Jocelyn Crist, flute

Jocelyn has been playing flute since she was nine years old. During her high school years she was selected as a member of multiple local, state, and national honors bands, and performed in the pit orchestra for ten different musical theater productions. While attending the University of Illinois, she studied music performance for a year under the tutelage of Alexander Murray. Since her graduation, she has performed with six different community bands as she has moved around the country. Currently, she is a member of the Northwinds Symphonic Band, the Ludwig Symphony, the Sounds of Sawnee Concert Band, Band of America, and the Johns Creek Baptist Church orchestra.



Michael Laird, oboe

Michael grew up in New Jersey and attained a Bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University and a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. In 1983 he joined the Army for a career that spanned over 20 years. Michael served as an Oboist, Drum Major, and Chorus Director for Army Bands in Hawaii, Panama, Korea and other posts across the United States, including Fort McPherson, GA. He has performed as a guest artist with the Seoul Symphony Orchestra, The National Symphony of Panama, The Peabody Faculty Orchestra, The Emory Chamber Players, and the New Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra. Michael created The Tropic Lightning Chorus of Wahiawa, HI, and founded the summer music program for the Panamanian National Youth Orchestra. Upon retirement from the Army in 2003 he has been involved in education and church ministry. Michael performs locally with several groups including the New Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra.



Dianasue Walton, clarinet

Dianasue is the band director at Lumpkin County Middle School, and is principal clarinetist and a charter member of the Northwinds Symphonic Band. She grew up in Memphis, TN, was a member of the Memphis Youth Symphony, and won the a Concerto Competition while earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Memphis, and has a Masters of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia. Dianasue served for eighteen years as band director at Gainesville (GA) Middle School, and began at Lumpkin County Middle School in 2002. She was Principal Clarinet of the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra for eighteen years, and recently was appointed as an Associate Conductor of the Georgia Lions All-State Band, performing at the International Lions Conference in Chicago. Dianasue has served as Adjunct Faculty at North Georgia College and State University, and has been active as a private woodwind instructor with students winning positions as principal clarinet in both the Georgia All-State Symphonic Band and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.



Lynn Gravitt, bassoon

Lynn was a bassoon major at Berry College and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. While in college she played alto sax in the Jazz Ensemble and the bassoon in the Concert Band and the Rome Symphony. During high school Lynn won positions in the Georgia All-State Band (alto sax - 2 years), the Georgia All-State Jazz Ensemble (tenor sax), the 9th District Wind Ensemble (5 years - alto sax, 1 year - bassoon), and was lead alto sax in the 9th District Jazz Ensemble. She also was awarded a scholarship to the Transylvania Music Camp at Brevard Music Center in Brevard, NC, and was selected for the Governor's Honors Program in Music. Lynn plays with the Northwinds Symphonic Band, is an original member of the Sounds of Sawnee Community Band and plays alto sax on Sunday mornings with the Praise Band at First Baptist Church of Cumming. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.





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updated April 8, 2008



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