Woodland Band Staff
Director of Bands, Michael Kobito
Michael Kobito is going into his sixth year with the Woodland High School Band, and his third year as Director of Bands. The band program consists of the marching band, four concert bands, a jazz band, as well as multiple chamber ensembles. Over the last several years, the band has received multiple Grand Championships, marched in the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade in Washington D.C. (2017), performed at the Southeastern United States Honor Band Invitational at Troy University (2018), and most recently traveled to New York City to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2018).
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 in college, he served as drum major of the Redcoat Marching Band for two years and was president of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education. Currently, Mr. Kobito serves as a clinician, adjudicator, and performer with Tara Winds and the Georgia Brass Band. His professional affiliations include Georgia Music Educators’ Association, National Association for Music Education, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He attends numerous professional development conferences each year across the United States and is dedicated to learning more to help serve the students at Woodland. Mr. Kobito is happily in love with his wife, Emily, who teaches 2nd grade in Cherokee County.
Michael Kobito is going into his sixth year with the Woodland High School Band, and his third year as Director of Bands. The band program consists of the marching band, four concert bands, a jazz band, as well as multiple chamber ensembles. Over the last several years, the band has received multiple Grand Championships, marched in the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade in Washington D.C. (2017), performed at the Southeastern United States Honor Band Invitational at Troy University (2018), and most recently traveled to New York City to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2018).
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 in college, he served as drum major of the Redcoat Marching Band for two years and was president of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education. Currently, Mr. Kobito serves as a clinician, adjudicator, and performer with Tara Winds and the Georgia Brass Band. His professional affiliations include Georgia Music Educators’ Association, National Association for Music Education, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He attends numerous professional development conferences each year across the United States and is dedicated to learning more to help serve the students at Woodland. Mr. Kobito is happily in love with his wife, Emily, who teaches 2nd grade in Cherokee County.
Associate Director of Bands, Holly Maldonado
Ms. Maldonado will be joining the Woodland team as Associate Director of Bands. She joins us most recently from Dayton, Ohio where she taught as assistant director for three years with the high school and middle school bands, as well as working with the Marching Firebirds. Holly is from Kennesaw, Georgia where she graduated from Kell High School under the direction of Dave McGrath. Prior to teaching in Ohio, she taught elementary music for two years at Mableton Elementary and worked with Walton High School's Marching Raider Band for four seasons.
A horn player, Ms. Maldonado graduated in 2012 from Columbus State University in Columbus, GA earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While attending Columbus State she performed with the top ensembles including the Wind Ensemble and the Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Jamie Nix and Paul Hostetter. Ms. Maldonado’s accomplishments include touring Japan while performing with the Odyssey Brass Angels, performing for multiple years with the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, and currently teaching with the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from San Antonio, Texas.
Ms. Maldonado is excited to bring her years of performing and teaching experience to the Woodland band program!
Ms. Maldonado will be joining the Woodland team as Associate Director of Bands. She joins us most recently from Dayton, Ohio where she taught as assistant director for three years with the high school and middle school bands, as well as working with the Marching Firebirds. Holly is from Kennesaw, Georgia where she graduated from Kell High School under the direction of Dave McGrath. Prior to teaching in Ohio, she taught elementary music for two years at Mableton Elementary and worked with Walton High School's Marching Raider Band for four seasons.
A horn player, Ms. Maldonado graduated in 2012 from Columbus State University in Columbus, GA earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While attending Columbus State she performed with the top ensembles including the Wind Ensemble and the Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Jamie Nix and Paul Hostetter. Ms. Maldonado’s accomplishments include touring Japan while performing with the Odyssey Brass Angels, performing for multiple years with the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, and currently teaching with the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from San Antonio, Texas.
Ms. Maldonado is excited to bring her years of performing and teaching experience to the Woodland band program!
Director of Percussion, Armando Granados
A graduate of Woodland High School, Armando is thrilled to be coming home to lead the percussion caption at Woodland! While a student at Woodland, Armando was selected to the All-State Band five times, being named Principal Percussionist of the All-State Orchestra his senior year. After high school, he went to Young Harris College and earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. Armando worked in the Union County School System as a Fine Arts Paraprofessional, Music Teacher, and Percussion coordinator before returning to Woodland.
A graduate of Woodland High School, Armando is thrilled to be coming home to lead the percussion caption at Woodland! While a student at Woodland, Armando was selected to the All-State Band five times, being named Principal Percussionist of the All-State Orchestra his senior year. After high school, he went to Young Harris College and earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. Armando worked in the Union County School System as a Fine Arts Paraprofessional, Music Teacher, and Percussion coordinator before returning to Woodland.
Director of Color Guard Activities, Corey Hawkins
Corey Hawkins is a native of Maryland where he was born and raised until he moved to Marietta when he was 10 years old. He started his marching band career in 2003, at Marietta High School, and was a part of the Blue Devil Marching Band. He began as a percussionist, marching bass drum until he graduated in 2006. He attended Jacksonville State University from 2006-2011, and was a member of the Marching Southerners' Colorguard beginning in 2008. In 2011, Corey marched with Atlanta CorpsVets Drum Corps, and was a primary weapon. He has also marched with many Winter Guard organizations, competing in both the SAPA and WGI circuits. Corey was a member of the Calico Winterguard (07-08) as well as Atlanta CorpsVets Winterguard (09). He also went on and performed with Paramount World Winterguard (12-13).
He has also enjoyed a successful teaching career in the Marching Arts, coordinating and directing many programs in the Atlanta Metro area. He directed the Douglas County HS Colorguard from 2011-2016, and was also the Guard Director at Carrollton HS from 2016-2018. He is currently the Director of Reverie “A“ Independent.
He has also worked with North Cobb HS, Roswell HS, Allatoona HS, Paulding County HS, Lithia Springs HS, Mt. Zion HS, New Manchester HS, McEachern HS, Wheeler HS, South Forsyth HS, Chattahoochee HS, Marietta HS, and Woodland HS. He looks forward to continuing the education of his students while sharing his passion for the marching arts with this outstanding program, and is excited for the future with the Wildcats!!!
Corey Hawkins is a native of Maryland where he was born and raised until he moved to Marietta when he was 10 years old. He started his marching band career in 2003, at Marietta High School, and was a part of the Blue Devil Marching Band. He began as a percussionist, marching bass drum until he graduated in 2006. He attended Jacksonville State University from 2006-2011, and was a member of the Marching Southerners' Colorguard beginning in 2008. In 2011, Corey marched with Atlanta CorpsVets Drum Corps, and was a primary weapon. He has also marched with many Winter Guard organizations, competing in both the SAPA and WGI circuits. Corey was a member of the Calico Winterguard (07-08) as well as Atlanta CorpsVets Winterguard (09). He also went on and performed with Paramount World Winterguard (12-13).
He has also enjoyed a successful teaching career in the Marching Arts, coordinating and directing many programs in the Atlanta Metro area. He directed the Douglas County HS Colorguard from 2011-2016, and was also the Guard Director at Carrollton HS from 2016-2018. He is currently the Director of Reverie “A“ Independent.
He has also worked with North Cobb HS, Roswell HS, Allatoona HS, Paulding County HS, Lithia Springs HS, Mt. Zion HS, New Manchester HS, McEachern HS, Wheeler HS, South Forsyth HS, Chattahoochee HS, Marietta HS, and Woodland HS. He looks forward to continuing the education of his students while sharing his passion for the marching arts with this outstanding program, and is excited for the future with the Wildcats!!!
