Personnel

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.  

Sable McIntyre is originally from Monroe, Georgia. After graduating from George Walton Academy in 2012, she pursued her passion for music at The University of Georgia, earning her Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2018. During her time there, she studied clarinet with Dr. D Ray McClellan and performed with UGA’s premier ensembles. This included playing in the prestigious Hugh Hodgson Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner, and the Wind Symphony, led by Dr. Jacelyn Hartenberger. In these roles, she participated in numerous concerts and recorded world premiere pieces. Additionally, Mrs. McIntyre expanded her expertise by studying conducting with Dr. Hartenberger and even traveled to Italy with her for further musical exploration. Her dedication to music was further evident in her involvement with the Redcoat Marching Band, where she served on the leadership team as clarinet section leader for two years.

In 2024, Mrs. McIntyre earned her Master’s Degree in Music Education from the American Band College in Ashland, Oregon. Her time there was enriched by studying with renowned composers and conductors such as Frank Ticheli, Julie Giroux, Randall Standridge, Brian Balmages, Carol Britten Chambers, Ray Cramer, and Paula Crider.

Today, Mrs. McIntyre is the director of bands at C.W. Davis Middle School, where her students are consistently recognized for their outstanding performances and high levels of musical achievement. Beyond her work at the middle school, she also contributes to the Flowery Branch High School Band in her free time. 

Furthermore, Mrs. McIntyre marched in the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with the Band Director Marching Band. She is an active member of the national band service fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi, the Georgia Music Education Association, and the National Association for Music Educators. In the future, she plans to get her specialist degree.

It is her joy and goal in life to share her musical knowledge with others and use music to mold the lives of the future.

Dr. Walters has been a part of North Georgia Winds for its entire existence. He has been with the University of North Georgia since 2013 and has been the Director of the Golden Eagle Band since 2018. He is also the professor of saxophone, and he teaches music appreciation courses. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Walters was a saxophonist in the United States Army for 11 years. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, Master’s degree from the University of West Georgia, and DMA from the University of Georgia

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.