Katy Wilson-Fields, Director of Bands
Katy Wilson-Fields served as the Director of Bands at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA from 2010 until 2016. Since her appointment in 2010, the band grew from 20 students to more than 100. Under her direction, the RMA Band Program expanded to include three concert bands, a military marching band, a football pep band, a jazz band, three percussion ensembles, a battalion bugle corps, the Grenadiers Rope Drum Ensemble, and various chamber ensembles. Membership in the RMA Band Program consistently included 20% of the Academy Corps of Cadets. The Riverside Symphonic Winds received superior ratings at Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation for five consecutive years. In 2014, the Riverside Military Marching Band accepted an invitation to represent the state of Georgia in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii.
Mrs. Wilson-Fields holds a Master of Arts in Band Conducting through the American Band College from Sam Houston State University and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, Mrs. Wilson-Fields studied trumpet with Fred Mills, former and founding member of the Canadian Brass. Her conducting teachers include Dr. John Lynch, Mr. Mark Cedel, Dr. Mitos Andaya, and Dr. Michael Robinson. While at the University of Georgia she served as Battle Hymn Soloist, Trumpet Section Leader, and Drum Major for the Redcoat Marching Band. She also performed as a member of the UGA Wind Ensemble, UGA Symphony Orchestra, and the Georgia Brass Ensemble.
Mrs. Wilson-Fields is an active musician in the Atlanta and Gainesville area, performing as a trumpet player with the Northwinds Symphonic Band and in her church orchestra. Mrs. Wilson-Fields is an active clinician and adjudicator for Drum Major students in the North Georgia and Atlanta area. She is an active citizen of the community and graduated from 2014 Leadership Hall County through the Hall County Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Wilson-Fields' professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, and Women Band Directors International.
Katy Wilson-Fields served as the Director of Bands at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA from 2010 until 2016. Since her appointment in 2010, the band grew from 20 students to more than 100. Under her direction, the RMA Band Program expanded to include three concert bands, a military marching band, a football pep band, a jazz band, three percussion ensembles, a battalion bugle corps, the Grenadiers Rope Drum Ensemble, and various chamber ensembles. Membership in the RMA Band Program consistently included 20% of the Academy Corps of Cadets. The Riverside Symphonic Winds received superior ratings at Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation for five consecutive years. In 2014, the Riverside Military Marching Band accepted an invitation to represent the state of Georgia in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii.
Mrs. Wilson-Fields holds a Master of Arts in Band Conducting through the American Band College from Sam Houston State University and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, Mrs. Wilson-Fields studied trumpet with Fred Mills, former and founding member of the Canadian Brass. Her conducting teachers include Dr. John Lynch, Mr. Mark Cedel, Dr. Mitos Andaya, and Dr. Michael Robinson. While at the University of Georgia she served as Battle Hymn Soloist, Trumpet Section Leader, and Drum Major for the Redcoat Marching Band. She also performed as a member of the UGA Wind Ensemble, UGA Symphony Orchestra, and the Georgia Brass Ensemble.
Mrs. Wilson-Fields is an active musician in the Atlanta and Gainesville area, performing as a trumpet player with the Northwinds Symphonic Band and in her church orchestra. Mrs. Wilson-Fields is an active clinician and adjudicator for Drum Major students in the North Georgia and Atlanta area. She is an active citizen of the community and graduated from 2014 Leadership Hall County through the Hall County Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Wilson-Fields' professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, and Women Band Directors International.
Lindsey Foster, Director of Bands, West Hall Middle School
Lindsey Foster graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in music education with a concentration in saxophone. She grew up in Georgia and is an active performer and teacher in the Atlanta area. Ms. Foster has worked with several bands around the state including Lakeside High School, Luella High School, Norcross High School, Lost Mountain Middle School, and Dacula Middle School. She also spent a summer learning instrument repair and has interned with the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble. Most recently she was the manager of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony in Atlanta, Georgia. She is excited to be teaching at West Hall Middle School this coming year. Go Spartans!
Lindsey Foster graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in music education with a concentration in saxophone. She grew up in Georgia and is an active performer and teacher in the Atlanta area. Ms. Foster has worked with several bands around the state including Lakeside High School, Luella High School, Norcross High School, Lost Mountain Middle School, and Dacula Middle School. She also spent a summer learning instrument repair and has interned with the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble. Most recently she was the manager of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony in Atlanta, Georgia. She is excited to be teaching at West Hall Middle School this coming year. Go Spartans!
Celeena Corbin, Percussion Coordinator
Celeena Corbin is a percussionist, educator, and author active in the southeast. Before all else, she is an artist musician capable of working in a wide range of styles from new art music, to classical, to pop/rock and jazz. The breadth of her skillset is broad and commanding-Celeena is as comfortable in the concert hall as she is in the pop music venue. Her ability to bridge styles, genres, and percussion disciplines with ease and fluidity is nothing short of remarkable. Whether on drum set or hand drums, behind marimba or timpani, or delivering soulful solo performances on vibraphone while she sings, Celeena’s musical presence is authoritative.
As an educator, Celeena has worked with high school, university, and Independent World WGI marching ensembles, percussion ensembles, and concert groups by providing engaging, effective, and efficient instruction. Additionally, her writing and arranging for marching and concert percussion ensembles is interesting, musical, and instructional-facilitating successful/competitive performances for the ensembles for which she composes.
Celeena completed her Masters in Percussion Performance in 2021 at Middle Tennessee State University under the direction of Lalo Davila. As a graduate student she was awarded a full scholarship and graduate teaching assistantship. Her duties included teaching undergraduate applied percussion lessons as well as coaching the MTSU Band of Blue drum line. Additionally, she coordinated the graduate percussion ensemble and assisted the MTSU percussion ensemble. Celeena received her B.A. in Performance from University of North Georgia in 2018.
Celeena Corbin is a percussionist, educator, and author active in the southeast. Before all else, she is an artist musician capable of working in a wide range of styles from new art music, to classical, to pop/rock and jazz. The breadth of her skillset is broad and commanding-Celeena is as comfortable in the concert hall as she is in the pop music venue. Her ability to bridge styles, genres, and percussion disciplines with ease and fluidity is nothing short of remarkable. Whether on drum set or hand drums, behind marimba or timpani, or delivering soulful solo performances on vibraphone while she sings, Celeena’s musical presence is authoritative.
As an educator, Celeena has worked with high school, university, and Independent World WGI marching ensembles, percussion ensembles, and concert groups by providing engaging, effective, and efficient instruction. Additionally, her writing and arranging for marching and concert percussion ensembles is interesting, musical, and instructional-facilitating successful/competitive performances for the ensembles for which she composes.
Celeena completed her Masters in Percussion Performance in 2021 at Middle Tennessee State University under the direction of Lalo Davila. As a graduate student she was awarded a full scholarship and graduate teaching assistantship. Her duties included teaching undergraduate applied percussion lessons as well as coaching the MTSU Band of Blue drum line. Additionally, she coordinated the graduate percussion ensemble and assisted the MTSU percussion ensemble. Celeena received her B.A. in Performance from University of North Georgia in 2018.
Courtney Brooks, Band + Colorguard Administrator
Courtney Brooks is an alumna of West Hall, class of 2010. While in high school, she was a member of the Band of Silver and a captain of the Flagettes her senior year. She was also involved with the concert band all four years. In 2012, she began working with the band under the direction of Ernie Phillips as an assistant to the Color Guard. In 2014, she became the Band + Color Guard Administrator under the direction of Katy Wilson-Fields. She is a graduate of the University of North Georgia with a degree in Middle Grades Education: Math and Science. This is her third year teaching Special Education in the math department at West Hall High School. Courtney is currently pursuing her Master's of Education in Special Education from Kennesaw State University. Courtney's immense love for both music and students keeps her excited for all the adventures to come!
Courtney Brooks is an alumna of West Hall, class of 2010. While in high school, she was a member of the Band of Silver and a captain of the Flagettes her senior year. She was also involved with the concert band all four years. In 2012, she began working with the band under the direction of Ernie Phillips as an assistant to the Color Guard. In 2014, she became the Band + Color Guard Administrator under the direction of Katy Wilson-Fields. She is a graduate of the University of North Georgia with a degree in Middle Grades Education: Math and Science. This is her third year teaching Special Education in the math department at West Hall High School. Courtney is currently pursuing her Master's of Education in Special Education from Kennesaw State University. Courtney's immense love for both music and students keeps her excited for all the adventures to come!
Pamela Dean, Colorguard Instructor
Pamela Dean is a native of Georgia, growing up just down the road in Gwinnett County where she attended Mountain View High School. Pamela decided to give color guard a chance at the start of her sophomore year of high school after years of watching her mom perform with the UGA Alumni band. During her three years of high school color guard, she served as a student tech for the middle school winter guard program and as captain. After high school, Pamela continued to pursue her love of color guard at the University of Georgia, where she performed with the UGA Flagline and UGA Winter Guard. After graduating with degrees in English and English Education, she became the Color Guard Director at Dacula High School, where she served and assisted for the next two years. Today, Pamela lives in Gainesville with her husband, Kirby, and teaches English and Special Education at Chestatee High School.
Pamela Dean is a native of Georgia, growing up just down the road in Gwinnett County where she attended Mountain View High School. Pamela decided to give color guard a chance at the start of her sophomore year of high school after years of watching her mom perform with the UGA Alumni band. During her three years of high school color guard, she served as a student tech for the middle school winter guard program and as captain. After high school, Pamela continued to pursue her love of color guard at the University of Georgia, where she performed with the UGA Flagline and UGA Winter Guard. After graduating with degrees in English and English Education, she became the Color Guard Director at Dacula High School, where she served and assisted for the next two years. Today, Pamela lives in Gainesville with her husband, Kirby, and teaches English and Special Education at Chestatee High School.