Directors

Kailyn Juday

Heritage High School Director

Kailyn Juday is in her fourth year of teaching as the Band Director at Heritage High School. She is an alum of the Marching Mountaineer Band Program and held many offices before graduating in 2014. After her time at Heritage, she attended Middle Tennessee State University, where she was a part of the “Big, Loud and Funky” Band of Blue. It was here that she earned her Bachelor’s in Instrumental Music Education. While there, she was also a member of MTSU’s Omicron Psi chapter of Delta Omicron, which is a professional Music Fraternity. While off the job, Kailyn enjoys playing with the worship team at her church, playing board games with her family, watching movies, and reading. She is also a very proud Disney Adult!!

Matthew Waymon

Heritage High School Assistant Director

Matthew Waymon is in his second year as the Assistant Director of Bands at Heritage High School. An Arkansas native, Mr. Waymon earned his Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 2023. He then earned his Master’s of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2025. At UTK, he worked as a Graduate Assistant with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, and served as a guest conductor with the UTK Wind Ensemble, Symphonic, and Concert Bands. In his free time, Mr. Waymon loves to read (a fantasy enthusiast), take walks with his wife, and play video games!

Noah Tuten

Heritage Middle Director

Noah Tuten is the Band Director at Heritage Middle School. He joined the Heritage Band program in 2026 and brings 10 years of teaching experience, including time as the band director at Union Grove Middle School and most recently as the Head Director of Bands at William Blount High School. Mr. Tuten is no stranger to Heritage—he is a University of Tennessee graduate who student-taught right here at both HMS and HHS in 2016. After several years at the high school level, he’s excited to return to his roots and work with students as they begin their musical journey. Outside the classroom, Mr. Tuten enjoys playing trumpet gigs, cheering on his favorite sports teams, reading (especially Stephen King), and spending time with his cats, Link & Luna.

Leza Carver

Color Guard Director

Leza Carver supports the Mountaineer Band as the Director of the Color Guards, a position she has held since 2004. Mrs. Carver is an alumnus of Maryville HS (1998). Leza attended the UT-Chattanooga, where she was a member of the color guard, guard captain, and color guard tech in The Marching Mocs.

Adjudicating/Teaching: She has served as a director, designer, choreographer, and technician for many groups throughout the area, including Hixson HS, Red Bank HS, Dalton HS, Maryville HS, Alcoa HS, Intensity Winter Guard, Fuel Winter Guard, and several other local groups. Leza started her judging career in 2003 and regularly judges for local TN band contests in the color guard or visual effects caption, or works as a competitionsuite tabulator and chief judge for events. She is also a founding member of East Tennessee Performing Arts Association and currently serves the circuit as the Contest Coordinator.