Director of Bands
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Dean Patterson is in his third year as Director of Bands at Mill Creek High School. Previously, he was the Director of Bands at Riverwatch Middle School in Suwanee, GA where he oversaw all operations of the 700 member band program. The Riverwatch Symphonic Band has presented performances at the 2019 Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band Clinic, 2017 Midwest Clinic, 2017 Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival, 2016 NBA/CBDNA Southern Division Conference, and the 2015 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival. During his time as Director of Bands, the band program received the 2019 GMEA Exemplary Performance Award and had the highest number of students in school and state history earn positions in the GMEA All-State Band (34 in 2020) and District IX Honor Band (86 in 2020). Mr. Patterson is also a three time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence.
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For the past nine years, Mr. Patterson has been involved with Drum Corps International's two-time World Champions, Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He served as the group's head conductor (2011-2013), tour manager (2014), and tour director (2015-2017). Mr. Patterson currently enjoys serving as a clinician for the corps’ drum major camps in the Summer. During his time with the corps, Mr. Patterson received DCI's Jim Jones Leadership Award & Scholarship (2013) and the Mark Glasscoe Memorial Member of the Year Award (2013).
Mr. Patterson grew up in Lawrenceville and attended Collins Hill High School, where he graduated in 2010. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Professional affiliations include National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education. Mr. Patterson enjoys playing trumpet, running, golfing, and traveling.
Mr. Patterson grew up in Lawrenceville and attended Collins Hill High School, where he graduated in 2010. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Professional affiliations include National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education. Mr. Patterson enjoys playing trumpet, running, golfing, and traveling.
Associate Director of Bands
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Tina Christiansen is excited for her first year at Mill Creek! Ms. Christiansen just completed the master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting at Georgia State University, where she studied under Dr. Robert Ambrose. Ms. Christiansen served as a conducting graduate assistant for the Georgia State University Bands. She was the teaching assistant for the basic conducting classes and worked closely with the Georgia State University Panther Band. Ms. Christiansen has conducted the Georgia State University Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and was the conductor and instructor of record for the Georgia State University saxophone choir. Ms. Christiansen has a high interest in athletic bands and was the Graduate Assistant Director for the Panther Basketball Band. |
In the spring of 2020, Ms. Christiansen graduated magna cum laude from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. During her time at ATU, Ms. Christiansen performed as a saxophonist, percussionist, and singer. As a saxophonist, she performed with the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, ATU Jazz Ensemble, and was featured as a soloist. As a percussionist, she performed in the ATU Symphonic Band and ATU Percussion Ensemble. As a singer, she performed in the ATU choirs. In 2019, she was selected as a student conductor for ATU’s Concert Band. Ms. Christiansen was also a member of Arkansas Tech University’s Band of Distinction and served as a drum major for 2 seasons.
Ms. Christiansen is from Van Buren, Arkansas, and graduated from Van Buren High School in 2015. Her professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education and Tau Beta Sigma, an honorary band sorority. Ms. Christiansen enjoys spending time with her family, performing, and spending time outside.
Ms. Christiansen is from Van Buren, Arkansas, and graduated from Van Buren High School in 2015. Her professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education and Tau Beta Sigma, an honorary band sorority. Ms. Christiansen enjoys spending time with her family, performing, and spending time outside.