2009 - 2010 Lion Pride Staff
Neil E. Ruby, Director of Bands
Neil Ruby is in his eleventh year as the Director of Bands at Central - Carroll High School, in Carrollton, Georgia. His bands have consistently received superior ratings and championship awards all over the United States at concert and marching competitions. Mr. Ruby received a B.M. Degree in Music Education from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia, and a M.M. Degree in Music Education from the Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Ruby has served as the GMEA District Chairman and on the GMEA Music Selection Committee, Nominations Committee, Marching Band Committee, and as a GMEA Mentoring Teacher for the State of Georgia. Mr. Ruby and the Central–Carroll bands have received letters of commendation from both Governor Roy Barnes and Governor Sonny Purdue. In 2004, Mr. Ruby was presented the prestigious National Band Association Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence. He is a former Teacher of the Year recipient in Carroll County and was chosen as STAR teacher of Central High School in 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007 and STAR Teacher for the Carroll County School System in 2004. Mr. Ruby was also chosen as the 2007 Teacher of the Year by the Wal-Mart Foundation. He is an active member of numerous professional organizations including: Phi Beta Mu, Georgia Music Educator’s Association, National Band Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, Professional Association of Georgia Educator’s, Percussive Arts Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Ruby attends Midway Macedonia Baptist Church and is a Real Estate Agent for Coldwell Banker in Carrollton.
Amanda Dawson-Ozley, Director of Bands at Central Middle School
Amanda Ozley is the Director of Bands at Central Middle School and assists with the Central-Carroll Marching Pride. Mrs. Ozley received her BA Degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University, where she served as the Graduate Assistant for the JSU Bands. Mrs. Ozley was a recipient of a full music/jazz Scholarship at JSU from 2002-2007 and performed in many instrumental ensembles, including; Jazz Ensemble I, Chamber Winds, the Marching Southerner’s, Hardcorps Pep Band, Mallet Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Saxophone Quartet, Musical Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. Mrs. Ozley also served on staff with the world famous Marching Southerners as a music and visual instructor. She is a member of the Georgia Music Educator’s Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, North American Saxophone Alliance, and the Percussive Arts Society.
Phillip Berryhill, VISUAL ENSEMBLE COORDINATOR
Mr. Phillip Berryhill is in fifth year as the Visual Ensemble head director at Central High School. Mr. Berryhill received his B.S. and M.A. in Music Education from the University of Alabama. Mr. Berryhill has served as Band Director in the Birmingham Public Schools, Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at The University of Alabama, and Assistant Director of Bands at Escambia High School in Pensacola, FL. He has also served as Colorguard Designer for University of Alabama, Colorguard Caption Head for Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, and Designer for Enterprise HS Winterguard, Enterprise, AL, the 2004 Gulf Coast Colorguard Scholastic “A” Champions. Mr. Berryhill has served on the Colorguard Staff for: Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, Paradigm Winterguard, Choctawhatchee High School Winterguard, Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners, JSU Center Stage Winterguards, and as a designer, clinician, and adjudicator for colorguards and bands in the Southeast. Mr. Berryhill will serve as the head instructor for the Central-Carroll Visual Ensemble and Winterguard programs. Mr. Berryhill is also on the faculty of Central HS.