Michael Griffith, Director of Bands
A native of Chattanooga, Michael Griffith currently serves as Director of Bands at Ooltewah High School in Ooltewah, Tennessee. Mr. Griffith arrived at Ooltewah High school in the summer of 2022 having previously served as Interim Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Central Missouri, where he directed the UCM Marching Mules, Pep Band, and Symphonic Band as well as taught courses in marching band techniques, music education, orchestration, and instrumental conducting. Mr. Griffith previously served as Interim Director of Bands and Visiting Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 2019 to 2021.
Mr. Griffith holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the Florida State University College of Music in Tallahassee, Florida, where he taught courses in instrumental music education; served as assistant conductor for the wind orchestra, symphonic band, and concert band; and assisted with the instruction and administration of the world-famous Florida State University Marching Chiefs. Prior to his graduate studies, he taught at Liberty Technology Magnet High School in Jackson, TN and Whitwell High School in Whitwell, TN. Mr. Griffith holds an undergraduate degree in music education and music performance from Austin Peay State University. His conducting teachers include Bob Bernhardt, Richard Clary, and Dr. Gregory Wolynec. Mr. Griffith has been a performing member of Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps from Collierville, TN and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, IL.
Dixie Holliday, Color Guard Coordinator
Dixie Holliday has always had a passion for performing. Dixie began participating in competitive dance at age 3 until she was 18. She began her color guard career at Asheville High School in Asheville, North Carolina. She participated in color guard and winter guard for all four years and earned the title of captain for her last two years. Dixie earned a color guard scholarship from Emory & Henry College in Southwest Virginia where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting. During her time in college in Virginia, Dixie continued to work with local high school color guards and grew her love for teaching color guard!
Outside of color guard, Dixie holds a Masters of Science in Accountancy from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and currently works as an auditor at a regional CPA firm in Chattanooga. Dixie is passionate about sharing her love for the sport and art of color guard with the young talented members of the Ooltewah High School Marching Band!