About Gena

Flute and Education Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Flute Performance, Appalachian State University

Studied with Jill Shires and Dr. J. Lynn White

Master's Degree in Music Education, University of South Carolina

Studied flute with Dr. Connie Lane, conducting with Dr. William Moody and served as a graduate assistant to the Carolina Bands under Mr. James Copenhaver

National Board Certified Teacher

Middle School Band Director for 29 years

Private flute instructor for over 30 years with many students placed in region and state honor ensembles, SC Governor's School for the Arts, scholarship winners and state pageant talent award winners.

Flute judge for countless county, region and state honor ensemble auditions

Woodwind instructor and honor band conductor for bands, camps and honor ensembles

Bagpipe Experience

Bagpiper since 2001 with solo and band competition experience

Studied privately with a former Grade I piping champion

Received instruction at clinics and camps with Bob Worrall, Ken Eller and Jimmy McIntosh

Solo piping experience at weddings, funerals, memorials, parades, special events and religious services.

Originally from Winston-Salem, NC, Gena's love affair with music started early when her parents purchased an electronic organ at a local mall and signed her up for lessons with an organ student who was studying at Salem College. After a few years of lessons, Gena transitioned to playing flute in the Ledford Middle and High School Bands. At Ledford High School, she served two years as the drum major for the marching band and developed a love affair with music that led her to become a band director.

After high school, Gena attended Appalachian State University where she studied music education and flute performance. During her time at ASU she performed in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Marching Band, Flute Choir and countless small ensembles. Gena earned numerous honors while at ASU including winning the prestigious Concerto-Aria Competition, being featured soloist with the flute choir, being awarded the Pi Kappa Lambda and Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarships and was named the Presser Scholar which recognized the most outstanding student in the school of music.

Gena's first and only job interview came days before she graduated Magna Cum Laude from ASU. She became the band director at Walhalla Middle and High Schools in Walhalla SC and in six years built the band program to over 250 students. When the decision was made to hire a second director, Gena chose to become the full-time middle school director. In 1998, she took a one year sabbatical to complete her Master's Degree in Music Education at the University of South Carolina. During her time there, she studied flute with Dr. Connie Lane, conducting with Dr. Bill Moody and was a graduate assistant to the Carolina Bands under Mr. Jim Copenhaver.

After completing her degree in just one year, Gena returned to Walhalla Middle School and continued to direct bands there until her retirement in June of 2021 after 29 years teaching. During her time at WMS, her bands were recognized on the state and regional levels as consistently superior. Under her tenure, the band performed at the Capitol in Washington, DC, the Gettysburg Battlefield, Symphony Hall in Atlanta and Chattanooga and multiple times at Disney and Universal Studios in Florida and the Carowinds Festival of Bands in Charlotte, NC. She served as a clinician to honor bands in South Carolina, placed numerous students in county, region and state honor bands and coached hundreds of students in solo and ensemble performances. The highlight of her career came when she directed the WMS band at a "Remembering 9-11 Tribute" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City.

Gena has maintained a private flute studio for many years and has placed many flutists in region and all state bands. Several of her students have gone on to study at the SC Governor's School of the Arts and in various universities throughout the nation. Gena has performed as a member of the Clemson University Orchestra, the Palmetto Concert Band, College Street Baptist Orchestra and the Oconee Winds as well as having been a soloist for hundreds of events and services.

Gena began studying the pipes in 2001 after the events of 9-11 inspired her to take up the pipes. She studied privately with a former Grade 1 piping champion and attended several camps and workshops to improve her playing. Gena competed as a member of the Upstate United Pipe Band (now dissolved) for several years. She also competed as a solo piper winning many events and in 2004 placed third in the EUSPBA Grade IV piping standings and was upgraded to grade III. She has performed for countless services, parties, funerals and weddings.