Artistic Director:
Dr. Holbrook has taught at Walton High School since 2001. Since his arrival, orchestra enrollment has continued to increase from 130 to 400 students. His groups have received eight invitations to perform at The Midwest Clinic (2001, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022), have received three invitations to perform at the ASTA National Conference (2009, 2012, 2018), and have performed seven times at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference (2001, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2022). Dr. Holbrook’s groups have also traveled and performed internationally, participating in four European concert tours (2004, 2007, 2015, 2018). String quartets (2009, 2010) from Walton High School have also performed in Spain (Salamanca).
Active as a guest conductor and clinician, Dr. Holbrook will be a clinician for the 2021 ASTA National Orchestra Festival. Conducting engagements include the Tennessee Mid-state Orchestra (2022), Alabama All State Orchestra (2018); the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015); and the Orchestra America Summer Symposium (2006, 2007). He has guest conducted honor groups in Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia. Dr. Holbrook has presented clinics at the Midwest Clinic (2006, 2016); the ASTA National Conference (2004, 2009); the Georgia Music Educators Convention (2006, 2010, 2013); and the Texas Music Educators Convention (2005). In 2007, he was the featured clinician at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, presenting a series of five clinics. In addition to teaching orchestra, Dr. Holbrook teaches AP Music Theory. He was named the S.T.A.R. teacher of Walton High School in 2004.
Several original compositions of Dr. Holbrook are being performed around the country. His composition “Someday” has been performed by the Kentucky Music Educators All State Orchestra, the South Carolina Music Educators All State Orchestra and at the Indiana Music Educators State Convention. Recently the Dodgen Middle School Chamber Orchestra placed first at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival performing this composition.
Perry Holbrook holds the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, the Masters of Music degree from Arizona State University, and the Bachelor of Music degree from Wichita State University. He received his teaching credentials from the University of Georgia. Dr. Holbrook lives in Atlanta, Georgia. His daughter Bailey is freelance cellist. In his free time, he can usually be found outdoors hiking with a camera in his hand.
Executive Director:
Sara Grimes has been the Assistant/Executive Director of Orchestras at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia since 2010, and has been a Teacher of the Year nominee twice (2022, 2017). Since 2018, she has been the Fine Arts Department Chair. As a graduate of Walton, she is proud to be teaching at her alma mater. Mrs. Grimes’ prior teaching experiences include Barber Middle School in Cobb County and West Laboratory Elementary in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Additionally, she was the graduate teaching assistant at the University of Miami and taught undergraduate string techniques
Mrs. Grimes guest conducted the GMEA District V Honor Orchestra in 2017. Her thesis research, “Assessment Practices of String Teachers” won first prize at the University of Miami Research Symposium. Mrs. Grimes is a member of NafME, GMEA, ASTA, Pi Kappa Lambda, and has been recognized as a Presser Scholar.
Additionally, Mrs. Grimes serves on the Orchestra Standing Committee for GMEA, District 12 Orchestra LGPE coordinator, and coordinator for the 11/12 GMEA All-State Full Orchestra. She is Vice-President elect for GMEA over Performance Evaluation. Formerly, she was the District 12 GMEA Orchestra Chair from 2019-2022. Mrs. Grimes presented at the 2023 GMEA Conference on authentic assessments and assignments. She was accepted to present a session entitled “Strategies for Teaching Students Not in Your Top Orchestra” at The Midwest Clinic in 2020. Previously, she presented sessions at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference in 2020, The Midwest Clinic in 2015, Florida Music Educators Association Conference in 2009, and presided over sessions at American String Teacher Association conferences in 2008 and 2009.
Sara Grimes holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of South Carolina and Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Miami with cello as her primary instrument. She and her husband, William, a middle school band director, live in Marietta, Georgia with their fourth grader Charlie and kindergartener, Teddy. In her free time, she takes barre & yoga at Inspire East Cobb Fitness & Wellness Studio and enjoys reading.