DIRECTORS AND STAFF

KAYLA POOR - Director of Bands

Kayla Poor joined the faculty at Denmark High School as the Assistant Director of Bands in 2020 and was named Director of Bands in the fall of 2022. Her responsibilities include directing and instructing the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and coaching the school’s various Chamber Ensembles. Previously, Kayla served as the Director of Bands and Choir at River Ridge Academy in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Under her direction, ensembles consistently receive Superior ratings at adjudications and competitions. Most recently, the Denmark Band Program was awarded the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award and has been accepted to perform at multiple regional Music for All events across the Southeast.

Highly active in the marching arts, Kayla Poor worked as a brass instructor with Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from 2017-2023, serving as the Brass Assistant Caption Head from 2020-2023. She is currently serving as a member of the Brass Leadership Team of the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2026 season. Before her role as an instructor in the activity, she was a performing member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015.

Kayla’s professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.

JAKE SOESBEE - Assistant Director of Bands

Jake Soesbee serves as Assistant Director of Bands at Denmark High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he plays an integral role in shaping a comprehensive and dynamic band program. In this position, he is dedicated to fostering musical excellence, developing student leadership, and creating an inclusive environment where all students can thrive artistically and personally. Before he got to Denmark High School, he was Assistant Director of Bands at Haynes Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Jake earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Georgia State University. He was the recipient of the first annual Midwest Clinic Foundation Scholarship and was named the winner of the Undergraduate Winds and Percussion Conducting Competition at Georgia State University. He has further developed his artistry through conducting symposia at the University of North Texas, Northwestern University, Shenandoah University, and Georgia State University.

Jake maintains professional affiliations with the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Band Association and the International Clarinet Association.

CAROLINE BUCKNER - Director of Percussion

Caroline Buckner has served as the Percussion Director at Denmark High School since 2022. Prior to joining Denmark, she was the Percussion Director at Johns Creek High School and worked with several Fulton County programs, including Roswell and Cambridge High Schools. At Denmark, Caroline teaches three percussion classes and leads the percussion staff for both the marching band and indoor drumline programs. She also maintains a private percussion studio.

Caroline earned a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from Georgia College & State University and is a Board-Certified Music Therapist. She also holds a Master of Arts in Leadership & Management and a Master of Music in Special Music Education from Wichita State University. In addition to her work at Denmark, Caroline serves as the Intake Director for Art It Out Therapy Center, where she helps families access mental health services.

As an educator, Caroline is passionate about developing well-rounded percussionists with experience across a wide range of instruments and musical settings. She emphasizes life skills such as executive functioning, time management, and collaboration to support student success both inside and outside the classroom. Caroline is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where students of all abilities can thrive.

SAI GONYEA - Director of Color Guard

Sai Gonyea has served as the Guard Director at Denmark High School since 2023. Prior to joining the Danes, he was a guard technician at Cherokee High School and has helped with multiple programs all throughout the southeastern region of the US. Sai’s professional teaching career includes being a technician and choreographer at Paramount, Daylight, and Atlanta CV.

Sai has earned a Bachelors of Music Education from Reinhardt University and is currently pursuing his Masters at the University of West Georgia in Music Education. In addition to his work at Denmark, Sai serves as apart of SAPA’s (Southern Association of Performance Arts) DEI committee and was a member of WGI’s FLP program, where they are prepping and training the future leaders of the guard activity. Lastly, Sai has served as the general music teacher at Big Creek Elementary school for the past four years.

As an educator, Sai is passionate about using the marching arts and guard as a tool to train students to become well-rounded individuals who can overcome any challenges and reach their lifelong goals. Incorporating some sass, chaos and fun while keeping a professional and safe environment for all kinds of students with all different needs.