Adjudicators

Dr. Gabriel Woods is a tenured Assistant Professor University System of Georgia. He has worked at all levels of education, including serving as a GaTAPP Coordinator, where he currently certified over 150 teachers, Hearing Officer, as a School Board Member of two charter schools, and as a National Consultant for executive leadership placement, having assisted nearly 20 school districts with superintendent placement and lastly, band director. His band has consistently earned superior ratings at grade levels and has performed at many venues. Dr. Woods earned his B.A. from Georgia State University, M.M. Ed. from Anderson University, Master in Strategic Leadership and Development from Clayton State University, and D.M.E. from Liberty University. He also holds several graduate certificates from the University of Georgia. Dr. Woods was responsible for developing the Music Appreciation Distance Learning curriculum in Angel and Blackboard Learning Platforms for Ogeechee Technical College and the University of South Carolina Beaufort. He developed and set the student learning objectives in Music for the State of Georgia. He served on a panel to create and review the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) in Music. He has also been an external reviewer for Praxis in Music and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Dr. Woods is published in the Georgia Music News, a Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) publication.

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hughley

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A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Jeffrey D. Hughley received the Bachelor of Music Education from Alabama State University and a Master of Music Education from Troy University. Dr. Hughley also received his Educational Specialist in Teacher Leadership from the University of West Alabama and a second Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from Auburn University at Montgomery. Dr. Hughley recently received the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Music Education from the University of Georgia in Athens. Dr. Hughley is in his seventeenth year as a music educator. He began his teaching career in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he served as director of bands and department chair of the fine arts at Booker T. Washington High School. Under his tutelage, the symphonic and marching bands received superior ratings at Music Performance Assessment and the national level. He also taught music appreciation, symphonic band, and woodwind methods at Alabama State University. Before coming to Dutchtown High school, Dr. Hughley was the director of bands at Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet School in Montgomery, Alabama.

Dr. Hughley was assistant director of bands at Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Ga. Dr. Hughley's responsibilities include co-teach Concert band, assisting with the Wind Symphony, and conductor for the Symphonic Band. The Dutchtown Symphonic Band has consistently received straight superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation since Dr. Hughley has been the conductor. Dr. Hughley is currently director of bands at Flat Rock Middle School in Fayette County. Dr. Hughley is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Adrian Adams

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Adrian Adams is a highly accomplished collegiate and high school band director with an impeccable career spanning just under 15 years. He has served in school districts and colleges in South Carolina and Georgia. He most recently served as Director of Bands at Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia, and currently serves as Director of Bands at Community Christian School in Stockbridge, Georgia.

Throughout his substantial career, Mr. Adams has consistently led his students to receive superior ratings at concert and jazz festivals and marching band venues. A notable highlight includes the tour of Normandy, France, in June 2023, where Adams and the Sound of Dutchtown band were the highlighted marching ensemble to commemorate the 79th anniversary of D-Day. At the request of Delta Airlines and The Best Defense Foundation, in celebration of returning World War II veterans to Normandy, Adams' band was one of a few marching bands in the State of Georgia to participate in a parade through a terminal in the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Adams' bands have gained significant recognition and media coverage and have been featured in esteemed publications such as The State Newspaper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Carolina Panorama, The Henry Herald, and Columbia Daily. They have also received exposure on V-103 The People's Station, Atlanta News First, WIS News, WLTX News, Fox 5, and

the Delta Airlines publications. Adams has also had the honor of being selected to march as a band director in the Rose Bowl and Macy's Day parades.

His exceptional contributions to music education were recognized when he was nominated and selected as a Quarterfinalist for the 2021 and 2022 Grammy Music Educator's Award. He further solidified his legacy in 2023 when he was nominated as a Legacy Nominee for the same prestigious award. Adams uses his talent as a musician and educator to break barriers in music education and advocate for music equality, ensuring that students from all cultures and diverse backgrounds have access to high-quality music education. His remarkable career as a band director continues to inspire and uplift students and young educators, while his dedication to philanthropy leaves a lasting impact on music education.

Mr. Adams is a graduate of Benedict College, where he earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Instrumental Music (French Horn Performance), University of Phoenix, where he earned the Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration (Principalship P-12), and William Carey University, where he earned the Master of Music degree in Music Education. He is currently a doctoral candidate for the Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership (P-12) degree. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc.. He holds Honorary Membership in Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education and the Georgia Music Educators Association. While working as a part-time faculty member at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, teaching full-time and privately, he is active as a clinician and adjudicator across the south through his organization, AJA Consulting.

Carlton D. Williams

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Carlton D. Williams is an accomplished music educator with over 23 years of experience in teaching and band leadership. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Mr. Williams is a 1998 graduate of William H. Lanier High School. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Jackson State University in 2003 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music Education (D.M.E.) at Liberty University.

Throughout his career, Mr. Williams has demonstrated a strong commitment to student growth, musical excellence, and program development. He has held band director positions at several schools across Mississippi, Texas, and Georgia, including East Flora Middle School (2002–2005), Provine High School (2005–2013), Kashmere High School (2014), and Skyline High School in Dallas (2015–2022). He currently serves as Director of Bands at Midtown High School in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. Williams is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Texas Music Educators Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, Dallas Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). He is also a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Beta Chapter, Spring 2000) and the Free and Accepted Masons, Stringer Lodge #1 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

John Renfroe

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John G. Renfroe currently serves as Director of Bands at Glenn C. Jones Middle School in Buford, Georgia, where he is deeply involved in guiding the program’s musical direction, instructional approach, and overall vision. He previously served in the same capacity at Roswell High School in Fulton County, Georgia. With a distinguished career spanning more than a decade in music education, Mr. Renfroe is known for his visionary leadership, passionate teaching, and commitment to musical excellence.

Before joining the Roswell High School faculty in 2021, Mr. Renfroe was the Director of Bands at Sweetwater Middle School for eight years, where he was honored as the 2018 Teacher of the Year. Under his direction, Sweetwater’s bands consistently achieved top-tier results, earning twenty Superior and two Excellent ratings at Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Large Group Performance Evaluations.

Mr. Renfroe began his teaching career at Austin Road Middle School in Stockbridge, Georgia. There, he grew the band program from 80 to over 250 students in just three years—representing nearly 40% of the student body. His ensembles regularly featured performers selected for honor bands, including the UGA Middle School Band Festival, and the program garnered community media recognition for its innovative initiatives like the “Super Symphonic Saturday” Band Clinic.

A proud graduate of Lovejoy High School, Mr. Renfroe holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Georgia, a Master’s in Music Education from Reinhardt University, and an Education

Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University. As a saxophonist and vocal performer, he has held principal and featured roles with the Georgia Wind Symphony, Tara Winds, North Georgia Wind Symphony, UGA Wind Symphony, Redcoat Marching Band, and various UGA choral ensembles.

Mr. Renfroe is a sought-after clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor throughout the state of Georgia. Notable performances under his leadership include an appearance at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion Holiday Celebration (2017).

PERCUSSION

Garrick Wilson

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Garrick Wilson is the Music Technology teacher at Campbell High School, where he leads Cobb County’s first full music technology pathway. For the past 10 years, he has also served as Percussion Director at North Atlanta High School, where his drumline has won numerous first-place awards and made history as the only drumline in Georgia to win the drumline portion of the National High Stepping Band Competition.

A 2008 graduate of Clarkston High School, Garrick worked his way from beginner percussionist to drumline section leader and went on to perform with ensembles such as the Georgia Perimeter College Wind Ensemble, C.R.E.A.M. Percussion, and the South Carolina State University “Marching 101,” where he held roles as snare captain, section leader, and percussion consultant.

As a professional performer, Garrick has appeared in Stomp the Yard, VH1’s Drumline: A New Beat, and BET’s The Quad, and has performed at high-profile events including the Microsoft Ignite convention, Kenzo x H&M Fashion Show, and the GMC Formula 1 Convention. He is also an audio engineer owner operator for New Wave Studios ATL where he does recording, mixing and mastering.

With a bachelor’s degree in Music Industry from South Carolina State University, Garrick continues to inspire students through teaching, performing, and creating opportunities for young musicians to excel.

DRUM MAJOR

Gywinn Lewis

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On the 18th of January 1991, the youngest of five children, Gywinn K. Lewis was born to Julia Lewis and Winston Walker at Eisenhower Military Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. With close family guidance in South-Augusta’s Barton Village, Mr. Lewis was endowed with a thirst for academic perseverance as well as proficient extracurricular success. While attending high school at the Academy of Richmond County, along with his regular studies, he was a member of Family Career and Community Leaders of America (F.C.C.L.A), the National Honor Society, and also participated as a trumpeter in Symphonic,Jazz, and the Purple Pride Marching Band. During his sophomore year, he was selected by his directors and peers to lead the band as a drum major. Mr. Lewis’ time management skills allowed him to procure a cook’s position at the Academy Café where he not only raised money but enhanced his culinary abilities. He maintained a position on the Black Ice Co-ed Step team.

Mr. Lewis’ skills and talents flourished throughout high school and upon his graduation in 2009 he was awarded a band scholarship to become a member of the “Marching 101” at South Carolina State University. Advancing quickly through the ranks of the band, Mr. Lewis was once again selected as a drum major to lead the university’s band. He is an alumnus of South Carolina State University finishing the curriculum for

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work . During this time at S.C State he has served as a drum major instructor at Cross High School in Cross, South Carolina, Allendale Fairfax High School and currently serves as an assistant at ARC. While progressing with his academics and instructing his students Mr. Lewis also is employed with RCBOE as an Special Education Case Manager for students with mild disabilities . Mr. Lewis is a firm believer in the investment of the people. In addition to being a Counselor, he hopes to endeavor in the development of community Initiatives for the enhancement of African American youth in his own community and its surrounding areas.

COLOR GUARD

Eddie Morris

DANCE

Kin Scott

CLINICIANS

Adam Brooks

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Adam Brooks, in his 21st year of music education, spent 19 years as the Director of Bands and Music Technology at North Atlanta High School. Prior to this, he was the Assistant Director of Bands at Booker T. Washington High School. Brooks now serves as the Fine and Performing Arts Instructional Coach for Atlanta Public Schools. Brooks earned his B.A. in Music Education from Bethune-Cookman University and his M.A. in Wind Band Conducting from Reinhardt University. Brooks is currently finishing up an Ed.S. with Piedmont University in Music Education.

A passionate French horn player and accomplished percussionist, Brooks has studied with esteemed professors and collaborated with top names in music education and percussion. His journey includes an active DCI career, performing with Tarheel Sun and The Glassmen. Brooks also was on the Percussion Staffs for The Glassmen and The Colts. Brooks accredits his knowledge and skill to working with and receiving tutelage from names such as Frank T. Williams, William Rogan, Collin McNutt, Max Mullinix, Chris Hestin, Donovan Wells, and the late great Ronald Carter. Brooks is an active performer and conductor, with notable contributions to the movies Drumline one and two, the BCFX HBCU Football game, conducting for Grammy-nominated artists such as Rick Ross on the Teflon Don Album and a host of local projects in the Atlanta

Area. Brooks is also an active adjudicator and clinician, presenting at major music education conferences such as Georgia Music Educators, Music For All, and Conn Selmer.

Under his leadership, North Atlanta's Band program consistently earned top and superior ratings with numerous awards in all areas including Marching, Jazz, Concert, and Pit Orchestra. The program has also secured over $17 million in scholarships during the tenure with students consistently active in City and District Honor Bands, All State, Governor’s Honors, and all the Honor Ensembles in the Metro Atlanta Area such as MYSO, GYSO, AYWS and ASYO. Brooks has been recognized as the Teacher of the Year, STAR Teacher, Coca Cola Educator of Distinction, Yale Music Educator of Distinction, Barry Manilow Music Project Recipient, and the Shuler Hensley award for Best Pit Orchestra.

Brooks is a devoted family man, enjoying time with his wife, Music Specialist LaToya Brooks and their three daughters, Aria, Skylar, and Kai