DIRECTORS

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 Mr. Clayton McPeak has been the high school band director at SHS since the summer of 2022. Before coming to Suwannee High School, Mr. McPeak was at Foundation Christian Academy in Lithia, FL as the music director (2012-2017) and at Fort White High School in Fort White, Florida as a math teacher and Middle School Band Director (2017-2022). Mr. McPeak is excited to have the opportunity to work with the students surrounding Live Oak, FL. Mr. McPeak performs through the year with the Gateway City Big Band on trombone. Mr. McPeak holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from Stetson, Competency Based Teacher Certification from Florida Gateway College, a Bachelor of Arts in Music and an Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts from Florida College. He is married to Diana and has three children, Olivia, Colton and Rebecca.  

 Mr. Sean Conner is a 2009 graduate of Suwannee High School and alumni of the Sound of Suwannee. A lifetime lover of music and rhythm, Mr. Conner has pursued playing drums since the age of 5. His love of teaching percussion began in 7th grade as he began teaching other students under the direction of his private instructor at The Music Center in addition to his time. This sparked a passion that continues to this day in his duties at Suwannee High and in his private lessons. His journey as a band staff member at Suwannee High began with Mrs. Stacey Gindlesperger-Smith shortly after graduating and continues under the direction of Mr. Clayton McPeak. Mr. Conner works full-time as an Operations Manager for Jacobs Engineering and runs his own teaching studio, The Woodshed Drum Studio. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Ashley and their children, Bailey and Remy. He can often be found outdoors, manning a grill or working on a project in his workshop.  

 Mrs. Abigail Rodriguez began dancing at the age of 7 at Sharon's School of Dance in Live Oak, FL.  After graduating from Suwannee High School in 1992, she earned a bachelor's degree in dance from Florida International University in Miami and taught dance at Howard Doolin Middle School for 6 years.  She returned to Live Oak in 2003 and soon began teaching English and dance at Branford High School.  Abigail transferred to Suwannee High School in 2011, and has taught a wide variety of subjects here.  A former member of the Sound of Suwannee and a Dancing Doll in high school, Mrs. Rodriguez took over the color guard in 2012 and rebooted the Dancing Dolls in 2015.  Abigail and her husband, Eric, have been married for 29 years and have twin daughters, Luna and Emelia.  She is looking forward to yet another successful marching season with the Sound of Suwannee.  

Hey! My name is Beth Southerland. I am originally from Taylor County where I twirled since I was in 3rd grade. It has always been a dream of mine to sponsor a high school majorette team, as majorettes is a big passion of mine. I am a kindergarten teacher at Suwannee Springcrest. I have taught for the past 9 years. When I’m not teaching I love to be around my fur babies, workout, and just relax! I’m so excited for a wonderful 2024 football season! Go Dogs! 

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