O’Shae D. Best, MM 
Director of Bands, Fine Arts Department Chair
best.oshae@fcboe.org
Mr. O’Shae Best serves as the Band Director at Fayette County High School (GA), where he oversees all aspects of the Fayette County High School Band Program. This includes 3 Concert Bands, Marching Band, Winterguard, and Pep Band. Along with his duties at Fayette, Mr. Best is the Artistic Director of the Atlanta Freedom Bands Concert Band, based in Atlanta, GA. Most recently, he was the Director of Bands at Crestdale Middle School (a CMS school) in Matthews, NC and the Associate Artistic Director of the Charlotte Pride Band. A native of Laurinburg, North Carolina, O’Shae was a member of various ensembles throughout high school and college. Prior to returning to the classroom, Best served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Mead Witter School of Music, located at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he led non-major University Band, guest conducted the UW Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, and assisted with the UW Marching Band. O’Shae is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, National Association for Music Education, and the National Band Association. He holds degrees from East Carolina University in music education and the University of Wisconsin – Madison in wind conducting.
Brandon Waugh –
Assistant Director of Bands
waugh.brandon@fcboe.org
Brandon Waugh is joining the Tiger Band from Cumming, Georgia. Mr. Waugh obtained his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Georgia. After completing his degree, he returned home to Cumming to student teach at South Forsyth Middle School under the mentorship of former FCHS band director, Dr. Andrew Poor. He has spent the last two years working as an adjunct band instructor all around the northern Atlanta area, most recently at Piney Grove Middle School in Cumming.
Mr. Waugh is very involved in the marching arts, having served as trumpet section leader for the UGA Redcoat Band and as a performer in the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Currently, Mr. Waugh serves as a high brass instructor for Music City Drum and Bugle Corps based in Nashville, Tennessee. Additionally, Mr. Waugh worked as a clinician and instructor for a number of prominent high school marching bands in the Atlanta area, including South Forsyth High School, North Forsyth High School, and River Ridge High School.
When not teaching, Mr. Waugh is an active performer throughout the Atlanta area, playing trumpet for the Perimeter Brass Quintet and the Cobb Wind Symphony in Marietta, Ga.
Color Guard Staff
Jason Franklin, Guard Director
With a rich blend of experience and education, Mr. Jason Franklin brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our high school band program and academic staff. Mr. Franklin has dedicated over 20 years to guiding and instructing students in the art of guard performance, helping them to excel both individually and as a team. In addition to his role as a guard director, Mr. Franklin is also a highly respected educator of over 12 years, teaching middle school math with the same enthusiasm and commitment he brings to the field.
Mr. Franklin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, which has equipped him with a strong foundation in teaching and curriculum development. Furthering his expertise, he earned a Master’s degree in Administrative Leadership, allowing him to take on leadership roles and contribute to the broader educational community with a focus on continuous improvement and student success.
Most recently, Mr. Franklin taught guard at Seymour High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he spent 16 years shaping and influencing the lives of his students. His time at Seymour High School solidified his reputation as a dedicated and effective educator and guard director.
Beyond his formal qualifications and teaching roles, Mr. Franklin is known for his dedication to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. He believes in the power of education and the arts to transform lives, and his dual roles in academics and extracurricular activities allow him to impact students in multifaceted ways.