DIRECTORS AND STAFF
Greg Dills - Director of Bands
Greg Dills will be starting his 10th year of teaching as the Director of Bands at Jay M Robinson HS, Concord NC. Prior to teaching at JMR, Mr. Dills was the Band Director at Roberta Road MS where he was tasked with opening up a brand new school here in Cabarrus County. During his time there, he earned a Superior Rating at NC Music Performance Adjudication in their inaugural year. Before moving to Concord, he worked at Paisley IB Magnet in Winston-Salem and Director of Percussion for both Reagan High School and Wake Forest University.
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During his time at Paisley, the program doubled in size and earned multiple "Superior" ratings at Northwest North Carolina Music Performance Adjudication events. In 2019, the Reagan HS Percussion Ensemble was invited to perform at the NC Music Educators Convention and he was awarded "Band Director of the Year" for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Bandmasters Association.
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He received his Bachelor in Music Education from Western Carolina University and Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Appalachian State University.
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Mr. Dills’ professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society and MENC. Greg is an artist for Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drum Heads, Ludwig Drums and Musser Percussion, and Innovative Percussion.
Greg currently lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife Kelsey and 2 dogs Eleanor and Piper. In his spare time, you will find him training for Marathons and Triathlons.
Jerry Goodnight - Assistant Band Director
Mr. Goodnight, a National Board-certified and National Award-winning social studies teacher, has served as the Assistant Band Director for the Pride of Robinson since 2017, previously working for the band as a Brass and Visual Specialist during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University (Bachelor's in American History; Minor in Political Science - 2013) and UNC Charlotte (Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies - 2016), and is currently enrolled as a full-time Doctoral Student at the University of South Carolina, while teaching 8th Grade Social Studies and Humanities at Winkler Middle School.
Mr. Goodnight is also the Owner of Goodnight Visual Designs, a visual/program design and consulting business where he has created award-winning show designs, drill, and choreography for programs throughout the Southeastern United States. Previously, Mr. Goodnight has served on the Visual Staff with Music City Drum Corps, and as a Brass and Visual Specialist for multiple ensembles across the state since 2011.
Mr. Goodnight marched trumpet with the 2012 Drum Corps International Silver Medalist Carolina Crown, where the hornline was distinguished with the Jim Ott Award for Excellence in Brass and the corps earned its first Jim Brazale Award for Best Visual Performance. During his time at Western Carolina University, he also performed as a member of the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band for four years, serving on the student leadership staff for three years, and as a Trumpet Section Leader during the 2013 season. Outside of teaching he is a sponsored disc golfer and avid Carolina Panthers fan, and enjoys spending time on the course or at the stadium with his son, Jack!
Michelle Wilson - Color Guard Coordinator
Michelle Wilson has dedicated more than half of her life to working with Marching Band and Winterguard programs. Her love and passion for the sport of the arts makes it a true privilege and pleasure to write and teach choreography to so many students over the years. Most importantly, it brings her joy to be a part of each student’s personal journey of growth and accomplishment while guiding, encouraging, and pushing them to become a better performer with each and every day.
When not doing all things band and guard related, Michelle loves spending time with her wonderful, crazy, keep you on your toes, wouldn’t trade them for anything family who graciously deals with all the glitter she brings home from guard! Her husband Daniel, and their two handsome boys, Wesley and Bevin, love going on adventures of all sorts. Biking, hiking, finding waterfalls, kayaking, exploring cities, motorcycle rides, finding new restaurants, cooking and baking, painting, buildings things, and so much more!
Natalie Gillin - Color Guard Instructor
Ms. Gillin, a second-year Special Education teacher, has served as the Colorguard Instructor for the Pride of Robinson since 2022. She is a graduate of Western Carolina University (Bachelor's in Inclusive Education; Adapted Curriculum Special Education Add-On; Minor in Psychology - 2022). She is currently teaching in the Structured Learning classroom at Patriots Elementary School. As a first-year teacher, she was voted Beginning Teacher of the Year at her school.
Ms. Gillin is a Cabarrus County native where she marched in the "Spirit of Cox Mill" Marching Band for 5 years. She has also participated in the WGI Independent A Winterguard Ensemble, "Gentoo" from 2016 to 2018. While at Western Carolina, she marched in the "Catamount Colorguard" for two years. During her time she was able to march with the "Pride of the Mountains" in the 2019 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. When she is not teaching, she enjoys attending Broadway Musicals, playing softball, and spending time with her friends and family!
Alyx Winters - Front Ensemble Instructor
Alyx Winters is a native of Tampa Bay, Florida. Alyx attended the University of South Florida, and was a member of the Herd of Thunder Marching Band. She began her drum corps career as a member of the Kiwanis Kavaliers' front ensemble from 2002-2005, and was a member of East Coast Jazz in 2006. Alyx has also performed with various concert bands and percussion ensembles around the state of Florida and was previously a member of the Charlotte Concert Band.
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Alyx has been a front ensemble instructor since 2002. She has taught percussion on all levels, including middle school and high school marching and concert band, scholastic and independent marching indoor percussion, and both DCI and DCA drum corps. This is her second season serving as the front ensemble technician for Jay M. Robinson High School.
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Alyx moved to North Carolina in 2013 and currently resides in Matthews, NC.
Alaina Henning (Smith) - Woodwind Instructor
Alaina Henning, formerly Smith, came to the Bands of Robinson in 2016 serving as the Band Director at H. E. Winkler Middle School and Assistant Band Director for The Pride of Robinson Marching Band. After two successful seasons, Mrs. Henning became Band Director of Mooresville Middle School, where she achieved multiple superior ratings and assisted in bringing the Pride in Motion Marching Band to Bands of America competition. Shortly after, Alaina returned home to Robinson as Woodwind and Drum Major Instructor, where she has remained since 2018.
Mrs. Henning’s time in education led her to become an advocate for children’s rights; she is now a Nonprofit Professional and currently works with the organization Council for Children’s Rights based in Charlotte, NC. In her time there, she has been an avid volunteer in the Special Education Advocacy program and a critical leader in educational change for children across the state.
Mrs. Henning received a dual Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Music Performance at Western Carolina University. She is an active flute player in the musical community, performing in the Charlotte Concert Band and serving as a member on their Board of Directors. Mrs. Henning is an enthusiastic private lessons instructor and is available for consultation at any time.
Alaina lives in Charlotte, NC and likes to spend her spare time outside with a good book. If she’s not reading, you might find her writing, gardening, or strolling the greenway.
