Director's Team

Davon J. Yonkers is currently the Director of Bands at Highland Springs High School directing all instrumental music ensembles. Mr. Yonkers holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music Education, both from Norfolk State University. He is a native of Portsmouth, VA and has traveled abroad to perform “Black Broadway Rhythms” in the Edinburgh, Scotland Theater Festival. He is the longest Band Director of Highland Springs HS since the late 1990's.

Danielle Yonkers, Assistant Director of Bands (Auxiliary & Woodwind Instructor), is a proud native of Atlantic City, NJ, and is a graduate of Norfolk State University where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education. She is also a graduate of the University of Richmond where she received a Post-Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. She is currently the Band Director at Elko Middle School.

Gayle Brown, Assistant Director of Bands (Flag Coach), is a native of Atlantic City, NJ and is a graduate of Hampton University where she received a B.S. in Psychology. She also received a Master's degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. She currently is a special education teacher for Richmond Public Schools at RCEEA.

Willis King, Assistant Director of Bands (Dance Coach), is a proud alumnus of Norfolk State University, where he was a member of the world-renowned "Spartan Legion" Marching Band until he graduated in 2012 with a B.S. in Mass Communications, General Broadcasting. He is currently pursuing a B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts.

Tim Carter, Assistant Director of Bands (Drum Major Coach), is a native of Richmond, VA who matriculated through Richmond Public Schools. Tim is a two time degree recipient of Norfolk State University, ultimately receiving a Master’s in Urban Education with a concentration in School Counseling. He was a trumpet player in a few music ensembles at NSU, including brass and pep bands and the Spartan “Legion” Marching Band where he also served as drum major for two years. He is currently serving as a School Counselor for Richmond Public Schools.

Alisha Luke, Assistant Director of Bands (Percussion Instructor), is a proud 2011 graduate of Highland Springs HS. Upon graduating high school she attended Norfolk State University where she received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work. She also participated with the "Spartan Legion" Band and became a member of the Million Dollar Funk Squad "MDF$.

Wayne Bradley, Assistant Director of Bands (Ass't Percussion Instructor), is a proud 2006 graduate of Highland Springs. After graduating high school, he attended Norfolk State University where he majored in Business Management. While at NSU, he marched for the Spartan Legion Marching Band and joined The Million Dollar Funk Squad (MDF$) drumline.

Steve Spruill, (The Voice of the Marching Battalion) Is an alumnus of Norfolk State University and the Spartan Legion Band where he was under the tutelage of former NSU director of bands Emery L. Fears. He is the founder of Emery L. Fears Boys Academy, Inc. founded in Washington, DC, which he named in honor of Professor Fears in 2004. Since the 1990s, Spruill is honored to have served as band announcer for an array of award winning music programs, which included Woodrow Wilson HS in Portsmouth during Mr. Yonkers’ high school band years. It is once again an esteemed honor for Spruill to be announcing for the musical genius of Mr. Yonkers and the magnificent Marching Battalion