INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF

Jake Williams is an enthusiastic percussionist, composer, and music educator from Huntsville, Alabama. He currently serves as the Director of Bands at Ola High School in McDonough, Georgia, where he oversees all aspects of the band program, including the nationally recognized marching band, concert ensembles, percussion program, and color guard. Since joining the Ola Band staff in 2024, Mr. Williams has been committed to fostering a culture of excellence, leadership, and musicianship while helping students develop both as performers and as young adults.

Mr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Auburn University in 2021. While attending Auburn, he studied percussion under Dr. Doug Rosener and was an active performer in numerous ensembles, including the Auburn University Marching Band, Auburn University Percussion Ensemble, and Auburn University Concert Band.

Prior to joining Ola High School, Mr. Williams served as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Alabama, from 2022 to 2024. Before that, he held the same positions at Appling County Schools in Baxley, Georgia, during the 2021–2022 school year. Throughout his career, the bands and percussion programs under his instruction have consistently earned superior ratings at marching competitions and state performance assessments.

As a composer and arranger, Mr. Williams' works have been performed by ensembles across the Southeast. His original composition Aurora for large percussion ensemble was premiered by the Auburn Percussion Ensemble in the spring of 2021. He has also composed and arranged music for numerous high school marching bands and concert percussion programs throughout Alabama and Georgia, including Appling County High School, Benjamin Russell High School, Chelsea High School, and Ola High School.

Outside of music, Mr. Williams enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring new destinations. He is an avid sports fan who enjoys cheering on the Auburn Tigers, Huntsville City FC, and the Rocket City Trash Pandas. He is also an enthusiastic reader and is continually growing his home library.

Mr. Williams is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), the Alabama Bandmasters Association (ABA), and the Percussive Arts Society (PAS).

Elijah Henry, Assistant Director of Bands, is a passionate music educator and brass specialist from Lavonia, GA. In May of 2026, Mr. Henry graduated from Western Carolina University with a BA in Education and a BSED Music Education. While in the trombone studio, he studied under Dr. Zsolt Szabo and performed in various ensembles, including Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Trombone Ensemble, and the renown Pride of the Mountains (PotM) marching band. 

Mr. Henry has a strong dedication to leadership and the marching arts. He participated in his high school’s marching band for all four years and the Pride of the Mountains marching band for all four years. During his time with PotM, he served in various leadership roles, including Equipment Team, Section Leader, and Brass Caption Coordinator, where he helped lead the 141 person hornline to create one of their best performances yet in the 2025 season. Eli went on to pursue a higher level of the marching arts as a member of the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle corps. He was a trombonist for the 2024 season and a baritone soloist for the 2025 season. He is now a part of brass staff for Music City Drum and Bugle Corps working as a Baritone and Euphonium tech. 

In his free time Mr. Henry loves to exercise and travel, especially after finishing his study abroad in Salzburg, Austria. He also enjoys watching sports, especially with his family, playing video games, and watching tv shows/movies. At the end of each day he is fortunate to go home to the greatest cat, Josie. 

Mr. Henry is also an active member of North Carolina Music Educators Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, and National Association for Music Educators. He is also a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia where he served as treasurer. 

Mr. Henry is beyond thrilled to be a part of something this special with the Ola Bands!
 

Justin “Chad” Capers is a corporate defense attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in general liability matters and representing companies against a broad range of claims. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business, with a minor in Music, from Valdosta State University, followed by a Juris Doctor from Mercer University School of Law.

Beyond his legal career, Chad has a rich background in the marching arts. He was a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from 2013 to 2014, serving as center marimba and captain in his second year. He also performed with Atlanta CV in 2012. During his time at Valdosta State, Chad was a Drum Major for three years, after previously leading the Front Ensemble as a freshman. His passion for music education extended to teaching, where he instructed the Front Ensemble at Colquitt County High School and Veterans High School.

With a unique blend of legal expertise and performing arts leadership, Chad brings dedication, discipline, and strategic thinking to both the courtroom and the marching field.

Garrett brings a strong foundation in the marching arts and performing arts to his role as Visual Director at Ola High School. With six years of marching experience—including two seasons as a member of a world-class DCI finalist corps—Garrett brings a competitive edge and high-performance standard to the visual program. In addition to his marching background, he has also been involved in theatre, further enriching his understanding of stage presence, character, and performance quality.

Garrett is dedicated to helping students grow both on and off the field. His philosophy for the season centers on meeting performers where they are and guiding them toward the standard of excellence expected at Ola—developing not only stronger performers but well-rounded young adults.

VACANT