Alumni
This page will be used to showcase Chilhowie Warrior Band Alumni who are currently participating in music ensembles or pursuing careers in music both in college and out.
Steven Creggar
Steven is currently the art teacher at High Point Elementary School in Bristol, VA, teaching approximately 620 students in grades PK-5. After graduating from CHS, he attended Virginia Intermont College where he majored in Art Education, and also participated in the vocal ensemble of many musical theatre productions.
For the past three years, he has serves as the Artistic Coordinator to the John S. Battle High School Marching Band of Bristol, VA. Steven is also a member of the State Line Wind Symphony, playing trombone and baritone aside his greatest musical, as well as personal, inspiration, retired CHS band director, Mr. Glenn Weller.
In his spare time, he also enjoys playing bass guitar at church, and the occasional bluegrass jam session
Kayla Berry - Class of 2007
I was a member of the Cavalier Marching Band at the University of Virginia for three years. While in the band, I was a drill instructor for two years for the clarinet section. I didn't join the band my first year of college and soon realized I had to become involved with music again. The CMB performs a pre-game show before each home game, as well as a new half-time show at every home game.
Although my time with the band has ended, I am a member of the Cavalier Marching Band Alumni Association, which helps raise money for the band and plans social events for past members. The band continues to invite alumni back for special events, including a 10th anniversary alumni band halftime performance in 2013.
Anthony Harris - Class of 2001
Played trumpet in jazz band and tuba in marching and concert band; drum major for two years in 2000 and 2001.
Previously served five years in full time church work as a Minister of Music and Children's Pastor. Now working full time as a funeral director and embalmer.
Chrystle (Mountain) Gates - Class of 1991
Currently I work as one of the two elementary general music teachers in Smyth County Schools. I serve five schools: Marion Elementary, Atkins Elementary, Saltville Elementary, Sugar Grove School, and part of Oak Point Elementary. In addition, I teach private piano lessons to students in my home studio two nights a week and am a wedding musician for hire. I am a vocalist and play piano, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, guitar and am learning banjo.
Outside of work, I play keyboards and do vocals for the Rosedale Baptist Church Praise Team in Abingdon, VA.
Diane (Blanken) Martin - Class of 1993
I attended Appalachian State University as a music major for two years but was unable to financially continue. I currently home-school my three children. Music is a daily part of their curriculum and I work with other home-school parents about the importance and influence of music in their children's lives.
Jesse Lykins - Class of 2011
I am graduating in May 2015 with a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education and Percussion Performance from Radford University. Since beginning study at RU, I have traveled internationally with the RU percussion Ensemble, performed all throughout the East Coast including the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, marched competitively with Drum Corps International, performed several solo and ensemble recitals, created and maintained a private studio of ten young percussionists ages 7-18, and have taught, instructed, arranged, and composed for many schools throughout SWVA and the NRV including Radford, Salem, Pulaski, Lord Botetourt, and Chilhowie. I hope to receive a Ph.D in a music-related field and teach at the collegiate level.
Ty Sheets - Class of 2009
Ty holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, OH. In 2013, Ty performed on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas cruise ship, which traveled to many locations, including Cozumel, Mexico, St. Thomas, USVI, and the Bahamas. In 2014, Ty placed third in the National Trumpet Competition Jazz Solo Division. Also in 2014, he played with the Disneyland All-American College Band in Anaheim, CA. He currently resides in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area, performs professionally with groups such as the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Ensemble and Ohio Metropolitan Pops Orchestra, and teaches students of all ages.