Staff

Mr. Jorge Benitez & Mrs. Lyn Benitez
Director of Bands Visual Director

Mr. Jorge A. Benitez has been the Director of Bands at Havelock High School, in Havelock NC, since 1994. He currently directs approximately 200 students per year, in many different ensembles including Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Indoor guard and Indoor percussion. Mr. Benitez is a graduate from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Music in 1994 (magna cum laude) and a Master of Music Education 1999. In 2003, Mr. Benitez received his National Board Certification.

Mr. Benitez has served in the North Carolina Army National Guard for ten years. His experiences in the military led him to the deserts of Saudi Arabia during operation Desert Shield/Storm. After 7 years as a military policeman with 213^th Military Police Company, he then completed his career with 440^th Army National Guard Band.

He participates in the Eastern District Concert Festivals and East Region Jazz Festivals every year, with multiple bands per year and has consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings. Mr. Benitez is an active clinician and adjudicator for marching, concert and jazz band festivals throughout North Carolina. He has been invited to be a guest clinician for numerous All County bands. He also spends one week during the summer assisting to provide a safe and fun summer camp at East Carolina University.

Mr. Benitez is a dedicated and committed teacher with a strong desire to teach music to young students. "Music has the ability to transform life's emotions. The notes on the page are just the beginning. Music is so much more. Teaching music makes life very fulfilling, it's a great way to live your life."

Mr. Benitez has a wonderful wife, Lyn Benitez, who works with the instrumental program providing any type of visual design needed; Marching Band show design, Colorguard and Indoor guard. They also have 3 beautiful children; Analise, Mariela and Braedon.

Awards:

Time Warner cable's "Star teacher"
Educator of Distinction by in The National Society of High School Scholars
2000 "Excellence in Teaching" award
2007 "I Love Havelock Award" presented by the Havelock Chamber
2008 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (Local Area)
2009 Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary "Teacher of the Year"
2009 Eastern District Bandmasters Association Award of Excellence
2009 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (Local Area)
2010 Craven County Board of Education Spotlight

Professional organizations and positions:

American School Band Directors Association
Music Educators National Conference
North Carolina Bandmasters Association - Eastern District
o High School Contest Chairperson 2003 - current
o President -Elect 2005-2007
o President 2007- 2009
o Past President 2009-

Guest conducted:

2001 Wayne County Public Schools Band Festival
2003 North Carolina Eastern District 9-10 Concert Band
2005 Onslow All County High School Honors Band
2006 Beaufort All-County High School Honors Band
2007 Edgecombe All-County High School Band
2008 Pitt All-County High School Band
2009 Central Jazz Region "B" Band
2009 Albemarle Band Clinic
2009 Columbus All-County High School Band
2009 Nash All County HS Band
2010 New Hanover High School All County Band Festival

Adjudication:

2005 Farmville Band Classic Marching Band Adjudicator
2005 NC Southeastern District HS Festival Adjudicator
2007 White Oak Band Classic Marching Band Adjudicator
2008 Central District Jazz Festival Adjudicator
2009 White Oak Band Classic Marching Band Adjudicator
2010 NC Southeastern District MS Festival

Grayson Woodcock - Associate Director of Music, HHS

Grayson Woodcock is a native of Onslow county. Born in Morehead City, he moved to Swansboro and attended Swansboro High School. After graduating, he attended East Carolina University where he studied music education with a concentration in percussion.

During his college career, Mr. Woodcock was able to perform in ensembles such as the ECU Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Baroque Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and the ECU Symphony Orchestra to name a few. He also was a performer in the Tar River Orchestra and Symphonic Band.

Upon graduating from ECU, he worked at Farmville Central High School for 1 and 1/2 years before applying and receiving the position he happily holds as Associate Director of Music at Havelock High School. The Fall of 2012 will start his 3rd year at Havelock.

Mr. Woodcock is very happily married to his wonderful wife, Mrs. Brandie Molina-Woodcock and also has a daughter, Elena Lucia Rainn Woodcock.

Havelock Middle School - Mark Lorek, Band Director

Tucker Creek Middle School
Melissa Orr, Band Director

Ms. Orr grew up in Havelock, NC. She began playing trombone in the 6^th grade while attending Tucker Creek Middle School. Ms. Orr was involved in band and chorus throughout high school, and participated in Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. She attended East Carolina University as a Teaching Fellow recipient. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2010 and now teaches at Tucker Creek.

Additional Staff

Key Poulan, Music Composer and Arranger

Ralph Stewart, Drill Designer

Jenna Sapp, Front Ensemble Technician

Megan Mills, Color Guard Technician

Joshua Page, Wind Instructor