Meet the Founders

Christian Gordon began teaching middle school band in 2015 and joined the faculty at Westglades Middle School in 2018. From 2015-2018, Mr. Gordon was Director of Bands at Lee County Middle School East in Leesburg, Georgia. Ensembles under Mr. Gordon's baton have consistently received Superior ratings at adjudicated events. He has also led many students to earning chairs in District, Region, and All-State bands. 

Mr. Gordon's mission is to provide a high-quality musical experience that is fun, challenging, and life-changing. He believes the success of his students is largely due to incorporating a pass-off system that emphasizes student Autonomy, teaching to Mastery, and providing Purpose through the lens of a Growth Mindset. When introduced to this type of curriculum, Mr. Gordon spent many years adjusting, adapting, and refining the methods and philosophies that are now the foundation of the Mastery Musician system. 

As a graduate of Columbus State University's Schwob School of Music, Mr. Gordon was principal trumpet in the Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra, along with Lead Trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble. Conducting is also a passion of Mr. Gordon's, and while at Columbus State, he studied with Dr. Jamie L. Nix. Mr. Gordon also competed as a semi-finalist in the National Trumpet competition, placing among the top six in the nation in 2015. He is a native of Charleston, SC.

Kalyn Todd is currently in her 10th year of teaching. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbus State University in 2013. Kalyn taught the first 5 years of her career at Lee County Middle School West in Leesburg, Georgia. During her time at LCMS West, she increased the number of students making auditioned groups (District, Region, and All-State Honor Bands), as well as increased the number of students participating in Solo and Ensemble. Kalyn increased the number of students participating in the Band program at LCMS West to over 15% of the student population. 

In 2018, Kalyn began teaching Band and Orchestra at Westglades Middle School in Parkland, Florida. Since being at Westglades, the Orchestra program has doubled in size and has begun to fully participate in Florida Orchestra Association sanctioned events (MPA, Solo and Ensemble, All-State, and All-County). 

Kalyn has presented multiple sessions on the Mastery Musician system. In 2018, Kalyn presented a poster session at the NAfME Conference in Dallas, Texas. She also presented a session titled “Ignite Intrinsic Motivation” at the 2023 FMEA Conference. Implementing the Mastery Musician system has increased student success and student purpose in these programs. Students continue to strive for mastery of their instrument at their own pace, and contribute greatly to the success of each ensemble they participate in. 

Kalyn lives in Deerfield Beach, Florida with her husband, Christian, and their two rescued cats, Felix and Oliver.

Trey English is currently in his 7th year of teaching.  Trey’s career began at Howard Middle School in Macon, Georgia and continued at The Academy for Classical Education where he was the junior high band director. While at ACE, Trey utilized the beginning phases of the Mastery Musician system to increase student engagement and had over 30 students selected for honor band events while also receiving consecutive superior ratings at the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations.  

Trey is currently the Director of Bands at Feagin Mill Middle School in Warner Robins, Georgia.  When Trey started at FMMS in 2020 there were only 84 students involved in the band program, as of this year there are over 240 students involved with approximately 30% of each grade enrolled in band. At Feagin Mill, Trey continued to work with the pass-off system and through that system has seen success in taking honor band numbers from 15 students his first year to 46 students this year. The bands at Feagin Mill have also earned consecutive superior ratings at performance evaluations.  

Trey earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees from Columbus State University in 2013 Summa Cum Laude, and continued on to earn his Master of Music Degree in Trombone Performance at Baylor University in 2016.  Trey is currently pursuing his Education Specialist Degree in Music Education at Auburn University. In addition to Trey’s work as a middle school band director, he is also the pianist at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, the Music Director for Theatre Macon’s Youth Artist Company, and teaches yoga and sound healing at Homegrown Yoga.  

Trey currently lives in Warner Robins, Georgia with his wife, Shelby English and their two rescued cats, Chloe and Flynn.