Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

Dr. Gullett was my most influential teacher. He was my high school band director and also taught elementary school music as well for a time many years.

My musicianship begs. At age 8, where Dr. Gullett taught me how to read music and play my instrument (snare drum) and really opened up that world to me. He was my high school band director and was tough as nails on me but he brought out my best.

I learned the importance of leadership and leading by example as I ran my section for 3 of my 4 years in school.

It didn’t help that my section was most infuriating to him. My name was yelled more than any other over those years. I worked hard to make our section shine and it took a while but we got there and won some competitions and the respect of our peers. we were even opening ASB assemblies with our cadences.

Being taught to work hard and respect what you do were lessons I learned from him and carried on into my life after band and high school. Also rolling with life and improvising as challenges and changes bring about the unexpected. I have thanked him many times and can never say enough about the influence in my life…

-aaa