WAYNE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
YELLOW JACKET BAND
DIRECTORS & STAFF
ANDY HURSEY
DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Andy Hursey is the Director of Bands at Wayne County High School and has been teaching band since 2002. Prior to coming to Wayne Co High School, Mr. Hursey taught for 15 and 1/2 years as the Director of Bands at Perry High School in Perry, GA, 3 and 1/2 years as the Assistant Director of Bands in both Perry High School and Perry Middle School, and one year as Director of Bands at The Academy of Richmond County High School in Augusta, GA.
During his time at Perry High School, Mr. Hursey built the band program into a state recognized powerhouse in both marching and concert bands. The Perry High School "Panther Regiment" has won SIX Grand Championships in marching band throughout the state under Mr. Hursey's direction and has earned a reputation of being a trend-setting, crowd entertaining band. The Concert Bands at PHS have consistently received Superior Ratings at the yearly Georgia Large Group Performance Evaluations, with multiple bands performing level III-VI music.
Other awards and honors include 2009 Perry High School Teacher of the Year and Top Ten Finalist for Houston County's System Teacher of the Year, one of three bands in the United States selected to perform at Chicago Symphony Hall for the Percy Grainger Wind Festival, guest performance with Mercer University Wind Ensemble at the Macon Grand Opera House, and numerous marching awards in addition to the six Grand Championships.
Students in Mr. Hursey's band program consistently make District, Region, and All-State Bands each year. Mr. Hursey has had several students continue in music after college and has several former students who are now band directors (including two former students that took over Perry Middle and High Schools). Other student accolades include Golden Eagle Winners in Music and two GHP participants selected.
Mr. Hursey has served three and a half terms as Band Chair of the Georgia Music Educators Association District XI, hosted GMEA Honor Band Auditions, LGPE, and has served on the GMEA Marching Band Committee.
Originally from Charleston, SC, Mr. Hursey graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA and attended Georgia Southern University for one year before transferring to and graduating from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Music Education. Later, Mr. Hursey received his Masters of Post Secondary Education from Troy University. He is married to his best friend, Christy Hursey and has two step children, Hannah and Evan as well as a foster parent to a former student Ivy. The Hurseys currently live in Brunswick, GA.
IAN CORNELIUS
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Mr. Ian Cornedlius is an alumnus of the University of Georgia where he obtained his degree in music education. He studied horn under Dr. Jean Martin-Williams and Dr. James Naigus, conducting under Dr. Michael Robinson and Dr. Shiree Williams, and beginning in his first year, performed in the university's top ensembles under the direction of Philip Smith, Dr. Mark Cedel, Dr. Cynthia Turner, and Dr. Nicholas Williams. Through his collegiate career, Mr. Cornelius worked with band programs across the state by assisting their marching and concert groups.
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For the past three years, he has served as the Assistant Director of Bands at George Walton Academy in Monroe, Georgia. Alongside the director of bands, Mr. Christian Smith, he teaches 5th through 12 graders. Their program has students make the honor groups at UGA Midfest and Janfest clinics and consistently sends students to GMEA District and All-State Ensembles. The Marching Bulldog Band consistently earns superior ratings and top placements at competitions across the state. In addition to teaching, Mr. Cornelius is an active performer, arranger, and teaches private piano, guitar, horn, and trumpet lessons. He also serves as the student ministry assistant at his church leading worship, middle and high school small groups, and delivering teachings.
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Mr. Cornelius is from Perry, Georgia and loves the community only possible in a small town. He is no stranger to WCHS or the Yellow Jacket Band. In 2022, he worked with the marching band during their summer band camp and has twice helped with the Deep South Marching Competition. He is excited to join Mr. Andy Hursey and the team at WCHS to continue empowering students to achieve to their highest potential.
BEN RATLIFF
DIRECTOR, MARTHA PUCKETT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ben Ratliff is the Director of Bands at Martha Puckett Middle School and is in his 10th year of teaching. Prior to his arrival at Martha Puckett, he was Associate Director of Bands at Vidalia City Schools and Director of Bands at Corinth School District in Mississippi.
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While at Cointh, the bands grew in size and consistently earned superior ratings at state marching and concert evaluations. The band won many awards, including the Sweepstakes Award, many best in class awards, state championship appearances, and a performance at the Mississippi Concert Band Showcase.
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Mr. Ratliff is a graduate of Wayne County High School and is excited to be returning home. He earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Georgia Southern University and his master's degree in Music Education from the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, he was a graduate assistant with the Pride of the South Marching Band, the basketball pep bands, and the wind ensemble. He is active as a trumpet performer, performing recently with the Corinth Symphony Orchestra. He is married to Brittany Ratliff, a sonographer at Wayne Memorial Hospital, and they have a young daughter, Stella.
SAMMY ALDAY
DIRECTOR, ARTHUR WILLIAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mr. Sammy W. Alday began his teaching career at Arthur Williams Middle School in 2022. Mr. Alday is a graduate of Troy University with his Undergraduate Degree in Music Education-Instrumental. During his time at Troy, Mr. Alday was the Head Drum Major for the Sound of the South Marching Band, Principal Chair French Horn in Symphony Band, and also student conductor.
ANDREA WILLIS
MAJORETTE COACH
KALEIGH LANE
COLOR GUARD INSTRUCTOR
Kaleigh Lane has been involved in band and color guard since 8th grade, where she found her passion for performing and working as part of a team. She continued her journey at Manchester University in Indiana, where she not only performed but also spent two years teaching a local high school color guard and winter guard program.
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While at Manchester, Kaleigh played a unique role as the university's very first (and only!) color guard member when their marching band was established. After graduating in 2021, she returned as an alum to help teach and support the developing guard program.
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In 2022, Kaleigh moved to Jesup, Ga where she earned her Master's in Social Work and now works with homeless youth in the community. As a new member of the Wayne County Marching Band team, she's excited to bring fresh ideas, energy, and a passion for helping students grow both on and off the field.
LESLIE MANSFIELD
FRONT ENSEMBLE INSTRUCTOR
Leslie Mansfield, a Wayne County alum, earned her Bachelors degree from Coastal Georgia College and began teaching at Odum Elementary in 2023. She has been the front ensemble instructor since 2021.
Josh "Teddy" Brown
PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR
Joshua "Teddy" Brown started his musical journey at Warner Robins High school, performing in concert band, marching band, and the first indoor percussion ensemble. He later went to many different clinics to expand his knowledge of percussion such as BOA marching Symposium, lessons with Clint Gillespie of JSU, Miguel Castro of Middle Ga State, and Paul Rennick of Carolina Crown.
He was previously the percussion instructor for Perry High School Panther Regiment, Perry Middle School, Warner Robins High School, Dublin High School, and various other schools in the Middle Ga. area. During his tenure, he has written several drum books for marching band shows.
Teddy has performed numerous times at PASIC (Pecussive Arts Society International Convention). He has marched and taught indoor percussion with Middle Georgia State as well as performed in many ensembles in the Atlanta area