leachk@georgetownisd.org Kristina Leach joined the Georgetown Independent School District in 2007, and is in her seventeenth year as a Band Director at Douglas M. Benold Middle School.
Mrs. Leach received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. During her time at TCU, she performed in the Horned Frog Marching Band, Basketball Band, and numerous concert ensembles. As a member of the National Honorary Band Service Sorority--Tau Beta Sigma--Mrs. Leach participated in several charitable and volunteer activities. Before teaching in Georgetown, Mrs. Leach student-taught in Lewisville, Texas at Marcus High School and Briarhill Middle School. Her ensemble responsibilities at Benold include directing the Honors Band, the Concert Band, sixth grade beginners, and assisting with the Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. Her professional affiliations include: the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the National Honorary Band Service Sorority Tau Beta Sigma.
Zachary Cheatham
cheathamz@georgetownisd.org
512-943-5000 ext 6995
Zach Cheatham is beginning his eleventh year of teaching and ninth year as Assistant Director at Benold Middle School in Georgetown ISD. Born in the mountains of Colorado, Mr. Cheatham began his musical journey with the triumphant discovery of the alto saxophone in fourth grade. Under the tutelage of the late Don Stugart, Caleb Starbuck, and Dr. Bill Graves, Mr. Cheatham was fortunate enough to be selected to perform with many exceptional bands throughout Colorado and nationally. After receiving a prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma, Mr. Cheatham departed for Texas to study saxophone with the world-renowned Harvey Pittel at THE University of Texas at Austin. There he was a member of various performing ensembles, including the University of Texas Longhorn Band, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and the Grammy-nominated “Tex Sax” saxophone ensemble.
Mr. Cheatham was hired as the Associate Director of Bands at Midway High School after college, where his duties included assisting with the Panther Marching Band, Directing the Symphonic Band and Jazz Orchestra, and teaching beginning low brass. After one year at MHS, Mr. Cheatham transitioned to being the Band Director at Midway Middle School and the Director of Jazz Studies for MISD.
Mr. Cheatham’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, and Mu Phi Epsilon.
As a "native," as they're known in THE 303, Mr. Cheatham is a fan of all Colorado sports. He also enjoys golfing, fishing, and cooking.
This will be Jed Leach’s sixteenth year as the Percussion Director at Georgetown High School and Benold Middle School. His responsibilities include arranging the pit and battery music for the marching band, teaching percussion in marching band, concert bands, percussion ensembles and orchestra and assisting with jazz band at Georgetown High School and teaching percussion at Benold Middle School and Forbes Middle School.
Mr. Leach received his BM in Music Education from Morehead State University in Morehead, KY, under the tutelage of Frank Oddis and Brian Mason. While attending Morehead State, Mr. Leach performed throughout the United States, China and Brazil with the MSU Percussion Ensemble and Symphony Band. His additional performances with the MSU Percussion Ensemble include being featured at the North American Brass Band Association Conference, the KMEA Conference and a PASIC 2003 new music showcase. Mr. Leach is also an alumnus of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, IL. He marched in the tenor line in 2001 and played marimba in the front ensemble in 2002, finishing in the Top 6 in DCI both years.
As an educator, Mr. Leach was previously the Percussion Director at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park in Canton, MI. During his time there, the PCMB placed first in the state marching competition and placed 9th in the BOA Grand Nationals competition.
Under his direction, the Plymouth-Canton Indoor Drumline placed 6th and 10th places in WGI Scholastic World Finals in 2007 and 2008, as well as winning the MCGC State Indoor Drumline Championships both years. Mr. Leach has also taught with the KMEA State Champion Lafayette High School Band in Kentucky as well as other high school programs before teaching in Michigan.
