Band Directors
CO-Director of Bands
Michael Ball received his undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education from Georgia State University with Summa Cum Laude distinction. During his time at GSU, he played trumpet in several ensembles, including the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Panther Band, and Basketball Pep Band. He also served two seasons as Drum Major for the marching Panther Band, worked as a College of the Arts Counselor in the Office of Education Outreach, taught Theory/Aural Skills lessons, and studied under several faculty members as a School of Music University Assistant. In addition to his high school and collegiate band experience, Mr. Ball has also competed in three seasons of drum corps with Atlanta CV and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
Since he began at Duluth High School in Fall of 2020, the band program has nearly doubled in size as it recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, Mr. Ball has taught 3 concert bands, music technology, the Wildcat Marching Band, The JazzCats, Full Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble. In addition to being the club sponsor for the Wildcat Winterguard and Tri-M Music Honor Society, he has also initiated a Spring Leadership program for music students. Currently, Mr. Ball serves the Fine Arts Department as Music Course Team Lead Teacher.
Mr. Ball’s professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and Professional Association of Georgia Educators. He currently resides in Duluth, GA. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Ball enjoys drinking coffee, learning new instruments, and playing golf!
Co-Director of Bands
Leah Prescott is an educator, jazz musician, saxophonist, and woodwind specialist based in the metro-Atlanta area. In 2020, Ms. Prescott received her master's degree from University of Georgia in Music Education, where she passed her comprehensive exams with distinction. During her time at University of Georgia, she taught the undergraduate jazz pedagogy class, played saxophone in the jazz combos, and played bass clarinet in the Symphonic Band. Prior to attending UGA, Ms. Prescott attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with degrees in jazz performance and instrumental music education.
Ms. Prescott has worked as a band director with Fulton County Schools and Gwinnett County Public Schools. Outside of teaching, she plays saxophone in the Atlanta Wind Symphony, Alpha Jazz Big Band, and Capitol City Xpress Big Band. She also helps at her family’s recording studio, Prescott Studios.
Ms. Prescott is affiliated with the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She currently resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with her partner and two cats. In her free time, Ms. Prescott enjoys watching anime, reading books, and trying new foods.
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Jasmine Avecilla is excited to join the Duluth Wildcat Marching Band for the 2023 season! She recently graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Music Education and has many years of experience in the marching arts.
Ms. Avecilla marched with Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps in 2019 as a drum major and with Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps in 2020-2021 as the head drum major. In her time at KSU she was a member of the "Marching Owls" on clarinet and trumpet, as well as a member of the basketball band "The Hoo!" for two seasons on trumpet. Ms. Avecilla has also hosted drum major camps and worked with the drum major students at Creekview High School. She also had the opportunity to go back to Guardians and serve on the admin team for the 2022 season.
In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her dog Gus, watch movies, and cook. Ms. Avecilla is looking forward to meeting everyone and work with the Wildcat Marching Band!
Guard director
Hello everyone! My name is Victoria, and I moved to Georgia from South Carolina in May of 2021. I have a bachelor's in psychology with a concentration in Child & Adolescent Development, and I have plans to go to grad school next fall for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I love reading and spending time with my dog Augustus! I have performed for 10 years, and I have 4 years coaching experience. I am so honored to serve the Duluth Band Program as Guard Director!
Percussion Director and Arranger
Bryan Wysocki (b. 1995) is a freelance percussionist, composer, conductor, and educator in the metro Atlanta area. He currently serves as the Director of Percussion at Duluth High School, Instructor of Percussion at the Westminster Schools, and as the Percussion Coordinator for the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony.
As a freelance percussionist, his virtuosity and versatility have led to collaborations with orchestras and ensembles worldwide, captivating audiences with his expressive playing. Currently, he is the principal percussionist with the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra, and frequently performs with chamber groups he co-founded in the Atlanta area. Additionally, Bryan's compositions, ranging from solo percussion works to large ensemble pieces, have garnered recognition for their innovative techniques and emotional depth. As a conductor, he brings his deep understanding of percussion to lead ensembles with precision and passion. Moreover, as an educator, he is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians, sharing his expertise through education and mentorship.
Bryan has degrees from Hofstra University (BS, Composition) and Georgia State University (MMus, Composition & MMus, Percussion), and is in the process of finishing his doctorate at the University of Georgia (DMA, Composition). To learn more about Bryan, please visit: bryanwysocki.com
