Q2 STAFF
DESIGN
Alan Sears is a co-founder of Atlanta Quest. He has been the music and program director since the beginning in 2002. Alan now serves as the Director of Percussion for the Sprayberry High School “Band of Gold”, and is the Drumline Instructor and Arranger for the Kennesaw State University "Marching Owls". Alan arrangers for many ensembles and also has his arrangements published with CounterMotion Inc.
Along with his work in the Band world, he also composes for corporate events and commercial projects.
Alan is married to Monna Sears and the proud father of two sons Hayden Alan Sears and Cole Alexander Sears.
ALAN SEARS
Program Director/Music Arranger
Kevin is currently the Assistant Band Director/Percussion Director with PSW-finalists, Milton High School in Alpharetta, GA. Kevin is in his 9th year with Atlanta Quest and 8th year as the music arranger.
Kevin has a Master's degree in percussion performance from Texas Christian University and a Bachelor's degree in music education from Jacksonville State University. He marched three years of WGI with Music City Mystique (07-09) and four years of DCI with the Cavaliers, Spirit of JSU, and Memphis Sound. He has taught for many different high school and independent WGI/BOA groups in Georgia, Texas, and Alabama, as well as DCI with The Cadets. Kevin is a proud endorser of Innovative Percussion products.
KEVIN KENNEY
Front Ensemble Arranger
Lindsey was born and raised in Michigan where she began her pageantry arts career. She went on to perform with Genesis Percussion, Rhythm X, Blue Stars, Bluecoats, and Carolina Crown. She received her undergraduate education from Central Michigan University and her Doctor of Audiology from Rush University. Lindsey worked for several years as an Educational Audiologist in southwest Michigan before moving to Atlanta to pursue visual design full time.
For over a decade she has been an active visual designer and instructor with scholastic and independent programs all over the country, including BOA regional finalists, champions, grand national semi-finalists, DCI and WGI finalists and champions. Since 2014, Lindsey has worked as visual supervisor and visual designer with Legends Drum and Bugle Corps, who was a consistent DCI semi-finalist since 2015 and placed second in Open Class in 2019. Additionally, in 2019 and 2021 she worked with Boston Crusaders as a visual instructor and visual design intern. Lindsey is thrilled to work with Troopers as visual designer for the 2022 season. Q2 has made amazing strides over the past couple years, notably making virtual finals with a fan favorite show in 2021. She is excited to return to Q2 for her fifth season to help make an amazing production and experience for all involved.
LINDSEY SCHUELLER
Visual Designer/Coordinator
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Entering his 8th year with the organization, Alex Shive will be returning this year in a new role as the Director of Q2. A native of Opelika, Alabama, Mr. Shive is a graduate of Auburn University where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education.
In addition to his responsibilities with the Quest organization, Mr. Shive serves as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion at Cass High School, the Percussion Caption Head of Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps, the Battery Instructor for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band in New York City, and percussion consultant/clinician for multiple schools and universities including Auburn University, Georgia Tech, and Point University.
Mr. Shive holds professional affiliations with the National Association for Music Education (NAFME), Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), Percussive Arts Society (PAS), National Band Association (NBA), and is an Innovative Percussion, and Sabian educational artist.
ALEX SHIVE
Assistant Director/Ensemble Coordinator
Joseph Stephens is from Newnan, GA, and graduated from East Coweta HS in 2009. He received his Bachelors in Music Education from Jacksonville State University where he studied under Dr. Bodiford, Clint Gillespie, Dr. Tony McCutchen, and Chris Lindley.
During his tenure at Jacksonville State, Mr. Stephens was a member of the Marching Southerners. He was appointed Drum Captain for the 2014 and 2015 seasons and performed in numerous ensembles in the music department. Mr. Stephens also marched in various independent ensembles: Odyssey Percussion Theater (2009), Terminus Atlanta Percussion (2011), Spirit of Atlanta DBC (2013), and Atlanta Quest (2014).
He has instructed many scholastic groups in Georgia and Alabama area including East Coweta HS, Hillgrove HS, North Paulding HS, North Cobb HS, Carrollton HS, South Paulding, Baldwin High School, Albertville HS, Buford HS, East Paulding, Gilmer County HS, Jacksonville HS, Calera HS, Shelby County HS, and St. Clair County HS. He is an active Percussion Composer and Arranger for numerous scholastic and independent programs all over the Southeast United States.
Mr. Stephens currently serves as the Battery Coordinator for Q2 Indoor Percussion Ensemble. He also serves as the Director of Percussion at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA and Battery Arranger for the DCA Open Class Finalist Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corp.
He endorses Dynasty USA and Bergerault percussion instruments as well as Vic Firth sticks and mallets.
JOSEPH STEPHENS
Battery Coordinator
Billie Rodriguez is from Douglasville, Georgia, where she attended South Paulding High School. She graduated with her Bachelors in music education from Jacksonville State University. In her time at JSU, she marched five seasons with the Marching Southerners, two of those years with the title of Front Ensemble Section Leader. Spanning over 8 years, her teaching history includes working at the middle and high school levels at schools across Georgia and Alabama. Currently, she works as the percussion instructor at South Paulding High School.
This will be Billie’s third season with Q2, and her second as the Front Ensemble Coordinator.
BILLIE RODRIGUEZ
Front Ensemble Coordinator
INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
Josh Bouland is returning for his eleventh year with the Atlanta Quest organization and his sixth as a Q2 staff member.
He is a Kennesaw State University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and is currently an office administrator at Digestive Healthcare of Georgia.
Josh marched in WGI with Atlanta Quest from 2012 until 2016 as a cymbal player and quad player. He marched quads with ALLIANCE Drum & Bugle Corps in the summer of 2014 and with the Blue Devils International Corps during the summer of 2015, where he toured across Europe, including performances with Top Secret in Basel, Switzerland. In the fall of that same year, Josh was a member of the inaugural Kennesaw State Marching Owls.
Josh has taught many high school and middle school percussion programs across north Georgia. He is currently a battery technician with Sprayberry High School and previously taught West Forsyth High, South Forsyth High, Walton High, and Lassiter High.
In his spare time, Josh likes to play and watch soccer. He is an avid chess player, golf player, and watcher of almost all sports and all things Star Wars and Marvel related.
JOSH BOULAND
Consultant
Aaron Savage is the current Director of Percussion East Forsyth HS and Battery Coordinator for Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps. He is also the former Director of Percussion at Colquitt Co HS, Tift Co HS, Valdosta State University as well as ALLIANCE Drum & Bugle Corps battery coordinator (2005-2006). An attendant of JSU, he is an active arranger in the South East, active clinician alongside Nick Angelis and John Cypert, as well as a DCI alum for both Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps 2000-02 Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps 2003-04. He was section leader for Spirit in 2004. Notable instructors include Jeff Ausdemore, Nick Angelis, Shane Gwaltney, Cliff Walker, Clint Gillespie, and Carl Eppler. He’s also a Vic Firth and Zildjian Artist. He currently lives in Dawsonville GA with his wife Liz Savage and two sons, Jaxon and Cooper.
AARON SAVAGE
Consultant
Daniel Cubas is a UX/UI Designer with an experienced background in music and education. He has experience as an educator, clinician, and music arranger having worked with marching bands, concert bands, and percussion ensembles in Georgia and Alabama. Previously, he was the Director of Bands at Discovery High School, Associate Director of Bands at Hillcrest High School, and battery technician Southwind Drum and Bugle Corp. Mr. Cubas graduated Cum Laude from Reinhardt University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. As a performer, he has been a previous member of the Alabama Winds, Georgia Wind Symphony, Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corp, and Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corp.
DANIEL CUBAS
Consultant
2024 will be Alex Rochowski’s 9th year with the Atlanta Quest organization. Originally from Stockbridge, GA, Alex attended Union Grove High School in McDonough, GA where he was in the marching band’s battery for all four years until his graduation in 2016. Following high school, he attended Auburn University where he graduated with a B.S. in Social Science Education in 2021. Alex spent three years in the Auburn University Front Ensemble from 2016-2018.
Alex is currently in his second year of teaching Computer Science at Sanford Middle School in Beauregard, AL. In addition to his classroom duties, Alex is the Head Soccer Coach at SMS as well as the Percussion Director at Beauregard High School. He lives in Opelika, AL with his girlfriend Sarah and their two cats Cash and Otis.
Alex was a member of Q2 from 2016-2018 where he played Vibraphone, Xylo/Glock, and Marimba respectively. Alex served as section leader in 2018. He went on to perform with Atlanta Quest from 2019-2022 in which time he played marimba. Alex also joined Q2 for the remainder of their 2021 season following the conclusion of the AQ season on marimba. In addition to his membership in Quest, Alex marched Carolina Crown in 2019 and 2021 on Vibraphone and Marimba respectively.
2024 will be Alex’s second year on the Q2 Front Ensemble staff. He has also previously taught at Newnan High School, Auburn High School, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, and Atlanta CV.
ALEX ROCHOWSKI
Front Ensemble
Henry Lin is excited to be returning again as a Front Ensemble Tech for Q2.
Henry currently serves as the Front Ensemble Caption Head for 7th Regiment. He is also a Front Ensemble technician for Jersey Surf. His previous teaching experiences include being the assistant percussion coordinator for Upper St. Clair High School in Pennsylvania, the Front Ensemble Director and Arranger for Franklin Regional High School in Pennsylvania, and a Percussion technician for Villa Rica High School in Georgia.
Prior to moving to Georgia, Henry received his Bachelor of Music in Music Business and double majored in Economic Theory from New York University. While in New York, he studied under Tim Keiper, Joshua Rosenblum, and Dr. Youngmi Ha. During his time in college, Henry had the opportunity to perform with Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps and was named section leader his second year. He also had the opportunity to perform with United Percussion 2 in 2022.
Henry is currently student teaching in Forsyth County and finishing his Master’s degree in Music Education at the University of Georgia.
HENRY LIN
Front Ensemble
AARON CROWE
Front Ensemble
Kristina is from Acworth, Georgia and graduated from Harrison High School in 2019. She is now studying Psychology at Kennesaw State University and also works at Pike Nurseries. After participating in marching band and indoor percussion at her high school, she has since been a member of the KSU drumline, and she marched with Q2 from 2021-2023.
KRISTINA DIAZ
Snare
Travis Opocensky has more than a decade of performance and instructional experience in the marching arts. His performance credits include the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, and Rhythm X Percussion Ensemble. On the other side of the drum, Travis has had the privilege of instructing and directing many high school programs, Drum & Bugle Corps, and Winter Percussion Ensembles across the United States, including The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, Oregon Crusaders Indoor Percussion, Bellbrook High School from Bellbrook, OH and Glencoe High School from Hillsboro, OR. After a long education career in the United States, Travis had the opportunity to live and work in Shanghai, China. Working with Motif Music, a music education company, Travis trained teachers and introduced marching band to students across China, along with being an in-demand clinician, designer, and adjudicator in China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Following his time in China, Travis moved to Sydney, Australia. During his time down under, he published drumset and marching percussion literature, adjudicated the National Percussion Eisteddfod, and brought DrumLine Battle to Australia for its inaugural competition. Travis has his bachelor of arts in Psychology from Portland State University and a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Sydney. Since 2019, he has lived in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Jill, and their dog, Hendrix.
TRAVIS OPOCENSKY
Quads
Shayne Carter is excited to be back for his third year on the Q2 staff. Mr. Carter is from Dallas, Georgia and is a graduate of Jacksonville State University. At JSU, Mr. Carter earned his Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education.
Mr. Carter is an alumnus of The Marching Southerners, Atlanta CV Drum & Bugle Corp in 2017, Atlanta CV Indoor in 2017, and Q2 in 2020. Mr. Carter is an instructor at Alexandria High School in Alexandria, Alabama and Paulding County High School in Dallas, Georgia where he also graduated from. Mr. Carter will be a part of the Q2 Quad staff this upcoming season.
SHAYNE CARTER
Quads
DONOVAN MARLIN
Bass
KELLEN MATTHEWS
Cymbals (Lead)
De’Ametrein Robinson is from Lawrenceville, Georgia and graduated from Discovery High School. He is returning for his second year as a Cymbal Tech with Q2 and third year with the Quest organization. De’Ametrein is a graduate of Kennesaw State University where he earned his Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science. During his time at KSU, he performed with the KSU Marching Owls, Equinox percussion, and Atlanta Quest. De’Ametrein also serves as the Cymbal Tech for Forsyth Central High School’s indoor percussion ensemble.
DE’AMETREIN ROBINSON
Cymbals
S. Reid Griffin is an active marching arts instructor and choreographer in the middle Georgia area. As a performer, Reid spent seven years in Drum Corps International's elite World Class division, touring as a brass performer with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. During this time, he achieved four top six finals placements, served as a member of the CrownBRASS student leadership team, and performed in a hornline which was awarded the Jim Ott Award for Best Brass Performance.
As a freelance choreographer and visual clinician, Reid has designed for and instructed scholastic and independent marching arts programs in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Ohio, and Wyoming. He currently serves as a member of the visual staff for the DCI World Class Finalist Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps (Casper, WY), as a member of the visual staff for the WGI Open Class Finalist Atlanta Q2 Indoor Percussion (Atlanta, GA), and as program director for East Coweta High School Indoor Percussion (Sharpsburg, GA).
Outside of his marching arts instruction, Reid is a 6th grade English/Language Arts teacher, serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Cavaliers Alumni Association, and lives in Macon, GA with his fiancé Andrew and their two poodles, Charlie and Livi.
REID GRIFFIN
Visual
AARON WOOD
Front Ensemble
Cesar Moncada is from Athens, GA where he graduated from the University of Georgia. He completed a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and a Master’s degree in Design & Media and currently works as a graphic designer for The Weather Channel. At The University of Georgia he marched as a member of the drumline for 6 years and served as the section leader for the last 4 of those 6.
Cesar was a member of the ALLIANCE Drum & Bugle Corps snareline in 2015, Q2 snareline in 2016, and Equinox Percussion in 2017 & 2018. After a few years off, he went on to age out with Q2 in 2022 and regards that season as incredibly special.
Cesar has had the opportunity to work with various high school programs serving as the battery coordinator at East Jackson Comprehensive High School, Grayson High School, and most recently at Mill Creek High School. He has returned to the University of Georgia Drumline as an instructor following their back to back National Championship win.
Cesar is excited for his second year working with Q2 and giving back to the group that he loves.
CESAR MONCADA
Snare
Andrew J. Yi is an avid music performer and educator who specializes in percussion performance. He attended Kennesaw State University as a Music Performance Major and has studied with John Lawless (Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) and Michael Stubbart (Altanta Symphony Orchestra). Outside of the scholastic musical scene, Andrew was a member of Q2 in 2018, having marched snare drum. Alongside his passion for performance, Andrew has also been the Battery Arranger/Coordinator at Chattahoochee HS since 2018.
ANDREW YI
Snare
Shannon was a member of the Atlanta Quest organization for 4 years. She marched quads in Q2 from 2020-2023. In addition, she marched at South Forsyth High School for 2 years of marching band and 3 years of indoor percussion prior to auditioning for Q2. She is very excited to be a part of the Q2 team and keep growing with the group.
Shannon graduated from South Forsyth High School in 2019 and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kennesaw State University. She has taught the South Forsyth High School marching band as well as their indoor percussion program. She also taught the quads at Atlanta CV this past season. Shannon currently works as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for a local autism center in Marietta.
SHANNON KALE
Quads
Josh Howell marched with Brookwood Independent 2013, JSU from 2012-2016, and has been a freelance percussion instructor across multiple school systems while teaching with Atlanta CV Drum & Bugle Corps and Q2 since 2019.
JOSH HOWELL
Quad
CALEB PITT
Bass
Branden is from McDonough, GA, graduated from Ola High School . He spent some time Jacksonville State University before working towards a degree in veterinary medicine and a minor in music at the University of Georgia. Branden has performed with several groups such as the Marching Southerners, JSU’s Chamber Winds, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble, as well as the University of Georgia Symphonic Band.
Branden started his independent marching career with Chattanooga Independent in 2016 and continued at Equinox Percussion in 2017 and 2018. Branden is currently a percussion instructor at Seckinger Hight School and North Forsyth High School.
Branden Annakie will be returning to the Quest organization for his 5th year.
BRANDEN ANNAKIE
Cymbals
Lamont Hall is an Atlanta based photographer and videographer. He received his B.S. in Media and Entertainment from Kennesaw State University. Previously, he studied Music Education at Troy University where he studied trumpet and played mellophone in the Sound of The South.
Lamont began his marching arts career in 2014 playing mellophone with the Jersey Surf. He would then march with Spirit of Atlanta (2015-2018) and the Atlanta Quest Visual Ensemble (2018). Since aging out of DCI and WGI Lamont has worked with a plethora of organizations including the Walton High School Marching Band, Legends Drum and Bugle Corps, Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, Atlanta CV, and Q2 Indoor Percussion.
LAMONT HALL
Visual
Andrew Clark is a teacher active in the Atlanta area, who specializes in teaching jazz music, and visual movement. Prior ensembles Andrew has been associated with include the Troopers Drum and Bugle corps, where he is the current visual caption head, Walton High School, who have won outstanding visual at BOA events in 2021 and 2022, and Q2, who has twice made finals at WGI World Championships, including the highest score in the organization’s history. Andrew has a bachelors in music education from Murray State University and a masters degree in jazz studies/performance from the University of North Texas. He lives in Marietta, GA.
ANDREW CLARK
Visual
A native of Savannah, Steven graduated in 2018 from Georgia Southern University with degrees in Music Composition and Music Education. While attending Georgia Southern, he had the opportunity to perform with the marching band, the percussion ensemble, and the orchestra as a percussionist as well as with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Opera as an oboist. He is an active composer whose music has been performed domestically in Georgia, Mississippi, and New York, and internationally as far away as Argentina.
As an educator, he has taught and designed for independent and scholastic programs throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Some of the groups he has taught include Mountainview High School, New Hampstead High School, Bradwell Institute, Swainsboro High School, Grayson High School, Wade Hampton High School, Clinch County High School, Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps, and Q2. Steven spent time performing in the competitive marching activity with both Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps as well as Q2.
Steven currently resides with his wife Audrey in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where he serves as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is currently finishing his graduate degree in Instrumental Conducting.
STEVEN COOLER
Front Ensemble
Michael Makrides is originally from Atlanta, GA, and graduated from Milton HS in 2016. He attended Kennesaw State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2021. While at KSU, he served as principal percussionist of the Wind Ensemble as well as captain of the KSU Drumline.
Michael was the snare section leader for Q2 in 2017. Afterward, he marched with Atlanta Quest in 2018, 2019, and 2021. He also marched with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps in 2018 and 2019.
Michael is currently the Assistant Band Director at Cambridge High School and continues to tech schools around the North Atlanta area. He is excited to return for a third year to work with Q2, the same ensemble that started his independent marching career.
MIKE MAKRIDES
Snare
Nelson Dean is excited to be back for his third year on the Q2 staff. He was an Atlanta Quest member during the 2005 season, and performed as a scholastic member and individual multi-tenor soloist at PASIC in 2001 and 2002. He also performed with Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, Atlanta CV, and the University of Georgia Redcoat Band. Since stepping down from performance, Nelson has worked as a music educator, composer and arranger, and consultant. He has had the pleasure of teaching at Southwind, Spirit of Atlanta, and Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as a number of BOA and WGI finalist programs in the Atlanta area and beyond.
Nelson currently lives in Decatur, GA with his wife, who is a color guard judge and novelist, their three dogs, three cats, fifteen chickens, and 10,000 bees. He also teaches History, English, Art History, and Percussion Studies at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, GA where he works with the marching band program during the fall. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Georgia.
NELSON DEAN
Quads (Lead)
Jalen Hairston is from Powder Springs, Georgia and is joining the Q2 staff for his first season. His marching experience includes seasons with Atlanta CV Indoor, Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps, Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Marching Band, Q2, and Atlanta Quest. He currently teaches at North Paulding High School and Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps as a battery tech.
Jalen works as a software engineer and consultant at Insight Enterprises, and resides in Smyrna, GA with his fiancè, Emily, and two cats, Astrada and Nova.
JALEN HAIRSTON
Quads
Native to the Metro-Atlanta area, Jesseray (J-Ray) Dimalanta graduated from Woodland High School (Cartersville) in 2017. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of West Georgia. During his tenure, he performed in various ensembles such as the Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble. He also served as principal percussionist in the Wind Ensemble.
JRAY DIMALANTA
Bass (Lead)
Born in Atlanta, Georgia. Currently serves as Percussion Instructor at Lithonia High School. The drumline that he instructs has competed in and won several drumline competitions including placing 2nd in the 2014 High Stepping National Championship Indoor Drumline Competition, 1st in their class at the 2014 High Stepping National Championship,1st Place at the 2016 Band Room Nation “Cadence Percussion Challenge” , and placing 3rd in the 2018 Drumline Battle at PASIC. Thomas has performed with multiple groups/ ensembles: Atlanta Falcons Drumline, Perimeter College Community Wind Ensemble(Co-Principle Player), Georgia State University Concert Band, Perimeter College Percussion Ensemble, and Perimeter College Jazz Combo Band. He is currently attending Georgia Sate University and is studying Managerial Sciences and Music Education.
THOMAS PHILPOT
Bass
Steven McGillen is from Woodstock, GA, and started his marching career at Woodstock High School graduating in 2010. He attended Georgia State University afterwards and graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. It was at Georgia State where Steven developed his passion for playing marching cymbals. During this time he also performed with many other ensembles, including Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps for their 2012 season and Atlanta Quest for their 2014 season. As an instructor he has previously worked with North Cobb High School, North Gwinnett High School, Collins Hill High School, ALLIANCE Drum & Bugle Corps, and Equinox Percussion. Steven had also previously instructed with Q2 in their inaugural 2015 season along with the 2016 and 2017 seasons, returning to the ensemble in the 2022 season and looks forward to working with the program for a 6th season.
STEVE MCGILLEN
Cymbals
Kate is very excited to be working with Q2 and is very eager to see what this season brings. Prior to teaching at Q2, she worked with Hoover HS as well as offering private lessons. As a color guard member, Kate has marched with Hoover HS and Spirit of Atlanta DBC. Kate has also marched with Alanta Quest as a visual ensemble in 2018 and 2019. Having just recently graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, with a degree in Kinesiology, Kate now resides in Duluth GA. She hopes to further her education and work towards getting her master's in athletic training. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, and hanging out with her friends.
KATE BUFFON
Visual
Makenzie Southern began her involvement in marching percussion at North Forsyth High School, graduating in 2017. From there, she attended the University of Georgia where she earned her degree in Mathematics Education.
During her time at UGA, she performed in the front ensemble for the Redcoat Band for three years. She also completed two seasons with Equinox Percussion.
Makenzie is currently in her third year teaching math at North Gwinnett High School. She stays involved with the band community by helping out with North Gwinnett’s marching band and indoor programs, teaching at Atlanta CV, and continuing with a second season with Q2.
MACKENZIE SOUTHERN
Front Ensemble
KYM HAYWOOD II
Snare
Chris Adams is from Indian Trail, North Carolina, and is rejoining the Q2 staff for his fifth season in his role as quad tech. Since coming to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech, Chris has competed with several world class ensembles including Odyssey Percussion Theatre, Terminus Atlanta Percussion, Palmetto Percussion, Spirit of Atlanta, Crossmen, and Atlanta Quest. After aging out with Quest, he became the inaugural quad tech for Q2 and discovered his passion for teaching.
Outside of the indoor marching space, Chris works as a software developer and spends his free time teaching the Pope High School drumline, working out, and enjoying life with his fiancè, Tess, and his dog, Monty.
CHRIS ADAMS
Quads
RYAN MCDANIEL
Quads
Wil Wright is from Fort Payne, Alabama, and recently graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education.
Mr. Wright is an alumnus of the JSU Marching Southerners (‘18-’21), The Cavaliers (‘22), and Atlanta Quest (‘23).
Mr. Wright is the Percussion Instructor for Fort Payne High School, and recently taught with The Crossmen as a bass tech. Mr. Wright joins us as a first-season bass tech with Q2.
WIL WRIGHT
Bass
Malik Francis is from Alexandria, AL, and graduated from Alexandria HS in 2016. He received his Bachelors in Music Education from Jacksonville State University where he studied under Clint Gillespie, Dr. Tony McCutchen, Dr. Andrew Lynge, Sean Womack, and Dr. Matthew Jordan.
During his time at Jacksonville State, Malik was a member of the Marching Southerners from 2016-2021. He marched cymbals in 2016, served as the Flub Section Leader in 2017 and for the next 4 years marched on The Mothership (Bass), serving as Bass Section Leader for the 2021 season. He is an alumnus of Jacksonville Percussion in 2014, Atlanta CV Drum & Bugle Corps in 2017, & Atlanta CV Indoor in 2017.
While Malik was pursuing his BS, he was the percussion caption head at Alexandria HS from 2016-2021. He’s also worked with the multiple schools between Alabama and Georgia as a freelance educator. He’s currently the percussion instructor at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, AL.
This will be his 2nd season working with Q2 and he’s so excited to continue to learn from the amazing staff and members of the Quest Organization.
MALIK FRANCIS
Bass
Kyle Sullivan is from Forsyth, GA, where he started his marching career while attending Mary Persons High School. After graduating in 2016, he attended Georgia Southern University to study music education. While at Georgia Southern, he began marching cymbals in the Southern Pride Marching Band and fell in love with the craft. This led to him auditioning and becoming a member of Q2 for the 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons.
Kyle has been the percussion director at Mary Persons High School since 2018. He is excited to continue his work with Q2 in his second year as an instructor and watch the organization continue to flourish.
KYLE SULLIVAN
Cymbals
Mason Atkins is a native of Olive Branch, MS. He earned his B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University and his B.S. in Exercise Science, M.S. in Exercise Science, and Graduate Certificate in Biomechanics from the University of Mississippi. He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA).
Mason has performed with multiple ensembles including The Auburn University Marching Band (2014-18), The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps (2018), and Q2 (2019). While at the University of Mississippi, Mason also served as an undergraduate and graduate staff member, assisting with instructing and arranging for marching percussion. Over the last decade, Mason has served in instructional and consulting roles with a number of marching band, winter guard, and indoor percussion programs across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Mason currently serves as a chemistry teacher and percussion staff member at Lewisburg HS (MS) and on the broadcast production crews with the University of Mississippi and the Memphis Grizzlies. In addition to Q2, he stays involved in the pageantry arts community by serving as the marching percussion instructor/arranger at the University of Mississippi, on percussion staff at Memphis Blues Drum Corps, on educational staff at Lumière Winter Guard, and as a consultant to scholastic groups within the Memphis-metro area and north Mississippi.
When not in the classroom, in the lab, or in rehearsal, Mason enjoys yoga, reading, drumming, and training for the next marathon on his calendar.
MASON ATKINS
Visual
MEDIA
Sarah Rehman is from Woodstock, GA, and started her marching career at Woodstock High School, where she graduated in 2016. She attended Kennesaw State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2020, and she is currently attending University of Georgia College of Pharmacy to pursue her Pharm.D.
During her time in undergrad, she marched with the Marching Owls, where she picked up cymbals and quickly fell in love with it. Sarah began her independent marching career with Q2, marching in 2019 and 2020. Also in 2019, she marched her age out year with the Guardians DBC.
Sarah is super excited to continue her involvement with Q2 and to see the organization continue to grow.
SARAH REHMAN
Media
Adrienne Johnson is from Cartersville, GA, and graduated from Woodland High School in 2019.
She is currently attending Kennesaw State University, looking at pursuing a degree within the Humanities program.
Adrienne was first introduced to indoor percussion in 2019 when she joined Q2 playing synth. She is excited to continue her involvement with the organization and ensemble.
ADRIENNE JOHNSON
Media