Band Staff
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Kelly Wanner  Kelly Wanner is a native of Southern California and comes to Valdosta with a great amount of both dance and color guard experience. She has been a dancer since childhood and has been involved in the color guard activity for over 14 years. Kelly was a member of the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2004 and a cast member with Fantasia Winter Guard from 2001-2004. During her performance career, she won 3 world championships, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. In addition, she was a color guard member of the Riverside Community College Marching Tigers from 2000-2002.
As a teacher, Kelly has taught many successful, nationally competing color guards in Southern California, New York, Utah, Florida and Georgia. In 2005, she was a color guard instructor for Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. She is currently the color guard instructor for Valdosta State University.
Kelly is a graduate from Valdosta State University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. In addition, Kelly is a member of four honor societies; Phi Theta Kappa, Psi Chi, Pi Gamma Mu, and Kappa Delta Pi. She is also currently a graduate student at Valdosta State University, working on her Master of Education (ME.d.) degree in School Counseling.
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Amanda Martin
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Sarah Price Merriman  Sarah Merriman is the 2011 Color Guard Instructor for the Georgia Bridgemen. She is a 2002 graduate of Lowndes High School and a Georgia Bridgemen alumnus. During high school, Sarah marched on the Georgia Bridgemen Color Guard and participated in the LHS Chorus. Sarah has been a member of the Bridgemen Staff since 2003.
Sarah received a Bachelor of General Studies degree emphasizing in education and communications from Valdosta State University in 2008. Currently, Sarah is employed by the Lowndes County Board of Education as a 7th grade teacher at Hahira Middle School. Sarah has also has returned to VSU to obtain a Masters of Education degree.
Sarah is married to Austin Merriman, Equipment Manager. They have two daughters, Audrey and Molly.
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Beth Bowman
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Austin Merriman
 Austin Merriman is the 2011 Equipment Manager for the Georgia Bridgemen. He is a 1998 graduate from Lowndes High School and a Georgia Bridgemen alumnus. As a senior, Austin served as the Tuba Section Leader and was the recipient of the John Phillip Sousa Band award.
Austin received a diploma in Industrial Electrical Technology from Valdosta Technical College in 2001 and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Valdosta State University in 2004. After college Austin worked as an Educational Representative where he supported band directors throughout South Georgia and North Florida in the areas of sales, service and instrumental repairs.
Austin later returned back to the electrical field where he continues working today as a Safety Representative for Ace Electric, Inc.
Austin is married to Sarah Merriman, Color Guard Instructor. They two daughters, Audrey and Molly.
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Matt Jackson
 Matt Jackson is the 2011 Transportation Director for the Ga Bridgemen. He is a 1982 graduate from Lowndes High school and Ga Bridgemen alumni. Matt will be responsible for all transportation duties associated with the required movement of the band also the scheduling, training of their drivers.
Matt has served the Bridgemen for the last 6 years. During those 6 years, he served 2 years as Pit Crew Coordinator, and the last 3 years as Booster Vice President.
Matt is employed with Airgas, a distributor and manufacture of Welding, Gas and Safety supplies as an Account Manager.
He is married to Evelyn and they have two sons and a daughter, LCP Garrett Jackson USMC, Ashley Jackson and Katie Jackson. All of their children are currently or have been a Ga Bridgemen.
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Amy Smith
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Travis Wingate
 This year, Travis Wingate is serving as Visual Consultant and Choreographer for the Georgia Bridgemen. Travis is a 2002 graduate of Lowndes High School where he was a member of the Georgia Bridgemen for 4 years, serving as Drum Major his Junior and Senior Year. In addition, he was the recipient of the John Phillip Sousa award. After graduating high school, Travis attended Valdosta State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing Degree and a Minor in music.
From 2002-2006, Travis served as Color Guard Instructor and Visual Designer for the Georgia Bridgemen. During the 2006 and 2007 winter seasons, Travis was a member of Northgate Independent Winter Guard from Madras, Georgia under the direction of Ginger Armstrong. Currently, Travis is the drill designer for the 2009 Silver Medalist, Northgate High School Winter Guard.
Travis presently lives in Toronto, ON, Canada where he works as an Event Coordinator with the city of Toronto.
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Amanda Martin is the 2011-2012 Dance Line Instructor for the Georgia Bridgemen.
Beth Bowman is Auxillary Coordinator for the Georgia Bridgemen. 
Amy Smith is the Uniform Manager for the Georgia Bridgemen for the 2011 season, and is in her third year working with the band. With the Uniform Committee, she is responsible for fitting each student with the hat, white dinner jacket, bow tie, vests, and shoes that make up the Georgia Bridgemen uniform. Amy graduated from Fitzgerald High and Valdosta State University. She is married to Eddie Smith and is mother of Emily, 16 (junior clarinet) and Tyler, 13.