Meet our Staff
Nicholas C. Efstathiou - Director of Bands
Jeff Davis High School
Nicholas C. Efstathiou is the Director of Bands at Jeff Davis High School, Hazlehurst, Georgia (2019-current). A native of Panama City, he has served as band director at Bay High School (2006-2019). Nicholas has earned his Music Education Specialist Degree from Piedmont University, Master's Degree, and Bachelor's Degree from Troy University. He is currently serving on the board of the Southeastern United States High School and Middle School Concert Band Clinic and Honor Bands at Troy University.
He has served as a motivational speaker, adjudicator, and clinician throughout the southeast. His high school groups have been selected to perform in Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Orange Bowl Parade, the Con Brio Music Festival in Whistler, Canada, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. Nicholas' professional memberships include the Georgia Music Educators Association, NAfME, National Band Association, Music Educator National Conference, Florida Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, FarmHouse Fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kappa, among others. He was selected Bay High's Teacher of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year, elected to Bay District Schools Top Five Teacher of the Year, 2012 Top Ten of Best of Bay Most Influential Person, and the 2012 recipient of the Henshaw-Whitley Teaching Excellence Award.
Nicholas is married to Kelly Efstathiou, a Troy University graduate, who teaches private piano/music lessons and is a singer/songwriter for Kelly Alayna. Together, they have two children, Alayna and Ace.
Madhavi Shingala - Assistant Band Director
Jeff Davis Middle School
Madhavi Shingala is the Band Director at Jeff Davis Middle School, Hazlehurst, GA (2023-current). She graduated with honors from Kennesaw State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. During her time at KSU, Madhavi was actively involved in several ensembles, including, Wind Symphony, Wing Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, and Flute Choir. Her commitment to the field extended beyond performance as she was an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary coeducational band fraternity, and the College National Association for Music Education (CNAfME).
In her role as Band Director, Madhavi has had the pleasure of assisting the Jeff Davis High School Marching Band, as well as leading students to perform at Large Group Performance Evaluation in Jesup, GA. She has thoroughly enjoyed being a band director here and is excited to see what the future holds, while creating a vibrant and supportive learning environment for her students.
Madhavi currently resides in Hazlehurst, GA and spends her time outside of work reading, writing, performing, and traveling with her family who currently live in Atlanta.
Shane I. Schroeder - Assistant Band Director
Jeff Davis Elementary School
5th Grade Band Director
Color Guard Coach
[email protected]
Shane I. Schroeder is the 5th Grade Band Director at Jeff Davis Elementary School, Hazlehurst, GA (2022-current). Shane has earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with Instrumental Emphasis at Young Harris College in Young Harris, GA. During his time there, he served as President of Young Harris College's CNAfME Chapter, the Collegiate National Association for Music Educators, and President of Mu Phi Epsilon, a coeducational music honors fraternity.
As a Jeff Davis County native, he has served as an adjudicator, instructor, and leader in his community. His elementary music ensembles, both instrumental and chorale, have experienced many honors and distinctions. Under his direction, the Jeff Davis Elementary School Beta Club Songfest group earned first place at the Georgia Beta Club Convention in Savannah, GA, in 2023 and second place at the Georgia Beta Club Convention in 2024. Under his direction, the Jeff Davis Elementary School Beginning Band Program premiered a commissioned piece entitled "Swarm" by composer Tyler Arcari, detailing what it means to be a Yellow Jacket.
Shane and his immediate family live in Hazlehurst, Georgia. He spends most of his days creating music, performing, gaming, and spending time with his family.
Casie Jones - Auxiliary Instructor
Jeff Davis Primary School
Majorette Instructor
Mrs. Casie Jones is beginning her 2nd year as the Majorette Instructor/Choreographer for the Pride of the Pinelands. Originally from Cordele, GA, Mrs. Jones graduated with honors from Crisp County High School. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University. Currently, in her 16th year as a classroom teacher, Mrs. Jones teaches Special Education at Jeff Davis Primary for grades K-2.
Previously, Mrs. Jones has served as an adjudicator for various marching festivals and competitions throughout middle and south Georgia. While a Crisp County High School student, she served as Majorette Captain for the Crisp County Cougar Marching Band Majorette Line for both her junior & senior years. During her senior year, she was fortunate to have the opportunity to march with the band in the Gator Bowl parade and perform as a feature majorette during the halftime show in Jacksonville, FL. Upon college graduation, she was honored to serve for 10 years as Majorette Instructor/Choreographer for the Hawkinsville High School Marching Machine Band. Mrs. Jones has taught baton twirling to many young girls in her area. She is super excited about the future of the Majorette program in Jeff Davis! In the Spring, she will be offering baton twirling for groups and private lessons, culminating with a Spring recital performance.
Mrs. Jones and her husband, Cote, have been married for nearly 17 years. He is a football coach for JDHS and a golf coach for JDMS. Together, they have two amazing children, Rylee, a 4th grader at JDES, and Rhett, a 3rd grader at JDES.