Band Directors
Matthew Everhart
Director of Bands |
Michelle Jiang
Assistant Band Director |
Matthew Everhart - Director of Bands
Matthew Everhart serves as the director of bands at Centennial High School and oversees all aspects of the band program. Prior to his tenure at Centennial, Mr. Everhart spent two years as the Associate Director of Bands at Archer High School in Lawrenceville, Ga where he led the Pride of Archer Marching Band to several awards and honors. Additionally, he spent four years as the Director of Bands at Elbert County Comprehensive High School in Elberton, Ga. Under his leadership, the bands at Elbert County received consistent superior ratings and several best in class and division honors. Mr. Everhart began his career teaching two years at Elbert County Middle School. Bands under his direction consistently receive superior ratings and best in class honors. In addition to his duties with the band, he teaches sections of Music Technology.
Mr. Everhart graduated Magna cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2011 where he studied saxophone under Dr. Kenneth Fischer. He graduated with a Masters of Music Education with Distinction in 2015 from the University of Georgia.
Mr. Everhart is an active clinician and adjudicator in the state of Georgia. His professional affiliations include GMEA, NAfME, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi
Mr. Everhart graduated Magna cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2011 where he studied saxophone under Dr. Kenneth Fischer. He graduated with a Masters of Music Education with Distinction in 2015 from the University of Georgia.
Mr. Everhart is an active clinician and adjudicator in the state of Georgia. His professional affiliations include GMEA, NAfME, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi
Michelle Jiang - Assistant Band Director
Michelle Jiang is excited to join Centennial High School as the assistant band director. She received her undergraduate degree in Music Education summa cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2024. While at UGA, Ms. Jiang was an active member of the Georgia Redcoat Marching Band as a member of the front ensemble for two years, following the football team to the back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. She was also a member of the UGA Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble.
Prior to Centennial, Ms. Jiang was the assistant band director at Webb Bridge Middle School. The 8th Grade Symphonic Band performed as an invited ensemble at the 2025 GMEA conference, one of two middle schools granted the honor of performing at The Classic Center in Athens, GA. Additionally, she has been teaching percussion since 2021. She worked as a percussion technician at Northview High School, Morgan County High School, and Mountain View High School.
Ms. Jiang’s professional affiliations include GMEA, NAfME, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Michelle Jiang is excited to join Centennial High School as the assistant band director. She received her undergraduate degree in Music Education summa cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2024. While at UGA, Ms. Jiang was an active member of the Georgia Redcoat Marching Band as a member of the front ensemble for two years, following the football team to the back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. She was also a member of the UGA Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble.
Prior to Centennial, Ms. Jiang was the assistant band director at Webb Bridge Middle School. The 8th Grade Symphonic Band performed as an invited ensemble at the 2025 GMEA conference, one of two middle schools granted the honor of performing at The Classic Center in Athens, GA. Additionally, she has been teaching percussion since 2021. She worked as a percussion technician at Northview High School, Morgan County High School, and Mountain View High School.
Ms. Jiang’s professional affiliations include GMEA, NAfME, and Kappa Kappa Psi.