band Director & Staff

Dion A. Muldrow, Director of Bands

Dion A. Muldrow is in his 22nd year of teaching and seventh year as Director of Bands at Apalachee High School. Muldrow is a native of Sumter, South Carolina and a graduate of the University of Georgia (2001) where he earned a bachelor’s of music in Music Education.

While at AHS, all ensembles earned superior ratings at concert, marching, and jazz performance evaluations. The Marching Cats participated in the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2017). Mr. Muldrow was selected as Star Teacher at Apalachee high school (2020) and Cedar Shoals high school (2014). Recently, Muldrow earned recognition as Teacher of the Year for Apalachee high School and Barrow County Schools for the 2022-2023 school year.

Prior to AHS, Muldrow worked as Director of Bands at Shiloh and Cedar Shoals High Schools and Associate Director of Bands at Apalachee High School. Bands under his direction performed at the Nokia Sugar Bowl (2006 and 2012), the National Fourth of July Parade in Washington, DC. (2010), the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2015) and the KSU Concert Band Invitational (2016).

Mr. Muldrow is an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA). He serves as the state Vice President for Performance Evaluations and Band Chair for District 14. He organized district honor band(s) and large group performance evaluation(s) for several years. In addition, he held the position of District Chair in both Districts 13 (6 years) and 14 (4 years). He is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout the state of Georgia. In addition, Muldrow served as a member of the school leadership team at Apalachee and Cedar Shoals high schools.

Muldrow’s professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu Honorary Band Masters Fraternity, GMEA, NAFME, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Service Fraternity, and PAGE.

Mr. Muldrow resides in Bethlehem with his wife, Rachel, and their daughters, Raegan, and Daphne.

Joseph Hasty, Director of Front Ensemble

Joseph Hasty is beginning his 4th year as the front ensemble instructor for Apalachee HS Marching Cats.  He has over twenty years’ experience working with percussion sections and front ensembles throughout the state of Georgia including in Rockdale County, Effingham County, And Barrow County. Mr. Hasty was a member of the UGA Redcoat Band front ensemble while earning his Bachelor's of Music Education. He furthered his education at VanderCook College of Music earning a Masters of Music Education as well as at Georgia College and State University earning an Education Specialist of Educational Leadership. Mr. Hasty teaches math at Haymon-Morris Middle School while also directing their percussion ensembles and theatre program. He and his wife, Ruth, have one daughter, Lorelai, who at the age of 3 is already becoming a budding percussionist.

Rachel Muldrow, Director of Bands, Westside Middle School

Mrs. Rachel Muldrow is beginning her 16th year as a teacher for the Georgia Public Schools System. This is her first year as Director of Bands at Westside Middle School. The past two years, she taught at West Jackson Middle School as a half time director as well as part time assistant with Apalachee High School’s Concert Band and Marching Bands. Previously, she served as a music teacher at Kennedy Elementary school and low brass instructor at Apalachee High School. At Kennedy, she served as the general music teacher, steel band director, and chorus director. She began her career in Jackson County schools. Muldrow resides in Bethlehem with two beautifully kind (not so little) girls, her husband and her dog Jazz.

William Threadgill, Director of Bands, Haymon Morris Middle School

William Threadgill is the Director of Bands at Haymon-Morris Middle School. He is currently in his 15th year of teaching and in his 11th year at Haymon-Morris Middle. Mr. Threadgill’s students have received superior ratings at their Large Group Performance Evaluation, Jazz Large Group Performance Evaluation and Solo and Ensemble.

Mr. Threadgill began his teaching career at White County Middle School in Cleveland, Georgia. While there he taught 7th and 8th grade band, jazz band, pep band, general music, guitar class, and worked with the White County High School Marching Band.

Mr. Threadgill is a native of Hoschton, Georgia where he attended Winder-Barrow High School. Upon graduation, he studied at Truett-McConnell College where he received his Associates degree in music.  After graduating from Truett-McConnell in 2004 he attended The University of Georgia and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2008. While there Mr. Threadgill participated in the Redcoat Marching Band, Trumpet Choir, Wind Symphony and studied trumpet under Dr. Edward Sandor. In 2015 Mr. Threadgill received his Master’s Degree in Music Education with a concentration in conducting from Piedmont College.

In his spare time, Mr. Threadgill enjoys camping, hunting, playing trumpet in the North Metro Baptist Church orchestra, and spending time with his family. Mr. Threadgill and his wife, Amanda have three children Mckenzie, Copeland, and Silas.

Mr. Threadgill is a member of: Georgia Music Educators Association, and The Professional Association of Georgia Educators.

Sarah Baskin

Sarah Babkin is an elementary educator and color guard instructor. Her color guard experience began in 2011. She has 6 years experience as a marcher between Rockdale Future Heroes, Rockdale County High School, North Oconee High School, and DCA experience with Atlanta CV. This is her 5th year coaching.

Jay Dowdy

Jay Dowdy has worked with and been a member of groups such as the UGA Redcoat Marching Band and Atlanta Quest. He currently teaches history, EFL, and percussion.

Matt Fuller

Matt Fuller is a music educator having taught 30+ years of high school, college and elementary band. He was named the 2013-14 Teacher of the Year and served as Department Chair at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. Before starting the band program at Apalachee High School in the fall of 2000, Mr. Fuller taught in Fayette and Clayton counties. He has received degrees from the University of Kentucky (BMEd), the University of Georgia (MMEd), and from Lincoln Memorial University (EDS). Mr. Fuller’s bands have twice performed at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival as well as at the Southern Division on MENC Conference. Bands under his direction consistently received Superior ratings in concert, jazz, and marching idioms. Mr. Fuller is the past Secretary/Treasurer with the Georgia chapter of Phi Beta Mu and has performed with Tara Winds, Georgia Winds and North Georgia Winds community band for over 30 years.

He currently serves as a regional student representative for new electronic portal Acoladi. In addition, Mr. Fuller has taught as an adjunct music instructor at The UNG, Reinhardt University, Toccoa Falls College, and Truett-McConnell University. Mr. Fuller is an active clinician, adjudicator, performer, and private lesson instructor. He also serves as a certified chief adjudicator for GMEA Large Group Performing Evaluations. Mr. Fuller is married to his lovely wife Kristen and reside in Winder where they have two wonderful sons, Jonathan and Patrick.

Jordan Shafer

Jordyn Shafter is a 25-year-old graduate. She has four years of colorguard and two years of winterguard experience. She has experience with spinning flags, rifles, Sabres, and swing flags. This is her first-year teaching with the Apalachee Bands.