Instructors
Dora Lucas, Percussion CoordinatorDora Lucas is the Percussion Coordinator at Habersham Central High School. She is in her 20th year as an adjunct faculty member in the North Georgia area. Ms. Lucas has been on the staff of the Band of Blue since 2001. She is an active percussion performer in the Northeast Georgia area.
Ms. Lucas is the College Planning Coordinator and Dual Enrollment Coordinator Department Head of the English Department at HCHS. Dora has also been involved with the HCHS Women's Soccer program. She graduated from Georgia State University in 2000 and Piedmont College in 2005 with her Master's Degree in Education.
Cecilia Dukes, Guard Coordinator
Cecilia Dukes is in her first year as Guard Coordinator. She has been on staff since 2020. Cecilia was a member of the HCHS Winterguard, Indoor Drumline, HCHS Wind Ensemble as well as the Habersham Singers. Cecilia was a Finalist for the GMEA All-State Chorus. She has danced with the Clarkesville School of Dance and Brenau University School of Dance. Ms. Dukes graduated from Habersham Central High School in 2020.Sam Berman, North Habersham Middle School
Sam Berman is the band director at North Habersham Middle School.
James Geiger, South Habersham Middle School
James Geiger is currently the Director of Bands at South Habersham Middle School in Cornelia, Georgia. Before his appointment in Habersham County, Mr. Geiger was the Assistant Director of Bands at West Laurens High School in Dublin, Georgia. Born in Palatka, Florida and raised in Dublin, Georgia, Mr. Geiger graduated with honors from Dublin High School in 1995. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in both Music Education and Music Composition from Georgia Southern University in 2000. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Geiger taught elementary music in the Columbia and Jones County school systems. He then went back to school and received the Master of Music degree in Music Composition from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2005.
Concert bands under Mr. Geiger’s direction have consistently received superior and excellent ratings at band festivals. His music compositions have received world premieres in 16 states, from New York to California. Mr. Geiger has also commissioned three pieces for concert band: Moonscape Awakening by Joni Greene, Fantasy on an Old English Melody by Timothy Loest, and Color Jam Suite by Timothy Loest.
Besides his duties as a middle school band director, Mr. Geiger is the Staff Arranger for Rabun and Dawson County High School Bands, and a Part-Time Instructor of Percussion at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia. He currently resides in Mount Airy, Georgia with his wife, Jennie, and two children, Lily and Charley.
Curt Sanders, Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School
Curt Sanders is a native of Tifton, Georgia. Upon graduation from Tift County High School, Mr. Sanders did undergraduate work at Columbus State University and graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1990. Mr. Sanders also completed his Master of Music Education degree from Valdosta State University in 1992.
Mr. Sanders is a former member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and has also performed on numerous occasions with the Columbus (GA) Symphony and Tara Winds Community Band - including two performances at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Sanders has played for the Jonesboro United Methodist Church Orchestra for 22 years. Mr. Sanders has played in over 25 musicals!
Mr. Sanders is currently the Director of Bands at Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School in Habersham County. Prior to accepting his current position with the Habersham County School System, Mr. Sanders served eight years as the Director of Bands at Strong Rock Christian School. Prior to Strong Rock Christian School, Mr. Sanders served five years as the Associate Director of Bands at Stockbridge High School in Stockbridge, Georgia. Before his employment with the Henry County School System, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia. Before his eight years of employment in the Fayette County School System, Mr. Sanders served four years on the Instrumental Music staff at Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Georgia.
Bands under Mr. Sander’s direction have consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings at festivals. Mr. Sanders has arranged marching percussion literature for numerous high schools across the eastern United States. Mr. Sanders has performed with Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Santana), Chet Atkins (country music artist), Ed Shaughnessy and Pete Christlieb (The Tonight Show Band), Dave Brubeck and his Quartet, Cecil Bridgewater (Count Basie Band), and more. Professional affiliations for Mr. Sanders include the Music Educators National Conference, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, the Percussive Arts Society, and the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters’ Fraternity Zeta Georgia Chapter.
Mr. Sanders is married to Aubrea Melissa Sanders. The Sanders’ have been married for seven years and reside in Demorest, Georgia with their three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – Bartels, Phoenix, and Copper.
Sam Berman is the band director at North Habersham Middle School.
James Geiger, South Habersham Middle SchoolJames Geiger is currently the Director of Bands at South Habersham Middle School in Cornelia, Georgia. Before his appointment in Habersham County, Mr. Geiger was the Assistant Director of Bands at West Laurens High School in Dublin, Georgia. Born in Palatka, Florida and raised in Dublin, Georgia, Mr. Geiger graduated with honors from Dublin High School in 1995. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in both Music Education and Music Composition from Georgia Southern University in 2000. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Geiger taught elementary music in the Columbia and Jones County school systems. He then went back to school and received the Master of Music degree in Music Composition from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2005.
Concert bands under Mr. Geiger’s direction have consistently received superior and excellent ratings at band festivals. His music compositions have received world premieres in 16 states, from New York to California. Mr. Geiger has also commissioned three pieces for concert band: Moonscape Awakening by Joni Greene, Fantasy on an Old English Melody by Timothy Loest, and Color Jam Suite by Timothy Loest.
Besides his duties as a middle school band director, Mr. Geiger is the Staff Arranger for Rabun and Dawson County High School Bands, and a Part-Time Instructor of Percussion at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia. He currently resides in Mount Airy, Georgia with his wife, Jennie, and two children, Lily and Charley.
Curt Sanders, Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle SchoolCurt Sanders is a native of Tifton, Georgia. Upon graduation from Tift County High School, Mr. Sanders did undergraduate work at Columbus State University and graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1990. Mr. Sanders also completed his Master of Music Education degree from Valdosta State University in 1992.
Mr. Sanders is a former member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and has also performed on numerous occasions with the Columbus (GA) Symphony and Tara Winds Community Band - including two performances at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Sanders has played for the Jonesboro United Methodist Church Orchestra for 22 years. Mr. Sanders has played in over 25 musicals!
Mr. Sanders is currently the Director of Bands at Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School in Habersham County. Prior to accepting his current position with the Habersham County School System, Mr. Sanders served eight years as the Director of Bands at Strong Rock Christian School. Prior to Strong Rock Christian School, Mr. Sanders served five years as the Associate Director of Bands at Stockbridge High School in Stockbridge, Georgia. Before his employment with the Henry County School System, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia. Before his eight years of employment in the Fayette County School System, Mr. Sanders served four years on the Instrumental Music staff at Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Georgia.
Bands under Mr. Sander’s direction have consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings at festivals. Mr. Sanders has arranged marching percussion literature for numerous high schools across the eastern United States. Mr. Sanders has performed with Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Santana), Chet Atkins (country music artist), Ed Shaughnessy and Pete Christlieb (The Tonight Show Band), Dave Brubeck and his Quartet, Cecil Bridgewater (Count Basie Band), and more. Professional affiliations for Mr. Sanders include the Music Educators National Conference, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, the Percussive Arts Society, and the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters’ Fraternity Zeta Georgia Chapter.
Mr. Sanders is married to Aubrea Melissa Sanders. The Sanders’ have been married for seven years and reside in Demorest, Georgia with their three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – Bartels, Phoenix, and Copper.