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 has grown 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 has grown 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!
Lindsey Light, Percussion Coordinator
Lindsey is a sophomore at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega and is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. She joined percussion in 6th grade at North Hall Middle and joined marching band her 8th-grade year. She played in the front ensemble during her 8th-grade year and marched snare all four years of high school. She received the Band Director's award and was the drum captain her senior year. During her senior year, Lindsey got the opportunity to take an internship with Mrs. Carwile, the band director at North Hall Middle. There, she student taught the 6th-grade percussion and also directed a piece with the 6th-grade band for their spring performance. This past year she joined UNG's Golden Eagle Indoor Winds and was a part of the front ensemble where she played the marimba and vibraphone. This group won the title of State Champions in the Independent World Class. Her education track is leaning toward the middle grades in hopes that one day she will teach middle school band. Lindsey is excited for the lessons to come and the knowledge to gain from this amazing experience.
Lindsey is a sophomore at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega and is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. She joined percussion in 6th grade at North Hall Middle and joined marching band her 8th-grade year. She played in the front ensemble during her 8th-grade year and marched snare all four years of high school. She received the Band Director's award and was the drum captain her senior year. During her senior year, Lindsey got the opportunity to take an internship with Mrs. Carwile, the band director at North Hall Middle. There, she student taught the 6th-grade percussion and also directed a piece with the 6th-grade band for their spring performance. This past year she joined UNG's Golden Eagle Indoor Winds and was a part of the front ensemble where she played the marimba and vibraphone. This group won the title of State Champions in the Independent World Class. Her education track is leaning toward the middle grades in hopes that one day she will teach middle school band. Lindsey is excited for the lessons to come and the knowledge to gain from this amazing experience.
Courtney Brooks, Band + Colorguard Administrator
Courtney Brooks is an alumnus of West Hall High School. She was involved with the concert and marching band programs during all four years of high school. During her freshman year in the marching band, Courtney played the flute. The following three years, she was a flagette, and had the honor of being the captain her senior year. She is currently pursuing a degree in Middle Grades Education at the University of North Georgia. Courtney has an immense love for both music and students, and she is excited for the adventures to come!
Courtney Brooks is an alumnus of West Hall High School. She was involved with the concert and marching band programs during all four years of high school. During her freshman year in the marching band, Courtney played the flute. The following three years, she was a flagette, and had the honor of being the captain her senior year. She is currently pursuing a degree in Middle Grades Education at the University of North Georgia. Courtney has an immense love for both music and students, and she is excited for the adventures to come!
Nick Kayma, Percussion Instructor
Nick Kayma is currently a sophomore at the University of North Georgia pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He graduated from Lumpkin County High School, and was Drum Captain his junior and senior years. He has participated in the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, and the Georgia All-State Bands throughout high school. He is currently a member of the Tara Winds. Nick is excited for this season as it will be his first season teaching percussion, and is glad to be a part of this amazing program.
Nick Kayma is currently a sophomore at the University of North Georgia pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He graduated from Lumpkin County High School, and was Drum Captain his junior and senior years. He has participated in the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, and the Georgia All-State Bands throughout high school. He is currently a member of the Tara Winds. Nick is excited for this season as it will be his first season teaching percussion, and is glad to be a part of this amazing program.
Alexis Tataris, Colorguard Instructor
Alexis Tataris is a senior at Kennesaw State University where she is pursuing a degree in International Affairs. Alexis began her guard career in the 8th grade and has since completed six seasons of fall guard and six seasons of winter guard. She attended West Hall from 2012-2013 where she served as captain along with Carly Esford. She is currently a member of the Kennesaw State colorguard and spends her Saturdays cheering the owls on to victory. She just ended an extremely successful winterguard season with Reverie, an independent winterguard located in Marietta, GA. Her team placed 2nd at SAPA Championships and made it to WGI finals where they placed 14th in the world. Alexis is excited to be back at West Hall and looks forward to a great season!
Alexis Tataris is a senior at Kennesaw State University where she is pursuing a degree in International Affairs. Alexis began her guard career in the 8th grade and has since completed six seasons of fall guard and six seasons of winter guard. She attended West Hall from 2012-2013 where she served as captain along with Carly Esford. She is currently a member of the Kennesaw State colorguard and spends her Saturdays cheering the owls on to victory. She just ended an extremely successful winterguard season with Reverie, an independent winterguard located in Marietta, GA. Her team placed 2nd at SAPA Championships and made it to WGI finals where they placed 14th in the world. Alexis is excited to be back at West Hall and looks forward to a great season!
Carly Esford, Colorguard Instructor
Carly Esford is an alumnus of West Hall and graduated in 2014. She started taking dance at the age of 3, studying many types of dance such as ballet, hip hop, and jazz. She joined the West Hall Color Guard in 2010 and spun with the marching band for 4 years and the West Hall Winter Guard for 3 years. During her time at West Hall she wrote choreography for events such as the East West Classic All Star Game and Relay for Life. She is currently a senior at the University of North Georgia and will soon be graduating with a degree in Business Management. She is very excited to be working with the Color Guard this season. Go Spartans!
Carly Esford is an alumnus of West Hall and graduated in 2014. She started taking dance at the age of 3, studying many types of dance such as ballet, hip hop, and jazz. She joined the West Hall Color Guard in 2010 and spun with the marching band for 4 years and the West Hall Winter Guard for 3 years. During her time at West Hall she wrote choreography for events such as the East West Classic All Star Game and Relay for Life. She is currently a senior at the University of North Georgia and will soon be graduating with a degree in Business Management. She is very excited to be working with the Color Guard this season. Go Spartans!
