Meredith Bryan - Band Director
Meredith Bryan currently serves as the Director of Bands at Franklinton High School. Ms. Bryan completed her Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a concentration in Instrumental Music from Appalachian State University in May 2023, where she was the Charles L. Isley Watauga Community Band Music Education Scholar. She studied clarinet, conducting, and music education during her time at Appalachian. She has performed in multiple ensembles, holding principal roles on clarinet. She served as the President of the Appalachian State Collegiate chapter of the College Music Society, as well as Historian of the Appalachian State Collegiate chapter of the National Band Association while completing her undergraduate degree. She completed her student teaching at Green Level High School in 2023 under the tutelage of Mr. Brian Myers.
In 2023, Ms. Bryan started working as the band director at Franklinton High School. While at FHS, Ms. Bryan has led the concert band, jazz band, marching band, and winter guard.
Ms. Bryan currently resides in Raleigh and is a performer in a local community band in the Triangle while teaching private clarinet lessons on the side.
Damon Underwood - Visual Designer
Mr. Underwood received his Bachelor of music education from Western Carolina University and his Masters of music education from East Carolina University. He currently serves as band director for Cleveland Middle School in Johnston County, NC. He currently serves as the band director at Cedar Creek Middle and Franklinton High Schools in Franklin County, NC. He also obtained his National Board Certification in 2008. Prior to Franklin County, Damon has also served as band director, visual designer, and instructor for several successful programs throughout central North Carolina and Virginia.
Mr. Underwood has had numerous superior and excellent ratings with bands under his direction throughout the years. His bands have traveled throughout the southeast in competitions and festivals. He began teaching at Cedar Creek Middle in 2011.
As a freelance trombonist, Mr. Underwood performs locally and regionally with several musical acts on the East Coast Entertainment roster. He has opened for or performed with such acts as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Chicago, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Wayne Newton, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Mother's Finest, Buddy Baker, Marvin Stamm, Chris Vidala, and Chubby Checker. He is a former member Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps and former drum major of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and the WCU “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band.
Mr. Underwood has had numerous superior and excellent ratings with bands under his direction throughout the years. His bands have traveled throughout the southeast in competitions and festivals. He began teaching at Cedar Creek Middle in 2011.
As a freelance trombonist, Mr. Underwood performs locally and regionally with several musical acts on the East Coast Entertainment roster. He has opened for or performed with such acts as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Chicago, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Wayne Newton, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Mother's Finest, Buddy Baker, Marvin Stamm, Chris Vidala, and Chubby Checker. He is a former member Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps and former drum major of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and the WCU “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band.