CHEROKEE BAND OF WARRIORS DIRECTORS

Brandon worley

Mr. Brandon Worley currently serves as the Director of Bands at Cherokee High School. Prior to being named director, Mr. Worley served the Band of Warriors as the Assistant Director and Percussion Director for seven years. Prior to coming Cherokee he began his teaching career in Villa Rica where he directed the middle school band and high school percussion ensemble earning consistent Superior ratings in concert and marching evaluations.

Mr. Worley earned his Bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University where he studied under Dr. John Culvahouse, Dr. David Kehler and Professor John Lawless. While at Kennesaw he performed with percussion ensemble, Wind Ensemble and the symphony orchestra and served student conductor with the Concert Band. He also holds a Masters of Music in Education from the University of West Georgia and is currently attending Auburn University to earn an Education Specialist.

Outside the classroom Worley also performs as a percussionist with the Atlanta Wind Symphony. As a part of the ensemble, he has performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and has performed twice at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, as well many concerts throughout the Atlanta area.

Mr. Worley is third generation Warrior and is excited to continue the tradition of excellence and beautiful music at Cherokee set by those before him.

He resides in Canton with his wife Diane and three boys: Carter, Jackson and Davis.

leah vandoran

Ms. Leah VanDoran joins the Band of Warriors this year as the Associate Director of Bands at Cherokee High School. With over 15 years of experience in music education spanning Georgia, Florida, and Hawaii, Ms. VanDoran brings a diverse background in instrumental, choral, and performing arts education. Throughout her career, she has directed concert bands, beginning bands, jazz bands, percussion programs, choirs, theatre productions, and specialized music programs, inspiring students across a wide range of musical disciplines.

Prior to joining Cherokee High School, Ms. VanDoran served for 8 years as Director of Bands at Ewa Makai Middle School in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, where she directed the concert, beginning, jazz, and percussion ensembles as well as Polynesian music. She also served as Choral Director and Piano Instructor at Davidson Middle School in Crestview, Florida, and as Choral Director and Theatre Director at Pickens High School in Jasper, Georgia.

Ms. VanDoran earned both her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Reinhardt University and holds an Associate of Fine Arts degree from Young Harris College. She has also pursued additional studies through University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu in her time on Oahu.

Outside the classroom, Ms. VanDoran is an active performer and educator. She has performed with the University of West Oahu Nāulu Winds as a flutist and maintained a successful private flute studio on Oʻahu for six years. Her dedication to music education has been recognized through numerous honors, including being named Diamond Teacher of the Year at Ewa Makai Middle School for the 2019–2020 school year and Teacher of the Year at Jasper Middle School for 2012–2013.

When she is not teaching or performing as a flautist and singing, Ms. VanDoran enjoys hiking, golfing, pickleball, cooking, and karaoke. She resides in Canton, Georgia, and is excited to contribute to the tradition of excellence and musical achievement at Cherokee High School and within the greater Atlanta area through her musical contributions.

Adjunct Staff

COLOR GUARD DIRECTOR

Diane Worley

Diane Worley has been involved in the marching arts as both a performer and educator for nearly two decades. Her performance experience includes Spirit of Atlanta (2008), Aureus Winterguard (2011–2012), and Atlanta CV (2018–2019).

Diane served as the Color Guard Director at Villa Rica High School from 2011–2018 before joining the Cherokee Band of Warriors staff in 2018. In addition to her work at Cherokee, she has worked with programs including Pickens High School and Denmark High School, as well as independent groups FIG and Edge Independent.

At the drum corps level, Diane returned to Atlanta CV as an instructor from 2022–2026. She is passionate about helping students grow as performers while creating a positive, challenging environment centered on excellence, teamwork, and a love for the marching arts.