Continuing the District’s long legacy of being one of the nation's Best Communities for Music Education, Cobb student musicians and teachers took center stage at the recent Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference.
Cobb’s Impact Felt at the GMEA Conference
The state conference featured Cobb teachers, student performers, district leadership, and student composition. Across the three-day conference, Cobb students demonstrated their musical talents in 9 performances, while Cobb music teachers led and facilitated 14 sessions to help educators from across the state learn from some of the best in the nation.
Kennesaw Mountain High School student Talal Jean-Louis stepped into the spotlight in the conference’s student composition recital showcase.
Musical Excellence Rings Out from Cobb’s Student Performances
The musical talent from Cobb students on display at the conference reinforced the district’s reputation for musical excellence. The featured performances included: 
- Allatoona High School Jazz Band – Mark Gurnow, Jonah Ewing
- Harrison High School Cello Trio – Koji Mori
- Harrison High School Chamber Orchestra – Koji Mori
- Hightower Trail Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra – Michael Tompkins & Paul O’Keefe
- Lassiter High School Percussion Ensemble – Kyle Parciany
- Lassiter High School Tenor-Bass Choir – Chelsea Green
- Simpson Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra – Dana Tindall & Susan Abell
- Walton High School Jazz Band 1 – John Palmer, Chris Johns, Andrew Clark
- Student Composition by Talal Jean-Louis, Kennesaw Mountain High School – Michael Huebner, director
These performances reflected the dedication, skill, and hard work of both students and their teachers, underscoring why Cobb remains a leader in music education.
Cobb Educators Lead the Way
Georgia educators looked to Cobb’s veteran music educators for insights they could use to help students in their own school districts. The following dedicated Cobb music educators presented at the conference: 
- Erika Brown, Big Shanty Intermediate School
- Jay Champion, Lost Mountain Middle School
- Harrison Cook, Kennesaw Mountain High School
- Dr. Chris Ferrell, Cobb Schools Supervisor of Instrumental Music
- Andrew Geocaris, Cobb Schools Professional Learning Coordinator, Fine Arts
- Adam Gresham, Barber Middle School
- Joe Heiberger, Lovinggood Middle School
- Dr. Craig Hurley, Ford Elementary School
- Katie Hurley, Frey Elementary School
- Shelley Ferrell, Lovinggood Middle School
- Chris Johns, Walton High School
- Sidney Maurice, McClure Middle School
- Brittany Mori, Lost Mountain Middle School
- John Palmer, Walton High School
- Dr. Chantae Pittman, Campbell High School
- David Roth, Kell High School
- Dr. Michele Sampson, Addison Elementary School
- Taylor Watts, Kell High School
- Dr. Sara Womack, Cobb Schools Supervisor of General and Choral Music, Dance, and Theatre
A Tradition of Excellence
With world-class educators and talented students, the Cobb County School District continues to set the standard for music education, inspiring future generations of musicians and educators alike.
As the district celebrates yet another successful showing at GMEA, it remains committed to fostering an environment where music thrives—ensuring that Cobb continues to be one of the Best Communities for Music Education for years to come.
