Developing Lifelong Excellence in Young People Through a Variety of Music Education Experiences.
Welcome to the
East Paulding High School Band
Directors of the East Cluster
Josh Robichaux
Director of Bands
Josh Robichaux, a native of Houma, Louisiana, resides in Kennesaw, Georgia and is Director of Bands at East Paulding High School in Dallas, GA. He graduated with an undergraduate degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Recording and Live Sound with a concentration in Percussion Performance. While at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Josh studied under both Jeff Prosperie (West Point's Hellcats), Adam Mason (University of Lethbridge), and Dr. William Hocheppel. He performed with the university's Wind Ensemble, Chamber Percussion Ensemble, Contemporary Percussion Ensemble, Caribbean Steel Band, Japanese Taiko Ensemble, West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Brazilian Ensemble, Marching Band, and the ULL PASIC Drumline.
Josh previously was the Assistant Director of Bands and Percussion Director at Carrollton High School from 2008 - 2017 and Assistant Director of Bands at East Paulding High School from 2017-2020. He was also Front Ensemble Coordinator at Kennesaw Mountain High School from 2005-2008 and Lafayette High School (Louisiana) from 2002-2005.
He spent two years, 2001 and 2002, as a member and section leader of Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, was a staff member for Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps from 2003-2007, front ensemble caption head at Odyssey Percussion Theater, a WGI PIW finalist, from 2007 - 2009, and a percussion staff member at Jacksonville State University from 2004-2012. Josh is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society and the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Josh is one of the founders and is an executive board member of GIPA, the Georgia Indoor Percussion Association. He remains active as an educator, adjudicator, performer, and arranger in numerous Georgia music programs.
Josh Robichaux is a Dynasty USA and Innovative Percussion Artist and endorses those products exclusively.
Originally from Rome, Georgia, Dawson Burnes is the Assistant Director of Bands at East Paulding High School in Dallas, GA. Dawson holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the UGA Horn Studio under the direction of Dr. James Naigus and Dr. Jean Martin-Williams. While at UGA, he performed in the Wind Ensemble and British Brass Band and studied under many notable conductors and performers, such as Dr. Michael Robinson, Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger, Dr. Nicholas Williams, Dr. Shiree Williams, and Philip Smith.
Dawson is heavily involved in the marching arts and athletic bands. He served as a mellophone section leader and Associate Band Captain of Performance with the UGA Redcoat Marching Band, conducting the pep band, volleyball band, and gymnastics band. He has marched in the Drum Corps International circuit starting at the age of 15, concluding his marching career as a conductor of Phantom Regiment. Dawson is also a freelance composer and arranger, writing for concert bands, chamber groups, and marching ensembles. His arrangements are frequently played in the stands by the UGA Redcoat Marching Band and high schools in the North Georgia area. He currently serves as a mellophone and drum major technician at Atlanta CV Drum & Bugle Corps.
Dawson Burnes
Assistant Director of Bands
Emma Boyle is the Director of Bands at Moses Middle School. She holds both a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Music Performance – Percussion from the University of West Georgia, where she studied under Katie Byrd. During her graduate studies, she was a featured soloist with the UWG Wind Ensemble, performing works by Joseph Schwantner and Adam Silverman.
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Boyle serves as Operations Director for West Georgia Winds, a nonprofit fine arts organization. She actively supports local arts initiatives and helps organize GMEA District VII events. Her performance experience includes Georgia State University’s Symphonic Winds, Atlanta Quest Indoor Percussion, and the 2020 PASIC International Marimba Solo Competition.
Mrs. Boyle is passionate about music education and community engagement. She lives in Dallas, Georgia, with her husband Tyler and their two cats, Squid and Cheddar.
Emma Boyle
Director of Bands
Moses Middle School
Natalie Letalien is the Director of Bands at East Paulding Middle School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Kennesaw State University in 2025.
While at Kennesaw State, Ms. Letalien was an active performer in a variety of ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Marching Owls, and the KSU Horn Choir. She held leadership roles in the band service organization Tau Beta Sigma and the Collegiate National Association for Music Education. In recognition of her dedication and excellence in music education, she was honored with the Bagwell Scholar Award through the Bailey School of Music. Ms. Letalien has taught sectionals in multiple schools and has worked with private students throughout the North Georgia area.
Ms. Letalien student taught at Cass Middle School under the direction of Abigail Russom. While at Cass, Ms. Letalien led multiple ensembles, including the CMS Jazz Band and the 7th and 8th grade concert bands. Ms. Letalien also had the opportunity to guest conduct the Cass Middle School Honor band at the Music for All Festival held in Belmont, Tennessee.
Natalie Letalien
Director of Bands
East Paulding Middle School
Bryce Youmans is the Director of Bands at P. B. Ritch Middle School in Paulding County, Georgia. His students primarily feed into the band programs at East Paulding and Hiram High Schools. A native of Paulding County and an alumnus of Paulding County High School, Mr. Youmans enjoys working with middle school band students and fostering a love of music in the community where he grew up.
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Mr. Youmans is in his eighth year of teaching and is set to complete his master’s degree in Music Education in the fall of 2026. His bands regularly participate in Large Group Performance Evaluation. Under his direction, P. B. Ritch Middle School consistently places students in the District 7 Honor Band, including 14 students during the 2024–2025 school year and 13 during the 2025–2026 school year. Mr. Youmans is especially proud to contribute a growing number of students to the high school band programs in Paulding County each year.
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Mr. Youmans is married to Mrs. Keiley Youmans, who teaches elementary music and color/winter guard in Floyd County. They have two cats, Simba and Rosie. In his free time, Mr. Youmans enjoys camping, fishing, and driving and maintaining his vintage pickup truck.