South Lake Bands and Ensembles

Dr. Christopher Cook

Director of Bands

Dr. Cook is a music educator with 15 years of experience in K-12 in-person and virtual instruction. In 2008, Dr. Cook Graduated from "The Hampton University" with a Bachelor of Arts In Music Education. In 2009, he attended Central Michigan University and graduated with a Master of Music degree in Music education. In 2025, Dr. Cook received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. He holds teaching licenses in six states and a post-bachelor certificate in instructional design. As a virtual instructor, Dr. Cook has extensive experience creating synchronous and asynchronous curricula using various learning management systems. In 2019, He was featured in the Spectrum News spotlight segment for virtual instruction.

As a music educator, Dr. Cook has experience in wind band instruction at the primary and secondary levels. He taught as a high school band director for nine years and a middle school director for two years. His strongest skill set is arranging and orchestration. His band programs have participated in many events, receiving notoriety, accolades, and Excellent/Superior ratings at state contests. Dr. Cook's primary instrument is the trombone. He has played professionally for the Wilmington Symphonic Winds, the Greensboro Jazz Band, the Greensboro Concert Band, the Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church, Impact Church, Savanah Missionary Baptist Church, and currently the Farmington Concert Band. Mr. Cook looks forward to new beginnings at South Lake High School.

Mr. James Settimo

Assistant Band Director

Jim Settimo from 1997 to 2001 attended Wayne State University School of Music. While at Wayne Jim was a member of the Concert Band, Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Marching Band and Brass Ensemble. Jim has studied under phenomenal Detroit musicians including Randy Casteel, David Jennings and Bill Lucas. Besides performing with university groups Jim has had the pleasure of performing with the Macomb Community Band, Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and the Brass Knights brass ensemble. Jim has been a sought-after marching instructor for over 25 years.

He has had the distinct pleasure of being an instructor at numerous schools including Chippewa Valley High School, Dakota High School, Marine City High School, and Socastee High School. Jim’s greatest honor has been having the honor of being an instructor and assistant marching band director at South Lake High School at different points since 1999. Jim has had the pleasure of being part of the leading instructional team that took the Cavaliers to some of their greatest heights as state marching band finalists. In addition to being an instructor with the Cavalier marching band it has been Jim’s honor to be known in his day job as Mr. Settimo Social Studies instructor here at South Lake

Curtis Mason

Percussion Instructor

Curtis is a musician and music educator. He’s the owner of The Fortissimo Music School in Detroit, MI. He’s taught music for The YMCA YArts outreach program, The S.T.I.C.K. Program, The Horatio Williams Foundation, Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation, New City Kids, The Hummana Inc, and the Northwest Detroit Youth Coalition. Curtis has worked with multiple schools in Metro Detroit. He started drumline programs at Flagship Middle School, Henry Ford Academy (now UPrep Art & Design Elementary), Detroit Community Schools, and Westside Christian Academy. He also worked with the Wayne Westland Community Schools Special Education Department for a number of years.

Curtis has been a member of several musical ensembles. He was a member of the Thomas M. Cooley High School marching band. While attending Hampton University, Curtis was a member of the “The Marching Force”, the percussion ensemble, symphonic winds, and pep band. He leads a professional drumline, The Fortissimo Music Drumline, that performs all around metro Detroit. Curtis is a multi-instrumentalist and serves as the musical director for Life In The Spirit Ministries, and New Beginnings Fellowship Church. He is also the organist for Glory Church. Curtis Mason is passionate about sharing his love for music with everyone, especially young people. He believes that learning to play an instrument has countless benefits. The Fortissimo Music School was launched in January 2022. Curtis provides music lessons for dozens of students weekly. He hosts summer camps for kids where they can learn piano and drums.

Ms. Diana Crawford

Color Guard Instructor

Diana Crawford, a creative from the Detroit and Southfield area, has a rich background in performance arts and design. Her journey began with the Southfield Marching Bluejays majorettes and continued with the Incomparable Marching 100 at Florida A & M University, where she marched with the Flag Corp for 2 years before DiAna transitioned to Atlanta, where she refocused her talents from performance to art and design.

Currently, she is a junior at the College for Creative Studies, working towards a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Art and a master's in User Experience/UI Design. As a communications designer, photographer, and artist, DiAna combines her passion for visual storytelling with innovative design principles. She is set to graduate in the spring of 2026, eager to merge her artistic and technical expertise to create impactful and engaging user experiences.

I am Brenna Jackson and I am 19 years old attending Oakland University for a bachelor's in Instrumental K-12 Music Education. I specialize in brass instruments but my primary is the euphonium/baritone horn. I know how to also play tuba, trumpet, trombone, some melodic percussion, and voice is actually my secondary instrument! At Oakland University, I play euphonium in the symphonic band and the Golden Grizzlies Pep Band. I play the baritone horn in the Oakland University Brass Band and I currently am the vocalist for the Oakland University jazz ensemble and soon to play trombone in jazz. I also play euphonium in the Macomb Area Community Band under the direction of Alex Floury.

Currently I work/will be working in multiple jobs with music! My first job is doing retail and substitute teaching for brass and voice at Ardis Music in downtown Mt. Clemens and I have been there since May 8th, 2024. My second job is a teacher at Red Piano Music Studio in Oxford and occasionally teaching at the Rochester Hills and Royal Oak locations as well. At Red Piano I teach brass, voice, and beginner-intermediate piano. For my future jobs, I will be helping with multiple band camps here and Chippewa Valley High School.

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