Staff

Director of Bands - Mr. Cullen Gudz

Mr. Gudz is a 2017 graduate of Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. While pursuing his degree, he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, the world renowned Marching Chiefs, FSU Symphonic and Concert bands, as well as FSU Swing Machine. 

Prior to completing his degree, Mr. Gudz participated in DCI with Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps out of Jacksonville, Florida. Most recently, he completed his student teaching at Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After completing his teaching, he stepped in as an interim director at Destin Middle School. Mr. Gudz has been with the Blue Thunder Band since March of 2018, and his mission is to provide the best music education for the students at J.R. Arnold High School, and bring quality music to the community. 

While not in the classroom, Mr. Gudz enjoys spending his time with his family outside, and enjoying the beautiful weather that Florida has to offer, tending his grill/smoker while experimenting with new recipes, and hosting game nights with his friends to play games such as Settlers of Catan, Munchkin Quest, and Ticket to Ride. 

Assistant Band Director - Mr. Jeremy Johnson

Mr. Johnson is a native of Panama City, FL. He has been teaching band, choir, and general music for the past 20 years in both Georgia and Florida. His bands have consistently received superior and excellent ratings throughout his career. Mr. Johnson received his Bachelors of Music Education (2000) and Masters of Music (2002) from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA.

While in Georgia, Mr. Johnson was the band director at Coffee County Middle School with a band of over 300 students. Upon returning to Florida in 2014, Mr. Johnson became the band director at Everett Middle School. In his first year at Everett, the band earned a superior rating at concert MPA for the first time in over 16 years. Mr. Johnson has also served as the assistant band director at Dean Bozeman and currently teaches general music at A. Gary Walsingham Academy.

Mr. Johnson was a marching member of the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, playing the contrabass bugle from 1993-1996 and was their brass arranger in 2014 in the corps return to the Sound Sport division of DCI. Following the 2014 season, Mr. Johnson served on the board of directors for Southwind until 2020. 

When not in the classroom, Mr. Jonson enjoys writing and arranging music, building custom furniture in his wood shop, and fishing for blue crabs. He enjoys working with the Blue Thunder Band and continuing to educate and shape the minds of an amazing group of young musicians. 

Assistant Band Director - Mr. Patrick Ferguson

Color Guard Instructor - Mrs. Rebecca Gudz

Mrs. Gudz is a 2015 Graduate of Florida State University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences. During her career at FSU, she performed as color guard member in the world renowned Marching Chiefs. While finishing her degree, she served as a technician for several schools in the Panhandle area including Godby, Lincoln, and Choctawhatchee High School. She also served as the Head instructor of Leon High School. 

Mrs. Gudz works at Arnold High School in the science department. She teaches AP Biology, Honors Biology, and Chemistry. 

Percussion Instructor - Mr. Brandon Greene

Mr. Greene is a 2018 graduate of J.R Arnold High School. Throughout his time in the Blue Thunder Percussion Ensemble he has performed in all roles in the drumline. Mr. Greene was apart of the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017 landing them a spot in top 10 in the open class division and again in 2018. 

He is currently attending Jacksonville State University seeking a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. Brandon is a part of the world renowned JSU Marching Southerners. Outside of teaching and attending school, he arranges and composes music for various high school bands in the Florida panhandle as well as in north Alabama.