Sarah Ramsey is a graduate of James Madison University. She studied Saxophone under Professor David Pope. She was a member and section leader of the Marching Royal Dukes for four years. She marched in the 2008 Macy's Day Parade and participated in a variety of other performances while with the Marching Royal Dukes. Mrs. Ramsey was a member of the James Madison University Instrumental performing groups, including the jazz band and Wind Symphony. She has played in several musical pits such as “The Sound of Music,” “Annie,” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” She participated in the study abroad program for the Festival International de Jazz Montreal. She has attended a variety of concerts, music festivals, conferences, and conventions. She was a member and president of Tau Beta Sigma, which is a band service sorority. She volunteered and oversaw several projects such as MRD crews, canned food drives, Toys for Tots, and Adopt a Highway.

Sarah Ramsey was born in South Jersey and attended Kingsway High School in Swedesboro. While in high school, she studied saxophone privately with David Cubbler. She was drum major of marching band, a section leader in both concert band and jazz band, a member of the chorus, performed in several drama productions, and was captain of the swim team. She performed with several university honor bands including Rowan University and West Chester University. Mrs. Ramsey was also a member of the Bonsal Blues, an American Legion Regiment Band.

Before taking over as the Director of Bands at Thomas Dale High School, Mrs. Ramsey was the 6-12 instrumental music instructor for Amelia County Public Schools. She tripled the size of the Amelia Band program in her three year tenure. While under her direction, the Amelia Band participated in VBODA State Assessment, The Festival of Music, and Longwood Honors Band. 

Currently, Mrs. Ramsey teaches at Thomas Dale High School where she leads the Thomas Dale Marching Knights, the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Band, and the Concert Band. Mrs. Ramsey is actively involved with the Center for the Arts. She instructs the second level of Musician’s Studio and coaches several small ensembles/soloists while participating in the Center for the Arts Saxophone Quartet. Mrs. Ramsey is also teaches advanced guitar at Thomas Dale. While under her tenure at Thomas Dale, the bands have received numerous superior ratings and retains its status as a Governor’s Blue Ribbon School. She has had students participate in All District Band, All Virginia Band, All Virginia Jazz, Senior Regional Orchestra, Governor’s School, the Greater RIchmond Youth Wind Ensemble, and the Greater Richmond Youth Jazz Ensemble. She currently has students studying music at Shenandoah Conservatory for Music, James Madison University, Peabody Conservatory for Music, Virginia State University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Mrs. Ramsey is currently pursuing her Master’s in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She plays the saxophone with the Commonwealth Winds and various other performing groups throughout the Greater Richmond Area. 

Stephen E. Cherry, Jr is a professional trombonist and music teacher of over 21 years.  He is a graduate of University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he studied under Dr. Randy Kohlenberg.  At UNCG he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.  He also holds a Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College  (Maryland) and a Masters degree in Music Education  from UNCG.  He holds certification in Maryland and Virginia in K-12 Instrumental and Vocal Music.  In addition he holds a National Board Certification in Music.  

His professional playing life has taken him all over the country and beyond playing in and with multiple bands and orchestras.  Currently he performs with multiple groups in the Richmond area.  Bonefire Trombone Ensemble, Richmond Pops Band, Elbe Musikanten, Slide Hustle, Wind Ensemble at University of Richmond, Richmond Jazz Band, Metropolitan British Brass Band of RVA,  and multiple other ensembles.  He acknowledges his extreme luck and privilege in being a member of these groups and always seeks out new groups to perform, practice, and improve his art.  

Mr. Cherry also teaches private lessons on a variety of brass and other instruments from his home in North Chesterfield and online.  Private students of his have gone on to colleges such as UNCG, University of Maryland, Towson University, James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth University and more.  

Mr. Cherry’s teaches Guitar, Musician’s Studio, Music Technology and more at Thomas Dale High School and is in his 3rd year at the school.  He has also assisted the marching band, show choir band, jazz bands and more in the past.   He will be the Applied Brass teacher at nearby Brightpoint Community College this fall in addition to his duties at Dale.

Mr. Cherry lives in North Chesterfield with his spouse of 20 years, his dog Snoopy, and two cats, Franklin and Prince.  He can be reached at Stephen_Cherry@ccpsnet.net