Arthur Wright, III
Director of Bands
Arthur Wright, III is a graduate of Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and a graduate of The University of Georgia with a Master in Music Education degree and a Doctor of Education in Music Education also from The University of Georgia. While at CSU, Dr. Wright participated in several ensembles, including the CSU Marching Bucs where he was the Drum Major for 2 years, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and the Pep Band. He served under the direction of Mr. John Watkins, Dr. Patrick Carney, and the late Mr. Sid Haton. He also studied percussion with Mr. Sean McGrew, Ms. Katy Vogt, and Dr. Andy Harnsberger. Dr. Wright served as a student teacher at Wando High School and Cario Middle School under the supervision of Scott Rush and Jeff Scott. Upon graduation from CSU, Dr. Wright was appointed Director of Bands at the Academy of Richmond County High School in Augusta, GA where he was voted Teacher of the Year in 2006. During his six year tenure at ARC, Dr. Wright walked into a program of 40 students and grew to over 120 within 4 years. The marching, concert, and jazz programs consistently received superior ratings at district and regional festivals.
Dr. Wright has been named the new Director of Bands at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, GA. Wright previously served as Director of Bands/Assistant Professor of Music at Savannah State University. During his tenure at SSU, the university has been named a Conn-Selmer Institution. Wright has also implemented recruiting activities such as the Honor Band Festival, Tiger Band Day, and the Summer Middle and High School Band Camp. The Savannah State band program continued to grow and flourish under Dr. Wright’s leadership. Dr. Wright is a member of the Georgia Music Educator's Association, National Education Association, College Band Directors National Association, Conductor’s Guild, HBCU National Band Director’s Consortium, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America. Wright is often sought after as an adjudicator, clinician, and mentor. He is also a published researcher in music education having published articles in the Georgia Music News and other publications. He has recently presented at Music Education Conferences in Arizona, Rhode Island, Ohio, Washington and Illinois. Link to Dr. Wright's website.
Tyrique Carson
Assistant Director of Bands
Please welcome our new Assistant Director of Bands, Mr. Tyrique Carson to the Berkmar Band family! Mr. Carson comes to us from Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia where he served as Director of Bands and Guitar. Mr. Carson is a two time graduate of Jackson State University where he earned both his Bachelors and Master of Music Education degrees. At JSU, Mr. Carson held the positions of Assistant Section Leader and Assistant Drum Major of “The Sonic Boom of the South”. He played Euphonium with the Symphonic Band and the Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble and played the Trumpet in the Jazz Band 2. He has made appearences as a performer in Drumline Live, an AFLAC commercial and "Disney On The Yard" as the Drum Major. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America Inc. Mr. Carson is excited and ready to work with the Berkmar Band.
Phi Quach
Percussion Instructor
Phi Quach was born in the Philippians and came to the States when he was three months old. He’s been playing the drums since middle school at Lilburn Middle School and was also a Mighty Marching Mustang at Meadowcreek High School. Phi started off on tom toms his freshman year and was moved to snare drum his sophomore year. He was appointed section leader his last two years of high school and mold his line like no other in the county. His senior year of high school, he became part of the C.R.E.A.M Drum Corp in Atlanta, GA. He received a scholarship to The Fort Valley State University in 2009 and was apart of the Blue Machine Marching Band. He marched snare drum for three years and became drum instructor his forth year at Fort Valley State. Phi is a member the Lambda Zeta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. He was fortunate enough to become apart of the second drumline movie Drumline “A New Beat” back in to 2014. It was a great experience being apart of the second drumline movie and playing along with his old friends.
Leo Holland
Percussion Instructor
Niegel Jackson
Majestic Essence Instructor
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Josh Hills
Leadership Coordinator
Josh Hills hails from Augusta, GA where he attended the Academy of Richmond County. From there he graduated to become the head drum major for the CSRA All Star Marching Band for five consecutive years. During these years he also attended South Carolina State University and FAMU for drum major training camp. Since his graduation and completion of grade school, he has went into collegiate training as a drum major. He has trained over 10 students under his name to be nothing less than the best. He currently coaches and teaches the Berkmar High School Drum Majors.
Jamari Gray
Drum Major Instructor
Jamari is a graduate from Berkmar high school, class of 2022. He was Drum Major from 2019 through 2022, where he served the longest in this position under Dr. Wright III. Throughout his time as Drum Major, he took the marching band to new heights, leading the marching band to its first Grand Championship, with his partner Emely Reyes, in 2019. Jamari has also brought multiple 1st place/ Best in Class trophies back to the band program. In his visit to the Jackson State University High school band camp, Jamari was awarded the Outstanding Trumpet award, he was also awarded the John Philip Sousa Award, which is the highest award a bandsmen can receive in the MMP. Jamari joined the Berkmar Band Staff in the fall of 2023 and plans to continue to work with Drum Majors in the future.
