DIRECTOR OF BANDS AND ORCHESTRA
KEELY ROGERS
Keely Rogers (She/Her) is in her third year as Director of Bands and Orchestra at Hillsboro High School. In just a short amount of time at Hillsboro, the band program has already seen significant growth. After starting the 2021 school year with only 17 students enrolled, Ms. Rogers facilitated the growth of the instrumental music program to over 100 students.
Being born and raised in Nashville, Ms. Rogers is an MNPS alumnus. After graduating from Antioch High School, she went on to obtain her Bachelor of Music and Education (with a concentration in winds and percussion) from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville in 2020. During her time at UT, and under the instruction of Vic Chavez, Ms. Rogers performed with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, the UT Wind Ensemble, the men’s and lady Vols’ basketball pep bands, and the UTKlarinetten choir.
While spending time in east Tennessee, Ms.Rogers taught as a visual and and musical instructor for Oak ridge high school and Farragut High School.
Ms. Rogers has a specific love for teaching her students not only musicianship, but also the skills necessary to become a productive citizen in today’s society. In her free time, Ms. Rogers enjoys watching all UT athletics, exploring the city, reading, hanging out with her family and friends, and finding any/all live music in Nashville.
Ms. Rogers is a big advocate for diversity and inclusion, especially when it comes to her students, which is why living and working in the Metropolitan Nashville area is perfect for her.
MEET OUR STAFF
SHOW ARRANGER & CREATIVE DESIGNER
DARIUS EDWARDS
Darius Edwards(he/they) is an award-winning composer and saxophonist from Nashville, Tennessee. He recently graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a degree in Music Education with an emphasis on saxophone performance and a minor in music composition. Edwards is also an MNPS alumnus, graduating just a year later than Ms. Rogers from Antioch High School. During his free time, you can find him playing video games or spending time with his friends. Darius is currently the show coordinator, music arranger, and drill writer for the Hillsboro Highs School marching band, along with several other schools in the middle and east TN area. Check out Darius’s work here.
VISUAL AND MUSICAL INSTRUCTOR
XAVIER HENDRIX
Xaiver Hendrix is a Nashville native, and currently a 4-year student at Middle Tennessee State University, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education. He studies with a primary Instrument Concentration of Saxophone.
Xaiver just finished a summer serving as the Music City Drum and Bugle Corp Drum Major. Although Xavier is a phenomenal saxophonist, he spent most marching seasons playing mellophone. Xaiver is also a current music scholarship recipient for the MTSU School of Music, and serves as a member of the Middle Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble.
Prior to his college studies, Xaiver was a 4-year alumni of Hillsboro High School’s Marching Band, serving as a 1-year Woodwind Captain, and 1-year Drum Major, graduating with the Class of 2019. During the 2019 school year, Xaiver served as a 2019 Charter Member of Music City Indoor Winds, as an Alto Saxophone Member.
Xaiver also has served as a Woodwind Instructor for the Goodpasture High School Marching Band, during the Summer of 2021.
Xavier is currently preparing to start his student teaching internship, in hopes to work with an MNPS school.
COLOR GUARD INSTRUCTOR
DELILAH LEE
Delilah Lee (She, Her, Hers) is a Nashville Native and MNPS alumnus from John Overton high school. Ms. Dee has worked with various programs. To name a few: John Overton, Columbia Central, Father Ryan, and Beech High School. Not only is Ms. Dee a great educator within the sport of the arts, she is a phenomenal performer. She has marched with John Overton High School for four years. The Mark Winterguard (2016), Eklipse (2020), and Eklipse World Guard (2023). Ms. Dee is always excited to teach knowledge and share her passion for Colorguard! Go Burros!
BRASS MUSICAL TECHNICIAN
ZANAE LOCKE
Ms. Zanae Locke (she, her, hers) is excited to be the brass music technician for the upcoming Hillsboro band. Ms. Locke graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2020 with a degree in music with a focus on music education (wind and percussion concentration). It was at UT that she met and became life-long friends with Ms. Rogers while attending UTK. Locke performed with the Pride of the southland, UTK Symphony Orchestra, the UTK Wind Ensemble, and the UT Horn Choir.
While in Knoxville, Tennessee, Zanae taught as a musical and visual technician for Hardin Valley High School. As a student, Locke spent most of her free time teaching private horn lessons at Farragut High School.
Although Ms. Locke is a phenomenal teacher, she’s an even greater performer. Ms. Locke was a recipient of a full scholarship for the Kendall Betts Horn Camp. At the Betts Horn camp, Locke was able to study music and horn techniques among the industry’s finest musicians.
Ms. Locke is originally from Memphis Tennessee, and she loves her dog; sunny, being outdoors, reading, and traveling. Recently, Ms. Locke has been hired as the band director at James Lawson High School with MNPS and is excited to immerse herself in the band and community Nashville has to offer.
WOODWIND MUSICAL TECHNICIAN
ALAN COOK
Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Alan Cook (he/him) is an alumnus of Hillsboro High School. Alan is currently studying flute performance at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
In addition to his studies, Alan works as a freelance musician, performing at various gigs in the Greater Knoxville area.
While at UTK, Alan performed with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble, and the UTK Symphony Orchestra.
As an alum of the Hillsboro High School Band, he is very excited to come back and help teach and support the program that started him.
PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR
CAMERON POYTHRESS
Cameron Poythress (he/him) is a Nashville Native and MNPS alumnus from Antioch High School. During high school he participated in various school music ensembles, the Williamson County Youth Orchestra, and Mid- and All-state bands.
Cameron went on to receive a degree from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Arts - Music, with a focus in Percussion, and a minor in Business Administration. During his time at UT Martin, Cameron participated in multiple ensembles: Marching Band, Basketball Pep-Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Funk and Brass Band, and Classical/Contemporary/World Percussion Ensembles.
Cameron is extremely excited to be joining the band to teach percussion with the front ensemble and working with the entire Hillsboro Band!
PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR
Paul Zacarias
Paul Zacarias is a percussionist from the Middle TN area that has been involved in the marching activity as both a performer and teacher for over a decade. Paul marched Audio Theater and Music City DBC in 2015, ran metronome for Carolina Crown in 2017, and is a current bass drum tech at the World Class Seattle Cascades. He is extremely excited to be working with Hillsboro High School’s percussion program and can’t wait for next season!