Mr. Ryan Davenport
Director of Bands
Mr. Davenport is in his 17th year of teaching and his first at Collins Hill High School. His duties include directing the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band and the Sreamin’ Eagle Marching Band. He is very excited about this upcoming school year!
Prior to his appointment at Collins Hill, Mr. Davenport was the Director of Bands at East River High School in Orlando Florida from 2012 – 2020. During his tenure, the East River Band program consistently earned top ratings at marching, concert and jazz events. Before he arrived at ERHS, he held the position of Director of Bands at St. Johns County Center for the Arts, at St. Augustine High School. During his time at St. Augustine High School, the bands achieved consistent top ratings at district and state events. He received the Star Award in 2011 and 2012. This award is given to a teacher who had a significant impact on a student’s life.
Prior to his appointment in Florida, he served as the Associate Band Director at West Ashley High School located in Charleston, South Carolina. Under his direction and leadership, the marching band was honored by reaching the SCBDA state championships for the first time in the history of the school in 2007, which they placed 9th. In 2008, the marching band placed a very respectful 6th place. The marching indoor percussion ensemble earned the honor of state champions in class Scholastic A in the spring of 2008.
Mr. Davenport received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Carolina and his Master of Music Education degree from the University of West Georgia. He is also proud Alumni of Spirit of Atlanta (2000), where he marched the Mellophone.
His professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. Davenport is married to his wonderful wife Caitlin and they have two children (Olivia and Cullen) and their dog Copper.
Mr. Jami Fennell
Assistant Director of Bands
Jami Fennell is originally from Walterboro, South Carolina. He attended Western Carolina University where he studied percussion with Dr. Mario Gaetano. While attending WCU he performed in the percussion, jazz, wind and gamelan ensembles. He was also a member of the Pride of the Mountains Marching band where he served as the section leader and was Most Outstanding Performer for the 2001 season. Jami was also a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from 1999-2001, and in 2001 he was named Most Outstanding Performer. Jami also attended Jacksonville State University where he studied with Clint Gillespie and Tracy Tyler. While attending JSU he was a member of the Marching Southerners and the JSU PASIC line, and was the 2003 Most Outstanding Performer. Jami holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from JSU. He has also taught several highly respected drum lines throughout the South including: Spirit of JSU, Jacksonville State University, Kennesaw Mountain High School and Lassiter High School. From 2008-2010 he worked in Birmingham, Alabama as a member of the DoubleStop Percussion team. Currently Jami lives in Atlanta where he is the Percussion Coordinator for the Georgia State Marching Band and of course the Collins Hill Bands.