Great American Marching Band

Instructional Staff Macy's

Dr. Rick Good was promoted to Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting in 2007. Prior to that promotion he served from 1995 as Marching Band Director and Associate Professor of Low Brass at Auburn University. Under his direction the Auburn University Marching Band received national acclaim. The marching band’s membership grew from 275 to 375, the largest marching band in the history of Auburn University, during his tenure as director, and in 2004, the AU Marching Band received the Sudler Trophy Award, the nation's highest and most coveted award for college and university marching bands. In January of 2005, the band was selected by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to attend the Inaugural Parade of George W. Bush. In 2006, the band was selected as one of the top ten marching bands in the country featured at the LSU Hall of Fame Museum entitled “America’s Finest University Marching Bands.”

He received his Bachelors degree in Music Education from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania, a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from Louisiana State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Euphonium Performance from Arizona State University. Before coming to Auburn, Dr. Good was previously the Acting Associate Director of Bands at Arizona State University. He has also performed professionally at Busch Gardens theme park in Virginia. Dr. Good originally hails from Allentown, PA, which is affectionately known as Band City, USA. He is active as a performer, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the country and holds various memberships in professional organizations.

Mr. Bart WoodleyColor Guard InstructorBart Woodley has been working in the marching arts for over 20 years. After performing with the color guard of the Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corps and in Escapade Winter Guard, he began instructing programs such as Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard, Center Grove High School, Centerville High School and the Cavaliers. Throughout a career with various marching bands, drum corps and winter guards, Bart has served in the role of director, coordinator, caption-head, choreographer, designer, technician, clinician, and judge. Bart holds degrees in Public Relations and Advertising from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and is the Marketing Manager for WGI Sports of the Arts.

Alex ShivePercussion Instructor

A native of Opellika, Alabama, Mr. Shive is a graduate of Auburn University where he earned his bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education. Currently serving as one of the directors of Cass High School, Mr Shive assists with all aspects of the Cass band program and oversees the Concert band, and Percussion Ensemble.

In addition too his responsibilities as one of the directors at Cass High School, Mr. Shive is also the Assistant Director and Ensemble Coordinator for Atlanta Quest's Independent Indoor Drumline "Q2", the Percussion Caption Head of Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps, Battery Instructor for the Macy's Great American Marching Band in New York City, annd a percussion consultant/clinician for multiple schools and universities in the metro Atlanta area.

Mr. Shive holds professional affiliations with the National Association for Music Education (NAFME), Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), Percussive Arts Society (PAS) National Band Association (NBA), and is also an Innovative Percussion Educational Artist.

Ms. Kailene LagaDance InstructorKailene Laga has been dancing for over 20 years. She has been trained by several top performers in the dance industry. She is currently the Head Coach of the Montclair State University Dance Team. She has taught jazz and hip-hop ages 3-21 for the past 10 years. As head coach of the Montclair State University Dance Team, Kailene led and choreographed their 2018 National Team, who took home the National Title for NCAA Division III Dance. Throughout her dance years, she has received various titles and awards. She was elected an All American Dancer and Top Gun Turner for National Dance Alliance, as well as holds five National Titles to her name. She Graduated from Ramapo College in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Outside of teaching at various dance studios, she is working full time at an Information Technology Company as an Accounting Administrator. She has choreographed and worked with several teams throughout New Jersey and New York. Kailene has always had a passion for dance and is so grateful to be apart of the MGAMB Faculty!

Additional Music StaffIn addition to the staff listed above, the MGAMB utilizes 10-11 additional instructors that handle sectional instruction and assist with teaching the drill and music for the Herald Square Performance and the Parade. Other staff members vary from year to year.