Clinician Detail

Empowering Music Educators Through Mentorship: Pathways to Professional Growth, Retention, and Longevity

Clinic Synopsis:

Music teacher mentoring plays a crucial role in the growth and development of educators. This session will empower attendees to develop a meaningful and sustainable music teacher mentoring program in their own networks. Presenters will share proven strategies, challenges, and solutions through a panel discussion with teachers in varying career stages. All are welcome, from early-career educators seeking a mentor to experienced teachers and administrators looking to support the next generation.

Josh Byrd - Biographical Information

Josh Byrd serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of West Georgia. His primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, teaching music education, conducting, and graduate coursework, and administrating the UWG band program. Prior to his appointment he served as Director of Bands at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin and Assistant Director of Bands at Lanier Middle School and Norcross High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Dr. Byrd received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting and a minor in Music Theory from the University of Georgia, where he studied with John Lynch. He received his Master of Music degree in Conducting while studying with Tom Dvorak at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, where he studied saxophone with Kenneth Fischer and conducting with Dwight Satterwhite and John Culvahouse. Dr. Byrd is an active clinician, having presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, NAfME Biennial Music Research and Teacher Educator Conference, TNMEA, FMEA, CBDNA National Conference, and multiple times at the GMEA annual in-service conference. His professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Beta Mu. Dr. Byrd lives in Carrollton with his wife, Katie, and their two children, Tripp and Haley.

Dexter Bailey - Biographical Information

Mr. Bailey is a seasoned music educator in his 8th year as Creekside High School’s Director of Bands. He conducts the Wind Symphony and Jazz Band, oversees the Symphonic and Concert Bands, and leads the “Sounds of the Seminoles” Marching Band. Under his leadership, the CHS Band consistently earns superior ratings at GMEA’s Large Group Performance Evaluation, represented Georgia at the 2022 National Independence Parade, and is slated to perform in the 2025 Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. His achievements have been recognized with the 2021-2022 Creekside Teacher of the Year award and the 2022 Dr. William P. Foster Community Development Award for the Southern Region. Before joining CHS, Mr. Bailey served as Director of Bands at Bear Creek Middle School—where his program garnered consecutive superior ratings and national recognition—and held key assistant roles at Creekside and Redan High Schools. A native of Decatur, Georgia, he graduated from Redan High School in 2003 and earned his BA in Music Education from Bethune-Cookman University in 2008, followed by a Master’s from Boston University in 2014. While at Bethune-Cookman, he studied under renowned educators and served as trumpet section leader in several ensembles. Beyond his school duties, Mr. Bailey is an active clinician, arranger, and coordinator for band programs and summer camps throughout the Southeast, including the Bethune-Cookman University High School Summer Band Camp and NAACP’s South Fulton United Marching Band.

Myah Dickerson - Biographical Information

Myah Dickerson received her Bachelor of Music Education from Reinhardt University in 2022. During her undergraduate studies, she engaged in a wide variety of activities, including jazz band, voice lessons, saxophone lessons, and composition lessons. She is currently the Associate Director of Bands at Elkins Pointe Middle School in Fulton County. The Elkins Pointe Band Program serves over 300 students each year, earning consistent superior ratings at events sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association. Myah is also currently obtaining her Master of Music in Conducting degree from Georgia State University. She currently resides in North Georgia, where she lives with her partner and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and embroidering.

Jessica Thomas - Biographical Information

Jessica Thomas is enjoying her second year at Hopewell Middle School in Fulton County. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in instrumental conducting from Georgia Southern University. Her bands have consistently earned superior ratings at GMEA evaluations, and her students have participated in GMEA District, All State, and numerous other honor bands and music festivals. She has presented at The Midwest Clinic and Georgia Music Educators’ Association Conference and performs with the Cobb Wind Symphony. When not teaching, she adventures with her partner, Matt, her son, Ollie, and her dogs Buddy and Athena.