MUSIC
Michael J. Walsh, Director of Bands, Fine Arts Department Chair -- Band Web Site -- email
Currently finishing his 6th year at North Springs High School in Atlanta, Michael Walsh is in his 20th year of teaching High School Band. Prior to coming to Atlanta, Mr. Walsh was the Director of Bands at Godby High School in Tallahassee, FL. While in Florida, his bands earned 14 years of consecutive Superior Ratings in Marching, Jazz, and Concert Band settings at both the District and State level. Since moving to Atlanta his bands have earned Superior Ratings at all Festivals. Bands under the direction of Mr. Walsh have performed in Washington DC, New York City , Nassau , Bahamas , Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, London, England, Paris, France , and most recently, Albany, New York. Mr. Walsh has twice served on the State Board of Directors for the Florida Bandmasters Association as a District Chairman and District Secretary, and is currently serving the Georgia Music Educators Association as both District 5 Band Council Chair and as part of the All-State Bands revision committee. Mr. Walsh's professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Bandmasters Association, the Florida Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu International Music Fraternity, and MENC: The National Association for Music Education. In addition, Mr. Walsh is active as an adjudicator in both Florida (certified) and Georgia. Mr. Walsh earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from The Florida State University and his Masters of Music Education Degree from The University of Georgia. He currently resides in Alpharetta with his wife Laurie, children Andrew and Megan, and of course, Tiger the cat.
Thomas Yackley, Chorus Director -- AHS Chorus Website -- email
Thomas Yackley is in his twenty-fourth year as a teacher. At Alpharetta High School he directs three choruses and two piano classes. He taught at Milton High School in Fulton County for 20 years. He sang with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus under Robert Shaw for five seasons. He holds a Bachelor degree from Bowling Green State University, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from The Florida State University. Yackley is a member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, which he has served as District Vice-Chairman, District Choral Chairman, and District Festival Chairman. He has been a life member of the American Choral Directors Association since 1979. He has served Georgia ACDA as R&S Chair for male choruses, membership chairman, and is currently President. He is married to Robin Yackley, chorus director at Webb Bridge Middle School. They have three children who are all actively involved in music, as well.
You may contact Mr. Yackley at yackley@fulton.k12.ga.us. For more information about the Alpharetta High School Chorus, go to www.ahschorus.org.
Sheldon Fisher, Orchestra Director -- AHS Orchestra -- Mr. Fisher's Website -- email
Sheldon Fisher has been the Orchestra Director at Roswell High School the past 4 years. Under his direction, the Orchestra has continued their 20+ year tradition of Superior Ratings at GMEA Performance Evaluation. Mr. Fisher is also the director of “Fiddle Team Fulton,” which is a county wide fiddle group open to Fulton County Orchestra students.
A music teacher for twenty years in Oklahoma before moving his family to Georgia in 1996, Mr. Fisher was named Central Intermediate School Teacher of the Year in 1992 and the Oklahoma Musician of the Year in 1995 by the Oklahoma Federation of Musicians. His students performed in 5 different European Concert Tours while in Oklahoma as well as Music Festivals across the United States . Founding Director of “The Silver Strings of Putnam City,” Mr. Fisher's group was chosen from over 100 groups across the United States to perform at the dedication of the Wall of Liberty in Caen , France on June 5, 1994 .
Sheldon is an active clinician and guest conductor. Mr. Fisher and his wife Susan have two adult children.
Mr. Troy Bennefeld, Percussion -- Percussion Studio Website -- email