Assistants
Joe Terry
Assistant Director
Joe Terry served in the U.S. Navy from 1971-1975, ending with a tour in Vietnam and receiving an honorable discharge in 1975. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Montevallo in December, 1978 and was hired as Assistant Band Director at Vestavia Hills High School in 1979. From 1979 through 1989, Mr. Terry designed the Marching Band shows, instructed the VHHS Colorguard, conducted the Concert Band, Spring Musical Orchestras and assisted at Pizitz Middle School. His colorguards and bands consistently won “Best in Class” and received Superior ratings at District, State, and out of State Band Festivals.
In October, 1987, Mr. Terry was involved in a tragic automobile accident that left him in a coma for 16 days. After trying for over a year to return to teaching, he had to retire from full time teaching in 1989. Over the years, by the grace of God, he has been able to return to teaching at various middle schools and high schools, critiquing/conducting bands, and instructing individuals and sectionals.
Mr. Terry is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), Alabama Bandmasters Association (ABA), The National Band Association (NBA), and Phi Beta Mu. He is a member of Shades Mountain Community Church and enjoys playing golf and fishing. He is privileged to assist the Band Directors at OMHS and OMMS, teaching some of the most amazing students in Alabama! He finds nothing more satisfying than seeing them achieve their musical goals and watching them grow into outstanding young men and women.
To God be the Glory!
Zach Feldman
Assistant Director and Visuals Coordinator
Without music, life would be a mistake. –Friedrich Nietzsche
In 2008 Mr. Feldman joined the Oak Mountain High School faculty where he has taught Geometry and served as the “Spirit of Cahaba” brass specialist. He has also served as the sponsor for the colorguard, winterguard, majorettes, and is currently the visuals coordinating director. “Feldy” is an Oak Mountain High School alumnus and was a member of the Eagles’ first graduating class in 2000. He played the sousaphone in the first “Spirit of Cahaba” marching band, trombone in the jazz band, and euphonium in the Wind Ensemble under the direction and tutelage of the esteemed Mr. Jim Duren.
As a graduate of Auburn University, Mr. Feldman received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, with a minor in Music. He is currently working on his Master’s in Math Education, and toward a Doctorate in Educational Technology. While attending Auburn, he played the bass trombone, tuba, euphonium, and tenor trombone in various ensembles including Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Campus Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, and the Auburn University Marching Band. Mr. Feldman was also both lead and bass trombonist for the Auburn Knights Jazz Orchestra from 2001-2008.
An important aspect of his life is family — his wife Bragan (a realtor and expert nose flute player), two children (Grier, Miss America 2029 and Barrett, 2032 Heisman Trophy Winner), two cats (Cleopatra Beyonce “Cleo” and Marc Antony “Twaney”), and one dog (a beautiful golden doodle, Biscuit). Outside of his professional interests, Mr. Feldman enjoys Auburn Football, golf, working out, and being involved in their church home, Chelsea Village Baptist Church.
David Vaughan
Marching and Music Specialist
Dr. David Vaughan is the Worship Pastor at Meadow Brook Baptist Church here in the Oak Mountain community. He is the husband of Jill, an elementary school teacher in Shelby County and the father of Jackson and Ella, both a product of Oak Mountain schools. Dr. Vaughan has been a part of the Oak Mountain High School band family since 2013. He is a graduate of Samford University with a Bachelors of Music degree, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY with a Master’s degree in Church Music and Conducting, and earned a Doctorate from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. While pursuing his education, he was involved as the principle trombone in numerous bands, orchestras, jazz bands, and ensembles. Since then Dr. Vaughan has played in a number groups including both professional and community orchestras. In Birmingham, he has played with the Red Mountain Orchestra, Super Jazz, and many church orchestras. David enjoys serving Christ, being with his family and serving the people of Meadow Brook Baptist and the Oak Mountain community. He counts it a privilege to be able to work with the outstanding Oak Mountain High School Band.
Chris Diffey
Marching and Music Specialist
Chris Diffey has been happily married to Patricia since June of 1996. He is the proud dad of one daughter (Morgan) and two sons (James and Matthew). Chris has enjoyed serving as the Minister of Music and Worship at Lakeside Baptist Church since November of 2004. Mr. Diffey achieved both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music with an emphasis in Church Music from Samford University. While at Samford, Chris was involved in several ensembles including the marching band, the wind ensemble, trombone choir, tuba choir, and two brass quintets. He also sang with the A Cappella Choir and University Chorale. Chris played trombone in the last two live band performances for Step Sing, where he met his wife. Chris Diffey enjoys worshiping the Lord, spending time with his family, serving his church family, and assisting with the Oak Mountain High School Band. There really isn’t much time to do anything else, but there really isn’t anything else he wants to do.
Natalie Chartrand
Color Guard Sponsor and Winter Guard Director
Mrs. Chartrand joined the Spirit of Cahaba staff in 2022 as the color guard sponsor and winter guard director. She currently teaches 7th grade life science at Oak Mountain Middle School.
Mrs. Chartrand is a 1993 graduate of Russellville High School where she played both trumpet and french horn with the Marching 100. After high school, Mrs. Chartrand attended Auburn University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary science education (biology) and then a master’s degree from UAB. She and her family live in the Oak Mountain community and both her children are members of the Spirit of Cahaba Band. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time at home with family.
Jessica Swann
Dance Team Sponsor
Ms. Swann joined the “Spirit of Cahaba” staff in 2023 as the Dance Team sponsor and instructor. She currently teaches 9th grade English Language Arts at Oak Mountain High School.
Ms. Swann is a 2012 graduate of Oak Grove High School, where she began her love for music performance. She pursued Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Dance, and Color Guard which led her to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While at UAB, Ms. Swann was a member of the UAB Marching Blazers Color Guard, UAB Wind Symphony, UAB Blazer Basketball Band, and UAB Flute and Oboe choirs. Ms. Swann was a leader of the UAB Color Guard and principal Oboist in the UAB Wind Symphony. Ms. Swann graduated from UAB in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education, English Language Arts. She began her teaching career at Pelham High School, where she served for five years and obtained Pelham City Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2020. Ms. Swann gained her masters in Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama during that time. She is in her 6th years of teaching and her life-long goal is to serve and love on students, while being a light of hope to the future generation for the glory of God.
An important aspect of Ms. Swann’s life is her family, faith, and teaching. Ms. Swann currently serves in the Hunter Street Baptist Church Orchestra, where she plays oboe. She enjoys serving the community and being involved in mission projects. Ms. Swann answered the call to teach by knowing she was created by God with a purpose to change lives, make an impact, and love others for an eternal purpose. She loves sunflowers, UAB football, and spending time with family. Go Blazers!
Shelby Morrow
Majorette Co-Sponsor
Shelby Morrow joined the Oak Mountain Band staff in 2023 as the majorette co-sponsor. She has been twirling all of her life, and grew up in Dothan, Alabama, where she twirled for Northview High School, serving as captain her senior year. After high school, she began choreographing and enjoys the creative outlet this provides.
Ms. Morrow teaches eleventh grade social studies this year at Oak Mountain High School and is excited to be back in Birmingham. Previously, she taught at Helena High School and Dothan High School, where she coached the Dothan majorettes for three years. She is a two time graduate from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and is excited to continue a tradition of excellence as an Oak Mountain Eagle.