R. KEVIN BROWN
DIRECTOR OF BANDS
R. Kevin Brown is the Director of Bands at Villa Rica High School in Villa Rica, Georgia. He leads all aspects of the program, including two concert ensembles, marching band, jazz band, chamber ensembles, percussion ensemble, and winterguard. Ensembles under his direction have consistently earned superior ratings at Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA)-approved performance evaluations. His most noteworthy accomplishments include the Villa Rica High School Saxophone and Trumpet Choirs (2022), the Rockdale County High School Saxophone Choir (2018, 2019), the Fayette County High School Brass Choir (2014), and the Adairsville High School Brass Quintet (2012, 2013) performances at the GMEA In-Service Conference. Most recently, the Villa Rica High School Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the 2024 GMEA In-Service Conference.
Mr. Brown earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina. He performed as the principal tubist for four years in the Newberry College concert band under the tutelage of Mr. Bill Long, Director of Bands Emeritus. Brown also holds a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While attending the University of Illinois, he served as a counselor for the Illinois Summer Youth Music Program.Mr. Brown is extensively sought after in Metro-Atlanta as a guest conductor, GMEA adjudicator, band clinician, and brass
section coach. He is an accomplished tuba player and maintains an extremely successful low brass studio. Several of his students have earned placement in their respective district honor bands, and he has had as many as four private students named to the GMEA All State Band in one year (2015). He is currently performing tuba in the Cobb Wind Symphony. He is also a former tubist with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Wind Symphony, where he also served as Associate Conductor.
Mr. Brown enjoys serving as a mentor for young and aspiring music educators. He presented lectures for the Collegiate National Association for Music Education chapters of Newberry College, University of Georgia, University of West Georgia, Mercer University, and Kennesaw State University.
Brown has traveled extensively, attending several conducting clinics and workshops to study with some of the world’s most noteworthy music educators, such as Frank Battisti, Paula Crider, Jerry Junkin, Thomas Lee, and James F. Keene.
Brown currently serves as the GMEA District 7 Band Chair. Brown’s professional and social affiliations include the National Association for Music Educators, Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He is also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Ann Wilson
ASST. DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Connecticut native, Ann Wilson, began playing trombone at the age of 10. Since then, she has followed the path of music and continued to be involved in the arts as much as possible.
Following her graduation from Sandy Creek High School in 2017, Ms. Wilson pursued a degree in Music Education at the University of West Georgia. During her time at UWG, she was involved heavily in the jazz department and performed in various ensembles including the trombone ensemble, brass ensemble, and marching band. In 2019, Ms. Wilson was appointed the Principal Trombonist of the University of West Georgia’s Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Joshua Byrd.
Aside from performing, Ms. Wilson teaches low brass players throughout the state, drum majors at various high schools, and assists composer Katahj Copley as a program annotator. Now, as the Assistant Director of Bands at Villa Rica High School, Ms. Wilson hopes to enhance the band experience for all students and become a part of the Villa Rica community!
Ms. Wilson lives in Carrollton, Georgia with her dog, Maisie. In her free time, you can find her reading, at a Braves game, or vinyl hunting.