director 

JEFF BURNSIDE

A graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Music Education, Jeff Burnside has been teaching in Alabama for 31 years with the last 19 years being in the Shelby County School System.  Prior to starting the band program at Helena High School, Mr. Burnside taught at Pelham High School, Homewood Middle School and B.C. Rain High School in Mobile.  He is the President of the Shelby County Band Director’s Association, and also a member of the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and remains active as a trumpet player in the Birmingham area.  

 director 

BRENT TRAYLOR

A graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, Brent Traylor has been at Helena since 2019. Prior to coming to Helena, he taught for 3 years at Fayette County High School where he consistently earned superior ratings. He is a member of National Association for Music Education, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi. Brent currently lives in Alabaster with his wife Kaitlyn, their daughter Scarlett, who was born in September of 2018, and two fur babies, a cat named Tigris and a dog named Roxie.

percussion sponsor 

LANCE PRUITT​

Mr. Pruitt is the immediate past band director at Helena Middle School and works with the marching band at Helena High School teaching marching percussion. The percussion section has consistently scored superior ratings at competitions and has won numerous best in class awards. He served as the middle school band director in Helena since the school opened in 2008.  Before that, he taught for 12 years at Opelika High School and Middle School.  Mr. Pruitt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting (1991) and a Bachelor of Music Education degree (1996) from Auburn University and a Master of Science degree in Education (2000) from Troy State University.  His son, Conner, attends Auburn University on scholarship as a diver with the Auburn Swim and Dive team.​

maJorette sponsor 

JORDAN SMITH

Jordan Smith is the Majorette Sponsor for Helena High School Band.  She teaches Special Education at Helena High School and is in her 7th year of teaching. Jordan graduated from the University of Montevallo and earned her Master's degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Jordan grew up in Helena and loves working in her hometown.  She loves spending time with her adorable nieces Vanna and Isla. 

dance team sponsor 

JENNI RUSSELL

 colorguard sponsor 

LINDSEY WATSON

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Lindsey graduated from University of South Alabama with a bachelor's in Communications. She received her master's from Samford University in Secondary Education. Lindsey teaches English.  Lindsey is passionate about the arts and music but has never played an instrument (unlike the rest of her family)!