FAME Faculty & Staff
FAME Faculty & Staff
Mr. Connor's Page
Mrs. Houlihan's Page
Mr. Kote's Page
Ms. Lavin's Page
Ms. Abdus-Salaam's Page
Mr. Chester's Page
Mr. Giddens' Page

FAME Faculty & Staff

Image result for ROBERT JOHN CONNORFINE ARTS MAGNET DIRECTOR
Robert John Connor, MFA
robert.connor@dcssga.org
(770) 651-2768

Mr. Connor is an educator, producer and award winning director, has worked in the arts and entertainment industry for over 30 years. A graduate of Morehouse College, Robert studied music, radio, film and television. Robert went on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in Performance and Dramatic Media from the University of Georgia.  He has served as the Director of Drama and Musical Theatre at Tri-Cities High School and Chair of the Theatre program at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts.  

ashley hVISUAL ARTS/DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Ashley Houlihan, MA
ashley.houlihan@dcssga.org
(770) 651-2767

Ashley Houlihan has been a teacher with the Douglas County School Systems for twenty years.  She’s taught Visual Arts and Multicultural Education in both high school and university settings.  She has also spent time teaching art to elementary students while she studied abroad in Bayeux, France.  Ashley is well traveled and enjoys learning about new customs and cultures and she brings her experiences into the classroom.  Her personal artworks explore color and the human form, with a primary focus on portrait work.  She’s exhibited her artworks across north Georgia, as well as the metro-Atlanta area, and continues to create works for commission, as well as personal development.   
marcusINSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Marcus Chester, MMEd.
marcus.chester@dcssga.org
(770) 651-2765

Mr. Chester, is a graduate of Fort Valley State University. While at Fort Valley State University, Mr. Chester served as first chair trombone in the concert and jazz bands. He also served as section leader, drum major, and student director in the FVSU Blue Machine Marching Band. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music in May of 2006. Mr. Chester went on to serve as director of bands at Lucy C. Laney (2007-2009), the Academy of Richmond County (2009 – 2015), and  as assistant band director at Lindley Middle School in Cobb County (2015-2017). He is a music arranger and clinician for high schools in the Atlanta area.  Mr. Chester earned a Masters of Music Education from the University of Georgia. He is married and a proud father of two children.  Mr. Chester holds membership in PAGE and Georgia Music Educator Association (GMEA). Mr. Chester is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and the Lambda Zeta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity at FVSU. Mr. Chester was the 2013 All-County middle school clinician for Richmond County schools. He is also a 2012-2013 Golden Apple Award recipient.
treyVOCAL MUSIC
Trey Giddens, 
trey.giddens@dcssga.org
(770) 651-2766

Trey Giddens, a graduate of Mercer University, has been teaching for 14 years.   Currently at New Manchester High School he has the pleasure of directing the award winning Fame Choirs, and the nationally recognized and award winning a Capella group InToneNation.  Trey is a sought after show choir choreographer and choral clinician who works with choirs of all ages around the state.  In his spare time Trey can be seen singing around the Atlanta area and preforming with the Atlanta Freedom Bands.

AdrienneDANCE
Adrienne Abdus-Salaam, M.Ed
adrienne.abdus-salaam@dcssga.org
(770) 651-2859

Adrienne Abdus-Salaam is a native of Atlanta, GA. Adrienne began her dance education at Total Dance and Tri-Cities High School.  She received her Bachelor’s Fine Arts in Dance from University of the Arts, her Master’s in Education from Temple University and her Certification in Contemporary Ghanaian Dance from the University of Ghana. Adrienne has been dancing professionally for 25 years and teaching for 20. Adrienne has studied and performed in China, South Africa, West Africa, The Netherlands, Cuba, Brazil, Jamaica and London.  Adrienne has done company work with Total Dance/Danica Productions, Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, Kulu Mele, Kariamu & Company and Urban Bush Women. She has worked as a Professor of Dance at The University of Arts and Temple University. Teaching artist for Delaware, New Jersey& Pennsylvania Council of the Arts in Education.  Adrienne was also the Director of Dance for 2 years at Tri-Cities High School and is currently the Director of Dance for New Manchester High school’s Fine Arts Magnet Education.  

aslDRAMA



Ashley Cleveland, MFA
(770) 651-2755

Ashley Cleveland is an actress, writer, and director with a passion to educate and inspire others through the arts. Ashley is a proud alumna of Spelman College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Drama. While at Spelman, Ashley was afforded the opportunity to study abroad at the British American Dramatic Academy (BADA) in Oxford, England. Ashley went on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from UCLA. Ashley’s community involvement includes teaching theatre to youth and teens at the Southwest Arts Center, working with the National Black Arts Festival, and mentoring students from Tri-Cities High School and Spelman College.

lindseyVISUAL ART
Lindsey Lavin
lindsey.lavin@dcssga.org
(770) 651-2764
Lindsey Lavin graduated Magna Cum Laude from Valdosta State University with a Bachelors in Fine Arts and a Major in Art Education.  She received Outstanding Teacher and Outstanding Art Education Student.  Lindsey has taught two-dimensional and three-dimensional Visual Arts in a high school and middle school settings. Currently she teaches Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture, and Visual Art. Her personal artwork focuses on medium format film photography, sculptural ceramic works, and explorations into aqueous media. Lindsey continues to work for commission outside the classroom, is always learning, and uses her free time to travel and bring those experiences into the classroom.

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