Giving 100% by Exemplifying: Excellence, Loyalty, Kindness, and Skill

G.O. E.L.K.S.

Our Mission

To promote and develop excellence in music arts and education in our community by providing positive moral and financial support and assistance for the music program and participants.  Express the significance of music in participant’s cultural, intellectual and social lives as well as development physically and mentally, with the disciplines learned serving our students throughout their lives, while experiencing personal growth.  This will be accomplished by enabling communication and cooperation with teachers, students, parents, school administration, the board of education and the larger community; encouraging students to strive for excellence and build relationships; fundraising to provide the students with the equipment, materials, instruments and knowledge to become successful.                   

Eliza Shepherd

Director of Bands

Elkin City Schools

Ms. Shepherd attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she received a bachelors degree in music education studying oboe and minor french horn. She served as the drum major for the Spirit of the Carolina's Marching band as well as the Pep Band Conductor for two years. She was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award in 2013 for her service to the music department. 

Ms. Shepherd has taught leadership and conducting for Fred J Miller Summer Clinics and Yamaha Sounds of Summer. She has worked for many schools including: Rockingham County High School, Myrtle Beach High School, Grays Creek High School, Mac Williams Middle School, Cape Fear High School, and Cardinal Gibbons High School. 

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Ms. Shepherd holds professional memberships with Sigma Alpha Iota, the National Association for Music Education, and the North Carolina Music Educator’s Association. Outside of school Ms. Shepherd enjoys hiking, camping, live performances, and playing with the local community band.

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"Every time you take up the instrument, you are
making a statement, your statement, and it must be a
statement of belief that this is the way you want to speak." - Isaac Stern