Vince TancrediDirector of Bands
Mr. Vince Tancredi joined the faculty at East Hall High School as the Director of Bands in May 2021. Prior to his current role, Mr. Tancredi served as Director of Percussion for the East Hall Viking Band Program since Fall 2018. Ensembles under his direction have consistently received superior ratings at GMEA concert and marching band events. Mr. Tancredi also served in the East Hall cluster at White Sulphur Elementary School as the General Music Director from 2019-2021.
A native of North Georgia, Mr. Tancredi graduated from The University of North Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. He maintains a strong partnership with the UNG School of Music and Percussion Studio. Mr. Tancredi is currently an active clinician, adjudicator, and educator in the North Georgia area. His professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and the National Association for Music Education. He is a Salyers Percussion endorsed educator. |
Kyle BickwitDirector of Bands - EHMS
Front Ensemble Coordinator Kyle Bickwit is currently the Director of Bands at East Hall Middle School. He began his career in the marching percussion world with Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps in 2008 and marched with Alliance through 2010. Mr. Bickwit has also performed with Atlanta Quest Independent Indoor Drumline in 2009 and 2010.
Kyle earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance (Bassoon) from the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music. During his time at UGA, he spent two years as a member of the Redcoat Band and two years on staff as the Front Ensemble Instructor. Kyle continues to stay involved with UGA as a staff member for their Summer Music Camps. A highlight of Kyle’s performance career was his summer touring as a Marimba player with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011. In his free time, Kyle enjoys playing tennis, running and rock-climbing. He currently lives in Athens with his wife, Cecile. |
Justin BakerDirector of Percussion
Justin Baker joined East Hall High School as the director of percussion Assistant Director in July of 2021. In addition to his roles at East Hall, Mr. Baker also serves as the director of Bands for Lakeview Academy. Ensembles under Baker’s instruction consistently receive superior ratings at state sanctioned events in both concert and marching settings. Mr. Baker also serves many of the surrounding middle and high school programs as a percussion clinician.
Mr. Baker has spent most of his performing and teaching career in the North Georgia area beginning his percussion teaching career in 2009. He received his undergraduate degree in percussion performance from The University of North Georgia (Dahlonega, Ga). From there, Baker attended Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, TN,) where he received his master’s in percussion performance. He maintains a strong relationship with both university and percussion programs. Mr. Baker is an active clinician, adjudicator, and educator in the North Georgia area. His professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and the National Association for Music Education. |
Jakob AlexandrianBatterie Coordinator
Mr. Jakob Alexandrian joined the East Hall High School Band staff as percussion coordinator in the summer/fall of 2018 and currently serves as the batterie arranger for the 2020 season. He is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at the University of North Georgia.
Jakob has a wealth of experience in both the high school and world-class levels of the marching activity. He is a graduate of Flowery Branch High School where he spent 7 years with the drumline in both the winter program and marching band. He also marched 4 seasons with Palmetto/Equinox Percussion, serving as section leader for the latter 2 seasons. In the drum corps world, Jakob spent the summer of 2019 with the Spirit of Atlanta drum and bugle corps and will be marching with The Cadets in the summer of 2021. |
Janie HancockColor Guard Coordinator
Ms. Janie Hancock joined the East Hall High School Band staff as the Color Guard Coordinator in Fall, 2018. She is currently attending the University of North Georgia to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Marketing.
Janie has marched two seasons with the Drum Corps Associates group, Atlanta CV. Janie is a graduate of Flowery Branch High School where she performed for 4 years with the marching band and winter guard program. |