Christy graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech, where she also met Jason, her husband of 21 years. For several years, Christy and Jason served with The Navigators, a college ministry that focuses on evangelism and discipleship. Christy and Jason are the parents of 5 wonderful kids ages 19 to 5 years old. Her children enjoy playing in band, marching band, and orchestra. Christy is active in her church, teaches a women's Bible study and sings in the choir. If she doesn't have something claiming her time, she loves to read classics, historical fiction and listens to book podcasts. On free weekends, you can find the Cannon family hiking and camping together.

Christy's own education included piano and chorus. She sang in the Georgia Allstate Chorus, the Georgia Tech Chorale, and the choral ensemble, The Vocalities. She was also a part of the First Baptist Atlanta college ensemble, Sonlight. A highlight for Christy was singing Carmina Burana with the Atlanta Ballet.

Christy is grateful to be a part of North Metro Music Education. Music education opportunities for homeschoolers and private school students are often challenging or inaccessible, and Christy feels strongly that this program will impact, prepare and enrich kids for the rest of their lives.

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christy.cannon@nmme.org

Mrs. Gravitte has been teaching band and music lessons for 16 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Shorter University as well as an AA in General Music from Georgia Highlands College and a medical business degree from Dalton State College. Mrs. Gravitte is an active member in the Georgia Music Educators Association and is a member of both Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Theta Kappa honor societies.

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Amy.gravitte@nmme.org

Vaughn Irby has been directing bands for 34 years. Marching and concert bands under Mr. Irby’s direction have received Superior and Excellent ratings at contests and throughout his career. He has been active in the Georgia Music Educators Association at the District and State levels as District Instrumental Chair and State Band Council. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Troy State University, and a Master of Music Education from Valdosta State College.

jaime.meyers@nmme.org

Ms. April Pettus is a pianist and violinist with a Bachelors of Music from Berry College and a Masters of Music Education from the University of Georgia. She teaches Orchestras 2 and 3 for NMME. She has taught elementary, middle and high school level orchestra and music classes for twelve years in Fulton County Schools. Her groups consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings at GMEA Evaluation Performance festivals.

Alexis is the wife to Wiley, and mother of 2 wonderful children. She has been involved in various music programs from a very young age, and began playing violin at age 6. Around age 18 she began teaching private violin lessons. She continues to have several students, and is very excited about the opportunity of also teaching in a class setting. Alexis loves gardening, crafting, and making her kiddos giggle.

Mrs. Rogneby is a pianist and vocalist, who has taught private piano and voice lessons from her home for over 30 years. She earned a Bachelor in Church Music from Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri and has provided Music and Fine Arts instruction as Worship Director/Pastor in several churches in Illinois, Missouri and Georgia. Karen has worked extensively with children and youth choirs, and looks forward to exploring the gift of music with the students at NMME!

Mrs. Scarborough (Ms. Heather, to her students)

holds a bachelor's and a Master's degree in Education with a minor in Technology. She has been teaching for 28th years, and is in her 7th year of homeschooling her own children.

Mrs. Scarborough serves as a marching band director for the North Metro Marching Eagles, which is one of her favorite things to do!!! She has played piano for about 18 years and clarinet for 7. She participated in the Kennesaw State University Chorus from 1988-1990. She taught music classes at West Cobb Christian Academy for about 4 years. 

Mrs. Scarborough has been married for 25 years. Her husband is the director of the Georgia School of Preaching. She has two daughters: one is a senior at Freed-Hardeman University and the other is a junior in high school, attending Inspire. 

Mrs. Scarborough loves working at NMME because it allows young students to bloom in their musical abilities in a loving and nurturing environment. She loves the partnership between the NMME program, the teachers and the families. She considers it a blessing to be part of such an amazing organization! 

heather.scarborough@nmme.org

Mr. Shackelford earned a Bachelor of Music and Education and a Master of Music Education from Montana State University. He served as the strings instructor for 13 schools of Helena, MT, and as Director and Conductor of the Helena Symphony Society. He founded a worship orchestra and the school of theology choir in Anaheim, CA. He directed the Orchestra at Mount Paran Church and was Minister of Instrumental Music and Orchestra Director of First Baptist Atlanta.

Kimberly Stafford, is the Color Guard Director for the North Metro Marching Eagles.  This is her second season as a part of NMME leadership, but her family's third season with the organization.  

As Color Guard Director, Kimberly collaborates with the Band Director to design a fun and engaging auxiliary program that adds visual flair or "color" to the marching band, while educating, preparing and directing the NMME Color Guard for performances. With her involvement in the marching arts, combined with her forty years of dance training and twenty years of dance education experience, taking on the Color Guard Director role has allowed her another opportunity for musical expression through movement...and SHE LOVES IT! 

The North Metro Music Education program is special to her family. She and her husband both participated in marching band during their school years (and beyond) and were excited to find a marching band option for their homeschooled kiddos.  They like that NMME is family friendly and encourages family participation, offering music classes of many varieties and skill levels, embodying their goal of educating and inspiring via the tools of making music.  Kimberly and her husbands' kids quickly felt at home and have made many friends through the bond of music. 

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kimberly.stafford@nmme.org

This is Bryan's third year teaching at NMME.  In 2022 he led the marching band percussion to their first, 1st place finish at a competition!  Bryan started band when he was in 6th grade.  While he started playing trombone, with in the first few weeks, he switched to percussion and never looked back!  Bryan is thankful to be a part of the NMME family and to share his passion of percussion with the students.