David Roth
David Roth joined the faculty at Kell High School as the Assistant Director of Bands in 2008 and was named as Director of Bands in 2011. As Assistant Director of Bands at Kell he had the honor of conducting the Kell Wind Symphony during their performance at the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic in Chicago, and assisted with the marching band program as they won two back-to-back BOA Regional Championships in 2010. Prior to joining the Kell program he was the Assistant Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School, where he was the primary conductor of the Concert I and Concert II Bands and assisted with the Marching Band, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band. In December 2006, he had the honor of conducting the Kennesaw Mountain Wind Symphony during their performance at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Mr. Roth graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in December 2003 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Music Composition and received his Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois in August 2007. While at UGA, Mr. Roth studied conducting with Dr. John Culvahouse, clarinet under Drs. Dannene Drummond, D. Ray McClellan, and Theodore Jahn, and studied composition with Dr. Leonard V. Ball, Jr. In addition, he has studied at the University of North Texas with Dr. Cindy McTee (composition) and under Professor James Keene while at the University of Illinois.
Mr. Roth was a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from 2000-2003, serving as the corps’ drum major from 2001-2003. While a member of Carolina Crown, he helped found the Carolina Crown Student Leadership Task Force, an initiative aimed at enhancing the level of student leadership within the corps and still in effect today. Since “aging out” of drum corps, Mr. Roth has continued to support Carolina Crown by helping teach their annual student leadership camps and Drum Major Symposium, and by serving as Vice President of their newly formed Alumni Association.
He is currently active as an adjudicator, clinician, and music arranger, and teaches private lessons for students interested in either clarinet or conducting. His professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Georgia Music Educator’s Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Bio's & Staff
Richard G. Dietrich
Richard G. Dietrich was born in Pontiac, Michigan and lived there until 1992. In 1999 and in 2001, Dietrich earned degrees from the Western Michigan University School of Music located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Under the private instruction of Judy Moonert, he received a Bachelor of Music Degree and a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance. An active performer and educator, Rick Dietrich co-directed and performed with the award winning W.M.U. Percussion Ensemble during their showcase performance at the 1998 Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He also worked for two years as percussion caption head and arranger for the W.M.U. Bronco Marching Band. Also as an active performer, Dietrich has performed with many professional ensembles including the Kalamazoo, Columbus, Macon and Savannah Symphony Orchestras. In 2001, Mr. Dietrich was the recipient of the Gilmore Foundations Emerging Artist Grant. This grant provided the opportunity to study with such artists as Leigh Stevens, Gordon Stout and She-e-Woo.
As a businessman, Mr. Dietrich, along with his wife Sarah, created the company SoundArt Percussion. This company works as a resource and communication tool that provides pedagogical and logistical information to percussionists from grades 6-12.
As an educator, Mr. Dietrich received his teaching certificate from Georgia State University. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Georgia Music Educators Association, and Pi kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society. He is currently Associate Director of Bands at Palmer Middle School where he co-directs a program of over 350 band students. Dietrich is in his eighth year as Director of Percussion Studies at Carlton J. Kell High School.
Sarah Dietrich
Percussionists/Timpanist Sarah Dietrich earned her Bachelors of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the Western Michigan University School of Music. During her studies in Michigan, she studied privately with percussionist Judy Moonert and Timpanist Mark Guthrie. Dietrich served as principle timpanist of the W.M.U. Smphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble for two years. She also performed with the award winning W.M.U. Percussion Ensemble at the 1998 Percussion Arts Society International Convention. Upon receiving her degree, Dietrich moved to Atlanta Georgia where she studied extensively with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Timpanist, Mark Yancich.
As a performer, Sarah is an active freelance percussionist and timpanist in the Atlanta metropolitan area. She has performed with several professional ensembles such as the Cobb, Columbus, Macon and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras. She also was a founding member of the professional percussion ensemble ‘Chix with Stix’ and performed with the ensemble at the P.A.S. Georgia Day of Percussion.
As an educator, Sarah received her Bachelors in Music Education in 2007 from Kennesaw State University. Sarah has worked with multiple programs throughout Cobb county where she has founded both the McCleskey and Palmer middle school percussion Ensemble programs. She is now Director of Percussion Studies at Allatoona High School in Acworth, Georgia. Mrs. Dietrich is also Co-Director of Percussion Studies at Kell High School with her husband, Rick.
Kell Bands Booster Association - KBBA
PO BOX 965338
Marietta, GA 30066
Kell Bands Booster Association is a non-profit, 501(C)(3)
Chris Parks
Chris Parks is the Associate Director of Bands at Kell High School in the Cobb County Public Schools (GA). Prior to his appointment to Kell Mr. Parks spent one year as an assistant band director at Harrison High School, also in Cobb County. From 2000-2010 Mr. Parks was the Director of the Boston University Bands and Boston University Music Organizations. While at Boston University Mr. Parks conducted the Marching Band, Pep Band, Scarlet Band, Concert Band, Big Band and Commencement Brass Choir. Administratively he oversaw all aspects of the university music program including the All Campus Orchestra, Chorus, jazz combos and Winter Percussion Ensemble.
Mr. Parks spent 5 years touring nationally and internationally as a trumpeter with numerous Broadway musicals including The King & I and The Sound of Music. He has toured with Marie Osmond and John Davidson. He has been a member of the faculty/staff of the Tanglewood Institute, the Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps, The Drum Major Academy, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfonico de Aquas Calientes and numerous professional brass quintets, rock bands and Latin bands.
Mr. Parks received his BM from the University of Texas at El Paso; and his MM from Boston University. He was in demand in the northeast as a clinician and adjudicator. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA); Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA); Music Educators National Conference; Kappa Kappa Psi, national honorary band fraternity; Tau Beta Sigma national honorary band sorority; and Phi Mu Alpha, national music fraternity.
Mr. Parks, his wife Sandra and daughter Leanne reside in Kennesaw where Sandra is professor of Dance at Kennesaw State University.
Annie Pelka
Annie Pelka graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She received a scholarship to attend the American Dance Festival in 2006 where she deepened her knowledge of modern movement and performance alongside some of the countries greatest choreographers. She moved to Georgia for the opportunity to be a part of the Phantom Regiment Winter Guard in 2007, after marching as a member of the drum and bugle corps for four years. Her teaching experience includes time at Phantom Regiment and Bluecoats, as well as numerous high school programs in the Southeast and Midwest. Annie currently teaches performing groups in the greater Atlanta area, also using her knowledge of the body to bolster her work as a Massage Therapist.
