Jimie Maley
Director of Bands, Hickory Ridge Middle School
Phone:
704-260-6490 (school)
Email:
Education:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Bachelor of Music
Instrumental Music Education
Undergraduate Certificate in Jazz Studies
About Mr. Maley
Jimie Maley grew up and found his passion for music just down the road in Concord, NC. After graduating for Jay M. Robinson High School, Mr. Maley attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to pursue a degree in music education. While attending Charlotte, he studied saxophone under Dr. Will Campbell and Dr. Ben Still, studied conducting under Dr. Hunter Kopczynski. During his time there, he grew a love for education and earned a Bachelor in Music with a concentration in instrumental music education. He also earned an undergraduate certificate in Jazz Studies to accompany his Bachelor in Music.
During his time in college, Mr. Maley has spent his time working at Appalachian State University’s summer music camp, Cannon Music Camp. He also spent two years as the Ensemble Manager for the Youth Orchestras of Charlotte where he also served as Interim Executive Director for a short time.
Mr. Maley completed his student teaching with Chris White and David Rivero at Hickory Ridge High School in the fall of 2024. After graduation, Mr. Maley spent the Spring 2025 semester as a part-time assistant director for the Hickory Ridge Middle School Band as well as the Weddington Middle School Band. During this time, he directed the Hickory Ridge “Blue Note” Jazz band, helped to bring a total of four ensembles to MPA, Carowinds, and the Charleston (SC) Music Festival.
Currently, Mr. Maley is the Director of Bands at Hickory Ridge Middle School. Being his first year as the director, he is elated to work with the students of Hickory Ridge Middle school and guide them to success and to find their love for music.
Greg Dills
Assistant Director of Bands, Hickory Ridge Middle School
Director of Percussion
Phone:
704-260-6490 (school)
Email:
Education:
Western Carolina University
Bachelor of Music Education
Instrumental Music Education
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Appalachian State University
Master of Music
Percussion Performance
Greg Dills began his teaching career in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he spent nine years serving as Band Director at Paisley IB Magnet School and Director of Percussion for both Ronald Reagan High School and Wake Forest University.
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During his tenure at Paisley, the band program doubled in size and consistently earned Superior ratings at Northwest North Carolina Music Performance Adjudication events. In 2019, the Ronald Reagan High School Percussion Ensemble was invited to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators Convention, and Greg was recognized as “Band Director of the Year” by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Bandmasters Association.
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In 2022, Mr. Dills relocated to the Charlotte area to open the band program at the newly established Roberta Road Middle School. In the program’s inaugural year, the ensemble earned a Superior Rating at the South Central North Carolina Music Performance Adjudication.
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In 2023, Mr. Dills joined Jay M. Robinson High School as the Director of Bands. Under his leadership, the bands consistently received Superior Ratings, and the Percussion Ensemble was invited to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators Convention in 2025.
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Mr. Dills holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Western Carolina University and a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Appalachian State University. He was also a member of the 2007 Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, 2008 Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps, and 2009-2010 Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps.
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His professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society and National Association for Music Education. Greg is also an educational artist for Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Ludwig Drums, Musser Percussion, and Salyers Percussion.
Greg currently resides in Charlotte with his wife, Kelsey, and their three dogs, Eleanor, Piper, and Gus. Outside of music education, he enjoys training for races and hiking.