Chelsea High School Band

Directors & Sponsors

Director of Bands

Perry Lawley

Perry Lawley is the Director of Bands at Chelsea High School, a position he has held since 2016. Lawley has served as a public school band director in Alabama since 2004. At Chelsea, Lawley supervises and oversees all aspects of the comprehensive band program and leads the teaching and development of its various ensembles. Bands at Chelsea consistently earn Superior ratings in adjudication and are respected around the state for their performance acumen and history.

Prior to his time at Chelsea, Lawley served for eight years as the Director of Bands at Montevallo Middle School and Montevallo High School, where he reinvigorated the band program by more than doubling participation numbers. Montevallo bands consistently earned Superior ratings in all forms of adjudication. Before Montevallo, Lawley served four years as Assistant Director of Bands at Rudd Middle School and Pinson Valley High School.

Lawley is a native of Montevallo, Alabama and a graduate of Montevallo High School. He holds both the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. He served as a member of Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, the Symphonic Winds, and as a member of the internationally acclaimed USM Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble.

Email Mr. Lawley

Email Mr. Johnson

Assistant Director of Bands

Trace Johnson

Trace Johnson serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at Chelsea High School in Chelsea, AL. Johnson assists with all aspects of the Chelsea High School Bands. He is the primary conductor of the Concert Band and assists with the Marching Hornet Pride, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. The Chelsea band program is one of rich history and respect. The ensembles consistently receive Superior ratings in both concert and marching festivals.

Prior to his employment at Chelsea, Johnson served as the Director of Bands at Pine Grove Middle School in Valdosta, GA where he led instruction for over 160 musicians in 6th-8th grades. In addition to working with his middle school students, Johnson also instructed private students and worked with the award winning Lowndes High Georgia Bridgemen.

A graduate of Auburn University, Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education with a concentration in Clarinet. During his time at Auburn University, Johnson participated in the Auburn University Marching Band serving as a clarinet soloist, section leader and drum major. Johnson also performed with the Auburn University Symphonic Winds, Auburn Community Orchestra, and the Auburn University Clarinet Ensemble. Mr. Johnson is currently pursuing a master’s degree in music education from Jacksonville State University. Johnson resides in Birmingham, AL with his wife Victoria where they love cooking, working on home improvement projects, and spending time with family and friends.

Director of Bands, Chelsea Middle School

Erin Lyon

Mrs. Lyon is very excited to be a part of the Chelsea Middle School Band family! She has been teaching middle school band for 16 years and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Mrs. Lyon earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Troy University and is currently pursuing her PhD in Music Education at Auburn University. She is an active clinician for middle school honor bands around the state and is a member of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and Alabama Music Educators Association. Mrs. Lyon is a veteran soldier musician of the United States Army National Guard with the 151st Army Band. She is a proud mother to Wyatt (7) and Virginia Grace (5) and the wife of Wade Lyon, who is also an educator in the Birmingham area.

Email Mrs. Lyon

Email Mrs. Sexton

Sponsor, Majorette Sponsor

Christine Sexton

Mrs. Christine Sexton grew up in Oak Grove, Alabama. Although the town had a small population, during Mrs. Sexton’s 9th-12th grade years, the band normally comprised over 150 students and achieved high ranking awards every year. With the Oak Grove High School band, Mrs. Sexton marched in the Rose Bowl parade in Pasadena, California, the Citrus Parade in Orlando, Florida, the Macy’s Day Parade in New York City, and various other parades including parades in Disneyland and Disney World. Mrs. Sexton was captain of the Dance Team her senior year. Mrs. Sexton attended Auburn University for her undergraduate degree in special education and the University of Alabama for her master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education. Mrs. Sexton coached the dance team at Bottenfield Jr. High in Jefferson County and took the team to third place in the Universal Dance Association’s National Competition in Orlando, Florida. Mrs. Sexton has also coached and sponsored various dance and cheer teams in the Birmingham Metro area. Mrs. Sexton has enjoyed being the Stingettes’ dance team coach since 2021.

Sponsor, Dance

Leah Smith

Leah Smith is beginning her first year at Chelsea High School as Stingette sponsor and English teacher. She has previously taught at Walter Wellborn High School (2023-2026) where she also graduated high school as an All-American Cheerleader in 2019. Ms. Smith went on to cheer at Birmingham-Southern College for four years while obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in English in 2023. Ms. Smith graduated from Jacksonville State University in 2026 with a Master of Science in Secondary Education.

Email Mrs. Lovelace

Sponsor, Color Guard & Winter Guard Director

Amy Lovelace

Amy Lovelace serves as the Color Guard Sponsor and Winter Guard Director for Chelsea High School, where she plays a vital role in elevating the visual performance and spirit of the band program. Through her leadership, creativity, and commitment to excellence, Lovelace has built a program known for its precision, artistry, and competitive success.

In 2026, Lovelace led the Chelsea Winter Guard to an outstanding season, earning the title of State Champions, a third-place finish in the SRAA division at the SCGC Championships, and a second-place finish in the SRAA Blue division at SCGC. During the 2025 marching band season, her color guard was awarded Best in Class and Best in Show Color Guard at the Sand Mountain Invitational, further highlighting the program’s excellence on the field.

In addition to directing the winter guard, Lovelace works closely with the marching band staff to coordinate field visuals and enhance halftime productions during football season. Her dedication contributes to an exciting and engaging game day atmosphere for players, fans, and the Chelsea community.

Beyond her work with the guard, Lovelace is passionate about mentoring students and fostering confidence, discipline, and teamwork. She takes pride in creating a supportive environment where performers can grow both on and off the floor.

Sponsor, Color Guard

Channing Martin

Channing Martin is entering her third year of teaching and is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. She holds degrees in Secondary English Language Arts and Speech-Language Pathology and recently earned her master’s degree this summer. Outside of the classroom, Channing enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and getting lost in a good book. She is excited to serve as one the Color Guard Sponsors and looks forward to a great season with the team!