Meet the Director:

Mrs. Noelle Williams is the new director of the Pinckneyville Orchestras. Prior to her appointment at Pinckneyville, she was the orchestra director for 7 years at Sweetwater Middle School in Lawrenceville, GA where she received multiple Superior ratings at LGPE. Mrs. Williams was a finalist for Teacher of the Year at Sweetwater in both 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a minor in Spanish, as well as Full University Honors. Her notable professors were Dr. Scott Rawls (viola) Dr. Rebecca MacLeod (Music Ed). She also served as chapter president of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), was an active member of the National Association for Music Education, as well as a part of the Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity. Mrs. Williams also holds a Master of Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina under the guidance of Dr. Gail Barnes, and taught middle school, high school, private studio, and after-school gifted programs in Sumter, SC for five years. 

Mrs. Williams is an active guest speaker, performer, clinician, mentor, and adjudicator. She has been a presenter at GMEA, ASTA, and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra In-Service Conferences. She has also served as head adjudicator for South Carolina’s Region 3 Music Performance Assessment. Mrs. Williams is the event chair for GCPS’s Violapalooza festival as well as a co-chair for the GMEA District 13 Middle School Honor Orchestra. She was also named lead mentor for Sweetwater MS in 2020-21 and has served as a mentor teacher for the National ASTA young professionals cohort. As a performer, Mrs. Williams plays viola in the Gwinnett Symphony Chamber Orchestra. 

A native of Gwinnett County, Mrs. Williams is an alumnus of Brookwood High School in Snellville, GA. She currently lives in Suwanee with her husband, Wes, and pitbulls, Bebe & Truly.Concert Orchestra- The concert orchestra is for 6th grade students. Students in orchestra can choose to play violin, viola, cello, or upright bass. There is no need for prior experience in music or performance to join. The ensembles will perform two concerts per year.

• Symphonic Orchestra- This group is for 7th grade students and perform at school concerts. Extra rehearsals may be scheduled prior to performances and all students will be expected to attend.
• Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly called “Varsity”)- The 8th Grade orchestra members participate in the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE)  and perform at school concerts. Extra rehearsals may be scheduled prior to performances and all students will be expected to attend.