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Mr. Peyton Gentry, Liberty High School Director
Mr. Peyton Gentry, Liberty High School Director
Peyton Gentry is a native of Roanoke, Virginia, and holds a Bachelor of Arts with a dual focus in both Music Education and Percussion Performance and an MA. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech. Peyton currently resides as the Director of Bands at Liberty High School in Bedford, VA. This is where he teaches courses such as Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Music Theory, and AP Music Theory. In addition to teaching music, Peyton is an active performer in the Roanoke area, performing with groups such as Mill Mountain Theatre, the Roanoke Opera, In The Meantime, Hollins University, Celtic Steel, Winds of the Blue Ridge, and more. Peyton has also competed in the international Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Percussion Chamber Competition collegiate division on two separate occasions, placing 3rd and 4th place.
Mr. Steve Williams, Liberty Middle School Director
Mr. Steve Williams, Liberty Middle School Director
Steve Williams is the Band Director at Liberty Middle School in Bedford, VA. He also directs the Liberty High School Jazz Band and assists with the marching band. He has been in education for 33 years, having taught music at every level from elementary to university concert band. He taught for most of his career in Missouri, taking a break for 5 years to serve as the Supervisor of Fine Arts for the state of Missouri Department of Education. He holds 2 bachelor’s degrees in music education and jazz composition, and a master’s degree in wind conducting from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Mr. Jake Fischer, Percussion Instructor
Mr. Jake Fischer, Percussion Instructor
Jake Fischer joined the Marching Minutemen staff as Percussion Instructor in 2023. He was is a native of Cary, Illinois, where his love for music began. He is pursuing a major in Percussion Performance at Liberty University, where he is a student of Professor Jay Ware. At Liberty University, he participates in the percussion ensemble, symphony orchestra, wind symphony and in leadership for the Liberty University "Spirit of the Mountain" Marching Band. Jake also plays snare drum for Spectre Indoor Percussion out of Richmond, Virginia, and has previously performed with the Liberty University Indoor Drumline.
Mr. Derek Nellum, Color Guard Instructor
Mr. Derek Nellum, Color Guard Instructor
Derek Nellum has been Color Guard Instructor for the Marching Minutemen since 2011. Derek was born and raised in Bedford and participated in numerous music ensembles at both Bedford Middle School and Liberty High School. As a Marching Minuteman, Derek performed as part of the trumpet section from 2002-2005, and found his love for color guard as a senior in 2006. Upon graduation in 2007, he served as one of the Color Guard Instructors for the band before attending Miller-Motte Technical College to study Pharmacy Technology and receive his Associate Degree in Occupational Science.
Along with his work as Color Guard Instructor, Derek also works as a Certified Pharmacy Technician, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, and Hospital Laboratory Assistant.
Ms. Lindsay Hogan, Woodwind Instructor
Ms. Lindsay Hogan, Woodwind Instructor
Lindsay Hogan is the Woodwind Instructor for the Marching Minutemen, and this is her 5th year instructing. She was a member of the Marching Minutemen for 5 years, where she served as Woodwind Captain, Field Commander, and Drum Major. She plays the Alto Saxophone, and was a part of many other programs in the band while she was at Liberty until she graduated in 2020.
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