Director of Bands
Christian Smith

Mr. Christian W. Smith is currently in his 9th year as Director of Bands at George Walton Academy. He attended Columbus State University for two years and studied under the direction of Mr. Don Strand to obtain a Tuba Performance degree. After his two years at Columbus State, Mr. Smith was driven to continue his studies in music at the University of Georgia in Athens to pursue a degree in music education, while continuing his tuba studies with the late Dr. David Randolph. During his collegiate career at the University, Mr. Smith also studied conducting under the direction of Dr. H. D. Satterwhite, Dr. John Culvahouse, Mr. Mark Cedel and the late Dr. Pierce Arant. Mr. Smith began teaching as the Assistant Band Director at Joseph E. Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia. He then became the director of bands at George Walton Academy in Monroe, Georgia. The band program has grown from 31 students to 160 students in his 8 years at George Walton. Mr. Smith has established six instrumental ensembles consisting of 5th grade through 12th grade students. Two of the ensembles include the Marching Bulldog Band and the GWA Symphonic Winds. Under his direction, the GWA Marching Bulldog Band and the Symphonic Winds have received superior ratings, numerous Best in Class awards and Three Silver Grand Championships. The Symphonic Winds performed as a guest band at the University of Georgia Midfest Clinic in December of 2004 and Mr. Smith received a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association awarded by Dr. John Culvahouse. Mr. Smith lives with his wife, Mary, and is the proud father of his two daughters, Madison and Ella. Mr. Smith’s professional affiliations include: the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, and is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Assistant Director of Bands
Jason Sneath

Mr. Sneath's responsibilities include the director of the 5th and 6th grade bands and assisting Mr. Smith in all other aspects of the overall band program. Mr. Sneath was born and raised in the Midwest and moved to Georgia in the early 80's. He is a graduate of McEachern High School in Cobb County where he was section leader and band captain for the Marching Indian Band, principal trumpet in the McEachern Wind Ensemble, and principal trumpet in the McEachern Symphony Orchestra. While in high school, he was also a participant in the District 12 Honor Band, Georgia All-State Band and the McDonald's All-Star Jazz Band. Upon graduating, Jason furthered his studies at the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Sudler Award winning Georgia Redcoat Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble I, Derbies and Trumpet Ensemble. He then went on to play in a professional swing band and toured the country for the next five years. At the conclusion of his time on the road, Mr. Sneath then completed his studies at Kennesaw State University where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Education. While at KSU, Mr. Sneath was a member of the Kennesaw State University Wind Ensemble, KSU Jazz Ensemble, and the KSU Brass Ensemble. Mr. Sneath studied trumpet with Mark Hughes and conducting with Peter Witte, Alexander Mickelthwaite and Michael Walters. Jason has strong ties to George Walton Academy and has worked with their marching band as a staff member for six years. Most recently, Mr. Sneath was on faculty at the Wesleyan School in Norcross, Georgia, as a Faculty Fellow and Assistant Director of Bands. Mr. Sneath has also worked with several other prominent band programs in the area including Peachtree Ridge High School, Wheeler High School, Harrison High School and South Forsyth High School. Jason is a member of GMEA, MENC, National Bandmasters Assoc. and an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity.

Guard Caption Head
Mary Smith

Mary Elizabeth Smith is a native of Alpharetta, GA. Mrs. Smith graduated from Chattahoochee High School as a member of the colorguard for the marching band there. Mary was selected to be a member of the 1996 Olympic Band where she was also a member of the colorguard. She went on to study Interior Design at the University of Georgia and was also a member of the Sudler award winning Redcoat Marching Band. During her last year on the guard, Mary was appointed as one of the captains in charge of making sure that all the members were staying on track and helping to design some of the routines. Upon completion of her studies, Mrs. Smith has worked as a professional interior designer for several very large companies in the Atlanta area and as a freelance designer. Currently, Mary has been the GWA Guard Caption Head for the last 9 years. In her time with George Walton, she has seen her guard grow from 7 to 17 members. Her groups have finished continuously in the top of every major auxiliary category in every competition that GWA has participated in. Several of her members have gone on to be a part of auxiliary units with prominent college marching bands. Mrs. Smith lives with her husband, Mr. Christian Smith and is super mom to her two darling girls, Madison and Ella.

Rifle Instructor
Stephen May

After a discouraging start with trombone in the sixth grade, Stephen's parents intervened and introduced him to alto saxophone. After one year, Stephen moved to woodwind captain and then to drum major. In college Stephen moved from saxophone to performing rifle. Through college Stephen taught flag and rifle, and his guard received first place for three years in several contests. Stephen May is currently student minister at First Baptist Church in Monroe.

Percussion Caption Head/Percussion Director
Wayne Viar

Joining our staff this year is Mr. Wayne Viar. He will take over all of the percussion needs of the GWA Marching Bulldog Band Percussion section and also will be an integral part of the educational needs of the entire percussion program at GWA as the Percussion Director. Wayne is excited and extremely enthusiastic to be joining the staff here at GWA. Mr. Viar currently resides in the Metro-Atlanta area where he is an in-demand drummer and percussionist. He was a percussion major at East Carolina University where he studied with Mark Ford, Harold Jones and Carroll V. Dashiell. Wayne has also studied with Will Kennedy, Peter Erskine, John Riley, Chris Deane, and Michael Burritt. Some of his performing credits include: Macon Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Pops, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Clyde-Beatty Cole Bros. Circus, North Point Ministries, The Neons, The Rupert's Orchestra, Rissi Palmer, Janelle and many others. He has also appeared on stage with Marcus Miller, Bob Mintzer, Russell Ferranta, Melton Mustafa, Jiggs Whigam and other giants by some strange twists of fate. Wayne was a member of the 6 time world champion, Santa Clara Vanguard in 1991 (High Percussion Champions) and 1992 (2nd place Individual &Ensemble). He has arranged, instructed and/or consulted for WGI finalist Carolina Thunder, Constitution Percussion, and Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the percussion director for the Cary High School Marching Band from 1995 - 2003. His arranging and teaching credits include Carolina Thunder, Cary High School, West Carteret High School, West Johnston High School, Green Hope High School, Clayton Valley High School, East Carolina University and many others. Wayne is currently obsessed with Keith Carlock and Wayne Krantz. Check 'em out!

Front Ensemble Instructor
Kelsey Cox

Kelsey Cox joins the staff this year as the front ensemble instructor. Kelsey is a graduate of GWA and our band program. During his time at GWA, Kelsey was the drum captain with the GWA Marching Bulldog Band for four years and section leader of the percussion in the GWA Symphonic Winds and also was a member of the District 13 Honor Band several times. Kelsey lives in Athens, is currently a freshman at the University of Georgia and marching snare drum with the Recoat Marching Band. Kelsey has studied with Nigel Conton, Sean Geiger and Josh Crosby.