Elijah Clark - Band Director

Mr. Clark is the band director at Eastside High School. This Fall will begin his second year in this position, though new to this job Mr. Clark has been working with the band for much of the last ten years.
Having taught in Newton County for 5 years, Clark was the music teacher at Flint Hill Elementary School, and then the theatre teacher at Eastside. Mr. Clark has been TPOE's Assistant Band Director before moving into this current position. 
Mr. Clark holds both the Bachelor and Master of Music Education degree from Auburn University. He, his wife Caitlyn, and their son Luke reside in Covington and enjoy playing board games, cooking, and visiting new places.

Kayla Stoddard - Flagline INstructor

Mrs. Stoddard is the Flagline instructor for the Pride of Eastside Marching Band, and this will mark her 5th year with TPOE. Her training includes high school and college color guard, as well as competing in Winter Guard International. 

In addition to working with the band, Ms. Stoddard teaches AP Biology, introductory biology, and AP Chemistry at Eastside High School. She holds both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Science Education from the University of Georgia, as well as a Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology. 

She and her husband, Andrew, live in Covington and enjoy traveling, video games, and relaxing at the lake. 





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Nicholas & Nicole Strother -  Percussion

Nicholas & Nicole Strother are the Drumline and Front Ensemble instructors for the Pride of Eastside Marching band. Fall 2023 will be their second year working with TPOE. Nick and Nicole have each been playing percussion for at least 18 years and teaching on a high school level for at least 8. Each played percussion throughout Highschool and college. During his time as a student, Nick started a percussion club at GGC while being the percussion caption head at Grayson Highschool. And Nicole marched in the Sound of the South Drumline at Troy University. Nick and Nicole came to know each other by auditioning for the same DrumCorps, Atlanta CV, in 2015. The couple went on to play with Atlanta CV Front Ensemble for 6 total seasons.
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Even though the Strothers love percussion, being involved in music is just a hobby for this couple. Nicholas actually makes his career as a general contractor in the Lake Oconee area while Nicole is a NICU nurse at Piedmont Newton.

D. Alan  fowler - band director emeritus

In 1996, Mr. Fowler took the reins of the fledgling Eastside Eagle band program and has led the Eastside Bands now into their third decade. The Pride of Eastside has traveled to and performed in seven states, as well as Canada, with two of the most special performances taking place at Pearl Harbor and in The Hollywood Christmas Parade. The Eastside Bands consistently earn superior ratings at concert and marching events, have a long tradition of students excelling at Solo & Ensemble, and frequently are represented in the GMEA All-State Bands. 
Mr. Fowler has accumulated vast experience working with students and teachers in multiple states and throughout Georgia and is respected throughout the South as a consultant, instructor, and adjudicator. Active as a tuba and low brass artist, Mr. Fowler is a member of Tara Winds and is currently serving on the Tara Winds Board. He is also the co-founder of Porterdale Tuba Christmas. Having performed with orchestras, choirs, and small ensembles throughout his career as a musician, Mr. Fowler proudly continues to learn, grow, and develop. He is a member of GMEA, NAfME, Phi Beta Mu, NBA, PAGE, Phi Mu Alpha, and the Covington Kiwanis Club.  
Mr. Fowler and his wife, Susan, live in Covington and are the proud parents of two wonderful daughters, Katie Beth and Grace.