Amy G. Cartledge
Conyers Middle School
Director

Russell Bertles
Guard Instructor
Email:  rlbrmsband@aol.com

Russell Bertles has been teaching band and color guard for the past 28 years in Alabama, Florida & Georgia.  He is currently the band director at Dutchtown Middle School in Hampton, Georgia.  In 2006, Mr. Bertles completed his masters degree in conducting at the American Band College in Ashland, Oregon.  In December of that same year, he received the Legion of Honor Award at the Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic, Chicago, Illinois, given by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.  Marching band color guards Mr. Bertles has instructed have consistently received superior ratings in all festivals and contests, as well as winning numerous champion and grand championships.  Winter guards he has instructed have received recognitions including WGI Scholastic World Champions & finalist along with numerous WGI regional finalists, Championships and Medalists in the GCGC, SCGC and the recently formed SAPA, Southern Association for Performing Arts.  For the past two years, Mr. Bertles has been honored to serve SAPA as their treasurer.  He has been very active as an officer in all three color guard circuits where he has held memberships as well serving as a volunteer several times at the WGI Championships.  Mr. Bertles is a drill designer writing for bands across the Southeast.  He is often asked to serve as a clinician or adjudicator in both the band and color guard worlds.  Mr. Bertles is enjoying his first year as the color instructor at Rockdale County High School.  ↑ Top

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Nigel Conton
Drum Line Instructor
Email:  nconton@yahoo.com

Nigel Conton is a 2003 graduate of George Walton Academy, where he marched for 6 years.  He has marched with Spirit Drum & Bugle Corps and Odyssey Percussion Theater, and was part of the 2004 Spirit Cymbal Ensemble that won Gold at I&E.  After aging out of indoor drumline, Nigel returned to Odyssey as a Visual Instructor and Bass Technician.  He has also taught drumlines at George Walton, The Wesleyan School, Roswell High School, and Fayette County High School.  Nigel has been with the RCHS Drumline for 4 years, and has consistently helped the line achieve Superior ratings at competition.  Nigel is currently a member of the Georgia Tech Drumline and a member of the Falcons Drumline.  He is working towards his second degree at Georgia Tech.  ↑ Top

Amy Gajownick Cartledge
Conyers Middle School Director
Email:  agajownik@rockdale.k12.ga.us

Amy Gajownik Cartledge is currently the band director at Conyers Middle School in Conyers, Georgia.  Her duties include directing the 6th Grade Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band.  For the past two years, her bands have received superior ratings at GMEA district concert festivals.  Her band also received superior ratings at the High Note Festival.  Prior to teaching at Conyers Middle School, she was band director at Jasper Middle School in Jasper, Georgia.  Her band participated in the “Your Instrumental” clinic at Walt Disney World.  Mrs. Cartledge has been a trumpet instructor for the Heritage High School Band, and is currently on staff with the Rockdale County High School Marching Band.  She also was on staff with the Bravo Music Camp at Berry College in 2008.  Mrs. Cartledge graduated cum laude from Berry College with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree.  She was a member and president of Sigma Alpha Iota and CMENC.  ↑ Top

Vicky Johnson
Drum Major Instructor
Email:  vickyjohnson@gatech.edu

Vicky Johnson is a 2006 graduate of Rockdale County High School where she marched all 4 years.  Vicky was Drum Major of the RCHS band her senior year.  After graduating, she joined the Georgia Tech colorguard, where she marched on the sabre line and flag line.  Vicky is now in her 2nd year as Drum Major for the Georgia Tech Marching Band and is an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi, an honorary band service fraternity.  This is her 2nd year instructing the RCHS Drum Majors and visual program.  She has also previously taught at Central Gwinnett High School.  Vicky is currently working towards her BS in Economics from Georgia Tech.  ↑ Top

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