Mrs. Irby are featured on Thrivent Financial for Lutheran’s Music for Members Website and through the Harvest Home Series at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, Georgia.
Amanda is no stranger to the world of Pageantry. She is a seven time national titleholder and the reigning American Beauties Elite Educator 2022-2023. Aside from her endless practice hours, teaching responsibilities and love of pageantry Amanda and her husband, Richard enjoy playing with their dogs, Belle and Lily.
Whitney Holley is an Associate Professor of Music at Georgia Gwinnett College, where she has been teaching since 2012. She is a principal performer with Quintet Athens and performs regularly with the Athens Symphony, Athens Creative Theater, and Classic City Band. Additionally she teaches for HEARTMusic, Athens.
Whitney earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Georgia, Master of Music from Arkansas State University, and Bachelor of Music from the University of Wyoming.
Mikala Brown is currently in her second year of teaching as the Associate Director of Bands at Parkview High School. In this role, she serves as the primary director of the Wind Symphony and the Jazz Band. Additionally, she co-teaches the Marching Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble.
During her tenure at Parkview, she had the opportunity to conduct select pieces with the Wind Ensemble at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in 2023. In 2024, she both conducted and assisted the band at the GMEA Conference.
Ms. Brown is a graduate of The University of Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. She also pursued minors in classical and jazz piano. While studying at UGA, she received instruction from esteemed educators such as Dr. D. Ray McClellan for clarinet, Dr. Grace Huang for classical piano, and Dr. David D’Angelo and Professor James Weidman for jazz piano.
Throughout her time at UGA, Ms. Brown held various leadership positions. She served as the band captain of the Redcoat Marching Band for two years and fulfilled the role of music chair for the Iota Zeta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Additionally, she served as treasurer of the UGA chapter of the Collegiate National Association for Music Educators.
Ms. Brown actively participated in several musical groups during her time at UGA, including the UGA Wind Ensemble, Women’s Glee Club, Jazz Band, and UGA Repertoire Singers. Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and American Choral Director’s Association.
Currently, Ms. Brown resides in Duluth, Georgia. She enjoys hiking, reading, and making time for her friends and family in her free time.
Bio coming soon.
Vaughn Irby is a retired band director with 33 years teaching experience. He currently teaches part time in Marietta, Georgia for the Stonehaven School and North Metro Music Education where he teaches beginning band students, and high school jazz and concert band. Vaughn retired in 2019 from East Paulding Middle School in Dallas, Georgia where he taught for 14 years. Prior to that Vaughn taught in Thomasville, Georgia for 8 years at both Thomasville High School and MacIntyre Park Middle School. He also taught for 9 years at Dodge County High School in Eastman, Georgia and for 2 years at Treutlen County High School in Soperton, Georgia. Vaughn is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Vaughn holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Troy State University (1984), and a Master of Music Education from Valdosta State College (1988).
Vaughn resides in Powder Springs, Georgia with his wife Beth. They have four children: Myria, Anne, Harrison and Jay.
Jerry Pharr is a retired music educator with more than three decades of teaching experience who has been rehired part-time by Jefferson City Schools to assist with the Jefferson Band program. He most recently served as Director of Bands at Winder-Barrow High School (WBHS) in Winder, Georgia. In his seven years at WBHS, he served as Fine Arts Department Chair and was selected as STAR Teacher in 2016. Previously, he served as Director of Bands at Russell Middle School for 21 years, and an annual band scholarship was established in his honor. Mr. Pharr was selected as Barrow County Teacher of the Year in 2002. His bands consistently earned Superior ratings in Symphonic, Marching and Jazz competitions, and numerous students achieved All-State and District Band honors, among other recognitions. He began his teaching career in Louisville, Kentucky, where he taught high school and elementary band.
Mr. Pharr holds degrees from the University of Georgia (Bachelor of Music, Music Education), University of Louisville (Master of Music, Performance), and Piedmont College (Education Specialist, Curriculum and Instruction).
Mr. Pharr is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He maintains an active schedule of teaching and performing across the Northeast Georgia area. He serves as Low Brass Section Chair for the North Georgia Winds Concert Band and Lead Trombone with the Venue Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Pharr resides in Winder with his wife of 33 years, Kathy. They have two sons: Joshua, age 25 and Andrew, age 22.
Nikki Mote is the Business Development Representative for HB Consulting Co and the Principal Percussionist for North Georgia Winds. Her musical journey began with the Euphonium in 3rd grade, transitioning to Percussion in 6th grade.
Nikki studied Music Education at Reinhardt University, immersing herself in the world of music. Inspired by her passion, she enlisted in the 313th Army Reserve Band when she was just 19 years old, successfully completing the US Army School of Music, and serving in the military for six years.
Nikki's musical path has taken her to some incredible stages and events, with standout moments like multiple performances at GMEA and a memorable appearance at the American Bandmasters Association convention. Additionally, she has traveled and performed domestically and internationally with the 313th Army Reserve Band, delivering a rhythmic cadence that resonates both nationally and internationally.
Beyond the stage, Nikki has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the music industry. Formerly serving as a store manager for Music and Arts and later as the Educational Sales Coordinator for Ken Stanton Music, she played pivotal roles in fostering musical communities and connecting educators with essential resources. Presently, as the Business Development Representative for HB Consulting Co, Nikki continues to bring her expertise to the forefront of small business and non-profits in Gwinnett County.
In addition to her professional roles, Nikki serves as the Vice Chair for the Grow Committee on the Gwinnett Young Professionals Executive Advisory Board, actively contributing to the growth and development of the community.
In her personal life, you’ll find Nikki playing drums for The Taj Motel Trio, an Atlanta-based Ska-Punk band, or curled on the couch with a good book, her cats, and her boyfriend.
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