Alpharetta High School

Michael J. Walsh

Director of Bands, Alpharetta High School

Michael J. Walsh is in his 28th year of teaching high school bands and his 8th year as Band Director at Alpharetta High School in Atlanta. Prior to his move to Atlanta, Mr. Walsh was the Director of Bands at Godby High School in Tallahassee, FL. While in Florida, his bands earned 14 years of consecutive Superior Ratings in Marching, Jazz, and Concert Band settings at both the District and State level.

Since moving to Atlanta his bands have earned Superior Ratings at all Festivals. Bands under the direction of Mr. Walsh have performed in Washington DC, New York City, Nassau, Bahamas, Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, London, England, Wales, Paris, France, Albany, New York, San Francisco, CA, and twice on stage at the National Concert Band Festival at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Mr. Walsh has twice served on the State Board of Directors for the Florida Bandmasters Association as a District Chairman and District Secretary, and with the Georgia Music Educators Association as both District 5 Band Council Chair and as a member of the All-State Bands revision committee.

Mr. Walsh’s professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu International Music Fraternity (past Vice President, current President), and MENC: The National Association for Music Education.  He has been included in Who’s Who Among American Teachers 11 times.  In addition, Mr. Walsh is active as an adjudicator in both Florida (certified) and Georgia.  Mr. Walsh earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from The Florida State University and his Masters of Music Education Degree from The University of Georgia.  He currently resides in Alpharetta with his wife wonderful Laurie,  children Andrew (trombone player, GA State) and Megan (horn player in the band), and their “pack” of animals - Roxie and Harley (aka. Alpharetta’s German Shepherds), and Tiger the cat.

McKinley “MJ” Stinson Jr.

Director of Percussion Studies

McKinley Stinson Jr is currently in his third year as Director of Percussion studies at Alpharetta High School.  Mr. Stinson received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and Masters degree from The Florida State University School of Music, both in Percussion Performance.   His primary instructors include John Parks, Scott Herring, James Hall, Jonathon Haas, Doug Howard, and Thomas Stubbs.

Stinson has performed as a percussionist at the Aspen Music Festival and School as well as a timpanist for the Piccolo Spoleto Conservatory Orchestra.  McKinley has recently performed with the Florida State Percussion Ensemble at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. In February of 2007, McKinley won the University of South Carolina Young Artist Concerto Competition and performed Ney Rosauro’s Concerto for Marimba and Strings with the USC Symphony Orchestra. In 2006, Stinson was awarded the Percussive Arts Society George P. Contrereas, Jr. Scholarship.

While residing in Aspen, McKinley performed at the Belly Up Aspen as the drummer for the Marques Young Quintet opening for Hugh Maskela, and world percussion accompanist for international afro-pop artist, Habib Koite.  In 2007,  Stinson performed with the Renegade Ramajay Steel Band Combo and the Rocky Horror Show with the Florida State Theatre department.  He has also traveled as a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.  He is married to his lovely wife Jessica, who is a professional violinist.  They reside in Alpharetta.