DIrectors and staff
GREG GIBSON
Director of Bands
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Greg Gibson is entering his 17th year in education and currently serves as Director of Bands at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, GA. Prior to coming to North, Mr. Gibson served as Director of Bands at Ledford Senior High School in Thomasville, NC. His responsibilities included directing the marching band, two concert bands, jazz band, and percussion ensemble. Ensembles under his direction have consistently earned superior ratings at local and state assessments.
Mr. Gibson has degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) and the University of Georgia (UGA). While at UNCG he studied clarinet with Dr. Ed Riley and conducting with Dr. Kevin Geraldi and Dr. John Locke. He had the opportunity to perform with the Wind Ensemble with featured performances at the NC State Music Educators conference and the Music Center at Strathmore. Performing with the Wind Ensemble at UGA, he had the opportunity to play at Kennesaw State University and Atlanta Symphony Hall. While at UGA he served as a TA for the Music Education Department, the Redcoat Marching Band, and studied conducting with Dr. John Lynch.
Mr. Gibson’s professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Mr. Gibson currently resides in Flowery Branch with his wife Erin, and two daughters Lily and Cora
Email Mr. Gibson
Travis Downs
BRANdon SolofF
Associate Director of Bands
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Brandon Soloff is currently the Associate Director of Bands at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, GA. Previously he served as Co-Director of Bands at Taylor Road Middle School in Johns Creek, Georgia. His responsibilities included co-leading the Taylor Road Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Little “Big” Band. Mr. Soloff also served on staff with the Chattahoochee High School Marching Band, a Bands of America Grand Nationals Semi-Finalist. Ensembles under his direction have earned consistent ‘Superior’ ratings at Performance Assessments and have been featured at regional performances such as the 2020 and now 2025 Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference.
As the Associate Director of Bands at NGHS, Mr. Soloff serves as the Director of the Award-Winning Bulldog Marching Band, Director of Jazz Studies, primary conductor to the Symphonic Band, and codirector to Symphonic Winds and Concert Band I & II.
At age ten, Soloff began his study of trumpet and has since studied with Thomas Hooten (Principal Trumpet of the LA Philharmonic), Robert Murray, and the late Lew Soloff. Mr. Soloff holds a Masters of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music in Columbus, GA. Mr. Soloff performed at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN in 2015 with the Schwob Wind Ensemble. In addition to the Schwob Wind Ensemble, he also performed with the Schwob Philharmonic, Schwob Jazz Orchestra, and Schwob Trumpet Ensemble (National Trumpet Competition Ensemble Semi-Finalists 2014-2016).
Mr. Soloff is active as a clinician, presenter, freelance performer, and private lessons instructor and is a recipient of the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence.” His professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, Jazz Education Network, and the International Trumpet Guild. He currently is a member of the renowned Cobb Wind Symphony community band.
Mr. Soloff resides in Sugar Hill, Georgia with his lovely wife Bethany, daughter Nora, and cats, Ellie & Bella. In his spare time, Mr. Soloff enjoys cheering on his Atlanta Braves!
Email Mr. Soloff
north gwinnett ms directors
Fred norton
Marching Staff
Josh Hayward, Woodwind Caption Head
Devin Witt, Technical Caption Head
Travis Downs, Percussion Consultant
Andrew Yi, Battery Specialist
Brant Yang, Battery Specialist
Makenzie Southern, Front Ensemble Specialist
Alex Cook, Front Ensemble Specialist
additional Band camp staff
Jennifer Willis, Flute Instructor
Vinnie Dagostino, Clarinet Instructor
Dilon Bryan, Mellophone Instructor
Toni U, Trumpet Instructor
Dalian Bryan, Low Brass Instructor
Leo Font, Tuba Instructor
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Freelance percussionist and music educator Brant Roberts spends his time performing widely and exploring the world of music. His work has guided him to find many musical homes. He feels comfortable performing on the concert stage with an orchestra, in contemporary music spaces, accompanying and composing for movement artists, or participating in folkloric music performances.
Roberts is passionate about music education and focuses on creating students who value wide-ranging expression that balances orchestral percussion, drum set, and world percussion. He studied with world-renowned orchestral percussionists Kyle Zerna and Joseph Tompkins, marimba master William Moersch, Cuban percussionist Dr. Javier Diaz, and Persian percussionist Nazanin Pedarsani. His students find that this range of musical experiences is reflected in their lessons, regardless of the instrument or style.
Roberts is a strong advocate for new music and contemporary performance. His latest work includes serving as artistic director and performer for Turn Around, a concert series in Champaign-Urbana, IL, dedicated to fostering community around new music, improvisation, and working with local composers. He has served as the percussion fellow for New Music on the Point (VT) in 2024 and 2025 and has also been an invited soloist for the New Music Gathering and the Nief-Norf Contemporary Music Festival.
Accompanying and composing for modern dance has played a significant role in his freelance career. He has worked at high-profile studios, such as The Martha Graham School and Peridance Center, as well as successful university programs, including Rutgers University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His dance compositions have been performed across the US and Europe.
Roberts completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in percussion performance and literature with a cognate in music education.Email Dr. Roberts
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Originally from northern Virginia, Ryan has over a decade of experience in the marching arts, most recently marching Paramount Winter Guard and The Santa Clara Vanguard. Ryan’s passion for pageantry and performance has allowed him to serve as a choreographer, technician, consultant, and designer for multiple programs along the East Coast and he is excited to start this new journey with North Gwinnett!
Email Ryan