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MRS. BRIANA CURTIS
DIRECTOR OF BANDS 
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Briana Curtis is the newly appointed Director of Bands at Peachtree Ridge High School. And she couldn't be more excited for year 2 with the Ridge! Before accepting this position, Ms. Curtis earned her Master's Degree in Music Education from Georgia Southern University. During her time at Georgia Southern University, she served as one of the graduate teaching assistants for the band program. She also served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Paulding County High School for the 2019-2020 school year, which immediately followed her graduation from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education.
Ms. Curtis has always had a passion for teaching on the middle and high school levels throughout the metro Atlanta area. In addition, she was a member of the brass instructional staff for Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps since 2019 and joined the visual staff for the 2022 season. She was also on the brass staff with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2020 & 2021 seasons. Throughout her college career, Briana held many responsibilities throughout the band programs at Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State Universities which included serving as the principal bassoonist for the GS wind ensemble, guest conducting with the GS wind ensemble, wind symphony, and university band. She was a member of the KSU wind ensemble which led to her performing with that at the Georgia Music Educator's Association's In-Service Conference in 2017 and 2019. Outside of the collegiate music world, Ms. Curtis was a member of the mellophone section for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018, Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015, and later became head drum major for Alliance in 2016. And in 2021, she marched with Reverie Independent Open Winterguard who was named the 2021 SAPA Independent Open Class champions. |
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MR. JACOB MERCER
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS 
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Jacob Mercer is the newly appointed Assistant Director of Bands at Peachtree Ridge High School. Prior to this new role, Mr. Mercer was the Director of Bands and Choirs at Lithia Springs High School for one year and served two years as the Assistant Director of Bands at Cambridge High School in Milton, Ga.
A graduate of Reinhardt University, Mr. Mercer has had many performance experiences with the Reinhardt University Wind Ensemble, Saxophone Quartet, The University Concert Choir, the men's Acapella group, Men of ‘Hardt, along with saxophone, voice, and piano lessons. In addition to his performance contributions and experiences, Mr. Mercer has had many years of World Class performance opportunities performing with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps Colorguard in 2016/2018, as well as performing with Paramount Open Winterguard in 2019 earning the WGI Open Class Silver Medal. Mr. Mercer has an intense passion for creating musical excellence and experiences with all of his students. He believes that music education is integral to the middle/high school experience and makes well-rounded, respectful young adults upon graduation. He is very excited about this new, fresh chapter and eager to become enveloped in the Peachtree Ridge High School community and the Suwanee area. |
Mr. Nelson Dean
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Mr. Nelson Dean is currently in his fifteenth year in the percussion program at Peachtree Ridge High School where he has worked in a variety of instructional and design capacities over the years. As a student, Mr. Dean competed with Spirit of Atlanta drum and Bugle Corps, Atlanta Quest Indoor Drumline, and Atlanta Corpsvets Drum and Bugle Corps, and performed as a member of the UGA Redcoat band. He also competed as a soloist at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention during his time as a student at Wheeler High School.
Since transitioning out of his role as a performer, Mr. Dean has taught, written, and consulted for more than thirty scholastic and independent percussion programs in Georgia and Alabama in addition to his work at Peachtree Ridge. His previous teaching experiences include Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, Muscle Shoals High School, and Mill Creek High School. At Peachtree Ridge, he currently works as the percussion caption supervisor and percussion arranger for the marching band, as well as the director of the in-school percussion program. Beyond his work as a percussionist, Mr. Dean teaches several different AP History, Art History, and English classes at Peachtree Ridge High School, and serves as a College Board reader in AP European History. He was the school's teacher of the year in 2014-15 as well as a semi-finalist for the GCPS teacher of the year, and was the Gwinnett County STAR teacher in 2016. He currently lives in Decatur with his wife and a diverse array of dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens. |
Mrs. Rachel Myers
DIRECTOR OF GUARDS
Rachel Myers began her guard career as a member of the Peachtree Ridge Colorguard in 2006 where she ultimately became a legacy member of the program. After graduation, she continued her career with Reverie Independent while teaching at various programs throughout the Atlanta area. In 2018, Rachel returned to the Peachtree Ridge Bands program as the Director of Guards where, under her leadership, the team medaled at SAPA Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is also currently a teacher at Peachtree Ridge High School whilst pursuing her Master's degree in Special Education.
While there are many teaching styles in performing arts and sports, Rachel believes the best way to teach a student is to foster a family environment. Her students know her love for them, which allows her to challenge them and still create a safe environment for them. She desires all of her students to grow as individuals and to use guard as a means to not only become a talented spinner, but to become more responsible, learn work ethic, and understand what team work is.
Rachel has her BA in Religious Studies from the University of Georgia. She has been married for 10 years to her husband Derek, and together they have two spunky boys, ages 4 and 8, and a Italian greyhound.
While there are many teaching styles in performing arts and sports, Rachel believes the best way to teach a student is to foster a family environment. Her students know her love for them, which allows her to challenge them and still create a safe environment for them. She desires all of her students to grow as individuals and to use guard as a means to not only become a talented spinner, but to become more responsible, learn work ethic, and understand what team work is.
Rachel has her BA in Religious Studies from the University of Georgia. She has been married for 10 years to her husband Derek, and together they have two spunky boys, ages 4 and 8, and a Italian greyhound.
