Team

Cozbia k. smith iii

Band Director

Email: smithc6@scsk12.org

Cozbia K. Smith III is a native of Detroit, Michigan graduating from Cass Technical High School, where he was first introduced to the world of percussion. He went on to graduate from Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Music Education and a M. Ed in Educational Administration. While matriculating through Tennessee State he met professor Johnny Lee Lane who was giving a clinic at the university. In his 10+ years of classroom experience he has helped over 100 students earn over 500 full tuition scholarships for college, many of which are now college graduates.

Mr. Smith has enjoyed success as a high school band director both in Detroit, MI. and Memphis, TN. winning high school competitions at the local and regional levels. His percussion sections have been known for their uniformity, flare, and createvityoften sweeping the judges and audiences alike off their feet. In 2006 Mr. Smith’s band was featured in Detroit’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is televised. He has received superior ratings at district festival for concert bands and his students earned superior ratings at the district and state levels. Mr. Smith is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from the University of Mississippi, and is now the band director at White Station High School. He plans to continue to use the “Groove Series” of equipment which was designed and endorsed by Professor Lane. “In order to keep the groove alive, you have to use the best equipment,” quote from Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith enjoys evolving drummers into percussionists. Teaching and presenting tomorrows’ leaders to the world of percussion is a lifestyle that he enjoys, embraces and plans to do for as long as he is blessed to do so. The entire world is only a percussion instrument away!

antwan gardner

Assistant Band Director

Email: gardnera2@scsk12.org

A Detroit native and graduate of Cass Technical High School, Antwan Gardner experienced his musical beginnings with piano, trombone, and bassoon. Norfolk State University, in Norfolk VA served as the next step in Mr. Gardner’s musical and leadership growth. Before graduating with a B.S. in Music Education, with an emphasis in bassoon, he experienced various opportunities in music growth. While ensembles like concert choir, percussion ensemble and orchestral literature honed his musical skill, the job of being the university band’s Head Drum Major tuned his skill for teaching.

Mr. Gardner began his educational career in rural Virginia where he taught high school band, choir and guitar at Washington and Lee High School. He moved on to teach band and music technology at Hillcrest High School in the south suburbs of Chicago, IL. Now in Memphis, TN., Mr. Gardner teaches piano and guitar to K-5th grade students at Belle Forest Community School. “It is an honor to be selected to serve.” The addition of Mr. Gardner to White Station’s band staff marks the beginning of a new level of professional growth.

dr kanesha moore

Eminence Director

Email: klmoore3@memphis.edu

Dr. Kanesha L. Moore of Memphis, TN received her Ph.D. from the University of Memphis in Counseling Psychology, her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Memphis, and her BA in Psychology/Pre-Med from Spelman College. Dr. Moore completed an APA accredited internship at Texas A&M University, and she has provided psychological services in a variety of settings. She is also an advocate for community mental health and served on the board for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Bravos Valley in College Station, TX. Dr. Moore has completed and presented research on issues related to resilience and self-efficacy, diversity and inclusion, microaggressions and discrimination, stress and anxiety, career development, sexual risk behaviors, spirituality, and poverty. She has experience teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses at a major university, and she worked with the Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS) district for 5 years, where she taught 7th grade science. Dr. Kanesha L. Moore worked to provide psychological services to MSCS staff and their dependents as the district’s Psychologist through Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. She is now an Assistant Professor of counseling psychology at The University of Memphis, and she works as a consultant conducting research for New Ballet Ensemble and School on the impact of dance on childhood wellbeing. When she is not busy providing psychological services, she works with her mother in the greater Memphis community as the coach and choreographer for their dance team, BJ Danz Starz. She is the founder, coach and choreographer for White Station High School’s Marching Band Dance Team, Eminence, and she encourages people to “Have a BLAST getting fine, fit, and confident” in her Kardio Blast Dance Fitness classes. Dr. Moore is a proud and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and she is driven by bible verse Philippians 4:13, which states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She believes that God has placed the skills necessary for success within her, and the people needed for support around her. Dr. Moore hopes to help many people believe in their ability to defy the odds, and then choose to become resilient despite their circumstances.