Build It Right, They Will Play: Engineering Excellence Culture
Clinic Synopsis:
The best programs are not lucky; they are engineered. This research-framed panel pulls back the curtain on the systems driving consistent excellence at national festivals, state conferences, and honor band stages. Through rehearsal video analysis and candid discussion, discover the structures behind rehearsal culture, student ownership, and long-term program growth, even when time, staffing, and resources are limited.
Monica Fogg
- Biographical Information
Monica L. Fogg is a K–12 Music Coordinator, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience building, stabilizing, and elevating music programs across diverse school communities. She currently supports music instruction and operations across multiple grade levels, providing instructional coaching, curriculum support, and professional learning for music educators. Her work focuses on strengthening teacher practice, improving rehearsal and musicianship outcomes, and helping programs thrive in complex school environments.
A former high school band director, Ms. Fogg has led programs in start-up, turnaround, and high-performing settings, guiding ensembles to strong performance outcomes while increasing student participation and retention. Her leadership emphasizes practical systems that support sustainable program growth, balanced ensemble offerings, and strong school-community partnerships.
Ms. Fogg is also the founder of SoundBoard Strategies, a consulting practice that provides job-embedded coaching, leadership development, and strategic support for music educators and districts. Through this work, she helps teachers navigate mixed-level classes, multiple preparations, and scheduling challenges while maintaining high-quality music instruction.
Her clinics focus on practical, transferable strategies that strengthen instructional practice, support teacher sustainability, and build student-centered music programs that thrive in real-world school settings. She currently resides in Conyers, GA with her sons Myles and Amari.
James Seda - Biographical Information
Mr. Quentin R. Goins has served as Director of Bands at Stephenson High School since 2007. His career in the Stephenson cluster began in 2001 as a student teacher at Stephenson High School under the mentorship of Dr. Marvin A. Pryor. He later joined Stephenson Middle School, serving two years as Assistant Director of Bands and four years as Director of Bands. Under his leadership, the Stephenson Middle School program earned top ratings at Georgia Music Educators Association events and was named an Honor Ensemble at the 2006 Grand National Adjudicators Invitational at Winthrop University.
At Stephenson High School, Mr. Goins has continued the program’s tradition of excellence. Under his direction, the band has performed in the 81st Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the National Adjudicators Invitational at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Ensembles under his leadership have also performed at the GMEA In Service Conference, Music for All National and Regional Festivals, and collegiate honor band clinics throughout the Southeast.
A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Mr. Goins earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, studying conducting with Dr. William P. Foster, Dr. Julian White, and Dr. Shelby Chipman. He later completed a Master of Music Education at the University of Georgia.
Mr. Goins was named the 2023 Georgia Music Educator of the Year and the 2022–2023 Stephenson High School Teacher of the Year.
Quentin Goins - Biographical Information
Mr. Quentin R. Goins has served as Director of Bands at Stephenson High School since 2007. His career in the Stephenson cluster began in 2001 as a student teacher at Stephenson High School under the mentorship of Dr. Marvin A. Pryor. He later joined Stephenson Middle School, serving two years as Assistant Director of Bands and four years as Director of Bands. Under his leadership, the Stephenson Middle School program earned top ratings at Georgia Music Educators Association events and was named an Honor Ensemble at the 2006 Grand National Adjudicators Invitational at Winthrop University.
At Stephenson High School, Mr. Goins has continued the program’s tradition of excellence. Under his direction, the band has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the National Adjudicators Invitational at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Ensembles under his leadership have also appeared at the GMEA In Service Conference, Music for All festivals, and collegiate honor band clinics throughout the Southeast.
A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Mr. Goins earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and later completed a Master of Music Education at the University of Georgia. He was named the 2023 Georgia Music Educator of the Year.
Mr. Goins was named the 2023 Georgia Music Educator of the Year and the 2022–2023 Stephenson High School Teacher of the Year. He resides in Stone Mountain, Georgia with his wife Celeste and son Chandler.
Anthony Pickard III - Biographical Information
Mr. Anthony Pickard III is a native of Decatur, Georgia, and a graduate of Alabama A and M University, where he earned degrees in Instrumental Music Education and Education. He currently serves as Director of Bands and Senior Class Sponsor at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in DeKalb County School District.
Under Mr. Pickard’s leadership, the MLK High School Band has performed in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl Parade, and the MEAC SWAC College Gameday Kickoff. The program also received an invitation to perform in Normandy, France in Summer 2023.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Pickard served as Director of Bands at Cedar Grove Middle School in Decatur, Georgia, and previously as Assistant Director of Bands at Cedar Grove High School for four years, where he also served as Assistant Tennis Coach. He began his teaching career as a student teacher at the Academy of Science and Foreign Language and Huntsville High School.
Mr. Pickard also served as a Graduate Assistant with the Alabama A and M University Bands from 2014 to 2016, working with both the Marching Maroon and White Band and the Wind Ensemble.
He is an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and NAfME and currently serves as District IV Band Chair and Lead Teacher for DeKalb County School District. His recognitions include the DeKalb County School District Difference Maker Award and multiple local educator recognitions.
Jared Davis - Biographical Information
Jared V. Davis serves as Director of Bands at McNair High School in Atlanta, Georgia. A product of Detroit Public Schools, he attended Cass Technical High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with an emphasis in Media from Norfolk State University. While at Norfolk State, he performed with several ensembles including the Pep Band, the Spartan Legion Marching Band, and the University Wind Ensemble, where he served as Principal Percussionist. During his senior year he received the Most Outstanding Bandsman Award and was recognized as a top academic scholar. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and the Golden Key National Honor Society.
Mr. Davis began his career as Director of Bands at Vance High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving from 2011 to 2021. During his tenure, the Vance Cougar Marching Band performed in numerous regional and state parades and earned recognition at several HBCU homecoming events and competitions. His students regularly participated in collegiate honor bands while graduating seniors earned millions of dollars in academic and music scholarships.
In 2021, Mr. Davis joined McNair High School where he continues to grow the band program. Students regularly participate in GMEA District IV Honor Band, DeKalb County Honor Band, and the Georgia All State Band while demonstrating strong academic achievement and leadership.
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