Woodland Band Staff
Director of Bands, Eric Willoughby
Mr. Eric Willoughby has been a music educator in Georgia for twenty one years and is in his eighth year as Director of Bands at Woodland High School in Cartersville, Georgia. The band program consists of the marching band, four concert bands, jazz band, and multiple chamber ensembles. The marching band has received multiple Grand Championships during the last six years and was voted "Best Band in Georgia" in 2008 by WSB-TV. The Woodland marching band has performed in the World Showcase Parade in Epcot, Orlando (2009), the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade (2011), and the Macy's Holiday Parade in Orlando (2012). Most recently the band has been invited to perform in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood, California this coming November. The Woodland High School Wind Symphony has been featured recently at the GMEA In-Service Conference in Savannah, Georgia (2011), the University of Georgia High School Music Festival "Janfest" (2013), and the University of Alabama Honor Band Clinic (2014).
Mr. Willoughby holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from The University of Georgia and a Masters Degree in Music Education from The University of Southern Mississippi. His professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Educators, National Band Association, and Phi Mu Alpha. He is active as a clinician and judge through the southeastern United States. Mr. Willoughby is a multiple recipient of the Citation of Excellence, awarded by the National Band Association and his bands at Woodland High School are recipients of the Exemplary Performance Award given by the Georgia Music Educator's Association. Most recently, the Woodland Band Program was also recognized as one of eight Regional Winners nationwide of the National Band Association Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award.
Prior to teaching in Bartow County Schools, Mr. Willoughby founded the band program at Peachtree Ridge High School in Gwinnett County. The band performed in the National Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington D.C., and at the Waikiki Holiday Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii, in memory of the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Before teaching in Gwinnett County, Mr. Willoughby taught in the Cobb County School System at Wheeler High School for eight years and Lost Mountain Middle School for one year.
Mr. Willoughby and his wife, Rebecca, have been married since 1993 and have three beautiful children: Sarah - age 18, Stephen - age 15, and Hannah - age 9. His family serves and worships at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, Georgia.
Mr. Eric Willoughby has been a music educator in Georgia for twenty one years and is in his eighth year as Director of Bands at Woodland High School in Cartersville, Georgia. The band program consists of the marching band, four concert bands, jazz band, and multiple chamber ensembles. The marching band has received multiple Grand Championships during the last six years and was voted "Best Band in Georgia" in 2008 by WSB-TV. The Woodland marching band has performed in the World Showcase Parade in Epcot, Orlando (2009), the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade (2011), and the Macy's Holiday Parade in Orlando (2012). Most recently the band has been invited to perform in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood, California this coming November. The Woodland High School Wind Symphony has been featured recently at the GMEA In-Service Conference in Savannah, Georgia (2011), the University of Georgia High School Music Festival "Janfest" (2013), and the University of Alabama Honor Band Clinic (2014).
Mr. Willoughby holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from The University of Georgia and a Masters Degree in Music Education from The University of Southern Mississippi. His professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Educators, National Band Association, and Phi Mu Alpha. He is active as a clinician and judge through the southeastern United States. Mr. Willoughby is a multiple recipient of the Citation of Excellence, awarded by the National Band Association and his bands at Woodland High School are recipients of the Exemplary Performance Award given by the Georgia Music Educator's Association. Most recently, the Woodland Band Program was also recognized as one of eight Regional Winners nationwide of the National Band Association Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award.
Prior to teaching in Bartow County Schools, Mr. Willoughby founded the band program at Peachtree Ridge High School in Gwinnett County. The band performed in the National Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington D.C., and at the Waikiki Holiday Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii, in memory of the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Before teaching in Gwinnett County, Mr. Willoughby taught in the Cobb County School System at Wheeler High School for eight years and Lost Mountain Middle School for one year.
Mr. Willoughby and his wife, Rebecca, have been married since 1993 and have three beautiful children: Sarah - age 18, Stephen - age 15, and Hannah - age 9. His family serves and worships at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, Georgia.
Assistant Director of Bands, Michael Kobito
Michael Kobito is the Assistant Band Director at Woodland High School. Before coming to Woodland, he served one year as Associate Band Director at Newnan High School. Mr. Kobito is a native of Cartersville, GA and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in 2015 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education. While at the University of Georgia, he served as Drum Major of the Redcoat Marching Band for two years and worked with the Concert Band as a Guest Conductor. He also served as President of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education and Vice President of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. His studies include conducting with Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger and Dr. Michael Robinson and trumpet with Dr. Brandon Craswell and Prof. Michael Tiscione.
As an educator, Mr. Kobito serves actively as a clinician, adjudicator, and private lessons instructor for both trumpet and conducting. His professional affiliations include Georgia Music Educators’ Association, National Association for Music Education, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Michael Kobito is the Assistant Band Director at Woodland High School. Before coming to Woodland, he served one year as Associate Band Director at Newnan High School. Mr. Kobito is a native of Cartersville, GA and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in 2015 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education. While at the University of Georgia, he served as Drum Major of the Redcoat Marching Band for two years and worked with the Concert Band as a Guest Conductor. He also served as President of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education and Vice President of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. His studies include conducting with Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger and Dr. Michael Robinson and trumpet with Dr. Brandon Craswell and Prof. Michael Tiscione.
As an educator, Mr. Kobito serves actively as a clinician, adjudicator, and private lessons instructor for both trumpet and conducting. His professional affiliations include Georgia Music Educators’ Association, National Association for Music Education, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Percussion Instructor, Brandon Dodge
Brandon Dodge is a freelance percussionist, music educator, and composer/arranger based out of Atlanta, Georgia. As a performer, Brandon maintains an active involvement in several contemporary chamber groups in Atlanta, including the Terminus Ensemble and Chamber Cartel, and is the vibraphonist/ percussionist with the chamber-rock group The Clibber Jones Ensemble. Additionally, Brandon is constantly in pursuit of various solo projects and collaborations. In the past, Brandon has been a four-time Drum Corps International finalist, performing with Phantom Regiment (2007) and Spirit of Atlanta (2003, 2005, 2006).
A dedicated and enthusiastic music educator, Brandon is excited to begin working as the front ensemble caption head at Woodland High School, as well as with the percussion sections in Woodland's concert band programs. He currently maintains a private lessons studio at the Atlanta International School, and teaches Music Appreciation courses at Gordon State College. Since 2009, Brandon has been a front ensemble technician with the Atlanta Quest Indoor Drumline and Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps. Brandon holds a Master's of Music degree from Georgia State University in percussion performance, as well as a B.A. from Jacksonville State University, studying percussion and composition.
Brandon Dodge is a freelance percussionist, music educator, and composer/arranger based out of Atlanta, Georgia. As a performer, Brandon maintains an active involvement in several contemporary chamber groups in Atlanta, including the Terminus Ensemble and Chamber Cartel, and is the vibraphonist/ percussionist with the chamber-rock group The Clibber Jones Ensemble. Additionally, Brandon is constantly in pursuit of various solo projects and collaborations. In the past, Brandon has been a four-time Drum Corps International finalist, performing with Phantom Regiment (2007) and Spirit of Atlanta (2003, 2005, 2006).
A dedicated and enthusiastic music educator, Brandon is excited to begin working as the front ensemble caption head at Woodland High School, as well as with the percussion sections in Woodland's concert band programs. He currently maintains a private lessons studio at the Atlanta International School, and teaches Music Appreciation courses at Gordon State College. Since 2009, Brandon has been a front ensemble technician with the Atlanta Quest Indoor Drumline and Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps. Brandon holds a Master's of Music degree from Georgia State University in percussion performance, as well as a B.A. from Jacksonville State University, studying percussion and composition.
Color Guard Instructor, Robert Moyer
Robert Moyer is in his second year as Color Guard instructor at Woodland High School. He has taught previously at North Paulding High School, Pell City High School (AL), South Cobb High School, Lassiter High School, South Paulding High School, and Chapel Hill High School. His colorguards have won numerous Grand Championships and consistent superior ratings.
Robert is from Hiram, Georgia and graduated from Hiram High School. He was a performing member in the color guard for Teal Sound, Atlanta Corps Vets, Paulding Independent Winterguard, CVI Independent Winterguard, and Paramount Independent, a World-Class Winter Guard.
Robert Moyer is in his second year as Color Guard instructor at Woodland High School. He has taught previously at North Paulding High School, Pell City High School (AL), South Cobb High School, Lassiter High School, South Paulding High School, and Chapel Hill High School. His colorguards have won numerous Grand Championships and consistent superior ratings.
Robert is from Hiram, Georgia and graduated from Hiram High School. He was a performing member in the color guard for Teal Sound, Atlanta Corps Vets, Paulding Independent Winterguard, CVI Independent Winterguard, and Paramount Independent, a World-Class Winter Guard.
