THS Band Staff
Graham Bennett
Director of Bands
Graham Bennett is a native of Hoover, Alabama. After graduating from Hoover High School in 2008, he attended Jacksonville State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Mr. Bennett participated for three years in Drum Corps International as a member of the world class organizations Spirit and The Madison Scouts. Mr. Bennett went on to receive his Masters in Music Education from William Carey University in the Summer of 2019. He previously served as the director of bands at Jacksonville High School and Mary G. Montgomery High School before joining the faculty of Thompson High School in 2019. Mr. Bennett currently serves as the Director of Bands at Thompson High School and directs with the Thompson High School Marching Southern Sounds, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble. During his tenure at Thompson High School, the Wind Ensemble has received consistent superior ratings at State Assessment, the Marching Southern Sounds have ranked top three in the state of Alabama, and the band program has performed at various national locations. Alabaster City Schools has also received “Best Community for Music Education” from the NAMM Foundation annually under the leadership of Mr. Bennett and all of the other incredible faculty and staff within the Music Educations programs in ACS. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and their two beautiful daughters currently reside in Helena, Alabama.
Corey Hyman
Associate Director
Mr. Hyman currently serves as Associate Director of Bands at Thompson High School where he conducts the THS Symphonic Band, Warrcorps Pep Band, and Jazz Lab Band. Mr. Hyman began his teaching career in 2014. He is originally from Guntersville, Alabama and is a graduate of Arab High School. Mr. Hyman attended Jacksonville State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 2013 and Master of Arts in Music Education in 2023. Mr. Hyman has previously served as Director of Bands for Guntersville High School and Associate Director of Bands for Albertville High School. While at Guntersville, Mr. Hyman’s bands earned consistent superior ratings and best in class awards and participated in the 100th Annual Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2019. In 2018, Mr. Hyman was named the Guntersville High School Teacher of the Year for the 2018-19 school year. During his time at Jacksonville State University, Mr. Hyman was a member of Chamber Winds, Wind Ensemble, the Hard Corps Pep Band, and served as section leader and drum major for the world renowned Marching Southerners. Mr. Hyman is a member of NAfME, AEA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. Mr. Hyman is married to Scarlett Hyman and has two sons, Jacob and William.
Rebecca Reinhardt
Associate Director
Rebecca Reinhardt received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of South Alabama in 2018. She then went on to receive her Master of Arts in Woodwind Performance in 2020 and her Master of Arts in Music Education the following year from her Alma Mater. Ms. Reinhardt served as a Graduate Assistant, working with the University of South Alabama Jaguar Marching Band, University Band, and other numerous small ensembles. During her time at USA, Ms. Reinhardt performed in masterclasses with flutists Amy Porter and Viviana Guzman, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, and the Mobile Pops. In 2017 and 2022, Ms. Reinhardt performed at the National Flute Association Convention. Previously, Ms. Reinhardt was the Assistant Director of Bands/Associate Prep Band Director at McGill Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, AL. Ms. Reinhardt is excited to work with the students at Thompson High School and Thompson Middle School this upcoming year!
Jamiah Robbins
Percussion Director
Jamiah Robbins is the Director of Percussion at Thompson High School and Middle School. A 2017 graduate of Smiths Station High School, Mr. Robbins holds a Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he studied under Dr. Gene Fambrough. During his time at UAB, Mr. Robbins served as battery and front ensemble section leader of the Marching Blazer’s Drumline, principal percussionist in the UAB Wind Symphony, and was an active member of the Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Big Band, Commercial Music Ensemble, Blazer Band, and Gospel Choir. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music Education degree at the University of Georgia. As a soloist, Mr. Robbins performed at the 2017 Alabama Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Day of Percussion and was selected for the 2020 Alabama PAS Collegiate All-Star Percussion Ensemble, where he performed alongside Michael Burritt. An active performer, he regularly collaborates with the Red Mountain Theatre Company Orchestra. Mr. Robbins is an endorsed artist with Zildjian, Vic Firth, and Balter Mallets, showcasing his commitment to excellence in percussion performance and education.
Emily Bennett
VARSITY Dance Coach
Emily Bennett is a native of Oxford, Alabama. After graduating from Oxford High School, she attended Jacksonville State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Masters in Education. Mrs. Bennett grew up dancing in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and more at the World of Performing Arts dance studio. She danced on her high school dance team at Oxford High School as well as the Marching Ballerinas at Jacksonville State University. Mrs. Bennett served in leadership positions on her dance teams in both high school and college. She previously served as the dance teacher at Causey Middle School as well as the dance team coach at Mary G. Montgomery High school in Mobile, Alabama. She has served as coach of the Jacksonville High School dance team as well. Mrs. Bennett currently teaches Dance I,II, and III and serves as the head coach for the THS Warriorette dance teams at Thompson High School. She currently resides in Helena with her husband and two daughters, Emma and Nora.
Harlie Wilson
JV Dance Coach
My name is Harlie Wilson, and I teach all the dance classes at Thompson Middle School. Dance has always been one of the most important things in my life, and I am so happy to share my passion for dance with the students here at TMS. I attended Jacksonville State University, where I was a part of the Marching Ballerinas for four years in college. I graduated from JSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. This year is going to be full of so much fun and learning together!
Emily Dodson
Guard Coach
I’ve been in the Color Guard world since 2016. I performed with Pelham High School Color Guard for all of my high school career, as well as serving as captain for three of those years. After high school, I competed with Divenire Winter Guard for one year. With Divenire, I achieved the title of a WGI World Championships Finalist in Class A. The next two years, I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia every weekend to compete with Edge Independent Winter Guard. I served one year as captain, as well as gaining the title of WGI World Championships Finalist in Open Class. I briefly served as a tech for Pelham High School Color Guard after high school and then began my journey with Thompson High School as Assistant Coach of the Color Guard before stepping into the role of Color Guard Coach and Sponsor in Spring of 2026.
Gretchen McClain
Majorette Coach
Hi! My name is Gretchen Moore and I teach 5th Grade Math at Thompson Intermediate School. I am a Thompson Alum and SO excited to be back! I graduated with my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education, from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I also had the opportunity to twirl with the Marching Blazers. I currently serve as the Majorette Sponsor/Coach at Thompson High School. I am happily married, love football and have 4 White German Shepherds. I am so excited to see you all grow. Go Warriors!